First Things First is the debut album by Christian singer - songwriter Bob Bennett.
It was originally released in the fall of 1979 on the Maranatha! Music label and was produced, mixed and engineered by Jonathan David Brown. The album was released three years after Bennett became a Christian. First Things First's overall sound was a mix of folk and jazz. Standout tracks include "Carpenter Gone Bad?," "You're Welcome Here" and an arrangement of the hymn "My Redeemer Lives." Rock and roll singer Dion DiMucci would later record a cover of the track "The Best" on his 1982 album Only Jesus. Bennett was the first to record it on this album, but was written by songwriter John Fowler. First Things First was reissued on CD in 1991 with a bonus track, "Spiritual Equation," taken from the 1980 various artists album Maranatha Seven.
In 2007, Bennett arranged for a limited 25th anniversary edition of First Things First. In addition to the original "bonus track," the 2007 release also contains an acoustic version of "Spiritual Equation" and newly recorded song by song commentaries.
Track listing from the 1991 CD reissue
All songs were written by Bob Bennett, except where noted.
1. Carpenter Gone Bad? -3:33
2. The Night Shift -6:35
3. Whistling in the Dark -2:32
4. The Best (John Fowler) -3:45
5. You're Welcome Here -3:32
6. Forgive and Forget -2:49
7. My Redeemer Live (Samuel Medley, John Hatten; arranged by Bob Bennett)
-3:17
8. The Garden Song -3:47
9. I Belong to You (Jonathan David Brown) -3:57
10. Healings -4:49
11. Spiritual Equation -2:19
Production credits
Jonathan David Brown -producer (tracks 1 -10)
Tom Coomes -producer (track 11)
Radio singles
1980 "The Best" -#17 Christian AC/CHR
Next release: Matters of the Heart (1982)
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