Description
Same Girl is the fifth album by the American singer and songwriter Twila Paris, released on StarSong Records in April 1987. The album was produced and recorded by Jonathan David Brown at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; and as well at Omnisound Recording Studios in Nashville and at The Bennett House in Franklin, Tennessee.
Background vocals provided by Greg X. Volz, Matthew Ward, Kelly Willard, Cindy Richardson, and Lenny LeBlanc. “I Feel It” features an acoustic guitar solo by Phil Keaggy.
If you’ve got a tremendous batch of songs, there’s almost nothing you can do to over- (or under-) produce them. Conversely, if the songs are no good, no amount of uptown slickness or heavy session cats can save the day. Imagine, if you will, a great batch of songs, a great group of players, a great producer, and a terrific singer. All at once! On the same record! That’s ‘Same Girl’, the new one from Twila Paris.
Make no bones about it, this girl means business. ‘Same Girl’ isn’t just gussied up fluff with famous friends assisting. It’s nuts and bolts Christianity. The church-bell opening and majestic strings on «Holy Is the Lord» are reminiscent of 2nd Chapter of Acts. Not coincidentally, Matthew Ward contributes peerless backup vocals. «Bonded Together» takes a more relaxed approach – and betrays a slight twang in Twila’s voice – without getting MOR-“wimpy.” Crisp acoustic and chunky electric guitars set the pace on «Running to the Rescue». Guest vocalist Ward cuts loose, as does guitarist Hadley Hockensmith, and Paris’ intensity makes the track one of the best Christian tunes I’ve heard in some time. Greg Volz joins in on «Send Me», a tender, yet firm warning that if we deafen our ears to the cries ot the needy, someday our cries may go unanswered. The title track speaks of the important place of older Christian women, and it’s a real nostalgic treat.
Perhaps the boldest statement on ‘Same Girl’ comes from «Prince of Peace», side two’s opener. “There is no hope for a world that denies you,” sings Paris in an authoritative, almost defiant prayer. She’s soon joined by the stellar background chorus of Muscle Shoals veterans Lenny LeBlanc, Ava Alderidge, and Cindy Richardson.
«Let No Man Take Your Crown» pairs Twila with Kelly Willard. They again pull no punches, reminding believers of their awesome responsibility to carry through with the commitment they made to Christ. Willard’s lovely harmonies also grace «I Feel It» which features a sharp lyric that could be about gossip in general or (gulp!) nasty critics. (Nothing to fear from this typewriter!) In any case, it’s a beautifully arranged tune, made all the more so by Phil Keaggy‘s acoustic guitar solo. The ambitious «Throne Room Suite» closes the album, and it may be the one place where Twila’s reach exceeded her grasp. Though designed to build from a simple guitar/strings opening to a fully orchestrated conclusion, the suite seems to bog down in overdramatics near the end. The three songs contained therein would probably have made better individual tracks. But thats a small complaint. Let me go on record now (to avoid embarrassment at “Critic’s Pick” time in the fall) that unless U2 releases nine other albums this year, there will definitely be room for ‘Same Girl’ on my list. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, July 1987]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/same-girl/724590916)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Holy Is The Lord” – 3:26
A2. “Bonded Together” – 4:52
A3. “Running To The Rescue” – 3:22
A4. “Send Me” – 5:00
A5. “Same Girl” – 4:30
Side Two
B1. “Prince Of Peace” – 5:02
B2. “Let No Man Take Your Crown” – 3:30
B3. “I Feel It” – 4:18
B4. “Throne Room Suite” – 7:32
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by StarSong Records.
CREDITS. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonathan David Brown. Recorded at OmniSound Studios, at The Bennett House, and at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio. Engineers: Kevin Burns, Steve Ford. String Concertmaster: Carl J. Gorodetzky. Words and Music by Twila Paris.
Musicians: Twila Paris (Vocals), Carl Marsh (Keyboards, Fairlight Programming), Eric Pershing (Additional Synthesizer), Don Potter (Acoustic Guitar), Phil Keaggy (Acoustic Guitar Solo on track B3), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitar), Mike Demus (Guitar), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Michael Brignardello (Bass), Keith Edwards (Drums), Rhett Lawrence (Percussion). Strings by The Nashville String Machine. Background Vocals: Greg X. Volz, Matthew Ward, Kelly Willard, Cindy Richardson, Lenny LeBlanc, Ava Aldridge, Angela Paris, Oren Paris, Starla Paris.
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