Description
Gentle Moments is an album by the Norwegian-American singer Evie (Evie Tornquist Karlsson), released on Word Records in April 1976. The album was recorded at Metronome Studio and Europa Film in Stockholm, Sweden; with Lennart Sjöholm producing and arranging. Featuring a cover of “Meet Me Here”, a song written by Pat Terry and originally recorded by The Pat Terry Group on their self-titled debut album released the previous year. Also featuring a cover of “Pass It One”, a song originally featured on Ralph Carmichael and Kurt Kaiser’s folk musical Tell It Like It Is, released on Light Records in 1969. In 1978, Evie become the first gospel artist to achieve a Gold Album in Australia for Gentle Moments.
Regardless of the number of times you’ve heard a song, Evie Tornquist makes it a new creation. Her beautiful voice, linked with the talented arranging of Lennart Sjoholm, revitalizes such goodies as «Pass It On» and sweetens the strains of Peterson’s «Shepherd of Love».
Although she doesn’t write any of her own material, Evie presents exceptional albums. Phil Johnson’s «Give Them All» is a poem of exhortation. Honeytree’s «I Don’t Have to Worry» gives comfort and assurance to the new and older believer. The instrumentation of ‘Gentle Moments’ presents her at her best.
«You’ve Got the Power» is highlighted by clavinet counterparts as the lead vocal powerfully breaks through the center of the mix. Evie stacks the background vocals here and achieves depth and unity. Pat Terry’s «Meet Me Here» is masterfully arranged with a thread of strings sustaining the serene quality of the work. The lyric line flows hand in hand with Evie’s calm, yet dynamic talent. The most effective song on the disc, be prepared to pray a while when it’s over.
The engineering is superb, with the vocals mixed just above the music. All too often a soloist is left standing alone far above the music track; here, it surrounds her.
The front cover gives insight to the focus of the work: assurance, blessing and rest found in Jesus. Excellent photography is provided by Mats Kallstig.
Evie easily surpasses the lovely voice of her secular counterpart, Olivia Newton-John. But that isn’t the purpose of ‘Gentle Moments’. The quality is excellent, but the ministry is even greater. In awakening the songs which have been laid to rest among the Christian archives, Evie sweetens them as only she and the Lord know how. [Paul Martin, Harmony Magazine, No. 11]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/gentle-moments/641117641)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Give Them All” – 3:15
A2. “Part The Waters” – 3:06
A3. “You Got The Power” – 2:20
A4. “I Don’t Have To Worry” – 2:33
A5. “Meet Me Here” – 4:15
Side Two
B1. “Pass It On” – 3:21
B2. “Broken Up People” – 3:35
B3. “Waiting”- 2:56
B4. “For Baby (For Bobbie)” – 3:00
B5. “Shepherd Of Love” – 2:52
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Word Records. Later re-issued on CD.
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