Description
Come Let Us Reason is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Roby Duke, released on Good News Records in 1984, distributed by Word. (Good News Records was an independent label established by Freddie Piro in the 1970s, the owner of Mama Jo’s Recording Studio.) The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Win Kutz at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with Roby Duke as associate producer. Arranged by Harlan Rogers, John Andrew Schreiner, and Roby Duke. All songs written by Roby Duke except tracks A2 and A4 written by Bill North, as well as track A5 co-written by Duke and Schreiner.
The album features a stellar cast of musicians including Harlan Rogers (Koinonia), Larry Williams (Seawind) and John Andrew Schreiner on keyboards, Dann Huff (White Heart) and Wayne Brasel on guitars, John Patitucci and Nathan East on bass, as well as Bob Wilson (Seawind) on drums. Background vocals provided by Kelly Willard as well as Richard Page and Steve George of Pages and Mr. Mister fame.
Roby Duke returns with Come Let Us Reason, his first release for Good News Records and a worthy successor to his 1982 MCA/Songbird debut, Not the Same. Duke doesn’t break any new ground here, but he does a credible, intelligent job with his mellow approach. There is a good balance between tunes considered evangelistic and those aimed at a Christian audience.
The album is very much an ensemble effort, a welcome departure from the usual verse-chorus-solo approach. Without detracting from its jazzy smoothness, the occasional guitar flourishes by Dann Huff and Wayne Brasel give Come Let Us Reason more of a rock feel than Roby’s first effort.
Smooth is also the operative word concerning Roby Duke’s voice. Occasionally, he’ll interject a raspiness in the lower range, reminiscent of Kenny Loggins. Roby does this best on mid- and up-tempo numbers, where he’s forced to push himself a bit. That’s why it is puzzling to hear the album closing with the ballad, «There Is Just One Way». Although a fine tune, it tends to bog down a basically upbeat record. But that’s nit-picking in light of the album’s overall high quality.
Roby takes a compassionate approach in stating the case for Christianity in the title song, as well as the fiery «All Lost». Other outstanding tracks include «Lay It Down», reminiscent of the first album’s jazz groove, and «Win or Lose (Callin’)». The latter tune features a nice vocal wash and some top-notch instrumental work.
A more intimate relationship with the Lord is also addressed, as Roby tells his own struggles in «Here I Am» and «Closer to You». These, along with six of the album’s other eight songs, were either written or co-written by Duke.
Come Let U Reason, produced and engineered by Win Kutz, suffers a bit from one person wearing both hats. Engineer Kutz did a fine job of mixing the LP with fullness and clarity, but producer Kutz should have built in more dynamics and variety.
The album succeeds in side-stepping the “sophomore jinx”. It encourages mellow music fans to listen to more aggressive sounds occasionally, and lets rock ‘n’ rollers know there’s more to life than Marshall amps cranked to infinity. [Bruce Brown, CCM, June 1984]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Come Let Us Reason” – 3:38
A2. “All Lost” – 3:31
A3. “I’m Persuaded” – 3:44
A4. “Watching For You” – 3:58
A5. “Fight The Fight” – 3:15
Side Two
B1. “Win Or Lose (Callin’)” – 4:00
B2. “Here I Am” – 3:49
B3. “Closer To You” – 3:14
B4. “Lay It Down” – 3:39
B5. “There Is Just One Way” – 3:34
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Good News Records. Later re-issued on CD.
A full-page advertisement for the Roby Duke album Come Let Us Reason was featured in the June 1984 issue of CCM Magazine.
Roby Duke live, featuring John Andrew Schreiner on keyboards, Hadley Hockensmith on guitar, John Patitucci on bass, and Bob Wilson on drums.
CREDITS. Produced by Win Kutz and Roby Duke (Associate Producer). Recorded and mixed at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, California. Engineered by Win Kutz. Assistant Engineer: Steven Ford, Todd Van Etten. Technical Engineer: Tom Ferguson. Arranged by Harlan Rogers, John Schreiner, Roby Duke. String Arragements by Harlan Rogers. Executive Producer: Freddie Piro.
Musicians: Roby Duke (Lead Vocals, Synthesizer, Drum Programming – TR 606 Roland), Harlan Rogers (Keyboards), John Schreiner (Keyboards), Larry Williams (Saxophone, Synthesizer), Dann Huff (Guitar), Wayne Brasel (Guitar), John Patitucci (Bass), Nathan East (Bass), Bob Wilson (Drums), Alex MacDougall (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Kelly Willard, Richard Page, Steve George, Roby Duke.
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