Description
Nobody Knows Me Like You is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Benny Hester, released on Myrrh Records in May 1981, a division of Word. The album was recorded and mixed by John Guess at Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California; with Michael Omartian producing for Rhema Productions. All songs written by Benny Hester except tracks A1 and A5 co-written with Jeff Lams, as well as “Christ the Solid Rock”, composed by hymn writer William B. Bradbury back in 1863 for Edward Mote’s “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.” (The tune name derives from that song’s refrain: “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand…”)
Nobody Knows Me Like You was included in the Editors’ Choice 1981 list of CCM Magazine, a list featuring 15 albums released during 1981, before the end of November.
Featuring Benny Hester on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, backed by Jeff Lams and Michael Omartian on keyboards, Marty Walsh on guitars, and a rhythm section consisting of bassist Abraham Laboriel of Koinonia fame and Elvis-drummer Ron Tutt, with Bobby LaKind providing congas and Kim Hutchcroft of Seawind sitting in on saxophone. Background vocals provided by Tommy Funderburk of The Front fame, Omartian, as well as Hester himself (except track B4 featuring the Waters siblings, Maxine Waters Willard and Julia Waters Tillman).
The title track was released as a single which reached No. 1 on the contemporary Christian music chart. As well it became the first single released by a contemporary Christian music label to break the Billboard Top 50 Adult Contemporary Chart, debuting at No. 44 on November 7, 1981.
This is Hester’s first release in three years, but his absence from recording has apparently been good for him. His newest LP is an unexpected delight.
‘Nobody Knows Me Like You’ contains some pretty and rather brilliant material. Produced by Michael Omartian, who also plays keyboards, the new Hester sound resembles the kind of hot pop ‘n’ roll that Loggins and Messina and Omartian once offered general audiences. Hester’s album is not immitative, however. His well-crafted lyrics, light-hearted sunbelt rhythms, high-register vocals and attendant harmonies combine with Omartian’s keyboards and synthesizer effects to elevate songs such as the nursery-rhyme-like «Rubber Canoe», into AC poppers.
In spite of Omartian’s involvement in the album, all but one of the songs on ‘Nobody’ were written by Hester. And that one tune, a captivating old hymn, ties the project together. Capping the remarkable peace conveyed by this Hester-Omartian collaboration, the last cut on the disc is a rock rendition of «Christ the Solid Rock».
(Best cuts: «Rubber Canoe», «Come Back», «You Loved Me», «One More Time».) [Karen Marie Platt, CCM, June 1981]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/nobody-knows-me-like-you/1165900089)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Come Back” – 4:14
A2. “No Man’s Land” – 4:13
A3. “Rubber Canoe” – 4:09
A4. “Nobody Knows Me Like You” – 4:44
A5. “Step By Step” – 4:53
Side Two
B1. “One More Time” – 4:07
B2. “Goodbye Salty” – 4:39
B3. “Real Change” – 4:22
B4. “You Loved Me” – 4:04
B5. “Christ The Solid Rock” – 2:22
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Later re-issued on CD by Myrrh. The title track was released as a two-sided 7-inch vinyl single featuring “Step By Step” on the flip-side.
An article entitled How Benny Hester’s single reached secular charts was featured in the December 1981 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Michael Omartian. Recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA. Mastered by Ken Perry at Capital Mastering, Hollywood, CA. Engineered and Remixed (on 3•M Digital System) by John Guess for Guesswork Productions. Second Engineering by Ross Pallone and Steve Crimmel. Mastered by Ken Perry at Capitol Mastering, Hollywood, CA. Concertmaster: Assa Drori. Production Coordinator: Yvonne Garcia. Art Direction by Dennis Hill and Special Logo Design by Tim Barela. Photography by Harry Langdon. Words and Music by Benny Hester, except track A1 co-written by Benny Hester and Jeff Lams, track A5 with lyrics by Benny Hester and music by Benny Hester and Jeff Lams, and track B5 with music by William B. Bradbury and words by Edward Mote.
Musicians: Benny Hester (Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), Jeff Lams (Keyboards), Michael Omartian (Keyboards), Kim Hutchcroft (Saxophone), Martin K. Walsh (Electric Guitar), John Wickham (Guitar Solo on track A4), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Ron Tutt (Drums), Bobby LaKind (Congas). Backing Vocals: Tommy Funderburk, Michael Omartian, Benny Hester. Backing Vocals on track B4: Maxine Waters Willard and Julia Waters Tillman.
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