The Isaacs

Naturally: An Almost Acapella Collection
Gaither Music

This 16-song collection shines the spotlight on the songs and the singers, but as great as the song selections are, the singing is even better.  “A Little Bit of Heaven” featured a Dixieland banjo with accompanying snare drum rim shots. Larry Gatlin’s “Healin’ Stream” and “Hear the Voice of My Beloved” featured acoustic guitar and mandolin. “It Is Well With My Soul” was mostly a cappella with some fiddle added in select spots. You get it — little instrumentation and lots of vocalizing. The Isaacs performed Dottie Rambo’s classic “Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing” at her funeral. They took a more traditional bluegrass approach to this song by including mandolin, fiddles, bass and acoustic guitar.

Whether sparse instrumentation or full bluegrass band, the reason to purchase this recording is for the fine singing. You simply have to experience this recording with your ears and mostly with your heart.

(By Les Butler)