Kenny Marks - Another Friday Night

Tuesday 1st May 1990
Kenny Marks - Another Friday Night
Kenny Marks - Another Friday Night

STYLE: Pop
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 11337-CAS1023
LABEL: DaySpring DAY4160
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Roly Johnson-Bell

The talented American who used to plonk on his acoustic at Greenbelt but in more recent times has developed a following stateside for his gospel AOR turns in his sixth or seventh album.  Competent musicianship (love the gob-iron and the sax) and fair production sadly don't compensate for a largely predictable album. Often over-stated themes interspersed with throwaway rhyme padding lyrics wrapped up in a Bruce Springsteen/Dire Straits fusion sound didn't really arrest my attention.  I wondered if the Byrds "All I Really Want To Do" was the influence behind Kenny's "I'll Be A Friend To You"... but he'd have to be my age if that's the case. The two strongest songs for me are both on the theme of family break up.  "Next Time You See Johnny" depicts a young boy's prayer for Jesus to send his daddy home and all that his mother is going through.  "The Threshold Of Regret" examines the effects of scathing rows on the ears of young children and the inevitable split up.  Both ballads, both tear-jerkers but worth singing (even though one might question the wisdom of repeating a similar theme on one album)... look I like the Waltons and I don't care who knows...  But as with so much slickly produced US AOR I was left with the feeling that I hadn't heard the man.  I really don't think I could play it to my non Christian friends.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 14:10 on May 27 2011

Hey Roly, don't fret; you're not the only one who grew up with the "Waltons". The first song that I heard from this 1989 project was "I'll Be A Friend To You"; great song, love it! wtg Kenny!: I also have the video for this song. "Whisperin' A Prayer" is totally ccm! another great one Kenny ty! The album title comes from the opening line in " Hope For a Broken Heart". This album is filled with great songwriting talent of Kenny & CCM wonderment Phil Maderia: it is a highly commendable album! Who cannot relate to the song "Next Time You See Johnny" in one way or another; this song contains the title for Kenny's 1992 album "Fire of Forgiveness". The album contains the top notch ccm song "Like a Father Should Be", a duet with ccm artist Kim Hill (luv her songs also). Check out the rockin' anthem "Nobody Else but JESUS"; I like how the song ends in great style. The mellow "YOU Made a Difference For Me" ends the songset;
"Hope for a Broken Heart" could have been used
for the closer. GOD Bless! -Don



Posted by Dudley Perrin in WILTSHIRE & SOMERSET @ 15:09 on May 25 2010

Encouraging to know you like the Waltons Roly!, & i can vouch for Bruce being a great guy & Mark Knopler is a great guitarist but Dire Straits wasn't for me,
lets encourage one another & get behind E sISH[Malawi Cd out soon] love & God bless,Dudley Perrin,md Altogether Now Music ltd,'Th Complete Record Company &Christian too!


Reply by dudley perrin in somerset @ 12:42 on Jul 24 2010

Always check your comments the Cd i mentioned should of read Starfish Malawi,out know...come on brothers & sisters lets get behind this worthy project,check it out,
hallelujah

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