Tony Loeffler is a marketing man's nightmare. A big man with the tough look of a convict (well, he used to be one) who plays just about all his concerts for free in places where there's guaranteed to be few merchandising opportunities (America's toughest prisons) and who plays such a mix of blues, rock, Latin, folk roots, country and R&B that it defies all efforts to categorize it.

Also, the bulk of Tony's recordings down the years have been live - including an epic music series known as the "Rooftop Series" - so there won't be any studio wizardry when this man releases a CD. Yet the honest, cathartic, passionate, gutsy and, dare I use the word, anointed album recorded live at various prisons dedicated to the men and women of the third largest prison system in the world, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, exudes such authority and integrity that all but the most faddish of music followers will be drawn in.

Those who've searched out Tony's previous albums or seen his powerful performances at the Cross Rhythms festival or the Montreux Jazz Festival will know his repertoire - a searing version of Dylan's "Blind Willie McTell", his own self-penned classic "Finish Line", the haunting country hymn "Wayfaring Stranger" while Aficionados will expect the highest musicianship from his traveling band of musicianaries, the Blue Angels. Having said that, the stunning Rhett Tyler is a Texas blues guitar virtuoso equal to any star you'd care to name while Monty Lee Kimble is another huge talent. All in all this is an album which sums up one of the most important music ministries in America, one which has seen many thousands of prisoners come to Christ. It won't win a Dove Award or even get coast to coast distribution. For that the Nashville CCM industry should hang it's head in shame. (RATED- 10 stars out of 10) Tony Cummings, UCB England, Crossrhythms Magazine

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