Personnel includes: Crystal Lewis, Ron Kenoly (vocals); Anne Barbour, John Barbour, Alfie Silas (background vocals); Carlos Vega, Robby Buchanan, Dan Huff, Shawn Tubbs, John Andrew Schreiner.
All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
Recorded entirely in beach houses, apartments and friends' and relatives' homes, Crystal Lewis' BEAUTY FOR ASHES is a mixture of cool grooves, dance grooves and smooth pop and R&B ballads, all in the name of Jesus. One such ballad is the title track, a duet with Ron Kenoly. Based on Isaiah 61:1-3, and penned by Lewis, "Beauty For Ashes" features not only a beautiful R&B background, but an extremely inspirational and uplifting lyric; it ends with the phrase "He gives peace for despair," a perfect message for anyone going through troubled times.
On two songs whose titles retain the theme of visual beauty--"The Beauty Of The Cross" and "Season's Change"--Lewis implores listeners to remember Calvary and put things in the hand of the Lord when things get rough. The songs on BEAUTY FOR ASHES could easily be played both pop and contemporary-Christian radio stations. They're perfectly tailored for Lewis' voice, with acoustic and electronic accompaniments. The sound is laid-back and not overprocessed. The warmth of Lewis' songs, and her belief in her message, come through fully, making BEAUTY FOR ASHES an album that will indeed give you "peace for despair."
