Customer Reviews

God Is Good

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having worn out my cassette version of this project, I was thrilled to see the CD available in like new condition at a very fair price. First Call was the Contemporary Christian version of the Manhattan Transfer. Such accurate and tight harmonies between male and female vocalists are rare and refreshing. The synthesized instrumentation, while dated and not for everyone's taste, nevertheless demonstrated Keith Thomas' vast songwriting and compositional talents. The sincerity of the lyrics is undeniable, and the varied presentational styles reach a wide audience.

In 1989 First Call released their third project, GOD IS GOOD. New producer, Keith Thomas, streamlined the sound of the album which, to the surprise of some long-time fans, drastically reduced the jazz elements in favor of a more traditional AC/pop style. The results were even more radio-friendly than usual, but at the expense of the more edgy experimentation that First Call was known and admired for. Still, the album was embraced by fans and it ended up spawning multiple #1 cross-format hits for the group. The trio was backed by a solid assembly of studio musicians, including Thomas, Mark Hammond, Jerry McPherson, and Jimmie Lee Sloas. Writers contributing to the project included Thomas, Michael W Smith, and all three members of First Call.

"Someday" opens, and sets the tone for, the project with it's mid-tempo pop groove and message of hope in the midst of pain. "Forgiven" was a solid cover of the classic Imperials tune. "Without You" is one of the more interesting lyrics of its time. Metaphors like "guilty as a traitor behind enemy lines, caught within the cogwheel of the daily grind," show that it's all we can do without Christ, like a "heart without hope, breath without soul, death without life, I cannot live without you." "Legacy," which was one of the biggest radio hits of the year, is a classic First Call-esque ballad. With Mel Tunney shining on the lead vocal, we are reminded that everything we do in our life and every mark we make is a part of our legacy, which is all we can leave behind to the world. "Parable Of the River" closes the album out, in tour de force fashion, thanks to some killer harmonies and a wall of sound style that builds to crescendo in a huge way.

Different though it may be from the group's earlier projects, GOD IS GOOD has always been my favorite of First Call's projects. Arguably, it was the high point in First Call's history, radio-wise. And it also marked the end of an era for the group, when Mel Tunney left to form a duo with her husband Dick. Maribeth Jordan came on for their next two projects, HUMAN SONG and SACRED JOURNEY. GOD IS GOOD gets FOUR STARS.

first call has always touched my soul in many ways

and the song here "sweet love" & "breaking through" will always be my favite and always in my heart and on my music box

luv this group foever

peace

speller littlewing

First Call's 1989 release produced by Keith Thomas. This title is decidedly more toward a pop and radio lean then their previous work.

Here are the songs:

someday

breaking through

forgiven

sweet love

without you

poverty

true love

legacy

parable of the river.

This is one of the best in contemporary christian music. It really gives me a lift to listen to it.