Description
Choices is the fourth studio album by the American pop duo Farrell & Farrell (husband and wife Bob and Jayne Farrell), released on StarSong Records in 1984, distributed by Word. The album tracks were recorded by John Hampton at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee; with overdubs recorded by Eddie DeGarmo at Ardent Studios and by Brian Tankersley at Rivendell Recorders in Pasadena, Texas. Produced by DeGarmo and Bob Farrell for Mint Productions. Mixed by Jonathan David Brown and DeGarmo at Rivendell Recorders. Orchestration conceived, arranged and performed by Carl Marsh on the Fairlight CMI.
Featuring Carl Marsh, Ed DeGarmo, and Keith Thomas on keyboards, Dana Key on electric lead and rhythm guitars, as well as Chad Cromwell on acoustic and Simmons Drums. All lead vocals by Bob and Jayne Farrell.
This is the recording of a house divided against itself. There are some innovative musical moments that seem to counterbalance the bland, factory-produced CCM moments. «Hosanna Gloria», «He Will Always Make a Way», and «He Reigns» border on gospel new wave, with lots of synth work and quirky melodies. At the time this recording was released, there was virtually nothing out there like it. «Get Right or Get Left», perhaps the song that made most people buy this recording in the first place, is vaguely reminiscent of Prince. There is nice artistry on the tone poem-ish «Ransome», which is very innovative for its genre – few artists ventured into this territory at the time. The rest of the recording is forgettable at best and artless at worst. Lyrically, there is no subtlety anywhere on the recording – very forthright with its Christian message. «Get Right or Get Left» is full of clever wordplay that is ripe for the Christian bumper sticker market. Perhaps the CCM industry of the ’80s is the real culprit here, but certainly some nice, if not dated, musical elements do shine through. [Mark W. B. Allender, AMG]
‘Choices’, Farrell and Farrell’s first album on Star Song Records, is aptly named. Not only does it talk about making the choice to emulate Jesus’ love, but it offers the listener a choice of three musical styles, two of which mix well together.
The album starts with a high-tech classical explosion of praise called «Hosanna Gloria», a brilliant blend of traditional and modern styling using five different kinds of synthesizers, including the classy Fairlight CMI.
Directly following «Hosanna Gloria» is «He Will Always Make a Way». Its new wave introduction shatters the mood created by «Hosanna Gloria», but once Jayne’s vibrant voice begins pushing the song along, it brightens into an encouraging and well-worded paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10:13.
The next cut, however, is a pronounced departure from the worship sound. «Get Right or Get Left», written by Bob Farrell, Ed DeGarmo (who, together with Bob, produced the album), and Dana Key is a slightly fragmented mix of new wave and rock. The lyrics are sparky, hard-hitting, clever – “So if you plan to go up when He comes down/ You got to get right or get left.” «He Will Alway Make a Way» and «Get Right or Get Left» both show Beatles influences: the first line of «He Will Make a Way» is borrowed from «A Day in the Life», and the chorus of «Get Right or Get Left» sounds similar to the chorus of «Get Back».
The album’s other cuts blend well with the worship songs. «Ransome», written and sung by Bob Farrell, is full of melancholy tenderness. «The Greatest of These», «Choose to Love», and «Give Me the Words» speak of need to be imitators of Christ. The mellow rock sound is carried by Bob and Jayne’s beautiful blending of voices – back-and-forth or solo on the verse, and harmonizing on the chorus – with heavy synthesizer and Dana Key’s guitar work. The synthesizers are handled by no less than five musicians: DeGarmo, Carl Marsh, Chad Cromwell, Keith Thomas, and John Hampton.
With each album, Farrell and Farrell’s sound has become increasingly sophisticated, and this release is no exception. ‘Choices’ is undoubtedly their most complex work so far. Each song is strong enough to stand on its own. However, by including to songs influenced by new wave on what is essentially a worship album, Farrell and DeGarmo somewhat obstruct the flow. Christians who like a consistent sound would do well to start by listening to side two. [Dawn Dicker, CCM, August 1984]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/choices/716318058)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Hosanna Gloria” – 3:07
A2. “He Will Always Make A Way” – 3:55
A3. “Get Right Or Get Left” – 3:45
A4. “Through Your Eyes” – 3:45
A5. “Ransome” – 3:16
Side Two
B1. “He Reigns” – 3:23
B2. “The Greatest Of These” – 3:08
B3. “Choose To Love” – 3:24
B4. “Give Me The Words” – 3:55
B5. “He Is There” – 3:24
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records.
The September 1984 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Farrell and Farrell.
A full-page advertisement for Farrell and Farrell’s Choices was featured in the June 1984 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Bob Farrell, and Ed DeGarmo for Mint Productions. Orchestration conceived, arranged and performed by Carl Marsh on the Fairlight CMI. Tracks recorded by John Hampton at Ardent Studio A, Memphis, TN. Overdubs recorded by Ed DeGarmo at Ardent Studios and Brian Tankersley at Rivendell Recorders, Pasadena, TX. Mixed by Jonathan David Brown and Ed DeGarmo at Rivendell Recorders, except for “Choose to Love” mixed by Jonathan David Brown at Weddington Studio, North Hollywood, CA. Art Direction and Design by Joan Tankersley for The Cover Story. Photography by Craig Stewart. Layout by Lori Cooper. Executive Producer: Dan R. Brock.
Musicians: Farrell and Farrell – All lead vocals by Bob and Jayne Farrell. Additional Musicians: The Choices Team – Carl Marsh (Keyboards), Ed DeGarmo (Keyboards), Keith Thomas (Keyboards), Dana Key (Electric Lead and Rhythm Guitars), Chad Cromwell (Acoustic and Simmons Drums).
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