SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: NEW STAR SHINING- GAITHER VOCAL BAND

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by

justingilmore1992
in

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

NEW STAR SHINING

GAITHER VOCAL BAND

LABEL: GAITHER MUSIC GROUP

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2024

GROUP MEMBERS: BILL GAITHER (BASS/BARITONE), WES HAMPTON (TENOR), ADAM CRABB (LEAD), TODD SUTTLES (BARITONE/BASS), AND REGGIE SMITH (TENOR)

SONG LIST:

  1. Mary’s Boy Child (Jester Hairston)
  2. Come And See What’s Happenin’ (Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Woody Wright, Michael Sykes)
  3. Home For The Holidays (Robert Allen, Al Stillman)
  4. Mary Was The First One To Carry The Gospel (William J. Gaither, Mark Lowry)
  5. The Little Drummer Boy (Katherine K. Davis, Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati)
  6. New Star Shining (John J. Hall)
  7. My Heart Would Be Your Bethlehem (William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither, J.D. Miller)
  8. Gloria (Gloria Gaither, Benjamin Gaither)
  9. Jesus, What A Lovely Name (William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither)
  10. Tennessee Christmas (Amy Grant, Gary W. Chapman)
  11. Emmanuel: This Changes Everything (Woody Wright, William J. Gaither, Reba Rambo)
  12. Fear Not (Daryl K. Williams)

BREAKDOWN:

The Gaither Vocal Band has released another incredible Christmas album to celebrate this joyous season. New Star Shining features twelve stellar songs that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

This special album opens with the fun, Latin styled “Mary’s Boy Child” which reminds us of the true meaning of the season. Man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day! The group then revisits the first of five songs with “Come And See What’s Happenin’.” This new version is given a fresh new coat of paint so to speak. Most of the members get features on this version and the harmonies are played with a bit more than the original. The GVB then takes on the classic “Home For The Holidays” which includes a beautiful a cappella bit towards the end. “Mary Was The First One To Carry The Gospel” is given a fresh new arrangement which gives even more of a groove. While I love the original from their 1998 album Still The Greatest Story Ever Told, I think this version is my new favorite. Todd Suttles takes the lead on a tender version of the classic “The Little Drummer Boy.” Suttles does an incredible job delivering the message of this timeless song. Wes Hampton is featured on the beautiful ballad “New Star Shining.” This song was also featured on the above-mentioned album. Hampton’s classic tenor shines on this incredible song that reminds us of the perfect Love that entered the world the day Jesus was born. There was a New Star shining in the sky up above. By His Light, they found His Peace and Perfect Love. He shines for us still! The group also revisits another GVB Christmas classic with “My Heart Would Be Your Bethlehem.” This version stays true to the original recording, but it is great to hear it done by this incredible vocal lineup. “Gloria” is a fun, up-tempo tune that features Reggie Smith and simply praises Christ and celebrates His Birth. “Jesus, What A Lovely Name” is another beautiful ballad that features incredible harmonies and praises the Name Above All Names. All creation now proclaim Jesus what a Lovely Name. Adam Crabb takes the lead on the country Christmas classic “Tennessee Christmas,” in which one longs for a tender, joy-filled Christmas with loved ones. “Emmanuel: This Changes Everything” is a groovy tune that tells of the Birth that changed everything. This stellar album closes with the fun, Southern Gospel style tune “Fear Not.” This catchy song simply says: Fear not! I bring to you glad tidings of great joy. Our Savior has come! Jesus has conquered fear!  I’m glad that they included this track here as it was not widely available the first time they recorded it for their 2008 Christmas album Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

THE GVB HAVE DONE IT AGAIN! THIS IS ANOTHER INCREDIBLE ADDITION TO THEIR STELLAR DISCOGRAPHY. THEY ALWAYS DELIVER TOP NOTCH CHRISTMAS ALBUMS AND THIS IS NO EXCEPTION. GREAT MIX FAMILIAR SONGS AND NEW SOON TO BE CLASSICS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “MARY WAS THE FIRST TO CARRY THE GOSPEL,” “NEW STAR SHINING,” “FEAR NOT,” “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS,” “COME AND SEE WHAT’S HAPPENIN’,” AND “MARY’S BOY CHILD.”

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.gaither.com

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