Medals | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1985 | |||
Recorded | September 1984 – March 1985 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | CCM, Christian pop | |||
Length | 45:08 | |||
Label | Myrrh/Word Records | |||
Producer | Jack Joseph Puig | |||
Russ Taff chronology | ||||
|
Medals is the second studio album by Christian singer-songerwriter Russ Taff, released in 1985 on Myrrh Records. [1] [2] [3] Medals would prove to be his breakthrough album.[ citation needed ] Taff once again co-wrote with his wife Tori, along with his guitarist and songwriter James Hollihan, Jr. and contributions from other CCM artists and songwriters like Pam Mark Hall, Roby Duke and Chris Eaton.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
Thom Granger of AllMusic said the album contained "'80s pop styles and hooky songs, resulting in a CCM classic".
Songs like "Here I Am", "Silent Love", "God Only Knows", and "I'm Not Alone" were Christian radio hits, all hitting the top ten on the Christian AC chart. Music videos were made for "I'm Not Alone" and "Not Gonna Bow" to promote the album. CCM Magazine has ranked Medals at number 36 in their 2001 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. [5] Taff won a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Medals at the 17th GMA Dove Awards. [6] In 1986, Taff was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male for Medals. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Year | Winner | Category |
---|---|---|
1986 | Medals | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Vision" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Chris Eaton, Chrissie Grossman Puig | 4:09 |
2. | "I'm Not Alone" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Elizabeth Janz, Paul Janz | 4:19 |
3. | "Medals" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Jonathan Sweet, Rodney Trott | 4:43 |
4. | "Not Gonna Bow" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, James Newton Howard, Michael Landau | 3:51 |
5. | "Here I Am" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Chris Eaton | 4:11 |
6. | "I've Come Too Far" | Roby Duke, James Hollihan, Jr. | 5:28 |
7. | "Silent Love" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Elizabeth Janz, Paul Janz, Chrissie Grossman Puig, Robbie Buchanan | 4:45 |
8. | "How Much It Hurts" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff, Chris Eaton | 4:05 |
9. | "Rock Solid" | Tori Taff, James Hollihan, Jr. Raymond Brown | 4:08 |
10. | "God Only Knows" | Pam Mark Hall, James Hollihan, Jr. | 4:34 |
Production
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Inspirational Albums (Billboard) [7] | 2 |
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1985 | U.S. Billboard Inspirational Albums | 12 [8] |
1986 | 7 [9] |
Year | Singles | Peak positions | |
---|---|---|---|
CCM AC [10] | CCM CHR [11] | ||
1985 | "Silent Love" | 1 | 3 |
1985 | "Medals" | - | 3 |
1985 | "Here I Am" | 2 | 7 |
1986 | "I'm Not Alone" | 4 | 6 |
1986 | "God Only Knows" | 10 | - |
Age to Age is the fourth studio album by Christian music singer Amy Grant, released in 1982 on Myrrh Records.
Lead Me On is the eighth studio album by Christian music singer-songwriter Amy Grant, released in 1988 through A&M Recordings.
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer and songwriter who grew up in Farmersville, California. He has sung a variety of musical styles throughout his career including: pop rock, traditional Southern gospel, contemporary country music, and rhythm and blues. He first gained recognition as lead vocalist for the Imperials (1976–81). One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise the Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and occasionally tours with Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming concerts. As a solo artist and songwriter, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand". Taff has received various Dove and Grammy awards either as a solo artist or part of a larger musical group, most notably the Imperials.
Dancing with Danger is the second album by Leslie Phillips, released in 1984 on Myrrh Records. The album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
The Warrior Is a Child is the third studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris. Released in 1984, it would be her final album on Benson Records's Milk & Honey label. The album climbed to number eight on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The title song was a hit at Christian radio topping the Christian AC chart for 18 weeks. Paris was nominated in three categories at the 16th GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year for the title song and Inspirational Album of the Year. The track "We Bow Down" has become one of Paris' praise and worship standards. The title song was ranked at number 48 from CCM Magazine's The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music.
