Higher Ways

Description

Higher Ways is the eighth studio album by the American singer, songwriter, and producer Chris Christian, released on his own label Home Sweet Home Records in 1987, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was produced by Chris Christian and Jeremy Dalton.

It’s a bit of a surprise to take a look at this new project from one of Christian music’s most prolific producers. Complete with Hard Rock Cafe “T,” moussed-out do, leather jacket, and Vice-like stubble, Chris Christian seems to be projecting, well, a new image – to say the least. But a quick listen reminds us that this is still Chris Christian, legendary pop/synth/hook man.

True to the quality of Christian’s work over the years, ‘Higher Ways’ is a well-produced, pleasurable, interesting album. Jeremy Dalton, Jonathan David Brown, Dann Huff, Tim Archer, Janice Archer Cruse… these are just a few on the roster of this LP, the first, by the way, for Christian in three years. And it has the sound you might expect from all of the above… catchy, lyrical, even danceable at times. Right from the beginning, Christian lets it be known that this won’t be a particularly “heavy” listen. Side one, cut one Is a little be-bop thing called «Love Did It Again», and «Words Out», side two’s opener, is a bouncy synth romp.

The cream of Christian’s crop here, though, comes with the more understated songs like «Your Ways Are Higher» (a duet with Cruse), «Promises», and the smooth, jazzy «Day Like Today» (another duet, with America’s Gerry Beckley) which celebrates the faithfulness of a friend (or is it Friend?): “When the day gets me down/ You are my solid ground/ My confidence is/ Your promises/ On a day like today/ It’s good to have a friend like you.”

While not a knockout, ‘Higher Ways’ is worth putting your money down for. If you re into good top 40 pop. [Robyn Frazer, CCM, August 1987]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/higher-ways/266570129)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Love Did it Again”
A2. “Promises”
A3. “Day Like Today” (feat. Gerry Beckley)
A4. “Still in Love”
A5. “White Are the Fields”

Side Two
B1. “Word’s Out”
B2. “Cast Your Cares”
B3. “Your Ways Are Higher”
B4. “He Won’t Unlove You”
B5. “The Fields”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Home Sweet Home Records.

---