Description

Windborne is the sophomore album by the American husband-and-wife soft-rock duo Bob & Joy Cull, released on Chalace Music in 1984, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was recorded and mixed by Shawn Micheal at Martinsound Studios in Alhambra, California; with Jim Stipech producing. Arranged and conducted by Bob Cull and Stipech.

Continuing the sailing motif established on their highly-acclaimed ‘Windborne‘ LP, Bob and Joy Cull are back with ‘Last Horizon’. Although the premise may seem a bit shopworn – Christians adrift on the sea of life, heading for the “last horizon” – the Culls have produced another intimate portrait of a properly-balanced Christian walk.

The mood is well established on the opening title track, with Bob’s vocal taking on a plaintive edge and the slightest suggestion of a country twang. The light-hearted «This Kind of Love» follows, with Joy revealing a depth and maturity in her singing that female vocalists in contemporary Christian music would do well to emulate.

The extensive use of woodwinds gives the entire album a whimsical and uplifting quality. Jon Clarke, best known for his work with Loggins and Messina, adds his deft touch to nearly every track. Jim Stipech handles production chores once again, doing an admirable job.

Although the horns and strings are a bit overbearing at times, they perfectly complement the love duet «Let’s Keep Growing» (a fitting follow-up to the Cull’s popular wedding song «Only the Beginning») and «A Pure Heart», which will doubtlessly find its way into many contemporary worship services.

One of the album’s best tracks is the bouncy «Shanty Hymn/Sailor’s Jig». At first, the melody may conjure up images of crusty old sailors dancing and singing words not fit for a Sunday school class. (Where do you think “salty language” came from, anyway?). However, a second listen reveals lyrics based on Psalm 93:4 – “More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.”

The album includes a remake of «Got to Decide», originally recorded during Joy’s stint as the lead female voice in the old Maranatha! Music group, Parable. The rock arrangements is slightly out of context with the rest of ‘Last Horizon’, but its inclusion should point listeners to the no-nonsens lyrics: “You’ve got to decide if it’s real or He’s lying.”

The ‘Last Horizon’ crew includes the considerable talents of several contemporary Christian music stalwarts. The music is anchored by the understated bass guitar and drums of Leon Gaer and John Mehler respectively, with outstanding contributions from Don Gerber and Phil Kristianson as well.

At the risk of beating another cliché to death, ‘Last Horizon’ really did minister to me. It has a soothing, peaceful effect, and it’s an album you’ll want to listen to at the end of a hard day’s work. Bob and Joy express simply and sincerely the heart of all believers: to be broken before the Lord and to grow closer and serve Him more faithfully until we cross that last horizon. [Bruce Brown, CCM, July 1984]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Last Horizon” – 3:34
A2. “This Kind of Love” – 3:17
A3. “At the Seashore” – 4:12
A4. “Let’s Keep Growing” – 3:15
A5. “Shanty Hymn” – 3:45

Side Two
B1. “Got to Decide”
B2. “A Pure Heart”
B3. “What Can I Say”
B4. “Beautifully Broken”
B5. “Untitled Song”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Chalace Music.