It’s Not Over
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The powerful gospel singer Kelly Garner brings us songs about faith, hope, and the ability of music to heal and uplift across these 14 personal tracks.
The soulful and booming “Good Ole Gospel Sing” opens the listen with a lively and rhythmic quality that showcases playful piano, and “Waymaker” follows with a stirring intimacy thanks to Garner’s dreamy pipes and glowing strings that lends itself to worship.
In the middle, the frisky and dance floor ready “Testimony” is full of melody, while “I Will Not Hope In Something Less” trims the pace back with spiritual balladry and glorious songwriting.
Close to the end, “When I Call On The Name Of The Lord” is more drum focused and recruits plenty of well timed backing vocals, and “Forgive Myself” exits with a gripping duet that carries a cinematic quality and glows with a heartfelt demeanor.
There’s a large cast of musicians along for the songs, including Jim Hammerly (piano, B3 organ), Preston Shewbridge (bass guitar), Dave Cleveland (electric and acoustic guitars) and Scott Williamson (drums and percussion), to name a few, and they sure do brighten Garner’s faith based formula.
Travels well with: Girls Next Door- Now Or Never; Patti Page- This Can’t Be Love