This Side of Heaven

Description

This Side of Heaven is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Keith Brown (July 29, 1966 – October 22, 2016), released on StarSong Records in 1993. The album was recorded at North Beach, Allies Studio, Classic Recorders and RTC Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; with Dez Dickerson and Keith Brown producing.

Take a voice with a touch of the raw, gutsy Richard Marx-ish edge and mix it up with some sweet dance/pop tunes, market it all around a guy with looks so fine they could melt butter, and you’ve got the potential for a major hit on your hands. ‘This Side of Heaven’, the debut release of Keith Brown, balances a big sound and smooth production with some soulful ballads to dish out an album that’s sure to skyrocket this young guy well on his way. But wait – this disc has some pretty awesome things to say about God, too.

«Wind in the Fire» makes a profound statement in a fun way as it speaks of the Holy Spirit stirring our drought-ridden souls to action – “The Spirit will come blowing through/ Ignite the spark inside of you/ He’ll be the wind in the Fire.” The title cut emphasizes how there are no perfect people in this world while my personal favorite «What Kind of Man» pops open with a kickin’ drum to ask “Who would… come pay Calvary’s price/ Make the ultimate sacrifice/ So that I could live/ Tell me, tell me what kind of man?”

Following ultimate pop tradition, Brown naturally includes some tender ballads to grasp the hearts of anyone experiencing the joys and struggles of relationships. «If There Ever was Love» meshes a beautiful piano melody around the yearning to keep a relationship intact and keep the love alive. «You’ve Gotta Put Love First to Make Love Last» takes advantage of some gripping vocals as Two Heart’s Carrie Hodge joins Brown for another touching ballad, one that could easily be a big hit on mainstream Top 40 stations.

A slightly different tact is taken with songs like «Unto Us» and «Psalm 100» as they have a great pop feel united with lyrics straight out of the Bible. What a feeling to dance like David to “Make a joyful noise”! It’s safe to say reigning pop king Michael W. Smith may get some stiff competition with this new artist ’cause you’re not gonna find much sweeter sounds ‘This Side of Heaven’. [April Hefner, CCM, April 1993]

CD tracklist:

01. Wind In The Fire – 4:34
02. Unto Us – 4:26
03. Religiously – 4:10
04. Psalm 100 – 3:36
05. This Side Of Heaven – 4:40
06. Reason Enough – 3:53
07. What Kind Of Man – 4:48
08. If There Ever Was Love – 4:51
09. Prodigal Heart – 5:10
10. The Beauty Of Love – 4:53
11. Keith Talks – 0:27
12. (You Gotta Put Love First) To Make Love Last – 4:59

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.