Leah B Jackson God’s Way

‘Give your heart to God’. This is the thrust of this out-and-out message-in-a-song. It’s sometimes refreshing when a song sets out its stall from the get-go, and that’s certainly what’s happening here.

A duet with Rickie Beasley, God’s Way implores the listener to give God’s way a try. So far, so straightforward. But the two vocalists then set about having a fun, uplifting verbal joust as the tune progresses, sometimes harmonising, sometimes providing a counterpoint to each other and sometimes delivering what sound like heartfelt improvised lines.

I can imagine the two of them facing each other over an old fashioned microphone and really feeding off each other’s energy and delivery in a live, one-take scenario. It feels that way. And this song is all about feel! Perhaps that’s why the finished mix has eschewed the chance to straighten out their performances with technology – to keep their warm, authentic edges in place. It’s particularly effective on the harmonised sections where both vocalists sit tight in the groove and the sum of their parts exceeds the individual performances to elevate the piece in a blast of righteous synergy!

The backing music features modulating parts on guitar and a simple, classic arrangement of Rhodes, drums, strings and bass that keeps the whole together so that the listener can focus on the lyrics and the voices.

This bluesy, soulful cut delivers a message with all the passion you’d expect from the daughter of Grammy-nominated George and Gwen McCrae. Time to give God’s Way a try?

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Chris Porter

Writer

As well as writing about music, Chris Porter is a songwriter, singer, producer & vocal coach. He has written for all manner of international artists, including Dagny, Dzeko, and hit the No.1 spot with Thailand’s Singto Numchok. His music has had thousands of placements on film, TV & radio all around the globe.