Church of Texas is a fully realized, mature work of art that spans a variety of moods and styles, blending fresh originality with a sense of the familiar. The opening "I Ain't Scared of Nothing But Love" gives a female version of songs like "I'm a Man", an in your face declaration of self assurance with a refrain that shows a vulnerable side echoing the familiar standard "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." "Elysium" brings a softer folk rock sound that reminds one of the 60s Summer of Love and early 70s back to roots wistfulness for a Golden Age of simplicity and beauty. "Never Goin' Home" brings us back to current events and an ability to identify with the Central American immigrants to the US who flee poverty and political oppression in search of a better life, finding that it comes with a price, and a bittersweet memory of home, driven in by the repetition of the drawn out word "home" and new twists on familiar phrases such as "Home on the range where the Sandinistas roam." "Mississippi Rain" starts out with a moody Doors-"The End" rubato, and then shifts into an evocative, sultry story of a humid Southern night that conjures visions of Spanish Moss and dripping oaks and cypress swamps. "Love and War" is a slow blues that made me think of Billie Holiday sung, but Kellie conveys the bittersweet acceptance of heartbreak with none of Holiday's fragility. Kellie bounces back with "Take Me As I Am", a less brash statement than "..."Nothin' But Love", but no less an affirmation of self and acceptance of one's strengths and weaknesses. And again, the melody and the title phrase have that sense of familiarity that bear repeated listenings. "Church of Texas" slows down to a stark rendering of a tale drawn from real life, toughness and tenderness woven together. There's no way to follow the emotional depth of "Church of Texas" with words, and the next selection is a brilliant choice, an instrumental romp on the harp called "Shrimp Cocktail" that energizes the listener and prepares you for the next song. "Wild Wild West" echoes the title of the TV show and movies, and the Escape Club's tune, and Will Smith's hip hop version, while placing the phrase in a current context addressed to "you in Washington". The chorus evokes memories of Bad Religion's "Los Angeles is Burning" without being derivative of any of the aforementioned. Like Bob Dylan in many of his compositions, she draws phrases, images and memes from the present and the past, and creates something new, original, and memorable. "Took the Wind Out of my Sails" is a good example. Much like Dylan reworked the chords and melody of "Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme" into his own "Girl from the North Country", Rucker takes "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and creates something new that is, if anything, more deep, soulful, and tender than what was basically a line to get a woman into bed or a back seat. Kellie might have borrowed some elements of another tune, but her song and performance transcend the source. Finally, the CD closes with a revisiting of the theme explored in "I Ain't Scared of Nothin' but Love" and "Take Me as I Am", with a blend of Motown and Memphis soul and R&B. Despite the bragadacio of ..."Ain't Scared..." and the take it or leave it stance of "Take Me as I Am", here she acknowledges that sometimes logic and sense can not control one's emotions, hanging on to relationships long after you should have let go and gone on, because "The Heart's Got a Mind of Its Own". The album "Church of Texas" is honest, soulful, and resonates with personal and shared life experiences. If it doesn't touch you in some way, you probably aren't in touch with your own feelings.

Need I say more? This little lady's throaty croons touch something deep inside me. Nobody compares to her big harp sound. She manipulates the notes to perfection and seduces the listener. Mississippi Rain is a must. It's haunted. While Church of Texas, tribute to Linda, is a peice that evokes memories of my own. Bottom line folks, this album touched my soul. Couple it with "Ain't hit bottom" and turn someone special on to her sound. She's touring Europe, they don't want to let 'er go. Let demand bring 'er home...

this is it! A wonderful album of Kellie Rucker,her harp-play is excellent,her voice just right to sing the blues and the songwriting is outstanding. Some true stories like "Church of Texas" and a lot of her heart are in this album. Excellent musicians and Kellie at her best make this album the one you admire. Also look for "Ain't hit Bottom" Kellie Ruckers 2005/2006 release, another cracker.