The Gaither Vocal Band

Pure and Simple
Gaither Music

Is it just me or is it that the older we get we tend to gravitate toward the pure and simple things of life? How many midlife rat racers have dreamed of retiring to a quiet town or a small farm like the one they grew up on to live the simple life once again? I have a friend who grew up a punk rocker with spiky green hair and tattoos. A funny thing happened the first time he heard acoustic bluegrass music: He put away his punk ways and plugged into the purity of acoustic instruments being played skillfully.

Anyway, the simple life and pure music have converged on a new record from The Gaither Vocal Band. Under the guidance of a born-and-bred bluegrass/acoustic music master, Bill Gaither and the boys have presented us something that is “Pure and Simple.”

Gaither allowed Ben Isaacs to stretch his producing wings further than ever before on “Pure and Simple.” My bass-playing buddy’s job was strengthened slightly with a crew of pro players and this quintet of singers. Bill, Mark, Michael, Wes and David jumped on the acoustic truck and built signature Vocal Band harmony that simply amazes the listener. The namesake of this Vocal Band left a vacancy when it came to solos, but Bill Gaither fills out the lower end of the harmony like no other. At the top of the harmony is one of the most dynamic singers of all time in any genre. David Phelps displays his stellar chops throughout the record on cuts like “Come to Jesus,” “Glorious Freedom” and “I’m Rich.”

Do yourself a favor and listen to this recording at least once while using really good headphones. If you want a double-shot espresso of wake-up music, turn up “Winds of This World” or “I’m Rich.” For a “do-what?” doubletake, turn up the acoustic versions of “The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference” and “I Don’t Want to Get Adjusted.” When you think it is just about over for you, turn up “Come to Jesus” and “I’ll Pray for You.”