Description
Where I Stand is an album by the American singer and songwriter Twila Paris, released on Sparrow Records in 1996. The album was recorded by Steve Bishir at Air Lyndhurst Hall in London, England; with Brown Bannister producing. Mixed in the US by David Thoener at Sound Emporium in Nashville, Tennessee.
First of all, let’s deal with the issue of the cover which is, after all, the first thing people will see. This isn’t your “Little House on the Prairie” Twila Paris. Comments around the coffee room and on the street have ranged from “Deer caught in head lights,” to “Sinead O’Connor” to “What was Sparrow [her new label home] thinking?” I personally come down on the side of it being impossible for Paris to take a bad picture. But if there was ever a “book” that shouldn’t be judged by its cover, it’s ‘Where I Stand’. Cosmetics aside, it’s one of Paris’ finest recordings.
And this is from a lady with a history of stunning songs – 20 No. 1 singles to date, all self-penned. We’ll spare you the laundry list, except to say that several of those songs, such as «Holy is the Lord», «The Joy of the Lord» and «Come Worship the Lord» (are you sensing a theme?) are classics of contemporary worship. And most were conceived while tooling around rural Arkansas in her four-wheel drive truck. “Destiny” indeed.
‘Where I Stand’ is not as different from the Paris music you’ve come to know and love as the packaging might suggest. But it does accentuate different production values and techniques than perhaps have been emphasized on Paris’ 12 previous albums. This disc probably comes closest in musical sensibility to ‘Sanctuary‘, capturing a similar acoustic vibe, while taking a more contemporary tack. That means maybe a little more drums in the mix, ethnic instrumentation (Greek bouzouki, Arabic oud) and more daring vocal arrangements. Among the more interesting vocal twists on the album is Paris’ duet with labelmate Steven Curtis Chapman, titled «Faithful Friend». Its inspo arrangement breaks with the musical concept of the rest of ‘Where I Stand’. But the singers’ obvious affection for one another and their audience will no doubt add the song to Paris’ list of successes.
But it is Paris’ lyrical gift which is always most noteworthy. From the opening «Love’s Been Following You» (“All you have learned just makes you feel older”) to the closing «I Will Listen» (“This is the faith/ Patience to wait/ When nothing is clear”), there is always at least one line which demands the listener’s attention. Paris’ songs touch a place in the soul which few contemporary writers can reach. These simple truths and basic biblical tenants (“I said I belonged to You/ But in a secret room, I kept a secret list”) are made all the more powerful by Paris’ transcendentally beautiful voice. More than just a career turning point, ‘Where I Stand’ should soon take its place beside Paris’ finest work. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, May 1996]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/where-i-stand/724056870)
CD tracklist:
01. Love’s Been Following You – 4:42
02. Hold On – 5:18
03. Band Of Survivors – 5:44
04. Faithful Friend – 4:57
05. Jesus In You – 4:01
06. Honor And Praise – 3:39
07. (I Am) Not Afraid Anymore – 4:07
08. What Did He Die For? – 5:35
09. House Of Cards – 4:11
10. I Never Get Used To What You Do – 6:14
11. I Will Listen – 3:41
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sparrow Records.
The June 1996 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Twila Paris.
A full-page advertisement for Twila Paris’ album Where I Stand was featured in the April 1996 issue of CCM Magazine.
“What Did He Die For” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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