Description
The Wonders of His Love is the first gospel album by the American gospel, soul and R&B singer Philip Bailey (best known as the lead falsetto of ’70s group Earth, Wind & Fire), released on Myrrh Records in 1984, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded by Jack Joseph Puig at Bill Schnee Studios, Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, and Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California; with Philip Baily producing. Mixed by Ross Pallone at Hollywood Sound Recorders.
Philip Bailey can sing high, pure, and with enough soul to make Smokey Robinson sound like George Beverly Shea. His trumpet-like, stratospheric vocals helped propel Earth, Wind & Fire to the pinnacle of big-production funk.
If you’ve ever loved EW&F’s music, but felt put off by their glitzy Egyptology and cosmic cereal-box philosophy, now’s your chance. Bailey’s produced an album of overwhelming spiritual assurance that dumps an ocean of refreshment on those who thirst for professional quality in Christian music.
Bailey explores the theme of God’s love as one who enjoys it initimately. The title cut springs forth as open and breezy as skywriting, comparing the fun of a Mardi Gras celebration to the multi-faceted wonders of His love. «I Am Gold», with fat, brass chords exploding through a back-up that sounds as if it took 60 channels to record, revels in trial and struggle by keeping the end result in mind. «I Will No Wise Cast You Out» turns assurance of salvation into a joyous sound.
Two of the slower songs bear special mention. «He Don’t Lie» cuts through a mountain of theological gobbledygook. Its straightforward lyrics rest like a precious stone in this cushion of lush, soulful harmonies and breathy synthesizers. Bailey proves that his lower vocal range carries as much quality as his famous falsetto. The hymn «Safe in God’s Love» evokes the image of a choir gracing the end of a Cecil B. DeMille epic. It’s really corny, but the male soloist’s efforts on the operatic soprano parts make it work to awe-inspiring effect.
It seems that big-budget, well-produced Christian albums often lack sincerity. On the other hand, some of the most sincere albums seem to lack any professional quality. Here is a rare combination of high-tech, tastefully glossy music powerfully wed to profound Christian expression. The wonders of Philip Bailey’s talent provide a marvelous glimpse of the wonders of God’s divine love. [Scott Pinzon, CCM, November 1984]
The Wonders of His Love CD re-issue, 1986
Bailey’s association with rocker Phil Collins – which resulted in two Grammy nominations for Philip – undoubtedly took some attention away from the fact that he almost simultaneously released a terrific gospel product. For those who may have been jamming on ‘Chinese Wall’ and have overlooked ‘The Wonders of His Love’, you’ve been blessed with a first-class CD!
Credit, once again, has to go to engineer Jack Joseph Puig whose work with Russ Taff and Amy Grant has been praised previously in these pages. But what a superior batch of songs he had to work with! From the seamless Earth, Wind & Fire influenced «I Will In No Wise Cast You Out» to the burbling funk of «I Want to Know You»; from «God Is Love», reminiscent of Andrae, to the Seawind-flavored title track – there’s about every type of R&B you could hope for.
Bailey soars from a mid-range growl to a falsetto wail without ever sounding harsh. The bass and drums hit you in the gut, the horns and percussion are “in your face,” and the vocal blend will give you goose-bumps. In short, ‘The Wonders of His Love’ is about as good sounding a disc as one could hope for in an analog-to-digital transfer! [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, June/July 1986]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-wonders-of-his-love/1680957265)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I Will No Wise Cast You Out” – 4:41
A2. “I Want To Know You” – 4:32
A3. “God Is Love” – 4:58
A4. “Sing A New Song” – 4:58
A5. “Safe In God’s Love” – 3:45
Side Two
B1. “I Am Gold” – 5:04
B2. “He Don’t Lie” – 4:59
B3. “The Wonders Of His Love” – 5:05
B4. “Make Us One” – 5:47
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Re-issued on CD in 1986.
A full-page advertisement for Philip Baily’s The Wonders of His Love was featured in the December 1984 issue of CCM Magazine.
“I Am Gold”, Live
CREDITS. Produced by Philip Bailey. Recorded by Jack Joseph Puig at Bill Schnee Studios, Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, and Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, CA. Mixed by Ross Pallone at Hollywood Sound Recorders.
Musicians: Philip Baily (Lead Vocals), Charles Williams (Keyboards), George Duke (Keyboards, Synthesizer), Skip Scarborough (Keyboards), Jerry Peters (Keyboards, Organ), Alan Pasqua (Synthesizer), Leonard Caston (Keyboards), Paul Jackson, Jr. (Guitar), Dann Huff (Guitar), Freddie Washington (Bass), James Jamerson, Jr. (Bass), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Jerry Brown (Drums), Paulinho DaCosta (Percussion), Ralph Johnson (Percussion), Andrew Woolfolk (Saxophone), Don Myrick (Saxophone), Rahmlee Michael Davis (Trumpet). Backing Vocals: Carl Carwell, Carolyn Caston, Greg Walker, Gwen Brown, Jeanette Hawes, Julia Tillman, Leonard Caston, Margeret Briggs, Teri DeSario.
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