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1.
R U In Vogue? (Instrumental) 01:53
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2.
Who Do You Say I Am? (Alternate Version) 04:29
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3.
Monette Newsuan - Jesus Is The Only Way 03:41
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4.
I Dream 04:11
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5.
Voices (Radio Version) 06:02
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6.
Chris Deal - Let It Go 03:21
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7.
The Miracle Of His Pain 08:02
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8.
Did He Know? 03:50
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9.
Drive A Nail (TVC15 Version) 04:20
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10.
I Got God 06:04
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11.
Even In The Night (Street Version) 03:56
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12.
You're Precious To Him 04:51
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13.
Amazing Grace 05:10
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14.
Man Of Sorrows 05:24
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about

The follow-up to the gospel-rock collaboration WORD2SOUL PROJECT. This is a collection of tracks intended for the follow-up + projects that were released as "sister works" by Johnny J. Blair and Monette Newsuan. Musically, the songs lean more towards roots-rock and mainstream pop/rock.

(Edited from the 2005 news release from Williamsport PA): WORD 2 SOUL MUSIC PROJECT FINALLY RELEASED--URBAN GOSPEL COLLABORATION HIGHLIGHTS REGIONAL
TALENT

Aspiring lyricist Amy Mintzer did not expect that her "demo sessions" from 2000 would overflow into a full-length, radio ready production, but "The Word 2 Soul Project" is finally on the market.

"Amy tagged me to set up some demos with the goal of shopping for a publishing deal," say main collaborator, musician and producer Johnny J. Blair. "The recordings turned out so good I couldn’t stop some disc jockeys from airing them. We took it to another level and ended up with an entire concept album."

The template of the "W2S Project" recalls concept albums by Quincy Jones or the Alan Parsons Project—where the producers wrote the music and a panel of singers interpreted the songs.

"Every singer brings their own dynamic to the material. Different singers bring different colors," noted Blair, who sang lead and harmony throughout and played most of the instruments. Guitarist Tim Breon (Martha Reeves, Olivia Newton-John, Davy Jones) also played a major role.

Singers on the "W2S Project" include local talents Alice Weiler as well as city residents (and sometime back-up singers for Davy Jones) Cassie Blair and Monette Newsuan. Philadelphia singer Dana Marshall was also enlisted.

"Even though the sessions were spread out over months, the end results are amazingly unified," said Blair, who has been recording since the 1970s and issuing his own music since the 1980s. His sunny brand of innovative pop and world beat rhythms, layered with gospel and "American-roots music," has reached a global audience (www.johnnyjblair.com). He’s worked with a "who’s who" of the music business and has a produced string of releases with Davy Jones (The Monkees).

"We have so many Word 2 Soul songs recorded we had to start our own publishing company," said Blair. Other artists are already covering W2S material. Award-winning gospel singer Carol Calloway recorded four titles for her recent CD (www.cdbaby.com/cd/carolc3).

Said Mintzer, "Actually, the term ‘songwriting’ is a bit formal. Song-groovin’ or ‘groove design’ might fit more suitably. In conjunction with Johnny, my good friend and talent extraordinaire, the results are form and flow that hopefully others will enjoy and find uplifting. God puts an idea in my head. I make a rough sketch with John. He takes that and, with his masterful arranging and experience, molds something amazing and wonderful."

Mintzer grew up in the small town of McVeytown, PA (next to Lewistown PA—once profiled in Rolling Stone magazine as an all-American city). Her musical influences include The Blue Ridge Quartet, Marvin Gaye and The Jackson Five. She sang in high school and church choirs, took piano lessons and played flute in marching band.

"Someone made me and called me beautiful— God, Who planted the idea of songwriting in the head of my husband Dean, and also in my kids."

Brought up in a United Methodist home, Mintzer was taught to put Jesus and God ahead of the church because He is the Head of the church. She learned that a Christian’s goal is not heaven, but to become Christlike—heaven is the reward. This perspective informs Mintzer’s lyrics.

Mintzer concludes, "’Word 2 Soul’" became the goal: ’To Improve the Groove For God's Kingdom.’ Can we? Do we? You decide."

credits

released January 19, 2018

==========

Around the time of the FIRE album I released in 2000, there was an explosion of creativity and a corral of talent coming together. From this fruitful period we produced Monette Newsuan's album, and sessions with Davy Jones--notably "When All Else Fails." I always enjoy revisiting this time of my life and remembering the people who were part of it.--Johnny J Blair 4/12.

CREDITS:
All lyrics by Amy Mintzer. All music arranged & composed by Johnny J. Blair & Amy Mintzer except "Amazing Grace" by John Newton and "Man Of Sorrows" Philip Bliss.
Copyright 2002-5 Published by Word 2 Soul Music BMI.
Produced by Johnny J Blair
Executive Producer: Amy Mintzer

Recorded mainly at NEAN/R&J Studios, S. Williamsport PA
Engineered by Tim Breon
Assistant Engineers: JJB, Eric Hulien & Willi Ort
Mastered by Tim Breon
Cover art by Cassie Blair

Musicians:
JJB: bass, drums, drum/percussion programs, guitars, keyboards,
orchestration, percussion
Tim Breon: lead guitar “Even in the Night” and
“Who Do You Say I Am?”
Eric Hulien: drum/percussion programs

Vocalists:
Cassie Blair: lead vocals “Miracle Of His Pain” harmony vocals & co-arrangment "Man Of Sorrows"
Johnny J Blair*: lead & harmony vocals “Even In The Night" and "Man Of Sorrows" harmony vocals on all other songs
Davy Jones: Narration (hidden track) "Man Of Sorrows"
Dana Marshall: lead vocals “Who Do You Say I Am?” "Did He Know?" "Drive a Nail" "I Got God" "You're Precious To Him" and "Amazing Grace"
Amy Mintzer: lead vocals “I Dream”
Monette Newsuan: lead & harmony vocals "Jesus Is The Only Way" and "Man Of Sorrow"
Alice Weiler: lead vocals “Voices”

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" image

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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