This recording of inspirational music, part of the Gaithers' own Gaither Gospel Series, bears a subtitle that dubs the concert "A celebration of our faith and heritage." The musical program stays true to that claim with a stirring--and somehow not-incongruous--mixture of some of the best-known Christian hymns and patriotic songs. On the sacred side of things, such time-tested pulpit rockers as "Sombody Loves Me," "Every Time I Feel The Spirit," and "The Sweetest Words He Ever Said" allow the ensemble to bear witness with foot-stomping fervor.
Religion is only half the equation here. Songs of national love and honor, such as "America, The Beautiful," "God Bless America," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic," are performed with equal passion. The Gaithers' group is an enormous operation that features a shifting roster of soloists, smaller performance groups (The Martins, The Katinas, and the Gaither Vocal Band), and a large-scale gospel-style chorus that swings and warbles through HOMECOMING's 22-track affirmation of God and country.