For the Ages!
Eddie Wannabee | Western Hemisphere | 10/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, I always loved America and thought that Dan Peek's voice and melodies were out of this world. Songs like "Lonely People", "Glad to See You", "Old Virginia", etc. There are many songs during his tenure with America that are just plain beautiful without saying that the other two members were shabby. They also had a tasty repertoire of songs, but I always thought that Dan Peek had some awesome songs! How about "Don't Cross the River", WoW! They still sound as good today as they did in the past. I am not saying that everything he wrote was awesome but surely enjoyed his work throughout his stay with America. Funny, but when I went to AMG to check them out it seems the critics were not too partial to America's body of work. Too simplistic? Too melodious? I'll never know. I expected to see at least four (4) stars for some of their efforts but lo and behold, I think 3 was the max they received. That is fine, America with "Ventura Highway", "Sandman", "Tin Man", "Sister Golden Hair Surprise?" is that the name?, anywhoo, some of these songs go all the way to the start of the American Dream for me. What voices!
When I heard that Dan Peek had left America I was somewhat saddened but not really surprised! I could tell by his lyrics that he was not very happy with the fast lane of those days. When I heard he had released a Christian Album I immediately bought it at a local christian store in Costa Mesa, California. I am talking about 20 years? When I heard "All Things Are Possible" I loved it from the start. Yes, the songs were short and simple but something about the cassette (that was the format available at the time and it did not last very long, mind you) that brought the best in me. It was my first official christian album I had ever bought and in those days the christian music business was in its infancy. It kind of meant that patrons of christian music were devoted christians. I was not. I was a party monster more part of the crazy lifestyle Los Angeles and neighbouring Orange County had to offer than the limited and devoted lifestyle christians were known for. Party here, fast lane there, it did get old with time and regrets and misfortunes were all part of the package together with the loudest concerts and good times I probably will ever know. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, sort of speak. Dan Peek's "All Things Are Possible" have some songs in it that I can't still forget and that is saying a lot for a release so many years old. The title "All Things Are Possible" is just a beautiful song, the next song following "Divine Lady" is such a sweet tune, following with "Forgive me, Forgive you" (some of these long nights always led to serious regrets and a desire to have a life of health and spiritual light and this song spoke of the need to be forgiven but most important to be able to forgive, which is essential if one hopes to reach higher grounds in the spiritual realm"). I better slow down, I am getting too preachy and that is not my intention. There are many songs that make this album a 5 star album for me. Yes, I admit I did not like a couple as much as I did the others, but overall this is one album I am going to buy today for the good memories it delivers. What a voice, how about "Be a lighthouse for me and my ship lost in the sea, guide me to the safe harbor in your arms..." Beauty! Also, in the album there is a song he kind of dedicates to his former bandmates and I think is in response to a song the Blond Guy in America had sung about him by the name of "I don't believe in miracles" (a tasty song, by the way) and he replied with this one, something about "I told you before that I would take no more, you thought I was yours but now you know for sure, and that's the reason why I had to say goodbye" or something to that effect. This is the album I love the most of his Christian efforts, the ones that followed maybe one song or two, he had lost the magic touch. He never seemed to regain the touch he had with his best work with America or the quality of "All Things Are Possible", but he surely deserves 5 stars for this one. Short songs filled with inspiration and yes, Jesus his motivating force but a masterpiece to me never the less. Kind of like Bob Dylan when he went the same route and wrote some awesome songs in "Slow Train Coming" and "Shot of Love", specially and I do not know in which of his christian albums it was in, the song "Every Grain of Sand". Dylan and Peek are totally different but they both had the same inspiration during that period and some of these songs they made are so good it is not even funny. If you get a chance google the lyrics for "Every Grain of Sand" by Bob Dylan and believe me, this one is a very rare jewel you will find. Dan Peek's "All Things Are Possible" is a Beauty. 5 stars then and 5 stars now!"
An Old Friend
Indya M. | California, USA | 10/04/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard All Things Possible right after its release in 1984. It was the first christian music I had ever purchased and every song, but especially the title song, inspired me to buy more. The album broke barriers for other christian musicians to "crossover" to other music genres and was a pioneer, as was Dan, for breaking away from America and making this album. Its a keeper and timeless for those of us who remember the early days of contemporary christian music."
The first CCM crossover hit!
A Fan | VA | 05/26/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This was Dan's first solo album after leaving the group America. It was also his biggest commercial hit. Released in 1979, the title song went to number 1 on the CCM charts and stayed there for 13 weeks! It also crossed over to the Billboard Pop chart and Adult Contemporary chart were it peeked at number 6 and stayed on the charts for a then record 34 weeks! Regardless of what you may read elsewhere, this was CCM's first crossover hit. Two other singles were released from this album, "Ready for Love" which was a big hit on Canadian Adult Contemporary stations, reaching number 7; and "Divine Lady" which was a hit on CCM stations in the US. It also contains what Dan described as his last song with America, Love Was Just Another Word - which features his America band mates Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley. A must for CCM fans or America fans!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1