Susan Ashton

Item: A Distant Call
Author: Steve Timm

A Distant Call

(1996)

Reviewed by Steve Timm

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Label Sparrow RecordsThe LighthouseFebruary 1997

ccm country pop

Susan Ashton's latest release, A Distant Call, explodes with a variety of musical expressions. Wayne Kirkpatrick, the producer on her first three albums, continues that role for four songs on this project. Brown Bannister and Michael Omartian join the production team this time, producing three and four songs respectively. The choice of producers and the choice of songs seems designed to create more appeal in the mainstream pop market (as opposed to the country sound of her previous albums). A large cast of the best studio musicians form the band (Gordon Kennedy, Tommy Sims, Jerry McPherson, Steve Brewster, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Michael Omartian, Phil Madeira, Shane Keister, Chris McHugh, Kenny Greenberg, Kim Keyes, Chris Rodriguez, JD Cunningham, Donna McElroy, Kim Fleming, and more). Alison Krauss and Union Station make a special appearance on the track, "Love Profound."

We are used to hearing Ashton sing the words and music of Wayne Kirkpatrick, and he wrote several songs on this project, too. However, joining Kirkpatrick this time is a host of writers and co-writers, including Sheryl Crow ("Hundreds Of Tears" and "All Kinds Of People"), Pierce Pettis and Gordon Kennedy ("You Move Me"), Jeff and Gayla Borders, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Ashton herself, who co-wrote three of the songs.

Even as she broadens musical styles, Ashton has not lost the vocal qualities which earned her instant attention and have kept her popular ever since. There is a gentleness and softness to her voice that speaks of a healing and hope even deeper than the words of the songs. "All Kinds Of People" and "Send A Message" are upbeat pop tunes which you might expect Amy Grant to sing, but Ashton makes them her own, lining the boldness with comfort and courage. "Hundreds Of Tears" is a ballad mostly in a minor key, evoking memories of Native American music. It requires both a bold outspoken tone and a subdued minor tone; her vocals are crystal-clear in both.

The lyrics explore everything from simple love songs ("Spinning Like A Wheel" and "Love Profound") to songs of Christian experience ("Blind Side" and "You Move Me"). "All Kinds Of People" is a call to love and healing among all peoples of the world. "Crooked Man" tells the story of a man who lived for himself. "Body And Soul," perhaps the best song on the album, tells of the healing that the Savior provides.

In my opinion, this album is by far the best that Ashton has ever recorded, a quantum leap above her previous work, and without question one of the best releases in contemporary Christian music for 1996. I found that some previous Ashton albums got tired on the flip side-not this one. There is no filler here-every song is a winner. Susan Ashton could enjoy the same success in the pop charts that she has enjoyed in the Christian music and country charts previously. This project gives plenty for long-time fans to like, and plenty of reasons to make those who have previously been unfamiliar with her work to stand up and take notice.