Description

Bluer Than It’s Ever Been is the debut album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Doug Howell, released on Trinity Sound Corporation in 1975. The album was recorded by Michael Glenn, Doug Howell, Kim Flanery and Hoppy Colvin at Morgan Sound Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan; 1974 with Glenn producing. (It was produced on a shoestring budget and recorded on an 8-track recorder.) Music, lyrics, and arrangements by Doug Howell, who also provides lead vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, drums and percussion.

Keyboardist Doug Howell is one of the few Christian pop/MOR guys to really connect with me. He has his smarmy moments, but at his edgiest his catchy tunes and rich moving ballads have the melodic quality of artists like Todd Rundgren. He’s that rare example of a Christian songwriter that can also write a really good hook, and Bluer Than It’s Ever Been just so happens to contain his most powerful songs. Couple that with the sincerity of his lyrics and you’ve got one great record. Piano is Howell’s preferred instrument, although on several of these songs he’s also playing synthesizer. He also handles the drums and percussion, while others fill in on guitars, flute, brass and backing vocals. The rich dynamics and swelling crescendos help bring his songs to life. I rarely get too excited about piano ballads, but here I find myself incredibly moved by titles like «Brother», «It’s A Pity», «Life Is More» and «With You Beside Me». Also some fine upbeat pop/light-rock songs like «Life Is Like A Melody» and «Love That Comes Too Late». And before you rockers write this guy off, note that there’s some tantalizing fuzz guitar building up «Roads» and the title ballad. An independent release from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Gatefold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

You’d think he was another Michael Omartian. He plays keyboards, drums, synthesizer, sings the lead and background vocals, engineers some of it, and he writes – oh how he writes.

The beauty of “Bluer” is its honesty. Besides describing the job of being a Christian, it relates the pain.

Before you get the idea that he or I are backslidden, listen. Jesus never promised that Christians would never face troubles. Doug dares to tell how he looks to God in the midst of trials.

The feeling in this album is similar to Bob Cull’s “Remember“. Though the heart is sad, the Lord is there to comfort. Doug wants to make sure we remember that.

The pain for a friend who turns his back on God (and you), pain for someone you know who has gone after the gold that cannot glitter, the pain of wanting to do something for God more than something of God; it’s all expressed here.

The title track means so much to me. In the following Jesus, you make decisions that the devil will cause you to second-guess. It’s tough to stand firm, but yet Jesus makes it possible Amen? We are more than conquerors through Christ. The tune will remind you of Elton John’s «Someone Saved My Life Tonight».

Doug Howell has so much talent and sensitivity. He certainly deserves the support of the Christian community for his ministry. [Harmony, Vol 1. No. 4 (1975)]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/bluer-than-its-ever-been/274628615)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Life Is Like A Melody” – 2:52
A2. “Brother” – 2:30
A3. “It’s A Pity” – 3:15
A4. “I Wanna Spend Time With You” – 2:43
A5. “Bluer Than It’s Ever Been” – 5:24

Side Two
B1. “Love That Comes Too Late” – 3:35
B2. “With You Beside Me” – 3:10
B3. “Life Is More” – 2:57
B4. “Willie” – 2:32
B5. “Roads” – 4:22
B6. “All I Ever Want” – 2:22

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Trinity Sound Corporation. Original LP cover opened up, revealing notes on the songs, and included a separate lyric sheet. Digitized from master tapes in 2005 by World Class Tapes at Solid Sound in Ann Arbor, Michigan and released on CD. CD remastered by in December 2007.

CREDITS. Production and general inspiration by Michael Glenn. Compositions and arrangements by Doug Howell. Engineered by Michael Glenn, Doug Howell, Kim Flanery and Hoppy Colvin at Morgan Sound Theatre, Ann Arbor. Mastered by Bob Dennis at HDH Studios, Detroit. Pressing by North American Music, Scranton. Album jacket design by Michael Glenn and Doug. Photography by Michael Glenn and Barbara Young. Photographic composition by Jack Wolak. Typesetting by Glenda Harmon. Jacket Fabrication by New Directions, Dearborn

Musicians: Doug Howell (Lead Vocals, Keyboard, Synthesizer, Drums and Percussion), Dennis Kisko (Acoustic 12-string Guitar), Dan Leonhardt (Acoustic 6-string, Electric Guitar), Hoppy Colvin (Bass), Kathy McClatchey (Flute, Alto Flute), Steve Pike (French Horn), John Larkin (Cornet), Randy Merritt (Cornet), Larry Daugherty (Trombone), David Luurtzema (Trombone). Background Vocals: Bobbi Page and Doug (except “Love That Comes Too Late”/Barbara Young and Doug). Singalongers and cheerleaders on “Life Is Like a Melody”/some very precious Ann Arbor brothers and sisters.