From: Scarf, Michael MD
To: Danl Blackwood
Subject: Re: Getting INSIDE from Australia
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996
Greetings again,
I agree with you that INSIDE is certainly different to other Whiteheart albums. I have fealt that way upon the release of all their albums... there are a few common characteristics that always carry through (singing styles from Rick and Mark) but all in all every album differs greatly.
I also feel that this album is growing on me as I have listened through it about 4 times now. My favourite album is still FREEDOM, closely followed by HIGHLANDS. I rememeber Whiteheart's last Australian visit back in January 1995 where they only performed once in Sydney and only for an hour. At this concert, for their second-last item they just burst into the chorus of 'Sing Your Freedom' and the crowd went wild.
I am a keyboard player so I really dig the strong part that Mark Gershmel plays on INSIDE. I like the presence of the jazz-organ and the fact that there are a lot more acoustic piano opportunities as well.
A friend of mine at church asked me to describe the album to him. I really struggled to find a comparison since I believe every album is quite unique. I feel that there is no middle road on INSIDE. That is, a track is either extremely heavy or extremely pretty. Whiteheart's rock tracks are strong and their balads are nice and sweet on this album. A good mix that I like a lot. In fact, their balads remind me of 'Quiet Love' way back on their 'Vital Signs' album..... now that's digging up the past.
Cheers,
Mike Scarf