Right Where You Are

Description

Right Where You Are is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Kenny Marks, released on Myrrh Records in 1983, a division of Word. The album was recorded and mixed by Jeff Balding at Gold Mine Studio East in Nashville, Tennessee; with Keith Thomas producing.

Featuring Kenny Marks on lead vocals backed by a session band with producer Keith Thomas on keyboards and synthesizers, Jon Goin on guitar, and a rhythm section consisting of Mike Brignardello on bass and Dennis Holt on drums, with Terry McMillan providing percussion and Mark Douthit sitting in on saxophone.

Take soft, occasionally raspy vocals, add updated sounds of Steely Dan and the Steve Miller Band, mix them with meaningful lyrics, and you’ve got Kenny Marks’ latest LP, ‘Right Where You Are’. Produced by Keith Thomas, this smooth rock album includes an array of songs about worship, prayer, and encouragement.

It’s hard not to compare Kenny Marks’ vocals with Steve Camp‘s, although the two singers’ overall musical styles are not alike. Both men have a raspy quality in their voices, and both are known for recording songs with real messages – not just Christian cliches.

Steely Dan fans from the late ’70s will love «It’s Incredible», which was penned by Marks. Instrumentation on «The Prisoner» and part of «Growing Up Too Fast» also seem right out of a Steely Dan studio session.

Side two opens with two memorable songs. «Growing Up too Fast» offers insights into a young boy’s struggle with coming of age in this generation. The very special ballad, «Single-Minded Love», touches a subject seldom discussed in Christian songs: singleness. The tune shares a prayer from the heart of a single Christian watching his friends marry off one by one, as he continues to search for that special someone.

«You’re the Best», a worship and praise song, and «Sing for Joy», with its singalong chorus, are highlighted with piano and keyboards, while many of the other songs spotlight guitar.

While many Christian artists find it difficult not to sound monotonous ballad after ballad, Marks handles the slow tunes with vocal pizazz. ‘Right Where You Are’ is another one of those Christian albums you buy for entertainment and find you just happen to get blessed in the process. [Victorya Michaels, CCM, July 1984]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Right Where You Are” – 4:11
A2. “One Small Voice” – 3:17
A3. “Prisoner” – 4:57
A4. “It’s Incredible” – 3:21
A5. “Gift From God” – 4:10

Side Two
B1. “Growing Up Too Fast” – 4:00
B2. “Single-Minded Love” – 3:45
B3. “Still Be Believing” – 3:20
B4. “You’re The Best” – 3:40
B5. “Sing For Joy” – 3:11

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Re-issued on CD in Japan in 2001 by Cool Sound.

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CREDITS. Produced by Keith Thomas. Recorded and mixed at Gold Mine Studio East, Nashville, TN. Engineered by Jeff Balding and Kyle Lehning, assisted by Doug Sarrett. Mixed by Jeff Balding. Mastered by Hank Williams at Master Mix, Nasville, TN. Photography by Mark Tucker. Art Direction by Bill Brunt/Private Eye Studio. Executive Producer: Neal Jospeh.

Musicians: Keith Thomas (Keyboards and Synthesizers, Mini Moog Bass), Mark Douthit (Saxophone), Jon Goin (Guitars), Mike Brignardello (Bass), Dennis Holt (Drums), Terry McMillan (Percussion). Background Vocals: Denny Henson, Randy Guidry, Keith Thomas, Patti Leatherwood, Pamela Marks, Kenny Marks.