Customer Reviews

You Are There

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

 

 

There are some new songs here and sufficient differences in the songs that Ashley has recorded before to justify buying this CD. If you are new to Ashley, this would be a good buy--there's high energy in this one--though her Grammy-winning "Lesson of Love" still stands as tops. This live album has no long "chat" pieces, so it stands up to replays well.

Ashley Cleveland has one of the most recognizable voices in Christian music. Her style is sorta like a combination of Janis Joplin and Margaret Becker. Of all of Ashley Clevelands recordings, this one is the best. She is relaxed and belts out some of her most memorable performances to date.

"Gimmie Shelter" starts the set off, this is a blistering version featuring stellar vocals by Ashley Cleveland and blistering guitar playing by Kenny Greenberg. Move over Keith Richards, Greenberg has you beat here.

"Your Saving Grace" and "There Goes My Baby" are bluesy, folksy tracks. Ashley belts out, what is probably the best performances on the cd. Greenberg is in top form here as an acoustic player. These two songs have a clear message concerning Christ meeting us where we are at in our situations.

"Soon And Very Soon" (reprise)is an Andre Crouch staple and a nice into into "Big Town" - a straight a head rocker about the glory of heaven being the goal of all Christians and surrendering to the former lifestyle of serving self.

"He Is" features Greenberg lighting up the fret board near the conclusion of the song. A reminder that He (Christ) is always there, regardless!

"Lucky Never Had It So Good" and "Henry Doesn't Care" are again straight ahead rockers.

"Revive Us Again" is presented here in looser fashion. Ashley seems more relaxed here than on the "A Lesson Of Love" version. The only thing that would make this better is if a mass choir was backing her here.

"You Are There" - my personal favoriate. This version as opposed to the "Lesson Of Love" version feature Greenberg, again with his best electric solo. This song is a power-ballad from start to finish and they lyrics are probably Ashley's best she's ever written. This is a clear visual of the revelation that Christ is there with us regardless of the situation we are in.

"You Don't Have To Take This From Me" closes out the set. Another acoustic arrangement which is a mixture of blues and folk styles.

Bottom line, this is an essential recording regardless if you're Christian or not. The performances are outstanding and it's no wonder why this set earned a Grammy.

This is an excellent concert album. I thought it strange that Ashley's 4th album would be a best-of, but she pulls it off very well. Several songs I had never heard before (I don't own her first album, "Big Town"), and the ones I did know were great to hear in a live performance. I just wish Amazon had gotten it in sooner--I paid about $6 more here in Lubbock!

I've been on a quest for Christian music that transcends the syrupy-sweet stereotype for several years now. I'm glad I stumbled across Ashley Cleveland. You Are There was the first of many Ashley Cleveland CDs now in my collection. She's got a great Texas blues/southern rock style, similar to if ZZ Top had a female vocalist. The other reviewers said it quite well about Ashley. You won't be disappointed with her in your collection, or as a first Christian music CD. Hey! get your dad to listen, too. It might hook him on Christian music.

Ashley Cleveland's live album is an interesting mix of strong spiritual songs and those that are more secular.

Also, this is different for a live album. It actually is a compilation of different live performances. She does not spend much time introducing her songs; sometimes a song needs no introduction.

My favorite cuts include her cover of the Stones' "Gimme Shelter", "Soon & Very Soon", "Big Town", "He Is", "Revive Us Again" (an excellent update of the hymn), and "You Are There".

I'll just make one short comment on "You Don't Have To Take This From Me". It is co-written with my favorite country singer, Pam Tillis, and it shows Tillis' creativity. (Of course, what should you expect from someone who did a project titled "Above And Beyond The Doll Of Cutey"?)

I'm a Christian - but, let's be honest, 99% of "Contemporary Christian" music is an oxymoron, not to even mention it being syrup-ridden drek. And suddenly, out of nowhere, here's this Lady. She makes her love and belief for Jesus Christ honestly, very musically, and you don't expect to hear Barry Manilow come halfway whining in as seems to be the case in most other of the genre. Sort of (but not really), "from the aublime to, etc..." Ms. Cleveland's rendition of the greatest Rick and Roll song of all eternity, "Gimme Shelter" is superior to even (gasp!) the Stones, now that Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, and Ian Stewart are not part of the equation anymore. Fine, FINE music, folks - trust me on this one.