Description
Medals is the sophomore solo album by the American singer and songwriter Russ Taff, formerly of The Imperials, released on Myrrh Records in 1985, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded between September 10, 1984 and March 1, 1985 by Jack Joseph Puig at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood and at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles, California; with Puig and Russ Taff producing. Mixed by Puig at Mama Jo’s. According to CCM Magazine, Medals was the 8th best selling album of 1985 in the Christian music market, and as well the 7th best selling album the following year.
Among the tracks included on the album are “I’ve Come Too Far”, co-written by Russ Taff sideman, guitarist James Hollihan and Roby Duke (as well recorded by Duke on his 1986-album Blue Eyed Soul); “I’m Not Alone” and “Silent Love” co-written by Paul Janz of Deliverance fame, among others (“I’m Not Alone” was also featured on Janz’s solo debut album High Strung released on A&M in 1985, re-titled “Close My Eyes”); “God Only Knows” written by Pam Mark Hall; as well as “Here I Am”, “Vision” and “How Much It Hurts” with music written by Chris Eaton and lyrics co-written with Russ and Tori Taff. (“Vision” was recorded by Chris Eaton as well and included as the title track on his solo debut album released in 1986.) The album features Los Angeles session musicians such as Dann Huff, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael Landau, Neil Stubenhaus, Nathan East, Robbie Buchanan, Lenny Castro, Paul Leim and Larry Williams of Seawind fame, as well as background vocals by Tommy Funderburk, Bill Champlin and Tata Vega.
Until further notice, Medals is the album of the year. Audacious words, I’ll grant you, but I think history will bear me out. This is the album many people have been waiting for in contemporary Christian music. It combines the high tech, glossy r&b of Hall & Oats with an uncompromising lyric vision.Taff isn’t pulling any punches here – musically, lyrically, or vocally. And, boy howdy, can the little guy sing!
A lot of the credit goes to producer Jack Joseph Puig, fresh off engineering duties with the likes of Diana Ross and Kenny Loggins. The music is definitely 1985. And Puig isn’t afraid to isolate Taff’s trumpet-like voice above the mix on certain cuts for dramatic effect.
Both the title cut and «I’m Not Alone» (which actually should have been called «Close My Eyes») are better than anything on secular – excuse me, mainstream – radio right now. Both are righteous techno-rockers with a decided dance beat, spiced by a very real sense of drama and razor-sharp hooks.
Just a hair-breadth behind them are «Vision» and «How Much It Hurts». And the ballads, long a Taff trademark, are superior: «Silent Love» (the first single), «Here I Am», and «God Only Knows». «Not Gonna Bow» is a dangerous a tune as I’ve heard in a long, long timw.
Buy this album. Buy two. The second one is for a friend who thinks contemporary Christian music can only be derivative and – worse – wimpy. Medals blows me away. [Bob Darden, CCM, June 1985]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/medals/1165981701)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Vision” – 4:09
A2. “I’m Not Alone” – 4:19
A3. “Medals” – 4:43
A4. “Not Gonna Bow” – 3:51
A5. “Here I Am” – 4:11
Side Two
B1. “I’ve Come Too Far” – 5:28
B2. “Silent Love” – 4:45
B3. “How Much It Hurts” – 4:05
B4. “Rock Solid” – 4:08
B5. “God Only Knows” – 4:34
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Re-issued on CD in 1986 (reviewed in the March 1986 issue of CCM Magazine).
The July 1985 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Russ Taff.
A full-page advertisement for Russ Taff’s Medals was featured in the April and May 1985 issues of CCM Magazine.
A full-page advertisement for Sony Walkman – featuring Word signed artist Russ Taff’s Medals – was featured in the June and July 1985 issues of CCM Magazine. (The album track “How Much It Hurts” was included on the multi-artist cassette sampler, Take ’em With You, while another album track, “God Only Knows”, was included on the multi-artist cassette sampler, Take ’em With You 2.)
“I’m Not Alone” (MUSIC VIDEO)
CREDITS. Produced by Jack Joseph Puig and Russ Taff. Recorded at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, and at Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles, California, between September 10, 1984 and March 1, 1985. Mixed at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio. Recorded and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig. Assistant Engineers: Mark Ettel, Steve Ford, Steve McMillan, and Todd Van Etten. Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk. Creative Consultant: Lynn Nichols. Art Direction and Design by Jeffrey Fey. Photography by Aaron Rapoport.
Musicians: Russ Taff (Vocals), Robbie Buchanan (Synthesizer, Keyboards – tracks: A2, A4, B1, B2, B5), James Newton Howard (Synthesizer – tracks: A1, A2, A4), Rhett Lawrence (Synthesizer on track B4), Larry Williams (Saxophone – tracks: A2, A4, B5), Dann Huff (Electric Guitar), Michael Landau (Electric Guitar – tracks: A2 to B5), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Electric Guitar – tracks: A1, B1), Nathan East (Bass – tracks: A1, A3, B1, B4, B5), Neil Stubenhaus (Bass – tracks: A2, A4, A5 B2, B3), Paul Leim (Drums), Lenny Castro (Percussion – tracks: A2 to B5). Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, B2, B3), Carmen Twitty (tracks: A3, B1, B4, B5), Harry Browning (track A3), Lynn Nichols (track A3), Russ Taff (tracks: A1 to A4, B4), Tamara Champlin (tracks: A1, A2, A4), Tata Vega (tracks: A3, B1, B4, B5), Tommy Funderburk. Scat Vocals on track B1 and B4: Tata Vega.
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