Mercy

Description

Mercy is the sixth solo album by the American contemporary gospel singer and songwriter Andraé Crouch, released on Qwest Records in March 1994, distributed by Warner Bros. Records. (Qwest Records was an American record label started by record producer and arranger Quincy Jones in 1980 as a joint venture with Warner Bros. Records, and owned by Warner Music Group.) The album was recorded at various studios in California – The Crouch Factory in Woodland Hills; Minds Eye Studio in Temple City; O’Henry’s in Burbank; Sounder Recording in Chatsworth; and Track Record in North Hollywood – and was produced by Scott V. Smith and Andraé Crouch.

In the nine years since Andrae Crouch’s last album, he and-or his chorale have popped up on everything from albums by Michael Jackson and Madonna to the soundtrack of The Lion King. So he hasn’t exactly been lying fallow. But who expected a comeback this strong? Deploying his skills as an ensemble leader, he’s put together a team consisting of Disciples (his sister Sandra, Tata Vega), gospel and CCM all-stars (Ricky Grundy, members of Koinonia), and the great El DeBarge that transforms the filler here into solid fare and the mini-masterpieces into not-so-mini masterpieces. Among the latter: the El DeBarge showcase «The Lord Is My Light», the reggae-ish «This Is the Lord’s Doing (Marvelous)», and the vision-of-heaven fantasy «We Love It Here», whose masterly calypso rhythms alone mandate a revocation of Crouch’s reputation as a musical lightweight. But it’s «God Still Loves Me», in which Crouch takes center stage and bares more soul than anyone knew he had, that transforms Mercy into not only his best album but also a powerful expression of worship. [Arsenio Orteza]

Had there never been an Andraé Crouch, there may never have been an Amy Grant, a Carman or even a BeBe & CeCe Winans. Crouch’s influence on contemporary Christian music is inestimable. His unique blending of praise lyrics, rhythmic syncopations, and thick vocal arrangements forced him into a class all his own. When such a pioneer follows up with new material, he’s always judged by his last work. However, Crouch’s last album, ‘No Time to Lose‘, a Grammy and Dove Award winner, was a full decade ago. It may not be fair to go back that far in time, so if we judge Crouch by his most recent works it would include session work on Michael Jackson’s «Man in the Mirror».

‘Mercy’ features 10 new outstanding Crouch compositions, most of them recorded at his home studio. It opens with the double-time, piano-based, «Give It All Back to Me», on which he’s joined by his long-time protege, Tata Vega. It carries a vaudeville show style and zeal. Next up is «Say So», a steady mid-tempo R&B cut which features Kristle Murden, an acclaimed Crouch associate who hasn’t been heard from in many a year. Murden’s sweet wail is a perfect balance to Crouch’s dry roar.

The title track is complimented by a 17-voice choir and at least 34 hands clapping over a rolling tribal beat while Vega and Crouch trade riffs. It’s message is obvious: “We seek Your face/ Turn from our wicked ways/ Forgive our sins/ And heal our land/ Have mercy Lord.”

Erstwhile R&B heartthrob, El DeBarge, leads the down-tempo, «The Lord is My Light». DeBarge largely leaves his falsetto behind, showing a strong, full, deep voice. Teamed with the solid backing responses, this is explicitly Christian material which can catch on with the R&B radio, Crouch handles the lead on «Nobody Else Like You». The smooth, up-tempo ballad featuring an awesome piano solo by jazzer Joe Sample is an affirmation of God’s protection. “In hard times You’ve been my friend/ You stick by me to the end/ When all others cease to be/ I look around and You’re there with me,” Crouch sings, his voice contrite and broken.

«He is the Light of the World» is a lithe, slow tempo shared by Crouch and Murden. It’s a ferocious vocal workout, particularly for Murden, and is the most gospel of the tracks, spotlighting a hearty choir sound. «God Still Loves Me» is supported by a light, string backdrop. A confessional song, Crouch admits that in spite of his wrongs, God still loves him. His voice adroitly conveys the vulnerableness of the track. He even speaks in the song that: “I want you to realize what this song is saying, in spite of yourself… God still loves you.”

«Somebody Like Me» is a high-speed, light bass cut with astounding lyrics: “I can’t imagine/ Why a King would leave his throne/ To take my place/ On a cross alone.” «Marvelous» is a lilting fusion of reggae, salsa and African sounds led by the trio of Gerry Thompson, Linda McCrary and Valerie Doby. The album ends with «We Love It Here» which has a distinct Latin feel. The song boasts about life in heaven and exudes a party feel, further enhanced by applause samples and Crouch’s undefined Third World accent. Although, Crouch shared producing duties with Scott V. Smith, he presided over the majority of the songwriting, vocal arrangements and even some of the ivory tickling. It was a tremendously long wait, but I must admit that ‘Mercy’ is well worth it. [Bil Carpenter, CCM, April 1994]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/mercy/1170833345)

CD tracklist:

01. Say So – 5:43
02. Give It All Back To Me – 4:40
03. The Lord Is My Light – 5:21
04. Love Somebody Like Me – 4:34
05. Nobody Else Like You – 5:54
06. Mercy – 5:52
07. This Is The Lord’s Doing (Marvelous) – 5:38
08. We Love It Here – 5:14
09. He’s The Light (Of The World) – 4:57
10. Mercy Interlude – 0:38
11. God Still Loves Me – 6:25

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

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