Beverly Crawford Returning for her third album, Gospel diva Beverly Crawford wows on Beverly, her EMI Gospel/Dexterity Sounds debut.
After an impressive career singing with Bobby Jones, with T.D. Jakes' Potter's House Mass Choir, and as a soloist, Crawford signed on with Jakes' Dexterity Sounds label to craft her first new solo album in four years. The result is Beverly, a dynamic, exciting collection of songs that blend old-school, traditional gospel sounds with modern, contemporary gospel sensibilities.
The upbeat numbers show off her celebratory side, while the ballads allow her to really shine, vocally. She even adds some Caribbean ("Your Name") and r&b ("I'm Still Standing") sounds to the mix on a few songs. Lyrically, she mostly encourages and uplifts, falling back repeatedly on themes of healing and victory over life's difficulties. Most of the songs also have a strong undercurrent of worship.
Producers such as Cedric & Victor Caldwell, Sanchez Harley, Kevin Bond, and more, give Crawford some of the funkiest sounds she's probably ever worked with, especially on tracks like "Run to the Water" and "Make Me."
Top Picks: "Run to the Water," "I'm Still Standing," "I Won't Go On," "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus," and "Farewell."
Pros: With vocals that soar with raw emotion and strength, Crawford is clearly one of the premier female gospel vocalists of our time. The modern sounds of this album help bring her appeal into the 21st Century.
Cons: None worth mentioning. The Verdict: A powerful, stunning collection of modern gospel hits in-the-making.
