Gospel singer {|Earnest Pugh|} hits the ground running on his fourth album, {|Earnestly Yours|}, beginning with a bravura reading of Song of Adoration that signals his approach throughout the disc. {|Pugh|} has a rangy, elastic voice that he can take... Read more

Gospel singer {|Earnest Pugh|} hits the ground running on his fourth album, {|Earnestly Yours|}, beginning with a bravura reading of Song of Adoration that signals his approach throughout the disc. {|Pugh|} has a rangy, elastic voice that he can take down to a gritty low tenor and up to a soaring falsetto, and he uses it to joust with his choir on these songs of praise & worship. Although he can be traditional, as he is on his a cappella showcase Great Is Thy Faithfulness, {|Pugh|} most often shows off his immersion in the '70s and '80s pop/R&B sound of {|Stevie Wonder|} and {|Lionel Richie|}, notably on You Deserve It, which musically could fit right in on {|Songs in the Key of Life|}. {|Pugh|} brings in guest soloists {|Beverly Crawford|} (For My Good) and {|Lisa Knowles|} (He Already Knows), but he really doesn't need the support. The ballads like I Need Your Glory build to a powerful intensity, and the barn burners maintain a steady force. The material itself isn't special, but the singer infuses it with his enthusiasm, making for a moving session. ~ William Ruhlmann Less