Freedom (White Heart album)

Last updated
Freedom
WhiteHeartFreedom.jpg
Studio album by
Released1989
Genre Christian rock
Length52:45 (CD running time)
Label Sparrow
Producer Brown Bannister
White Heart chronology
Emergency Broadcast
(1987)
Freedom
(1989)
Powerhouse
(1990)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]

Freedom is the sixth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the last of the band's albums with Sparrow Records. [2] [3] Produced by Brown Bannister, it was also the last album for Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy and Chris McHugh, although McHugh returned as a session musician for Tales of Wonder (1992). With Bannister at the production helm and he is best known for producing Amy Grant's albums, he allowed the group to stretch musically and lyrically. It is considered one of White Heart's best albums in Christian rock with both Christian rock and Christian radio (AC/CHR) giving airplay on songs like "Over Me," "Invitation," "The River Will Flow," "Let the Kingdom Come" and "Eighth Wonder." Freedom peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Bye Bye Babylon" (Rick Florian, Mark Gersmehl, Gordon Kennedy, Tommy Sims, Billy Smiley) – 4:09
  2. "Sing Your Freedom" (Gersmehl, Kennedy, Sims, Smiley) – 4:53
  3. "Let the Kingdom Come" (Gersmehl, Kennedy, Sims, Smiley) – 5:03
  4. "Over Me" (Gersmehl, Kennedy, Sims, Smiley, Chris McHugh) – 5:15
  5. "Eighth Wonder" (Florian, Gersmehl, Kennedy, McHugh, Smiley) – 4:18
  6. "Power Tools" (Kennedy, McHugh, Smiley) – 4:21
  7. "Invitation" (Kennedy, Sims) – 4:52
  8. "The River Will Flow" (Gersmehl, Smiley) – 6:52
  9. "Set The Bridge On Fire" (Florian, Gersmehl, Kennedy, Smiley) – 4:33 (CD version only)
  10. "Let It Go" (Gersmehl, Kennedy, Sims, Smiley) – 4:11
  11. "I'll Meet You There" (Gersmehl, Sims) – 4:18

Critical reception

AllMusic's Brian Mansfield believes that White Heart "took the album's name to heart, allowing themselves more creative leeway on this than on any previous album. Most Christian arena rock sounds derivative of its secular counterparts -- not 'Freedom;' even its weak spots are undeniably original."

Personnel

White Heart

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Chart (1989)Peak
position
US Top Inspirational Albums ( Billboard ) [4] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)Position
US Top Inspirational Albums ( Billboard ) [5] 14

Radio singles

YearSinglesPeak positions
CCM AC
[6]
CCM CHR
[7]
1989"The River Will Flow"131
1989"Eighth Wonder"181
1989–90"Over Me"3
1989–90"I'll Meet You There"32

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Heart</span> American contemporary Christian/pop-rock band

White Heart, also listed as Whiteheart, was an American contemporary Christian music and pop-rock band which formed in 1982. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually changing cast of bandmates. In 1985, former roadie Rick Florian became the lead singer.

<i>Lead Me On</i> (Amy Grant album) 1988 studio album by Amy Grant

Lead Me On is the eighth studio album by Christian music singer-songwriter Amy Grant, released in 1988 through A&M Recordings.

<i>Simple Things</i> (Amy Grant album) 2003 studio album by Amy Grant

Simple Things is the fifteenth studio album by CCM singer-songwriter Amy Grant, released in 2003.

<i>White Heart</i> (album) 1982 studio album by White Heart

White Heart is the first album by the contemporary Christian music band White Heart and the band's only album with Steve Green on lead vocals, released in 1982 on Home Sweet Home Records. A year after its release, the album peaked at number 10 on the Top Inspirational Albums chart in Billboard magazine.White Heart was nominated for a Grammy for their debut album for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group at the 26th Grammy Awards.

<i>Vital Signs</i> (White Heart album) 1984 studio album by White Heart

Vital Signs is the second album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with vocalist Scott Douglas, who replaced Steve Green, released in 1984 on Home Sweet Home Records. By this time, Green had already started his solo recording career with the release of his self-titled debut album released the same year as White Heart's Vital Signs. The album features their first Christian radio number-one hit "We Are His Hands" featuring Green singing background vocals and part of the choir at the end of the song. Vital Signs peaked at number nine on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.

<i>Hotline</i> (White Heart album) 1985 studio album by White Heart

Hotline is the third album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with Gordon Kennedy on guitars and the last with both lead vocalist Scott Douglas and on the Home Sweet Home label. The first radio single "Jerusalem" features lead vocals from both Douglas and lead guitarist Kennedy and became a top five hit on Christian radio and was co-written with the Christian rock duo DeGarmo and Key. Hotline peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.

