Do not let the word, SACRED, scare you off, sinners!

I wish famed session singer, Sherlie Matthews, had stepped out front 
more often during her lengthy career.  When the likes of Niecy, Minnie, 
Syreeta, Susaye, Clydie, Merry and Venetta came to the forefront of pop 
music, Sherlie was content staying in the background…singing as well as 
writing and producing.  Sherlie, alongside those ladies, was featured 
on recordings so highbrow and far too numerous to mention.  She 
certainly could have flaunted and strutted her stuff along with the 
very best of them.  I have a feeling Sherlie’s ego is in check, which 
makes her the real deal in my humble observation.

This review is for Sherlie’s solo work, not all of the songs she’s 
graced.  Long story short…I am so glad Sherlie stepped out front for 
this collection of sacred songs.

A musician well known in her field of expertise for the sweetening ear 
candy and classic vocal samples she provides, Sherlie gets to show off 
her harmonies and vocal range in wild abandon on this recent release of 
homemade treasures.  Check out track #9, “I’m Gonna Praise His Holy 
Name”…reminiscent of the Chicago group, The Gems, in her girl group 
gospel delivery.  One minute or so into this track, I was hooked on the 
refrains and overall feeling coming thru my speakers.  I replayed that 
track several times repeatedly after the first listen.  All of the 
soaring high notes do not leave our Sherlie in the least bit winded on 
this constantly building track…the spirit is pushing her on ….so 
evident in this track.

Also catchy, is the song, “I Could Have Made You A Puppet.”  I wasn’t 
real clear on the message but think her vocal was inspired.  She later 
explained that the song represented God talking about endowing his 
created beings with free will.

Her obvious heart, soul and charisma come through loud and clear on 
this CD in its entirety.  Although the production leaves a little to be 
desired, Sherlie is totally out front announcing the audio shortcomings 
of this recording.  The basic home spun feeling is refreshing and 
sincere and never over mixed, muddled or saccharine and the songs are 
hardly similar in style or delivery, yet sometimes uneven in production 
as Sherlie stresses.  No matter, the CD is a real potpourri.
What Sherlie’s voice provides, is a perfect compliment to intricate 
harmonies while keeping them seemingly simple and pure.  Ms Matthews’ 
efforts were not wasted on my ears.  An aficionado of the fabulous 
diva, I was thrilled to see what Sherlie had to offer and how she fit 
into the harmonies I’ve heard her featured on.  Top 40 radio has 
included the adventurous Sherlie for so many years now. Her versatility 
and moods display well on this recording collection.

Do not let the word SACRED scare you off sinners!  Sherlie is above all 
else, ‘fun to listen to.’  An unsung sangin’ hero who will be treasured 
after only two listens to these tracks by the awesome diva that is 
Sherlie Matthews. Developing her compositions further with more glossy 
production values would indeed be a win-win situation for record buying 
fans and distributors alike.

On track #1, Sherlie is found in basso territory.  An unusual rendition 
of the standard “Amazing Grace”…I kind of wished it was acappella, 
since it really is all about the vocals after all.  On track #3, “Touch 
Me Jesus,” I discovered some static, which wasn’t a James Brown sample 
but a touch of down home reality.

Track #4, “Whom In Heaven,” finds Ms Sherlie delivering an awesome 
acappella…ethereal and trippy.  I enjoyed this first on MYSPACE where I 
discovered the elusive Sherlie Matthews.  I recognized her name 
instantly and immediately started seeking out her product.  Track #8, 
“Wiser Than Wise,” has more of the wondrous ethereal vocals and a 
strong hook to the original lyric, I thought.

Blessed with an impressive vocal range, Sherlie is obviously content in 
the background.  But now that we get to familiarize ourselves with the 
subliminal vocals that have been programmed into the ear candy of a 
generation, so evident on music by the likes of Ronstadt, Steely Dan, 
Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Elton, etc….check this gal out…singer to the 
stars! Ms Sherlie is something very special!

Mark Reilly/mbibemusic
                            Read more...