The Best of Russ Taff

Description

The Best of Russ Taff is a Gaither Gospel Series album by the American singer and songwriter Russ Taff, released on Spring House Productions in 2003, distributed by Chordant Distribution Group. It is not a compilation of previously recorded tracks, but rather fresh recordings of songs that chronicle the many chapters of Taff’s career up to the point the album was released. Also including a new song called “They Call It Gospel Music” written by Russ with Gloria Gaither. The album was recorded and mixed by Terry Thompson at Upfront Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Kevin Williams producing.

For the uninitiated, way back in the 1970s Russ Taff used to sing with the Imperials – a pop-orientated Southern gospel vocal band that have been going so long that they even worked with Elvis Presley! They are still on the road today – thanks to a steady stream of talented people who came and went – a bit like Blue Peter and the Drifters! Since going solo in 1981 Russ has successfully used his mega volume vocal chords to take his own brand of “white gospel” into uncharted waters where even the Imperials had feared to sail. Although lyrically he never strays far from the predictable themes of Southern gospel, some of his songs have a social concern borne out of personal experience – including «We Will Stand» which he wrote after an African American preacher was denied the liberty to preach in a white pastor’s church. Taff has worked with artists from right across the CCM spectrum – including guitar maestro Phil Keaggy, Bill Gaither, Sandi Patti and Scotland’s own Sheila Walsh. This album features superb re-recordings of songs that chronicle the many chapters of Taff’s career thus far. Besides the aforesaid «We Will Stand» they include Grammy and Dove Award-winning material together with a brand new song, «They Call It Gospel Music» written by Russ with Gloria Gaither – a gem for Taff fans from Nashville to Newport Pagnell. [Chris Tozer, Cross Rhythms, September 2003]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-best-of-russ-taff/715693387)

CD tracklist:

01. When He Set Me Free
02. O Say, But I’m Glad
03. Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand
04. My Tribute
05. He Came Through
06. We Will Stand
07. Why Me?
08. Born Again
09. Praise The Lord
10. Trumpet Of Jesus
11. Farther Along
12. They Call It Gospel Music
13. For Those Tears I Died
14. When He Calls I’ll Fly Away
15. Ain’t No Grave