Description
Danger in Loving You is the sophomore album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and arranger Tom Howard, released on NewPax Records in October 1981, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded and mixed by Thom Roy at Whitefield Studios in Santa Ana, California; with Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos fame and Tom Howard producing for Rebel Base Productions. (Rebel Base Productions was a production company established by the members of Daniel Amos and Howard in February 1980). All songs written and arranged by Tom Howard.
Featuring Tom Howard on lead vocals and piano, as well as synthesizers (Moog and Oberheim); backed by fellow Minnesotans Wayne Johnson on acoustic and electric guitars, bassist Jimmy “Flim” Johnson and drummer Bill Berg (the latter two known as the rhythm section of both the Wayne Johnson Trio and their own contemporary jazz group Flim and The BB’s, actually the first non-classical act in the US with a digital release). As well featuring Alex MacDougall on percussion. Background vocals provided by Howard, Randy Stonehill, Bill Batstone, and Jerry Chamberlain of Daniel Amos, with “Run The Race” and “Strong Love” featuring background vocals by Jessy Dixon, Elsa Harris, and Linda McCrary of The McCrarys fame.
(Trivia: The album includes the studio recording of Tom Howard’s “Fish” song, written years before, long a concert staple of his. A live recording of the song taped in Australia is featured on the Larry Norman CD Snapshots from the 77 World Tour released by Solid Rock Records in 2005. The song was as well performed as a part of the Maranatha! Concert series, live at Calvary Chapel, a Stonehill/Howard concert that was aired on KYMS 106.3 FM, December 30, 1978.)
In 1983 Terry Taylor and Mark Heard co-produced a third solo album by Tom Howard, an album sadly never released. In 1985 Howard released his final vocal album, One by One, in co-operation with fellow CCM pioneer, Bill Batstone. It yielded a hit in the CCM music market with the tune “When The Curtain Falls”. Thereafter Howard focused on recording instrumental albums (both of his vocal albums actually also feature an instrumental opening track) and doing session work for other artists, contributing to more than 100 albums before he died at age 60.
Danger In Loving You, Tom Howard – NewPax NP33100 (Benson).
With an extensive background in folk, rock, and jazz music, Tom Howard and co-producer Terry Taylor (of Daniel Amos) have fostered a truly unique album. Original material concentrates on messages couched in flawless production. [Record World, November 21, 1981 (Record World Gospel Album Picks)]
‘Danger In Loving You’ (NewPax, MP33100) is the first release by Tom Howard since his Solid Rock debut in 1977. For those of you who liked Tom’s first album, ‘View From the Bridge‘, this one will almost be worth the wait. Almost.
Howard’s style hasn’t really changed. It has grown and matured. His familiar piano is evident throughout. His music is more complex, more jazzy, and the lyrics have more substance than his first album. The sound is full, and enough goes on to hold the listener’s interest yet not so much as to distract the ears. The album was produced by Terry Taylor for Rebel Base Productions. Taylor shows his versatility here as a producer of styles ranging from jazz to pop to rock.
Several songs are worthy of individual mention, but one stands out. «Power Play» is the hardest, musically as well as lyrically. Howard has sharp words for those he feels are heretical cult leaders in the Christian church today. Three cheers for Tom for having the guts to bear his convictions and emotion. Other good songs are two of Howard’s old concert specials – «Strong Love» and «Danger in Loving You». Several new songs worthy of attention are «Passing In The Night» and «This Quiet Place» (with its haunting melody).
All in all, this is a fine album from an articulate artist who has much to share. Hopefully, he will share with us more often from now on [Devlin Donaldson, CCM, December 1981]
Four years on from his Larry Norman produced debut album and following the collapse of Norman’s Solid Rock label, singer/pianist Tom bunkered down with members of Daniel Amos and assorted muso friends to record his second album. This time out, there’s the sheen of a slick West Coast production all over this and the album which sounded progressive in that era of Christian music, sounds decidedly poppy today. Standouts include the catchy pop and sophisticated upbeat groove of «Shine Your Light» and the gospel harmonies of «Strong Love» which represent the commercial high points of the album. I always liked the simple devotional ballad «This Quiet Place» and the cinematic feel of «Passing In The Light» with its drifting soundtrack and well chosen imagery. On the lighter side, there’s the fun song «The Serious Occupation Of Fish» which, when I interviewed Tom shortly before his death, he seemed a little embarrassed about 30 years later. However, it is an early example of Terry Taylor‘s production skills in bringing out the humorous side of artists he worked with. Meanwhile, the real edge of this album is saved to the last two cuts. There’s the uncompromising rocker «Power Play» which takes on the important subject of the abuse of Christians through some misguided churches use of heavy shepherding and the closing title cut which examines the true nature of radical faith. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 2010]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Horizon” (instrumental) – 2:35
A2. “Shine Your Light” – 3:35
A3. “House Of The Father” – 3:32
A4. “Passing In The Night” – 4:24
A5. “Run The Race” – 4:30
Side Two
B1. “This Quiet Place” – 3:24
B2. “Strong Love” – 4:15
B3. “The Serious Occupation Of Fish (A Meditation)” – 3:15
B4. “Power Play” – 2:54
B5. “Danger In Loving You” – 4:40
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by NewPax Records.
Tom Howard & Randy Stonehill, Live at Calvary Chapel – Maranatha! Concert series, December 30, 1978.
CREDITS. Produced by Terry Taylor and Tom Howard for Rebel Base Productions. Recorded at White Field Studio, Santa Ana, CA. Engineered by Thom Roy. Mastered at Capitol. All songs written and arranged by Tom Howard. Art Direction by Ronald Thomas. Typography and Design by Kim Halliday. Color Photography by Marlene Nelson Millican. Black and White Photography by Kim Halliday and D.C. Riggott.
Musicians: Tom Howard (Lead Vocals, Piano, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer, Moog Synthesizer), Wayne Johnson (Acoustic and Electric Guitars), Jon Clarke (Saxophone, Oboe), Jimmy “Flim” Johnson (Bass), Bill Berg (Drums), Alex MacDougall (Percussion). Background Vocals: Tom Howard, Randy Stonehill, Jerry Chamberlain, Bill Batstone (Track A2 and A3); Tom Howard, Dori Lynn Howard, Bill Batstone (Track A4); Jessy Dixon, Elsa Harris, Linda McCreary (Track A5 and B2); Tom Howard, Jerry Chamberlain, Gerry Limpic, vocal wall – Tom, Randy, Jerry, Sam, and Gerry (Track B1); Beverly Gills on Track B3 played by Dori Lynn Howard; Tom Howard, Randy Stonehill, Jerry Chamberlain (Track B4); Tom Howard, Jerry Chamberlain, Sam Allen, percussive embellishment by Bruce Brown (Track B5).
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