Description
Stand by the Power is an album by the American pop quartet The Imperials, released on DaySpring Records in 1982, a division of Word. The album was produced and engineered by Bill Schnee at Bill Schnee Studios in North Hollywood, California; with the vocals recorded at Bullet Recording in Nashville, Tennessee.
THE IMPERIALS – Stand By The Power, Day Spring 4100. Produced by Bill Schnee.
Already entering the chart at number 18, this set provides strong points in the Imperials’ harmonies, expect pop arrangements and hooking melodies, augmented by the steady hand of veteran producer/engineer Bill Schnee. Lyrics are heavily testimonial except on «How Can You Love», by Kerry Livgren, a tune more reflective than directive. [Billboard Magazine (Top Album Picks/Gospel), November 13, 1982]
If there’s one word to wrap up the new Imperials album, ‘Stand by the Power’ (DaySpring DST-4100), it would have to be “consistency”. You’d think with a new producer, a new vocalist and new songwriter influences, we’d hear a new Imperials. But instead, ‘Stand’ is a continuation of the polished musical style the group pioneered with ‘One More Song for You‘ and ‘Priority‘.
Producer Bill Schnee has preserved the basic Imperials sound, adding only a few personal touches – you’ll notice a few more guitar leads and fewer keyboards. Schnee is no stranger to the Industry. His producing and engineering credits include acts like Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and Pablo Cruise. But like former Imperials producer Michael Omartian, the end product is always slick.
And what about the new vocalist, Paul Smith? Is there life after Russ Taff? Yes. For starters, it doesn’t hurt that Smith sounds a little like Taff. And though Smith’s vocals may not be as dynamic as Taff’s, his voice blends better with the other members, producing a better group sound. Like Taff, Smith is a songwriter, co-writing five of the album cuts. His mellow and moving «Lord of the Harvest» (helped by some fine string arrangements) may become the Imperial’s next «Praise the Lord».
As usual, ‘Stand’ has a song for everyone. There’s reflection and worship («Part Time Servant», «Because of Who You Are»), pop music at its finest («Stand By the Power», «Somebody New») and, of course, there’s the adventure into rock and roll. This time the Imperials tip their hats to Kerry Livgren (Kansas) with a fine arrangement of Livgren’s «How Can You Live». Somehow all these songs come together to make a cohesive-sounding album… a trick the Imperials learned long ago.
But what else would you expect from such a consistent group as the Imperials? Maybe it comes from the group consistently standing by the Power they sing about. [Tom Stribling, CCM, October 1982]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Stand By The Power” – 3:33
A2. “Somebody New” – 3:52
A3. “Part Time Servant” – 3:44
A4. “This Heart” – 4:26
A5. “Lord Of The Harvest” – 4:37
Side Two
B1. “Under His Reign” – 3:26
B2. “I Never Get Enough Of Your Love” – 4:07
B3. “How Can You Live” – 3:46
B4. “All For The Asking” – 3:49
B5. “Because Of Who You Are” – 3:31
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by DaySpring Records.
The August 1982 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on The Imperials.
CREDITS. Produced and Engineered by Bill Schnee. Engineering assistance by David Schober, Scott Hendricks, and Skip Moon. Recorded at Bill Schnee Studios, North Hollywood, CA. Vocals recorded at Bullet Studio, Nashville, TN. Mastered at The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, CA. Strings Arranged by James Newton Howard. Horns on track B4 arranged by Bob Wilson. Album Front Photo by Michael Borum. Album Back Photo by Allan Messer. Production Coordinator: Susan Pyron.
Musicians: James Newton Howard (Piano, Synthesizer), Carlos Rios (Guitar), Dann Huff (Guitar), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitar), Steve Lukather (Guitar), Nathan East (Bass), Neil Stubenhaus (Bass), Carlos Vega (Drums), Jeff Porcaro (Drums), Lenny Castro (Percussion).
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