Customer Reviews

God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been a big fan of the recordings of the Light Crust Doughboys for a good while but was hesitant to pick this cd up because I wasn't all too familiar with the work of Ann-Margret, only a few of her films. I can't believe I even hesitated! Ann-Margret has blown me away, ever note she sings, everytime she delivers the messages in these songs I am touched so greatly, it's a marvelous feeling!!! The song are so inspirational and very catchy as well, great "old-time" gospel! Art Greenhaw really hit the mark with "Carry My Boat", "Low Singing Bass", and his choice of Ann-Margret as a vocalist. I've been listening to gospel music for a long long time and it's rare that you hear the songs delivered with such power and emotion, you can HEAR Ann-Margret's devotion. Thanks for this wonderful recording, I hope to hear more from this lovely lady.

This is one of the greatest country gospel CDs of all time, great songs, great stylistic vocal interpretations by Ann-Margret, perfect backing and accompaniment by The Jordanaires and The Light Crust Doughboys. Evidently the world and the music industry think this is one of the albums of the year, since it was awarded Grammy and Dove Nominations for best album in its field. If any Ann-Margret fans who only desire that she sing lounge music will stick to reviewing what they know about, then new fans will get a much more realistic view of the wide-ranging talents of one of the female pop singers of the century: Ann-Margret! Check out all the awards received by this ground-breaking album!

I just received my copy of this cd and have to totally disagree with the review below mine...Ann-Margret's voice is so filled with emotion and spirit that the songs come alive. Her voice retains the breathy-sexy sound she is famous for but it's obvious when she is singing that she means every word coming out of her mouth and who can criticize someone who obviously loves the Lord that much??? I think this is a fabulous piece of work.

It was announced yesterday that "God is Love" is nominated for a GRAMMY AWARD! Congratulations to Ann-Margret, Art Greenhaw and everyone else who makes this cd truly inspiratonal. Me, being a Throwing Muses, Ani DiFranco, Stevie Nicks, etc. fan never really thought about listening to this cd...merely bought it because it featured my idol, Ann-Margret. To my surprise I throughly enjoyed the original and classic songs featured here. Art Greenhaw's songs are inspirational and filled with hope, presented in a catchy, moving way. Ann-Margret's vocals are so incredibly intense and sincere, it is apparent that she means every word she is singing. The songs come across a great southern-gospel/revival style that might not be everyone's "cup of tea" but can still be appreciated for its message. This cd deserves to be a huge success, I think the GRAMMY nod is the first step! I mean how can a cd featuring Ann-Margret singing "The Hallelujah Yodel Lady" be a bad thing??? :-)

A premier sex symbol for the past 4 decades, Ann-Margret has enjoyed new-found popularity beginning with the Grumpy Old Men series, but this is the pinnacle of her recorded sound and work. Every cut on this CD has a timeless quality to it. Every song sounds fresh and totally-inspired.It'll be interesting to see if this release gets discovered by radio. It maybe too Americana and country to get on FM rock radio. But what it is, is pure magic.Producer Art Greenhaw, The Jordanaires, The Light Crust Doughboys, and Ann-Margret have created melodies that at their best are awesome. It's like the very best of western swing, pop, and country---combined.Down-home folksiness, classic and traditional gospel, heaven-reaching harmonies by The Jordanaires, hot/Texas roadhouse blues guitar picking by Art. Among the standouts are "Carry My Boat" a finger-snapping gem that is a pop masterpiece. "God's Silver Soldiers" is in the doo-wop style of country that you'll listen to time and time again. Ann-Margret has found her heavenly team of musicians and her best songs ever.

Ann-Margret's depth and sensitivity have rarely truly been recognized, and Hollywood has not done her justice; I've admired her for decades, and it's a pleasure to hear this CD with the fruit of her collaboration with Art Greenhaw, who produced the album, wrote eight of the twelve songs (some specifically for Ann-Margret), plays bass guitar, piano and percussion with his Light Crusty Doughboys, and sings lead in"Peace in the Valley".
Ann-Margret sings on seven tracks as lead with her warm, sweet voice, and with Art on two. Art has a deep, rich voice that has a gorgeous tone, and his songs are full of wisdom and truth; "The High Road" should be framed and read as a daily reminder for common sense and good living.

Others who make this CD a spirit-filled experience are The Jordanaires (Ray Walker co-wrote with Art and sings lead in the marvelous '50s flavored "God's Silver Soldiers") and James Blackwood, who sings "I Am a Pilgrim" and joins Art in "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".
The rest of the Light Crusty Doughboys are guitarist Jerry Elliott, who sings lead on "In the Garden", Bill Simmons on keyboards (I'm a big fan of Bill's feisty, masterful piano playing), John Walden and Jim Baker on those terrific fiddles, and the wonderful Marvin "Smokey" Montgomery on banjo, guitar and vibes.

