The Way I Feel

Description

The Way I Feel is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Honeytree (a.k.a. Nancy Henigbaum), released on Myrrh Records in 1974, a division of Word. The album was engineered by Bruce Swedien with Billy Ray Hearn producing. Arranged by Dick Boyell. All songs written by Honeytree, except “Dove” co-written with Hannah Whitall Smith, “I Believe In Heaven” co-written with Phil Keaggy, as well as “Precious Promises” written by Keaggy.

The session band backing Honeytree features four members of the American psychedelic soul band The New Rotary Connection: the band’s rhythm section – bassist Sid Sims and drummer Donny Simmons – Pat Ferreri on guitar, as well as Kitty Haywood on backing vocals. Percussion provided by Chess percussion mainstay Bobby Christian. Strings by Chicago Strings.

The album track “Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast” was included on the double sampler album Jubilation! released on Myrrh Records in 1975.

Mellow orchestral arrangements dominate The Way I Feel and work quite well, especially when combined with some beautiful cello and classical guitar. «Simple Song», «I’ve Got A Lot To Learn», «Honeytree», «Little Things», «Precious Promises» and «I Believe In Heaven» are all gorgeous moving pieces enriched with gentle stirring swells of string orchestration (the latter two songs were written by Phil Keaggy). «You And Me» drifts into lush hypnotic muzak, while «Hummer, Bummer, Bashmobile» brings a moment of levity via its topic of an old unreliable but nevertheless lovable car. Closes with the hand-clapping «Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast». High-class easy listening, yet retains the essential folk ingredient. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-way-i-feel/1557315882)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Simple Song” – 2:42
A2. “I’ve Got A Lot To Learn” – 2:50
A3. “Precious Promises” – 2:44
A4. “I Believe In Heaven” – 3:37
A5. “Drinkin'” – 2:37

Side Two
B1. “Honeytree” – 3:41
B2. “Little Things” – 3:30
B3. “You And Me” – 2:28
B4. “Hummer, Bummer, Bashmobile” – 2:25
B5. “Dove” – 2:30
B6. “Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast” – 2:22

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

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CREDITS. Produced by Billy Ray Hearn. Arranged by Dick Boyell. Engineered by Bruce Swedien.

Musicians: Honeytree (Vocals, Guitar), David Miotke (Keyboards), Dick Boyell (Keyboards), Karl Fruh (Cello), Pat Ferreri (Guitar), Ron Steele (Guitar), Sid Sims (Bass), Don Simmons (Drums), Bobby Christian (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Bonnie Herman, Jim Bowker, Kitty Haywood, Bob Bowker. Strings by Chicago Strings.