Faith (CD - 1998)

Personnel includes: Faith Hill (vocals); Larry Byrum, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, Jeffery King, Dann Huff, Byron Gallimore (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Tom Hemby (gut-string guitar, mandolin); Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, Lee Larrison, Conni Ellisor (violin); Kristin Wilkinson, Gary Vanosdale, Jim Grosjean (viola); Gelen Duncan, Joe Spivey, Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); Bob Mason, John Catchings, Anthony LaMarchina, Julia Tanner (cello); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Chris McDonald (trombone); Steve Nathan, Michael Omartian (keyboards); Mike Brignardello, Glenn Worf, Joe Chernay (bass); Paul Leim, Steve Brewster (drums); Vince Gill, Tim McGraw (background vocals).

Producers: Faith Hill, Dan Huff, Byron Gallimore.

FAITH was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Country Album. "This Kiss" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song. "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me" was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals. "Let Me Let Go" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

Personnel: Faith Hill (vocals, background vocals); Todd Wolfe (guitar); Lonnie Wilson (acoustic guitar, drums); Larry Byrum, Biff Watson, Larry Beaird (acoustic guitar); Dann Huff, Jeff King , Pat Buchanan, Brent Mason , Byron Gallimore (electric guitar); Michael Johnson, Paul Franklin, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Tom Hemby (gut-string guitar, mandolin); Connie Ellisor, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Lee Larrison, Alan Umstead, David Angell, Catherine Umstead, Cate Myer (violin); Glen Duncan, Larry Franklin, Aubrey Haynie, Joe Spivey (fiddle); Kristin Wilkinson, Jim Grosjean, Gary VanOsdale (viola); Julia Tanner, John Catchings, Anthony LaMarchina, Bob Mason (cello); Michael Omartian (accordion, piano, keyboards); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Mike Haynes (trumpet); Chris McDonald (trombone); John Jarvis (piano); Steve Nathan (keyboards); Steve Brewster, Paul Leim (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion); Chris Rodriguez, Curtis Young, Gene Miller, Kim Parent, Lisa Cochran, Vince Gill, Bekka Bramlett, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kim Fleming, Craig Nelson , Bob Bailey (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Chris Lord-Alge.

Recording information: Loud Recording, Nashville, TN; Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, TN.

Editor: Eric Mansfield.

Photographer: Russ Harrington.

Faith Hill's third album, simply titled FAITH, amounts to nothing less than an artistic reinvention. Hill, not a writer herself, has chosen a collection of well-crafted, weighty songs designed to show off her substantial vocal chops to fullest effect. Songs from top Nashville writers like Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters and Beth Neilsen Chapman are included, but so is material from rockers Aldo Nova and Sheryl Crow. Such diversity adds up to a wide range of styles, all of which Hill handles effortlessly.

The overriding theme of FAITH is love--getting it, keeping it and losing it. The opening cut, "This Kiss," is outstanding--an ode to the power of the perfect smooch, with a killer melody and chorus you can't stop singing. Two non love-related standouts are "Better Days," a message of hope to a downtrodden friend, and "Secret of Life," about finding happiness in the simplest things. Faith's husband Tim McGraw makes an appearance on "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me," a Diane Warren-penned song that's similar to their previous duet "It's Your Love." minimize