This album was new era in the history of White Heart. They had left Sparrow records and this was their first album on Star Song. Chris McHugh, Gordon Kennedy, and Tommy Sims had left the band to become studio musicians and Brian Wooten, Anthony Sallee , and Mark Nemer were brought in as replacements. I’m sure there some great gossipy reason for the big change but here we just like to say “That’s Rock & Roll”. The result of this was their most successful album with “Desert Rose”, “Independence Day”, and “Powerhouse” all apparently making it to number one on the rock charts. I had not listened to this album before this week and wow I was stunned with how great it is. It has lots of gimmicky intros which I usually hate but I love it on this album. Producer Bill Drescher nailed the intros. He failed however on the outro’s which are way too long and radio friendly for a commercial album. Small thing that drives me nuts. One final thing I will say is that “Independence Day” should have been used in the Movie of the same name which had horrible music. What a banger of a tune.
Tracklist
1 – Independence Day – 5:37
2 – Powerhouse – 4:30
3 – Desert Rose – 4:41
4 – Lovers And Dreamers – 4:35
5 – Nailed Down – 5:09
6 – Messiah – 5:19
7 – A Love Calling – 6:24
8 – Answer The Call – 4:44
9 – Storyline – 4:20
10 – Lay It Down – 4:57
Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals – Billy Smiley
Art Direction – Toni Thigpen
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Gordon Kennedy, Marty McCall
Bass Guitar – Anthony Sallee
Co-producer [Additional Production] – Billy Smiley, Mark Gersmehl
Computer [Fairlight], Percussion – Carl Marsh
Coordinator [Project] – Malcolm Greenwood
Drums, Percussion – Mark Nemer
Engineer [Assistant] – Barry Dixon, Lee Groitzsch, Richard Engstrom, Roy Gamble, Shawn McLean
Executive-Producer – Darrell A. Harris
Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Layout, Design – Tufts Design Studio
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Brian Wooten
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Riq Florian
Management – Malcolm Greenwood
Photography By [Back Cover] – Mark Tucker
Photography By [Cover] – Bob Forti
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Bill Drescher
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Recorded At – The Bennett House, Midtown Tone & Volume, Quad Studios
Mixed At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
