Adam: Wayne Watson is back on the shelves with his 14th album, Field Of Souls, his debut for Warner Alliance.
Steve: This project marks another in the long succession of work from singer/songwriter Watson. For this project, David Pack (who has produced many mainstream pop artists) and Michael Omartian take their turns at producing. Watson is joined by the top-flight Nashville studio musician pack; but unlike some of his earlier albums, Watson either writes or co-writes every song.
Adam: Aside from its catchy hooks and classic groove, the title track sets the project's entire lyrical theme while showcasing Watson's timeless vocals. Each song uniquely stresses an individual approach to Christian service and unity.
Steve: It is unusual for Watson to put together a collection of songs with such a thematic focus as what we find here. The message is clustered about the ideas of the unity and mission of the Church, with "Field Of Souls" speaking of the different tasks we have as we work to spread the Word of God. Another highlight is the "Class of '95," which was written for and sung at the high school graduation of his son, Neal. An unexpected treat is a musical setting of Matthew 5, the Beatitudes, in "Blessed Are."
Adam: "Don't You Remember" is a song I like. It is an energetic pop tune complete with a brass section, Michael Omartian on keyboards, and a guest appearance by Eric Darken on percussion.
Steve: The best comparison for Field Of Souls is Watson's previous work. Since his writing style hasn't changed all that much over the years, he effectively reinvents himself by using different producers. The songwriting quality is quite similar to his previous album, A Beautiful Place, but the production makes the sounds seem more active and alive. His work in the mid-80's on Giants In The Land and Watercolour Ponies still is the standard by which his works before and since that time have been measured.
Adam: All in all, Watson hit us right about where we expected-that is to say that this is probably not Watson's best at-bat when it comes to a trend-setting, progressive project. While I don't envision the album achieving "classic" status any time soon, I think that in the end, a few of the singles will find their way onto his list of over 30 chart-topping songs.
Steve: This album, like its three immediate predecessors, is not likely to add many songs to Watson's all-time hit parade. Having said that, this is my favorite of his work since those in the mid-80's and it promises to be enjoyable listening and a very worthwhile concert tour.
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