Much to the surprise of most gospel music fans, Golden Globe-nominated actor Dennis Quaid is making his musical debut in the world of Christian music. Dennis Quaid, known for such hit movies as The Rookie, Frequency, The Day After Tomorrow, and my personal guilty pleasure Inner Space, has hit the road as a musician, and songwriter for many years despite this being his first foray into gospel music.
Quaid was given his first guitar by his grandfather as a child, and continued to hone his skills all these years, becoming a master at the guitar and piano as well as sharpening his skills as a songwriter. Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners is the follow-up to his 2018 rock ‘n roll-based American music-inspired Out of the Box. Fallen follows up that critically acclaimed record with a musical palette that ranges from country, Gospel, and American rock ‘n roll coupled with reflective lyrics and sincere, heartfelt vocals.
“Fallen,” the title cut, is a tender ballad written by Quaid. This is an album highlight that features Dennis’s remarkable ability to convey a message of hope to a truly fallen world. Quaid’s cover of the Kris Kristofferson classic “Why Me, Lord?” showcases Quaid’s unique vocal delivery. Fans of gospel music will come to love this rendition.
Fallen also features a couple songs with guest artists. “I’ll Fly Away” features background vocals from The Isaacs and Jacob Brumley, while the Oak Ridge Boys give a triumphant guest spot on “Life’s Railway to Heaven.” His covers of the more known hymns like “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” or “The Lord’s Prayer” really showcase Dennis’s distinctive vocal delivery. His sincere take on the lyrics reflect a man changed by the Gospel.
The most notable thing to take away from this record is Quaid’s talent as a songwriter. The aforementioned original “Fallen” is a stand out track, but fans should also take note of the inclusion of “On My Way to Heaven.” This song was originally included on the soundtrack to the I Can Only Imagine feature film, but was inspired by Quaid’s own struggles with addiction throughout his life. The sincerity and authenticity displayed in that track would be worth a purchase by itself.
Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners is an inspiring record that showcases a man who knows his place in this world in relation to a God who’s grace has never given up on him despite his many failings. I applaud Dennis Quaid for sharing his faith on this record and for sharing his heart to the rest of the world.
Producer: Dennis Quaid, David R. “Fergie” Ferguson, Ben Isaacs, and Chris Lindsey
Record Label: Gaither Music Group
