The Wind & the Wave (1993)

The Wind & the Wave is the fifth studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Billy Sprague. It was released in late December 1993 and is his second and final album recorded on Benson Records. Sprague and Christopher Harris each produced four tracks with Wayne Kirkpatrick producing two tracks: "Press On" and "Kumquat May."

On The Wind & the Wave, Sprague described the album as a tribute to those who helped him find hope again following the "season" of his previous album, Torn Between Two Worlds, which focused heavily on the loss of his fiancée Rosalyn Olivares. The project features a nautical theme both in its cover art and its lyrical metaphors for life's journey. The lead single, "Press On," a vulnerable anthem about finding the strength to move forward after a devastating loss. It was Sprague's first, and only, music video. "A Way Back" features backing vocals by

Christine Denté of Out of the Grey. "The Blessing (Of the Fleet)" is the title track of the album and specifically contains the recurring lyric, "May the wind and the wave be your friend." "Kumquat May" is a whimsical fun number and a phonetic play on the phrase "come what may," suggesting a posture of trust regardless of life's circumstances. The track features a spoken-word conversation at the beginning of the song between Sprague and Kirkpatrick's daughter Kourtney.

The Wind & the Wave was Sprague's final album of the 1990s. In 1994, Sprague married, and continued songwriting throughout the decade. For this album, Sprague uses his full name, Billy Luz Spague, for songwriting and producing as Luz is his middle name. Even the word "luz" is translated from Spanish meaning "light."

Track listing

All songs written by Billy Luz Sprague, except where noted.

1. Press On (Billy Luz Sprague, Jim Weber) -4:04

2. Whatever Happened to Love -3:32

3. A Way Back (guest vocals by Christine Denté) (Billy Luz Sprague, Wayne

Kirkpatrick) -5:18

4. Mona Lisa Said -4:50

5. The Blessing (Of the Fleet) (Billy Luz Sprague, Jim Weber) -5:30

6. The Sacred Journey -4:07

7. When Nothing's Scared -3:50

8. I Saw a Blind Man -4:05

9. Kumquat May -4:10

10. Mona Lisa's Encore (instrumental) -2:11

Production credits

Billy Luz Sprague -producer (tracks 3, 4, 7 and 10)

Christopher Harris -producer (tracks 2, 5, 6 and 8)

Wayne Kirkpatrick -producer (tracks 1 and 9)

Radio singles

1994 "Press On" -#20 Christian CHR, -#2 Christian AC

1994 "Whatever Happened to Love" -#23 Christian CHR, -#7 Christian AC

1994 "A Way Back" -#28 Christian AC

Previous release: Torn Between Two Worlds (1992) 

Next release: Signature Songs (1999) (Benson Records compilation album)

Watch the music video of "Press On" here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdnPlkTXVEs