SONGWRITING LEGEND SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON HIMSELF
Chances are you’re a Chris Eaton fan. And chances are, you’re completely unaware of that fact.
The British songwriter continues to propel others into the spotlight, riding his songs to the top of the charts under their own name. Meanwhile, his own artistic career simmers quietly on the back burner with Dare to Dream, his October release, only his fourth in 20 years.
Yet as they say, Chris Eaton is worth the wait. Instead of writing songs for Amy Grant, Rachael Lampa, Jaci Velasquez, 4HIM, Point of Grace, Avalon and others, Eaton now gifts a sweet collection of pop and adult contemporary tracks. Marked by Billboard’s 1994 CCM “Song of the Year” “Breath of Heaven,” Dare to Dream features Eaton’s stellar lyricism and equally thoughtful production that matches each track perfectly.
The sunny acoustic charm of the title track is a buoyant, timeless tune the album is centered around. “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” (no, not that one) leads things off in a slow-building, contemplative fashion before climaxing into a triumphantly epic pop/rock bridge-chorus combo. Eaton’s convincing tenor speaks with clarity on “If It Wasn’t For The Letting Go,” a yearning, solid pop number that beautifully speaks to the incarnation of Christ.
“Alright” closes things with a somber piano-driven refrain and allows Eaton to truly take center stage. It’s a perfect reminder that the man behind so many other celebs actually deserves the spotlight himself. Let’s hope this rare offering remedies that. –Matt Conner