Go West Young Man (Michael W. Smith album)

Go West Young Man
Studio album by Michael W. Smith
Released	October 1, 1990
Recorded	1990
Genre	Christian rock
Length	42:59
Label	Reunion
Producer	Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bryan Lenox, Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith chronology
Christmas (1989) Go West Young Man (1990) Change Your World (1992)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[2]

In 1990, Michael W. Smith released his sixth studio album, Go West Young Man. This record was his first attempt at mainstream success. It was successful, as it scored a Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit in "Place in This World", which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1991.

Background

Michael W. Smith most notably performed "Place in This World", which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and "For You" on various shows, for example The Arsenio Hall Show, to promote the album. The record was a mainstream crossover success for Smith and became a platinum album. Videos were produced for both singles released and received much radio airplay. Several of the songs from this album made it into his greatest hits album, The First Decade (1983-1993).

Track listing

1. "Go West Young Man" – 4:01 (Michael W. Smith, Wayne Kirkpatrick)
2. "Love Crusade" – 4:23 (Smith, Kirkpatrick)
3. "Place in This World" – 4:01 (Amy Grant, Smith, Kirpatrick)
4. "For You" – 4:10 (William Owsley III, Smith, Kirkpatrick)
5. "How Long Will Be Too Long" – 4:37 (Smith, Kirkpatrick, Grant)
6. "Seed to Sow" – 6:14 (Smith, Kirkpatrick)
7. "Cross My Heart" – 4:37 (Smith, Kirkpatrick)
8. "Emily" – 4:17 (Smith, Kirkpatrick)
9. "Agnus Dei" – 5:09 (Smith)
10. "1990" – 1:42 (Smith)

Personnel

• Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, keyboards, keyboard programming, background vocals (2)
• Mike Lawler – additional keyboards (1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10), Hammond B3 organ (5), programming (6, 10), synth bass (6, 10), synth solo (7), keyboard programming, drums and percussion (6, 10)
• Bryan Lenox – additional keyboards (1, 7), drums (3, 4, 6, 7, 9), percussion (2, 3, 4, 6-10), keyboard programming
• Trace Scarborough – keyboard programming
• Tommy Sims – bass guitar (1, 2, 5, 8), synth bass (4), stick bass (9), keyboard programming
• Matt Pierson – synth bass (3), fretless bass (7)
• Dann Huff – guitar (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9)
• Jerry McPherson – guitar (4, 5, 7, 9)
• Will Owsley – guitar and guitar solo (4)
• Chris Rodriguez – guitar (10), background vocals (1, 2, 5, 10)
• Paul Leim – drums (1, 2, 5, 8), percussion (2)
• Terry McMillan – percussion (1-9)
• Mark Douthit – saxophone (1, 3, 4)
• Barry Green – trombone (1, 2, 3, 4), trombone solo (4)
• Mike Haynes – trumpet (1, 3, 4, 6)
• George Tidwell – trumpet (1)
• Sam Levine – saxophone (2, 6)
• Chris McDonald – trombone (6), horn arrangements (1, 2, 3, 4, 6)
• Chris Eaton – background vocals (1, 2, 4, 7)
• Wayne Kirkpatrick – background vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 10)
• Jimmy Marks – background vocals (2)
• Chris Harris – background vocals (4, 6, 7, 10)
• Vince Ebo – background vocals (5)
• Vicki Hampton – background vocals (5, 6)
• The Nashville String Machine – strings (3, 8)
• Ronn Huff – string arrangements and conductor
• Carl Gorodetzsky – concertmaster and contractor
• The American Boychoir – choir (9); Nathan Wadley – soloist
  • Africa Children's Choir (6); arranged by Michael W. Smith and Ronn Huff; choir director – Gertrude Kafeero; tour leader – Darla Peters

Production

• Producer – Michael W. Smith
• Co-producer – Bryan Lenox
• Vocal producer – Wayne Kirkpatrick
• Executive producers – Michael Blanton and Terry Hemmings
• Engineering – Bill Deaton, Pasquale Delvillagio, Pat Hutchinson, Gregg Jampol, Patrick Kelly, Brent King, Bryan Lenox, Don Martin, Dave Murphy, Rick Rowe, Bret Teegarden, Bill Whittington
• Mixing – Humberto Gatica, assisted by David Parker and Alejandro Rodriguez
• Recorded at BMG Studio (New York, NY); Soundtrek Studio (Kansas City, MO); Deer Valley Studio (Franklin, TN); Treasure Isle, Omni Sound, The Benson Studio, Digital Recorders and 16th Avenue Sound (Nashville, TN)
• Mixed at 16th Avenue Sound (Nashville, TN)
• Editing – Nick Palladino at Scene Three, Inc. (Nashville, TN)
• Mastering – Stephen Marcussen at Precision Disc Mastering (Hollywood, CA)
• Art direction – Buddy Jackson and Deb Rhodes
• Design – Beth Middleworth for Jackson Design
• Photography – Mark Tucker
• Styling – Mary Jane Starke
• A&R – Don Donahue and Richard Headen
• MWS personal assistant – Elizabeth Leighton Jones

Commercial performance

Country	Peak	Sales	Certifications (sales thresholds)
Canada (CRIA)	n/a	50,000	Gold
United States (RIAA)	74	1,000,000	Platinum

References

1. Go West Young Man - Michael W. Smith allmusic
2. Michael W. Smith - Go West Young Man Jesusfreakhideout.com