Facing the Wall

Description

Facing the Wall is an instrumental album by the American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Don Potter, released on EagleStar Productions in 1999. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Don Potter at Shiloh Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; and at EagleStar Studios in Moravian Falls, North Carolina.

Featuring Don Potter on guitar, bass, and percussion (as well as programming), with Leonard Jones providing violin, sitar, flute, and mandolin. Vocals by Suzy Wills.

Got to confess from the cover, as soon as I saw the acoustic guitar and mellow cover, a chill went down my spine. Oh No! Another bland, boring, obvious, instrumental album with the usual choice of old hymns and choruses re-recorded for those who wish their music to be the audio equivalent of Kraft cheese slices. But never judge a CD by its cover! The contents here are created by the masterful acoustic guitar playing of Don Potter combining with the virtuoso violin and flute of Leonard Jones. Together they create instrumental music that for once lives up to the inspirational moniker. Born from a time of seeking God privately to make music that went beyond entertainment, Potter has captured the lively dance of the Holy Spirit, sometimes quiet and intimate, sometimes intricate and often rhythmic and confident. Never predictable, this album is full of little surprises. My favourite is the powerful percussive playing on «Making Ready» which is immediately countered by the almost breezy lyrical-laid back «Garden». Elsewhere the opening «String Dance» sets the tone for this album, with a Celtic style melody thrown over an understated multi-layered bed of percussion. There are elements of folk, Jazz and Latin all combining to make a special blend with the nearest equivalent being some of the instrumental work of Phil Keaggy. Potter himself spent a number of years working in Country music, most notably with The Judds, but this ain’t no country album! Just the clear gifting of his guitar playing combines with the anointing of God to make this an instrument! album that stands out from the crowd. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, December 1999]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/facing-the-wall/433579664)

CD tracklist:

01. String Dance – 6:16
02. Someone’s Coming – 5:56
03. Where We Go From Here – 6:54
04. Beyond Yourself – 5:17
05. Bridge (For Coco Bee) – 4:11
06. Making Ready – 5:39
07. Garden – 5:46
08. Facing The Wall – 5:18