Within the Sound of Your Voice

Description

Within the Sound of Your Voice is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Amy Morriss, released on Myrrh Records in 1997, a division of Word Entertainment. The album was produced by Blair Masters and Dennis Matkosky for Dennis Matkosky Productions.

Record company spin doctors call the radical departure from one artistic style to another “growth” or “maturity.” Referencing Amy Morriss, one can call this particular departure a “re-inventing.” Far beyond growth or maturing, this sophomore release from Morriss is so removed from her 1995 debut (‘I’m a Believer‘) that the work is almost unrecognizable as coming from the same artist.

Is that good? Definitely. Fans of Celine Dion or Anita Baker would probably have been happier with more of the R&B-influenced Amy Morriss of her first project, but the new Morriss will certainly reach a younger audience turned on by Susan Ashton, Sheryl Crow or Jewel. This new direction is especially noticeable on the first two cuts, «I am Yours» and «Defenseless».

There was never a question that Morriss could sing, though she seemed a bit out of her element on ‘Believer’. Part of the change comes from co-writes with Ashley Cleveland, David Mullen and other slightly more aggressive writers. Here, Morriss seems able to sound a little more real. The earthiness of the project comes from the rock treatment given to the guitars and drums by producer Dennis Matosky, but most noticeably Morriss is singing differently, exploring the lower register of her vocal range. Almost talking and growling in some places, this is not your mama’s gospel music.

There are plenty of ballads on this record, though, which lend themselves to better showcase the spiritual content of the project and Morriss’ heart. «You Love Me» sounds a bit more like the artist of old and illustrates an honest humility. «In the Name of Jesus» is a particularly well-written pop ballad and well done, though it is the only cut which seemed completely out of place on this record. «Underneath All the Stars» presents a better treatment for the re-invented Morriss and asks the “who am I” question with the conclusion that “…all I know is He gives me the grace to believe.”

Reflective, fun, interesting; if ‘Within the Sound of Your Voice’ were a movie… two enthusiastic thumbs up. [Paul Grimshaw, CCM, October 1997]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/within-the-sound-of-your-voice/1681610327)

CD tracklist:

01. I Am Yours
02. Defenseless
03. Wonder
04. You Love Me
05. We Need You
06. Within The Sound Of Your Voice
07. Underneath All The Stars
08. It Has To Be You
09. In The Name Of Jesus
10. Rain Falls

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records.

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