If you like your music raw, true, and gutsy, and I do, you don't want to miss Ashley Cleveland's "Before the Daylight's Shot." And it only gets better with each listen.
It's a mystery to me why this talented, innovative artist gets no respect. Yes, she's a two-time Grammy winner for Best Rock Gospel album, but she's so much more than that. The sizzling "Before the Daylight's Shot" should correct this situation, but even if that's not the case, I think Cleveland will go on making her momentous intelligent music, simply because that's who she is.
Ashley again produced "Before the Daylight's Shot" with husband Kenny Greenberg, one of the music industry's most in-demand guitarists and producers. Cleveland wrote all songs but the two penned by Stevie Wonder and Leon Russell. It's hard to go wrong with that much talent involved, and the bluesy rock opener "Queen of Soul" affirms every high expectation you brought to the table. Wonder's bluesy neck-bobber "Higher Ground" amps things up even higher, Mike Lawler's smoldering B3 supporting Cleveland's gritty vocals nicely, not to mention Greenberg's nimble electric solo. Oh yeah, Ashley Cleveland is Christian music's answer to Bonnie Raitt and then some.
Her hard livin' tones only make "Before the Daylight's Shot" ring with authenticity, through the life lessons of "Streams of Mercy" and "The Blessing." The blazing guitars and bluesy wails lend a torrid air of danger to standout track "Ready or Not." Cleveland slows things down with the intelligent "Satisfied with Drowning," and exults in the simple things in slow rocker "I Need Jesus."
Cleveland sings my heart on the gentle "Deeper Walk," the lyrics brimming with truth and hope, its melodic bridge moving me deeply. Anybody singing Leon Russell is alright with me, but Cleveland's earthy vocals on closer "Roll Away the Stone" may surpass those of the silver-tressed master himself. The band burns their way through this old rocker, Greenberg's sweltering solo leaving us deeply satisfied, with residual neck-bobbing long into the evening. Show some respect: get Ashley Cleveland's "Before the Daylight's Shot" as soon as humanly possible.
