Review of Clay's new CD!

Clay Crosse/Everytime I Feel the Spirit:  An Americana Collection of Hymns and Such
HolyHomes Music
Produced by Phil Madeira, Todd Robbins, and Clay Crosse

 
At the very least, Everytime I Feel the Spirit:  An Americana Collection of Hymns and Such further demonstrates Clay Crosse's amazing artistry and versatility.  We know deep down the Memphis singer's got some soul, and we've heard him rock with the best of them, but who could have imagined Clay Crosse would ever record a country-tinged record?  Southern gospel, maybe.  But country?  While I might always be partial to Clay's sophomore project, Time To Believe (Reunion), I think the recording of this CD, something Clay refers to as "an itch I just had to scratch," displays a side to the singer that really grows on you.  And it actually suits him.

Everytime I Feel the Spirit celebrates some of the songs that have inspired countless traditional and contemporary performers and indelibly impacted generations of believers.  With "There's Power in the Blood," Clay kicks the album off on an upbeat note and by the time track two, the title cut, begins to play, you are bound to think out loud:  "The boy's gone country . . . and I kinda like it!"

I've heard stirring versions of "How Great Thou Art" by everyone from Elvis Presley to Yolanda Adams, and artists ranging from Johnny Cash to the Birmingham Sunlights, a Jubilee-style African American group, have recorded "In the Garden."  Rest assured, however, that you haven't heard anything quite like Clay's interpretations.  These tracks transport me to a place of reflection and contemplation, a place where I frequently stand in awe of God's mercy and grace.

Not surprisingly, two of my favorite tracks are Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" and Dorothy Love Coates' black gospel standard, "That's Enough."  Enhanced by producer Phil Madeira's organ riffs and the backing vocals of Ann McCreary and Regina McCreary, these songs---certainly the least country-sounding tracks on the album---represent alternative strains of America's rich, musical past.  I regard Dylan as a songwriting genius and, sadly, not every artist (including Dylan himself, but don't tell him I said that!!!) can do justice to his songs.  But Clay's renditions of the Dylan and Coates tunes are smokin'!  Just earlier this summer, my buddy, Jimmy Carter of the Blind Boys of Alabama, and I discussed Coates' music as we rode the van to and from the Blind Boys' Asheville hotel and Lake Eden Arts Festival gig.  I have been a fan of Coates' songwriting for years, and I think the gospel songstress---who was known for telling it like it is---would most definitely approve of Clay's cover of her song!

Decidedly laid back and stripped down, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and the plaintive plea of "I Need Thee Every Hour" prove that Clay doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles to create a great sound.  Simple instrumentation and his own lead and harmony vocals suffice.  The songs do the rest.

However, some first-class musicians and vocalists appear on this record in addition to Dove Award winner Phil Madeira, whose keyboard prowess is evident on some of Nashville's greatest records.  And, like any well-behaved country record, there's the presence of steel guitar.  I recently remarked to Clay, "Never thought I'd hear you sing with a pedal steel, but it's all good!"  Pedal steel guitarist Bryan Owings produces a sound on "There's Power In the Blood," "Everytime I Feel the Spirit," "How Great Thou Art," "In the Garden" and "Wonderful Merciful Savior" that is hardly the Robert Randolph-esque sound one could imagine from a Clay Crosse project, but rather it is distinctly "Nashville" without the overwhelming "cry in your beer" twang some listeners, namely myself, find so repulsive.

Further distinguishing this album from other projects offered this year is the eye-catching cover art by Jimmy Abegg.  Meanwhile, Clay is turning out his own brand of folk art that is reminiscent of the late Rev. Howard Finster's work.  His subjects have included Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley and Otis Redding.

After listening to this album, I recently commented to Clay, "I just wanted to say I totally dig the new CD!!! . . . I knew you couldn't go wrong with Phil Madeira producing.  [It's a] great project, man."  To that, Clay replied, "Thanks, Greg.  That means a lot, my friend.  Gotta say I've never been more pleased with a project."  And that's saying a lot, coming from someone who has received Dove Awards, garnered critical acclaim and worked in music ministry for more than fifteen years.

Everytime I Feel the Spirit:  An Americana Collection of Hymns and Such and Clay's folk art can be purchased via HolyHomes.org, the ministry of Clay and Renee Crosse.

                                                                      -Reviewed by Greg Freeman www.southernedition.com