Perfect

Description

Perfect is the seventh studio album by the American singer and songwriter Benny Hester, released on Frontline Records in 1989, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded by Dave Jahnsen at the Mixing Lab in Garden Grove, California; and was co-produced by Bill Baumgart and Benny Hester.

Benny Hester is backed by a session band featuring Tim Heintz on keyboards, Marty Walsh on guitars, and a rhythm section consisting of bassist Neil Stubenhaus and Toto drummer Jeff Porcaro.

It has been several years since Benny Hester had his last big hit «When God Ran». Since then, he has released a disappoiting album and taken some time off. He returns with a vengance with his debut Frontline release ‘Perfect’. Not since his first album has Hester communicated so much passion and excitement.

‘Perfect’ was produced by Bill Baumgart, who does a great job of keeping Hester on the commercial edge while adding some punch to the songs. The first half of the album seems to be sequenced heavily on the rock side while side two moves to a more viable Christian radio sound. While these are just general observations, everything on this album is good listening – whether it is the ballads or the rockier songs.

If time off between releases gives a fresh perspective and renewed vitality, perhaps more artists should follow Hester’s example. To follow Frontline’s slogan, this album isn’t perfect, however. In several places, the album seems to lose its momentum. Then there is the tongue twister song of the year: «If You Die Before You Die». The chorus goes “If you die before you die/ Then when you die you won’t die” and is repeated three times in a row! Hester deserves an award for just being able to sing it. (I wonder how many takes it took to get it right.)

This will probably be the most successful album in Hester’s career. If it isn’t it should be. Nevertheless, it should still be one of Hester’s most satisfying. [Devlin Donaldson, CCM, June 1989]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/perfect/387299132)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Headlights On The Highway” – 3:13
A2. “Before You Know It” – 4:15
A3. “If You Die Before You Die” – 4:20
A4. “Perfect” – 4:23
A5. “Hungry World” – 3:30

Side Two
B1. “You Weren’t Meant To Live Your Life Alone” – 4:55
B2. “Two Good Reasons” – 3:50
B3. “This One’s For Keeping” – 3:30
B4. “Passion, Possession, Postion” – 3:40
B5. “Shall We Gather At The River” – 3:48

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Frontline Records.

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A full-page advertisement for Benny Hester’s Perfect was featured in the May 1989 issue of CCM Magazine.

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CREDITS. Co-produced by Bill Baumgart and Benny Hester. Recorded at Mixing Lab A, Garden Grove, CA, and engineered by Dave Jahnsen with assistance of Beth Wisner, Doug Beiden, Eric Kibbe, and Kirt Shearer. Mixed at Mixing Lab A, Garden Grove, CA, by Bill Baumgart and Dave Jahnsen. Arranged by Tim Heintz and Bill Baumgart. Art Direction by Ed McTaggart. Photography by David Dobson.

Musicians: Benny Hester (Lead Vocals), Aaron Zigman (Keyboards), Tim Heintz (Keyboards), Marty Walsh (Guitar), Neil Stubenhaus (Bass), Jeff Porcaro (Drums), Pete Pfiefer (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Allison Beech, Benny Hester, Bill Baumgart, Bob Carlisle.