Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For my money Leigh Nash has one of the best, and most immediately recognisable, voices on the whole American CCM scene and her eerily other-worldly contributions to those Sixpence None The Richer classics will be getting an airing on the Cummings' stereo as long as the Cummings have a stereo. So Leigh's solo debut doesn't disappoint. Producer Pierre Marchand has wisely plumped for laid back, fairly stripped-down organic accompaniments allowing that voice to drift and soar and purr across piano, acoustic guitars and, on the song "Nervous In The Light Of Dawn", duduk. The songs themselves are predominantly mid-tempo and slow with lyrics (largely penned by Leigh) making their point without Bible sloganeering nor obscure poetic metaphor. So on "Just A Little" she advises "wipe your eyes, you can't have rainbows without rain" while the first single "My Idea Of Heaven" has the observation "my idea of heaven is lying here with you" which won't please bibliophiles but is the perfect hook to a summery, country-tinged (I'm sure I can hear a lap steel though one isn't credited) confection which sound like it's a cert to get Whispering Bob Harris airplay. Strong in melody and with a wonderfully relaxed vibe, this isn't the stuff of teenage radio hits, unless of course mainstream radio decides it's time for another "Kiss Me". But 'Blue On Blue' is still a mellow gem.

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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