Where I Stand is the eleventh studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris released on April 2, 1996. After being on Star Song Records for more than ten years, Paris signed on with sister label Sparrow Records starting with this release.[1][2][3] The album debuted and peaked at number 87 on the Top 200 Albums chart, marking Paris' first time on that chart and number 3 on the Top Christian Albums chart in Billboard magazine. The album's first single "Faithful Friend" is a duet with singer-songwriter (and Sparrow labelmate) Steven Curtis Chapman, which they wrote together and placed in the top 5 on Christian radio and Paris' second single "(I Am) Not Afraid Anymore" reached number 1 on the Christian AC chart.
| Where I Stand | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 2, 1996 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | CCM, Christian pop, inspirational | |||
| Length | 52:09 | |||
| Label | Sparrow/EMI | |||
| Producer | Brown Bannister | |||
| Twila Paris chronology | ||||
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Track listing
editAll songs written by Twila Paris, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love's Been Following You" | 4:42 | |
| 2. | "Hold On" | 5:18 | |
| 3. | "Band of Survivors" | 5:44 | |
| 4. | "Faithful Friend" (duet with Steven Curtis Chapman) | Paris, Chapman | 4:57 |
| 5. | "Jesus in You" | 4:01 | |
| 6. | "Honor and Praise" | 3:39 | |
| 7. | "(I Am) Not Afraid Anymore" | 4:07 | |
| 8. | "What Did He Die For?" | 5:35 | |
| 9. | "House of Cards" | 4:11 | |
| 10. | "I Never Get Used to What You Do" | 6:14 | |
| 11. | "I Will Listen" | 3:41 |
Personnel
edit- Twila Paris – lead vocals, backing vocals (2)
- Shane Keister – keyboards (1-5, 7-10), acoustic piano (11)
- Blair Masters – programming (6), additional keyboards (10)
- Brian Hughes – electric guitar (1), bouzouki (1), oud (1), acoustic guitar (6)
- Jerry McPherson – electric guitar (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)
- Don Potter – acoustic guitar (1-4, 8-10)
- Dann Huff – electric guitar (3, 8)
- Gordon Kennedy – electric guitar (3, 5, 7)
- Darrell Scott – acoustic guitar (5, 7)
- Mike Brignardello – bass (1-3, 8-10)
- David Hungate – bass (4, 5, 7)
- Steve Brewster – drums (1-3, 5, 7-10)
- Paul Leim – drums (4)
- David Hamilton – string arrangements (2)
- Jeremy Lubbock – string arrangements (4)
- Conni Ellisor – string arrangements (8)
- Ronn Huff – string arrangements (11)
- Gavyn Wright – concertmaster (2, 4, 8)
- The London Session Orchestra – strings (2, 4, 8)
- John Catchings – cello (11)
- Bob Mason – cello (11)
- Carole Rabinowitz – cello (11)
- Kristin Wilkinson – viola (11)
- Chris Eaton – backing vocals (1, 2, 5-7, 9, 10)
- Diana DeWitt – backing vocals (1, 3, 7)
- Michael Mellett – backing vocals (1-3, 6, 7, 9, 10)
- Lisa Bevill – backing vocals (2, 3)
- Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (2, 3, 9, 10)
- Nicol Smith – backing vocals (2, 3)
- Micah Wilshire – backing vocals (3)
- Steven Curtis Chapman – lead vocals (4)
- Tabitha Fair – backing vocals (9)
- Kim Fleming – backing vocals (9)
- Lisa Keith – backing vocals (10)
Production
- Peter York – executive producer
- Brown Bannister – producer
- Steve Bishir – recording
- Rupert Coulson – string recording
- David Thoener – mixing
- Gary Paczosa – additional engineer
- Carl Meadows – assistant engineer, mix assistant
- Hank Nirider – assistant engineer
- Martin Woodlee – assistant engineer
- Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California)
- Traci Sterling Bishir – production coordinator
- Karen Philpott – art direction
- Torne White – design
- Andrew Eccles – photography
- E.J. Carr – photography
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [5] |
Rodney Batdorf of AllMusic has said that Paris "continues to become more pop-oriented with each of her releases, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Although 'Where I Stand' could be mistaken for any number of records cluttering the adult contemporary radio stations, Paris performs with style and grace, which is what saves the album from being either a sell-out or a wash-out."
Jayne Butler of Cross Rhythms said that "'Where I Stand' has a lot to live up to, but this collection of pop songs and ballads more than meets its expectations. From the first bars of 'Love's Been Following You' to the end of 'I Will Listen,' we are reminded that Twila has been blessed with a wonderful gift of singing and song writing. Overall the sound has been toned down a little from her last album, but there are many potential hits, including 'Faithful Friend,' an impressive duet with Steven Curtis Chapman and 'What Did He Die For?'" Butler also said that the "combination of beautiful songs, an amazing voice, talented musicians and Brown Bannister's production skills make this an outstanding album, not only to be enjoyed, but also to challenge and inspire."
Charts
edit| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Albums (Billboard)[6] | 87 |
| US Top Christian Albums (Billboard)[7] | 3 |
Radio singles
edit| Year | Single | Peak positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCM AC[8] | CCM CHR[9] | ||
| 1996 | "Faithful Friend" (with Steven Curtis Chapman) | 4 | 22 |
| 1996 | "(I Am) Not Afraid Anymore" | 1 | — |
| 1996 | "Love's Been Following You" | 26 | — |
| 1997 | "Jesus in You" | 13 | — |
References
edit- ^ Twila Paris : Where I Stand. Sparrow Records. 1996.
- ^ Alfonso, Barry (2002). The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music. Billboard Books. p. 216-17. ISBN 0-8230-7718-7.
- ^ ""Twila Paris Has New Look But Familiar Sound On Latest EMI Set" (PDF). Billboard. February 24, 1996. p. 14, 15.
- ^ Batdorf, Rodney. Twila Paris – Where I Stand: Review at AllMusic
- ^ Butler, Jayne. "Review: Where I Stand - Twila Paris". Cross Rhythms.
- ^ "Top 200 LPs" (PDF). Billboard. April 20, 1996. p. 100.
- ^ "Top Christian LPs" (PDF). Billboard. April 27, 1996. p. 32.
- ^ Brothers, Jeffrey Lee, ed. (2003). CCM Hot Hits: AC Charts 1978 - 2001. AuthorHouse. p. 168. ISBN 1-4107-3294-0.
- ^ Brothers, Jeffrey Lee, ed. (1999). CCM Hot Hits: Christian Hit Radio - 20 Years of Charts, Artist Bios and More. CCM Books. p. 132. ISBN 0-8230-7718-7.