Description

Sayin’ it With Love is the full-length debut album by the American singer and songwriter Steve Camp, released on Myrrh Records in May 1978, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Alan Kubica and Hank Neuberger at Chicago Recording Company in Chicago, Illinois; with Steve Camp producing. Mixed by Kubica.

Steve Camp had actually released a single in 1975 for mainstream outlet Mums/CBS. But after contributing to various albums by contemporary Christian artists, like Come and Join Us by Petra and I’m Not Religious, I Just Love the Lord by Scott Wesley Brown, he decided to sign a record deal with Myrrh Records. According to a note featured in Billboard Magazine, Camp was signed on the basis of an unsolicited, completed master that was released virtually unchanged in 1978 entitled Sayin’ It With Love.

The album track “If I Were a Singer” was co-written by Steve Camp and Larry Norman who Camp had befriended since 1972. Camp’s friendship with Larry Norman again comes to the fore on the medley of “Diamonds” and “Strong Love, Strange Peace”; two Norman classics. The album also features a cover of “Good News” written by David MacDougall (a.k.a. Beau MacDougall). The Camp-penned “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” was actually covered by Under New Management on their self-titled 1972-album.

Popular CCM artist’s respectable debut of pop-rock and ballads. Although Steve has that occasional rockin’ moment (like the title track), his appeal will more likely be found among those with mellower tastes. Sometimes he sounds a little like Larry Norman, other times like an MOR-ish Jackson Browne. Speaking of Larry, «If l Were A Singer» was co-written by Camp and Norman, plus there’s a cover of Larry’s «Strange Love, Strange Peace» done in a medley with «Diamonds». Even though a good half the songs are ballads, Steve seems to put a lot of feeling behind them. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Sayin’ It With Love” – 2:48
A2. “Me” – 3:22
A3. “If I Were A Singer” – 5:06
A4. “Gather In His Name” – 2:55
A5. “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” – 4:30
A6. “God Loves You” – 1:48

Side Two
B1. “Good News” – 4:12
B2. “Song For Mom” – 4:55
B3. “Lord Make Me Humble” – 3:39
B4. “Strong Love, Strange Peace With Diamonds” – 4:56
B5. “Tell Everybody” – 1:57

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Steven J. Camp. Production Assistance: Paul Bogush, Jr. Strings arranged by Paul Libman. Recorded at Chicago Recording Company, Chicago. Engineered by Alan Kubica and Hank Newberger. Back-up Engineers: Gary Elghammer and Tom Hansen. Mix-down Engineer: Alan Kubica. Background Vocal Arrangements by Steven J. Camp and Louis DuChane. Lettering and Design by Martin Donald. Photography by Jim Whitmer. Leather Jacket, Props, and Hairdesign by Steve Wyer.

Musicians: Steve Camp (Lead Vocals), Pat Leonard (Piano, Electric Piano, Polymoog, Minimoog, Organ), Paul Libman (Piano), Steve Eisen (Alto Saxophone), Danny Leek (Guitar), Bruce Gaitch (Guitar), Frank Barbalace (Guitar), Rusty Taylor (Bass), Sidney Sims (Bass), Jackie Skalow (Drums), Ron Kapland (Drums), Tom Ratdke (Drums), Brenda Mitchell (Percussion), Louis DuChane (Percussion), Ron Kapland (Percussion). Background Vocals: Steven J. Camp, Louis DuChane, Vicki Hubbley, Josi DeChristopher, Frank Barbalace, Butch Patrini, Debby Wolgemuth, Steve Wyer. String Players: Sol A. Bobrov, Rodger Moulton, Elliot M. Golub, Harold D. Klatz, Arnold Roth, Everett Zlatoff-Mirsky.