No Room in the Middle

Description

No Room in the Middle is the third solo album by the American singer and songwriter Greg X. Volz, the former lead singer of Petra, independently released on River Records in 1989. As well released by Spark Music in Europe. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonathan David Brown at his studio Johnny dB’s Basement in Antioch, Tennessee, with Greg X. Volz co-producing.

Several of the tracks are actually re-worked versions of old songs from Volz’s e band years in the early 1970s prior to him joining Petra, all co-written by “e” band member Dave Eden. (Eden is best known for writing “The Coloring Song” recorded by Petra on their 1981 album Never Say Die. The title track, also written by Eden, was originally recorded by Joyful Noise on their 1976-album by the same title.)

Step One: Insert the new Greg Volz cassette, ‘No Room In The Middle’ into your tape machine. Step Two: Fast-forward through the first track. Step Three: Begin with the title track. Step Four: Be surprised.

«No Room in the Middle» starts with a quirky, Alan Parsons keyboard shtick, kicks into gear, and proves once and for all that Greg Volz can do just fine without That Band. The next track, «Love Moves in a Different Circle», the third on the album (the second you should be listening to), starts with an interesting bass rhythm, layering a great sax/guitar hook over it, and then moving into a completely different verse/chorus structure than you’d expect.

Which kind of characterizes the whole album: moving off on unexpected angles. Volz and his co-producer, recorder, and mixer Jonathan David Brown, seem determined to move out from under their biggest collaborative shadow – Petra – and at some points they do it rather well.

Sure, there are cracks in the production armor – «Servants and Witnesses» have some production touches that are a little too trademark, and a perfectly good song called «Feelings» was twisted into something downright goofy – but the album has a lot that’s really nice. Even softer cuts, like «The Carpenter», have a fresh, airy sound, which is missing in a lot of Christian music.

‘No Room In the Middle’ is a really strong album from a man we sometimes expect too much from. But instead of avoiding it, Greg Volz has gladly picked up the gauntlet and is giving it his best shot. And with ‘No Room In the Middle’, it’s largely paid off. [Chris Well, Harvest Rock Syndicate, No. 4, 1989 (Volume 4)]

‘No Room In The Middle’ is Greg X Volz’s third solo album after nine years as Petra‘s lead singer. Jonathan Brown, in keeping with the standards on past Petra albums, produces an unhindered and classy sound, allowing Greg’s vocals to dominate. Often known as the ‘voice of Christian rock’, Greg exhibits a wide range of musical styles from the raunchy and rocky title track to the atmospheric «Gethsemane» where the soulful organ of Joe Hogue underpins Greg’s bluesy vocal. There are also plenty of Greg’s octave leaps though less than are on the Petra albums. As a novelty «Feelings» will put a smile on the face of the listener – with sounds suited to a Chipperfields Circus act. High quality Christian rock: this really is a meaty one for the record collection. [Shireen Qureshi, Cross Rhythms, July 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-room-in-the-middle/1714339214)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Walk Toward The Light”
A2. “No Room In The Middle”
A3. “Love Moves In A Different Circle”
A4. “The Carpenter”
A5. “I’m Yours”

Side Two
B1. “Servants And Witnesses”
B2. “Feelings”
B3. “Frontline”
B4. “Waitin’ On Someday”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by River Records, with the CD version featuring a bonus track, “Gethsemane”. The LP is housed in a gatefold sleeve.

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