Description
Powerhouse is the seventh studio album by the American rock band White Heart, released on StarSong Records in 1990. The album was produced and recorded by Bill Drescher at The Bennett House Recording Studios in Franklin and at Midtown Tone & Volume and Quad Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with additional production by band members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl. Mixed by Drescher at Studio 55 in Los Angeles, California.
The band lineup on this album is Rick “Riq” Florian (lead and backing vocals), Mark Gersmehl (lead and backing vocals, keyboards), Billy Smiley (backing vocals, acoustic and rhythm guitar), Brian Wooten, formerly of Follower (lead and rhythm guitar), Anthony Sallee (bass), and Mark Nemer (drums and percussion). Additional backing vocals provided by Chris Rodriguez, Marty McCall of Fireworks and First Call fame, and former White Heart member Gordon Kennedy.
The current phase of the White Heart evolution finds the band with a new personnel roster. Gone are bassist Tommy Sims, drummer Chris McHugh, and guitarist Gordon Kennedy; all to pursue other areas of studio work, writing and producing. Considered “A-musicians,” these are mighty shoes to fill; but newcomers Anthony Sallee (bass), Mark Nemer (drums), and Brian Wooten (guitar) do a professional job of helping to carry on the polished White Heart sound. Following the heels of its most rockin’ album ever – ‘Freedom‘, this 10-song collection shows the band churning out more high-quality power pop rock, although slightly tamer.
Sure to be a radio favorite, «Desert Rose» fins Rick Florian capitalizing on his smooth melodic voice. L.A. producer Bill Drescher did a fine job of letting the band’s trademark sound come roaring through the speakers on this song, and the rest of the album as well. A two-second listen to any cut here will immediately be recognizable as White Heart. Punching rockers in the «Bye Bye Babylon» vein are found here in songs like «Independence Day» and the title track, while sweet and lush ballads of the «Montana Sky»/«The River Will Flow» variety are also present on «Desert Rose» and «A Love Calling».
One of the album’s most memorable moments comes in the song «Messiah», a wonderful match of the pouting vocals of Mark Gersmehl in the verses and Florian’s passionate, soaring vocals during the pre chorus, joined by the rest of the band during the chorus of “We need a Messiah!” This use of all the band’s vocal strengths is a great idea that the band has successfully used in the past. «Lovers and Dreamers» is a really smooth, “made-for-radio” tune that scuttles along at a quick pace, catapulting the listener into the relaxing and clean chorus of “Lovers and dreamers/ Lovers of the light/ We need lovers and dreamers/ Dreamers with heavenly sight.”
Newcomer Brian Wooten shows why he received the nod to jump in one of contemporary Christian music’s most talented bands on the rockin’ tune «Nailed Down», where he wails away with his instrument, hitting soaring notes and shuffling through some “nice ‘n’ sassy” power chords at high speed. Meanwhile, Gersmehl’s keyboards are laying down a rockin’ organ sound underneath. Lyrically, it addresses the nailing down of the “old man/old nature” to the cross (being crucified with Christ): “Hard to believe/ Those little things put such a weight upon your heart/ You’ve seen them all before/ They’re coming back for more/ Hammer them down before they start.” Like many White Heart songs of the past, most of the lyrical material here is personal glimpses of the pain experienced living in this world, and the personal revelations of how the loving and knowing hand of a Father, a Messiah, and a King can come to comfort, deliver, or cleanse.
With this band’s studio and live performance track record, White Heart wouldn’t be a bad choice for a major Top-40 mainstream radio push. The band’s talent is definitely there, and these tunes might prove to be strong enough to garner some attention outside Christian radio, where they will probably rule. The band has come long way since the days when Steve Green was handling lead vocals; but, compared to the change between ‘Vital Signs’ and ‘Don’t Wait for the Movie’ or ‘Emergency Broadcast’ and ‘Freedom’, not much new ground is broken or ventured into – saving for the J.F.K./M.L.K. speech sampling before «Independence Day». You can’t really blame the band for settling down a bit, considering the success of its last effort. Most fans will appreciate more of the same, because it’s done very well; but those hoping for more change will have to wait. [Doug Van Pelt, CCM, February 1991]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/powerhouse/716237301)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Independence Day” – 5:37
A2. “Powerhouse” – 4:30
A3. “Desert Rose” – 4:41
A4. “Lovers And Dreamers” – 4:35
A5. “Nailed Down” – 5:09
Side Two
B1. “Messiah” – 5:19
B2. “A Love Calling” – 6:24
B3. “Answer The Call” – 4:44
B4. “Storyline” – 4:20
B5. “Lay It Down” – 4:57
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by StarSong Records.
A full-page advertisement for White Heart’s Powerhouse was featured in the January 1991 issue of CCM Magazine.
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