Between the Answers

Description

Between the Answers is the ninth studio album by the American singer and songwriter John Fischer, released on Myrrh Records in 1985, a division of Word. The album was recorded September – October 1984 by Will Garrett at Blue Jay Studio in Carlisle, Massachusetts; with Dan Russell, Victor LeComer, and John Fischer producing. Mixed by Doug Domanich at Blue Jay Studio. All songs written or co-written by John Fischer except the Sydney Carter classic “Lord of the Dance“.

Our contributing editor, John Fischer, is one of the few musicians from the early days of “Jesus rock” still recording. In addition to serving as an elder spokesman for Christian music, the guy’s still making great music, as ’83’s ‘Dark Horse‘ and this year’s ‘Between the Answers’ will attest.

There are no less than four superb cuts here, and three more that are nearly as good. «Rejoice» features an odd little disco beat and simple, direct lyrics where you can actually hear the joy in Fischer’s quavering falsetto. «Lord of the Dance» is a mellow, understated version of an ancient English ballad that reads like a poem by C.S. Lewis. «Long Way Back» presents soft reggae with some half-whispered lyrics about the hidden cost of infidelity. «All We Need» is a simply-arranged acoustic guitar ballad with sweetly intelligent lyrics.

Of the others, «It’s Still Life» features a Latin feel and a melancholy tone, as Fischer waxes philosophical for a moment. The pop-rock title cut is a warm, bemused account of one weekend in the life of a Christian family. And «Move on It» proves that he can still rock ‘n’ roll with the best of ’em – when he wants to.

‘Between the Answers’ sparkles with wit and restraint, answering a question all its own: Can a veteran of the musical ’60s gracefully grown into the ’80s? The answer is yes, a thousand times yes. [Bob Darden, CCM, April 1985]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Rejoice!” – 3:45
A2. “Lord Of The Dance” – 4:20
A3. “Move On It” – 3:38
A4. “Heartbeat” – 4:12
A5. “It’s Still Life” – 4:39

Side Two
B1. “Between The Answers” – 4:45
B2. “Every Tear” – 4:50
B3. “Long Way Back” – 4:45
B4. “All We Need” – 3:10

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

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CREDITS. Produced by Dan Russell, Victor LeComer and John Fischer. Arranged by Dan Russell and Victor LeComer. Vocal Arrangements by Dan Russell and John Fischer. Engineered by Will Garrett. Mixed by Doug Domanich. Recorded and Mixed at Blue Jay Studio, Carlisle, Massachusetts, September-October 1984. Recording Assistance by Rob Jaczko and Ed Goodreau. Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, New York City. Art Direction and Design by Jeffery Fey. All songs written by John Fischer, except track A3, B2, and B3 co-written with Dan Russell, A4 co-written with Dan Cunningham and Dan Russell, and B1 co-written with Dan Cunningham. A2 written by Sydney Carter. Coordination by Alison Ottman.

Musicians: John Fischer (Lead Vocals, Guitars), Victor LeComer (Guitars, Keyboards – PPG, Roland & Linn), Eric Schermerhorn (Guitars), Dan Russell (Guitars, Vocals), James Earl (Bass), John Gates (Drums, Vocals). Vocals: Cindy Lager, Fran McKendree, Robin Lane.