Will McFarlane – Only The Heart – 1987

Will McFarlane self released his 3rd album though his previous label Refuge Records did take care of distribution. Because it was self released it was virtually guaranteed not to have a charting single. This is too bad because the album definitely had a couple tracks that could have singled. It has a bit of an Imperials sound and feel. The album is not my preferred genre but I actually quite liked the album. If you missed this one in the 80’s you should give it a listen now.

Tracklist
1 – I Can Depend On You – 3:44
2 – Can’t Go Back – 5:07
3 – Who Can Separate Us – 3:54
4 – The End Of Me – 5:44
5 – Only The Heart – 3:45
6 – Don’t Be Fooled – 5:33
7 – Come Unto Me – 5:24
8 – Blessed Jesus – 5:35

Will McFarlane – Right From The Start – 1982

Will’s early music career was certainly one that has to be respected. He played with Bonnie Raitt’s band from 1974 to 1980. I can only imagine the stories he must have as if you didn’t know Bonnie was quite a hard rocker in those days. Not her style so much as her life. Anyway Will left the band in 1980 on amicable terms as he wanted to settle down with his wife to a more normal life. He moved to Muscle Shoals and took up with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. In that same year he found Christ and embarked on a new career as a Christian musician. In 1982 he ended up with a deal from Refuge Records and released this album. This album has an excellent 70’s feel and Will gave us many more albums where he showcases his talent.

Tracklist
1 – Number One Command – 3:58
2 – This Is The Message – 2:24
3 – You Call Me A Dreamer – 4:12
4 – That Your Grace May Abound – 4:08
5 – Faith Is Not A Formula – 4:06
6 – Set Your Heart On Things Above – 4:12
7 – Carry On Soldier – 2:58
8 – Where You Gonna Run To – 4:04
9 – Now That You’ve Heard The Truth – 3:26
10 – Who I Am In You – 4:50

Credits
Will McFarlane – Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals
Gary Baker – Bass
Mickey Buckins – Percussion
Carol Cabler – Background Vocals
Keith Compton – Engineer
Linda Sue Davis – Strings
Craig Duncan – Strings
Ronnie Eades – Sax
Ralph Ezell – Bass
Mark Feldman – Strings
Owen Hale – Drums
Roger Hawkins – Drums
Joey Holder – Background Vocals
David Hood – Drums
Clayton Ivey – Fender Rhodes
Lenny LeBlanc – Background Vocals
Lonnie “Butch” Ledford – Bass
Glenn Meadows – Mastered
Steve Moore – Engineer, Mixed
Steve Nathan – Piano, Keyboards
Wayne Perkins – Songwriter
Ken Perry – Mastered
Earl Spielman – Strings
Paul Tobias – Strings
Jerry L. Wallace – Producer, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizers, Percussion, Roto Toms, Background Vocals
Martha Wiggins – Strings
Kristen Wilkinson – Strings

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Refuge Records
Copyright © – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – East Avalon Recorders
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Various – Front Row – 1984

This is a 1984 Refuge Records sampler

Included on this sampler;

Rick Cua – “Changed” from his album No Mystery
Edin-Adahl – “Wake Up” from their album Alibi
Bonnie Bramlett – “White Dove” from her album Step By Step
Per-Erik Hallin – “You Put Another Song In My Heart” from his album Better Late Than Never
Will McFarlane – “That’s How I Know You Called Me” from his album A Colony Of Heaven
Tom Douglas – “Jesus Never Sleeps” which was not released on an album
Forerunner – “Faith Walk” from their album (a.k.a)
Jerusalem – “Time” which was released as a bonus track on the CD release of Can’t Stop Us Now
Lifesavors – “Break In My Head” from their album Dream Life
Bryn Haworth – “Never Give Up On Love” from his album Pass It On
Joe English – “Anthem” from his album The Best Is Yet To Come

Tracklist
1 – Rick Cua – Changed – 3:50
2 – Edin-Adahl – Wake Up – 4:14
3 – Bonnie Bramlett – White Dove – 3:31
4 – Per-Erik Hallin – You Put Another Song In My Heart – 4:13
5 – Will McFarlane – That’s How I Know You Called Me – 3:21
6 – Tom Douglas – Jesus Never Sleeps – 4:10
7 – Forerunner – Faith Walk – 4:04
8 – Jerusalem – Time – 5:50
9 – Lifesavors – Break In My Head – 2:33
10 – Bryn Haworth – Never Give Up On Love – 3:35
11 – Joe English – Anthem – 3:20