Description
Keep No Secrets is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Morgan Cryar, released on StarSong Records in 1984, distributed by Word. The album was produced and recorded by Jonathan David Brown. Arranged by John Andrew Schreiner, Jonathan David Brown, and Morgan Cryar. Keyboard sequencer programmed by John Andrew Schreiner and Fairlight synthesizer programmed and played by Carl Marsh. Featuring “Holy Fire”, a duet with Jayne Farrell of Farrell & Farrell, co-written by Morgan Cryar and Twila Paris.
Okay, let’s play Dog Pile. Adjectives are “lt.” Exhilarating. Clean. Lean. Bright. Celebratory. Creative. Incisive. Infectious. Inspiring.
The object of this Super Bowl of Superlatives? Morgan Cryar, a performer you’ve never heard of – but soon will. If you have a problem with Christian dancing, this album will either radically revise your theology or convince you your feet are demonized. Meanwhile, for those whose heart have been amputated from their legs, there’s plenty of content for the sit-and-listen types. ‘Keep No Secret’ succeeds on plenty of levels.
First of all, Morgan’s lyrics strike a fresh balance between the two extremes of Christian rock. The “How can I say it without saying it?” artists usually deride the “Only cliches are spiritual” bunch, and vica versa. Morgan slips in the creative scalpel with finesse to prove his surgical ability. But, once inside you, he turns it into a surprisingly effective blunt instrument. The especially powerful «Holy Fire» and «I Get Carried Away» disintegrate the notion of prayer as simply punching God’s time clock.
Secondly, producer/engineer/songwriter Jonathan David Brown, known for producing such mellow artists as Twila Paris and Bob Bennett, reveals his other strong side. Musically, ‘Keep No Secrets’ is pop-rock at ist good-time, synth-drum finest: instantly familiar and accessible, yet creative and new. Love at first sound can mean hate the fourth time around, but not with these durable and buoyant tunes.
Thirdly, credit must go to the incredible arranging of John Schreiner. From the Nashville power-brass of «I Wanna Be Good» (a Christian send-up of «Johnny B. Goode») to the celestial synths of «Holy Fire», his arrangements force the music and the lyrics into added freshness and meaning. Driving but not overbearing, the economically stated rhythms will make you want to find out what your stereo does when played louder than 4.
If there’s a fault with ‘Keep No Secrets’, it might be lack of variety. But the groove it settles into proves so likable and exciting, who wants to quibble? Play it again, and hand me another bucketful of adjectives. [Scott Pinzon, CCM, January 1985]
Girder Music PROMO, 2025
Keep No Secrets was produced by Jonathan David Brown, the mastermind behind Petra’s More Power To Ya, Never Say Die, Not of This World and Beat the System. A fan favorite that remained unavailable on CD for over four decades, Keep No Secrets is now on CD for the first time ever. Showcasing a more polished, introspective Morgan Cryar at the height of his songwriting craft. From the upbeat energetic rocker «I Get Carried Away» to the powerful and emotional duet «Holy Fire» (co-written by Twila Paris) featuring Jayne Farrell (Farrell & Farrell), the album blends thoughtful lyrics with slick pop-rock arrangements and is just as good today as it was in 1984. Tracks like «Someone to Change Me» and «Just a Little Like You», Cryar delivers a record full of heart, hooks, and hope. Adding major musical credibility, Marty Walsh – renowned guitarist behind Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” – lends his talents to the record, along with Christian AOR production legends Jonathan David Brown and John Andrew Schreiner. Digitally remastered by Rob Colwell and packaged with new artwork by Scott Waters.
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I Get Carried Away” – 3:08
A2. “Keep No Secrets” – 3:53
A3. “Someone To Change Me” – 3:56
A4. “Life In The Blood” – 3:32
A5. “Holy Fire” – 3:55
Side Two
B1. “A Few Of My Old Friends” – 3:03
B2. “I Wanna Be Good” – 2:51
B3. “Concealed Weapon” – 3:28
B4. “Just A Little Like You” – 4:21
B5. “Made-up Mind” – 5:42
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records. Remastered by Rob Colwell and re-issued on CD by Girder Music in 2025 (limited to 300 units) as part of the label’s Legends of Rock series.
A full-page advertisement for Morgan Cryar’s Keep No Secrets was featured in the November 1984 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Jonathan David Brown. Arranged by John Andrew Schreiner, Jonathan David Brown, and Morgan Cryar. Recorded at Rivendell Recorders, at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, at Peace In The Valley Recording, at Weddington Studios, and at Fireside Studios. Recorded by Jonathan David Brown. Additional Engineers: Brian Tankersley, Dan Yeaney, Greg Butler, Joe Ballamy, Michael C. Ross, Paul Mills, Steve Ford, Todd Van Etten, Wally Grant. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc, Hollywood, California. Photography by Craig Stewart. Art Direction and Design by Joan Tankersley. Layout by Lori Cooper. Make-Up by Heidi Schulze. Hair Styling by Dru Venable.
Musicians: Morgan Cryar (Vocals), Carl Marsh (Fairlight Synthesizer – Played and Programmed),Paul Mills (Synclavier Programming), John Andrew Schreiner (Keyboard Sequencer Programming), Jonathan David Brown (Oberheim DMX Programming), Dave Thrush (Alto Saxophone), Brandon Fields (Tenor Saxophone), Marty Walsh (Guitar), Adam Smith (Guitar Solo), Scott Cactus Moser (Cymbal Overdubs). Backing Vocals: Bob Farrell, Jayne Farrell, Chris Roberts, Jonathan David Brown, Morgan Cryar.
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