Gary Chapman – Outside

Description

Outside is the sixth album by the American singer, songwriter, and producer Gary Chapman, released on Reunion Records September in 1999, manufactured and distributed in the US by Provident Music Distribution. The album was produced by Danny O’Lannerghty and Gary Chapman.

Featuring Gary Chapman on acoustic and electric guitars, mandocello, lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar, as well as lead vocals, backed by Michael Omartian and Tim Akers on keyboards, Mark Oakley on electric guitar, and a rhythm section consisting of Danny O’Lannerghty on bass and John Hammond on drums and percussion. “One Of Two” features vocals by Amy Grant and “If You Ever Need Me” features Alison Krauss on violin.

After experiencing the trials of Job this year (divorce, the cancellation of his TV show “Prime Time Country”), one might expect Gary Chapman’s new album to be laced with bitterness and recrimination. However, the overall tone of Chapman’s latest project, Outside, is humble, almost peaceful.

You might think Chapman would have a lot to say, but he instead chose to handpick contributions from other songwriters to express himself. «As Good as Goodbye Gets» is a touching elegy for his grandmother, while two songs focus on his children. «Let Evening Come» is a triumphant blast of encouragement to let God’s light shatter the darkness, while «Hold On», a feisty pop ballad laced with soulful vocals, reminds us that we are loved. While some may find «Daddy Cut My Hair» overly sentimental, it may provoke listeners to address generation gaps in their own family.

As for his own writing, «Nothing Without You», the crisp, mid-tempo pop tune which opens the disc, was originally co-written by Chapman and Michael Omartian for 1996’s Shelter. But its lyrical hook about experiencing pain and the choices we make affecting others around us certainly rings poignant in light of recent events in his life.

«Learning to Love», also a self-penned track, is another transparent look at Chapman. The chorus – “Learning to walk with a broken leg… / Learning to fly with one wing torn apart/ Learning to love with a broken heart” – touches on themes of loss and a need for God’s grace and guidance.

Another thing that is striking about this album is Chapman’s guitar playing. While his instrumental performances on Outside aren’t flashy, he certainly gets his licks in on several tracks. The joy that his playing exhibits is a great example of how God’s grace helps us transcend life’s darkest moments. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, November 1999]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/outside/299631103)

CD tracklist:

01. Nothing Without You – 4:40
02. I Will Wait – 3:43
03. Daddy Cut My Hair – 4:55
04. Outside – 4:20
05. Hold On – 3:35
06. I Love You, I Do, You Bet – 6:19
07. Let Evening Come – 3:43
08. As Good As Good-Bye Gets – 4:01
09. Learning To Love – 5:04
10. The Way You’ve Shown Me How – 3:20