Description
Toward Eternity is the solo debut album by the American singer and songwriter Matthew Ward of 2nd Chapter of Acts fame, released on Sparrow Records in 1979. The album was produced and recorded by Buck Herring at Buckskin Studios in Northridge and at Sunwest Recording Studio in Hollywood, California. Vocals arranged by Matthew Ward. The album cover picture was shot at Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.
TOWARD ETERNITY – MATTHEW WARD – Sparrow SPR 1014
Ward’s new solo LP features not only his fine tenor vocals but also the writing and musicianship of such fellow artists as Anne Herring, Keith Green, Phil Keaggy and Michael Omartian. «It’s All Right», «Noah’s Song», «Your Love Came Over Me» and «Summer Snow» are excellent cuts. [Record World (Gospel Album Picks), October 27, 1979]
Those who over the years had come to appreciate the impressive vocal range of the male third of 2nd Chapter of Acts were no doubt delighted when Sparrow gave him the opportunity for an album all his own. With a lineup of Phil Keaggy, Keith Green, and Michael Omartian among others, how could they lose? Some top songwriters were enlisted as well, Anne Herring and Keith Green who wrote or co-wrote four songs. If it’s the heavier rocking side of Matthew you dug on the 2nd Chapter, then you’ll find plenty of good examples of that here, including «It’s All Right», «Soft Spot», «Till the Walls Fall Down» and «Your Love Came To Me». My personal vote, however, would have to go to the intensely moving Keaggy ballad «Noah’s Song» – the perfect vehicle for Matthew’s soulful dynamic range. That track alone makes Toward Eternity absolutely essential. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
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LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “It’s All Right” – 2:34
A2. “Soft Spot” – 3:42
A3. “Noah’s Song” – 3:56
A4. “Till The Walls Fall Down” – 2:29
A5. “Gotta Do Better Than This” – 3:23
Side Two
B1. “Your Love Came Over Me” – 4:07
B2. “Hold On” – 3:10
B3. “Angels Unaware” – 2:26
B4. “Summer Snow” – 3:36
B5. “The Vineyard” – 2:18
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records. Re-issued on CD by Live Oak Records in 1989 as a part of their Live Oak Collectors Series.
A full-page advertisement for Matthew Ward’s solo debut album Toward Eternity was featured on the back cover of the November 1979 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Buck Herring. Recorded at Buckskin Studios, Northridge, CA, and Sunwest Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA, and engineered by Buck Herring. Vocals Arranged by Matthew Ward. String Arrangements by Tom Keene. Horn Arrangements by Michael Omartian (track B2). Cover Design and Illustration by Larry McAdams. Photography by David Pavol.
Musicians: Matthew Ward (Lead Vocals), Tom Keene (Piano), Michael Omartian (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer, Percussion), Keith Green (Piano – tracks: A5, B4), Phil Keaggy (Guitar), Jay Graydon (Guitar – tracks: B1, B2), Ray Parker, Jr. (Guitar – tracks: B1, B2), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Scotty Edwards (Bass – tracks: B1, B2), David Kemper (Drums).
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