Watermark – The Purest Place

Description

The Purest Place is the fourth and final studio album by the American pop duo Watermark (husband and wife Nathan & Christy Nockels), released on Rocketown Records in 2004, manufactured and distributed in the US by Provident Distribution, a division of Provident Label Group, and by BMG Distribution, a unit of BMG Music. The album tracks were recorded by Joe Baldridge, assisted by Joe Costa, at Bridge Street Studios in Franklin, Tennessee. All lead vocals, in addition to tracks 12 and 13, recorded by Tom Laune at Bridgeway Studios in Franklin. All overdubs produced by Nathan Nockels at Berwick Lane, FM2 and Bridgeway Studio. (Danielle Young vocal on “Invade” recorded by Josh Moore at the Moore’s House and Charlie Hall vocal on “Capture Us” recorded by Chris Freels at West Second Recording in OKC.) Mixed by Joe Baldridge at FM2 Studios in Franklin. Strings (tracks 2, 3, 4, and 11) provided by The Prague Symphony Orchestra, arranged by Keith Getty. All songs written by Nathan & Christy Nockels.

Featuring Christy Nockels lead and background vocals and Nathan Nockels acoustic guitars, piano, keyboards, and background vocals, backed by a session band featuring Gary Burnette on electric guitars (as well as acoustic guitar on track 6); Pat Malone on bass; Trent Austin on drums; and Ken Lewis on percussion. Programming and additional guitars on tracks 2, 5, and 11 by Pete Kipley at The Indigo Room.

One of the first acts to be signed by Michael W Smith‘s Rocketown Records, ‘The Purest Place’ is Watermark’s fourth studio album since their eponymous debut in 1998. Watermark are Christy (vocals) and Nathan (guitars, keyboards and production) Nockels and, before entering the CCM, both led worship in Oklahoma alongside fellow Passion frontman Charlie Hall, who co-wrote and guests here on the powerful «Captivate Us». More recently Nathan Nockels also has made a name for himself as a top Nashville producer for the likes of Point Of Grace, Matt Redman and Tim Hughes, and the latter also contributes vocals on the title track. Watermark themselves say that this album signifies a conscious return to their worship-leading roots and “to a renewed vision of who we are and what we are called to do.” Musically it does nothing startlingly original or profound but producer Nathan has crafted efficient arrangements which well support Christy’s earnest delivery. Vocally she reminds me of the underrated Cindy Morgan, with occasional touches of the late, great Sixpence None The Richer‘s Leigh Nash. The songs here often have their inspiration in the Nockels’ personal experiences: «Mended» thanks God for the restoration of a broken friendship; «Invade» calls upon the Lord to inhabit their family home; album highlight and first US single «The Glory Of Your Name» was written following their viewing of Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion Of The Christ. All in all, this is a strong contemporary praise album, though not one likely to provide the UK Church with many new anthems. [Paddy Hudspith, Cross Rhythms, February 2005]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-purest-place/15204462)

CD tracklist:

01. Proem
02. My Covering
03. The Glory Of Your Name
04. Knees To The Earth
05. You Come As You Are
06. Hidden In You
07. The Purest Place (feat. Tim Hughes)
08. You Are
09. Invade (feat. Danielle Young)
10. Soli Deo Gloria (Soprano vocals by Erin Patterson Joye)
11. Holy Roar
12. Captivate Us (feat. Charlie Hall)
13. Mended

Note: Chord chart available on disc (Enhanced CD).