Perfect Therapy

Description

Perfect Therapy is the seventh full-length album by the American singer and songwriter Andy Pratt, released on the Dutch gospel label GMI (Gospel Music International) in 1986. Re-issued by Fortress Records in 1989, a division of Refuge Music Group, distributed by Spectra Distribution in the US (with the CD edition featuring 5 bonus tracks). All the songs written by Andy Pratt except “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place”.

Interesting title don’t you think? And an interesting album from a professional social worker who has probably seen plenty of different therapeutic methods enjoy less than perfect success. Since his first recording 10 years ago Andy Pratt has matured much, but not so much that he has lost the first love, that which comes with the discovery of pure truth. He’s already found the answers but his songs are made up of smooth, easy listening tunes which provide a backdrop for hard questions. The 15 tracks on the CD (the cassette and LP have 10) are a collection of light ballads which ask “Where Is Comfort?”, “What If You Changed Your Mind?”, “What’s Gonna Happen To You?”, “Was It For Life You Made Your Promise?”. Andy’s therapy works well. In an eerie voice he sings the haunting lyrics of «Pass Away» – “Turn around, you find this inch of time has passed away”. This time not a question but a stark reminder of the transient nature of our mortal days. If the words were different you could mistake some tracks for those sung by Chris Rea, Bruce Hornsby or Chris de Burgh. In fact, before he got on fire for the Lord, Andy was on the slide going up to join the big names of the secular recording industry. When that industry realised where his loyalties lay, after the release of ‘Motives‘ and did a ‘hot potato’ on him they probably thought he’d been quashed…or mashed perhaps. Perfect Therapy’ proves otherwise. This lilting intelligent album packed full of delicate, memorable melodies manages to embrace reverence with lyrics of insight. Something to look out for. [Drew Kelleher, Cross Rhythms, May 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/perfect-therapy/1104131472)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Where Is The Comfort” – 4:12
A2. “Let Me See Your Face” – 4:25
A3. “Pass Away” – 5:20
A4. “More Than The Sky” – 3:22
A5. “Now We Are One” – 2:42

Side Two
B1. “What’s Gonna Happen To You” – 3:44
B2. “Masterpiece” – 3:52
B3. “Was It For Life” – 4:00
B4. “Let It Go” – 4:35
B5. “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place” – 4:11

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by GMI. Re-issued on both cassette and CD by Fortress Records in 1989, with the CD edition featuring 5 bonus tracks; “East West”, “What If You Changed Your Mind”, “Keep Your Mind On Me”, “You Chose Me”, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place (Reprise)”.

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