Description
Beauty for Ashes is the seventh studio album by the American singer and songwriter Crystal Lewis, released on Metro One Recordings in 1996, marketed and distributed by Myrrh Records, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music. The album was recorded by Dan Garcia with Brian Ray and Dan Posthuma producing. (Recorded at Tom Morgans beach house in Balboa, California and his aunts house on the bay. Additional recording at John Andrew Schreiner’s house, Tom Brooks’ house and Pastor Ron’s house.) Mixed by Steve MacMillan and Daniel Maxwell Madeira de Freitas Garcia at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles and Goove Masters in Santa Monica, California. Arrangements by Shawn Tubbs, Robbie Buchanan, and John Andrew Schreiner.
Featuring session musicians like Shawn Tubbs, John Andrew Schreiner, Robbie Buchanan, Dan Huff, Jimmy Johnson, Abraham Laboriel Sr., Abraham Laboriel Jr., and Carlos Vega. Background vocals on “God’s Been Good To Me” provided by Anne Barbour, John Barbour, and Alfie Silas. Guest vocals on “Beauty for Ashes” by Ron Kenoly.
Take 10 years, eight albums, throw in a hip dance groove, a little Spanish, and powerhouse R&B vocal, and the result is clear. Crystal clear.
Crystal Lewis is probably one of the most underrated vocalists in Christian music today, and if you have any doubts as to the validity of that statement, give her latest project, ‘Beauty for Ashes’, a spin and think again. Lewis, who for years has given praise and worship a rolling groove that would make many a blue-haired Baptist lady blush, has hit a career high note with this, her debut Myrrh recording.
These are the songs born out of a mature faith, a faith that has come to accept the pain of life by resting in the hand of God. The title cut, «Beauty for Ashes», a duet with Ron Kenoly, is a cool drink of water after trial by fire. Lewis’ otherwise “knock you off your feet” vocals play gently off the soothing acoustic guitars and Kenoly’s soulful baritone. «People Get Ready… Jesus is Comin’», «It’s Heaven» and «God’s Been Good to Me» give Crystal Lewis aficionados the rollicking dance rhythms they would expect to find, but the slower, more pensive cuts make this project a praise experience, brushed gracefully with contentment and conviction.
Perhaps this is the culmination of a certain settling that has taken place in Lewis’ life over the past few years. Marital bliss and motherhood brings out the best in many people. Or perhaps this is just the right set of songs at the right time. All I know is that the more I listen to this one, the more often I find myself grabbing the remote to back up and hear something again.
The lyrics are powerful and thought-provoking, the music moving and not over-produced, the vocals impressively subtle and rich. ‘Beauty for Ashes’ pulls you in, closes your eyes and opens them up to something spiritually nurturing. [Melissa Riddle, CCM, October 1996]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/beauty-for-ashes/1607909101)
CD tracklist:
01. The Beauty Of The Cross – 5:30
02. It’s Heaven – 4:38
03. People Get Ready…Jesus Is Comin’ – 6:04
04. Lion And The Lamb – 5:04
05. Beauty For Ashes (feat. Ron Kenoly) – 3:53
06. In Return – 3:46
07. God’s Been Good To Me – 5:09
08. Seasons Change – 4:40
09. Over Me – 6:14
10. Healing Oil – 6:16
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Metro One Recordings. La Belleza de la Cruz is a Spanish language version of the album Beauty for Ashes, featuring different cover artwork.
A full-page advertisement for Crystal Lewis’s Beauty for Ashes was featured on the back cover of the March 1997 issue of CCM Magazine.
[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”aE0JydGnu1E,m47_S4dNV08,ijs1fr2pl3g,SKpMoDbSsn0,kIh2gYSRRBM,36Ot-yCDZJg,zcsixXmat7s,gxHJxpIzLec,7a_JBdNJgOw,f4m3N0THPio” title=”Crystal Lewis, Beauty for Ashes – The Beauty Of The Cross + It’s Heaven + People Get Ready…Jesus Is Comin’ + Lion And The Lamb + Beauty For Ashes + In Return + God’s Been Good To Me + Seasons Change + Over Me + Healing Oil” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”uILSyi___Oo,2CZ6IsGjEug” title=”Crystal Lewis – Beauty For Ashes REMIX” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]”Beauty For Ashes (Remix)”, as featured on the compilation album 25, released on Metro One Recordings in 2014.
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