Take it In

Description

Take it In is a solo album by the American singer and songwriter Stephen Crumbächer of Crumbächer fame, released on Frontline Records in 1991, distributed by FMG Distribution. The album was recorded by Bill Baumgart and Dave Jahnsen at both Mixing Lab A and B in Garden Grove, California; with Baumgart producing. Mixed by Jahnsen at the Mixing Lab. All songs written by Stephen Crumbächer.

It is great to see an artist expanding his craft.Stephen Crumbacher has had a varied musical career. In the late ’80s he could be found heading rock band Crumbacher, while the ’90s saw him paired with Christopher Duke in the techno-pop group Crumbacher-Duke. Well, be prepared for something totally different with the solo effort ‘Take It In’, as Crumbacher delivers a softer, acoustic album.

This satisfying collection of 10 songs shows Crumbacher dabbling in the poetic with surprising results. Produced by Bill Baumgart, Crumbacher takes delight in the use of sax, flute, and perfectly placed piano – elements that highlight his songs from the heart. Like similar balladeers Billy Crockett and Billy Sprague, the arrangements are simple, yet sound lush; and the songs focus on the life, love and faith. Crumbacher has never sounded so good.

Songwriting is the strong suit here. «Autumn Life» depicts the frightening deserts in a walk of faith. “Somehow I can’t explain/ A troubled heart that feels no pain/ Lead me where the fire has gone/ Farther in and farther on/ …It’s like October, November/…In Autumn life.”

«Over Me» speaks to the many parts of the Body. “The poet brings his work to bed/ And wakes up with a rhyme/ The lover takes a wife instead/ And gives her all his time/ And balancing between the two/ The dreamer tries in vain/ To keep his head above the clouds/ While dancing in the rain.”

With elements of light pop, a bit of jazz, even some light ragtime, ‘Take It In’ is a refreshing treat by an artist who has been around the block a few times and let us in on some pretty fine stories. [Kathleen A. Ervin, CCM, September 1991]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/take-it-in/385612956)

CD tracklist:

01. Almost Home – 4:01
02. Take It In – 4:13
03. Circle Of My Heart – 3:44
04. Over Me – 3:05
05. Autumn Life – 4:16
06. It Takes Love – 4:16
07. The Breaks – 3:01
08. Dream Again – 3:42
09. All The Time In The World – 3:38
10. Jesus, You – 4:04

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Frontline Records.