This is some sort of promotional EP released by Reunion Records to promote Michael W. Smith & Kathy Troccoli. Side A features an eight minute medley of tracks from both artists pieced together. This is actually pretty well done because Michael came back into the studio to write and perform the bridges. Many of these medley tracks from other companies are just faded together but in this case there are actual bridges from one track to the next. Side B has a track from each of their most recent albums at the time.
Tracklist 1 – Medley: Michael W. Smith – Friends Intro Kathy Troccoli – Stubborn Love Michael W. Smith – I’m Up Kathy Troccoli – Long Distance Letter Michael W. Smith – You Need A Saviour Kathy Troccoli – Once In A Lifetime Love Michael W. Smith – Be Strong And Courageous Kathy Troccoli – Holy Holy Michael W. Smith – I Am Sure Michael W. Smith – Friends 2 – Michael W. Smith – A Way 3 – Kathy Troccoli – Long Distance Letter
This is the album that started it all for Kathy and for Reunion Records. But lets start a few years earlier. Kathy grew up Catholic but became born again in 1978. She had been working in the music industry struggling to get noticed. Kathy got her break in 1980 when she opened for Glad at her own church. Ed Nalle from Glad took note of her voice and approached her about cutting a demo with his band. Ed shopped that demo to Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell who reportedly were thinking of starting a new record label. This album became the first album on that label, Reunion Records. The release was a smashing success and the album is reportedly the best-selling debut album by a CCM female artist. That said the album only had one charting single with “Stubborn Love” peaking at #2. In my opinion “You’re All I Need To Get By”, a cover of a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrellduet hit, was the best track on the album. But this was 1982 and no way were the CCM chart people going to allow a secular cover to chart. The whole album is great for this genre of CCM music and is easily as good as anything Amy Grant was doing at the time. You probably heard this one in the 80’s so today’s a great day to listen to it again for the memories.
Tracklist 1 – You’re All I Need To Get By – 4:02 2 – Hand In Hand – 3:40 3 – All I Must Do – 3:47 4 – It’s The Small Things – 3:20 5 – Lord I Need You Now – 4:03 6 – There’s Still Time – 3:42 7 – Once In A Lifetime Love – 4:44 8 – Stubborn Love – 4:29 9 – It’s Your Love – 4:22 10 – Love Of My Life – 3:57
Credits Arranged By [Strings] – Alan Moore Bass – Craig Nelson, Mike Brignardello Design [Album] – Dennis Hill Drums – Keith Edwards Engineer – Gene Eichelberger Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Mike Blanton Guitar – Dann Huff, Jon Goin Harp – Cindy Reynolds Keyboards – Gerrit Wilson, Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister Liner Notes – Brown Bannister Mastered By [Runout Etch] – Hank Williams Overdubbed By – Bob Clark Percussion – Mark Morris Photography By [Back] – Mark Pleasant, Wade Jaynes Photography By [Front] – Mike Borum Producer – Brown Bannister Saxophone – Dennis Solee Synthesizer – Shane Keister Vocals – Denny Henson, Diana Dewitt, Donna McElroy, Greg Guidry, Kim Flemming, Sandy Guidry
White Heart’s second album, Vital Signs was a masterpiece of finely produced songs. The band self-produced, with executive help from Chris Christian. The album was released on Chris Christian’s Home Sweet Home Records.
The opening song, “Sing Unto The Lamb” is a big sounding song that would qualify for a modern major Broadway number. The vocals stay true to this big performance sound all the way through the album, which is one of the things that made White Heart so popular. Standout tracks include the high energy “Carried Away” and power ballad “Let Your First Thought Be Love.”
The album was recorded in Nashville and attracted a who’s who of contributing artists. The closing song, “We Are His Hands” includes a choir with (among others) Bob Farrell (of Farrell and Farrell), Scott Wesley Brown, David Meece, Amy Grant, Steve Green, Russ Taff, Chris Christian and Kathy Troccoli. We Are His Hands was their first number one radio single.
Former lead singer, Scott Douglas went to prison in 1986. White Heart continued on with a new lead singer after this album, Rick Florian who was allegedly promoted from roadie to lead singer all at once. Florian remained in the lead post throughout the rest of White Heart’s existence.
Track Listing:
1 – Sing Unto The Lamb – 3:15
2 – Draw The Line – 4:38
3 – Walking In The Light – 3:56
4 – Carried Away (Safe On The Wings Of The Lord) – 4:19
5 – Quiet Love – 3:52
6 – Following The King – 4:05
7 – Let Your First Thought Be Love – 3:51
8 – Undercover – 3:54
9 – Vital Signs – 3:50
10 – We Are His Hands – 4:13
Credits:
Arranged By – Billy Smiley, Dann Huff, Mark Gersmehl
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Ronn Huff
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt
Bass Guitar – Gary Lunn
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Bill Brunt, Mark Tucker
Design Concept [Vital Signs Concept] – Kent Hunter
Drums, Percussion – David Huff*
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Bill Deaton, Brent King, Mike Psanos
Engineer [Assistant] – Doug Sarrett
Executive-Producer – Chris Christian
Graphics [Vital Signs Logo] – Ken Wolgemuth, Ken Wolgemuth
Graphics [White Heart Logo] – Ellen Hodnett, Ellen Hodnett
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Billy Smiley
Producer – White Heart
Recorded By – Jeff Balding
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Dann Huff
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, Craig Nelson, Dennis Molchan, Gary Vanosdale, David Boyle*, Pam Vanosdale*, Phyllis Hiltz*, Roy Christensen, The Nashville String Machine, Walt Schwede*
Synthesizer, Piano, Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Vocals – Scott Douglas
