I remember hearing about this blond with a monster voice that had appeared on “everybody’s” albums, and regularly with one of my musical heroes, John Hiatt had signed a mainstream record deal with Atlantic. But nothing prepared me for the pushing play on my CD players and the a capella vocal strains of “Soon and Very Soon” busted through the clutter of modern music with sledge hammer. Damn, what a voice! Then i was even more pleasantly surprised to discover an album rich in textures, loaded with incredible talent and filled with brilliantly conceived and produced songs. There is really not a dud on the entire project. Of course Cleveland could also sing Presbyterian Book of Church Order and make it sound like Maggies Farm. I soon discovered Cleveland was an artist and not just a voice; a singer-songwriter with credentials to spare. But still I come back to that voice. Throwing out comparisons and superlatives will do her pipes no justice. A wonderful combination of Joplin passion, Slick rock cred and a bluesy, smokey vibe that is unmatched. In all honesty this should not have been the only album of hers to make list and that oversight is purely mine. That notwithstanding her debut here stands out heads and shoulders above most of her contemporaries and like nothing else in CCM at the time. I highly recommend her recent traditional blues and Gospel projects as well.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – Soon And Very Soon / Big Town – 5:10
2 – Love On The Mainline – 4:59
3 – Willy – 4:40
4 – I Could Learn To Love You – 7:14
5 – Tentative Man – 4:00
6 – Angel – 4:41
7 – Up From The Ether – 5:31
8 – We Can Dance – 4:40
9 – I’ll Call You – 5:41
10 – Walk To The Well – 5:22
11 – Rebecca – 5:19
Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Ashley Cleveland
Bass – Glenn Worf
Drums, Percussion – Craig Krampf
Electric Guitar – Kenny Greenberg
Keyboards – Bill Cuomo
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Craig Krampf, Niko Bolas
Producer – Craig Krampf, Niko Bolas
Recorded By – Niko Bolas
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WEA International Inc.
Copyright © – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Copyright © – WEA International Inc.
Made By – WEA Musik GmbH
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Record Service Alsdorf
