"Enter In," releasing from Creative Soul Records, is a mixed bag of classic hymns and popular choruses, as well as an original by Jason Hoard, who was the first, after her family, to discover this tender talent.
"Enter In" opens strongly, with a rocked-out guitar-driven rendition of "It Is Well," its jangly strings supporting Boyd's warm vocals nicely. Bill Foote's "Sing to the King" follows, and again Boyd's rich tones pair up nicely with some very sweet strings, (Jason Hoard's delicate mandolin, among others). It strikes me after just a few songs that the Boyd/Hoard combination has much to do with her success. Their vision and talents mesh well.
Their interplay on Scott Krippayne's "In the Calm" is a delicate dance of warmth and focus, and I have to say Boyd's still adolescent voice works better on the newer material, for the most part. Although "Fairest Lord Jesus" is the exception that proves the rule, or in this case, opinion. I have to admit that she tears up this classic hymn with her pure tones.
I enjoyed the arrangement of "Amazing Grace," a bold inclusion. The underplayed drums, her harmonies (with her own background vocals, a trend I don't usually enjoy, but she pulls it off) and an unidentifiable sitar-like string instrument (?), surprise you with their effect. Again, nicely done. "Holding Back" was written by Hoard, and its fragile programming and strings support Boyd's emotive vocals well.
"Enter In" closes beautifully with "Holy Ground," including an intro that I've not heard before on this well-known worship song. Boyd goes against the traditional dramatic buildup, choosing instead to take the quieter less-traveled road, John Carrozza's keys simmering softly beneath her, and I applaud this thoughtful choice. It will be interesting to see where this young woman ends up with her music ministry. Her heart is in the right place, and she's got the vocal chops to back it, so I'd say Chelsie Boyd is one to watch.
