David Baroni – Pressing Toward the Prize

Description

Pressing Toward the Prize is an album by the American singer and songwriter David Baroni, released on LifeStream Records in 1986, a division of Calvary Music Group (Nashville, Tennessee). The album was digitally recorded and mixed by Doug Sarrett, assisted by Billy Prince, at The Master’s Touch in Nashville, Tennessee; with Rex W. Bledsoe producing. (“Recorded digitally on Sony MXP-3000 Console and Sony PCM-3324 Digital Multi-track.”)

Featuring David Baroni on vocals and various keyboards (Yamaha Acoustic Piano, Synclavier, Moog Minimoog, Roland MKB-300, Juno-1, Yamaha DX-7, TX-216, DX-21, and Ensonic Mirage Sampler), backed by Jerry Kimbrough, Tom Hemby, Bobby All, and Steve Dixon on guitar; Craig Nelson and Gary Lunn on bass; Mark Hammond on acoustic drums and Roland DDR-30 Digital Drums (as well as E-MU SP-12); and Ron Sorbo on percussion. Keyboard programming and overdubs by Anthony “Ziggy” Johnson. (Sequencing: Apple MacIntosh Computer, Mark Of The Unicorn/Performer Software.)

People who pigeon-hole Christian pop music as mindless pap haven’t encountered David Baroni. This man writes intelligent, hook-filled songs; plays some snazzy keyboards; and sings it all with an often soulful voice.

His ability to break molds is proven in the delightful, reggae-flavored song, «You Are the Potter». How many times have we all heard the line, “You are the Potter and I am the Clay,” the first line in Baroni’s song? But look where he goes from there: “Keep molding and making me/ When fiery trials come my way/ Remind me You’re just baking me.”

And Baroni uses his ear-pleasing music to make us take a hard look at some of our sacred cows. Consider «Song to the Sleeping» where he writes: “The Devil is invading our families/ And instead of praying we just watch TV.”

Baroni has come a long way since his 1985 debut, ‘Carry the Torch’. With its more confident music and more mature lyrics, ‘Pressing Toward the Prize’ is testimony of that journey. And this time out the added bells and whistles (the electronically-programmed keyboards and the digital recording) serve to frame his songs rather than disguise them. [Steve Rabey, CCM, May 1987]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Pressing Toward The Prize” – 3:31
A2. “White Flag” – 2:58
A3. “Children Of The Flame” – 3:50
A4. “Weeping Warrior” – 4:06
A5. “Stand Ye Still” – 3:11

Side Two
B1. “God’s Still On The Throne” – 3:27
B2. “You Are The Potter” – 3:04
B3. “The Greatest Thing I’ll Ever Be” – 3:01
B4. “Never Run Away Again” – 3:30
B4. “Song To The Sleeping” – 4:52

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by LifeStream Records. LifeStream also released a 12-inch vinyl single (Special Radio Release) featuring the album track “God’s Still On the Throne” (3:27) on side A, with side B featuring an interview with David Baroni (time: 9:15).