| The Very Best of the Imperials | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 1976-1980 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 40:36 | |||
| Label | DaySpring/Word Records | |||
| Producer | Michael Omartian, Chris Christian, Gary S. Paxton | |||
| The Imperials chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
The Very Best of the Imperials is a compilation album by American Christian music group the Imperials, released in late 1981 on DaySpring Records.[2][3] It is a collection of the Imperials' best songs from the Russ Taff years 1976–1980, covering their four albums Sail On, Heed the Call, One More Song for You and Priority. The album also contains a never-before-released track "Same Old Fashioned Way" written and performed by baritone singer David Will recorded in 1976. It would later be featured on The Lost Album in 2006. The track is produced by recording artist-producer Gary S. Paxton. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Living Without Your Love" | Tom Hemby | One More Song for You (*) | 3:27 |
| 2. | "I'm Forgiven" | Michael Omartian, Bruce Hibbard, Hadley Hockensmith | One More Song for You (*) | 3:54 |
| 3. | "I'd Rather Believe in You" | M. Omartian, Stormie Omartian | Priority (*) | 3:37 |
| 4. | "Bread on the Water" | Bill Grine, Janny Grine | Sail On (**) | 3:08 |
| 5. | "Praise the Lord" | Brown Bannister, Mike Hudson | Heed the Call (**) | 3:35 |
| 6. | "One More Song for You" | M. Omartian, S. Omartian | One More Song for You (*) | 4:38 |
| 7. | "Oh Buddha" | Mark Farrow | Heed the Call (**) | 3:28 |
| 8. | "Same Old Fashioned Way" | David Will | previously unreleased until 2006's The Lost Album (***) | 5:02 |
| 9. | "Sail On" | Chris Christian | Sail On (**) | 3:20 |
| 10. | "Eagle Song" | Russ Taff, Tori Taff | One More Song for You (*) | 3:14 |
| 11. | "The Trumpet of Jesus" | M. Omartian, S. Omartian | Priority (*) | 3:46 |
Note: (*) – tracks produced by Michael Omartian; (**) – tracks produced by Chris Christian; (***) – produced by Gary S. Paxton
Personnel
The Imperials
- Russ Taff – lead vocals
- Jim Murray – tenor, vocals
- David Will – baritone, vocals
- Armond Morales – bass, vocals
Charts
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Inspirational Albums (Billboard)[4] | 2 |
References
- ↑ The Imperials – The Very Best of The Imperials at AllMusic
- ↑ The Imperials: The Very Best of The Imperials. DaySpring Records. 1981.
- ↑ Cusic, Don (2009-11-12). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-313-34426-8.
- ↑ "Inspirational LPs" (PDF). Billboard. May 22, 1982. p. 56.