Straight Ahead

Description

Straight Ahead is the fourth album by the American singer and songwriter Jamie Owens-Collins, released on Sparrow Records in August 1980, distributed by Word Records. The album was recorded by Jack Joseph Puig at various studios in California – Martinsound in Alhambra, Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, Smoke Tree Ranch in Chatsworth, as well as United Western Studios and Sound Labs in Los Angeles – with Dan Collins producing. Mixed at Sound Labs. Arranged by Lee Holdridge.

“Walkin’ On” was co-written by Jamie Owens-Collins, Gary Chapman, and Michael W. Smith, and Chapman also wrote “I’m Yours” and “Shine Through Me”. The Jamie Owens-Collins penned song “Fooled By A Feelin'” was later recorded by Sheila Walsh on her 1983-album Drifting.

The album track “I’m Yours” was among the Top Five Songs of 1981, listed as number 5, according to CCM Magazine.

STRAIGHT AHEAD – Jamie Owens-Collins – Sparrow SPR-1035 – Producer: Dan Collins – List: 8.98

Delicate vocals, soft piano arrangements and a gossamer lacing of strings highlight this package of 10 tunes, representative of some of Gospel music’s finest writers. Vocally, one couldn’t ask for more from Collins, whose singing ability is far more than simply satisfying. Programmers, you’ve got a lot of good material to choose from. [Cash Box Album Reviews / Gospel, CashBox, Vol. XLII – No. 20 / September 27, 1980]

Straight Ahead takes aim at an upbeat pop-rock style that mirrors Olivia Newton-John, with songs like «Fooled By A Feelin», «Liar On The Loose», «I’m Yours» and «Holy Fire» all hitting the mark. The ballads receive the predictable string arrangements, but at least one («I Have») foregoes the orchestration to leave a nice acoustic guitar focus. Three of the songs were written or co-written by Gary Chapman, while another was co-written with Chris Christian. Participants include Hadley Hockensmith, Phil Keaggy, Richard Souther, Al Perkins and Matthew Ward. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/straight-ahead/948408906)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Fooled By A Feelin'” – 3:44
A2. “Look How Far You’ve Come” – 3:43
A3. “I Have” – 3:09
A4. “Liar On The Loose” – 3:17
A5. “Walkin’ On” – 3:04

Side Two
B1. “How Could I Ever Say No” – 3:18
B2. “I’m Yours” – 3:22
B3. “A Perfect Heart” – 2:57
B4. “Holy Fire” – 3:45
B5. “Shine Through Me” – 4:00

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records.

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CREDITS. Produced by Dan Collins. Arranged by Lee Holdridge. Engineered by Jack Joseph Puig with additional engineering by Bob Cotton. Strings engineered by Jerry Barnes. Recorded at Sound Labs, Hollywood, CA, at Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA, at Smoke Tree Studios, Los Angeles, CA, at United Western Studios, Hollywood, CA, and at Martinsound, Alhambra, CA. Mixed at Sound Labs, Hollywood, CA. Photography by Bob Blakeman. Design and Layout by Stan Evenson Design Inc. Coordinator: B. Charlyne Hinesley.

Musicians: Jamie Owens-Collins (Lead Vocals), Doug Livingston (Piano), John Hobbs (Piano), Phil Kristianson (Piano), Richard Souther (Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Synthesizer), Larry Muhoberac (Fender Rhodes Electric Piano), Al Perkins (Steel Guitar), Billy Walker (Guitar), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitar), Phil Keaggy (Guitar), Leon Gaer (Bass), Paul Leim (Drums), Rick Shlosser (Drums), Alex Acuña (Percussion), Dan Collins (Percussion). Background vocals: Dan Collins, Gay Lambert, Jamie Owens-Collins, Matthew Ward, Vanetta Fields. Harmony Vocals: Dan Collins.