"My Eyes Have Seen" - 861k
"Letter of Love" - 400k
Radio Classics
Rock Classics
It has been said that what we are is God's gift to us, but what we make of ourselves in our perseverance is our gift to Him. That being the formula, the key, the command, which turns us from failure toward success, White Heart has come full circle--from an unknown but talented group a decade ago, to one of Christian musicÕs legendary rock bands, recording 10 albums, 16 number one singles, and packing venues from Stockholm, to New York, to California and beyond.
White Heart's philosophy, as a band, is illustrated within their last top selling album, Highlands. The band challenged others (and itself) to "discover new lands and climb beyond the place you've always been"--a prescription that has elevated the group to the top, and caused music reviewers to abrogate their pre-conceived notions of just who White Heart is, and where they are going.
"We have never been happy staying where we've been," says vocalist Rick Florian about the group's versatility. "I think it's due to our desire to grow and change, which I would hope every musician feels--changing and growing with your art, and exploring new sounds and new directions with creativity."
White Heart's songs change from album to album, yet their matchless style remains constant. As the band changes personally, their music develops and matures. I think the world is changing at a personal level," observes vocalist and keyboardist Mark Gersmehl. "That's the way Jesus changes hearts--from a personal level."
"That's right," rings in Florian, "and there is always that evolution with both the music and the lyrics that we have. And, because it is personal, and our lives are ever-developing, we are never the same from one album to the next."
White Heart seems to understand that you cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters are continually flowing on, and in this philosophy lies the uniqueness of their latest album, Nothing But the Best, Rock Classics and Radio Classics, a compilation of carefully chosen mega-hits that exhibit, firsthand, the unique and unequaled tune-weaving of the one group, who through constant transformation, seems to curiously remain invariable.
But with other bands doing "Best Of' albums long before their time, why is White Heart doing one? And, more intrinsic, how do you choose which songs are the 'best', when most of them have journeyed to the top of the charts? Florian says it is somewhat subjective, but there is a balance. "Through time, fans can determine the songs that mean the most to them," explains the distinctive lead singer, "and we really try and listen to what they want from us. Doing this record gives our fans the chance to buy all of their favorites in one concise format.
"The real beauty of this particular album," he conrinues, "is that, as a package, this project should please every musical taste. It isolates musical preference for the listener so they are less apt to be distracted by a style that is not to their liking. In other words, we (and our fans) literally handpicked the songs on this album, which makes it very special to us."
What White Heart fans acknowledge as their favorites are jam packed into this compilation, which includes all their favorites from the last albums, as well as a complete rendition of "Morningstar" and three other new songs. From smash rock hits like "His Heart Was Always in It," "Kingdom Come," "Powerhouse," and "Change the Way," to their top radio singles like "The Flame Passes On," "Fly Eagle Fly," "Montana Sky," and their mega #1 hit, "Desert Rose," the album serves as much more than a fresh, driving ear candy--it challenges the listener to walk to the beat of a different drum.
"Sometimes, we choose to make our lives complicated," illustrates Florian, "but it doesn't have to be that way. The foundation of our lives is simple... it is Christ. Our God is not complicated, and if there is a message running through this album, it is that following Christ is something we constantly strive for."
Gersmehl agrees and says that their music, especially this collection, is really a seed planted in the very soul of the listener. "There are people," Gersmehl reminisces, "who come up to me and say, 'I have been very lonely because of what I believe. I know I am a desert rose, and I just wanted to thank you for that song--I now realize that God cares about me.
"Songs like this are the lifeblood of our ministry, and I believe the reason why God has used us in very significant ways, in spite of our failures. In order for us, as a band, and as followers of Christ, to realize our greatest potentials, we must continually evolve as musicians and as Christians. Our music has always carried that one, crucial message.
Even though they've been compared to everyone from Aerosmith to Yes, White Heart continues to blaze brave new musical trails, and etching for them, along the way, a coveted place in contemporary Christian music. "What we strive for," offers Florian, "is to retain the highest level of musicianship possible. We always want to be the best we can be with the abilities He gives us."
White Heart has always measured their music with their own yardstick, making transcendence the rule rather than the exception. They refuse to rest on their own accomplishments, aligning with the premise that a ready hand is more valued than an eager tongue, and this album clearly reflects that truth.
"Our gift from God to our fans is our music," ascribes Florian. "Through our music we have always wanted to say that God does not love us because we are valuable, but that we are valuable because He loves us. If we want people out there to know what Christ will do for them, we must let them see what Christ has done for us. Prayerfully, we have let that be known, because we want to let His light shine, through our music, and in every way."
Nothing But The Best (Rock Classics)
Highlands
Tales of Wonder
Powerhouse
Freedom
Emergency Broadcast
Don't Wait for the Movie
Vital Signs
White Heart
1985 was a very transitional year as White Heart signed to the Sparrow label. Along with that came new member Rik, Riq, Rick, Rikk, Rhic, Rikcq Florian (lead vocals). Bassist Tommy Sims joined the band at the beginning of the DON'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE tour in 1986. Three albums were made during this period, DON'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE, EMERGENCY BROADCAST AND FREEDOM.
White Heart signed with Star Song in1990 and with that came the addition of new members Brian Wooten (guitar), Anthony Sallee (bass) and Mark Nemer (drums). Drummer Jon Knox joined the band on the POWERHOUSE tour in 1991. Three albums came from this period, POWERHOUSE, TALES OF WONDER and HIGHLANDS. During the Summer of 1994, the band worked on the four new songs for the two album NOTHING BUT THE BEST collection.
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