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Big Tent Revival

 
Album Review: Big Tent Revival
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Albums

Big Tent Revival

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Similar Albums:

Cry Holy, Wire, SONICFLOOd, Sonicpraise, Casting Crowns
  • Artist: Big Tent Revival
  • Rating: StarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1995 10
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Gospel

Review

A promising debut album from this trio, whose Memphis roots are evident in the variety of influences that appear on these cuts. From the straight-ahead rock of "Thief in the Night" to the light funk of "Way It Ought to Be" to the folksy "The Ballad of Arliss Richards," BTR pairs melodic hooks with good musicianship throughout the album. They even pull off a surprisingly soulful cover of "Respect Yourself," although they add nothing new to the original version. Steve Wiggins needs to work on his lyrics, however, as they are often either silly, simplistic, or annoyingly righteous (particularly the hit "Two Sets of Jones"). Regardless, it is refreshing to hear a band who pays homage to their influences while maintaining some originality. ~ Marc Castellani, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Thief in the Night (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins, Dana Key Big Tent Revival
Somethin Bout Jesus (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Two Sets of Jones' (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Count on You (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Jesus Is Your Friend (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Respect Yourself Luther Ingram, Sir Mack Rice Big Tent Revival
Where's the Passion (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Way It Ought to Be (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Faith of a Little Seed (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Message from the King (Lyrics) Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival
Ballad of Arlis Richards Steve Wiggins Big Tent Revival

Credits

Randy Williams (Guitar (Electric)), Spence Smith (Percussion), Steve Wiggins (Guitar (Electric)), Tommy Cathey (Vocals (Background)), Kevin Page (Organ), Kevin Page (Vocals (Background)), Dana Key (Guitar (Electric)), Kevin Page (Piano), Ben Fink (Photography), Skidd Mills (Engineer), Larry Nix (Mastering), Jim Spake (Horn), Jackie Johnson (Vocals (Background)), Spence Smith (Drums), Paul Ebersold (Mixing), Steve Wiggins (Vocals (Background)), Paul Ebersold (Engineer), Jimi Jamison (Vocals (Background)), Erik Flettrich (Assistant Engineer), Rick Steff (Accordion), Steve Wiggins (Vocals), John Hampton (Mixing), Dana Key (Producer), Steve Wiggins (Guitar (Acoustic)), Dana Key (Vocals (Background)), Scott Thompson (Horn), David White (Guitar (Bass)), Brent Milligan (Guitar (Bass)), Kevin Page (Wurlitzer), Misti Wiggins (Vocals (Background)), Patrick Scholes (Executive Producer), Paul Ebersold (Producer)
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Artist: Big Tent Revival
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Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists

Similar Artists:

Clear, SONICFLOOd, Michael Sweet, The Allies, Gold City

Performed Songs By:

Steve Wiggins
See Big Tent Revival Lyrics
  • Genres: Gospel
  • Representative Albums: "Choose Life", "Amplifier", "Big Tent Revival

Biography

Memphis-based alternative CCM group Big Tent Revival originally comprised singer/guitarist Steve Wiggins, guitarist Randy Williams, and drummer Spence Smith. Signing to the legendary local label Ardent, the group issued their self-titled debut in 1995, followed a year later by Open All Nite. Now a quintet after the additions of bassist Rick Heil and keyboardist David Alan, Big Tent Revival resurfaced in 1998 with Amplifier; Choose Life followed a year later. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Wikipedia: Big Tent Revival
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia

Big Tent Revival was a five-time Grammy-nominated Christian blues rock band. They began in 1991 and disbanded in 2000. They did extensive touring in the U.S. and abroad and they were featured at the Harvest Crusades. Their music was known for catchy riffs, distortion, and softer acoustic ballads.

Their most popular songs were "Two Sets of Joneses" and "Choose Life". The former told a story about two different couples. One trusted in Jesus through the storms of life and the other didn't. The latter was used as an invitational for people to get saved at the Harvest Crusade. "What Would Jesus Do?" was also one of the band's popular songs. It complimented the WWJD movement that encouraged people to consider what Jesus would do in real-life situations.

Guitarist Randy Williams now tours with Jeremy Camp as one of his guitar players along with Camp's younger brother, Jared.[1]

Steve Wiggins is on staff with Harvest Christian Fellowship, as Artist In Residence/Minister of Music. He also founded and runs the Living Room Study, a Bible study group. With sites in Riverside CA, Orange County, and Redlands CA, the Living Room Study is a chapter-a-day approach to learning the bible, with weekly music & teaching events in public coffeehouses. Steve also writes songs for Pastor Greg Laurie, along with Hanz Ives and Bill Batstone.[2]

Spence Smith works for Compassion International in Artist Relations and maintains the blog Spence Smith - Connecting People To Life.[3]

Contents

Band members

  • Steve Wiggins - vocals and guitar
  • Spence Smith - drums
  • Randy Williams - guitar
  • Steve Dale - bass
  • David Alan - keyboards

Former members

  • David White - Bass (first) 1993-94
  • Mike Foster - Bass (second)1994-95
  • Rick Heil - Bass (Third) 1996-1998

Discography

Each of BTR's albums has been nominated for a Grammy Award. The band has also been nominated for several Dove Awards.
  • Greatest Hits (2002)
  • Big Tent Revival Live (2001)
  • Choose Life (1999)
  • Amplifier (1998, Review: HM Magazine[4])
  • Open All Nite (1996)
  • Big Tent Revival (1995)

References

  1. ^ DiBiase, John (10-04-2007). "An Evening with Jeremy Camp and Band Live Unplugged, with special guest Mainstay". http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/concerts/AnEveningwithJeremyCampandBandLiveUnplugged07.asp. Retrieved 05 December 2009. 
  2. ^ Laurie, Greg. "Harvest Online - Praiseworthy". http://www.harvest.org/praiseworthy/pw_pop.php. Retrieved 05 December 2009. 
  3. ^ Smith, Spence. "Spence Smith — About". http://www.spencesmith.com/about/. Retrieved 05 December 2009. 
  4. ^ McGovern, Brian Vincent (July/August 1998). "Album Reviews: Big Tent Revival Amplifier". HM Magazine (72). ISSN 1066-6923. 

External links


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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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