
True Believer is the 15th solo album by Christian singer/songwriter/guitarist
Phil Keaggy. It was released on May 23, 1995 on Sparrow Records. The album was produced, arranged and programmed by Alan Shacklock.
After releasing the three previous "rock and roll" albums from the late 1980s to early 1990s, Keaggy returns with True Believer. The album's sound is more adult contemporary but retains some of the rock sounds from those previous albums.
At times it's kind of reminiscent of Keaggy's early 1980s albums with further use of programming and keyboards along with its use of live instruments. The title track, "The True Believers," was released as the lead single and did very well at Christian radio. The track climbed up to the top of the Christian AC chart giving Keaggy his first and only number one song.
Other highlights include "Only You (Can Wash My Sins Away)," the hymn "Be Thou My Vision," "Salvation Army Band" and "The Survivor." The album also includes a Christmas track "And On That Day," which is about how Mary was the chosen mother to give birth to Jesus. Christian vocalist Susan Ashton provided guest vocals on the song. True Believer debuted and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Track listing
1. The True Believers (Alan Shacklock) -4:37
2. Wild Heart (Gordon Kennedy, Randy Holland) -5:01
3. Only You (Can Wash My Sins Away) (Alan Shacklock) -4:31
4. Salvation Army Band (Phil Keaggy, Alan Shacklock) -4:09
5. Don't Let Go Of My Heart (Phil Keaggy, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Kip Raines, Montey
Powell) -4:11
6. Son of Man (Phil Keaggy) -4:38
7. And On That Day (guest vocals by Susan Ashton) (Phil Keaggy, John Sferra)
-5:06
8. Be Thou My Vision (traditional; arranged by Alan Shacklock) -4:51
9. Have Mercy Lord (Alan Shacklock) -4:02
10. The Survivor (Phil Keaggy) -7:31
Radio singles
1995 "The True Believers" -#4 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1995 "Only You (Can Wash My Sins Away)" -#9 Christian AC
1995 -1996 "Son of Man" -#33 Christian AC
1996 "Don't Let Go Of My Heart" -#34 Christian AC
Previous release: Crimson and Blue (1993)/Blue (1994)
Next release: 1970 - 1995: Time Volume 1 (1995) (compilation album)
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