Kimmie Rhodes Rich From the Journey (Sunbird)

Kimmie Rhodes

Rich From the Journey (Sunbird)

Bathed in the white light of producer Gabe Rhodes' rich, luxurious sound, Kimmie Rhodes is born again. Whereas '96's West Texas Heaven and its follow-up, Jackalopes, Moons & Angels, cast the veteran singer-songwriter in the role of Lubbuck Mafia princess, Rich From the Journey finds the local songbird deep in Triple-A territory, far moore Abra than Jo Carol Pierce. Imbued with an obvious filial affection for its star, as well as the younger Rhodes gifted musicianship -- particularly his warm wash of keyboards, pump organ, and melodica -- Rich From the Journey sands the West Texas grit right out of momma Rhodes, whose mellifluous cooing belongs in the same aviary as Nanci Griffith or Betty Elders. Awash in songs from the saccharine "Thank You for Another Day" and "Shine All Your Light" to the lovely and sincere "I'm So Amazed" and "God's Acre," featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlins, Journey would also be right at home on a Contemporary Christian radio station. The still, moving "This Is the Gift," playful "Bells of Joy," and lyrics like, "What if everybody prayed, what if everybody wished for the same thing with all of our hearts?... All the heavens'd ring with the wonderful sound of peace on earth today" attest to spiritual relationships, not dysfunctional ones. The dreamy "Yellow Sand," like the majority of Kimmie Rhodes' accomplished songwriting, deserves a holy union with KGSR. Rich From the Journey, a divine intersection of Rhodes.