Under Their Influence Explained

Under Their Influence
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Russ Taff
Cover:	Under Their Influence.jpg
Released:	1991
Studio:	Interociter Studio, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre:	CCM, Southern rock, blues, gospel
Length:	42:50
Label:	Myrrh
Producer:	Russ Taff James Hollihan, Jr.
Prev Title:	The Way Home
Prev Year:	1989
Next Title:	A Christmas Song
Next Year:	1992

Under Their Influence is the fifth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Russ Taff, released in 1991 on Myrrh Records.^[1] It is an album of traditional spiritual covers that pays tribute to Blind Willie Johnson, Brother Joe May and Mahalia Jackson, among others. Even though the album was originally titled Under Their Influence, Volume 1, there was no Volume 2. Taff and his guitarist, James Hollihan, Jr., produced and arranged the album. Taff re-recorded a gospel blues version of "Just Believe", originally recorded for his 1983 debut album Walls of Glass. Taff won his second solo Grammy Award (his fifth and final overall) for Best Rock Gospel Album at the 34th Grammy Awards.

The album peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.^[2]

Track listing

All songs arranged by Russ Taff and James Hollihan, Jr., except where noted.

1. "God Don't Ever Change" – 4:28
2. "Search Me Lord" – 4:38
3. "God's Unchanging Hand" – 4:11
4. "Life's Railway to Heaven" – 4:19
5. "Were You There" – 3:05
6. "As an Eagle Stirreth Her Nest" – 4:21
7. "Just Believe" (R. Taff, J, Hollihan, Jr., Tori Taff)– 4:47
8. "Everybody Shoulda Really Oughta Been There" – 2:52
9. "There's a Hand" – 3:43
10. "Ain't No Grave" – 6:26

Personnel

• Russ Taff – all vocals, guitars
• James Hollihan Jr. – guitars, all other instruments
• Jackie Street – bass (2, 9)
• Lynn Williams – drums (1, 2, 6, 7)
• John Hammond – drums (4, 9, 10)
• Buddy Green – harmonica (4)
• Bonnie Keen – vocals (3, 6)
• Greg Sparks – vocals (9)
• Rebecca Sparks – vocals (9)
• Ashley Cleveland – vocals (10)

Production

• Russ Taff – producer, arrangements
• James Hollihan Jr. – producer, recording, mixing
• Hank Williams – mastering at MasterMix (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Roz Roos – art direction
• Peter Nomura – design
• Susan Goines – photography

Accolades

Grammy Awards

Notes and References

1. Russ Taff: Under Their Influence. 1991. Myrrh Records.
2. News: Top Contemporary Christian Albums. Billboard. May 18, 1991. 75.