Maker

Description

Maker is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Craig Smith, released on StarSong Records in 1981. The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Brian Tankersley at Rivendell Sound Recorders in Pasadena, Texas. Strings and woodwinds arranged by Paul Mills.

Craig Smith joined the pop/rock combo Scepter which released a self-titled album on StarSong Records in 1982.

Craig Smith’s second album clearly reveals that this singer-songwriter has taken a giant step forward with his craft. With the exception of two written by Micki Cates, each of these sensitive tunes was penned by Smith.

Smith is one of those communicators whose performance clearly shows that he is not just performing – the songs and the man are one: “Maker of Heart Songs/ Make a song of me/ One that has been changed by the Son/ And is ready to be sung.” His song of praise and exaltation address God with awe and reverence sometimes difficult to convey through contemporary musical forms. Indeed, Smith’s music suffers nothing for it: it is wonderfully melodic and packed with punch.

Must of the credit for this must also go to producer Brian Tankersley, who wisely and tastefully refrained from junking up the sound with strings and horns. Kudos also for the superb engineering (Tankersley again, we assume) and sound quality of ‘Maker’. A surprisingly good record.

(Best cuts: «Maker», «To the King», «He Lives», «Song of Jacob») [John W. Styll, CCM (What’s New), June 1981]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “No One Understands Like Jesus” – 3:14
A2. “Maker” – 4:03
A3. “Change Your Life” – 3:47
A4. “To The King” – 3:48
A5. “How Can You Say No?” – 3:45

Side Two
B1. “He Lives” – 3:33
B2. “The Wiseman” – 2:56
B3. “Son Of Jacob” – 3:41
B4. “Try Me” – 3:31
B5. “Because Of Love” – 4:44

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records. Available at https://www.craigsmithmusic.co/shop

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