Sarah Kelly has a fairly boring name. Actually, let me rephrase that. Sarah Kelly has a boring name for a recording artist. It's about on par with John Smith or David Miller. What Sarah Kelly needs to stick out in people's mind is a name with pizzazz. A name that sparks interest. Maybe something like Tinkerbelle Marmaduke. Then major fans could shorten it to Tink and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But she needs to drop Sarah Kelly. It makes me yawn.
When artist names make me yawn, I rarely check out their music. John Mayer is one of those. (Made more simple by the fact that what little of his music I have heard makes me want to shoot something out of boredom.) However, I am glad I received a pre-release of Sarah Kelly's new album "Take Me Away."
Since I work in the music section of a Christian bookstore, I can tell what song is currently blowing up on the radio by the requests I get. For a while it was "Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus)" by Chris Rice (another yawn name). In mid-January I started to get requests for a song called "Take Me Away" by a Sarah Kelly.
I was confused as to why I couldn't find anything in our system for it until I realized that the cd wasn't scheduled to release until the end of February. Curious about this song which was getting so many requests from a no name artist, I found a pre-release in my music buyer's office. Skeptically (after all, pop music taste these days is terrible) I put the cd in and dialed up that song (which is the first track on the official release of the album).
I was floored by the song. It combines smart songwriting, a memorable chorus, and one of the greatest female voices I've heard in a long time. She is strong without sounding like a steamroller (you know, that grrl power thing which is rather unlistenable) and can sing delicately without losing that strength. Perhaps it's greatest asset, though, is how genuine it sounds. I expect this can be attributed to how she only wanted to be a songwriter and let other people perform her songs. She doesn't want to be a pop star or be plastered on the cover of Rolling Stone.
The treat for me, then, is how every single song is also good. Not every song quite reaches the level of sonic bliss that "Take Me Away" does, however, the strengths are definitely there.
If you enjoy good female voices, check Sarah Kelly out. Go to her website, www.sarahkellymusic.com to check out music clips.
Article comments
1 - Trisha Panzloff
Hello all. I've known Sarah Kelly for years and used to work for her up until March of 2003. I have to say that she is an AMAZING woman of God. Her CD is amazing and I can't say enough amazing things about it!! The neat thing is, her passion for the Lord is EXTREMELY evident in her songs, but its more evident in her life. Thanks!
2 - Sue
When I heard the Jars of Clay rendition of "I'll Fly Away" recently, I HAD to know who was the accompanying female voice...Hence, my introduction to Sarah Kelly and her "Take Me Away" album...and it has taken me away! "Awesome" is only one of many words for this woman's talent!! I can see cross-over to secular radio airplay written all over it. Talk about an outreach...here it is! As for the "boring name"...I have never chosen my music based on an artist's name. My prayers go with Sarah and her music ministry! Peace!
3 - Kristin
Im not attacking you.......but Sarah Kelly...that is her name, the God given name she has, why would she want to try to be someone else, her hearts cry is to be the person God made her to be. Sarah Kelly fits her just fine. :)
4 - Antonia Zipse
I don't understand why you would criticize her name. That makes no sense. Would you think it better if she kept her maiden name, Gustafson (sp)? I remember when Sarah married what's his face, and her last name changed to Kelly, at first I thought it was weird, I wasn't used to referring to her as Sarah Kelly, but I think it suits her, and see no reason for her to change it. Or for her name to be criticized.
Who are you? What's your name?
5 - Jane ee
I love the name Sarah Kelly!
It has a nice tone...SaRah Kelly
6 - Michaela
I think Sarah Kelly is a great name! Like Kristin said: the God given name she has. i didn´t know she ws married... She´s a great singer... I become very happy when I saw her in Sweden. She radiate a happy atmosphere. :)
7 - Sarah Kelly
Hey, it's not a boring name. It's my name- honestly!
I was just searching myself on google and saw all this stuff on her. I read some of her lyrics and they are really good. I <3 God too!
Peace with Jesus!