Chris Falson

Description

The self-titled album by the Australian singer and songwriter Chris Falson was released on Broken Records in 1992. The album was produced by Robert Vaughn, Keith Walker, and Chris Falson.

The cover of Chris Falson’s self-titled debut shows the artist sitting quietly, pensively, guitar clutched tightly in both hands, as the train passes in a blur behind him. The picture probably best captures what this album feels like: the musings of a world-weary, traveling musician, searching for truth. The fact that nearly every song mentions either traveling, geography or the outdoors seems to reinforce the feeling.

Musically, this may be unlike anything in Christian music. Falson draws from rock, jazz, blues and even new age to create music to subtle for rock ‘n’ roll, to sparse for pop, and too decaffeinated for alternative. But it would sound great in a club late at night. While he’s no copy, Falson conjures up comparisons with Jon Astley (anyone remember «Jane’s Getting Serious»?), David and David, Chris Rea, or even pre-MTV Dire Straits. Part of the credit no doubt goes to the producers: Robert Vaughn, Keith Walker, and Falson. They could have opted for the easier music choices of heavier-handed bar rock or the lush, compact sound of pop-rock. Instead, they’ve chosen a comfortable, laid back sound that gives the listener an intimacy with the traveller as he tells us of his journeys.

And what journeys. The first pass through, the lyrics seem to be as dry and unsweetened as the music. As the words filter in, though, the pictures become clearer. «Good Peope» draws delicately from the Love Chapter and some parables to portray Christian compassion, recognizing “not matter the cost, someone gave them much more.” «Wake Up» calls for a Christian response to a culture that’s sinking into the darkness, while «Who Do You Love» is an even-handed argument that, while money is not the root of all evil, you still can’t serve God and mammon.

The strongest manifesto of the album though, comes in «Ease the Pain», where Falson most clearly focuses on his search: “I’m looking for a man who can see the big picture.. who’ll hear my cry and do all he can/ He won’t care what the papers say/ I tell you he will suffer… but he will ease the pain.”

Fans of Christian music who like their coffee strong, their music loud and their lyrics abrasive may want to pass on this album; there’s nothing wrong with that. But listeners who’ve found themselves growing jaded with Christian music will find ‘Chris Falson’ to be like a glass of cool water. [Chris Well, CCM, August 1992]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/chris-falson/1098566235)

CD tracklist:

01. Cool Water (feat. Erana Clark, Barry Leef and Jacky Brigstock) – 7:01
02. One Day – 4:14
03. Good People – 4:52
04. Jamming With The Angels (feat. Erana Clark, Barry Leef and Jacky Brigstock) – 5:10
05. Wake Up (feat. Barry Leef and Robert Vaughn) – 5:10
06. Who Do You Love? (feat. Erana Clark, Barry Leef and Jeff Crabtree) – 3:26
07. Ease The Pain (feat. Jacky Brigstock, Erana Clark and Barry Leef) – 5:19
08. Am Waiting – 5:36
09. Wind In His Hair/Can You Go The Distance? (feat. Erana Clark, Barry Leef and Jacky Brigstock) – 8:31

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Broken Records.

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