Air

Description

Air is the ninth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Margaret Becker, independently released on Modernm Records in 2008, manufactured and distributed worldwide by Go Global Entertainment. The album was produced by Margaret Becker with the basic tracks recorded by Shane Wilson at Pentaverit in Nashville, Tennessee; and overdubs recorded by Stephen Leiweke at Yackland Studios in East Nashville. Mixed by Wilson at Pentaverit.

Featuring Margaret Becker on all vocals as well as acoustic and electric guitars, backed by Phil Madeira (guitars and keyboards), Stephen Leiweke (guitars and keyboards), Chris Donohue (guitars and keyboards), Lynn Nichols (guitars), and Ken Lewis (drums and percussion).

In 2012 Margaret Becker and Jennifer Knapp released The Hymns of Christmas.

The release of ‘Air’ completes a bakers’ dozen of solo albums for the veteran CCM singer, Becker and looks set to rank among her best. The largely self-produced album follows the type of formula which has made her earlier albums like ‘Falling Forward’ and ‘What Kind of Love’ so eminently listenable – a heady mixture of a smokily-distinctive voice, intelligent pop writing and perfect pop/rock arrangements. That said, the opening track initially tried to throw the listener off the scent with chill-out synth and bass intro reminiscent (of all people) of the Lightning Seeds. However, normal service is soon resumed as the track breaks out into a country rock feel more like Sheryl Crow at her best. The album’s ten songs deal with life and spirituality in a subtle and mature manner which draws equally on scripture and experience. Almost any track could be pulled out as a highlight but the sparse bluesy undertones of «Beautiful», so perfectly complementing Becker’s vocal and powerful words of «Surrender» particularly caught this reviewer’s ear. Margaret Becker now produces her music as an independent artist outside the strictures of the CCM machine – with discs available direct from maggieb.com – and her songs are all the better for that artistic freedom. ‘Air’ is the type of Christian album which stands head-held-high alongside the best that the secular industry can produce. Here’s hoping that someone has the good sense to pick it up for distribution in the UK as soon as possible. [Trevor Raggatt, Cross Rhythms, January 2008]

> Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/5HeGRXiOq6YQZ2YddSbKjA)

CD tracklist:

01. Coming Up For Air
02. All I Need Is Love
03. Fly
04. Just Isaac
05. Surrender
06. Said And Done
07. Dear John
08. Beautiful
09. You’re Still God
10. To Be An Indian