Description
He Set My Life to Music is an inspirational album (her first all-gospel album) by the American country artist Barbara Mandrell, released on MCA Songbird in August 1982. The album was recorded at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Tom Collins producing.
The album contains ten tracks of mainly cover versions of a series of Gospel and Inspirational standards and includes guest vocals by artists like Andrae Crouch, B.J. Thomas, Dottie Rambo, and The Blackwood Brothers.
He Set My Life to Music won a Grammy in the Best Inspirational Performance category at the 25th Annual Grammy Awards, and was as well voted Album of the Year at Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards the same year.
It is an understatement to say that Barbara Mandrell’s ‘He Set My Life to Music’ (MCA/Songbird MCR-5023) is a gospel album. Virtually every type of gospel music is included here and that’s one of the things that makes this album special.
When Barbara first began talking about this album last year she spoke of a “unique concept” for it. Well, on Side One she sings duets with some well-known gospel artists, notably Andrae Crouch on his song, «Through It All» and Dottie Rambo on «I Will Glory in the Cross». For the quartet sound she is joined by the Blackwood Brothers on «I Turn to Him», and she works out with the Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church Choir (of Nashville) on a medley of «Swing Low Sweet Chariot» and «Swing Down Chariot». B.J. Thomas was in familiar territory when he helped out on «What a Friend We Have in Jesus» (he sang it on his ‘Amazing Grace’ LP), and it provides one of this album’s better moments.
Barbara presents both new material and some old standards on Side Two, including a fun medley of gospel favorites called «Then, Now and Forever». «I’m Yours, Lord» by Gary Chapman is there, as is an excellent new song by Chuck Lawrence called «He Grew the Tree»: He grew the tree he knew would be used to make the old rugged cross…
Despite the variety of gospel styles presented, ‘He Set My Life to Music’ comes off with a remarkable consistency. And believe it or not, this is not a country album. Abundant use of strings and horns (uncharacteristic for country) gives this album a wide appeal. [John W. Styll, CCM, October 1982]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/he-set-my-life-to-music/1443473586)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” (feat. B.J. Thomas) – 3:19
A2. “Swing Low Sweet Chariot/Swing Down Chariot” – 2:50
A3. “I Turn To Him” (feat. The Blackwood Brothers) – 3:10
A4. “I Will Glory In The Cross” (feat. Dottie Rambo) – 4:09
A5. “Through It All” (feat. Andrae Crouch) – 3:26
Side Two
B1. “He Set My Life To Music” – 4:29
B2. “He Grew The Tree” – 3:52
B3. “Out Of The Mouth Of Babes” – 2:20
B4. “I’m Yours, Lord” – 2:22
B5. “Then, Now And Forever” – 5:47
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by MCA Songbird. Re-issued on CD in 1991.
The November 1982 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Barbara Mandrell.
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