The Big Picture

Description

The Big Picture is the third studio album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Michael W. Smith, released on Reunion Records in June 1986, manufactured and distributed by both Word Records and A&M Records. The album was recorded between October 1985 and April 1986 by various engineers at nine different studios – at Power Station, Sigma Sound Studios, Soundtrack Studios, and Mediasound in New York City; at The Bennett House and The Castle Recording Studios in Franklin and Bullet Recording and Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; and at Blue Jay Studios in Carlisle, Massachusetts – with John Potoker and Michael W. Smith producing. Mixed at Blue Jay Studios. According to CCM Magazine, The Big Picture was the 7th best selling album of 1987 in the Christian music market. (The album track “Wired For Sound” was later included on a multi-artist sampler album by the same name released on A&M Records in 1987, featuring high-profiled pop/rock artists signed to Word Records.)

When Smith started recording the album in 1985, the musical climate was changing. In January 1985, Word Records announced that it had entered into a distribution agreement with A&M Records. May 1985 A&M Records released Amy Grant‘s Unguarded which had some success (for a Christian album lots of success – Grant’s single “Find a Way” found its way into Billboard’s Top 40, a feat never before accomplished by an artist signed to a label in the Christian music market) and USA Today was already labelling The Big Picture as the next crossover album. Despite a change in image and working closely with producer John Potoker, known for his work with artists as the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Phil Collins, The Big Picture, although a land mark recording in Christian music, failed to be the crossover success Smith, his record company and management had hoped for. Although it failed to achieve mainstream attention it was an important release because of its encouraging tone. All songs were based on letters Smith had received and dealt with issues like suicide, abstinence and self esteem.

With the release of 1986’s The Big Picture, Michael W. Smith sought to burst out of the confines of Christian music and reach a mainstream audience. Producer John Potoker brings his experience as an engineer on Talking Heads’ Remain In Light and U2’s War to bear on the tracks — the sounds here are bold and hard-edged, bristling with techno-funk rhythms and volleys of lead guitar. Smith’s engaging singing style takes on more nuance for moody tracks like «Rocketown» (a story-song highlighting his own conversion experience) and «Voices» (an ethereal synthesizer-dominated tune). The hope-infused lyric content of the album matches well with the propulsive grooves of «Lamu», «Tearin’ Down the Wall» and «The Last Letter». Smith captures the struggles of the young and alienated with empathy, particularly in «Old Enough to Know» and «Goin’ Thru the Motions». In many ways, The Big Picture’s adept use of secular musical trends and contemporary themes was ahead of its time. Despite a few dated production features, these songs still sound fresh and relevant today.

[Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, July 1986]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-big-picture/359218552)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Lamu” – 5:55
A2. “Wired For Sound” – 6:00
A3. “Old Enough To Know” – 4:47
A4. “Pursuit Of The Dream” – 5:11
A5. “Rocketown” – 4:32

Side Two
B1. “Voices” – 5:50
B2. “The Last Letter” – 4:37
B3. “Goin’ Thru The Motions” – 4:55
B4. “Tearin’ Down The Walls” – 3:35
B5. “You’re Alright” – 4:36

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Reunion Records.