Description
Let the Wind Blow is an album by the American pop quartet The Imperials, released on Myrrh Records in 1985, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded by Jack Joseph Puig at various studios in both Tennessee (at Bullet Recording in Nashville and The Bennett House in Franklin) and California (at Santa Barbara Sound Design in Santa Barbara and at Bill Schnee Studios and Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood) with Brown Bannister producing. Mixed by Puig at Mama Jo’s. Horns arranged by Jerry Hey of Seawind fame. According to CCM Magazine, Let the Wind Blow was the 7th best selling album of 1985 in the Christian music market.
Featuring songs written by Michael W. Smith, Chris Eaton, David Martin, Keith Thomas, Bill Purse and Teri DeSario Purse, as well as a song written by White Heart members Billy Smiley, Mark Gersmehl, and Scott Douglas.
IMPERIALS – Let The Wind Blow, PRODUCER: Brown Bannister, Myrrh SPCN 7-01-682006-8
The group who has consistently been on the cutting edge of contemporary Christian music has brought forth a keyboard/synthesizer-dominated album that oozes the slick L.A. pop sound. Commerical AOR at its best; radio should jump all over this one. [Billboard Magazine, March 9, 1985 (Album Reviews / Gospel Picks)]
Just when you’ve counted the Imperials out after a couple of nondescript releases, they come roaring back with Let the Wind Blow, easily their best album since Priority. A lot of the credit goes to producer Brown Bannister, who firmly places the band in the ’80s.
The most important cut is the instant classic, «Not to Us, O Lord», a majestic, high-church anthem with a gorgeous melody line and high-tech, synthesizer sound – like a Gregorian chant meeting «Chariots of Fire».
Elsewhere, «Jericho» is the most dramatic, emphatic song the guys have recorded since «Higher Power». The title track is a moody, atmospheric delight, far removed fromt the Imperials’ songs of even five years ago. And «In the Promised Land» is a catchy, punchy pop tune fromt the talented pen of Chris Eaton. All three are sure-fire hits.
Of the rest, «Bread of Life» and «Miracles» definitely have their moments, while a pair of Teri DeSario/Bill Purse ballads are blessed with touching, sensitive lyrics. Paul Smith again takes the lead vocals on the most of the songs.
In one fell swoop, Let the Wind Blow re-establishes the Imperials as one of the most vital groups in Christian music today. Period. [Bob Darden, CCM, March 1985]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-the-wind-blow/1165981515)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “In The Promised Land” – 4:20
A2. “Bread Of Life” – 3:54
A3. “Let The Wind Blow” – 5:04
A4. “Jericho” – 4:54
A5. “The Deeper Meaning” – 4:11
Side Two
B1. “Sing For Joy” – 3:32
B2. “Today” – 3:43
B3. “Taking The Time” – 3:57
B4. “Miracles” – 4:17
B5. “Not To Us, O Lord” – 4:20
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Later re-issued on CD.
CREDITS. Produced by Brown Bannister. Arranged by Brown Bannister and The Imperials. Horns Arranged by Jerry Hey. Engineered and Mixed by Jack Joseph Puig. Recorded at Bullet Recording, Nashville, TN, at The Bennett House, Franklin, TN, at Santa Barbara Sound Design, Santa Barbara, CA, at Bill Schnee Studios, North Hollywood, CA, and at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA. Mixed at Mama Jo’s. Mastered at The Mastering Lab, Los Angeles, CA. Art Direction by Kent Hunter and Thomas Ryan Design. Photography by Mark Tucker. Design by Kent Hunter and Thomas Ryan Design. Doppler Radar Image – Dr. Frank Marks, National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration / Environmental Research Lab. CGI Artist: Daniel Buehler. Executive-Producers: Dan Harrell and Michael Blanton.
Musicians: John Andrew Schreiner (Electric Piano, Synthesizer), Michael W. Smith (Piano, Electric Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer), Robbie Buchanan (Electric Piano, Synthesizer), Shane Keister (Electric Piano, Synthesizer), Bill Purse (Keyboards, Piano), Keith Thomas (Keyboards, Piano), Rhett Lawrence (Fairlight Programming), Dann Huff (Guitar), Mike Brignardello (Bass), Nathan East (Bass), Paul Leim (Drums), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion). Horns: Berwyn Linton, William F. Reichenbach, Charles B. Findley, Doug Dana, Gary E. Grant, Jerry Hey, Lawrence L. Williams.
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