Winds of Change (CD - 1995)

Personnel: Russ Taff (vocals, acoustic guitar); James Hollihan, Jr. (acoustic, electric & slide guitars, piano, organ, keyboards, bass, percussion); Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Terry Crisp (steel guitar); The Nashville String Machine (strings); Larry Hall (piano); Steve Nathan (organ, keyboards); Willie Weeks, Mike Brignardello, Jackie Streets (bass); Paul Leim, John Hammond (drums); Tom Roady (percussion).

Background vocals: Jonell Mosser, Curtis "Mr. Harmony" Young, Dennis Wilson, Michael Black, Bonnie Keen, Cynthia Clawson.

Additional guest artists: Randy Scruggs, Al Perkins, Dennis Wilson, John Wesley Ryles.

Producers: Randy Scruggs, James Hollihan, Jr., Russ Taff.

Engineers: Steve Tillisch, James Hollihan, Jr., Ron "Snake" Reynolds, Russ Long, Lynn Fuston, Paul Salveson.

Recorded at Scruggs Sound Studio, The Interociter, Omni Studios and Recording Arts, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Russ Taff (vocals, acoustic guitar, background vocals); James Hollihan, Jr. (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, strings, piano, organ, keyboards, percussion); Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Billy Joe Walker (acoustic guitar); Chris Leuzinger, Randy Scruggs (electric guitar); Al Perkins , Paul Franklin, Terry Crisp (steel guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Nashville String Machine (strings); Larry Hall , Matt Rollings, John Jarvis (piano); Steve Nathan (organ, keyboards); Paul Leim, John Hammond (drums, snare drum); Tom Roady (percussion); Curtis Young, Cynthia Clawson, Dennis Wilson , John Wesley Ryles, Jonell Mosser, Mac McAnally, Michael English, Michael Black, Bonnie Keen (background vocals).

Recording information: OMNI Studios, Nashville, TN; Recording Arts, Nashville, TN; SCruggs Sound Studio, Nashville, TN; The Interociter, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Peter Nash.

Arranger: James Hollihan, Jr.

With the aid of Nashville's elite studio musicians, Russ Taff makes a joyful noise on "Bein' Happy," the album opener on Winds of Change. Taff and gang then tackle topics such a marriage, love, and heartache with mixed results. Highlights include "I Cry" and the title track. Taff is a fine vocalist who is adept in country, rock, and gospel music. Unfortunately, not all the material on Winds of Change is as strong as Taff's voice. ~ Tim Griggs minimize