Description
The Promise is the solo debut album by the American singer and songwriter Steven Soles of The Alpha Band fame, released on Maranatha! Music in 1980, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Larry Hirsch at City Recorders, at Reggies Place and at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California; with Steven Soles producing. Mixed by Hirsch at Paramount. All songs written by Steven Soles or co-written with David Carson and Alpha Band member T-Bone Burnett. The album track “I Found A Love” was later covered by the British bluesman Bryn Haworth on his groundbreaking roots oriented contemporary praise & worship album Wings of the Morning released in 1983.
Featuring Steven Soles and fellow Alpha Band member David Mansfield, as well as Elvis Presley‘s rhythm section – bassist Jeff Scheff and drummer Ron Tutt of the TCB Band.
J. Steven Soles is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was asked by Bob Dylan to join his touring band for the legendary 1975-1976 “Rolling Thunder Revue”. When that tour ended, Soles and two other members of Dylan’s band, T-Bone Burnett and David Mansfield, formed The Alpha Band which released three studio albums between 1976 and 1978 on the RCA imprint Arista Records. Soles did also play on Dylan’s 1978 studio album, Street Legal, as well as the live albums Bob Dylan at Budokan and Hard Rain. In the 80s, Soles did produce three albums for the Sangre Production related label, Exit Records – 77’s debut album Ping Pong Over the Abyss, Steve Scott’s Love in the Western World, and Thomas Goodlunas’ Take Me Away.
Steven Soles was one third of The Alpha Band, a trio that grew out of time spent in Bob Dylan’s mid-70s Rolling Thunder Revue and who went on to record three respected mainstream albums. Although mellow and commercial to a degree (as you’d expect with the softening Maranatha label), The Promise seems to have a more seasoned and slightly edgier pop sound going for it due to the subtle influences of roots rock, blues, folk, alternative country, gospel and reggae. Hints of Slow Train Coming («Shake The Dust»), Gram Parsons («Lead Me To Water») and Bryn Haworth («The Healer»). Soles wrote or co-wrote all the material here and plays acoustic guitar. Regarding his other Alpha Band mates: T-Bone Burnett co-wrote two of the titles here («The Witness» and «I Found A Love»), while David Mansfield assists on guitars, violin and dobro. Followed by Walk By Love (Good News GNR 8113) in 1983. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Steven Soles proves big budgets, strings and horns do not a good album make. It takes good tunes to make a good album, and on The Promise the singer/songwriter lays out some of his finest wares.
Soles was a guitarist with Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue and is rumored to be one of those who sparked Dylan’s interest in Christianity. More recently Soles has been a member of the Alpha Band, The Promise is his first effort for a Christian label and features sparse but adequate production, catchy tunes and joyful lyrics. Soles doesn’t have the world’s best voice, but it works well with the album’s other elements. (Best cuts: «I Found A Love», «The Healer», «Touch the Power».) [CCM (Records – What’s New), October 1980]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Touch The Power” – 2:34
A2. “The Healer” – 3:50
A3. “Lead Me To Water” – 3:21
A4. “The Witness” – 3:49
A5. “The Promise” – 3:59
Side Two
B1. “Shake The Dust” – 3:07
B2. “Can I Get An Amen” – 2:33
B3. “Heartbroke And Happy” – 5:23
B4. “I Found A Love” – 2:58
B5. “If You Believe” – 2:14
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music.
An advertisement for Steven Soles’ album The Promise was featured in the January 1981 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Steven Soles. Recorded by Larry Hirsch. Recorded at City Recorders, Reggies Place and at Paramount Recording. Mixed by Larry Hirsch at Paramount. Photo by Ray Vaughn. Special thanks to Louis and Mary Neely. Copyright Sangre Production, Sacramento, CA.
Musicians: Steven Soles (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), David Mansfield (Guitars, Dobro, Violin), Jeff Scheff (Bass), Ron Tutt (Drums). Background Vocals: Jude Johnstone, Wendy Matthews. Percussion and Handclaps: Larry, R.V., Geoff, Jude and Wendy.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.