Hearts of Fire!

Description

Hearts of Fire is the fourth album the American rock group Sweet Comfort Band, released on Light Records in May 1981, distributed by Word Distribution. The album was recorded between February 22 and March 30, 1981 by Jack Joseph Puig at various studios in California – Studio 55 and Sound Labs in Hollywood; MCA Whitney Studios in Glendale; LA Studios in Los Angeles; and Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood – with David Diggs and Puig producing. Mixed by Puig at Mama Jo’s. Cover artwork by Kernie Erickson.

Sweet Comfort Band features Bryan Duncan on keyboards and lead vocals, Randy Thomas on guitar and vocals, Kevin Thomson on bass, and Rick Thomson on drums and vocals. Two album tracks, “Feel Like Singin'” and “They Just Go On”, feature guest musicians Paul Jackson Jr. on rhythm guitar and Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson fame on bass.

Hearts of Fire! was included in the Editors’ Choice 1981 list of CCM Magazine, a list featuring 15 albums released during 1981, before the end of November.

Apparently, the fourth time was the charm for the Sweet Comfort Band. The strongest points of the group’s three previous albums have surfaced on ‘Hearts of Fire’ to make it a cohesive, consistant work. It combines the well-focused lyrics of the first album, the great cover of ‘Breakin’ the Ice‘ and the excellent production of ‘Hold On Tight‘.

The music ranges from pop to jazz-rock to ballads. The group has avoided using trite-but-true cliches and Christian buzzwords, nor does every song attempt to present the ultimate truth of the universe. For example, «They Just Go On» paints a picture of a barroom ballader whose empty existence just goes on and on and on… «Just Like Me» is a wonderful, poetic musical marriage proposal, and Bryan Duncan honestly shares his struggles on «The Road».

Then there’s what the Sweet Comfort Band is really good at – good time, celebration music, exemplified here by «Feel Like Singing».

‘Hearts of Fire’ features expert musicianship, top-notch production (David Diggs and Jack Puig) and a good balance between entertainment (dynamic music) and ministry value. (You can even hear the words which always project the truth.) Special kudos to Kernie Erickson for the facinating cover art.

(Best cuts: «Can You Help Me», «Contender», «You Can Make It», «Feel Like Singin’».) [John W. Styll, CCM, July 1981]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Isabel” – 4:08
A2. “You Can Make It” – 2:44
A3. “They Just Go On” – 3:34
A4. “The Road” – 3:49
A5. “Feel Like Singin'” – 3:32

Side Two
B1. “Now Or Never” – 3:33
B2. “Can You Help Me?” – 3:50
B3. “Contender” – 3:10
B4. “Just Like Me” – 2:47
B5. “You Need A Reason” – 3:16

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Later re-issued on CD by Light Records. Remastered by J. Powell at Steinhaus and re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records in 2009 as Digipak, distributed by Brutal Planet Distribution.