The Wind Came Singing

Description

The Wind Came Singing is the sophomore album by the American folk-pop duo Wendy & Mary (Wendy Hofheimer & Mary Rice, a.k.a. Wendy Talbot and Mary Hopkins), released on Birdwing Records in 1983, a division of Sparrow Records. The album was recorded by Joe Bellamy and Ron Capone at Peace in the Valley Studio in Arleta and Westwind Studio in Westlake Village, California; with Terry Talbot producing. Mixed by Ron Capone at Westwind Studio.

Featuring Wendy & Mary on acoustic guitars and vocals, backed by Denny Bouchard of Noel Paul Stookey & The Bodyworks Band on piano and synthesizer, Abraham Laboriel on bass, and Bill Maxwell on drums (a.k.a. the rhythm section of Koinonia), with producer Terry Talbot providing backing vocals.

It’s been a long time since a song has reached out and taken my ears captive. «The Wind Came Singing» by Wendy & Mary from their album of the same name is one of those wonderful and magical songs. Wonderful because it causes my heart to leap with joy each time I hear it; magical because its melody and pure, simple message lingers for hours.

Producer Terry Talbot‘s stamp is unmistakable on this project. While Wendy Hofheimer or Mary Rice-Hopkins wrote nine out of these ten selections, the tenth song, «Psalm 62», is a never-before-recorded tune by John Michael Talbot. On a couple of occasions, the harmonious duo even slip into a female version of the brothers Talbot – especially notable in «Without You».

Harmony is the key phrase here. Wendy & Mary’s vocals blend as beautifully as the chime of a grandfather clock echoing down a long hallway. Wendy’s non-affected soprano adds sparkle to the lead vocals – while only three voices are heard throughout: Wendy, Mary, and Terry Talbot.

Acoustic guitars, a synthesizer, and a basic rhythm section augment the musical tracks. The LP is mixed to highlight the voices, and rightly so.

A few other songs besides «The Wind» are worthy of praise here. «Without You», compared earlier to a Talbot sound-alike, was distracting the first couple of listens. The extreme vibrato in the lead vocal track caused me to listen critically to the voice instead of the song, but its simple sincerity won me over. John Michael’s «Psalm 62», Straight from Scripture, commands a soul-stirring chorus that bespeaks the power and might of Christ our Savior. A joint Wendy & Mary composition, «A New Song», praises God just for who He is.

‘The Wind Came Singing’ is special for another reason besides the fact that it shows great growth since the artists’ first effort, ‘Out of the Fullness‘. I don’t think it’s presumptuous to say that it’s an album which ministers to Man and to God. [Caroline Amedea, CCM, November 1983]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-wind-came-singing/716341610)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “The Wind Came Singing” – 3:35
A2. “Lion And Lamb” – 2:20
A3. “Without You” – 2:49
A4. “Voice Of Joy” – 2:27
A5. “You Brought Me Back” – 3:45

Side Two
B1. “Welcome Home” – 2:12
B2. “The Glory” – 2:58
B3. “Psalm 62” – 2:37
B4. “Simeon’s Lullaby” – 2:54
B5. “A New Song” – 3:20

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Birdwing Records. Re-issued on CD by Sparrow in 1995.

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