Highlands (1993)

Highlands is the ninth studio album by the Christian rock band White Heart, released in the fall of 1993 on Star Song Records.

When Highlands was released, it was just coming off the singles that were from their 1992 album Tales of Wonder as well as touring. Highlands was produced by White Heart founders Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl with Darrell A. Harris as executive producer. The first radio single "Once and for All" topped the Christian CHR chart and features members of the 1990's female Christian rock group Rachel Rachel singing backing vocals near towards the end of the song. A music video was made for the album's third radio single "Heaven of My Heart." This is the last album to feature bass guitar player Anthony Sallee as he left the group in 1994.

The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 1994, White Heart was nominated for a Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year. White Heart played all the instruments themselves with musician Eric Darken playing bass drums, congas and tambourine.

Track listing

All tracks written by Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl, except where noted.

1. You Can See the World -4:22

2. Nothing But the Best (Billy Smiley, Mark Gersmehl, Brian Wooten, Anthony Sallee) -3:45

3. Heaven of My Heart -6:13

4. Once And For All -5:05

5. Excuse Me, Forgive Me -4:21

6. Change the Way -4:51

7. Highland of Love -5:05

8. The Cry -5:31

9. Let My People Go (Billy Smiley, Mark Gersmehl, Brian Wooten, Anthony Sallee) -5:26

10. The Flame Passes On -4:10

Personnel

White Heart:

Rick Florian -lead vocals, backing vocals

Mark Gersmehl -keyboards, percussion, recorder, lead vocals, backing vocals

Billy Smiley -rhythm and acoustic guitars, backing vocals

Brian Wooten -lead and rhythm guitars

Anthony Sallee -bass guitar

John Knox -drums, percussion

Radio singles

1993 "Once And For All" -#1 Christian CHR for 4 weeks, #5 Christian AC

1994 "The Flame Passes On" -#1 Christian CHR for 2 weeks, #18 Christian AC

1994 "Heaven of My Heart" -#1 Christian CHR, #37 Christian AC

Previous release: Tales of Wonder (1992)

Next release: Nothing But The Best: Rock Classics (1994) (compilation album)

Watch the music video of "Heaven of My Heart" here: