Description
Dancing with Danger is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Leslie Phillips (a.k.a. Sam Phillips), released on Myrrh Records in 1984, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album tracks were recorded by Jeremy Smith at Bill Schnee Studios in North Hollywood, California; at Gold Mine Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; and at Studio Southwest in Sunnyvale, Texas; with Dan Posthuma producing. Mixed by Bill Schnee at Eagle Mountain Studios in Newark, Texas. All songs written by Leslie Phillips. Background vocals provided by Greg X Volz, Matthew Ward, and Russ Taff.
The Myrrh multi-artist compilation By My Spirit: A Musical Gathering of Praise includes an early version of “By My Spirit” (actually also released as a 7-inch single), a song that was later completely re-recorded for the Dancing With Danger album as a duet with Matthew Ward of 2nd Chapter of Acts fame. The song was later covered by the female harmony group Sierra on their self-titled debut album released on StarSong Records in 1994.
LESLIE PHILLIPS – Dancing With Danger – PRODUCER: Dan Posthuma – Myrrh – SPCN 7-01-680206-X
Gospel’s angry young woman presents an intense contemporary release full of warning signals to the Christian culture about sin. She wrote all of the tunes here and amply demonstrates she is a talent to be reckoned with. [Billboard Magazine, January 19, 1985 (Reviews/Gospel Picks)]
It’s rare for a debut album to gather as much critical acclaim as did ‘Beyond Saturday Night‘, by little-know artist Leslie Phillips. Just as rare is a follow-up album that actually exceeds in excellence the initial winner. Leslie’s brand new ‘Dancing with Danger’ spins, leaps, and glides past her debut album – hard steps to follow.
Behind the album’s “curtain” various elements play, indicating where the artist chooses to waltz with danger. Take for instance her choice of producers, influenced, no doubt by executive producer Brad Burkhart. It’s dangerous enough changing producers after creating a fine product, but choosing a relatively inexperienced producer (known mostly for his concert promoting) isn’t dancing ballet with danger, it’s slam dancing.
Probably knowing this, the Phillips team hired Jeremy Smith, a hot studio engineer known for his work with Phil Collins, to build the tracks. Even so, it’s the producer’s ear that choreographs the moves. Leslie’s choice of producer Dan Posthuma may be one of her most refined steps.
The passionate «In the Light of Love» exposes the vulnerability and temptations of the single adult. The wisdom contained in this ballad creates an anthem of victory for the unmarried. The somber melody and personal lyrics of «Strength of My Life», coupled with emotive background vocals by Russ Taff, makes the message of strength through weakness rise above most innocuous pop tunes. Another mellow selection, «By My Spirit», continues the same concept in a duet with Matthew Ward.
By far the most musically captivating tune, the rollicking, new wave title cut adresses the yet-unrepentant prodigal child. A mid-song instrumental break is quirky beyond description, eminently imaginative, and delightful.
«Powder Room Politics» does with lyrics what «Dancing with Danger» does with music. Yes, friends, Leslie waltzes her listeners – male and femal alike – right into the ladies’ room for a lesson in vanity. Imagine a Rosanne Rosannadanna character singing, “Well I walk inside just to fix my hair/ And the girls in the mirror all start to stare/ Then they look back at their reflection and we all compare/ And it’s powder room politics.”
The single, «Here He Comes with My Heart», sounds a little out of step with the rest of the album. An early Kerry Livgren/Kansas-like synthesizer parades its extremely melodious opening chorus into your mind, to march round for hours.
Songs such as «I Won’t Let It Come Between Us», «Give Them All You’ve Got», «Hiding in the Shadows», and «Song in the Night» exhibit Leslie’s insightful lyrics and musical dexterity. Vocals on some of these tunes are a bit stilted or screechy, as Leslie pushes her voice to the edge, Matthew Ward comes behind her nicely, on selected cuts.
Although Leslie is a proficient musician herself, a premier troupe of players supports her vocals, including drummer Carlos Vega, bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Jeff Lams and John Schreiner, and White Heart guitarist Dann Huff.
The critic’s choice is often not the popular choice. ‘Dancing with Danger’ could prove otherwise. If it does, the final danger about this production will show up next time around, when Leslie has to follow with an encore. [Caroline Amedea, CCM, October 1984]
These days she records as Sam Phillips and is a mainstream artist but back in the early ’80s, she was recording under her given name and was marketed by Word Records as a Christian version of Cyndi Lauper, who was very popular at the time. «I Won’t Let It Come Between Us» is pure Cyndi and the terrible closer, «Here He Comes With My Heart» sounds like an Amy Grant throwaway. Having said that, a quarter of a century later, some of this stands up pretty well for all its ’80s production values. The title cut with its strangulated vocal and Dan Huff guitar riff is still a great track and «Powder Room Politics» contains a strong and relevant message. But it’s the ballads that have weathered the best here. The vulnerable «Strength Of My Life» features distinctive backing vocals from Russ Taff and is a song for those carrying the burden of their struggles into daily life. «By My Spirit» is a beautiful worshipful ballad and features a duet with CCM veteran Matthew Ward. The album is worth tracking down for these songs alone. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 2010]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/dancing-with-danger/1507690962)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Dancing With Danger” – 3:53
A2. “I Won’t Let It Come Between Us” – 4:36
A3. “Strength Of My Life” – 5:33
A4. “Give ‘Em All You Got (Tonight)” – 4:25
A5. “By My Spirit” – 4:42
Side Two
B1. “Hiding In The Shadows” – 3:52
B2. “Powder Room Politics” – 2:38
B3. “Light Of Love” – 4:13
B4. “Song In The Night” – 3:51
B5. “Here He Comes With My Heart” – 2:46
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Myrrh Records. The CD version features remixes of “Dancing With Danger” and “I Won’t Let It Come Between Us” as well as one bonus track, the radio version of “By My Spirit”.
An advertisement for Leslie Phillips’ Dancing With Danger was featured in the February 1985 issue of CCM Magazine.
A full-page advertisement for Sony Walkman – featuring Word signed artist Leslie Phillip’s Dancing With Danger – was featured in the June 1985 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Dan Posthuma. The radio version of track A5 featured on the CD edition produced by Gary Whitlock. Recorded at Bill Schnee Studios, Gold Mine Studio, and Studio South West. Overdubbed at Studio South West. Tracks engineered by Jeremy Smith with additional engineering by Bill Deaton, Bud Wyatt, David Schober, and John Early. Vocals engineered by Mike McClain. Mixed at Mt. Eagle Studio by Bill Schnee. Remastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc. Arranged by Dann Huff (tracks: A1, A2, A4, ), Jeff Lams (tracks: A3, A5, B1, B2, B4, B5), and John Schreiner (track B3). Design by Vigon Seireeni. Photo Concept by Bradley Grose. Photography by Aaron Rapoport. Executive-Producer: Brad Burkhart.
Musicians: Leslie Phillips (Vocals), Jeff Lams (Keyboards), John Schreiner (Keyboards), Dann Huff (Guitar), Nathan East (Bass), Carlos Vega (Drums), Victor Feldman (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Buddy Owens, Greg Volz, James Hollihan, Matthew Ward, Russ Taff.
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