Fresh from finally getting some well deserved recognition from singing with Jools Holland, Ruby Turner releases a fantastic gospel set. The songs are mostly standards, many sung at West Indian funerals in the UK.
The songs fall mostly into 2 types - up-tempo, foot tapping stuff like "All Aboard/This Train" and "Get Away Jordan" and the slower songs like "The Love Of God" and the title track, "I'm Travelling On"
There's also a duet between Ruby and her Mom. Very nice.
The backing is sparse and perfect for the sound - mainly piano (including Jools himself on "Take My Hand"), bass and guitar. The result is an acoustic - or "Old School Analogue" as the sleeve notes put it - masterpiece, with Ruby sounding as 'real' as the band.
In fact her voice is a real treat; I've seen Ruby a couple of times during the middle 1990s, when she performed at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham. I enjoyed her performances but didn't think her voice was quite up to the very best US singers like Aretha, Mavis Staple etc etc.
On this showing Ruby has really found her forte - probably helped by her time with Jools Holland, where some of their numbers have a similar up-tempo feel to songs like "Lord I Thank You".
All in all, an excellent English gospel album, featuring fine playing and some truly up lifting, `spiritual' singing from Ruby.
100% recommended!