Description
Closer is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Wendell Burton, released on Lamb & Lion Records in 1983. The album was produced and recorded by Joe Wilson at the Master’s Touch in Nashville, Tennessee. Most tracks mixed by Dan Collins with Bill Cobb at Cobb’s Poiema Studios in Camarillo, California. Strings arranged by Kristen Wilkinson. All songs written or co-written by Wendell Burton except “To Be Like Jesus” written by John Gowans and John Larsson. Featuring “The Battle Is Already Won”, a song co-written by Burton and Keith Green in 1976.
‘Closer’, Wendell Burton’s newest album, features all original music and lyrics. The integrity of his message produces in the listener a desire for a more intimate relationship with Christ. This is accomplished through Burton’s sincere and emotive revelation of his own search for closer communion.
At first glance, Closer appears to be contemporary easy listening, yet a strain of country and folk emerges, making a pleasing personal style. Heavy use of acoustic guitar, a reliance on steady rhythmic percussion, and Burton’s own soothing, tenor voice combine comfortably.
Burton performs as solo artist on this album, with only an occasional back-up vocal filled in. The opening cut, «Spreading All Over the World» is such an occasion. Burton is joined by Dan Collins, whose fine jazz performance makes the song memorable. «Just Like You» and «Only Be Strong» are examples of Burton’s country efforts, while «Come to Me» displays the artist’s talents as balladeer.
As in «Come to Me», Burton’s ability to create soothing, evocative lyrics make this LP successful. His words not only contain depth and meaning, but are listenable as well. They carry us from one song to the next in a smooth flow of ideas and emotions, offering an intimate statement of Christian experience.
‘Closer’ contains a single red herring, however. «America», a beautiful song in its own right, talks about immigrants coming to America to begin a new life. Despite its individual merits, it interrupts the flow of the other cuts. But, since it’s only a brief deviation, the inspiration of ‘Closer’ is not affected. And ‘Closer’ is just that – an inspiration. [Karen Cushing, CCM, May 1984]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Spreading All Over the World” – 3:52
A2. “Just Like You” – 3:04
A3. “Who He Is” – 3:24
A4. “The Battle Is Already Won” – 3:50
A5. “Come To Me” – 3:27
Side Two
B1. “America” – 5:17
B2. “Today’s The Day” – 3:34
B3. “Only Be Strong” – 4:11
B4. “Greatly Rejoice” – 4:04
B5. “To Be Like Jesus” – 2:46
Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://wendellburton.bandcamp.com/album/closer
CREDITS. Produced by Joe Wilson. Recorded by Joe Wilson at Master’s Touch, Nashville, TN. Mixed by Dan Collins with Bill Cobb at Poiema Studios, Camarillo, CA, except track A3 mixed at Martin Sound, Alhambra, CA. Track B1 was mixed by Joe Wilson at Glaser Brothers Studio, Nashville, TN. Strings arramged by Kristen Wilkinson except track arranged by . Cover Design and Photography by Terry Hunter. Lyric Sheet Design by Marlene Bergman. Puzzle by The Puzzle People, Inc. All songs written by Wendell Burton except track A4 co-written with Keith Green and track B4 co-written with Patti Burton. Track B5 written by John Gowans and John Larsson.
Musicians: Wendell Burton (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Bobby Wood (Keyboards), John Lawry (Keyboards, Synthesizer), Roger Morris (Keyboards, Synthesizer), Shane Keister (Keyboards, Synthesizer), Tom Howard (Synthesizer), Donnie Sanders (Saxophone), Joe Wilson (Acoustic and Electric Guitars), Larry Paxton (Bass), Tim Smith (Bass), Joe English (Drums, Synthesized Percussion), Buster Phillips (Drums), Dan Collins (Synthesized Percussion). Background vocals: Patti Burton, Donna McElroy, Randy Thompson, Vicki Wilson, Lynn Kellogg, Christie Houser, Tom Howard, Dan Collins, Wendell Burton.
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