Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

It's been a while since we heard from Ashley Cleveland so this is a welcome newie from a woman who has one of THE voices in Christian music. Cleveland's raspy soulful delivery is caught in a live recording which snuck out in the USA to huge acclaim and award nominations. Full band performances like the storming Stones cover "Gimme Shelter" and her own classic "Big Town" have me drooling but it gets better! "Lucky Never Had It So Good" pounds away with good time soulful rock'n'roll vibes and "He Is" gets down good and funky. Guitar driven this may be but nothing outshines the power of Cleveland's voice! At the other extreme, there are moments of tenderness which find Cleveland and acoustic guitar alone in the spotlight but busting out of the speakers as she milks from one line the kind of emotional intensity that sends shivers down the spine. Check out the heartbroken "There Goes My Baby" or the uplifting rendition of "Revive Us Again" which proves that Cleveland could hold her own against the best gospel singers. Live favourite "Henry Doesn't Care" written about her son and the inspiring "You Are There" have her fronting the band and letting loose. If you've never yet discovered her music, this is as good a place to start as any since it's almost a greatest hits package recorded live. Stonking.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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