What’s It Gonna Take

Description

What’s It Gonna Take? is the sophomore effort and first full-length album by the American pop singer Angie Lewis, released on Power Discs in 1986, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded by Brent King assisted by David Pierce at Center Stage and Great Circle Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; with Billy Smiley of White Heart fame producing og arranging. Mixed by King and Smiley at Center Stage and Great Circle Studio. Digitally mixed and mastered.

Featuring a session band consisting of Phil Naish and Tommy Dorsey on keyboards, as well as the rhythm section of White Heart – Dann Huff on guitars, Gary Lunn on bass, and Chris McHugh om drums (with Gordon Kennedy providing guitar solos on three tracks). Background vocals provided by Marty McCall and Bonnie Keen of First Call fame, as well as Gary Janney.

What’s it gonna take to make an album a hit? Well, take a savvy producer (Billy Smiley), add some slick musicians (Dann Huff and Gary Lunn, among others), provide sensational songs (from writers such as Dwight Liles and Nils Borop), and top it off with one sassy vocalist – the lovely Angie Lewis.

Lewis’ first full-length release is, in the main, a dance-oriented pop record with some smashing ballads included for variety. But much like her contemporaries Amy Grant and Leslie Phillips, Angie emphasizes the message in her music. She tackles topics such as succumbing to peer pressure («Don’t Surrender») and abortion («The World Turns a Little Slower») with equal aplomb and then shows a sense of humor (something often lacking on Christian albums) with «Why Pray».

Much credit for the album’s consistent sound must go to producer Smiley who has provided a slick backdrop for Lewis’ versatile voice. «Dancing Around Each Other», for instance, displays some truly metallic guitar work, but Lewis proves herself equal to the track and belts a legitimate rock ‘n’ roll vocal. «The World Turns a Little Slower» with mournful lyrics such as “the silent walls will keep another secret” demands a more reserved and sensitive reading, and Angie displays her range and interpretive powers in fine fashion.

Lewis flirts with blowing the record wide open on «He’s the Only Real Hero», but she holds back just a little while the unmistakable guitar of Dann Huff carries the tune. «Whatever It Takes», a soaring, upbeat rocker in the Journey mold, is a terrific conclusion to a super LP.

The album’s one weak moment, ironically, will probably increase its appeal to a wider audience. Geoff Moore joins Angie for «Keep Holding On», a nicely executed duet which unfortunately sounds too much like Dana Key and Leslie Phillips. But the amount of airplay that this will likely garner the record is a fair trade-off if it introduces more folks to this dynamic lady! [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, September 1986]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “What’s It Gonna Take?” – 3:28
A2. “Dancin’ Around Each Other” – 2:56
A3. “It Was Me” – 3:46
A4. “Don’t Surrender” – 3:27
A5. “World Turns A Little Slower” – 4:39

Side Two
B1. “Real Hero” – 4:08
B2. “Keep Holdin’ On” – 4:34
B3. “Why Pray” – 3:14
B4. “Love’s Long Journey” – 4:16
B5. “Whatever It Takes” – 3:14

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Power Discs. “Keep Holding On” was released as a 7-inch vinyl promo single, b/w “What’s It Gonna Take?”. “World Turns Slower” was as well released as a 7-inch vinyl promo single.

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CREDITS. Produced and arranged by Billy Smiley. Recorded and mixed by Brent King at Center Stage and Great Circle Studio. Second Engineer: David Pierce. Mixed by Brent King and Billy Smiley. Mastered by Hank Williams at Master Mix. Digitally Mixed and Mastered.

Musicians: Angie Lewis (Lead Vocals), Phil Naish (Keyboards), Tommy Dorsey (Keyboards), Dann Huff (Guitars), Gordon Kennedy (Guitar Solos on tracks: A1, A4, and B5), Gary Lunn (Bass, Drum Programming), Chris McHugh (Drums). Background Vocals: Marty McCall, Gary Janney, Bonnie Keen. Geoff Moore (Duet Vocals on track B2).