Russ Taff (album)
Russ Taff is the third album by Christian singer/songwriter Russ Taff, released in late 1987 on Myrrh/Word Records. Taff covers two songs: "Down in the Lowlands" by Charlie Peacock and "I Still Believe" by the Call, plus a 40-second snippet of the American negro spiritual "Steal Away". Taff also records "Breathe Life into Me", which would later be a UK Top 30 hit and US R&B hit in 1988–1989 by British singer Mica Paris. Russ Taff reached number two on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The album won a GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 20th GMA Dove Awards and earned Taff a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards.
Personnel
- Russ Taff – lead vocals, backing vocals
- Robbie Buchanan – synthesizers, acoustic piano, Hammond B3 organ, PPG bass
- Greg Husted – Hammond B3 organ
- Eric Persing – synthesizer programming
- Alan Pasqua – synthesizers
- James Hollihan – guitars, slide guitar solo, acoustic slide guitar, acoustic piano, guitar solo, acoustic guitar
- Lynn Nichols – acoustic guitar
- Dave Perkins – acoustic guitar, guitars, guitar solo, backing vocals, additional synthesizers
- Dann Huff – guitars
- Neil Stubenhaus – bass
- Mike Brignardello – bass
- Nathan East – bass
- Jackie Street – bass
- Mel Watts – drums
- Scott Musick – drums
- Paul Leim – drums
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Koji Egawa – door percussion
- Joe Porcaro – timpani
- Jeff Porcaro – hi-hat
- Mark Douthit – sax solo, soprano saxophone, saxophone
- Clarice Devisschu – backing vocals
- Vince Ebo – backing vocals
- Charlie Peacock – backing vocals
- Rebecca Sparks – backing vocals
- Jack Joseph Puig – ethnic vocals
- Mark Williamson – backing vocals
- Annie Stocking – backing vocals
- James Hollihan, Lynn Nichols, Greg Sparks, Russ Taff, Steve Taylor and Mark Williamson
- James Hollihan, Lynn Nichols, Dave Perkins, Jack Joseph Puig and Russ Taff
Production
- Lynn Nichols – executive producer, cover design concept
- Jack Joseph Puig – producer, recording, mixing
- Steve Ford – assistant engineer
- Koji Egawa – assistant engineer
- Wade Jaynes – assistant engineer
- Julie Last – assistant engineer
- Bert Stevens – assistant engineer
- Billy Whittington – assistant engineer
- Steve Hazelton – technical assistance
- Mike Wambsgans – technical assistance
- Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab
- Joan Tankersley – art direction, cover design concept, logo design
- Patrick Pollei – logo design
- Phillip Dixon – photography
- Zack Glickman – management
Accolades
GMA Dove Awards| Year | Winner | Category |
| 1989 | Russ Taff | Rock Album of the Year |
| 1989 | Russ Taff | Recorded Music Packaging of the Year |