Willing Heart

Description

Willing Heart is the sophomore album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Kelly Willard, released on Maranatha! Music in August 1981. The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Dan Willard at Whitefield Studios in Santa Ana, California. All songs written by Kelly Willard except track B3 co-written with Bruce Hibbard, track A5 co-written with Pita Delamater, and track A3, A4 and B1 co-written with Hadley Hockensmith.

Featuring musicians like Al Perkins, session drummer and former Seth bandmate Keith Edwards, as well as four members of Koinonia (Harlan Rogers, Hadley Hockensmith, Abraham Laboriel, and John Phillips). Backing vocals provided by Bruce Hibbard, Bob Bennett, Michele Pillar, as well as Steve and Janice Archer of The Archers.

Willing Heart was included in the Editors’ Choice 1981 list of CCM Magazine, a list featuring 15 albums released during 1981, before the end of November.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Kelly Willard, and there have been some changes. Turning to quieter, more reflective music and lyrics she portrays greater artistic breadth and depth. Her earlier release, ‘Blame It On the One I Love‘ emphasizes joy, but ‘Willing Heart’ clearly delineates the path it takes to get there.

An example of Kelly’s ongoing maturity is «A Million Ways», lyrically reminiscent of one of the classic hymns: “A million ways to love you/ a million things to give/ I’m finding out what pleases you/ each moment that I live/ Lord Yours is the only voice/ I ever want to hear/ now I’m willing to surrender/ everything that I hold dear.”

Hadley Hockensmith, a contributor of fine guitar work, co-wrote a couple tunes, while Alex McDougall laid down subtle but solid percussion. Produced by Kelly and her husband, Dan Willard, ‘Willing Heart’ is a quiet, thoughtful, and ultimately joyful album. [Jon Trott, Cornerstone Magazine, Nov./Dec. 1981 (Vol. 10, Iss. 57)]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/willing-heart/481363897)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Willig Heart” – 3:36
A2. “To Obey Him” – 3:34
A3. “Comfortable With You” – 4:59
A4. “Faithful Love” – 3:22
A5. “A Million Ways” – 3:36

Side Two
B1. “Hold On” – 3:37
B2. “Jesus” – 3:25
B3. “Only You” – 4:10
B4. “Yesterday’s Gone” – 3:20
B5. “The Narrow Way” – 3:22

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Re-issued on CD by Maranatha! Music in 2012.

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CREDITS. Produced, engineered and mixed by Dan Willard. Recorded at Whitefield Studios. Mastered at A&M Records by Bernie Grundman.

Musicians: Kelly Willard (Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano – Fender Rhodes, Orchestra Bells), Harlan Rogers (Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano – Fender Rhodes), Hadley Hockensmith (Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar), Anthony Dean (Electric Guitar, Lead Guitar), Al Perkins (Steel Guitar), Darrel Cook (Bass), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Keith Edwards (Drums), Alex MacDougall (Percussion, Tambourine). John Phillips (Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn). Stan Endicott (Strings). Backing Vocals: Bruce Hibbard, Bob Bennett, Steve Archer, Janice Archer, Hadley Hockensmith, Harlan Rogers, Michele Pillar.