Description
In My Dreams is the solo debut album by the Swedish singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ulf Christiansson of the Swedish hard rock band Jerusalem, released in the US on Lamb & Lion Records in 1982, distributed by The Benson Company. (The original Swedish version of the album, entitled I mina drömmar, was released on the Swedish gospel label Prim the same year.) The album was recorded and mixed January – August 1982 by Bo-Göran Lundberg at Supreme Studio in Stockholm, Sweden; with Peter Sandwall producing. Arranged by Sandwall and Ulf Christiansson. Music by Ulf Christiansson with lyrics written by Andy Kidd and Christiansson.
Ulf Christiansson, the singer/guitarist of the Swedish band Jerusalem, has chosen to do ‘In My Dreams’ (Lamb & Lion LL-1069) as an excursion into solo performance. His solo debut is also a step away from his heavy-metal formulations, into the broader spectrum of rock and pop. There is enough energy on ‘In My Dreams’ to hold the fans of Jerusalem, and there are strong ballads and pop songs that will give Christiansson a chance to play to a broad cross section of the ccm listening audience.
Christiansson stretches out on three 5 1/2- to six-minute pieces («He’s Coming Like a Thief in the Night», «I Tell You Now in Honesty…», and «My Heart’s Desire») which begin as ballads and build independently to strong conclusions. Lyrically he is speaking more personally and, at times, instructionally about growth and maturity in the Christian life, while his efforts with Jerusalem were largely evangelistic. «I Will Sing», an acoustic-guitar ballad with strings accompanying, makes a statement of his personal call and ministry which would be appropriate for radio play. «Is It Too Late?», a ’50s-styled popper, and «Practice What We Preach» are the other cuts best suited for Christian radio exposure. «Now I Am Trusting» and «Reach for the Stars» are bouncy poppers that lean toward Christiansson’s rockier inclinations.
The album is produced with a fine European sound by Peter Sandwall. Christiansson got help with his lyrics from Andy Kidd, producing his finest English on a disc to date. The diversity on ‘In My Dreams’ points to Christiansson’s strong talents and to fruitful ministries for Jerusalem and for Christiansson as a solo performer. [Quincy Smith-Newcomb, CCM, February 1983]
LP tracklist (US Edition):
Side One
A1. “Like A Thief In The Night” – 5:52
A2. “I Will Sing” – 4:48
A3. “Is It Too Late?” – 3:54
A4. “In Honesty…” – 5:29
Side Two
B1. “My Heart’s Desire” – 6:05
B2. “Practice What We Preach” – 3:33
B3. “Now I Am Trusting” – 4:15
B4. “Forget What Has Been” – 3:00
B5. “Reach For The Stars” – 3:40
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Lamb & Lion Records. “Du vill börja om (time)”, Track A5 on the original Swedish edition of the album (featuring music by Paul Parrish), was not included on the English version of the album.
CREDITS. Produced by Peter Sandwall. Arranged by Peter Sandwall and Ulf Christiansson. Recorded and mixed at Supreme Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. Engineered by Bo G Lundberg. Photography by Anders Johansson and Jan Ivarsson. Design by Camilla B and Michael Harris. Music written by Ulf Christiansson. Lyrics by Andy Kidd and Ulf Christiansson.
Musicians: Ulf Christiansson (Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars), Peter Ljung (Piano, Electric Piano, Organ), Kjell Öhman (Accordion), Glen Myerscough (Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone), Lasse Jonsson (Acoustic and Electric Guitars), Backa Hans Eriksson (Electric Bass, Electric Upright Bass), Per Lindvall (Drums, Percussion). Backing Vocals: Eja Eriksson, Eva Berg, Inger Heinerborg, Ulf Christiansson. Strings by Radiosymfonikerna (a.k.a. Sveriges Radios Symfoniorkester – The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra).
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