Freedom (CD - 2000)

Personnel: Michael W. Smith (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, programming); Chris Graffignino (guitar); David Davidson (violin); Marie Breathnach (fiddle); Max Dyer, John Catchings (cello); Craig Young, Matt Pierson (bass); Chris Estes, Dan Needham, Eric Darken, Scott Williamson (drums); Byran Lenox (percussion, programming); Rod Schuler (scratches).

Recorded at Deer Valley Studios, Franklin, Tennessee; Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland; East Iris Studios, Nashville, Tennessee between May & September 2000.

Personnel: Michael W. Smith (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards, drums, programming); David Davidson (violin); John Catchings, Max Dyer (cello); Bryan Lenox (keyboards, percussion, programming); Craig Young , Matt Pierson (bass guitar); Eric Darken (drums, percussion); Chris Estes, Scott Williamson, Dan Needham (drums).

Audio Mixer: Bryan Lenox.

Recording information: Deer Valley Studios, Franklin, TN (05/2000-09/2000); East Iris STudios (05/2000-09/2000); Nashville, TN (05/2000-09/2000); Windmill Lane Recording Studio, Dublin, Ireland (05/2000-09/2000).

Michael W. Smith is finally getting a chance to "get real." After 25 number one songs, numerous Dove Awards, and seven million in record sales Smith's favorite music is now being heard. With his 14th recording, Michael W. Smith has released his first instrumental disc entitled Freedom. Kicking off the release is the title track. Depicting the themes of war, the cut is momentous with marching drums and the undeniable feeling of triumph stamped throughout the tune. "Carol Ann" is a painful and personal song for Smith. The number was written after the loss of a close family friend and possesses the fragile nuances that endure piano melodies to the heart. The same could be said for the tune "The Giving," where the piano and strings flow vividly throughout. Aided by the Irish Film Orchestra "Hibernia" is a taste of Dublin. Lively fiddles and flutes punctuate the tune's Irish flare. "Freedom Battle" builds to a climatic roar. The song offers vivid interpretations of a battlefield with an exciting interplay of varied instrumentation. "The Call" is the most contemporary tune on the release. A funky bass and driving drums accentuate the piano peppered throughout. Closing the disc with splendor is the song "Free Man." The interplay of smooth lead guitar and sweeping synths is spectacular. Freedom is a release comprised of the dreams and aspirations of Michael W. Smith. The disc secures his place as a multi-talented artist and adds the label of instrumentalists to an impressive resumé. ~ Steven Losey

A mostly-instrumental album by Christian hit-maker and two-time Grammy winner Michael W. Smith, FREEDOM seems intended as a soundtrack to a movie script that, as of yet, nobody has decided to shoot. It's a lush orchestral outpouring that betrays the influences of several contemporary film composers.

There are some quite lovely piano and string sequences, such as "The Giving," that sound like Randy Newman-style Americana, and Smith occasionally comes up with Celtic airs ("Hibernia") that recall James Horner's TITANIC score. Some of the concluding tracks such as "The Call" and "Free Man," however, are more rock oriented, with wordless choral vocals and drums, and with synths or electric guitars taking the melody lines; the latter is especially reminiscent of Mark Knopfler's scores for THE PRINCESS BRIDE and LOCAL HERO. minimize