Description
Aim for the Heart is the seventh studio album by the American singer and songwriter Paul Clark, released on Clark’s own label Seed Records in 1980, distributed by Word. The album was recorded and mixed February and March 1980 by Bobby Cotton at Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California; with Paul Clark producing. (Some overdubs were done at Gold Mine West and Maranatha Studios.) All songs written by Paul Clark.
Among the sessions musicians featured on the album are Harlan Rogers, Hadley Hockensmith, Abraham Laboriel, and Bill Maxwell; a.k.a. Koinonia. Backing vocals provided by James Felix, Kathy Hazard, Phyllis St. James, and Kelly Willard. Willard and Hazard are as well featured on the duets “Author of Love” and “Oracle”, respectively.
After beginning as a largely folk-rock singer similar in style to James Taylor, at this point Paul Clark deepened his message, and explored new musical horizons with more complex jazz rock melodies that were also espoused by mainstream artists like Steely Dan or the Doobie Brothers at that time. Clark is not content with superficial issues and digs into the more complicated social issues to provide a more holistic look at his faith and how to put it into action.
Aim For The Heart more or less perfects the sound Paul Clark went after beginning with Hand To The Plow. The Royal Scam-isms flourish once again (this is the last time I’ll mention it, honest), especially on «Death In The City/Opportunity», «Another Victim» and «Don’t Be A Fool For Pride», each of which is endowed with an impelling combination of piano, soulful bgvs and tough electric guitar work. Synthesizers bring a hint of jazz/rock fusion ala Return To Forever on «Oracle», a track that also features lead vocals by Kathy Hazard. Things soften in the middle of side two, with «Transformation» providing another beautiful moody piano ballad, followed by the mellow duet «Author Of Love» where Kelly Willard shares the vocal spotlight. The Koinonia boys return (Rogers, Hockensmith, Maxwell, expanding to include Abraham Laboriel on bass), while Ernie Watts enhances the jazz angle throughout with lively saxophone and flute passages. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Paul Clark is an artist who has been around since nearly the outset of what we know as “contemporary Christian music.” His musical progress since those early ‘Songs of the Savior‘ days is remarkable.
The progressiveness that was hinted at not so subtley on ‘Hand To the Plow‘ (his last album) is fully realized on ‘Aim For the Heart’. This progression has ocurred on both a musical and lyrical level.
‘Aim For the Heart’ is jazz-fusion in concept and undeniably skillful in execution. Clark is ably aided by Abraham Laborial on bass (he’s one of the best there is), Harlan Rogers on keyboards, Hadley Hockensmith and Curt Bartlett trading off the lead guitar duties, Keith Edwards on drums, Michael Escalante on synthesizers and Ernie Watts (!) on sax and flute. Kelly Willard is heard on background (and on lead) vocals.
Like James Vincent’s ‘Enter In‘, ‘Aim For the Heart’ seems to be aiming for a segment of the Christian audience not now being fed musically (and possibly spiritually) by the mainstream of today’s Christian music. Its lyrical poignancy and musical integrity make it a heartening example of the progress Christian music is taking and hopefully portends its direction for the 80’s. Since you may not hear much of this on Christian radio, take a copy home and spin it a few times. One warning: remember where he is aiming! [CCM, April 1980]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/aim-for-the-heart/316920975)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Death In The City / Opportunity” – 4:57
A2. “Another Victim” – 5:02
A3. “It’s Still Open” – 5:02
A4. “Oracle” – 6:23
Side Two
B1. “Aim For The Heart” – 3:24
B2. “Don’t Be A Fool For Pride” – 3:33
B3. “Transformation” – 5:13
B4. “Your Loving” – 4:00
B5. “Author Of Love” – 2:21
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Seed Records. Re-issued on CD by Seed Records in 1990, as a part of the 2CD compilation Minstrel’s Voyage, Vol. III: 1980-1985 – Digital Reissue Collector’s Edition.
CREDITS. Produced by Paul Clark. Recorded and mixed at Hollywood Sound Recorders, February and March 1980. Some overdubs were done at Gold Mine West and Maranatha Studios. Engineered by Bobby Cotton with additional help from Red Man, Jonathan Brown, Dan Willard, Ross Pallone. Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios. Album Cover by Paul Clark and Ted Stone. All songs written by Paul Clark.
Musicians: Paul Clark (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals), Kathy Hazard (Female Lead Vocals on track A4), Kelly Willard (Female Lead Vocals on track B5), Harlan Rogers (Keyboards), Michael Escalante (Synthesizers), Ernie Watts (Soprano, Tenor and Alto Saxophones, Flute), Curt Bartlett (Lead Guitar on tracks A1 and B4), Hadley Hockensmith (Lead Guitar, Bass on tracks A3 and B5), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums), Keith Edwards (Drums on tracks A3 and B1). Backing Vocals: James Felix, Kathy Hazard, Kelly Willard, Phyllis St. James.
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