Ashley Cleveland

Item: You Are There
Author: Trish Patterson

You Are There

(1998)

Reviewed by Trish Patterson

Discogs Apple Music Spotify

Label CadenceThe Phantom Tollbooth1998

blues rock gospel roots rock soul

Ashley Cleveland's live album is finally out and, man, does it rock! Cleveland's bluesy/gutsy/passionate vocals give me goosebumps every time I hear this CD. At times she'll belt out with everything she's got, others, she softens her vocals to extend her emotional range. It's hard for me to imagine that anyone hearing Ashley Cleveland would not be moved. Listening to this project reminds me of attending concerts and festivals twenty years ago where my friends and I would just get "lost" in the music.

You are There was produced by Cleveland's husband, Kenny Greenberg, whose artistry on lead guitar is outstanding. His talent is showcased on songs such as "He Is" and "You are There." He heads up an impressive roster of outstanding musicians including Michael Rhodes, Chad Cromwell, Phil Madeira, Pat Buchanan, Kim Keyes and Tabitha Fair (Amy Grant's backing singers), Jerry Dale McFadden, Vince Santoro, and Harry Stinson.

The opening cut on the album is the band's rendition of "Gimme Shelter," a song originally written and recorded by The Rolling Stones, that Cleveland and company perform with a raw intensity rarely heard in Christian music circles. The first single released to radio, stations nationwide have enthusiastically embraced it, a hopeful sign that Cleveland may finally receive the recognition she so richly deserves.

There are four other songs on this album not previously released. Cleveland and Greenberg penned "Your Saving Grace," which reminds us that it is God's grace that sustains us in our walk with God even when tragedy strikes. We can always depend on Him. The song is performed on a National steel guitar with a soulful, jazz sound.

"Lucky Never Had it So Good," an upbeat tempo rock 'n' roll tune performed by full band, is about a person who feels lucky because God has blessed them with the love of their life. She/he knows for certain that God called them to this relationship, and they're committed to seeing it through no matter how difficult it may get. Would Greenberg and Cleveland be talking about their relationship? "Lucky" is one of my favorites on this album.

"There Goes My Baby" is a blues tune performed on acoustic guitar with very soulful, emotional vocals that are a perfect match for the topic: a mother who is watching her wayward daughter grow up, reliving the pain and agony of her own mistake-ridden past. Despite the depressing topic, this is a hopeful song as it is in the form of an intercessory prayer.

Cleveland teamed up with her good friend Pam Tillis for the last new song, "You Don't Have to Take This from Me," on acoustic folk guitar. It is about a faithful, loving, open, honest, and real woman who is willing to give her all to make the relationship with the man she loves work even while she reluctantly admits to herself that although he says he loves her, he doesn't want to make a commitment. When she tells him, "You don't have to take this from me," I believe she is saying she doesn't have to take that from him.

The remainder of the songs on this album were released on Cleveland's three prior studio albums.

From Big Town, Cleveland sings Andrae Crouch's "Soon and Very Soon," (we are going to see the King) a cappella. The sound swells as the full band joins her to segue into "Big Town," the powerful anthem about her hope to meet everyone in heaven one day.

Three songs were drawn from Lesson of Love: Buddy Greene's "He Is" with a fabulous piano solo leading into one of Greenberg's stellar guitar solos on the album; the title track, "You are There," composed by Cleveland and Greenberg reminding us of God's scriptural promise to never leave or forsake us; and Cleveland's jazzy arrangement of the MacKay/Husband hymn "Revive Us Again."

Last, but not least, Cleveland's "Henry Doesn't Care," from Bus Named Desire is a rock tune named for Cleveland and Greenberg's son. God tells us to come to him like children, and this song about the honest, unpretentious, carefree life that a child leads is a good reminder of the things our children can teach us if we'll only open our eyes and see.

In most cases, I prefer the live recordings on this project to the original studio recordings because the passion and freedom of the musicians is clearly felt. Also, the backing vocalists are brought up in the mix to complement Cleveland's full-throttle alto. Between them and the talented musicians Greenberg has assembled, this always feels like a collaboration, not a one-woman show.

You are There is Cleveland's fourth album. It will appeal to those between the ages of 25 and 50, in both the Christian and secular markets who enjoy blues, rock 'n' roll and jazz. Also worth noting is there is very little time wasted with talking on this project making You are There a worthwhile investment in great music.

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