Tony Comer and Crosswinds

Description

The self-titled album by the American contemporary gospel group Tony Comer & Crosswinds (Burnard Scott, Brenda Prince, Ruby Williams and Jimmy Smith) was released on Myrrh Records in 1980, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Jonathan David Brown at (among others) Whitefield Studios in Costa Mesa, California; with Bob Cotton producing. Rhythm tracks and horns arranged by Larry Williams of Seawind fame. All songs written by Tony Comer, except “I’m In Love” and “He’s Coming Back” by Andrae Crouch, as well as “Strong Foundation”, a song co-written by Crouch and Stevie Wonder.

Featuring a session band consisting of members of Koinonia as well as Fred Tackett, David Miner, and Seawind Horns. Vocals provided by Tony Comer, Crosswinds, as well as The McCrarys (Howard, Linda and Charity). A couple of songs feature lead vocals by guest soloists Sharon Bailey (track A1) and Pauline Wilson of Seawind fame (track B1).

Gently swaying keyboards, guitars and sax typify this au courant black contemporary sound reminiscent of early Stevie Wonder, Andraé Crouch and the Hawkins Love Center Choir but by no means an immitation. The group’s sound has general market appeal as do the tunes themselves, which include «Strong Foundation» by Crouch and Wonder as well as two more by Crouch, «I’m in Love» and «He’s Coming Back to Take Me Away». Equally mixed between slower and upbeat cuts, the LP is made for lazy but breeze late summer afternoon. (Best cuts: «Come Unto the Father», «He’s Coming Back») [CCM, September 1980]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Come Unto The Father” (Solos by Tony Comer and Sharon Bailey) – 5:05
A2. “Strong Foundation” – 5:25
A3. “Start All Over Again” – 3:15
A4. “He Believes In Me” – 3:47
A5. “My Soul Is Satisfied” (Solos by Tony Comer and Jimmy Smith) – 3:50

Side Two
B1. “I’m In Love” (Solos by Pauline Wilson and Tony Comer) – 6:00
B2. “Take Me Higher” – 5:00
B3. “Get In Touch” – 3:42
B4. “He’s Coming Back To Take Me Away” (Solo by Jimmy Smith) – 3:35

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. Re-issued on CD by Myrrh Records in 1992.

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A double-page advertisement for various new Black Gospel album releases on Word Records, including the self-titled album by Tony Comer & Crosswinds, was featured in the April 18, 1981 issue of Record World.

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CREDITS. Produced by Bob Cotton for Emmaus Road Productions. Rhythm Tracks and Horns arranged by Larry Williams. Engineered by Jonathan David Brown (Tracks) and Bob Cotton (Overdubs & Mixdown). Recorded at Whitefield Studios, Costa Mesa, CA.; Master’s Workshop, Toronto, Canada (Cam Shearer, 2nd Engineer); Gold Mine West, Beverly Hills and Golden Age Recorders, Culver City, CA. Mixed at Paramount Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA. All songs written by Tony Comer, except track A2 written by Andraé Crouch and Stevie Wonder and tracks B1 and B4 written by Crouch.

Musicians: Vocals – Tony Comer (All Lead vocals unless otherwise noted), Crosswinds (Burnard Scott, Brenda Prince, Ruby Williams and Jimmy Smith) and The McCrarys (Howard, Linda and Charity). Larry Williams (Keyboards, Synthesizers), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitars), Fred Tackett (Guitars), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), David Miner (Bass), Hadley Hockensmith (Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums), Alex Acuna (Percussion). Horns: Gary Grant (Trumpet), Bill Reichenbach (Trombone), Kim Hutchcroft (Sax), Larry Williams (Sax and All Sax Solos).