Judy CheeksTrue Love is Free
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
The title describes the message behind former dance diva Judy Cheeks’ debut inspirational project. The daughter of gospel singer nonpareil, the late Rev. Julius Cheeks, Judy believes that love conquers all, and no love is more powerful, or more embracing, than God’s love.
The music soundtrack to True Love is Free captures Judy’s successful tenure in the electronic dance scene, while the lyrics signal her return to her religious roots. The insistent disco beat of the title track and “Without Love We’re Lost” are ideal examples of this blend and, as such, will appeal to her faithful dance music fans.
But those who expect Judy to sing as hard and sandpaper-rough as her father are in for a surprise. Her voice has June’s toughness all right, but hers is a smooth, flexible tone, showcased best on “I Love Praising You.” To a sparse backdrop of chirping birds and a warbling organ, Judy ad libs her gratitude to God with vocal leaps, swoops, and extended wordless lines.
“He’s Got His Hands on You” is a song of encouragement that evokes the Stax-era Staple Singers in its smoky bluesiness, as Judy bends notes singing about the “restorer” and “rewarder.” Her Sam Cooke yodels on “A New Day is Coming” reminded me that it was her father who first pushed Cooke, a new Soul Stirrer, to walk the aisles while soloing.
Judy Cheeks’ music career has given her a refreshingly open-minded view of humanity where, as the Beatles once sang, “Love is all you need.” Or, as Cheeks proclaims on “Where Love Is,” “If you really want to know my story / Come on where love is.”
To read more about Judy Cheeks, check out our October 2013 interview.
Three of Five Stars
Picks: “Happy,” “I Love Praising You.”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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