Tim Miner

Description

The self-titled solo debut album by the American singer, songwriter, and producer Tim Miner was released on Nissi Records in 1984, distributed by Sparrow Records. The album was recorded by Bob Cotton, Michael Ross, Peter Haden, and Wally Grant at Weddington Studios (with additional recording at Paramount Recording Studios) in Hollywood, California; with John Rosasco producing. Mixed by Cotton at Weddington Studios. Track arrangements by Rosasco and Smitty Price with vocals arranged by Rosasco.

Tim Miner is backed by a session band featuring Smitty Price and producer John Rosasco on keyboards (with Rhett Lawrence providing synthesizer programming), Marty Walsh and Hadley Hockensmith on guitar (with the latter also providing bass), Leon Gaer on bass, John Ferraro on drums (with Jack Kelly providing Linn Drums and Art Woods providing Simmons programming), and Alex Acuña on percussion, with Brandon Fields sitting in on saxophone. Backing vocals provided by Tom Kelly and Tommy Funderburk.

Tim Miner’s self-titled debut album is filled with passion. Most of it is heard in Miner’s voice, a stylistic combination of Daryl Hall, Russ Taff, and Matthew Ward. It can glide effortlessly into a falsetto, growl like a tiger, or whisper like the breeze through a palm tree. And producer/arranger Joe Rosasco has assembled an album which explodes with all the intensity of a supernova, thanks to the combined efforts of crack musicians and ’80s technology.

«Love All the Hurt Away» and «Young One» are mid-tempo rockers about our insecurities, trials, and tribulations. The most beautiful cut is «Always», a heartfelt duet with Cindy Cruse of the Cruse Family, underscoring the eternal purity of God’s everlasting love. «Fight On» and «Lone Survivor» are spiritual anthems of victory and survival encouraging believers to stand tall when confronting the enemy. «How Long, Lord?» inspired by the book of Job, may sound egoistical upon first listen (who can know the mind of God, much less demand answers?), but it’s an achingly honest cry for God to deliver His people from persecution.

Less outstanding are «Don’t Try to Give Me That», a weak attempt at rockabilly, and «Endangered Species», a mediocre song dealing with an intense subject (abortion).

Some may claim that Miner sounds too secular. If secular to them means excellent production, up-to-date musical arrangements, and sincere, emotional vocals, then they better check their dictionary. Are we ready for this recorded passion? Let’s hope so. If not, we’ve been sheltered too long. [Stephen Ledesma, CCM, October 1984]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Love All The Hurt Away” – 3:53
A2. “Young One” – 3:24
A3. “Always” (duet with Cindy Cruse) – 4:22
A4. “21st Century” – 4:49
A5. “Don’t Try To Give Me That” – 2:09

Side Two
B1. “Fight On” – 4:28
B2. “How Long Lord” – 3:47
B3. “Now I’m Alive” – 3:41
B4. “Endangered Species” – 4:49
B5. “Lone Survivor” – 4:35

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