Reviewed by Brian Carr

When you are the daughter of the Rev Samuel McCrary, singer with the legendary Fairfield Four quartet, the chances are that you will be able to carry a tune. Ann McCrary can go far beyond the basics to deliver rock solid vocals. You may not have heard of her but the chances are you own albums that feature her BVs, as her voice, tuned to perfection by childhood tutors Inez Andrews and Shirley Caesar, is sought after not only in gospel circles by Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin and the Clark Sisters to drop a name or two. But she boasts of admirers in country music circles the likes of Wynona Judd and Reba Macintyre. In fact, if her father had given his approval Ann could have been a ground breaker - a record company looked to sign her in her younger years to be one of the first black country music artists. Why then has Ann not recorded more albums, this latest only her second? Answers are not forthcoming, only that she is a most requested session singer and was committed to being part of Bobby Jones' New Life singers. They appear on a classic song "Yes, God Is Real". This album steers more towards traditional gospel than her first project 'What Is This' and indeed concludes the album with a back to church medley "Have You Tried Jesus", "I Get Joy" and "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". The album has a tasty mixture like the tender ballad "I'll Pray For You", a McCrary composition interpreted by Roger Ryan on piano. But the standout for me is the contemporary first track "My, My Lord", penned by Anointed (Steve Crawford is Ann's son-in-law and debuts as producer with this album), a lengthy track of two halves with Steve joining in (he can do no wrong vocally for me) - superb. This album isn't startlingly innovative but is an opportunity to listen to a songstress who has learnt her craft well and who could blast a hole through Fame Academy's roof as well as frighten a few Pop Idols off stage.

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.

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.