Russ Taff (album)

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 hit in 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.

Track listing

Personnel

• Russ Taff – lead vocals, backing vocals (3, 8, 11)
• Robbie Buchanan – synthesizers (1–6, 8–11), acoustic piano (2, 3, 5, 11), Hammond B3 organ (3, 11), PPG bass (5)
• Greg Husted – Hammond B3 organ (1, 6)
• Eric Persing – synthesizer programming (2)
• Alan Pasqua – synthesizers (3, 4, 6)
• James Hollihan – guitars (1, 3–6, 8–11), slide guitar solo (5), acoustic slide guitar (7), acoustic piano (8), guitar solo (9–11), acoustic guitar (11)
• Lynn Nichols – acoustic guitar (1)
• Dave Perkins – acoustic guitar (1), guitars (1, 2, 6), guitar solo (1), backing vocals (2, 11), additional synthesizers (2)
• Dann Huff – guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
• Neil Stubenhaus – bass (1, 2, 6, 9)
• Mike Brignardello – bass (3, 11)
• Nathan East – bass (4, 10)
• Jackie Street – bass (8)
• Mel Watts – drums (1, 6, 8)
• Scott Musick – drums (2, 9)
• Paul Leim – drums (3–5, 10, 11)
• Lenny Castro – percussion (1, 4, 5, 8, 11)
• Koji Egawa – door percussion (4)
• Joe Porcaro – timpani (5)
• Jeff Porcaro – hi-hat (6)
• Mark Douthit – sax solo (3), soprano saxophone (4), saxophone (8, 9)
• Clarice Devisschu – backing vocals (4)
• Vince Ebo – backing vocals (4, 9)
• Charlie Peacock – backing vocals (4, 9)
• Rebecca Sparks – backing vocals (4)
• Jack Joseph Puig – ethnic vocals (4)
• Mark Williamson – backing vocals (6, 8, 10)
• Annie Stocking – backing vocals (9)

The 'Boys Choir' on This Love is Strong"

• James Hollihan, Lynn Nichols, Greg Sparks, Russ Taff, Steve Taylor and Mark Williamson

Chant on "(Living on the) Edge of Time"

• James Hollihan, Lynn Nichols, Dave Perkins, Jack Joseph Puig and Russ Taff

Production

• Lynn Nichols – executive producer, cover design concept
• Jack Joseph Puig – producer, recording, mixing
• Steve Ford – assistant engineer
• Koji Egawa – assistant engineer
• Wade Jaynes – assistant engineer
• Julie Last – assistant engineer
• Bert Stevens – assistant engineer
• Billy Whittington – assistant engineer
• Steve Hazelton – technical assistance
• Mike Wambsgans – technical assistance
• Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California)
• Joan Tankersley – art direction, cover design concept, logo design
• Patrick Pollei – logo design
• Phillip Dixon – photography
• Zack Glickman – management

Charts

Radio singles

Accolades

GMA Dove Awards

References