White as Snow

Description

White as Snow is the sole solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and session bassist James Felix of Psalm 150 and Andraé Crouch & The Disciples fame, released on Light Records in 1980. Also manufactured and distributed by Elektra/Asylum Records. The album was recorded by Gordon Shryock, Bob Cotton, Joe Bellamy, and Bill Taylor at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, at Sound Castle, at United Western, and at Gold Mine Recording Studios in Hollywood, California; with Bill Maxwell of Koinonia fame producing. Mixed by Gordon Shryock (Mundane Willis) and Maxwell at Paramount Recording Studio in Hollywood, California. Arranged by Maxwell, Felix, and Lou Pardini. Horns arranged by Steve Tavaglione. Vocals arranged by Felix, Maxwell, and Howard McCrary.

A pop-soul sound filled with fine players and expressive tenor graces this LP of adult contemporary/MOR tunes. Most songs here are written by Felix in the first person. The melodies are pleasant and the arrangements are technically excellent. Both display strong L.A. studio jazz influence (detectable in recent albums by secular artists such as Mike MacDonald and Christopher Cross and especially by producer Michael Omartian.)

As a collection of works however, the album itself reveals no apparent development from song to song and lacks musical variation.

(Best cuts: «That’s What It Takes», «The Light of His Love», «He’s All That».) [CCM (What’s New), January 1981]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/white-as-snow/811916923)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I Really Love You” – 4:06
A2. “That’s What It Takes” – 3:43
A3. “White As Snow” – 5:10
A4. “Open Up” – 4:23
A5. “He Is Coming Back Again” – 4:18

Side Two
B1. “The Light Of His Love” – 5:10
B2. “I Don’t Want Much” – 4:45
B3. “I’ve Been Runnin’ Too Long” – 4:08
B4. “He’s All That” – 3:54
B5. “Let’s Reach Out” – 3:54

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Re-issued on CD by Cool Sound in 2003. Available at Bandcamp: https://jaymesfelix.bandcamp.com/album/white-as-snow

---

---

CREDITS. Producer by Bill Maxwell. Arranged Maxwell, James Felix, and Lou Pardini. Recorded at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, at Sound Castle, at United Western, and at Gold Mine Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA. Engineered by Gordon Shryock, Bob Cotton, Joe Bellamy, and Bill Taylor. Mixed by Gordon Shryock and Maxwell at Paramount Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA. Mastered by Arnie Acosta at Precision Lacquer, Hollywood, CA. Arranged by Maxwell, Felix, and Lou Pardini. Horns arranged by Steve Tavaglione. Vocals arranged by Felix, Howard McCrary, and Bill Maxwell.

Musicians: James Felix (Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass, Guitar), Louis Pardini (Piano and Fender Rhodes), Larry Williams (Synthesizer), Michael Escalante (Organ), Steve Tavaglione (Saxophone), Allen Gregory (Trumpet), Fletch Wiley (Trumpet), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitar, Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums), Alex Acuña (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, Kristle Murden, James Felix.