Morning Like This is the ninth studio album by Christian/inspirational singer Sandi Patti and her first album on Word Records released in 1986. Morning Like This was considered a successful album and a turning point in her career. It was released in March 1986 and a few months after its release, Patti had reached national acclaim after her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was included during the ABC Statue of Liberty re-dedication broadcast on July 6, 1986. This exposure led to multiple mainstream television appearances including The Tonight Show and Christmas in Washington. The album was listed at No. 87 from CCM Magazine in their 2001 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. In 1987, Patti won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance, Female and Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group with R&B singer Deniece Williams for the track "They Say" from Williams' Gospel album So Glad I Know at the 29th Grammy Awards and later would win 3 GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist, Artist of the Year and Inspirational Album of the Year. The track "In The Name Of The Lord" would win a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1988 given to Patti and her co-writers Gloria Gaither and Phil McHugh. Morning Like This topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, finishing in the Top 3 for three years on their Inspirational Albums year-end charts, including taking the number 1 album of 1987 and was certified Gold in 1987 and Platinum in 1993 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Walls of Glass is the debut solo album by former Imperials lead singer Russ Taff, released in 1983 on Myrrh Records. After he left the Imperials in 1981, Taff started work on his first solo album featuring songs that he co-wrote with his wife Tori and his guitarist and songwriter James Hollihan Jr. "We Will Stand" was released as the first single and became his first Christian radio hit topping the Christian AC chart for 15 weeks. The song is ranked at number 29 by CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. Taff won his first solo Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 26th Grammy Awards. At the 15th GMA Dove Awards, Taff won his third Male Vocalist of the Year title, his first as a solo artist. "We Will Stand" was nominated for Song of the Year twice at the Dove Awards in 1984 and 1985. Walls of Glass reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Russ Taff is the third album by Christian singer/songwriter Russ Taff, released in late 1987 on Myrrh/Word Records. Taff covers two songs: "Down in the Lowlands" by Charlie Peacock and "I Still Believe" by the Call, plus a 40-second snippet of the American negro spiritual "Steal Away". Taff also records "Breathe Life into Me", which would later be a UK Top 30 hit and US R&B hit in 1988–1989 by British singer Mica Paris. Russ Taff reached number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The album won a GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 20th GMA Dove Awards and earned Taff a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.
The Way Home is the fourth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Russ Taff, released in 1989 on Myrrh Records. Music videos were made for "Winds of Change" and "I Cry" to promote the album. The Way Home was ranked at number 11 on CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. The album includes a one-minute version of the traditional gospel song "Ain't No Grave" – Taff later recorded a longer version on his 1991 album Under Their Influence. In 1990, The Way Home won Rock Album of the Year and the song "The River Unbroken" won Rock Recorded Song of the Year at the 21st GMA Dove Awards. Taff was also nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Male for the song "Farther On" at the 32nd Grammy Awards. The album topped the Billboard Inspirational Albums chart.
Our Hymns is a compilation album released in 1989 on Word Records. It features well-known church hymns each done by CCM artists' interpretation and styles of music from pop to rock to country. It is also a trilogy of albums from Word Records using the word "Our" in the series starting with this album, along with Our Christmas (1990) and Our Family (1992). The R&B vocal group Take 6 won the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group for their interpretation of "The Savior Is Waiting" at the 32nd Grammy Awards. In 1990, the album won Praise and Worship Album of the Year and Amy Grant won Country Recorded Song of the Year for "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" at the 21st GMA Dove Awards. Our Hymns debuted and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Heed the Call is the 25th studio album by Christian music group The Imperials, released in 1979 on DaySpring Records. The group won their third Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational for their album Heed the Call at the 22nd Grammy Awards and were named Male Group of the Year at the 11th GMA Dove Awards. The track "Praise the Lord" won Song of the Year the following year given to its writers Brown Bannister and Mike Hudson at the 12th GMA Dove Awards. The Imperials were the first group to have a number-one song on all three of the following charts: Contemporary, Inspirational, and Southern gospel. Heed the Call debuted and peaked at number 3 on Billboard magazine's inaugural Top Inspirational Albums chart on March 29, 1980.
One More Song for You is the 26th studio album by the Christian music group The Imperials, released in late 1979 on DaySpring Records. It was the first of two albums that the group collaborated with well-known musician/producer Michael Omartian, moving them to a more contemporary pop sound, with the second being their next album Priority (1980). "I'm Forgiven" went to number one on the Christian radio charts and stayed there for 13 weeks. The Imperials were winners at the 12th GMA Dove Awards winning three for Group of the Year, Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year with lead singer Russ Taff winning Male Vocalist of the Year. One More Song for You was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational at the 23rd Grammy Awards. The album reached number one on the Billboard Inspirational Albums chart. CCM Magazine has ranked One More Song for You at number 75 on their 2001 book The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.
