"Blue Ribbon Bluegrass"
Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 11/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the opening minutes Bill Gaither introduces us to the scenic wonders of Clinch Mountain, Virginia, and talks about how this area would produce "a sound that would revolutionize American music", and in this gathering of superb musicians, we get to hear this marvelous "sound".
Here is the play list:Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder: "I'm Ready to Go", a fast number with virtuoso flying fingers, and "Are You Afraid to Die ?", a plaintive song that is my kind of bluegrass.The Easters sing the sweet and lovely "Lord, Send Your Angels", and in acappella, "Rivers of Babylon".
Doug Lawson and Quicksilver sing more acappella harmony with "I Am Going to Heaven".
The Isaacs sing the sad, moving ballad "Another Soldier Down", and an up-tempo number with a great title: "He ain't Never Done Me Nothin' but Good".
Del McCoury and The Del McCoury Band are one of my favorites, and Del's unique talent and voice give us "Recovering Pharisee".Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie McCoury, Doyle Lawson and the one and only Marty Stuart perform a blazing instrumental, "Rawhide".
The Gaither Vocal band gives us a tender, devotional ballad, "Knowing You'll be There".
Mountain Heart are absolutely extraordinary in their two songs, "John", and "Gospel Train".
Cynthia Clawson performs "Hear the Voice of My Beloved", and "Rock of Ages", and her singing goes right to the heart..
Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys are the stuff legends are made of, and they give us "Rank Strangers to Me", and "Gloryland".
Vestal Goodman, The Easters, and Charlotte Ritchie sing the joyous "Jesus, Hold My Hand".
The Lewis Family are one of the traditional families of bluegrass and they sing "I Plan to Meet You There".Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives treat us to "Lord, I'm Coming Home" and then are joined by Connie Smith for "Clinging to a Saving Hand".
Marty then does a spectacular turn with The Sullivans with "Workin' on a Building" and "Tomorrow".
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band join the entire group for a rousing finale of "Take Me in Your Lifeboat".
The concert is interspersed with occasional interview footage between Bill Gaither and some of the musicians, and there is the feeling that this is one big family throughout the concert.
If you like bluegrass gospel, you will find this musically rewarding and spiritually uplifting."
BLUE GRASS GOSPEL
James A. Young | MILAN, OHIO; USA | 01/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS KIND OF MUSIC FOR 65 YEARS.THIS IS THE VERY BEST I HAVE EVER HEARD. PHOTAGRAPHY, AND SOUND VERY WELL DONE; I LIKED IT SO MUCH I BOUGHT 5 COPIES EACH, OF VOLUME 1 AND VOL.2 AND SENT IT TO 4 SONS, AND A COUPLE OF FRIENDS. > I AM 76 YEARS OLD, AND HEARD A LOT IN MY TIME;
JAMES A.YOUNG;MILAN, OHIO"
GREAT WITH VOL. 1
Charla Weiser | Ferny Creek, Victoria Australia | 09/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD is bluegrass at it's bluest! All the artists are true performers and this is a must-have for bluegrass fans. Every song is just excellent, I can't fault one single, solitary thing in it. The bonus segment at the end (also on vol.1) includes the Carter Family and some history of their music. There's some great singing on it, too. I now have both volumes and really enjoy watching them. It's just like being there!"
Even Better Than Volume One
VidReview | Dayton, OH | 12/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just hoped this would be as good as volume one but think it may actually be better. The music is played in a heartfelt way that you just don't find anywhere else. You won't go wrong buying either volume but you may want to start with this one."