Description
Fire and Ice is the fifth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Steve Camp, released on Sparrow Records in 1984. The album was recorded by Wally Grant at Weddington Studio in North Hollywood, California; with John Rosasco and Steve Camp producing. Featuring “Love’s Not a Feeling”, a duet with Michele Pillar.
Complacent Christians, beware! ‘Fire and Ice’ offers music to wage war by. When the smoke clears, most listeners will find themselves singed by holy fire and reminded of their marching orders.
In Steve Camp’s fourth album, his first for Sparrow Records, he continues the theme explored in his runaway hit «Run to the Battle». It’s not just that he tells us to get our lives straight before the Lord. It’s that he does it so graphically – both through powerful music and intense lyrics. Almost every song cries out, “What’s it gonna take/ To break into your heart of stone?”
The record starts with reassurance. «Upon This Rock» tell us that, though persecuted by the Devil, the church will stand because of her firm foundation. The opening song also sets the musical tone for the album: tight production spiked with new-wave techniques – staccato keyboards and sophisticated sounds woven around simpler musical themes. Although the overall sound is compatible with such standard rockers as Mylon LeFevre and Joe English, something new is definitely happening here.
Much of this new feeling can be attributed to the creative synthesizer programming of Rhett Lawrence. Keyboards richly dominate with overtones ranging from classical to new wave. Although the arrangements are wonderfully intricate, the style is overworked in spots. For instance, the staccato synthesizer is dynamic in «Upon This Rock», exciting with «Squeeze», but repetitious by the time «What Would the Devil Say» rolls around.
Produced by Camp and John Rosasco, ‘Fire and Ice’ is an ambitious project involving 11 musicians (including Joe English on drums and Rosasco on synthesizer) and 10 background vocalists. The music enhances rather than overpowers the lyrics, driving the messages home with urgency. Camp and Rob Frazier, who also sings background vocals, co-wrote most of the songs.
«Squeeze», a well-handled tune, warms the listener not to let the world push him into its mold. «Where Are the Heroes?» is the rock version of Hebrews 11, coupled with a lament over the lack of giants of faith today. «Heart of Stone» and «Fire and Ice» are choice rebukes wrapped around solid rock music.
Two mellower cuts are noteworthy: «Love’s Not a Feeling», a sensitive duet with Michele Pillar, and «Living in Laodicea», where the words reach right to the heart: “O Lord, take you plow to my fallow ground/ Let your blade dig down to the soil of my soul.”
After listening to this scorching album, even those firmly entrenched in Laodicea will want to get out fast. [Dawn Dicker, CCM, June 1984]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fire-and-ice/724638647)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Upon This Rock” – 3:37
A2. “It Is Good” – 3:37
A3. “Love’s Not A Feeling” – 4:17
A4. “Heart Of Stone” – 4:10
A5. “Living In Laodicea” – 4:04
Side Two
B1. “Squeeze” – 4:57
B2. “Fire And Ice” – 2:55
B3. “Light Your Candle” – 3:48
B4. “What Would The Devil Say” – 2:59
B5. “Where Are The Heroes” – 4:52
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records. Later re-issued on CD.
CREDITS. Produced and arranged by John Rosasco and Steve Camp. Engineered by Wally Grant at Weddington Studio, North Hollywood, CA. Assistant Engineers: Mike Ross and Greg Butler. Additional Engineering: Hank Neuberger and Brent Maher. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc Systems, Hollywood, CA. Executive Producer: Steven C. Wyer
Musicians: Steve Camp (Vocals, Keyboards), Smitty Price (Keyboards), John Rosasco (Keyboards), Rhett Lawrence (Synthesizer Programming), Brandon Fields (Saxophone), Marty Walsh (Guitar), Dann Huff (Guitar), John Patitucci (Bass), Gary Lunn (bass), Keith Edwards (Drums), Joe English (Drums), Alex MacDougall (Percussion). Background vocals: Steve Camp, Rob Frazier, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, Charity McCrary, Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel, Joane Anderson, Carol Frazier and Joe English.
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