- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Avalon
Album: Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian Classics
Label: EMI CMG / Sparrow Records
Playtime: 67:24 min
Genre: Christian Rock
URL: http://www.myspace.com/avalonlive
Rip date: 2007-11-24
Street date: 2008-02-26
Size: 106.13 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: VBR kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
tÆs about time more efforts were made to preserve the history-in-the-making
that is contemporary Christian music. A natural tendency in mainstream
circles, several artists have recently scored hits by recording cover albums
of songs first popularized in the 1940s (Rod Stewart), 50s and 60s (Barry
Manilow), and 60s and 70s (Michael McDonaldÆs Motown albums). Such a practice
feeds artists and audiences alike, paying tribute to an inspiring past while
rediscovering the musicÆs relevance today.
Now, premier Christian vocal group Avalon gives new voice and a debt of
gratitude to various landmark faith-driven songs of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
on its ninth studio project Another Time, Another Place: Timeless Christian
Classics. And quite serendipitously, the process has blessed AvalonÆs members
beyond all expectations they had at the outset.
ôThese are songs that first made us want to do what weÆre doing today,ö says
Greg about their take on the works of Amy Grant (ôThy Word,ö ôEl Shaddaiö),
Michael W. Smith (ôPlace in This Worldö), Steven Curtis Chapman (ôFor the
Sake of the Callö), and others. Melissa remembers singing ôThe Basics of
Lifeö (4Him) during her high school days and taking her first solo on ôFriend
of a Wounded Heartö (Wayne Watson).
For Janna, a founding member of Avalon, the memories have much to do with the
groupÆs own story. While Another Time, Another Place focuses most on music
that pre-dates AvalonÆs existence, the group does cover ôPeople Get Ready . .
. Jesus Is Comin,ö the 1996 hit by Crystal Lewis.
ôWe were on tour, opening for Crystal, when that song was so big,ö recalls
Janna. ôIt was her encore every night. And during that tour, she won the Dove
Award for Female Vocalist and we won New Artist. It was so fun and exciting.
æPeople Get ReadyÆ holds a lot of meaning.ö
Even more special is AvalonÆs passionately charged-up version of Twila ParisÆ
ôGod Is in Control,ö a hands-down favorite among the group members. ôOur very
first tour was opening and singing background vocals for Twila,ö says Janna.
ôIt was amazing, having the chance to spend time with her early in our
career, to be getting pearls of wisdom from such a seasoned artist.ö
Equally excited that the group selected her song for inclusion on Another
Time, Another Place, Paris comments, ôMore than a decade ago, Avalon and I
toured together for almost an entire year,ö she says. ôThey sang æGod Is in
ControlÆ with me, and it hasnÆt sounded as good sinceàuntil now! IÆm honored
that theyÆve chosen to record it on this new project.ö
Another excellent addition to the album is Sandi PattyÆs song, title track
and radio single, ôAnother Time, Another Place.ö ôI am excited not only to
have re-recorded æAnother Time, Another Place,ö but also that it is the title
of our new record,ö says Janna. ôThis was and is such a beautiful song about
the hope of glory we have in Christ. To know that this broken world we live
in is not the end for us as believers but merely a æpassing throughÆ is very
comforting.ö
Other standouts on the project, produced by Shaun Shankel (Hilary Duff,
Natalie Grant), include ôPraise the Lordö (The Imperials),ôThe Reason We
Singö (First Call) and ôPeople Need the Lordö (Steve Green).
Steve Green remarks on his song ôPeople Need the Lord,ö ôEven though IÆve
sung the song at almost every concert for the past 23 years, it still touches
a tender place in my soul. Perhaps itÆs the acknowledgement of dependency
upon God, certainly for the gift of His grace, but also for every step of
this spiritual journey. Hearing AvalonÆs rendition was moving. A timeless
message to a new generation. Thank you Avalon.ö
Janna concludes, ôWe went into the studio and discovered just how
well-written these songs were and how talented the original artists really
are. These songs are timeless.ö
Avalon formed in 1996, setting a high standard in contemporary Christian
music. Reviewing its 2006 project Faith: A Hymns Collection, All Music Guide
noted ôthe vocal efficiency and personalized stylings that place Avalon among
the elite singing groups in contemporary Christian circles.ö To date, the
quartet has sold more than three million albums, charted 20 No. 1 singles,
and won an American Music Award plus numerous Dove Awards such as the 1999
Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for ôTestify to Love.ö That song, a
listener favorite, has also been specially re-recorded for Another Time,
Another Place. And when the next generation of Christian performers look back
at the artists who influenced their path, perhaps even paying tribute to them
on record, look for the name Avalon.
Enjoy!
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. God Is In Control ( 5:24)
02. For The Sake Of The Call ( 4:56)
03. Thy Word ( 3:57)
04. Another Time, Another Place ( 5:28)
05. Solid As A Rock ( 3:45)
06. People Get Ready ( 4:21)
07. Basics Of Life ( 5:12)
08. Place In This World ( 3:43)
09. The Reason We Sing ( 3:24)
10. Friend Of A Wounded Heart ( 4:40)
11. El Shaddai ( 3:50)
12. We Will Stand ( 4:09)
13. Addictive Love ( 4:37)
14. People Need The Lord ( 4:38)
15. Testify To Love ( 5:20)
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