Don’t Wait for the Movie

Description

Don’t Wait for the Movie is the fourth studio album by the American rock band White Heart, released on Sparrow Records in August 1986. The album was recorded by Brent King assisted by David Pierce at Center Stage Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; with Billy Smiley and the band producing. Mixed and mastered at Master Mix Studio in Nashville. (Digitally mixed and mastered on Sony 1630 Recorded 48 Track Dolby.) Don’t Wait for the Movie spawned three No. 1 singles (“How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven),” “Fly Eagle Fly,” and “Maybe Today”), a first for the contemporary Christian music single charts.

White Heart is Rick “Ric” Florian (lead vocals), Billy Smiley (keyboards, guitar, trumpet, and vocals), Mark Gersmehl (keyboards, trombone, and vocals), Gordon Kennedy (rhythm and lead guitar, sitar and vocals), Gary Lunn (bass and Linn drum programming), and Chris McHugh (drums and percussion).

Overheard in Christian bookstore … “Is this really White Heart?” “Yeah, man! These guys are finally crankin’ it!” That probably tells you more in two sentences than this humble writer could in many more. On their Sparrow Records debut, this band bears little resemblance to the White Heart that’s been grinding out well-written but ultimately wimpy albums for several years now.

The driving rhythms and crunching guitars of the opening «Read the Book» make it plain that White Heart relishes the more aggressive stance. They are, at last, providing musical punch that’s equal to their uncompromising lyrics. Each singer who has passed through the band over the years has been exponentially stronger, and new vocalist Ric Florian is no exception. Also premiering on vinyl is timekeeper Chris McHugh whose solid backbeat is yet another example of the band’s tougher sound.

There are several terrific moments on the album’s second side – and one particularly troubling one. After opening with «Let the Children Play», a lively, but too-brief instrumental, the band swings into «King George». This is a surprisingly mean-spirited tale about escaping England’s tyranny and wondering if we’re suffering similar religious persecution today. On «No Apology», White Heart professes their faith boldly over an ’80-ified Bob Diddley beat, this time not resorting to the cocky spirit of the previous song.

«Maybe Today» displays a much more humble spirit as the singer muses about the Lord’s return. “Why search the sky?” Florian sings, “I should be searching inside.” One of the most creative metaphors ever for a “Sunday Christian” is the title of the tube «Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Christian». This track also feaures one of the “white-hottest” solos on the album.

Long considered a superb live act, White Heart finally approaches on vinyl the energy level of their concerts. Don’t wait to hear ‘Don’t Wait for the Movie’ on radio – go buy it! [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, October 1986]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-wait-for-the-movie/724549197)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Read The Book (Don’t Wait For The Movie)” – 4:51
A2. “Holy Ground” – 4:42
A3. “Beat Of A Different Drum” – 4:17
A4. “Fly Eagle Fly” – 4:41
A5. “Convertibles” – 3:43

Side Two
B1. “Let The Children Play” (Instrumental) – 1:32
B2. “King George” – 4:20
B3. “No Apology” – 4:22
B4. “Maybe Today” – 4:25
B5. “Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Christian” – 4:40
B6. “How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven)” – 4:27

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP (SPR 1128) by Sparrow Records. Later re-issued on CD. White Heart also released a companion video called Don’t Wait for the Movie: The Live Video Album on VHS featuring all songs on the album except “King George.”