Elementary

by Cindy Morgan

Overview

This veteran CCM singer sets herself apart from her genre's popular counterparts Rebecca St. James, Erin O'Donnell, and Jaci Velasquez by writing her own tunes, and most convey the positive heavenly message with strong (sometimes anthemic) hooks. But both the greatest strength and weakness of this disc are the creative production touches of Brent Bourgeois. He turns "The World Needs Your Love" into a powerful, symphonic rock statement; the one drawback to the powerful energy of the tune is the way Cindy Morgan's voice sometimes gets lost in all the shenanigans. "Good Thing" takes modern production techniques and mixes them with a disco groove on the chorus, almost creating an Abba-like effect. Busy sonic ideas also infuse the title track and the Latin rock-flavored "New World," and Morgan's voice again is either distorted or blends too tightly with the wall of sound. Fortunately, Bourgeois pulls back for ballads like "Love Can," which allow Morgan's soft and truly spiritual side to shine through; her vocal grows more passionate as she goes along. Strange how she could follow this kind of vocal performance with a much more forgettable airy vocal approach on "Believe." "Sunshine" finds her doing her best Amy Grant imitation. Overall, certainly a bit more interesting sonically than the usual female CCM outing, but that intrigue also leads to some maddening listening moments. ~ Jonathan Widran

Product Details

Release Date:	12/18/2020
Label:	Word Distribution
UPC:	0080688611927

Tracks

1. The World Needs Your Love
2. Good Thing
3. Elementary
4. Love Can
5. New World
6. Believe
7. End of the World
8. Walk in the Rain
9. Grape Soda
10. Sunshine
11. Happy
12. Love Is Waiting
13. In These Rooms
14. I Love You
15. Untitled

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cindy Morgan   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Piano (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Mark Douthit   Keyboards,Saxophone,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Alto,Flute
Matt Hammon   Choir/Chorus
Raymond Boyd   Drums,Drehleier
Jeremy Jensen   Choir/Chorus
Dennis Solee   Clarinet
Andrew Ramsey   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
George Tidwell   Trumpet
Eric Darken   Percussion
Brent Bourgeois   Piano,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Sherman Lewis   Choir/Chorus
Steve Smith   Choir/Chorus
Mike Haynes   Trumpet
Chris Rodriguez   Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Craig Nelson   Double Bass,Bass (Upright)
Tom Howard   Conductor
Jim White   Drums,Percussion,Percussion
Denis Solee   Clarinet
Tim Lauer   Mandolin,Accordion,Harmonica
Larry Tagg   Bass
David Davidson   Violin
Gene Miller   Vocals (Background)
David Rice   Choir/Chorus
Jeff Roach   Piano,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Mark Douthit   Horn Arrangements
Pete Kipley   Programming
Alex Alzamora   Programming,Composer
Chuck Nelson   Art Direction
Jim White   Loop,Percussion Programming
Tony Nicholas   Composer
Andrew Ramsey   Composer
Brent Bourgeois   A&R,Composer,Producer
Mike Haynes   Horn Arrangements
Linda Bourne Wornell   A&R
J.C. Monterrosa   Assistant Engineer
Ken Love   Mastering
Tom Howard   Arranger,String Arrangements
Brent Lenthall   Composer
Bobby Bluebell   Composer
Cindy Morgan   Composer,Producer
Cory Fite   Engineer
Pat McDonald   Composer
David Schober   Mixing,Engineer
Jeff Jones   Design
Jeff Roach   Programming