Priority is the 27th studio album by the Christian music group The Imperials, released in late 1980 on DaySpring Records. It is the second album that the group has collaborated with well-known musician/producer Michael Omartian, their first being their previous album One More Song for You (1979). In 1982, the Imperials won their fourth and, to date, final Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational at the 24th Grammy Awards and at the 13th GMA Dove Awards, they were named Group of the Year and Priority was named Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Lead singer Russ Taff won his second Dove Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, winning back-to-back. Prior to the award ceremonies, Taff had left the group in 1981 to begin his solo career and started work on his debut album Walls of Glass (1983) before being replaced by Paul Smith as the new lead singer. Priority gave the Imperials their second number-one album on Billboard magazine's Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Stand by the Power is the 28th studio album by Christian music vocal group The Imperials, released in 1982 on DaySpring Records. This is the first album to feature new lead singer Paul Smith, who replaced Russ Taff after being with the group since 1976. While promoting an Imperials concert at Baylor University where he was a student, Smith gave Armond Morales a tape of his music. When Morales learned that Taff was leaving, he called Smith. Smith co-wrote five songs on this album and the Imperials also covered the Kerry Livgren track "How Can You Live" from his album Seeds of Change (1980). In 1983, the Imperials won the Dove Award for Group of the Year at the 14th GMA Dove Awards.The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Love & Mercy is the seventh studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It was released on April 29, 1997 on Reunion Records. The lead single "Love One Another" features Troccoli and 40 plus Christian artists like Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Michael W. Smith and Carman. The song was released commercially as a CD single on March 18, 1997 to Christian retail stores in advance of the album's release and the single's proceeds went to His Touch Ministries in Houston, Texas, which is a non-profit organization that was established to educate the church, provide support groups for HIV victims, create teams to visit AIDS patients and provide housing for men, women and children suffering from the illness. The album's third single "A Baby's Prayer" is a pro-life song that Troccoli and Scott Brasher wrote that explores the abortion issue from the perspective of an unborn child. "A Baby's Prayer" would give Troccoli her first two Dove Award wins for Inspirational Song of the Year at the 29th GMA Dove Awards. Love & Mercy reached number 7 on the Top Christian Albums, number 6 on the Heatseekers Albums and number 170 on the Top 200 Albums charts in Billboard magazine, giving Troccoli her first crossover chart appearance on the latter.
Kingdom Seekers is the fourth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris. Released in 1985, it is her first album on the Star Song label. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The first single "Runner" would top the Christian AC chart for 9 weeks and was written by Paris and her sister Starla. The next two singles "Lamb of God" and "He Is Exalted" would become Paris' praise and worship standards. "He Is Exalted" is ranked at number 66 from CCM Magazine's 2006 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music and Kingdom Seekers is ranked at number 57 on The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.
Same Girl is the fifth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1987 by Star Song Records. Paris was nominated in two categories at the 19th GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for Same Girl. Christian recording artist and guitar player Phil Keaggy provides an acoustic guitar solo on the track "I Feel It." The album peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Sanctuary is the ninth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris on Star Song Records. Released in late 1991, Paris' first full-length praise and worship album was produced and arranged by keyboardist Richard Souther. Paris wrote and recorded ten new songs along with instrumental versions of her praise and worship songs "We Bow Down", "We Will Glorify", and "Lamb of God"; she also recorded "He Is Exalted" in Portuguese called "Ele É Exaltado".
A Heart That Knows You is a compilation album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in late 1992 by Star Song Records. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. A Heart That Knows You is a collection of Paris' radio hits and praise and worship songs from her Star Song catalog featuring two brand new songs, a re-recording of her first number-one hit "The Warrior Is a Child" and a re-recorded medley of "Do I Trust You", "Keepin' My Eyes on You", and "We Will Glorify". The new recordings were produced by Greg Nelson and Paul Mills. In 1993, Paris won her first of three-consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year titles at the GMA Dove Awards. A music video was made for "Destiny" to promote the album.
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?"