Reviewed by Phil Thomson

What we have here, for most of the set, leans towards perfection. The voice itself is top-drawer, blue-eyed soul - one of those comfort-cushion voices you could happily take home to your mother; yet you know it's been lived in; full of hope, yet the celebrations have been hard won. Not just with honesty, exquisite writing and quite outstanding arrangements, Gregory Paul Smith has also surrounded himself with session players who truly raise the bar: Matt Pierson on bass, John Hammond on drums, guitarist Tom Hemby and Jason Webb on keyboards - together notching up credits which include Russ Taff, The Imperials, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W Smith - and now. . .the other Smith. He definitely holds his own with them. Of course, it is not just the voice; it's the way the lyrics are played into our emotions, you recognise yourself, the feeling that you know what the voice has been through to refine it. If it was a wine, it would be full-bodied, with a decent length, with a lingering sensitivity which goes on hitting those buds in surprising ways long after the liquid has gone down. There was not a moment here when I was not looking forward to what would happen next. Double negative for a double positive. 'I can live again' is an experience you just have to taste. Sip slowly. Take your time. Enjoy.

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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