Long Way From Paradise is the fourth studio album by the Christian rock band Allies, released on February 21, 1989 by DaySpring/Word Records. The album was produced and arranged by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas.
It is their second album on Word's DaySpring label and Long Way From Paradise was considered Allies' best album and masterpiece. Starting with their
previous release Shoulder to Shoulder, Allies would have much chart success with both Christian radio and Christian Rock charts. The album showcased Carlisle's strong vocals and Thomas' guitar solos on rock tracks like the title song and "Devil Is a Liar."
The album also balances with some pop ("All Day, All Night," "Trust in God"), ballads ("Take Me Back," "Walk With Me Silent") and blues ("Christian Man"). The final track is the much-covered ballad "Crying In the Chapel." Its most famous recording was made by Elvis Presley in his 1967 gospel album How Great Thou Art. A music video was made for the track. Both Carlisle and Thomas wrote the other 10 songs on the album. Long Way From Paradise peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 2001, the album was named as one of the 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music by CCM Magazine and listed at number 69.
NOTE: While Long Way From Paradise was released, Carlisle and Thomas experienced some success on the mainstream country music charts as songwriters as they wrote the number one Billboard Country Songs hit "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" for Dolly Parton on her 1989 album White
Limozeen.
Track listing
All songs were by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas, except where noted.
1. Long Way From Paradise -2:33
2. Trust in God -4:37
3. All Day, All Night -3:49
4. Take Me Back -4:41
5. Old Man Down -2:58
6. Christian Man -4:20
7. Devil Is a Liar -4:40
8. I Wanna Be Like You -4:14
9. Walk With Me Silent -5:09
10. Rock of Salvation -4:54
11. Crying in the Chapel (Artie Glenn) -3:54
Personnel
Allies:
Bob Carlisle -lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar
Randy Thomas -lead vocals on track 10, lead guitar, backing vocals
Matthew Chapman -bass guitar, backing vocals
Jim Erickson -drums, backing vocals
additional musicians:
Tim Heintz -keyboards
Glen Myerscough -saxophone
Radio singles
1989 "Take Me Back" -#12 Christian CHR, #15 Christian AC
1989 "All Day, All Night" -#14 Christian CHR, #14 Christian AC
1989 "Crying in the Chapel" -#7 Christian CHR, #20 Christian AC
1989 "Trust in God" -#4 Christian CHR, #40 Christian AC
1990 "I Wanna Be Like You -#22 Christian CHR
Previous release: Shoulder to Shoulder (1987)
Watch the music video of "Crying in the Chapel" here:
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