Description
The Journey, sub-titled Walking with Jesus, is the solo debut album by the American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dana Key (December 30, 1953 – June 6, 2010) of DeGarmo & Key Band, released on ForeFront Records in February 1990. The album was recorded at OmniSound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; at Crosstown Recorders, and at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee; with Ron W. Griffin producing. Featuring a cover of “The Outlaw”, a song written by Larry Norman and recorded on his 1972-album Only Visiting This Planet released on Verve Records/MGM.
In 1993 Dana Key was part of a collaboration project entitled Mesa, also featuring singers/songwriters Dallas Holm and Jerry Williams of Harvest fame. The trio released a sole, self-titled album.
Subtitled “Walking With Jesus,” ‘The Journey’ is Dana Key’s first solo project and is at the same time both surprising and familiar. Fans of recent D&K albums will recognize Dana’s signature vocals, guitar, and melodic turns. What they may not expect is the very literate thread tying these songs together. But then again, this guy writes books too.
Contrast Key’s programmatic writing with band-mate Eddie DeGarmo’s 1989 solo record, ‘Feels Good To Be Forgiven‘. Where DeGarmo opted for hot-and-sweaty Memphis-style roadhouse rock, partner Key spins out an ambitious songs cycle based on events in the life of Christ and colored by Carl Marsh’s orchestral textures. Beethoven needn’t roll over, however; the writing manages to retain a “street” feel, and Dana still gets his licks in.
Dana wrote nine of the eleven songs here, organized more or less into a narrative following events in the life of Christ, beginning with «We Need a Saviour» and concluding with «Here, There, or in the Air». The first single, «Up From he Dead», is straight out of the D&K handbook; it’s virtually indistinguishable from a regular DeGarmo & Key band recording. In similar fashion, Dana reprises a Larry Norman song, «The Outlaw».
«Kingdom of Grace» is a worship-and-praise song appropriate for a communion service at church, while «Pray for Peace» sounds like Steely Dan doing black gospel. «Live in the Light» offers encouragement to follow God’s law, saying , “It’s My direction for your protection.” Dana’s writing skill carries over into the carefully crafted liner notes, a series of brief vignettes introducing each song.
‘The Journey’ may not be the kind of tape one goes around happily blasting out of the car stereo – ‘Feels Good to Be Forgiven’ is more that kind of album. ‘The Journey’ is more meditative, but those who takes the time to dig into the songs and thoughts of Dana Key’s musical and spiritual journey will not be disappointed. [Mark Eischer, CCM, July 1990]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-journey/715749165)
CD tracklist:
01. We Need a Savior – 3:56
02. The Outlaw – 4:27
03. Bow Down – 3:58
04. Sister (It’s a Mean World) – 2:52
05. Come to Me – 3:23
06. Live In the Light – 3:09
07. Here There or In the Air (Prelude) – 0:34
08. Pray for Peace – 3:42
09. Kingdom of Grace – 4:10
10. The Death – 1:49
11. Up from the Dead – 3:40
12. Here There or In the Air – 4:12
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by ForeFront Records.
The October 1990 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key of DeGarmo & Key Band.
A full-page advertisement for Eddie DeGarmo’s solo album Phase II and Dana Key’s solo album The Journey was featured on the back side of the front page of the October 1990 issue of CCM Magazine.
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