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Artist: Ashley Cleveland
Label: 204 Records
Length: 43:00
I am completely convinced that Ashley Cleveland should be singing lead for the Rolling Stones. This is evidenced throughout her seventh solo project Before the Daylight’s Shot. Mercy, I would love to hear her matched up with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood! This is not to say that husband Kenny Greenberg leaves anything to be desired in the guitar arena on this one. He is a monster! The Stones ought to take him while they are at it!
And that voice! Maximum vocal wattage! Gravel and honey, sandpaper and silk, wringing every possible ounce of emotion from these heart turning lyrics beginning with opener “Queen of Soul” and wrapping up with closer “Roll Away The Stone.” Ashley is at the height of her powers here; soulful, soft, sly, wistful, rocking; blending blues, rock and folk, whether ballad or all-out rocker. Two Grammys, three Doves, a load of nominations, Cleveland can be found on more than 300 CDs by artists including Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Trish Yearwood, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Delbert McClinton, John Hiatt and many others. There are wayay too many accolades to put here.
I find myself returning to “Ready or Not,” “I Need Jesus," and “Streams of Mercy.” Each heart-on-her-sleeve lyric deals with personal encouragements, needs, and disappointments with such conviction that causes deep empathy in the listener.
A Stevie Ray-like cover of
Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” and the radio friendly “Roll Away the Stone”
are other highlights, but you’ll find no filler on _Before the Daylight’s
Shot_.
Together Kenny and Ashley
are a formidable team. Producing, writing and performing is at the highest
degree on Before the Daylight’s Shot.
Cleveland is also a spokesperson for SHARE (Songs of Hope and Recovery for Everyone) and regularly performs at events focused on addiction recovery.
Bob Felberg
