Reviewed by Tony Cummings

First the background. Bob, veteran of a hundred CCM sessions and frontman for the fondly remembered Allies, surprised many with a near classic debut album 'Bob Carlisle' containing the truly marvellous "Getting Stronger". Now his second set, cut with the same producer Bob Deaton, is out but produces not nearly the same impact. In fact, on occasions Bob's rasping, octave leaping pyrotechnics sound like so much empty histrionics. There are some good bluesy, soul tinged ballads, a duet with the magnificent Donna McElroy and good beefy blues rock and R&B arrangements. But somehow Bob's passionate exhortations, rather than lifting the songs higher, seems to push them into a lumpen sameyness. Classy but disappointing.

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