Out of the Darkest Night

by Barbara Pennington

Overview

"If you believe in yourself, people will open their arms to you." That's the catchall line in the opening -- and title track -- to Chicago-born Pennington's 1985 sophomore outing, and it sets the positive musical and lyrical energy for the subsequent material here. A tasty assortment of nifty mid-tempo dance/soul numbers, the set offers particularly strong numbers in the gleeful "Way Down Deep in My Soul," whose production slightly recalls Quincy Jones' 1982 sessions with Donna Summer, and the motivational, jazzy "Raise the Curtain." The earnest ballad "Tearstains" also leaves a lasting impression, while the Hi-NRG entry "Vertigo" is dull and unconvincing. Vocally, Pennington's clear and strong yet sultry style makes each entry user-friendly and enticing. On more than a few occasions, her tone bears remarkable resemblance to cohort Evelyn Thomas (both worked almost exclusively with producer Ian Levine). Hot Productions' 1996 CD reissue includes two bonus tracks: "All American Boy," an enhancement, and "Vanity," a throwaway number. ~ Justin M. Kantor

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2011
Label:	Essential Media Mod
UPC:	0894231252921
Rank:	174458

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Barbara Pennington   Primary Artist,Vocals
Steve Pearce   Bass
Steve Gregory   Saxophone
Stuart Brooks   Trumpet
Luis Jardim   Percussion
Graham Jarvis   Drums
Sonia Jones Morgan   Vocals (Background)
Sylvia Mason James   Vocals (Background)
Laura Pallas   Vocals (Background)
Malcolm Griffiths   Trombone
Earlene Bentley   Vocals (Background)
Marilyn David   Vocals (Background)
Dee Lewis   Vocals (Background)
John Kirby   Vocals (Background)
Linda Allen   Vocals (Background)
Stan Sulzmann   Saxophone
Philip Todd   Saxophone
Alan Downey   Trumpet
Dave Plews   Trumpet
Martin Drover   Trumpet
Guy Barker   Trumpet
Fiachra Trench   Piano,Director,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Nick Glennie-Smith   Synthesizer
Andrew MacKintosh   Saxophone
Andrew Pask   Bass
Morris Michael   Guitar
Charlie Morgan   Drums

Technical Credits

Flachra Trench   Producer
Ian Levine   Composer,Producer,Remixing
John Morales   Remixing
Graham Dickson   Remixing
Sergio Munzibai   Remixing
Francis Loney   Photography
Barbara Pennington   Composer
Flood   Remixing
Matthew   Hair Stylist
Adam Moseley   Remixing
Fiachra Trench   Composer,Producer
Peter Van Hooke   Drum Programming
Nick Glennie-Smith   Programming,Drum Programming
Charlie Morgan   Programming