Non-Fiction

Description

Non-Fiction is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Bob Bennett, released on StarSong Records in 1985, distributed by Word. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonathan David Brown at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California. (Additional recording at Poiema Studios in Camarillo, at Peace In The Valley in Arleta, and at Weddington Studio in North Hollywood, California.) All songs written by Bob Bennett.

Recipe for frustration: Begin with $50,000. Mix incisive lyrics with equal parts folk and jazz. Fold in stellar studio players Jim Keltner on drums, John Patitucci on bass, Victor Feldman on percussion, David Mansfield on guitars, and others. Have veteran producer Jonathan David Brown season to taste as the project cooks. Cool for two years.

If you thought Bob Bennett dropped off the edge of the earth after winning Contemporary Christian Music’s Album of the Year nod for ‘Matters of the Heart‘ in 1983, weep no more. Bob’s third album got trapped in legal limbo when CBS abruptly closed Priority, its gospel music label. Extended negotiations between CBS and Star Song have resulted in the recent release of ‘Non Fiction’ on Star Song Records.

Perhaps Providence guided the timing. Bob’s lyrics in ‘Non Fiction’ deal almost exclusively with Christ’s teachings on such social issues as world starvation and poverty. The Christian public of two years ago might have ignored an album dealing with these gritty issues. But now nightly newscasts from Ethiopia and the attendent media and artist efforts to help the needy have heightened the public’s interest – including Christians – in such topics.

“Sometimes it’s easy to ignore Africa. But it’s hard to ignore a hungry man knocking on your front door,” Bob says, “Non Fiction is a very personal statement in which I try to give poverty a face and a name. Unlike «We Are the World», it doesn’t say, ‘You ought to go out and do this.’ It’s more like, ‘Here’s what I think. What do you think?’ ” [Scott Pinzon, CCM – News Beat, October 1985]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/non-fiction/716308755)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Savior Of The World” – 5:54
A2. “Waking/Falling Dream” – 2:46
A3. “Where The Shadows Fall Like Rain” – 3:45
A4. “Numbers Game” – 4:25
A5. “The View From Kenmar Lane” (Instrumental) – 3:50

Side Two
B1. “Will You Hold On To Me?” – 4:51
B2. “Laughing Like You” – 4:52
B3. “Voices” – 4:06
B4. “Still Rolls The Stone” – 4:48

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records.

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CREDITS. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonathan David Brown. Recorded and mixed at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA. Assisted by Todd Van Etten and Steve Ford. Technical Troubleshooter: Tom Ferguson. Mega-thanks to Teri Piro. Originally mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc, Hollywood, CA. Additional recording at Poiema Studio, Camarillo, CA, with thanks to Bill and Marsha Cobb, at Peace In The Valley, Arleta, CA, with thanks to Joe Bellamy, and at Weddington Studio, North Hollywood, CA. Assisted by Wally Grant (who made it official). Horns on track A4 arranged by Jonathan David Brown. Art Direction and Design by Dave Rogers/Rogers-Design. Photography by Michael Von Helms. All songs written by Bob Bennett except track A1 co-written with Michael Aguilar, A5 co-written with George S. Price, and track A3 featuring lyrics co-written with Aguilar.

Musicians: Bob Bennett (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Jonathan David Brown (Vocoder on track B3), John Schreiner (Piano, Synthesizer), Smitty Price (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer), Brandon Fields (Saxophone), Walt Fowler (Flugelhorn), David Mansfield (Electric Guitar), Wayne Brasel (Electric Guitar, Lead Guitar on track B1), Marty Walsh (Electric Guitar), Jim Johnson (Bass), John Patitucci (Acoustic and Electric Bass), Jim Keltner (Drums), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums), Alex MacDougall (Percussion), Victor Feldman (Percussion, Vibraphone on track B2), Keith Edwards (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Jonathan David Brown, Tammy Brown, and Bob Bennett.