American rocker SARAH KELLY gives knee jerk responses to other people's music.

Sarah Kelly

We took American rock singer and Gotee recording artist Sarah Kelly into the Cross Rhythms studio, played her eight tracks from new and not so new releases and taped her knee jerk responses. Here's what she said.

1. thebandwithnoname - "Do Or Die"
From the album 'Dying To Be There'
Thebandwithnoname - wow! I've heard of them but I've never heard them until now. I know that in the UK a lot of people really like this band. I really enjoyed it actually. My guitar player always says that you know a good song if you are bobbing your head and you're smiling. It happened with this song! It really sucks you in and makes you feel a part of it. I thought that the chorus was quite catchy, it made me want to sing along with it.

2. Toby Mac - "Our World"
From the album 'Portable Sounds'
The production values here are through the roof! It just doesn't come any better! And I'm not just saying that because Toby's my boss! Toby would respect me more if I was just honest, even if I didn't like it. So this is a genuine thing. To be honest, this is not the kind of album I would go to the store and buy. But having heard this I'm thinking about doing that! I'm just wondering what I could have sung on this album because that girl on this was just rocking it so hard! I kept thinking, I could have done that! Memo to Toby, next time I want to sing on a track!

3. Moya Brennan - "Merry-Go-Round"
Single
I'm a Moya fan. I may not be really objective but I love women that are willing to stick out and sound different, that's just a personal thing of mine. I mean, Moya could fit the pop mould quite easily with her voice and yet she dares to make something artistic and edgy and yet you never know what turn it's going to take. I have a high appreciation for this music. I love the Celtic stuff and it sounds here like the producer is putting in a little bit of a pop twist on it with that electronic groove going on. Awesome!

4. Robert Randolph & The Family Band - "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That"
From the album 'Colorblind'
Did you guys do some research before doing this? I just played with South By South West and ran into Robert. We had photos together and all that stuff! I got to see him live and I have to tell you, it's intense! The Family Band go off on musical bits for quite a while and the musical bits kept you so intrigued that you weren't wishing he would start singing! Like in most concerts you're thinking after another guitar solo, 'OK, enough already!' But not with Robert. The musicianship here is up there with the very best. Again, production quality on this one is ridiculously amazing! Who did it? They deserve some kind of award!

5. Sister Rosetta Tharpe - "Rock Me"
From the album 'Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order 1938-1941'
Wow! It sounds like something I would drive around listening to just for influence sake. Here was a woman with some guts! With a lot of Christian music right now we have a problem liking Disney Princesses. But here you've got a lady with soul! I love her! I wish the guitar was mixed up a little higher just so that I could listen to it a little louder but then it's history and it's fine history. She was well before her time!

6. Little Debbie Dee - "Rise And Shine"
From the album 'He's Got The Whole World'
Oh dear Lord! I have to be completely honest with you. The only chance that I would buy that based on what I've just heard is if my own children were singing on it. I don't have any kids so that's not going to happen! I'm sorry, I don't understand what I've just heard.

7. Larry Norman - "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus"
From the album 'Only Visiting This Planet'
Well you know I'm a classic rocker girl right? Oh my gosh, this just hits the spot. Larry Norman, Keith Green, all those old guys, they can do no wrong with me. Their sound is a part of my sound today and so many other artists, you know. I don't think the CCM industry gives full respect to its pioneers. Would I play Larry Norman in my car? Absolutely! Him and Keith Green both. They are heroes of mine.

8. Tim Hughes - "Happy Day"
From the album 'Holding Nothing Back'
I don't want you to fade this down! I just want to keep listening! First of all I want to say congratulations to Tim Hughes and all the other worship songwriters and musicians for what they're bringing the worldwide Church community. I know there will be multitudes of churches here and everywhere else singing this song and I know it will have a long future. For me it's really cool to visit the country that is definitely leading the modern worship movement. With albums like this you can hear why.