Singer in the King’s Service

Description

Now available in digital format only.

A double-album, Doug’s third solo effort. Another improvement in production values, partly due to bigger budget (thanks to friends and family), and a longer format which allowed for a wide variety of songs. Lush orchestrations on many songs. 

Playing time: 72:25

Basics

Produced by Michael G. Kuzma. Music, lyrics, lead vocals, arrangements by Doug Howell. Recorded at Pinebrook, Alexandria IN in 1978. EDN 103, released 1979. Remixed at Solid Sound, Ann Arbor MI and rereleased in 1981. Publishing later assigned to Creative Measures. Digitized from master tapes in 2006 at Solid Sound, Ann Arbor, MI and released on CD, remastered in Dec 2007. Now available in digital format only.

Playlist

See each song for lyrics and notes.

• Singer in the King’s Service
• Real with You
• New Wine
• Falling Star
• Can’t You See Me?
• Appeal to a Dying Race
• Just To Think About You
• Measuring the Distance
• Bass Drum
• Song
• Thankful for the Sunshine (Drivin’ Down the Road Song No. 2)
• Color in My Eyes
• Every Sign on the Road
• Picture Show
• Finally Found Love
• I Saw You in the Mountains
• So Far To Go
• House on the Ocean
• Hallelujah, Jesus Loves Me
• Jesus Never Fails

Notes

All Diary notes, song lyrics and music written by Doug Howell, except where indicated. • All songs © Creative Measures 1979, except “Jesus Never Fails,” © Lexicon Music, Inc., 1976. Printed in USA

(See each song for lyrics and notes.)

Special thanks to: my parents, Leon, Jr. and Joyce Howell; my grandparents, Norval and Twilah Regis; Paul and Margaret Pauley; Mrs. Jean Gragg Morgan; Mr. Russell Davis; and my Wichita family, the Charles Schultz’s; whose belief in me stretched all the way to their wallets.

Credits

Compositions, arrangements, lead vocals, keyboards – Doug Howell • (except “Real with You” and “Finally Found Love,” lyrics by Joe Becker; “Appeal to a Dying Race,” music adapted from “Recitative and Song,” Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell) • Production and general inspiration – Mike Kuzma • All selections published by Creative Measures [originally published by Love’s Music] (except “Jesus Never Fails,” published by Lexicon Music, Inc.)

This album is dedicated in Jesus’ name to Steve: I have written and rewritten this dedication so many times. Somehow, nothing ever seems to make it. I should have known that—you’ve told me yourself that there are some things words just can’t say. Some people will hear this album and think it’s a collection of songs—a casual combination of words and music. But not you. You will know that somewhere in the middle of it all is my life. And you’ll know that’s what I’m really giving, not just an album.

Thanks to Charlie for not playing the tambourine, and to Carolyn for enduring the fan!

Background vocals – Bobbi Page and Doug (except “Just To Think About You,” Lonnie Hull) • Drums – Fred Satterfield, Jack Gilfoy • Bass Guitar – Jeff Catron, Steve Dokken • Electric & Acoustic Guitars – Dan “Wonderknucks” Leonhardt, B. James Lowry • Banjo – Aaron Brown • Woodwinds – Greg Imboden • Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Larry Brubaker, Larry Hall, Larry Meregillano • Trombone – Mark Gersmehl • Bass Trombone – Dave Shank • Tuba – Sam Gnagey • French Horn – Greg Leffler, Jill Boaz • Harp – Martha Burwell • Percussion – Steve Hanna • Mixed Chorus – Bobbi Page, Sara Posthuma, Cozette Byrd, Crystal King, Greg Meyer, Bob Rist, Steve Green, Brian Benjamin • Violin – John Geisel, Gillian Findlay, Erec Mueller, Elizabeth Liderbach, Cheryl Mengle, Margaret Chapman, Tad Lauer, Paula Royce, Mike Shelton, Pauli Ewing • Viola – Donald Kidd, Maureen Michels, Margaret Miller • Cello – Peter Gelfand, David Pereira • Bass – Wayne Anderson • Odds & Ends & Special Effects – Mike Kuzma