The sound is excellent, the foldout insert includes recording info, the lyrics for 7 of Art's songs, photos, and liner notes by Art. Total playing time is 39'03.
Also highly recommended is "Always Hear the Harmony", the album Art recorded with Engelbert Humperdinck, which is top-notch, uplifting, soulful gospel music.

Ann-Margret has "COME HOME"! When a performer rediscovers that essence ofherself that so made her a star to begin with, and when a singer finds the perfect way to express her unique talents, then it's a beautiful thing to behold. And this is exactly what has happened to Ann-Margret in this milestone album: she's found the album she was born to do. The ultra-feminine style of Ann-Margret is so effective on this fantastic collection of new country gospel material, it's fandom's loss for 40 years that she wasn't singing this type of material before.The cocktail, bachelor pad music which RCA presented her doing so much of--- pales in comparison to this authentic, Americana sound! Ann-Margret singing her heart out in gospel music while she's on tour with "Best Little Whorehouse"...I love it! What a concept! Methinks who ever thought this up should not only get the Grammy, but a Pulitzer Prize and everything we can think of, as well! This is a "KING OF A CONCEPT" album. And The Jordanaires with Ann-Margret---just absolutely a letter-perfect sound for her, and so much stronger on The Jordanaires' part and this production than on her famous Top 20 hit, "I Just Don't Understand" with The Jordanaires...All around, this is just flawless, roots Americana production combined with the genius pairing of Ann and The Light Crust Doughboys and The Jordanaires.Just fantasic instrumentation and arranging.Why is it that we're getting so much superior CD album product on small, independent labels like this one? Johnny Cash's best career work on record has been just recently on a smaller label; Dolly Parton's strongest music in years has been just recently; and now, the very best of Ann-Margret is HERE, on this little album, the true, essential, come-hither,Ann-Margret voice and style, has "come home!" The only down-side to this release is it leaves you wanting so much more of this Ann-Margret material. This could easily be the beginning of a brand-new recording renaissance for the world's sexiest female star.Ann conveys the spirituality and the dignity of many of these numbers so very well, yet many of the songs are so happy! I've always read that God laughs and has a sense of humor.There're profound thoughts on this album, too, however. Let's just hope this little record gets the exposure it so rightfully deserves. I understand it's just out as of October...I was lucky to get it as it first became available at an on-stage concert by the one-and-only Light Crust Doughboys! If I were BMG/RCA, I'd be running to put Ann together with The Jordanaires and The Doughboys on as many country, folk, rockabilly, and gospel sessions as I could schedule. This is a classic of classics, destined for greatness as the very best of its type and a genius pairing.

Producer Art Greenshaw has tastefully put together a lighthearted gospel album that is infused with rock abilly and country western doo wopp-- most importantly his blending of vocal talent is a marriage made in heaven on a few cuts... Ann-Margret shines in a few solid cuts that are quite infectious after a few plays that it will be a welcome addition on radio--"Carry My Boat" "Sending Me You" "Looking Through Stained Glass Darkly" and "The High Road" along with "Keep Looking Up" are among -the CD highlights-ANN-MARGRET interprets Greenshaws music well and in deed the duo team up for "Low Singing Bass: and " Hallelujah Yodel Lady"---The Jordanaires are in excellent form and i have not heard them since the Elvis Presly days and it was a pleasure to hear them again along with Ray walker who does a fine job with"Gods Silver Soldiers"----CARRY MY BOAT is my favorite cut and most infectious and all the elements are there for a smooth sail into the mainstream and a signature song for the artist......

Ann-Margret is captured at her very best. She's passionately involved as are the rest of these stellar musicians. The Jordanaires have never, ever sounded better. Intense performances on stripped-down arrangements make this the perfect way to present Ann-Margret's purring vocals. Obviously very close to the heart of all involved, this is an album where all cuts are outstanding, especially "Sending Me You", "The High Road", "Low Singing Bass", and "Peace In The Valley". But every track could easily be the very best on any other artist's album. This is the definitive country gospel album with rhythm numbers that rock-a-billy with the best and ballads that caress the soul. Genius pairings on a milestone record.

Ann Margret sounds like an angel on this excellent recording of gospal music. I fell in love with her Christmas CD and just purchased this. Great inspirational songs and great arrangements make this a must cd for Ann Margret fans.