Description
What a Heart is Beating For is the sixth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Chris Rice, released on INO Records in 2007 in cooperation with Eb+Flo Records. Also distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music. The album was recorded by Monroe Jones and Jim Dineen with Jones producing. Mixed by Reid Shippen.
It’s clear that the traditional singer/songwriter is making something of a comeback. A quick look at the charts, awards shows and critical lists only confirms this. The time is clearly right for the Nashville CCM veteran and his soulful, piano-led tunes. Happily, the experienced singer steers clear of the self-pitying “miserableism” which so often blights the genre. The 13 songs on the CD, rather, are thoughtful and uplifting. As the opening track asks, “Why sit down to write a sad song when there’s so much good to be found in life?” «Lemonade» ploughs a similar furrow. Christian spirituality clearly infuses each of the tracks – there is no ambiguity about Rice’s philosophical persuasion – but it’s all done with beautiful subtlety. Rice is talented and experienced enough to know that he doesn’t need to cram a theological textbook into each ABACAB verse/chorus structure. His songs are all the better for it too. These are tunes grounded in real life and quiet secure faith. Any listener with a penchant for the classic singers like James Taylor or Jackson Browne will find that ‘What A Heart Is Beating For’ will set their pulses racing! [Trevor Raggatt, Cross Rhythms, October 2007]
Chris Rice, admired by would-be songwriters for over a decade, continued to stretch his legs musically on 2007’s What a Heart Is Beating For while referring to his Christianity in smaller, more understated doses. It’s impossible not to draw comparisons to James Taylor on tracks like «Lemonade» and «Kids Again», but then Rice takes a turn toward John Mayer or David Gray with unabashed confidence. Lyrical messages seem to follow the advice he offers politicians – «You Don’t Have to Yell». The Christian heart of Rice’s songwriting is a little further from the surface than on his pre-Amusing work, though it undoubtedly continues to influence his craft. [Jared Johnson, AMG]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-a-heart-is-beating-for-bonus-track-version/259332565)
CD tracklist:
01. So Much For My Sad Song – 3:53
02. What A Heart Is Beating For – 5:16
03. Pardon My Dust – 3:16
04. Love Is Gonna Break Through – 3:56
05. You Don’t Have To Yell – 4:11
06. Punch Lines And Ironies – 4:09
07. Lemonade – 3:05
08. Here Come Those Eyes – 2:31
09. Let The Words Escape – 4:07
10. Sneakin’ Into Heaven – 3:33
11. Tell Me The Story Again – 3:22
12. Kids Again – 3:14
13. Baby Take Your Bow – 2:30
CREDITS. Produced by Monroe Jones. Recorded by Jim Dineen and Monroe Jones with engineering assistance from Buckley Miller, Kyle Ford, and Steve Blackmon. Mixed by Reid Shippen. Mastered by Andrew Mendleson.
Musicians: Chris Rice (Lead and Background Vocals, Piano, Fender Rhodes), Jeff Roach (Keyboards – tracks: 3, 6), Monroe Jones (Keyboards – tracks: 3, 6), Jerry McPherson (Guitar – tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7 to 13), Paul Moak (Guitar – tracks: 1, 5, 6), Mark Hill (Bass), Ken Lewis (Drums, Percussion). Strings: Chris Wilkinson, David Angez, David Davidson, John Catchings, Love Sponge.
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