<i>Dont Wait for the Movie</i> 1986 studio album by White Heart

Don't Wait for the Movie is the fourth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first album with vocalist Rick Florian and drummer Chris McHugh. It is also their first album on Sparrow Records. Bassist Gary Lunn would leave the group after the release of the album and was replace on tour by bass guitar player and musician Tommy Sims. Sims would be a featured member and musician on their next album. Don't Wait for the Movie became a very successful album with radio singles "How Many Times " and "Fly Eagle Fly" both topping the Christian radio charts while "Beat of a Different Drum" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Christian" were hits on Christian Rock radio stations and programs. CCM Magazine named this album as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music at number 74. Don't Wait for the Movie peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. White Heart was nominated for Group of the Year at the 18th GMA Dove Awards but lost to First Call. The album cover did win a Dove Award for Recorded Music Packaging given to Mark Tucker and Buddy Jackson for photography and art direction.

<i>Emergency Broadcast</i> 1987 studio album by White Heart

Emergency Broadcast is the fifth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with bass guitarist Tommy Sims and is the second album on the Sparrow Records label released in late 1987. The album track "No Taboo" features the vocals of Rick Florian, Mark Gersmehl, Gordon Kennedy and Sims. The album was produced by White Heart, with the executive producer being Randy Moore. Emergency Broadcast peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.

<i>Powerhouse</i> (White Heart album) 1990 studio album by White Heart

Powerhouse is the seventh album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the first with Brian Wooten on guitars, Anthony Sallee on bass guitar and the first album on the Star Song label, and the band's only album with Mark Nemer on drums. It was released in late 1990. White Heart continues their arena rock sound from their previous album Freedom with the title song and "Independence Day" becoming hits on Christian Rock radio while their ballads like "Desert Rose" and "Lay It Down" were hits on Christian radio (AC/CHR) stations. Powerhouse peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

<i>Tales of Wonder</i> (album) 1992 studio album by White Heart

Tales of Wonder is the eighth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's first with Jon Knox as drummer. Chris McHugh played all drum tracks although Knox was the official drummer for the tour.It is their second album on Star Song Records released in 1992.The album is produced by White Heart founders Mark Gersmehl and Billy Smiley with Brown Bannister as a production consultant and who previously worked with them on their 1989 album Freedom. Every track on Tales of Wonder charted on both Christian Rock and Radio (AC/CHR) charts, except "Morningstar" and "Gabriella." A full-length track of "Morningstar" is heard on their 1994 compilation Nothing But the Best: Radio Classics. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. White Heart earned their second Grammy nomination, their first since 1984, for Best Rock Gospel Album for Tales of Wonder at the 35th Grammy Awards.

<i>Highlands</i> (album) 1993 studio album by White Heart

Highlands is the ninth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's last album with Star Song Records. The album was released and just coming off the singles that were from their Grammy nominated album Tales of Wonder (1992) as well as touring. Highlands was produced by White Heart founders Mark Gersmehl and Billy Smiley with Darrell A. Harris as executive producer. The first radio single "Once and for All" topped the Christian CHR/Pop chart and features members of the 1990's female Christian rock group Rachel Rachel near towards the end of the song. A music video was made for the album's third radio single "Heaven of My Heart". The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

<i>Inside</i> (White Heart album) 1995 studio album by White Heart

Inside is the tenth album by the Christian rock band White Heart and the band's only album with John Thorn on bass guitar and also the final album for both lead guitarist Brian Wooten and drummer Jon Knox. The band stylized its name as Whiteheart for this album. It is the first of two albums released on Curb Records. The album was produced by Ken Scott, whose producing and engineering credits include the Beatles, Elton John, Supertramp and David Bowie. Whiteheart's sound was scaled back from the arena rock from their previous releases to a more modern rock sound. Music videos were made for "Even the Hardest Heart" and "Inside".

<i>Redemption</i> (White Heart album) 1997 studio album by White Heart

Redemption is the eleventh and, to date, final studio album by the Christian rock band White Heart. It is their second and final album on Curb Records. Following the departures of lead guitarist Brian Wooten, bass guitarist John Thorn and drummer/percussionist Jon Knox and following up their 1995 album Inside, the group is now reduced to the trio of lead singer Rick Florian and White Heart founders Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl and has once again stylized as Whiteheart for this album. The trio has brought in studio musician friends to fill in the rhythm section and have made what critics are calling a redefining album. Redemption is produced by Smiley and Gersmehl with production assistance by Richie Biggs. The album debuted and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

<i>Heart and Soul</i> (Kathy Troccoli album) 1984 studio album by Kathy Troccoli

Heart and Soul is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. This album received a Grammy nomination in 1984, and contains songs written by Michael W. Smith. It featured music popular with CCM, as well as synthpop friendly songs, "I Belong to You", "Holy Holy", and "Hearts of Fire". The album features the songwriting skills of Brown and Debbie Bannister, Amy Grant, Gary Chapman, Michael W. Smith, as well as others. The music is a blend of contemporary pop, synthpop, and gospel music. Heart and Soul climbed to the top 10 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

The White Heart discography, an American contemporary Christian music pop-rock band, consists of 11 studio albums. The band released its eponymous debut album in January 1982, after which followed 10 additional studio recordings and numerous official and unofficial compilations. Despite their standing as one of the premier CCM bands, White Heart never won a Dove Award. The band was inducted in the Christian Music Hall of Fame on November 6, 2010.

