Russ Taff tries to duplicate Amy Grant's feat of crossing over from Christian music stardom to pop stardom, but he's going about it in an entirely different way. Just as Grant's pop records reflected the middle-of-the-road... more » soft rock sound of her Christian releases, Taff's first secular album, Winds of Change, echoes the rootsiness of his religious music. Winds of Change may be a pop country album but it leans in the progressive direction of Rodney Crowell, the Mavericks and Brother Phelps. Despite the lyrics' shift from faith in divine love to faith in true love, Taff's songs are as upbeat and cheerful as ever. What makes this such an exciting album, however, is Taff's nose for juicy melodic hooks which he belts out with a fervor that betrays his lifelong enthusiasm for African-American gospel music. --Geoffrey Himes« less
Russ Taff tries to duplicate Amy Grant's feat of crossing over from Christian music stardom to pop stardom, but he's going about it in an entirely different way. Just as Grant's pop records reflected the middle-of-the-road soft rock sound of her Christian releases, Taff's first secular album, Winds of Change, echoes the rootsiness of his religious music. Winds of Change may be a pop country album but it leans in the progressive direction of Rodney Crowell, the Mavericks and Brother Phelps. Despite the lyrics' shift from faith in divine love to faith in true love, Taff's songs are as upbeat and cheerful as ever. What makes this such an exciting album, however, is Taff's nose for juicy melodic hooks which he belts out with a fervor that betrays his lifelong enthusiasm for African-American gospel music. --Geoffrey Himes
"Russ did a nice foray into "country/pop" music with this release. "Bein Happy" is such a great, bouncy and cheerful song. His ballads, "I Cry" and "One and Only Love" are additional highlights of this well done album. Sometimes some of the other songs tend to sound similar, but overall Russ did a fine job. Am glad though that he's returned to his Christian roots and recorded a very good Christian CD."
Stirs your soul
Michael Butts | 08/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Russ shows again why his music never really fades away. His soulful tones made me "feel" the song as he sings them. Having been a Taff fan since his days with the Imperials, this cd continues to keep Taff as a "must" have for my music collection. His voice continues to bring me into the studio with him. This would be "emotional" addition to one's library. Along with other titles by Russ Taff."
Great singer and christian man of our time.
angelgirl | Hudson, N.H. | 08/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have bought every single cd/dvd he has done including the one's he sings with the Gaither Gospel singers and from meeting him in person, his love of our Lord surely shines through him. He is a gifted man in every aspect of His music. He has been and continues to be an inspiration to me in my life. If you can log on to his sight and sign up for his appearance schedules and go see him, and get the chance to personally interact with him, you will walk away feeling the joy of our Lord even more than you already do. He is a very personable man and comes across as a genuine man of true faith. I Love Him In Our Lord's Love only. I am proud to call him my brother in Christ"
A small man with a voice like thunder
Michael Butts | 09/10/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"russ taff is the only singer that has a voice that can move my soul every time i hear him.this album contains some of his best songs, from the ballard "i cry", to "bein' happy". i highly recomend this cd."