 | | |
| | Simple House | | | Music Artist : | | Margaret Becker | | Music Style : | | Pop & Contemporary | | Record Label : | | Sparrow Records | | Release Date : | | 1991-07-01 | | Store Price : | | $12.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $12.98 | |
|
|
|
|
|
CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Simple House
2. Talk About Love
3. Look Me in the Eye
4. All I Ever Wanted
5. Steps of Faith
6. I Will Not Lay Down
7. Never Be an Angel
8. Scatter These Thieves
9. Strangest Things
10. You Remain Unchanged
| |
Other Artist Albums
|
|
|
|
Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
|
 excellent as always
Submitted on: 2009-11-10 |
|
Margaret Becker continues to be one of my favorite artists. Straighforward lyrics engulfed in excellent music make for a strong album. I an definitly tell some of the Charlie Peacock influence on this album as it breaks from normal cadances in several songs.. but overall has a truely uplifting theme, with self reflection leading to freedom throughout the album.
|
|
|
|
Becker brings the "Art" to the term artist...
Submitted on: 2009-03-12 |
|
I loved this album when it came out and I still love it today. It is not the typical AC or pop you'd hear as standard Christian Hit Radio fare. It was produced by Mr. Art himself, Charlie Peacock, and because of that (in my opinion) the album really caters more to artists and writers than to the casual pop radio listener.
The album is a blend of pop and R&B influence, with some songs verging on the experimental - both in concept and vocally. Most albums are produced with the thought "Will this be a hit?" or in other words, "Will we make lots of money from this?". But in this case, the intricacy of some of the selections on this album didn't seem to be what most record companies would pick for filler material. Instead, the artist and producer were allowed to really let go and be free to express themselves without regard to monetary considerations. Rather than a piece of monotonous art student factory art, this collaboration produced a beautiful painting of sound - a velvety tapestry or music.
You have to be a really great singer to duplicate some of the stuff from this album on the stage... Becker managed to do that quite naturally last time I heard her in concert. Peacock has a way of pulling on an artist's dormant skill that is there waiting to get out and he succeeded quite nicely here. Even thought some of the songs sound somewhat complicated, they are very well written, honest and extremely relatable.
While several of the more upbeat "pop" songs have a more lighthearted theme, such as "Talk About Love" and the title track, "Simple House", I believe her heart really shows up in the phenomenal ballad "Look Me In The Eye" (Man, the BGV's on that song are incredible!!!) and the earnest "All I've Ever Wanted" - both of these songs focus on her desire to please only God and to walk in His paths. The final song on the album, "You Remain Unchanged" looks at the fickleness of life compared to an ever faithful God who is not moved by time or circumstance... even if we are.
The album shows how very versatile Margaret Becker is as an artist and a vocalist. The typical pop fan may not "get it"... but it is a must have for anyone's classic CHR music collection. If you like Out of the Grey or Charlie Peacock, this album might suit your fancy. It remains one of my all time favorites. |
|
|
|
 Beckers Simple House
Submitted on: 2007-12-02 |
|
| I just couldnt do this CD at all. Becker has some good songs and a good voice but this Cd just didnt do it for me. Also has a great producer in Charlie Peacock. This Album came out in 1991 but is kinda dated by the sound and just doesnt have that oustanding sound that keeps you wanting to listen to it over and over. |
|
|
|
This is a YES!
Submitted on: 2007-02-14 |
|
| Margret Becker is one of the premier artists of our times. She doesn't get the credit her music deserves. This collection of songs is typical of the quality music she creates. Its a must add to your collection if you can find it. |
|
|
|
 Still sounds good
Submitted on: 2005-04-11 |
|
This was the first of several CDs Margaret Becker recorded with Charlie Peacock in the producer's seat. He brought a more pop/R&B sensibility to her sound, along with a desire to "push" her music lyrically and musically. For the most part, Peacock succeeds in spades making an album that's much more compelling than the previous disc "The Reckoning" and avoids a lot of the pap excesses much Christian pop is victim to.
It also took Becker's "star" status a notch higher with 4 hits: the #5 title tune (winner of the Dove for "rock" recorded song, though, truthfully it's much closer to pop), #12 "All I Ever Wanted", #12 "Look Me in the Eye", and #2 "Talk about Love".
HIGHLIGHTS:
"Talk about Love" is a bouncy retro-sounding track that feels for all the world like a lost Motown track recorded on modern equipment. It's a plea for a little less criticism and a little more understanding among believers. "Look Me in the Eye" is Becker's wish for a hard look at her life through Jesus' eyes to make some real growth. ("When I see you/I want to hear you say/You were proud of my life") "Steps of Faith" recognizes that you can't always see God working in your life and in those times "I guess you just, you just walk on...". It swells into a gospelly workout with Maggie B trading shouts with Ashley Cleveland. "Never Be an Angel" is a call for continued grace as we struggle to become more like Christ. "The Strangest Things" takes the cliched idea of 'falling in love with Jesus' amd stands it on its head a bit, comparing devotion to Christ to the strange things we do for romantic love ("Love will make a man/Eat locusts in the desert/Love will make a man/Dance wild in the streets/Love will make a man/Leave his house and home/Love will make a man die willingly"). It's all driven along by a great funky groove and wraps up with a long instrumental jam section. I can only imagine it was a great tune to hear live. "You Remain Unchanged" is a rumination on God's reliability set to a wonderfully subtle string arrangement. The oboe solo is particularly wonderful.
LOW POINTS:
"Scatter these Thieves" is the sound of Peacock trying hard to push the boundaries but forgetting about the song. It throws in everything but the kitchen sink...samples from "The Wizard of Oz", whispered vocals panning left to right, trilling flute, and scattershot percussion, all set to a jungle rhythm. The groove is fantastic, but this is a case where less would have been more.
BOTTOM LINE:
It's been many years since this came out in 1991 and I still like to put it on the player every now and again. "Talk about Love" is a never fail singalong song. Worth getting..especially for just over a buck used.
3 1/2 stars
|
|
|
|
![STEPS OF FAITH 1987-1991 [CD on Demand] by MARGARET BECKER](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514oHBfR7-L._SL160_.jpg)
