Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Christian blues. Isn't that an oxymoron? Could be argued that the Psalms are full of the blues if we'd read them carefully. When it comes to Christians playing the blues, one problem seems to be finding artists with enough grit and soul to make it real. Glenn Kaiser? Yep! Rhett Tyler? Absolutely! Darrell Mansfield? Totally! Tommy Ray O'Dell? To be honest, today the jury is still out! Undoubtedly a great bluesy guitarist, a raw vocalist and strong songwriter but some of this seems a little too much blues by numbers in a way that Clapton manages when he loses the plot. All the right elements are there but it all feels a little too smooth around the edges. That's not to say there isn't some good music on here, it's all great. And that's also no comment on Tommy's desire to use music to communicate the Gospel, he's clearly passionate about that but somehow along the way, this doesn't cut it. I just get the feeling that live and unrestrained we might find Tommy in his element but captured here, I am not convinced.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.