Description
First Things First is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Bob Bennett, released on Maranatha! Music in 1979. The album was produced, recorded and mixed July to September 1979 by Jonathan David Brown at Maranatha! Studios in Santa Ana, California; with most of the songs recorded almost entirely “live”. All songs written by Bob Bennett except track B4 written by producer Jonathan David Brown and track A4, “The Best”, a song written by John Fowler. (After hearing Bennett’s version of “The Best”, Dion DiMucci chose to cover the song as well, on his 1981-album Only Jesus.) The album also includes Bob Bennett take on the old British hymn, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, featuring lyrics written by Samuel Medley in 1775.
Bob Bennett provides acoustic guitar and vocals and is backed by a combo of musicians connected to Maranatha! Music, with half of the tracks featuring a rhythm section consisting of original Blood, Sweat & Tears member Jim Fielder on acoustic bass and Elvis-drummer Ron Tutt, as well as Alex MacDougall of The Way and Daniel Amos fame on percussion. Background vocals provided by Kelly Willard and Bruce Hibbard as well as Bob Bennett.
First Things First was included among CCM Magazine’s Top 10 Contemporary/Rock Albums of 1979 – An impressive debut from a sensitive young songwriter whose gentle manner in both his vocals and instrumental work made this album warm and appealing. The production was handled with care, restraint and good taste by Jonathan Brown.
One of the songs included on the album, the Bob Bennett penned “You’re Welcome Here”, had previously been recorded by Kelly Willard on her debut album Blame It On the One I Love!, featuring Bennett on background vocals.
FIRST THINGS FIRST – BOB BENNETT – Maranatha M M0061 (Word)
A refreshing departure from many of the slick and sometimes over-produced gospel albums being released today, Bennett’s mellow and mostly acoustic debut LP is a welcome addition to the contemporary Christian music scene. Showing exceptional skills as a singer, musician and songwriter, Bennett shines on «The Best», «You’re Welcome Here» and «Healings». [Record World (Gospel Album Picks), February 9, 1980]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/first-things-first/715676887)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Carpenter Gone Bad?” – 3:31
A2. “The Night Shift” – 6:34
A3. “Whistling In The Dark” – 2:27
A4. “The Best” – 3:41
A5. “You’re Welcome Here” – 3:27
Side Two
B1. “Forgive And Forget” – 2:48
B2. “My Redeemer Lives” – 3:15
B3. “The Garden Song” – 3:46
B4. “I Belong To You” – 3:57
B5. “Healings” – 4:51
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Later re-issued on CD by Maranatha! distributed by The Benson Company, featuring one bonus track; “Spiritual Equation” (a track originally released on the multi-artist compilation Maranatha! 7 in 1980).
CREDITS. Produced, Engineered, and Mixed by Jonathan David Brown. Assistant Engineer: Wally Grant. Additional Assistance by Chris Taylor and Dan Willard. Recorded at Maranatha! Studios, Santa Ana, CA, July-September 1979. Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M. Original demos engineered by Thom Roy. Pre-Production A&R by Tommy Coomes. Horn and Woodwind arrangement on track B2 by Jim Stipech. Session Leader on track B2: Darrel Gardner. Cello Arrangement on track B3 by Jim Stipech. All songs written by Bob Bennett except track A4 written by John Fowler and track B4 written by Jonathan David Brown. Track B2, “(I Know That) My Redeemer Lives”, adapted and arranged by Bob Bennett. Producer’s note: Many songs on this album were recorded almost entirely “live” (vocals, percussion, etc. included). My thanks to all musicians who endured to the end during the sessions. We hope you will enjoy what we have done. Art Direction/Layout by Neal Buchanan. Logo by Tim Barela. Photography by David J. Pavol.
Musicians: Bob Bennett (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Harlan Rogers (Piano on track A2, Organ on track B1), Jonathan David Brown (Piano on track B4), Little Kelly Willard-o (Rhodes on track B4), Greg Springer (Piano on track B5), Don Gerber (Acoustic Guitar – tracks: A4, B5), Al Perkins (Electric Guitar – tracks: A3 and B1, Steel Guitar on track A4), Jim Fielder (Acoustic Bass – tracks: A1, A2, A5), Gary Arthur (Bass – tracks: A4, B1), Darrel Cook (Bass – tracks: A3, B4, B5), Ron Tutt (Drums – tracks: A1, A2, A4, B1), Keith Edwards (Drums – tracks A3, B4 and B5, Tambourine on track A3), Alex MacDougall (Percussion – tracks: A1, A2, A4, B1, Triangle on track B5). Background Vocals: Bob Bennett (A2, A3, A4, B4), Kelly Willard (A2, A3, A4, B4), Bruce Hibbard (A3, A4, B4).
Horn and Strings: Nils Oliver (Cello – tracks: A1, B3), Bill Alsup (French Horn on track A1), Ron Loofbourrow (French Horn on track A1), Phil Ayling (Flute on track A1), John Phillips (Flute on track A1). Horn and Woodwind Ensemble on track B2: Darrel Gardner (Flugelhorn), Terry Winch (Flugelhorn), Bill Alsup (French Horn), Ron Loofbourrow (French Horn), Val Johnson (Trombone), Bob Sanders (Baritone Horn), John Phillips (Woodwinds). Phil Ayling (Woodwinds).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.