City on a Hill: The Gathering (CD - 2003)

Personnel: Marc Byrd (vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric guitar); Derri Daugherty (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion programming); Andrew Peterson, Paul Colman (vocals, acoustic guitar); Danielle Young (vocals, background vocals); Christine Glass, Cliff Young, Dan Haseltine , Ginny Owens, Shane Williams, Jeromy Deibler, Leigh Nash, Sara Groves, Bebo Norman (vocals); Nate Sabin (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, bass synthesizer); Matt Odmark (acoustic guitar); Matt Slocum (electric guitar, cello); Marcus Myers (hammer dulcimer); Ben Shive (piano, keyboards); Charlie Lowell (keyboards, background vocals); Steve Hindalong (glockenspiel, percussion, chimes); Grant Norsworthy, Justin Cary, Chris Donohue, Jeff Miller (bass guitar); Rob Mitchell, Phil Gaudion, Dennis Holt, Todd Bragg (drums); Garett Buell (percussion); Warren Bazemore, Jennifer Deibler, Stephen Mason (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: J.R. McNeely.

Recording information: Little Big Studio, Bellevue, TN; Neverland, Franklin, TN; Orville Anne Productions, St. Paul, MN; Paragano Studios, Franklin, TN; Roswell East, Nashville, TN; The Sound Kitchen, Franklin, TN.

Arrangers: Derri Daugherty; Marc Byrd; Steve Hindalong; Tom Howard.

The Gathering serves as the third and final album in the City on a Hill series. Released by Essential Records on September 23, 2003, the album remains true to the collection's theme of community. However, it does depart from the series' focus on the church's love for God. Instead, co-producer Steve Hindalong says it communicates that "the way we love each other is the way we show our love for God."

True to the musical legacy of City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise and City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia, The Gathering includes a strong collection of artists such as Ginny Owens, Jars of Clay, Sara Groves, Bebo Norman, and Sixpence None the Richer. Musically, it is a combination of pop, folk, and ethereal sounds. Definite highlights are Andrew Peterson's "Holy Is the Lord" and Owens and GlassByrd's "We Will Trust You." Piano-carried, "Holy Is the Lord" is a lyrically moving description of Abraham's obedience to God in offering Isaac as a sacrifice. Songwriters Peterson and Ben Shive paint an intimate picture of Abraham's love and obedience to God at any cost, while tenderly describing Abraham's relationship with Isaac. "We Will Trust You" serves to reinforce the lyrics of "Holy Is the Lord," while offering a beautiful blend of voices in the shared vocals of Owens and GlassByrd. There isn't too much that distinguishes The Gathering from the other two albums in the series. So for listeners who are looking for consistency in sound, The Gathering does not disappoint. ~ Ashleigh Kittle Slater minimize