Description
Beauty in the Curve is the ninth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Ashley Cleveland, independently released on 204 Records in February 2018. The album was produced by Kenny Greenberg.
What could be more welcome to fans of spiritually-oriented rock and roll than a new album by the great Ashley Cleveland? One More Song is Ashley at her powerful, soulful best, backed by the strong guitar work and production of her husband, session-man extraordinaire Kenny Greenberg. The multi Grammy Award winning Cleveland brings her signature sound and considerable vocal chops to twelve songs covering the gamut of American styles. Folk, gospel, country and blues are all represented, mixed with a healthy dose of rock and roll just when you need it.
From the heartfelt «Take Me To The Water» (accompanied only by acoustic guitar with a hint of church organ coming in near the end), to the bluesy hard-edged boogie of «Cool Down by the Banks of Jordan», to the raucous rock of «Lily Grown Wild», One More Song is a sample-pack of all that Cleveland does best, and without question, she’s at the top of her game.
With the exception of «Halfway Down», which is written by Jim Lauderdale, One More Song is a collection of new songs written or co-written by Ashley, along with her fresh arrangements of some gospel standards. The very personal project is a revealing look at what has influenced the artist musically as well as what drives her emotionally and spiritually. Songs about family, life-struggles, and reflections on the dynamics between the spirit and the flesh intersect with songs that reach toward a heavenly reality. The soulful, well-traveled voice of Ashley Cleveland provides a perfect vehicle to convey the tension between heaven and earth…
Highlights are many. Fans of Phil Keaggy will recognize «Ezekiel 2» (co-written by Keaggy and Cleveland) from the master-guitarist’s recent project, All At Once, where the song was performed in a different musical context, and as a duet with Ashley. Here, it’s less bluesy, faster, and more of a rocker, kicking off like a combination of «She’s a Woman» and «My Sharona». «To Be Good» and «Crooked Heart» show Ashley’s more vulnerable side with poetic, confessional lyrics in a more low-key setting. Greenberg’s guitar on these moody pieces are reminiscent of legendary guitarist Robin Trower’s hypnotic «Song For a Dreamer» style.
«Walk in Jerusalem» and «Lily Grown Wild» rock relentlessly, giving a taste of what an extraordinary guitar slinger Greenberg is. The album’s title-track is a strong country rock ballad with an air of sadness about it and a great hook in the chorus. Although I don’t know if this is a fact, the songs basically sound like they were recorded mostly live in the studio. If I’m wrong, then more tribute to the production skills of Kenny Greenberg. For the most part the band features Steve Mackey on bass, drums by Nick Buda, organ by Reese Wynans, keyboards by John Deaderick, and of course Kenny Greenberg on electric guitar. Ashley Cleveland plays acoustic guitar and, of course, sings lead vocals with occasional back-up by Tania Hancheroff and Wendy Moten.
After playing it only a few times, I’m inclined to think that One More Song is the best, most well-balanced and satisfying work of Ashley Cleveland’s career. Every song works on its own merit and nothing sounds forced or contrived. Right down to the package artwork and photography – by Jimmy Abegg and Ben Pearson, respectively – One More Song is a classic. This album will certainly be getting much more than one more listen. [Bert Saraco, The Phantom Tollbooth, 23 February 2018]
Like many blues singers, Ashley Cleveland seems to get better the older she gets and with every release. Blessed with one of the greatest voices in Christian music and with a vocal passion that seems to communicate with a conviction which is able to stir the soul of the listener, her latest ‘One More Song’ is an object lesson in how to create the perfect marriage between blues, spirituality and tinges of rock. The album is once again produced by her husband Kenny Greenburg whose tasty guitar playing is all over the record. It features a mixture of reworkings of traditional songs and Cleveland’s self-penned insights. Particular highlights for me include the opening autobiographical blues stomper «Way Out Of Nowhere» telling the story of how she was captured by the rock’n’roll lifestyle and later escaped alcoholism through God’s help. The traditional «Down By The Riverside» has a touch of New Orleans in the brass band that makes an appearance. «Ezekiel 2» is a solo reworking of the song she has previously recorded as a duet with co-writer Phil Keaggy. No Phil playing on this one but her hubby more than takes care of business. There are other traditional songs on here like the medley of «Take Me To The Water» and «Cool Down By The Banks Of Jordan» once again showing how great Ashley is at interpreting songs. The title cut is written by Cleveland and tells a story about her mother and her older sister Betsy. «Walk In Jerusalem» is a walking blues which pounds along in an infectious fashion with an amazing vocal and great guitar work from Greenburg. From start to finish, this is a fine blues-based album packed with passion and energy. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, January 2019]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/one-more-song/1334405830)
CD tracklist:
01. Way out of No Way – 4:04
02. Down by the Riverside – 6:32
03. Crooked Heart – 4:08
04. Lily Grown Wild – 4:52
05. Take Me to the Water – 1:09
06. Cool Down by the Banks of Jordan – 3:05
07. Halfway Down – 4:49
08. To Be Good – 4:45
09. Ezekiel 2 – 3:38
10. One More Song – 5:43
11. Walk in Jerusalem – 3:14
12. Born to Preach the Gospel – 3:57
“Way Out Of No Way” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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