According to her official bio, "Kim Boyce is a former Miss Florida and Top Ten Semi-Finalist in the Miss America Pageant". She was born on March 14, 1961 in Winter Haven, Florida. In 1986 she released her self-titled debut CCM album. What I will be reviewing here is her fifth studio album, FACTS OF LOVE (1992, Warner Bros.). In the liner notes, Kim shares: "Nothing can touch your heart and leave a lasting impression like love. This album, the result of many months of prayer, inspiration, laughter, and tears, has ten songs that in some way talk about love..."
First up is the Tom Snow/Jimmy Scott composition 'When Love Calls Your Name'. Cher had recorded it in 1991 and Kim Boyce took it to #1. It's a happy pop song: "When Love calls your name/There's no saying no/You follow your heart wherever it goes/To the ends of the earth/For the rest of your days/Whatever it takes, yeah, you'll find a way/Through fire and rain/When Love calls your name". Kim, hubby Gary Koreiba, Guy Penrod, and Chris Rodriguez sing backing vocals on 'Love Has Made the Difference'. It's a song celebrating one's relationship with God: "We've been through the laughter and tears/Still our love is growin'/When days turn to years/My heart will still be showin' that I'm thinkin' of You/The love that made the difference in me/Your love has made the difference in me".
'Everything' was penned by Kim, Scott MacLeod, and Trace Scarborough. It's a soulful pop ballad complete with a sax solo by Marty Paoletta. These words are ones of worship: "Lily of the valley/Bring and shining star/Baby in a manger/Lover of my heart/King of all creation/Knew my deepest need/In my darkest hour/He reached out for me". Phil Madeira plays the Hammond B-3 organ on 'Dancin' to the Beat of Your Heart'. It's an upbeat pop/dance song that rejoices: "Never been a moment of regret with You, Lord/Even when my life is filled with misery/Doesn't last for long because You're livin' in me/And I'm dancin', dancin' to the beat of Your heart/When my soul feels the Spirit/My feet have to start/Dancin' to the beat of Your heart".
Kim, Bryan Lenox, and Bo Cooper wrote 'Until Now'. It uses strings, oboe, and pipe organ by Bryan Lenox. Chris Rodriguez and Mark Pogue provide backing vocals. It's a beautiful ballad of praise: "Until now/I know Your love has saved me from the pain/Until now/Never knew someone like You/In Your arms,Your perfect love brings hope to me again/Never knew You could make a change somehow/Until now". The title track, 'Facts of Love', was a hit for Kim. Dann Huff and Gordon Kennedy play guitars on this peppy pop/rock number that testifies: "There's something different 'bout Your love/Feels like thunder's running through my veins/Like some kind of miracle's happenin'/Taking me up higher than I've ever been/There's a fire burnin' deep within/Think I must be learnin' the facts of love..."
'Hurting People' was penned by Kim and Julius Drummin. It's a funky pop song that encourages us to act: "If you love them/Won't you show them?/Then we'll help them/Help the hurting people/Will you reach out to their struggles?/Then we'll help them/Help the hurting people". 'I Just Wanna Live Right' finds Kim pouring out her heart: "I don't wanna be a hero/Just wanna share Him everywhere I go/Live my life and let people see/That there's really been a change in me".
What follows is 'Let's Stay Together', a Kim Boyce/Gary Koreiba/Phil Sillas effort. It's a light pop song that draws from history: "Elvis and Priscilla tried/He loved the girl until the day he died/But couldn't keep their love together, no/Let's stay together/Marilyn and DiMaggio/Gave it a try and then they let it go/Couldn't keep their love together, no/Let's stay together". Last up, 'Thank You For Being My Friend', is a quiet song for our Lord: "There was never a time when Your love was in doubt/Every tear that I've cried/You've known all about/There is no greater friend cause You laid down Your life/So with all my heart one more time/I'll try to say/Thank You for being my friend".
FACTS OF LOVE is a fun Christian pop record, with some adult contemporary and dance sounds mixed in. There are five fast songs and five slow ones. God's goodness, love, care, and salvation are proclaimed. God, in fact, calls out to us, His children. Following Christ and being spiritually devoted are encouraged. We should care for all of humanity and be witnesses for Jesus. The cover photo of Kim is absolutely beautiful! This is a good album to crank up as you are driving out and about. I'm rating it 90%. For more info visit www.kimboycemusic.com and/or connect with her on social media.