If you want to talk obscure Christian releases this one is a winner. This album is by Geri Karlstrom, who you might know better as Geri Baird and her husband Ben Karlstrom. This one is actually so obscure that I had no idea it existed and I was probably one of the biggest Geri Baird fans of the decade. I only stumbled on it while researching another Canadian band. So we have some idea who Geri is as she had a solo album in the 80’s but who is her husband Ben. Ben is a Canadian producer, engineer, and musician. Apparently he can play just about any instrument including the mixing board so I suspect he played most the instruments on this album but I do not have a proper list of credits for the album. Now let’s discuss the album. It has an excellent radio friendly pop feel that leans towards rock. Geri’s vocals of course are the centerpiece of the album. The opening track “Praise To His Name” is my pick for the single and easily would have played well on Christian radio. The rest of the album leans a little more to the slow side but is easily listened to. Ben takes the reigns for “I Want To Believe It” and hits it out of the park for the albums second single. I really think this album would have done well if a label had picked it up. Geri of course went on to record a few more albums over the years but they leaned to secular topics and issues as Geri fought hard to raise awareness of eating disorders. Ben continues to work in the music industry but unfortunately God called Geri home in January of 2025 and the world became a little less bright that day. Thanks to Mike Breuer who was kind enough to send us a copy of the album from his collection.
Tracklist
1 – Praise To His Name
2 – You Read My Heart
3 – Following You
4 – Jesus Is The Keeper
5 – I Will Be There
6 – All God’s People
7 – I Want To Believe It
8 – You Are My King
9 – Open Your Heart
10 – Give It To The Savior
Credits
Vocals – Geri Karlstrom
Production, Instruments – Ben Carlson
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Harvest Music
Copyright © – Lordz