Published in the CR Mag 46

Saturday 1st August 1998

Crystal Lewis - Gold

STYLE: Pop
RATING

OUR PRODUCT CODE: 1476-1893
LABEL: Metro One 080688551827
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £10.99

Reviewed by James Lewis

The first thing that struck me a bout this album was how much Mademoiselle Lewis' voice has matured since her early days in CCM. These days it is a remarkably flexible tool, ranging from the polished tones on some of the ballads here which compare to the songs of Celine Dion or Toni Braxton, to some of the more upbeat songs, where she approaches the throatiness of Maria McKee. Production values are high throughout, although the electric piano on "For Such A Time As This" is too syrupy for these ears. Lyrically, the album is not too far from most of our Britpraise "stars" in content and this album shouldn't do anything to harm her sales in the UK - she's already pretty big in the US, I gather. It's not an album I can honestly get really excited about, but it's a pretty strong release nevertheless. Anyone who would like some mildly alternative worship not sung by a bloke would be advised to give this a whirl.

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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Sample Track Listing:
3.	Lord I Believe	[Listen]

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.

Reader Comments

Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 15:44 on Jul 29 2014

It is late 1998 and we see a new cd and new look for
Crystal. She seems to go from brunette to blonde in
her ccm career, great cd front cover photo.
This cd has very much pop appeal flavor added at
first listen. "LORD, I Believe In You" has that Crystal
Lewis touch we intially were introduced to at her
start in ccm. Written by singer/songwriter Tommy Walker who is making his mark in CCM.
"For Such a Time As This" was a title also brought
to us by long time top ccm artist Wayne Watson.
Crystal's title gives a whole new perspective with
her top notch interpretation of Anne Barbour lyrics.
"What About God" followed by "God & I"were written
by Crystal's husband Brian Ray. The first has great
keyboarding sequence & thought provoking lyrics that reach within. The up tempo "God & I"
has lyrics that call out and make imprint to the heart
soul and mind. wtg, thanx Brian.
Awesome collaboration on "Why" with top well known ccm sensation musician Michael W. Smith.
This would be a great song as well for Michael to
record. "Return To Me" is for those who have
left God, it is for the here and now, thank you
Crystal & Brian for this much needed song.
"Lean On Me" written by top R & B ccm artist Kirk
Franklin, one of the finest recordings that include
Kirk and The Family on bgvs that make the song
a most memorable song in the halls of CCM. The
cd title closes the set, well written by Chris Lizotte who has written other songs for Crystal's recordings.
Over 1 hour of great styled ccm is heard on this
13 track top notch ccm cd.
The above writer has overlooked that, Crystal is
a married woman since 19 to her side-kick lyricist & producer husband Brian Ray, & has 2 grown children. Mademoiselle refers to an unmarried oman.
I urge you to invest into this cd, God Bless, Don

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Crystal Lewis - Gold

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