The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)

The Big Picture
Studio album by
Michael W. Smith
ReleasedFebruary 1, 1986
Recorded1985
Studios
GenreContemporary Christian music
Length50:39
LabelReunion
Producers
  • Michael W. Smith
  • John Potoker
Michael W. Smith chronology
Michael W. Smith 2
(1984)		 The Big Picture
(1986)		 The Live Set
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[1]
Jesus Freak HideoutStarStarStarStar[2]

The Big Picture is the third album by contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986 on Reunion Records.[3] The title comes from the song "Pursuit of the Dream," in which it is heard a few times, but also applies to the variety of themes for young people to learn about from the various songs on the album. While "Pursuit of the Dream" instructs the listener to pursue their goals, other themes on the album include the folly of escapism ("Lamu"), sexual abstinence before marriage ("Old Enough to Know"), and maintaining a positive self image ("You're Alright"). The song "Tearing Down The Wall" opens with a reverse snippet of Amy Grant's "Emmanuel". The Big Picture was ranked at number 21 on CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.[4] Smith won a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 18th GMA Dove Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 29th Grammy Awards.

Track listing

CD release[5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lamu"Smith, Kirkpatrick, Amy Grant5:55
2."Wired for Sound" 6:00
3."Old Enough to Know" 4:47
4."Pursuit of the Dream" 5:11
5."Rocketown" 4:32
6."Voices" 5:50
7."The Last Letter" 4:37
8."Goin' Thru the Motions" 4:55
9."Tearin' Down the Wall" 3:35
10."You're Alright"Smith, Kirkpatrick, Chris Rodriguez4:36
11."Coda" (Hidden track)Smith0:41

Personnel

Backing vocals on "Voices"

Production

  • Executive Producers – Michael Blanton, Dan Harrell and Brown Bannister
  • Producers – Michael W. Smith and John Potoker
  • Engineer and Mixing – John Potoker
  • Assistant Engineers – James "JB" Baird, Spencer Chrislu, Mike Clute, Ken Criblez, Nick Delre, Jeffrey Dovener, Rob Feaster, Jim Goldberger, Ed Goodreau, Tim Hattfield, Bill Heath, Keith Odell, Clarke Schleicher, Bob Vogt and Tony Volante.
  • Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
  • Production Coordinator – Kimberly Smith
  • Art Direction and Design – Kent Hunter and Thomas Ryan
  • Photography – Beverly Ann Moore
  • Grooming – Jody Morlock and Julie Miller Overstreet
  • Child on album cover – Christopher Copeland

Chart performance

Chart (1986) Peak
position
US Top Christian Albums (Billboard)[6]2

Accolades

GMA Dove Awards

Year Winner Category
1987 The Big Picture Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year

References

  1. ↑ Granger, Thom. "The Big Picture". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  2. ↑ Frias, Sherwin (February 10, 2007). "Michael W. Smith, "The Big Picture" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  3. ↑ Michael W. Smith: The Big Picture. Reunion Records. 1986.
  4. ↑ Granger, Thom, ed. (2001). The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. Harvest House. pp. 92–95. ISBN 0-7369-0281-3.
  5. ↑ "Michael W. Smith – The Big Picture". Discogs. May 1986. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Michael W. Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
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