Description
Soul is the fifth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Margaret Becker, released on Sparrow Records in May 1993. The album was produced by Charlie Peacock.
This Irish-German gem puts a new twist on her great sound with this sixth album for Sparrow. Ever since her debut, ‘Never for Nothing‘, Margaret Becker has moved farther and farther away from the album rock sound that launched her career, her killer voice now residing squarely in the R&B/pop niche. And the lyrics have definitely taken flight towards the positive, with a hopeful contentment coming straight from Becker’s own soul, and a little assistance from co-writing friends Charlie Peacock, Rick and Linda Elias, and Eddie DeGarmo.
Maintaining her signature writing style of songs that draw the listener into her own relationship with God, ‘Soul’ shows a confidence in grace and love, a contentment and peace that seemed to always be a bit out of reach before. Whereas ‘Simple House‘ challenged the believer to complete abandonment and commitment, ‘Soul’ encourages with a glimpse at God’s own faithfulness to his people.
Produced by Peacock, ‘Soul’ plunges to the depths of your being with layer after layer of sonic delights, combining everything from intense bass lines to gentle strings to create a virtual spectrum of moods. The smooth, upbeat tempo of «Keep In Mind» urges God to help us keep our minds on what’s important in life while «This I Know» emphasizes the one constant in this world. Incredible reminiscent of Amy Grant’s «Good For Me», «This I Know» will still find a solid place in the listener’s heart as the message rings true (not to mention a chorus so catchy you’ll find yourself singing it over and over and over). “All these changes/ That I’ve been through/ Have left me with only one absolute/ This I know, only this I know/ That your love never changes/ As I go.”
«Say the Name», one of four ballads on ‘Soul’ may just be one of the most beautiful songs to ever come from Becker, and she’s had plenty. A subject you would expect only from a songwriter of her caliber, the song speaks of the power and peace found only in the name of Jesus. “I’ll say the Name that has heard my cry/ Has seen my tears and wiped them dry/ From now until the end of time/ I’ll say the Name.” «This Flame» takes a gentle melody and let’s Becker’s vocals prove the point that “No price is too great/ No mountains too high… I will never leave your side/ And this flame will never die.”
Mean while, «All That I Am» promises to God every part of our lives, giving back to the creator and savior all that he has blessed us with. Perhaps the most moving ballad and certainly one of the best duets I’ve heard in a while, «Keeping Watch» unites Becker with the gut-wrenching, soulful vocals of former Allies lead singer Bob Carlisle. Driving guitars and steady drums gradually spur Carlisle and Becker to a crescendo that’ll push your heart right to the top of your throat with the picture of steadfastly anticipating Christ’s return. “Until this heart has stopped its beating/ Until these dreams have all run dry/ I’ll be keeping watch for you.”
But if you want to get a glimpse of Becker’s soul, and I do mean soul, check out «I Wouldn’t Know» where she rips it up on a chorus packed with punch. Backed by some great guitar players and keyboard programming a la Peacock, it’s just a fun tune that kicks with style. Another great one with a punchy mix is «The World I See in You» where Margaret even throws in a little… rap?! “I don’t believe in politics, no heavy handed moralists/ Right wing supremacists, lame brain rhetoric/ Cultural genocide, judgement from the justified/ Your world isn’t there/ Your world isn’t here.” Definitely a song that needs to be cranked up on the car stereo this summer.
Based on II Corinthians 1:21-22, «Soul Tattoo» is probably the most recognizable of the old Becker style. Another song full of life, this song runs away with some deep R&B moves – “Don’t make me go in the house/ Because the kind of love that I’m a victim of/ Is the kind of love you can never keep out/ It’s like a soul tattoo.”
The final cut, «I Will Be With You», leaves a most lasting impression as it promises that we will someday be with the lover of our souls. “I won’t cry/ I’m gonna be with you” comes out as pure pop while lyrics like “When the sun goes black and the moon goes red/ And all the final words have been said/ I, I will be with you” appear to be vocalized with all the intensity and passion Becker has. Regardless of anything that may try to seperate us from the father, this song screams of the eternal love of God and how that love will unite his believers with him throughout all times. And that is Margaret Becker’s ‘Soul’, a new attitude with a theme and a sound that will enchant and inspire old fans while capturing new hearts as well. [April Hefner, CCM, June 1993]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/soul/724481627)
CD tracklist:
01. Keep My Mind – 4:11
02. This I Know – 3:13
03. Say The Name – 4:30
04. I Wouldn’t Know – 4:35
05. This Flame – 4:28
06. The World I See In You – 4:23
07. All That I Am – 4:40
08. Soul Tattoo – 3:57
09. Keeping Watch – 4:46
10. I Will Be With You – 4:34
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sparrow Records.
A full-page advertisement for Margaret Becker’s The World I See In You Tour was featured in the October 1993 issue of CCM Magazine.
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