Description
Don’t Give Up is the third solo album by the American contemporary gospel singer and songwriter Andraé Crouch, released on Warner Bros. Records in 1981. The album was recorded by Bob Cotton and Peter Haden at Paramount Recording Studio, Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, and Ocean Way Recording Studios in Hollywood, California; with Bill Maxwell and Andrae Crouch producing for Crouch Productions. Mixed by Cotton, Haden, and Maxwell at Paramount Recording Studio. Vocals arranged by Andraé Crouch. Horns arranged by Bruce Miller. Synthesizers arranged by Greg Phillingans and Steve Porcaro.
The album won a Grammy in the Best Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary category at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards.
Andrae Crouch’s first Warner Bros. release, ‘Don’t Give Up’ (BSK-3513), does not compromise, but it does maximize Crouch’s new secular music company forum and attempts to speak to both non-Christians and Christians. In doing so, however, Crouch does occasionally fall into the trap of singing God’s praises in some of Christianity’s more cliched terms and tones. Fortunately, several songs also address real issues that face listeners whether or not they consider themselves avowedly Christian.
‘Don’t Give Up’ begins with a declaration of belief, «Waiting For the Son», then offers support and reassurance, «Don’t Give Up», followed by a statement of artistic impetus, «I Can’t Keep It To Myself». These are the most obviously Christian cuts on the LP. The last tune, «Start All Over Again», is a sort of implied altar call which, musically, is the most Andraesque on the LP.
In between this beginning and end, Crouch manages to make a series of strong statements: He opposes abortion, «I’ll Be Good To You (For The Silent Victims)». He speaks out against hustling Hollywood’s sex’n’drug street life, «Hollywood Scene». He warns of impending judgement, «Handwriting On The Wall». And he offers a prayer of supplication for the crumbling morals and morale of our nation, «Save The People».
Although this album is funkier rhythmically than some of Andrae’s prior LPs, it still displays similarity to the commercial R&B/jazz/rock style of Stevie Wonder and an occasional Steely Dan-like vocal. The songs here may not be as memorable for contemporary Christian music lovers as some of those on his past Christian label releases, but the consistently high quality of songwriting, performance, arrangement and production (credit here to producer Bill Maxwell), aimed as they are at a much wider and more general audience, should make this album particularly memorable and, possibly, successful in communicating a little bit of the Gospel.
Best cuts: «Save The People», «Start All Over Again», «Don’t Give Up», «Can’t Keep It To Myself». [Karen Marie Platt, CCM, November 1981]
CD re-issue, Warner Alliance
Andrae Crouch – my gosh, where do I begin? “Timeless”, “ground breaking”, “ahead of his time”, “landmark”, “pave a way”, “inspiring”, “influential” and “discovered trillions” (okay. I’m stretching it). But this man has impacted more to the gospel genre and beyond than this space can contain. Let’s reminisce. The year is 1981. the buzzword throughout the whole of the gospel music empire is Andrae Crouch And The Disciples. Why – complete innovativity! soaring musical heights, performing and recording destined classics tunes at venues, which at that lime were “out of bound” for gospel artists. Then something even more phenomenal happened – ‘Don’t Give Up’. It not only became the first gospel album signed to a secular label (Warner Bros) but the transformation of Andrae’s music was awesome. From simple gospel music roots to a new era of Earth, Wind & Fire horn sections, structured rich harmonics and controversial topics with inimitable, captivating, autobiographical delivery. He showcased the fresh talent of the Winans. a very young BeBe & CeCe and the world famous, respected musicians Brother Abe, Alex Acuna and Bill Maxwell – Koinonia. Reformatted for the modern day CD listener, this album communicates. That’s the key word. «I Love Walking With You», «Start All Over Again» and the title track speak volumes about God’s faithfulness, no matter what, and, no matter what, remain faithful. The delivery is so powerful and passionate I wanna cry but sit there and say “Wow.” To «Hollywood Scene» and «Handwriting On The Wall». I picture, then smile at my attempts of the original ’80s dance steps. ‘Don’t Give Up’ still exudes freshness, relevance and most significantly timelessness. For the DJ, promoter, musician and singer Andrae has influenced I say “Don’t keep it to yourself. For the ‘new kid’ I say you’ve “Just arrived on the Hollywood scene”! Go buy it. Capture it for yourself. [Dawne B Stewart, Cross Rhythms, April 1997]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-give-up/1646260533)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Waiting For The Son” – 5:01
A2. “Don’t Give Up” – 4:37
A3. “I Can’t Keep It To Myself” – 5:15
A4. “Hollywood Scene” – 5:01
Side Two
B1. “Handwriting On The Wall” – 5:15
B2. “I Love Walking With You” – 2:22
B3. “Save The People” – 4:31
B4. “I’ll Be Good To You, Baby (A Message To The Silent Victims)” – 4:38
B5. “Start All Over Again” – 5:16
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Warner Bros. Records. Later re-issued on CD.
A full-page advertisement for Andrae Crouch’s Don’t Give Up was featured in the December 1981 issue of CCM Magazine.
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