Description

Blame it on the One I Love! is the debut album by the American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Kelly Willard, released on Maranatha! Music in 1978. The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Jonathan David Brown at Maranatha! Studios in Santa Ana, California. (Kelly Willard was actually a former bandmate of Jonathan David Brown during their time with Seth.) Strings arranged by Peter Jacobs of Children of the Day fame and Stan Endicott. All songs written by Kelly Willard, except the Bob Bennett-penned ballad “You’re Welcome Here” (later recorded on his debut album First Things First ), a track featuring Randy Stonehill on acoustic guitar, Darrell Mansfield on harmonica as well as Bennett on background vocals.

Blame it on the One I Love! was included among CCM Magazine‘s Top 10 Albums of the Year. – Kelly’s first album spotlights her many talents beautifully, which range from songwriting and singing to keyboard playing. Consistently tasteful in everything from production to artwork, this record marks an exciting debut for a major new talent in Christian music. (These ten albums released during 1978, were chosen for excellence in production, arrangements, composition and performance, as well as their overall contribution to contemporary Christian music.)

The album track “Blame It On The One I Love” was among the Top Five Songs of 1979, according to CCM Magazine.

In the beginning of the 70’s, at the age of sixteen, Kelly Willard moved to Nashville in Tennessee, where she accompanied The Jake Hess Sound on piano. She later moved to Panorama City in California, where she joined the popular CCM group The Archers, and then on to Oklahoma City in Oklahoma, where she joined the group Seth (featuring members as Jonathan David Brown and drummer Keith Edwards). In 1977 she moved to Southern California to be a part of the then current flow of Jesus Music artists who were ministering and recording there. She played keyboards and sang background vocals on projects for such artists as Bob Bennett, Tommy Coomes, Roby Duke, Karen Lafferty, Bruce Herring, and Lewis McVay before Maranatha! Music approached her to record her own solo project, which turned out to be Blame It On The One I Love! released in 1978.

Kelly Willard’s orchestrated pop and ballads style sometimes has the appeal of Jamie Owens and Pam Mark Hall, although the arrangements here are significantly mellower. Features twelve of her own songs, plus Bob Bennett’s «You’re Welcome Here». Credits list Harlan Rogers, Hadley Hockensmith, Darrell Mansfield, Bob Bennett and Bryan Duncan among others. Produced by Jonathan D. Brown. Kelly was also a member of the group Seth. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/blame-it-on-the-one-i-love/572370872)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “A Friend So True” – 2:55
A2. “You’re Welcome Here” – 4:11
A3. “Dear Jesus” – 2:04
A4. “Similies” – 2:23
A5. “Cares Chorus” – 3:04
A6. “Me, Myself In Christ” – 1:49
A7. “Oh, Gentle Love” – 4:04

Side Two
B1. “Blame It On The One I Love” – 2:55
B2. “Walk With Me” – 4:11
B3. “Pass The Salt” – 2:04
B4. “Dad Song” – 2:23
B5. “Rest” – 3:04
B6. “Heart’s Prayer” – 4:04

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Remastered and re-issued on CD in Japan in 2012 by Vivid Sound.

CREDITS. Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Jonathan David Brown. Engineering & Mixing Assistance: Dan Willard. Recorded & Mixed at Maranatha! Studios, Santa Ana, California. Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios, Hollywood, California. Horns Arranged by Harlan Rogers & Kelly Willard. Flugelhorn Lines track B6 Written & Arranged by Kelly Willard. Horns Arranged by Peter Jacobs. Strings Arranged by Peter Jacobs & Stan Endicott.

Musicians: Kelly Willard (Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes), Harlan Rogers (Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, B-3 Organ), Hadley Hockensmith (Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass), Tony Sena (Electric Guitars), Randy Stonehill (Acoustic Guitar), Al Perkins (Steel Guitar), Darrell Mansfield (Harmonica), Frank Marocco (Accordion), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Bill Batstone (Bass), Keith Edwards (Drums, Percussion), Alex MacDougall (Percussion). Horns: Glen Myerscough, Alan Gregory & Therman Green. Glen Myerscough (Saxophone), Darrell Gardner (French Horn, Flugelhorn), Phil Ayling (Flute, Bass Flute, Oboe & English Horn), Gloria Strassner (Cello Solo), John Wittenberg (Violin Solo), Verlye Mills (Harp). Background vocals: Kelly Willard, Michele Zarges, Bob Bennett, Bryan Duncan, Harlan Rogers.