Oxygen (2001) (Avalon album)

Oxygen is the fifth studio album by the Christian vocal group Avalon, released on May 22, 2001 by Sparrow Records. The album was produced by Brown Bannister.

This is the final studio album with member Cheri Paliotta (now Adams).

Oxygen is considered one of Avalon's most successful albums with six singles released to Christian radio and all hitting number one on all formats: CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio), AC (Adult Contemporary) and INSP (Inspirational or Inspo). Two of those singles were lead singles simultaneously: "The Glory" to AC/INSP formats and "Make It Last Forever" to CHR formats. Avalon's main strength is in the AC format were they have more number one songs and almost compared to their counterpart, female vocal group Point of Grace. "Make It Last Forever" is Avalon's first, and only, number one hit on the CHR chart where it stayed for two weeks while "The Glory" topped the AC chart for four weeks. It also was number one on the Inspo chart for a week. Avalon made Christian radio history by having two songs topping the charts in three different formats, showing their massive appeal to both younger and older audiences.

More number ones include "Wonder Why," "I Don't Want to Go" and "Undeniably You" on the AC chart and "Come And Fill My Heart" on the Inspo chart. The title song "My Oxygen" was written by Richard Page (of Mr. Mister) and English singer -

songwriter Nik Kershaw. "By Heart, By Soul" features American R&B singer Aaron Neville. Oxygen gave Avalon their first number one album on the Billboard Top Christian Albums and debuted and peaked at number 37 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts with sales of 33,400 copies in its first week. Both chart positions represent the highest performances on their respective charts in the group's career.

A limited edition CD single containing four tracks was released at Christian retail as a free bonus to customers who pre-ordered Oxygen. The single includes the album's first two singles, "The Glory" (radio version) and "Make It Last Forever," the radio version of "Fly to You" from the Jesus TV mini-series soundtrack and a live recording of "Testify to Love" from their second album A Maze of Grace. In 2002, Avalon earned their second Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album and was nominated for three Dove Awards for Group of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for "The Glory." "The Glory" was also nominated for Song of the Year.

A collector's edition of Oxygen was released, including one bonus track, "Beyond the Clouds." Due to publishing and streaming rights, "By Heart, By Soul" is not available on digital formats. A YouTube playlist of the album compiled by avalonfan7, which includes the missing track and the bonus track, is posted below this article.

Track listing with bonus track

1. Wonder Why (Grant Cunningham, Matt Huesmann) -4:01

2. The Best Thing (Mark Pennells, Zarc Porter) -4:56

3. By Heart, By Soul (featuring Aaron Neville) (Stephanie Lewis, Phil Silas) -4:09

4. Undeniably You (Jim Cooper, Billy Chapin, Kevan Cyka, Tresa Jordan) -3:58

5. I Don't Want to Go (Yancy Wideman, Jess Cates) -5:26

6. Never Givin' Up (Scott Faircloff, Tresa Jordan, Tommy Collier) -4:27

7. Make It Last Forever (Michael Linney, Jess Cates) -3:24

8. The Glory (Jim Cooper, Regie Hamm) -5:03

9. My Oxygen (Richard Page, Nik Kershaw) -4:54

10. Love Remains (Randy Goodrum, Rob Mathes) -4:32

11. Come and Fill My Heart (Grant Cunningham, Matt Huesmann) -4:40

BONUS TRACK

12. Beyond the Clouds (Steve Siler, Dan Muckala) -4:27

Personnel

Avalon:

Janna Potter -lead vocals on tracks 1, 5, 9 and 12, vocals

Jody McBrayer -lead vocals on tracks 1, 7, 8 and 10, vocals

Michael Passons -lead vocals on tracks 2, 7, 9 and 11, vocals

Cheri Paliotta -lead vocals on tracks 2, 4, 7, 8 and 12, vocals

Radio singles

2001 "Make It Last Forever" -#1 Christian CHR for 2 weeks

2001 "The Glory" -#1 Christian AC for 4 weeks, -#1 Christian Inspo

2001 "Wonder Why" -#10 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC for 2 weeks

2001 "Come and Fill My Heart" -#1 Christian Inspo for 2 weeks

2002 "I Don't Want to Go" -#1 Christian AC for 5 weeks

2002 "Undeniably You" -#1 R&R Christian AC for 3 weeks

Previous release: Joy: A Christmas Collection (2000)

Next release: O2: Avalon Remixed (2002) (remix album)

Listen to the playlist collector's edition of Oxygen compiled by avalonfan7 here: