Description
The self-titled debut album by the American singer and songwriter Kim Hill was released on Reunion Records in 1988. The album was recorded by Billy Whittington and Brent King at OmniSound Studios and Hummingbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; with Brown Bannister and Jerry McPherson producing. Mixed by Whittington, Brian Tankersley, and Jeff Balding at Master Mix Studio in Nashville. Featuring the number one CCM hit “Psalm 1”, a song written by Michele Wagner and as well recorded on her self-titled debut album in 1989.
Without reservation, we hereby award the Best Newcomer Award to the most innovative artist we’ve heard in a long time. Kim Hill is the vocalist the Christian music constituency has been waiting for: a mature, straightforward young woman who can realistically combine rock, pop, and worship tunes into a palatable package.
Avoiding the formulaic approach of the pack, Hill comes up with a sound all her own. She manages to skirt cutesy dance tunes, big endings, and simplistic lyrics, choosing instead to explore questions honestly and artfully with well-written songs crafted through biblically-colored glasses.
If someone tried to take the best elements of Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega, Rita Coolidge, and Linda Ronstadt, they might come up with someone like Hill. Her deep, satiny vocals fill «Psalm 1» with emotion, creating a melody line that stops the heart. Embodying the folksy “I just want to pull on some Levis and hop in my convertible” attitude on one cut («Black Shirts»), the more elusive “I’m just trying to merge faith with life” on the next («Crossroads»), and the spiritually sensitive “I want to be still and know that He is God” («Be Still and Know») on a third, Hill, as effectively as anyone out there, encompasses the full range of emotion and mindset that every Christian does in daily life.
Acoustic is the byword for ‘Kim Hill’, though the arrangements are not so sparse as to be bare. It just sounds real, bidding a fond farewell to the days of required synth predominance. And Kim Hill sounds real. Here’s to real good acceptance of her debut. [Robyn Frazer, CCM, April 1988]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Black Shirts” – 4:15
A2. “Crossroads” – 3:51
A3. “Refuge” – 3:58
A4. “Faithful” – 4:00
A5. “Psalm 1” – 2:53
Side Two
B1. “Change Your Heart” – 3:26
B2. “Rich Man, Poor Man” – 3:37
B3. “Unspoken Love” – 3:57
B4. “Be Still And Know” – 4:00
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Reunion Records.
CREDITS. Producer by Brown Bannister and Jerry McPherson. Arranged by Brown Bannister and Jerry McPherson. Recorded at OmniSound Studios and Hummingbird Studio and engineered by Billy Whittington and Brent King with engineering assistance by Carry Summers. Mixed at Master Mix Studios by Billy Whittington, Brian Tankersley (tracks: A4, B1, B2), and Jeff Balding (track A5). Mastered by Glenn Meadows at Masterfonics. Executive-Producers: Jeff Moseley and Terry Hemmings. Art Direction and Design by Buddy Jackson. Photography by Mark Tucker. Stylist: Mary Beth Felts.
Musicians: Kim Hill (Lead Vocals), Phil Naish (Keyboards), Brown Bannister (Keyboards – track B4), Wayne Kirkpatrick (Keyboards – track A4), Jerry McPherson (Guitar), George Cocchini (Rhythm Guitar – track A4), Gary Lunn (Bass), Mike Brignardello (Bass), Keith Edwards (Drums). Backing Vocals: Margaret Becker (track B1), Wayne Kirkpatrick (tracks: A3, A4).
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