Extra Measure

Description

Extra Measure is the fifth solo album by the American singer and songwriter Paul Smith of The Imperials fame, released on Intersound in 1994. The album was produced by Paul Mills. Paul Smith wrote or co-wrote eight of the tracks.

Paul Smith’s latest release should have been called ‘Back to Who I Am’, except that was the name of his 1989 release.

‘Extra Measure’ describes what the veteran accomplished with his “comback” project. His last offering, 1991’s ‘Human Touch‘, did not impact fans and critics in the manner the former Imperial and Dove Award winning artist is accustomed. After a three year, self-imposed leave of absence, as well as a new record label, Smith offers ‘Extra Measure’ with a re-energized pen and a dramatic vocal presence. Already listeners have welcomed Smith back to Christian radio – the second cut on the album, «Talk About Love», is all over the charts.

Musically solid, ‘Extra Measure’ is multi-dimensional. Some cuts such as «Hang my Hat» sound like Smith hung-out with Charlie Daniels for a spell. A strong pop-country thread weaves through the project. On the other hand, occasionally one will hear a soulful, jazzy influence, both in Smith’s vocals (as on «Every Little Thing») but also in the instrumentation, most notably from the sax of Mark Douthit. Smith is no Bryan Duncan, yet the influence causes the project to maintain much more than simply a steady pulse. Further, the project indicates the veteran artist has unabashedly (and thankfully) reclaimed his Imperials heritage.

Connecting with writers like Bruce Carroll and Geoff Thurman, Smith gives the listener plenty to gnaw on. [Gregory Rumburg, CCM, July 1994]

CD tracklist:

01. Every Little Thing
02. Talk About Love
03. That’s What I Said
04. Where Faith Begins
05. Unimportant Things
06. Hang My Hat
07. Light on the Subject
08. Daddy Came Home Last Night
09. Time That Never Ends
10. Extra Measure
11. It Won’t Break My Heart

Note: Released on both cassette and CD.