Reviewed by Tony Cummings

  For my money Julie possesses one of the most spine-tingling voices in Christendom, and I think it says something about the artistic myopia of the Nashville CCM scene that Julie and her highly gifted husband Buddy have been so badly supported down the years by the Dove Awards set.  Not that artists of their consummate talent are going to starve and their tours with Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris and their albums with mainstream label Hightone show that CCM’s loss is mainstream country music’s gain.  The songs here are as eloquent, passionate and evocative as ever, though some would raise an eyebrow in more polite Christian circles.  “A Kiss On The Lips” seems to snatch images from the guilt and recrimination of a forbidden love affair.  But more often the songs are poetic depictions of faith like “By Way Of Sorrow” (“You have come by way of sorrow/You have come by way of tears”).  Throughout Julie’s voice retains its aching pathos while Buddy’s accompaniments are exemplary.

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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