Big God

Description

Big God is an album by the American pop quartet The Imperials, released on StarSong Records in 1991. The album was produced by Ken Mansfield.

The Imperials have been around long enough to become a sort of trademark; like Xerox and Coca-Cola, you know that you can expect a product of superior quality. But, just as some folks favor other brands of cola, the newest incarnation of the Imps may not be everyone’s taste.

The long-lived quartet has never shied away from change; from its first embracing of pop with Andrus and Blackwood in the mid-seventies, to the near-rock oriented leanings of the Russ Taff years, to the more recent hit-making line-up which featured Ron Hemby and Jimmie Lee. Each loss of personnel could conceivably have ended the Imperials; instead, the group seems more determined than ever to press on and to try and build on an already dedicated following. Joining sole original member Armond Morales and 15-year vet Dave Will on ‘Big God’ are Jonathan Hildreth and (gasp!) Armond’s sister, Pam. Once the initial shock of the “boy’s club” being penetrated wears off, you’ll note that Ms. Morales fills the lead and (occasional) tenor slots quite nicely.

On ‘Big God’, producer Ken Mansfield has blended generous dollops of synthesizers and other keyboards, electric guitars (courtesy of studio wiz Brent Rowan) and contemporary rhythm tracks and given the quartet a slick, modern-sounding backdrop with which to work. Live dates and rehearsals have insured the comfort factor between new and old vocalists would be high, while some of Christian music’s best songsmiths (Jerome Olds, Billy Smiley, Gary Driskell, among others) contribute lyrics that are as challenging as The Imperials’ new musical direction.

Unfortunately, the title track itself doesn’t get things off to a very good start. Fading in on natural sounds such as birds, thunder, etc., Armond’s basso profundo proclaims “My God is a big god,” etc., and sounds not unlike Yahweh himself might. In short, not very subtle. The rest of the thoroughly pop mix is quite exciting though, especially when you hear the Imp’s four voices blend for the first time. On the other hand, the following track, the subdued «Take Me There», benefits from a more old-fashioned approach, as the four sing of their longing to leave for heaven. «Nothing Less» is a bold statement of faith that again displays a close harmonic blend which is striking.

Pam’s lovely voice is first featured in «What Can I do With This Love?». Singing in a lower register, Morales makes good on her brother’s belief that she would fit right in. Hildreth struts his stuff on «Streams in the Desert», another contemporary arrangement, which puts a new twist on their traditional vocal blend, as the group pleads for God’s healing water to flow. The two newest Imps also prove a powerful force as a duet on «Carry Your Heart to Me». «All the Paths» comes on with a jazzy rhythm a la Steely Dan, and the sweet vocals here may remind you of Manhattan Transfer. Brent Rowan’s guitar is also showcased to good effect here. The closing «Stand on the Rock» is probably as close to flat-out rock ‘n’ roll as you’ll hear with this line-up. (Armond’s bass vocal is right on the money for this track!)

So, if you chalk up the opening cut as a cool idea that somehow didn’t completely work, ‘Big God’ is still a high-quality effort that provides an exceptional kick-off to the next phase of The Imperials’ impressive career. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, October 1991]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/big-god/716406709)

CD tracklist:

01. Big God
02. Take Me There
03. Nothing Less
04. What Can I Do With This Love (Woman At The Well)
05. Rescue Me
06. Streams In The Desert
07. Closer Than A Brother
08. All The Paths
09. Carry Your Heart To Me
10. Stand On The Rock

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