Description
The self-titled, sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Benny Hester was released on Spirit Records in April 1978, distributed by Heartsong. Also manufactured and distributed by Sparrow Records. (The album was re-issued by Myrrh Records in 1982, featuring new cover artwork and re-titled Be A Receiver.) The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Hester’s long time friend Brent Maher at Creative Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee. All songs written by Benny Hester.
Rather than loading the album with several studio musicians, Maher built a “band” that would record the whole record and, as a result, created a very cohesive and consistent album. Most notable among those musicians is keyboardist Jeff Lams. The album came along at a time when the Jesus Movement was now in the rear view mirror and Contemporary Christian Music was just coming into its own. It showcased Hester’s radio-ready pop/rock vocals and songwriting style. For the first time ever, Christian radio stations began to take the “contemporary sound” seriously and the singles “Jesus Came Into My Life” and “Be A Receiver” were joyously embraced by Christian radio. As well, Stan Evanson’s design and Gary Heery’s photography combined to create a very cool, inviting album cover, with the whole band pictured on the back cover.
The album track “Squeeze You” was as well featured on Sparrow Spotlight Sampler, a multi-artist compilation released by Sparrow Records in 1978.
The short-lived Spirit label broke Benny’s long silence and introduced him to Christian audiences. I can’t say the new trend toward string orchestrated pop and ballads does much for me, but the rock stuff seems fairly solid. «Jesus Came Into My Life» with its Southern boogie stride and «Sure Of Your Call» both make the grade and are refreshingly devoid of any CCM refinements. Closes with «We All Know He’s Comin», a new recording of a song that also appears on his 1981 LP. Later re-issued on Myrrh with a different cover and title Be A Receiver. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Be A Receiver” – 3:18
A2. “Squeeze You” – 3:51
A3. “Sure Of Your Call” – 3:20
A4. “Jesus Came Into My Life” – 3:05
A5. “The Door” – 4:06
Side Two
B1. “Gonna Happen Here” – 3:14
B2. “Only You” – 3:40
B3. “Such A Relief” – 3:20
B4. “All You Can Do” – 2:12
B5. “We All Know He’s Comin'” – 3:03
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Spirit Records. Re-issued on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records in 1982, featuring new cover artwork and re-titled Be A Receiver.
A photo of the Benny Hester Band was featured on the back of the LP sleeve (L-R): Dan Flannery (lead guitar), Jeff Lams (keyboards & backup vocals), Benny Hester (singer, songwriter & guitar), John Parenti (drums & backup vocals), Ed Arnold (bass).
An advertisement for Benny Hester’s self-titled album was featured in the October 1980 issue of CCM Magazine.
Benny Hester’s self-titled album was re-issued by Myrrh Records in 1982, featuring new cover artwork and re-titled Be A Receiver.
CREDITS. Produced by Brent Maher. Recorded and mixed at Creative Workshop, Nashville, TN. Engineered by Brent Maher with assistance of Rich Schirmer. Strings arranged by Greg Nelson. Composed by Benny Hester. Photography by Gary Heery. Design by Stan Evenson.
Musicians: Benny Hester (Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals), Jeff Lams (Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Dan Flannery (Electric Guitar), Ed Arnold (Bass), John Parenti (Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals). Strings by Shelly Kurland Strings.
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