Description
True North is an album by the American singer and songwriter Twila Paris, released on Sparrow Records in 1999, distributed in the US by Chordant Distribution. The album was produced by Charlie Peacock.
After nearly 20 years of making music, one would understand if Twila Paris simply ran out of things to say. But artists thrive by staying fresh, and that’s just what Paris does on her 15th album, the Charlie Peacock-produced True North.
To her credit, Paris doesn’t attempt reinventing herself. Au contraire – True North is a straightforward blend of mild pop-rock, essentially what fans have come to expect (and appreciate) from Paris. Instead, the freshness arrives via her partnership with Peacock, whose studio smarts create a sophisticated context for the album’s 11 cuts.
First off, they’ve assembled a stellar supporting cast. It’s no small testimony that the backing singers are folks with their own solo careers: Chris Eaton, Natalie Grant and Darwin Hobbs among them. They’re the right choice, adding richly textured call-and-response vocals to mid-tempo songs like «No Confidence». The players are equally fine, most notably electric guitarist Kenny Greenberg, who gives the session a live feel.
All this would be useless if Paris didn’t retain her ability to turn out delicious melodies. But she does, often coupled with refreshingly honest lyrics. From the self-aware tone in opener «Run to You» to a confessional couplet in «I Choose Grace», the album reads like a diary of open-heart spiritual exploration.
There are quibbles, though minor. Paris’ vocals, though strong, are a tad subdued, not pushing the limits reached in, say, «God Is in Control» from Beyond a Dream. And, though he’s given guest vocalist billing, Jars of Clay‘s Dan Haseltine is barely noticeable in «When You Speak to Me». Still, as far as freshness goes, here’s a product that needs no expiration date. [Anthony DeBarros, CCM, October 1999]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/true-north/724378737)
CD tracklist:
01. Run To You – 4:16
02. True North – 5:24
03. No Confidence – 4:36
04. Delight My Heart – 6:11
05. Wisdom – 5:35
06. I Choose Grace – 5:24
07. Could You Believe – 5:08
08. Daughter of Grace – 5:49
09. Once in a Life – 5:37
10. Wondering Out Loud – 5:14
11. When You Speak to Me – 4:49
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