Reviewed by James Lewis

Most people only heard of Maria McKee courtesy of "Show Me Heaven", the number one hit from the back of "Days Of Thunder". However, there's a lot more to this girl as this album shows, forsaking the dance-orientated (yes, I DID say dance!) Youth-produced single only release of "Sweetest Child". Maria has been around for a long time, previously with country-rock band Lone Justice. The good news for Maria's fans is that most of the members of Lone Justice make up the studio band here, and the feel is very much in that vein, albeit with a retro feel to it, thanks in all likelihood to producer George Drakoulias - knob-twiddler extraordinaire for the Black Crowes. I think this album is a definite return to form of the glory days of Lone Justice -Maria's debut solo gained a lot of admirers, but I for one thought it lacked her fire apart from a couple of notable exceptions. This, however, sees Maria back onto far more complementary turf. There's none of the gospel lyrics of yore here though, although several of the songs (including the title track) make very spiritual allusions. The cover version of Goffin and King's "I Can't Make It Alone" could be a prayer if it weren't for the references to her baby, but Maria gives the song real gospel-fervour. This does throw up one (very) minor gripe -how come Maria McKee, writer of Feargal Sharkey's hit "A Good Heart", has to make an album containing only six original compositions?

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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