Description
I’ll Be Thinking of You is the sophomore solo album by the American contemporary gospel singer and songwriter Andraé Crouch, released on Light Records in 1979. Also manufactured and distributed by Elektra/Asylum Records. The album was recorded by Bob Cotton, Gordon Shryock, and John Guess at various studios in Los Angeles, California – Hollywood Sound Recorders; Paramount Recording Studios; Sound Labs, Hollywood; and United Western Studios – with Bill Maxwell and Andrae Crouch producing. Mixed by Crouch, Maxwell, Cotton, and Shryock. Strings recorded at Chapel Sound in London, England, with Sweden’s Lennart Sjöholm arranging.
I’ll Be Thinking Of You was included among CCM Magazine’s Top 10 Contemporary/Rock Albums of 1979 – Andrae sets a new standard in contemporary soul/gospel music by reaching a level of sophistication in production, arrangement and performance only hinted at on his previous album. It’s charisma with class as only Andrae Crouch (with an all-star cast) could have done it. The album would win a Grammy in the category Best Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary at the 22th Annual Grammy Awards, 1980.
Andrae Crouch’s ‘I’ll Be Thinking of You’ features Stevie Wonder, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, Joe Sample (from the legendary Jazz Fusion combo The Crusaders), Larry Carlton, Billy Preston and Michael Omartian, as well as the members of Koinonia. The result is a record that would have uses it’s gospel roots to assimilate into the pop sound of it’s day. The most obvious example of this is the disco-gospel of «I’ve Got the Best». At the time the LP was release, many felt that Andrae had crossed the line and made an album that was too pop. That might have been the case, as «Jesus Is Lord» was the only song to get airplay on gospel radio. No surprise since it’s also the only song on the album with a more traditional gospel sound. A ground-breaking album that was rewarded with a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album as well as for the first time put Crouch on the play lists of secular radio stations – it debuted 15 December 1979 on Billboard’s R&B album chart and peaked at No. 46.
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LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I’ll Be Thinking Of You” – 5:09
A2. “I’ve Got The Best” – 4:50
A3. “Touch Me” – 5:33
A4. “Lookin’ For You” – 4:46
Side Two
B1. “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine” – 4:15
B2. “Jesus Is Lord” – 5:50
B3. The Love Medley: “There’s No Hatred” – 3:33 / “Let The Same Spirit” – 2:45 / “There’s No Hatred (Reprise)” – 0:52
B4. “Dreamin'” – 3:05
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Later re-issued on CD.
An advertisement promoting Andraé Crouch’s album I’ll Be Thinking Of You was featured on the frontpage of the February 9, 1980 issue of Billboard Magazine.
Nominated for what could be his 3rd and 4th Grammys, Andrae’ Crouch is treading new ground in 1980 with his explosive new LP and Single, “I’ll Be Thinking Of You.” Produced by Andrae’ Crouch and Bill Maxwell, “I’ll Be Thinking Of You” is reaching new heights in the Soul and R&B fields. Crouch is booked again in 1980 to perform on the Grammy telecast. “I’ll Be Thinking Of You” (LS5763) on Light Records. Available from Word Distribution. (Advertisement)
The November 1979 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Andraé Crouch.
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