Under Their Influence | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1991 | |||
Studio | Interociter Studio, Nashville, Tennessee | |||
Genre | CCM, Southern rock, blues, gospel | |||
Length | 42:50 | |||
Label | Myrrh | |||
Producer | Russ Taff, James Hollihan, Jr. | |||
Russ Taff chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Under Their Influence is the fifth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Russ Taff, released in 1991 on Myrrh Records. [2] It is an album of traditional spiritual covers that pays tribute to Blind Willie Johnson, Brother Joe May and Mahalia Jackson, among others. Even though the album was originally titled Under Their Influence, Volume 1, there was no Volume 2. Taff and his guitarist, James Hollihan, Jr., produced and arranged the album. Taff re-recorded a gospel blues version of "Just Believe", originally recorded for his 1983 debut album Walls of Glass . Taff won his second solo Grammy Award (his fifth and final overall) for Best Rock Gospel Album at the 34th Grammy Awards.
The album peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. [3]
All songs arranged by Russ Taff and James Hollihan, Jr., except where noted.
Production
Chart (1991) | Peak position |
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US Top Christian Albums ( Billboard ) | 5 |
Year | Winner | Category |
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1992 | Under Their Influence | Best Rock Gospel Album |
Jesus Freak is the fourth studio album by the American Christian rap and rock trio DC Talk, released on November 21, 1995, on ForeFront Records. The style was a marked departure from the group's previous releases, incorporating a heavier rock sound and elements of grunge that was popular at the time.
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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.
Phil Keaggy and Sunday's Child is the title of a 1988 album by guitarist Phil Keaggy, released on Myrrh Records and A&M Records simultaneously.
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.
Right Here, Right Now is the eight studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Russ Taff. Released in 1999, it is his first and only album on Benson Records also his first full-length Christian album of new material in 10 years, after 1991's Grammy winning Under Their Influence, his limited country success of 1995's Winds of Change and released two years after the death of his father. Taff's father was a Pentecostal minister and a couple of his songand s reflect that on the album. Taff and his long-time guitarist James Hollihan, Jr. produced the album.
The Wonders of His Love is the second studio album by Philip Bailey released in 1984 on Myrrh Records. This was his first gospel album peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and No. 17 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.
The 21st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 5, 1990, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1989. The show was held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Clifton Davis and Sandi Patty.
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.
Medals is the second studio album by Christian singer-songerwriter Russ Taff, released in 1985 on Myrrh Records. Medals would prove to be his breakthrough album. 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.
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 hitin 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.
A Christmas Song is the first Christmas album by singer-songwriter Russ Taff. It is his one and only album released in 1992 on the Sparrow label. Taff and his wife Tori dedicated the song "What a Wonderful World" to their newborn daughter Madeleine Rose Taff who was born in the summer of 1992 while making this album. The album is produced by Taff's guitarist James Hollihan, Jr. A concert video was also released of the same name featuring Taff and his band performing at a nightclub. A Christmas Song peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
We Will Stand/Yesterday and Today is a compilation album by Christian singer-songwriter Russ Taff. This was his final album on the Myrrh label released in 1994. It is a collection of Taff's favorite songs from his solo years on the Myrrh label as well as a couple of songs from his time with the Imperials. It also contains one previously unreleased track, "Your Love Stays With Me", originally recorded by Christian singer-songwriter Gary Chapman on his 1987 album Everyday Man.
Winds of Change is the seventh studio album by singer-songwriter Russ Taff, released in 1995 on Reprise/Warner Bros. Nashville. It is Taff's first, and only, full-length mainstream country album. The title song and "I Cry" are the only two songs from his 1989 album The Way Home that he re-recorded for this album. The first country single "Love Is Not a Thing" debuted on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart on January 14, 1995, at number 64, peaking at number 53 on February 25, 1995, spending a total of 9 weeks. "One and Only Love" and "Bein' Happy" were also released as singles and music videos performing moderately well on country radio and CMT. Well-known country songwriter/producer/musician Randy Scruggs produced the album's first six tracks, while Taff and his long-time guitarist James Hollihan, Jr. produced the remaining four tracks.
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.
Time and Again is the second studio album by American Christian singer Kim Boyce, released in 1988 on Myrrh Records.Time and Again features her cover of Rare Earth's 1971 Top 10 hit "I Just Want to Celebrate," which was a Top 5 hit on Christian radio. The album reached the top 10 on the Billboard Top Insprirational Albums chart.
As I Am is the seventh and, to date, final studio album by American Christian singer-songwriter Kim Boyce. It is her first and only release on Diadem Music Group, distributed by Benson Records in 1997. Like her previous album By Faith, As I Am continues her adult contemporary sound. Boyce duets with her husband Gary Koreiba on the track "Amazing Love for Me". Production duties were done by Bryan Lenox while James Hollihan, Jr. produced the track "The Sound of Your Voice".
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.