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Last year, Sam McClain made the decision to take a leap of faith and release his next recording on his own label. The Mighty One had been on the Telarc label, which offered high visibility and distribution for its products. But Sam felt his time had come, that he was ready to be in control of the creative process from beginning to end. 

His latest release proves that Sam’s faith in himself was well-founded. One More Bridge to Cross is an outstanding disc that proves again that McClain is in the top ranks of soul/blues artists performing today.  It may be his strongest release to date. 

McClain produced the sessions and wrote nine of the titles. Two more songs were penned friend Joe Hardin, including the opener “Why Do We Have to Say Goodbye,” a ballad that highlights McClain’s pleading voice that grows in intensity as he searches for an answer. Guitarist Chris Tofield penned one number, “Don’t Leave Me Behind”, a tune that leans to the rock side of the fence and benefits from the backing vocals of Conchetta Prio.

McClain is unique in that he has a deep faith in God that he is committed to sharing with the world. He feels it is his mission to tell others the story of his life so that they too might find God’s grace and glory. Many listeners are attracted by the music but struggle with the lyrical content. It’s not often that you hear a soul/blues vocalist singing about how Jesus had the blues and you would to if someone nailed you to the cross. At a performance last summer at Buddy Guy’s Legends club, a visibly frustrated McClain stopped the show to ask a rowdy audience to quiet down and listen to his songs that he had something important to say and they needed to hear his message.

His songs deal with the themes of love, loss, searching and redemption framed by his outstanding band. McClain must rehearse this group seven days a week to get their sound to be so tight and supportive of his music. They are one of the finest bands you will ever hear. The horn arrangements by Mark Paquin (sax) and Pat Herlehy (sax, trombone) punctuate and enhance the entire disc. 

Highlights include “Most of All,” a song McClain wrote for his wife Sandra, who “… washed me down, cleaned me up and now my soul is shining. And I thank you for believing in me”. There is an original gospel hymn by Sam entitled “Open Up Heaven’s Door,” asking the Lord to please forgive us and allow us to enter the gates of Heaven. “The Other Man In the Band” is a slow, intense blues about Sam’s love for his music but “it has a mind of it’s own.” 

The title song closes the disc and serves as a summation of McClain’s life journey. He has crossed many bridges to reach this point. He has navigated another one by getting this superb recording ready to release  a product that he controlled every step of the way. It is a shining testament to the depth and power of his faith in life and to his love of God. Highly recommended!!!
 

Mark Thompson 2/10/2003