Description
Power & Promise is the sophomore album by the American rock band Brett Williams & In Reach, released on StarSong Records in 1993. The album was produced by David Zaffiro of Bloodgood fame. Basic tracks recorded by Brent DeRocher, David Zaffiro, and Charles Meserole at The Naked Zoo in Tacoma, Washington; with overdubs recorded by Zaffiro, Jeff Herrmann, and Maverick Gibson at Full Voice Audio in Seattle, Washington. Mixed by Zaffiro and Dave Dysart at Triad Studios in Redmond, Washington. Sequenced by Dysort at Triad Studios.
Featuring Brett Williams on guitar and lead vocals, backed by In Reach: Mike Bell on keyboards, Scott Burell on bass, and Vince Grant on drums.
It’s easy to initially label the band’s second Star Song release ‘Power and Promise’ solely as a pop ballad effort. The format is pervasive enough to overshadow other parts of the album. No doubt the band excels musically within this genre, but there is another musically aggressive side to this band that must not be overlooked.
Pump-up the volume with tracks like «Fire» and the energetic «Savannah». These tunes capably set the stage for the last cut of the album, «Run», in which Williams is backed by a skillful performance by Scott Burell (electric bass) and Ken Mesford (lead guitar). Overdubbing allows Williams to help himself out on mandolin to spice up the piece for added flavor.
Fans of the mellower stuff will enjoy «Myth of Me», a tender confession by Williams which exemplifies the personal vulnerability the writer extends to his audience in much of his verse. Another cut sure to please is «I Believe», a serenade that beckons the listener to be slow to anger in the face of losing a friend over ill-exchanged words.
The most insightful moment of the album comes from the title track. Williams takes the listener on a journey through the Old and New Testaments to recall that the great figures of ancient times asked the same questions that Christians ask today. The chorus echoes sentiments the community of faith shouts at one time or another: “Lord it’s been so long can you hear me?/ Tell me where you’ve gone/ Are you far away?”
Although ‘Waterline‘ was underrated. ‘Power and Promise” demands more from the band musically and listeners will not be disappointed by In Reach’s performance. Vince Grant, Mike Bell and Burell combine throughout the album for a fuller, more complete sound, with less lite-rock fluff. The rock numbers have more guts, reminiscent of recent White Heart offerings. Lyrically, the pen of Williams is just as strong as ever.
Throughout the album, the listener captures the idea that the band grows with its listeners. They don’t have everything figured out in their walk with God. They struggle with faith and give God praise as each person is encouraged to do daily. There is an honest, grass roots aura about this album that draws one back to the disc again and again. [Gregory Rumburg, CCM, November 1993]
This offering is classy AOR that winds itself into your brain by virtue of gifted songwriting skills and great guitar work. «Best For Me» opens the set and US CCM Number One it has written all over it. Lovely start, diary style, then breaking into upbeat chorus. Brett carries on with both pace and power until track four when he bares his soul even more with «Myth Of Me». This is an ultra-personal, acoustic based song which will mean an awful lot to anyone who normally appears so confident on the outside, but realises that only comes about through what’s inside our hearts. Then there’s a touch of Beatles about «Savannah» with rangy guitar work swirling around giving a very indie/60s mix. Brett’s talent is obviously putting over his own feelings, explaining himself through his emotions, and «Prayer» is another example along this line. This is a great album overall, with a few boring tracks just spoiling the party a little near the end. [Chris Berry, Cross Rhythms, December 1993]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/power-promise/724546986)
CD tracklist:
01. Best For Me (feat. Julie Miller)
02. Change Of Heart
03. Power & Promise
04. Myth Of Me
05. Savannah
06. Fire
07. I Believe
08. Prayer
09. Caught In The Rain
10. Run
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.
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