God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions

Fans of Ann-Margret's music are required to have eclectic tastes considering the variety of her recordings. God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions, her first new album in a long time, travels in entirely new and surprising directions, even for someone already recognized for her versatility. In collaboration with the Jordanaires, long-running Western swing ensemble the Light Crust Doughboys, and gospel great James Blackwood, Ann-Margret has made a real down-home gospel album, mostly comprised of songs by Doughboys bassist Art Greenhaw. His love of gospel traditions comes through on "Low Singing Bass," a nostalgic Statler Brothers-style ensemble vocal piece that name-checks several legendary gospel artists. "The High Road" and "Looking Through a Stained Glass Darkly" add a little rockabilly riffing to the mix, while Blackwood and the Doughboys enjoy a few solo turns on standards like "I Am a Pilgrim" and "Peace in the Valley." Don't expect Ann-Margret's typical dramatic performances because she sings sweetly and softly here, but you can tell she's having fun in this new context. "The Hallelujah Yodel Lady" is a particular highlight (although, to answer the obvious question, she doesn't yodel). Ann-Margret recorded too little in the decades prior to this release, which is a shame considering her apparent willingness to experiment. ~ Greg Adams