Michael And Stormie Omartian

Michael And Stormie Omartian – Seasons Of The Soul – 1978

This was Michael And Stormie’s first release using both of their names. Stormie had appeared on Michael’s previous albums but this is the first album she did lead vocals on. They actually married the same year they released this album so I guess we could consider this album a celebration of their partnership. If you hear a bit of darkness in some of Stormie’s writings she has previously shared that before Michael she was actually in a disastrous marriage and that her childhood wasn’t that great either. As such she wrote many songs reflecting her life experiences. While Michael was the musical driving force of the marriage without a doubt Stormie was the lyricist. Together they made a great musical couple from whom we would enjoy many more albums. Nice to see Matthew Ward and Phil Keaggy helping out with the album, I’ve been told they were all great friends.

Tracklist
1 – Ms. Past – 4:09
2 – Travel On With Me – 5:27
3 – Gonna Write Me A Song – 2:39
4 – More Like You – 3:19
5 – Where I Been – 4:08
6 – It All Comes Down To You – 3:46
7 – Heaven Will Wait For Me – 4:15
8 – Seasons Of The Soul – 6:47

Credits
Backing Vocals – Matthew Ward, Myrna Matthews
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums, Congas – Paul Leim
Engineer – Buck Herring, Wally Duguid
Engineer [Mixdown] – Jay Graydon
Lead Guitar – Phil Keaggy
Lyrics By, Vocals, Backing Vocals – Stormie Omartian
Music By – Stormie Omartian (tracks: A3)
Photography By [Back Cover & Sleeve] – Harry Langdon
Photography By [Front Cover] – Bob Anderson
Producer, Arranged By, Music By, Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion [Tuned] – Michael Omartian
Rhythm Guitar – Bud Nuanez
Saxophone, Flute – Larry Wilson
Saxophone, Flute, Horn [Solos] – Kim Hutchcroft
Trumpet – Jerry Hey

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Published By – See This House Music
Recorded At – Buckskin Studio
Recorded At – Garden Rake Studio
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Michael & Stormie Omartian – Mainstream – 1982

This is the third album released by Michael And Stormie Omartian as a couple. It is a follow up to the very popular The Builder album. This album had 2 CCM singles, “It Is Done” made it to #23 and “Praise His Name And See It Happen” made it to #10. I really believe that the CCM charts were manipulated and here is some proof. There was not a charting single on The Builder but 2 on this album. Quite frankly The Builder was a much better album. The song writing was much stronger and the music itself was far better. Here’s a clue as to what was going on, The Builder was on Myrrh Records but this album was on Sparrow. I’m not saying Myrrh was ignored by CCM magazine I’m just saying that Sparrow got more “attention”. I’d love to see the ad spend budget for both of these companies at this point in history. Anyway let’s talk about the album. It is your typical early 80’s worship album, nothing special or distinctive. But it is good, let their be no doubt there was a lot of talent in this marriage. So if you lean to Worship oriented music this is one you should listen to.

Tracklist
1 – The Calling – 8:09
2 – Mainstream – 4:22
3 – Man Out Of Time – 3:38
4 – Come And Give It All You’ve Got – 4:00
5 – Praise His Name And See It Happen – 3:10
6 – Give It Up – 3:40
7 – Believing For The Best In You – 3:27
8 – One Song Is Not Enough – 4:09
9 – It Is Done – 4:13

Credits
Art Direction – Stan Evenson
Artwork [Cover Painting] – Jacque Devaud
Engineer, Remix – John Guess
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Photography By – Harry Langdon
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Michael Omartian
Strings, Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Written-By – Stormie Omartian

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Published By – See This House Music
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Produced For – Rhema Productions Inc.
Recorded At – Rhema Studios
Recorded At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Michael And Stormie Omartian – The Builder – 1980

Husband and Wife team Michael And Stormie Omartian bring us their second album together. I have to admit that I listened to this album very heavily back in the early 80’s (Don’t judge me). When I was reading up on this album I was very surprised that it wasn’t more popular. It didn’t seem to make anyone’s best albums list and there is almost no mention of it on most CCM album sites. I was further surprised that there was no charting single on this album. This really surprised me as there are several tracks on this album that should have charted. Maybe I’m just over evaluating the album but really I thought it was much better than all this. I remember that “Big Time” was on a lot of our mixed tapes from the period and I have fond memories of it. Did you miss this album back in 1980? If you did and you like AOR you really should give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Charlie’s Dream – 3:53
2 – The Only Thing Missing Is You – 3:58
3 – The Builder – 3:53
4 – Mr. Trash Man – 3:40
5 – Anything You Ask Of Me – 3:50
6 – Dr. Jesus – 4:20
7 – Big Time – 5:02
8 – Half Past Three – 3:20
9 – End Times – 5:53

Credits
Art Direction – Dennis Hill
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Concept By [Album] – Stormie Omartian
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Congas – Alex Acuna
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer – John Guess
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Percussion – Michael Omartian
Lead Guitar, Soloist – Jay Graydon, Phil Keaggy
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Michael And Stormie Omartian
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By [Back Cover] – Harry Langdon
Photography By, Layout – Bob Anderson
Producer, Arranged By – Michael Omartian
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Stephen Hague
Saxophone – Jackie Kelso
Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Kim Hutchcroft
Trombone – Lou McCreary
Trumpet – Chuck Finley, Steve Madeao
Written-By – Stormie And Michael Omartian

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Jennifudy Studios
Recorded At – Hollywood Central Recorders
Mixed At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios
Produced For – Rhema Productions