Rich Mullins - The World as Best as I Remember It, Vol. 1

This dynamic album comes marks the beginning of Mullins' collaboration with the one-named Beaker. For the most part, this is a great album with wonderful hammered dulcimer passages ("Calling Your Name") and brilliant songwriting ("Jacob and 2 Women"). But clocking in at just over 36 minutes with one song that is practically on there twice leaves the listener wanting a little more -- particularly when there is obviously a Vol. 2 somewhere else. Also, the string arrangements here are unusually sappy ("The River"). Still, the great moments far outweigh the weak ones, so the overall feel of this album is positive. "Jacob and 2 Women" is rich with great wordplay and a passion for human emotions -- easily the strongest moment here. It probably would have been best to trim the fat from Vols. 1 and 2 and issue one big, strong album. ~ Mark W.B. Allender, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Coleman Choir, Chorus Alison Freeman Choir, Chorus Andy Ivey Choir, Chorus Angela Hewitt Choir, Chorus Bev Bartsch Choir, Chorus Bill Deaton Engineer Bill Sinclair Choir, Chorus Billy Crockett Guitar Bonnie Keen Vocals (Background) Brent King Engineer Buddy Jackson Design, Art Direction Chris Harris Choir, Chorus Chris Rodriguez Vocals (Background) D. Rhodes Art Direction Danny O'Lannerghty Choir, Chorus David Hamilton Choir, Chorus Don Donahue Executive Producer, Choir, Chorus Donna McElroy Vocals (Background) Doug Wildeboer Assistant Engineer, Engineer Elizabeth Hickman Grooming Eric Darken Percussion Gary Janney Choir, Chorus Gary Lunn Bass Gary Robinson Choir, Chorus Guy Penrod Choir, Chorus Jerry McPherson Guitar (Electric), Guitar Joe Hicks Choir, Chorus John Calton Choir, Chorus Karen Franz Choir, Chorus Kevin Wolf Choir, Chorus Kristin Pierson Choir, Chorus Leah Taylor Choir, Chorus Leslie Tarkington Choir, Chorus Lisa Bevill Choir, Chorus Lisa Glasgow Choir, Chorus Lori Lee Loving Choir, Chorus Lynn Fuston Engineer Marita Meinerts Choir, Chorus Mark Comden Choir, Chorus Mark Tucker Photography Matt Pierson Choir, Chorus Michael Blanton Executive Producer Michael Nolan Choir, Chorus Michele Buc Choir, Chorus Patrick Kelly Assistant Engineer, Engineer Paul Leim Drums Penn Singleton Engineer Reed Arvin String Arrangements, Piano, Keyboards, Synclavier, Producer, Arranger, Engineer, Strings Rich Mullins Piano, Dulcimer (Hammer), Dulcimer Rick "Soldier" Will Engineer Robert Magee Choir, Chorus Ronnie Brookshire Engineer Sam Levine Recorder Shane D. Wilson Assistant Engineer, Engineer Steve Brewster Drums Steve Snoddy Bagpipes Steven V. Taylor Vocal Arrangement, Choir, Chorus, Arranger, Choir Arrangement Susan Ashton Vocals (Background) The Manly Men Vocals (Background) Tiffany Peterson Choir, Chorus Tom Hemby Mandolin, Guitar (Acoustic) Tommy Gardner Soprano, Soprano (Vocal) Tommy Jenson Choir, Chorus Tommy Sims Bass Tricia Walker Choir, Chorus Vicki Hampton Vocals (Background)