Reviewed by Sue Rann

Some people may be surprised by this album. Carlisle is a prolific songwriter and session singer and has been kicking around the CCM scene since the early 70s and of course scored a huge hit with the sentimental country tinged ballad "Butterfly Kisses". This is a serious departure from his usual polished pop style. Not, I hasten to add, that the production values are lacking here. It's just... the difference between drinking a strawberry smoothie and a shot of neat whiskey. Carlisle's roots lie in soul and his vocals have time-slipped with a vengeance. This is meaty, growly, visceral stuff, and I love it. His cover of Amy Grant's pop ballad "Baby, Baby" has to be heard to be believed. "The Truth (La Verdad)" is a tongue-in-cheek peek into Carlisle's personal history. Along with "Forgiveness" and "Lay Your Hands On Me", it showcases what I hope is a permanent change in Carlisle's vocal style, powerfully souly and raw at the edges, but still with the intimate, vulnerable quality that is Carlisle's best hallmark. In his sleeve photos Mr Carlisle looks as though he eats reviewers for breakfast with five Shredded Wheat, so please believe me when I say that Bob Carlisle is a class act. Really. Honest Injun. (And, inevitably, I HAVE to say... that's nothing but the truth.)

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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