What a Way to Go

Description

What a Way to Go is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Billy Sprague, released on Reunion Records in 1984, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Jeff Balding and Brent King at Goldmine Studio in Brentwood and at Bullet Recording and Center Stage Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; with Michael W. Smith producing. Mixed by Brent King assisted by Phil Dihel at Mastermix in Nashville.

Billy Sprague is backed by a session band featuring producer Michael W. Smith on keyboards and vocoder (with Shane Keister providing additional synthesizer and keyboards on tracks A1 and A5, respectively), Jon Goin on acoustic and electric guitars, Mike Brignardello on bass, and Mark Hammond on drums, with Lisa Cates providing percussion. Background vocals provided by Donna McElroy, Kim Fleming, Chris Harris, Ron Downey, Dave Durham, Michael W. Smith, as well as Billy Sprague. Strings on “Jude Doxology” arranged by Reed Arvin who also provides Kurzwell on the track, with background vocals by Chris Harris, Dave Durham, Donna McElroy, Jan Harris, Kim Fleming, Ron Downey, Teresa Ellis, Michael W. Smith, and Billy Sprague.

Like his mentor and producer, Michael W. Smith, Sprague is interested in contrast and texture in his songs. Pop tunes like «Don’t Give Up» and «Never Be the Same» feature tough, exciting rock choruses and soothing, pop-flavored verses. That experimentation reaches high form on «Jude Doxology», another of Smith’s inspired meldings of classical themes and choruses over a rock beat – dramatic, succinct, and memorable.

There’s really not much “reviewing” to be done on the first side of What A Way to Go. Every song is flawlessly written, performed, sung, and produced. «Heavenly Father» is a lovely child like round, and «I Believe» is a simple, direct ballad. On the title track, Sprague mixes light hearted melody and a heavy subject. But, as the lyrics say, “You’ve got to remember this is not my home/ So don’t take it as bad news/ Put on your dancin’ shoes/ You know that I’m ready when I have to go!”

Side two isn’t quite up to side one, except for «Jude Doxology». However, there’s not a turkey in the flock. To these ears, Billy Sprague sounds like another winner from Reunion. [Bob Darden, CCM, March 1985]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “What A Way To Go” – 4:07
A2. “Don’t Give Up” – 3:55
A3. “Heavenly Father” – 3:31
A4. “Never Be The Same” – 4:59
A5. “I Believe” – 4:42

Side Two
B1. “Secret Heart” – 4:29
B2. “How Could You Say No” – 3:28
B3. “Take My Heart” – 4:54
B4. “Jude Doxology” – 2:03

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