Ashley Cleveland
Men and Angels Say
Rambler Records
12 tracks @ 43:12

Not that long ago, this record would have caused an uproar. You just don’t mess with tradition. I think its one of the coolest records of the year.

Grammy Award winner Ashley Cleveland has taken traditional hymns and given them modern settings, typically replacing the 500-pipe organ with guitar and drums. The arrangements generally remain true to the original, thus instantly recognizable. For me, listening to these songs is like visiting old friends, while for many others; these hymns will come across as brand new music. That’s because, with the popularity of contemporary praise and worship music, many of these hymns no longer see the light of day in church. The really sad part about that loss is that the Christian truths in these songs are as timeless as when they were written literally centuries ago.

I listened to Charles Wesley’s Easter hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” with a renewed sense of joy. “Love’s redeeming work is done. . .Christ has opened paradise.”

“All Creatures of Our God and King,” written by Saint Francis of Assisi nearly 700 years ago, has lyrics that are as contemporary as any current worship and praise song; “Let all things their creator bless, and worship him in humbleness.”

“Holy Holy Holy,” “Come Thou Font,” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” are all hymns that one would find in traditional hymnals but sound very fresh with their understated instrumentation on this record.

“I Need They Every Hour” features a duet with Steve Winwood while country singer Pam Tillis provides backing vocals on “Nothing But the Blood” and “Holy Holy Holy.”

In the record’s linear notes, Cleveland hopes that with this record she can be as effective in teaching her children these songs as her own mother taught her. I say that generations to come will appreciate these songs so long as bold artists such as Cleveland continue to find fresh ways to reach new audiences.

- Rob S.