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Michael W. Smith Project

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Michael W. Smith Project
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 8, 1983
Recorded1982
GenreContemporary Christian music
Length40:44
LabelReunion
ProducerMichael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith chronology
Michael W. Smith Project
(1983)
Michael W. Smith 2
(1984)
Original cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Jesus Freak Hideout[2]

Michael W. Smith Project is the debut album of Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. Originally released in 1983, the album was reissued in CD format in 1987 with a new cover featuring an updated photo of Smith. The album reached number nine on the Top Contemporary Christian chart.[1]CCM Magazine ranked Michael W. Smith Project at number 34 on their 2001 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.[3] Smith earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 26th Grammy Awards.

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith, except where noted

Side one[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sonata in D Major"M. Smith1:13
2."You Need a Savior" 3:34
3."Could He Be the Messiah" 4:28
4."Too Many Times" 4:25
5."Be Strong and Courageous" 3:42
6."Looking Up"M. Smith3:23
Total length:20:45
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Race is On" 3:41
2."First Light"/"Love in the Light" 5:30
3."Friends" 4:16
4."Great Is the Lord" 2:52
5."Alpha Overture"M. Smith3:40
Total length:19:59

Note: "First Light" was titled "From Light" on the original vinyl and cassette releases.

Personnel

[edit]
  • Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Yamaha GS2, Prophet-5 synthesizers
  • Shane KeisterOberheim OB-X, Prophet-5 synthesizers, vocoder
  • Jon Goin – guitars
  • Mike Brignardello – bass
  • Mark Hammond – drums, Roland TR-808 drum machine on "First Light"
  • Mike Psanos – percussion
  • Denis Solee – saxophone
  • Gary Chapman – backing vocals
  • Jackie Cusic – backing vocals
  • Diana DeWitt – backing vocals
  • David Durham – backing vocals
  • Teresa Ellis – backing vocals
  • Amy Grant – backing vocals on "Friends"
  • Pam Mark Hall – backing vocals
  • Chris Harris – backing vocals
  • Gary Pigg – backing vocals
  • Kim Smith – backing vocals

Production

[edit]
  • Michael W. Smith – producer, assistant engineer
  • Michael Blanton – executive producer
  • Dan Harrell – executive producer
  • Mike Psanos – engineer
  • Brown Bannister – assistant engineer
  • John Woods – assistant engineer
  • Jack Joseph Puig – remixing
  • Recorded at Tree International Studio (Nashville, Tennessee).
  • Hank Williams – mastering
  • Mastered at Woodland Sound Studios (Nashville, Tennessee).
  • Bill Brunt – art direction
  • Tim Campbell – photography[1]

Chart performance

[edit]
Chart (1983) Peak
position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[5] 9

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Michael W. Smith Project". AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  2. ^ "Michael W. Smith Project". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  3. ^ Granger, Thom, ed. (2001). The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. Harvest House. ISBN 0-7369-0281-3.
  4. ^ "Michael W. Smith Project". Discogs. 1983. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2019.