Phil Driscoll was born on November 9, 1947 in Seattle, Washington. In the 1970's he worked with the likes of Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, and Billy Preston. In the late 70's he became a Christian. In 1985 he and Debby Boone won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance-Duo/Group for the song 'Keep the Flame Burning'. Over the years he has been a master of the trumpet. Let's fast forward to 1996 when he released the album A DIFFERENT MAN (Word). It was produced by Chris Harris.
1. First up is 'Road to Jerusalem' a composition by Michael W. Smith, David Mullen, and Chris Harris. It's a nice adult pop song featuring Dana Powell & The Straight Gate Choir. It's about a heavenly journey: "Somebody say 'Hallelujah!'/Somebody say 'Amen!'/The road is shown to all of God's children/Cause we are one heart, one mind/We seek the truth and find/Find it in Jerusalem/One faith, one God/Blessed are the feet that walk/The road to New Jerusalem".
2. 'Walk With Me Jesus' is a gospel prayer: "Walk with me Jesus/On this journey/The road is too rocky/To make it alone/In the darkest night/You'll lead me to morning/Walk with me Jesus/Soon we'll be home".
3. Dennis Matkosky and Richard Page wrote the lovely adult pop title track 'A Different Man'. It's about a spiritual transformation: "You turned me around/You gave me a brave new start/I was longing for a thrill/But only You could fill my empty heart/All the love You have given/All my past You have forgiven".
4. 'Christ Remains' is one of two songs penned by the duo of Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood. Phil plays the piccolo trumpet on this easy listening number about Jesus' faithfulness to us: "My provider, my protector/Always watching over me/My comforter, my counselor/He is all I need/My constant in the chaos/My source of strength unchanged/Everyday the same/Christ remains, Christ remains".
5. 'Everytime I Say Yes' finds Billy Mason playing the Hammond B-3 and piano, Terry McMillan playing harmonica, and Eric Silver playing the mandolin. This one's an upbeat pop/soul song many of us will be able to relate to: "God, I gotta tell You/That You're scaring me again/Well, You're asking me to do something/I'm not really sure I can/Well, I'm trying to figure out Your plan/But the pieces don't fit/Well, I've been here before/Looking back I must admit/Everytime I say 'yes' to You/Seems there's something wonderful You're waiting to do".
6. 'Place in My Heart' is an uplifting song that finds Will McFarlane and George Cocchini on guitars, and Jimmy Lee Sloas on bass. It also finds God speaking words of reassurance to us, His children: "No matter where you go/How near or far/My love will be with you/Right where you are/Just think of me and know/You still have a place in my heart".
7. Next up is a cover of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's 'The Long and Winding Road'. This song appeared on The Beatles' 1970 album LET IT BE. Driscoll plays the flumpet on this inspirational ballad of a spiritually longing pilgrim: "Don't keep me waiting here/Lead me to Your door/The long and winding road/That leads to Your door/Will never disappear/I've seen that road before/It always leads me here/Leads me to Your door".
8. Lynn Keesecker wrote the jazzed up pop song 'Can God? God Can!' It's a praise and worship number: "Who can make an enemy into a friend?/Who can bring the bad times to an end?/Who can open up all the deaf ears?/Who can dry up all of the tears?/Raise the dead, give them life again?/Can God? God can!/Yes, God can!/Move a mighty mountain/He can conquer all impossibilities/Can God? God can!/Yes, God can!/In the desert make a fountain/Who can answer prayer?/Oh, I know God can!" This is the album's shortest song at under three minutes.
9. 'Love Won't Let Me' is the album's longest song at over six minutes. This slow ballad is actually a good love song: "Love has captured me, love has set me free/Love has taken me this far/Think I'm gonna stay awhile/Think I'm gonna stay awhile.../I commit to you my love, forever/I commit to you forever, together/Laying down my life for the one I really love/Can be the only love that's real".
10. Chris Harris and Matt Huesmann wrote the gentle ballad 'The Time of Your Life'. It has a good message for us even in 2018: "It's time to show love, it's time to be kind/It's time to share the gift of life, and hope, and joy/Every heart needs to find/It's time to be true/It's time to follow the road in view/And live to hear the words/'Well done, my son/You've given the time of your life'". Lisa Cochran sings a bit of a female lead at one point.
11. Last up is 'The Lights of the City' (also known as 'I See the Lights of the City') written by Ray Lewis. It dates back to 1967. This gospel number anticipates heaven: "Well, I can almost see the lights of the city/Oh, they're shining, shining down on me/I can almost see, oh the lights of the city/Forever Lord, I shall be free".
A DIFFERENT MAN is certainly of professional quality! Style-wise you will find adult contemporary, adult pop, and gospel music presented here. There are six faster paced songs and five slower paced. Phil testifies that God alone can transform us and situations in our lives into something beautiful and new. God is faithful and good and loves us, His children. We should desire intimacy with God and seek out His guidance during life's journey. A couple of the songs anticipate eternity in heaven, and there is a romantic love song thrown in for good measure. I'm rating A DIFFERENT MAN 90%. Fans of the vocal stylings of Michael Bolton, Joe Cocker, and Clay Crosse should pick this one up. For more info visit: www.phildriscoll.com.