Try (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Bebo Norman (acoustic guitar); Bebo Norman (vocals); Paul Moak (guitar); Mitch Dane (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer piano, Wurlitzer organ, vibraslap, percussion, drum programming); Brandon Heath (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Bruce Gaitsch (acoustic guitar); Steve Mason (electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, background vocals); Matt Bronleewe (electric guitar, Wurlitzer organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Chris Graffagnino (electric guitar); Ryan Booth (electric 12-string guitar); David Davidson , David Angell (violin); Kris Wilkinson (viola); John Catchings, Matt Slocum, Anthony LaMarchina (cello); Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (strings); Cason Cooley (piano); Jamie Kenney (keyboards); Aaron Sands (bass instrument); Eric Darken, Dan Needham (drums); Paul Eckberg (bass drum); Ellie Bannister, Michael Mellett (background vocals); Kenny Meeks (acoustic guitar, nylon-string guitar, dobro, mandolin); Andy Hubbard (drums, percussion); Charlie Lowell (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Richard Dodd; Steve Bishir.

Recording information: Alex The Great Studios, Nashville, TN; Dark Horse Recording; Oxford Sound; Pentavarit; Sputnik Sound.

Photographer: Jeremy Cowart.

Like a John Mayer or Jack Johnson for the Contemporary Christian set, Bebo Norman plays earthy, soulful, acoustic-based music honed though hard touring. As with the aforementioned artists, he tempers his classic sensitive singer/songwriter fare with a keen ear for pop melody and passionate delivery. Blessed with wonderfully sandpaper-like pipes, Norman is at his best on stripped-down tracks that showcase his subtle vocal inflections. TRY's title song is just such a piece, and finds the singer combining an accessible, Bryan Adams-like pop/rock appeal with a world-weary melancholy reminiscent of Tom Rush. The Columbus, Georgia native's talent for penning catchy tunes shines throughout, especially on the anthemic "Borrow Mine," and the hip-hop-flavored "Other Side of Day." A sure candidate for a CCM/pop crossover, Norman reveals himself as an artist primed and ready for the mainstream on TRY. minimize