Fortress

Description

Fortress is the fourth solo album by the American singer and songwriter Matthew Ward of 2nd Chapter of Acts fame, released on Live Oak Records in 1990, distributed by Word Records. The album was recorded and mixed by Greg Hunt assisted by Gary Leach at Rosewood Studio in Tyler, Texas; with Matthew Ward producing. Arranged by Gary Leach and Matthew Ward.

For his fourth solo album apart from the 2nd Chapter of Acts, Matthew Ward dons the producer’s hat once again, and returns to the fiery passion and energy of ‘Armed and Dangerous‘. The arrangements showcase what many rightfully consider one of the finest voices in Christian music.

The standout cut, «Warrior», starts off the album with a thunderous live sound, establishing the merit of the players selected: Bob Gentry on bass; Dean Castronovo (Bad English) on drums; James Dillingham on guitar; and Gary Leach on keyboards. These musicians get a chance to cut loose a bit during «Psalm 33:3», an instrumental with a title that someone should’ve used a long time ago, putting some snappy jazz-rock flesh to the “play skillfully before the Lord” exhortation.

The slower songs here are mixed and performed to serve as excellent soul food for the VH-1 generation or the “adult light rockers” of the body. The most promising of the lot, «Faithful and True», is a melodious tribute to the faithfulness of Christ: “Why should I doubt when Your love is surrounding me?/ How can I doubt when you’ve been so true to me?” «Since I Found You» is another wedding-type love song in the vein of «Perfect Union», and will probably find its way into many wedding ceremonies.

I suppose it was years of writing with 2nd Chapter that gave Ward the skill of putting heartfelt praises on our lips. The song «You», which digs a deep, infectious groove musically, expresses the heart of a child of God in responses to His character: “You fill my heart with endless praise/ I will worship you in all my days…/ You have breathed Your life into lifeless clay/ You have opened eyes to a perfect way.”

«God of All» is a lesson in judgementalism, with a chorus that serves as a sequel to «Red and Yellow, Black and White»: “He is the God of all/ The weak and the small…/ He holds us all within the love of His hand.”

The title track is a modern adaption of the classic Luther hymn, mixing some standout a capella verses with big-sounding choruses of the whole band. Thrown in are some classy guitar melodies that end the album on a high note.

Overall, this album makes for a very pleasant listening. It receives high marks sonically, musically, and is very uplifting lyrically. ‘Fortress’ welcomes Ward back to the area of great rock ‘n’ roll! [Doug Van Pelt, CCM, December 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fortress/390942453)

CD tracklist:

01. Warrior – 4:09
02. Heaven Is Calling – 4:03
03. Since I Found You – 4:14
04. Faithful and True – 4:06
05. Psalm 33:3 (Instrumental) – 4:15
06. You – 3:48
07. Indecision – 4:22
08. God Of All – 3:31
09. Mixed Emotions – 3:22
10. Fortress – 5:01

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Live Oak Records.