Dick & Mel Tunney

Item: Left to Write
Author: Steve Timm

Left to Write

(1993)

Reviewed by Steve Timm

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Label Warner AllianceThe LighthouseApril 1993

adult contemporary ccm pop worship

This album is the second album from the husband and wife duo of Dick and Mel Tunney, after Mel Tunney's three album run with First Call. Like their first, it features Mel as a solo vocalist and Dick playing keyboards. The musical backup is provided by veteran studio musicians such as Leim, Hemby, and Brigdarnello. Background vocalists include Bonnie Keen, Mervyn Warren, and Donna McElroy.

The musical base of the Tunneys has been evident since the days of First Call. Any inspirational song on those first three albums was probably written by them. They are also talented at doing upbeat praise songs such as "Let there be Praise" which they wrote for Sandi Patti. The musical style of the album is again in the inspirational vein, but perhaps a bit more upbeat this time, with a few more drums, and a quicker pace, including one instrumental piece, "Horizons." A chorus of children including the two Tunney children join the opening cut "Perfect World." "When I Look At You" is a love song written for a friend's wedding, and is appropriate, touching, and romantic.

All the memorable songs from this album are on the first side, including "We Have It All", a catchy chorus that is talking about how Christ meets all our needs. "I Want To Know Christ" and "To Be Like Jesus" are introspective to a degree, focusing on the vertical aspects of a relationship with God. There is a bit of spoken banter between the Tunneys before "Pilgrim's Progress." This song focuses on the other main theme of their songwriting - putting their personal experience with Christ to work in everyday lives.

Apart from the instrumental and the remake of the old hymn "My Faith Has Found A Resting Place," the second side comes up a bit short. The tunes of "If You Are My Friend" and "Left To Write" are similar to each other and both are slow and repetitive. The lyrics of both are inward-directed, one describing how friends should respond to each other, and the somewhat ambiguous lyrics of the other thanking God for the gift of music. The effect of the two songs is an anticlimax to an otherwise exciting album with a great message.

The debut album of the Tunney's, Let the Dreamers Dream, carried more lyrical originality and a deeper message than this one, but this one is still a quality album that will give lots of good listening. Given the songwriting material they started with, they produced and performed it very well. This is probably also the type of album which, although it does not make you say "wow" at the first listen, will eventually grow on you and become a favorite.