Ashley Cleveland''s unmistakable sound has won her 3 GrammyAwards, 3 Dove Awards, a place on countless year-end Top Ten lists, and a legion of devoted fans. And while she has been plying her music in the ephemeral corner of the music world called Christian music pretty much from the get-go, God Don t Never Change is Ashley Cleveland s first true gospel record.
Inspired by the work of Baylor University musicologist Bob Darden, God Don t Never Change is a celebration of vintage black gospel field songs ranging from the Blind Willie Johnson title track to the Washington Phillips tune Denomination Blues to the echoes of Mattie Moss Clark on Going To Heaven To Meet The King .
Ashley has worked hard to find her own place with an era of spiritual music that comes from a rich history of struggle and pain, more from open-sky fields than high-ceilinged cathedrals, but equally worshipful.
"To me the most amazing thing is people taking horrible pain and loss and allowing something God-given and beautiful to come of it, as opposed to succumbing to bitterness," she says. "These songs speak to the sorrow in my own soul, and they re uplifting."
In the studio, Ashley surrounded herself with musical collaborators who knew her strengths intimately and could play to them without any hesitation. Starting with world-class producer and guitarist Kenny Greenberg with credits ranging from Faith Hill to Brooks & Dunn to Amy Grant to Steven Curtis Chapman to Gretchen Wilson to Etta James, and every musical point in between.
Adding to the mix was a band from back in the day Chad Cromwell on drums, Michael Rhodes on bass and Reese Wynans on B3 organ all of whom carry equally impressive musical resumes, and who have played with Ashley and Kenny for years. As with all music that deals with The Word, the songs on God Don t Never Change find their power in the words. It s the work these songs were called to do, and it s the work Ashley Cleveland and so many around her are happy to help carry out.
This impressive set seamlessly weaves Cleveland s powerful, beautiful voice through an eclectic mix of timeless gospel songs.
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