<i>Brave Heart</i> (Kim Hill album) 1991 studio album by Kim Hill

Brave Heart is the third studio album by Kim Hill, released in 1991. It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock/Contemporary Gospel Album. It reached number 11 on the Contemporary Christian Albums chart in Billboard Magazine.

<i>Nothing But the Best: Radio Classics</i> 1994 compilation album by White Heart

Nothing But the Best: Radio Classics is an official 1994 compilation album by the Christian rock band White Heart. This is the second of two albums by White Heart with the other being Nothing But the Best: Rock Classics, as they were released separately. This collection features songs from both the Sparrow and Star Song years 1986-1994 focusing on their Christian radio hits in AC and CHR/pop, many of them went to number one, where as Rock Classics focuses on their rock cuts from the same period. Radio Classics features a new song, "My Eyes Have Seen", and a full-length version of "Morningstar." A shorter version was heard on their 1992 album Tales of Wonder. Both tracks were released as Christian radio singles from this collection. Session musician Mark Hill was brought in and played bass guitar on both new songs and replaced Anthony Sallee who had left the group after the release of 1993's Highlands. The album debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

<i>Sounds of Heaven</i> 1995 studio album by Kathy Troccoli

Sounds of Heaven is the sixth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It was released on September 26, 1995 on Reunion Records. After the limited mainstream success of her two previous albums Pure Attraction (1991) and the self-titled 1994 release, Troccoli returns with her first full-length Christian album since 1986's Images. American singer-songwriter Chris Rice has penned three songs on Sounds of Heaven including the lead single "Go Light Your World." The song was nominated for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, in addition to Troccoli's nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 26th GMA Dove Awards. The album peaked at number 10 on the Top Christian Albums and number 17 on the Heatseekers charts in Billboard magazine.

<i>Cry for the Desert</i> 1990 studio album by Twila Paris

Cry for the Desert is the eighth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1990 by Star Song Records. The album is Paris' first time working with producer Brown Bannister, who is best known for producing Christian pop superstar Amy Grant's albums and recently produced the Christian rock group White Heart's 1989 album Freedom and features the band's rhythm section of guitarist Gordon Kennedy, bassist Tommy Sims and drummer Chris McHugh. Producer Bannister updated Paris' sound on Cry for the Desert to sound more contemporary pop while still incorporating her praise and worship music. Paris' song "How Beautiful" is now considered a modern day hymn and is used during Easter services during communion. The song is ranked in the Top 20 from CCM Magazine's 2006 book The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. Paris was nominated in two categories at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Cry for the Desert climbed up to number two on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

<i>Beyond a Dream</i> (Twila Paris album) 1993 studio album by Twila Paris

Beyond a Dream is the tenth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in late 1993 by Star Song Records. Paris reunited with producer Brown Bannister, who produced her 1990 album Cry for the Desert and also with Paul Mills who produced two tracks from her 1992 compilation album A Heart That Knows You. The album topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, giving Paris her first number-one album. In 1995, Paris won her third-consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year title and also won Song of the Year for writing her number-one Christian AC hit "God Is in Control" at the 26th GMA Dove Awards. Music videos were made for "God Is in Control" and "What Am I Without You?"

References

  1. Masfield, Brian. White Heart – Freedom: Review at AllMusic
  2. Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp.  1033–5. ISBN   1-56563-679-1.
  3. White Heart: Freedom. Sparrow Records. 1989.
  4. "Top Inspirational LPs" (PDF). Billboard . August 26, 1989. p. 32.
  5. "Inspirational LPs Year-end issue" (PDF). Billboard . December 23, 1989. p. Y-54.
  6. Brothers, Jeffrey Lee, ed. (2003). CCM Hot Hits: AC Charts 1978 - 2001. AuthorHouse. p. 228. ISBN   1-4107-3294-0.
  7. Brothers, Jeffrey Lee, ed. (1999). CCM Hot Hits: Christian Hit Radio - 20 Years of Charts, Artist Bios and More. CCM Books. p. 178. ISBN   0-8230-7718-7.