Recording Engineer – Brent King • Remix Setup – Brent King, Christopher Banninger • Remix – Mike Kuzma, Doug Howell, Brent King, Christopher Banninger • Recorded at Pinebrook, Alexandria, Indiana (Thank you, Dan Posthuma and Crystal King!) • Half-Speed Mastering, egg rolls and technical assistance beyond the call of duty – Bob “the Pro” Dennis, Superdisc, Detroit MI • Mastering Equalizers “To Go” – Ben Gross, Pearl Sound, Ann Arbor

Packaging Concept – Mike Kuzma & Doug Howell • Photography & Effects, Titles & Layout – Mike Kuzma • Calligraphy & technical assistance – Petra Renee Jeter • Color Lab – Meteor Photo, Troy MI • B & W Lab – Jack Wolak, International Album, Dearborn • Color and Duotone Separations – Precision Colorplate, Detroit MI • Steinway piano (and hacksaw) courtesy of Friends University, Wichita KS

Everlasting life and purpose – Jesus Christ • (Correspondence welcomed!) • Manufactured in USA

Thank you, Scotty, for the blue jeans, and for understanding. Thanks from Mike, Bruce, for use of the VW!

Special thanks to: my parents, Leon, Jr. and Joyce Howell; my grandparents, Norval and Twilah Regis; Paul and Margaret Pauley; Mrs. Jean Gragg Morgan; Mr. Russell Davis; and my Wichita family, the Charles Schultzes; whose belief in me stretched all the way to their wallets.

Digitized from the original master tapes July, 2005, by World Class Tapes • Compact disc mastered by Doug Howell

℗ © Love’s Music 1979, assigned to Creative Measures (ASCAP) • All songs © Love’s Music 1979, assigned to Creative Measures (ASCAP)

Note: See The Old Albums Revisited for general notes on the how’s and why’s of creating CD versions of these albums from the 1970s and 80s.

Reviews

It was only three days ago I called an old friend back in Minnesota to wish her a happy birthday. She told me about your new record. Her favorite song on it was “House on the Ocean.” She even played it over the phone for me… Doug, thanks for taking my thoughts and putting them to music. It is not a song that you play when a bunch of friends come over. Only a few will really understand it… —S. P., WA

[Singer in the King’s Service album review] If you want rock-and-roll, it ain‘’t here. What you will find though is a fine collection of richly orchestrated pop, infectious soft rock and stirring ballads. Strings and horns are all over the place, but they enhance the songs rather than weigh them down. Within this 20-song two-disc studio set are such gems as the majestic title track, the intensely personal ‘”Can’‘t You See Me?’,” and the haunting ‘“Appeal To A Dying Race”’ (which borrows its classical melody from composer Henry Purcell).  “New Wine”’ (with Maynard Ferguson-esque trumpet squeals) and ‘“Falling Star’” are connected by a gorgeous symphonic string passage. Deluxe packaging includes a gatefold cover, inner sleeves with photos, and a large poster lyric sheet with commentary on each song. See also New Jerusalem. —Ken Scott, the Archivist

I just wanted to let you know how much the Lord touched me when you shared your words and music at Wheaton. Doug, I’ve never felt the Lord speak as strongly to me as he did that nite. —G. S., Elgin IL

Right now I wish you were here so I could hug you adn thank the Lord for you. It’s in the a.m. and the past hour I’ve been listening to your new album. I had a date last night and she’s letting me borrow it. What I’m trying to say is great job, and thanks, thanks for sharing with me what the Lord has given to you. I can’t write any songs, or compose the music to share with you Doug, but what I can do is say that I love you and you’ll always have a special place in my heart. —S. K., Columbus OH

I borrowed my cousin’s album Singer… I really liked the songs but the one that touched me the most was “Real with You.” When I first heard the song I cried because I’ve never been truly real with anyone. Not even myself. I’ve even tried to hide from God. Then I turned the song around and sang it to Jesus and it really broke me up. I poured my heart out to God like I never have before. Thank you for letting God use you because your music has touched me. —C. L., St. Joseph MO

Singer… is beautiful! (An opinion also held unanimously by my friends who have heard it.) Something inside of me has always resonated so strongly when I’ve heard the songs the Lord has given you, and Singer is certainly no exception. “Real with You,” “New Wine,” and “Just To Think About You” are three songs that are extra special to me because they express thoughts and feelings that I so often have myself. Your musical talents really shine in the variety of music you put on the album. Most of all I want to say thanks for the gift of yourself—the way you open up your heart in your music, and in your words, and in so many more ways that only the heart and the spirit can hear. —K. B., Decorah IA