Wonder (Michael W. Smith album)

Wonder
Studio album by Michael W. Smith
Released	September 28, 2010
Recorded	2010
Genre	CCM, pop
Length	53:47
Label	Reunion
Producer	Michael W. Smith, Bryan Lenox
Michael W. Smith chronology
A New Hallelujah (2008) Wonder (2010) Glory (2011)

Wonder is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. Released in September 2010, the album peaked at No. 2 on the Top Christian Albums chart, and number 26 on the Billboard 200.^[1]

Track listing

1. "Save Me from Myself" (Lau Højen, Søren Balsner, Morten Thorhauge) - 3:39
2. "Take My Breath Away" (MWS, Kyle Lee) - 4:09
3. "Run to You" (MWS, Matthew West) - 4:54
4. "I'll Wait for You" (MWS, Tommy Sims) - 5:14
5. "Forever Yours" (MWS, Michael Olson) - 3:54
6. "Welcome Home" (MWS, Lee, Michael Farren) - 4:30
7. "Wonder (Not Far Away)" (MWS, Stu Garrard, Mia Fields) - 3:47
8. "Rise" (MWS, Lee, Michael Neale) - 5:07
9. "You Belong to Me" (MWS, Olson, Matt Maher) - 3:42
10. "Leave" (MWS, Sims) - 3:29
11. "One More Time" (MWS, Lee, Farren) - 5:48
12. "Take Me Over" (MWS, Lee, Bryan Lenox) - 5:39

Credits

Music

• Michael W. Smith: lead vocals, piano, keyboards, Hammond B3 organ, guitar, background vocals
• Bryan Lenox: keyboards
• Ben Gowell: guitar
• Adam Lester: guitar
• Tommy Sims: guitar
• Jacob Lowery: bass guitar
• Dan Needham: drums
• Cara Slaybaugh: cello (10)
• Jim Daneker: orchestral arrangements, programming (12)
• David Davidson: string arrangements (2, 5, 9, 11)
• String section: David Davidson, David Angell, Monisa Angell, John Catchings, Conni Ellisor, Jack Jezioro, Anthony LaMarchina, Pam Sixfin and Kristin Wilkinson
• Background vocals (4): Nickie Conley, Missi Hale, Darwin Hobbs, Calvin Nowell, Chris Rodriguez and Debi Selby
• Byron Chambers: talk box
• Gang vocals (2): Shirley Anderson, Lanny Anderson, Oliver Campbell, JoJo Campbell, Camryn Clark, Catherine Clark, Skylar Cochran, Dallas Dudley, Noah Elwood, Georgia Elwood, Tanner Lenox, Teagan Lenox, Treven Lenox, Tammy Lenox, Titus Lenox, Jessebeth Lowery, Jacob Lowery, Trevor Mathiesen, Moses McKeehan, Marley McKeehan, Leo McKeehan, Judah McKeehan and Bradley Pooler

Production

• Producers: Michael W. Smith and Bryan Lenox
• Executive producers: Michael W. Smith, Greg Ham and Terry Hemmings
• A&R direction: Jason McArthur
• Production coordination: Gabrielle Crisp, Dallas Dudley and Trevor Mathiesen
• Tracks recorded by Bryan Lenox, Kyle Lee and Aaron Chmielewski at Quad Studios (Nashville, TN) and Emack Studios (Franklin, TN)
• Assistant engineers: Dallas Dudley, Daryl Dudley II, Tanner Lenox and Grant Harrison
• Piano and strings recorded by Baeho 'Bobby' Shin at Wildwood Recording (Franklin, TN), assisted by Taemin Daniel Choi and Juyoung "Genie" Yim
• Mixed by Bryan Lenox and Kyle Lee at The Bird House (Franklin, TN)
• Mix assistants: Elliott Eicheldinger, Scott Lenox and Brad Pooler
• Mastering: Chris Athens at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
• A&R production: Michelle Box
• Art direction: Beth Lee and Tim Parker
• Design: Tim Parker
• Photography: Amy Dickerson
• Hair and make-up: Melanie Shelley
• Wardrobe: Katy Robbins

Promotion and release

Smith's first single for the album "Save Me From Myself" debuted at No. 17 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart, and No. 33 on the Canadian Christian Songs Chart.^[2] The song is originally written and performed by the Danish rock band Carpark North. A month before the release of the album, Smith released an extended play with four songs from the album: "Save Me From Myself", "Run to You", "You Belong to Me", and "Forever Yours".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
CBN	[3]
Christianity Today	[4]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[5]

Dave Wood of Louder Than the Music gave the album 4 out of 5 stars commenting on how Smith "able to produce albums of the highest calabre [sic]."^[6] Deborah Evans Price of Billboard gave the album a positive review, saying "Michael has never sounded more compelling or impassioned."^[7]

Chart performance

Chart (2014)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[8]	26
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[9]	2

References

1. Allmusic "Wonder" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
2. Fox News "Michael W. Smith's 'Save Me From Myself' Music Video" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
3. von Buseck, Craig. CBN "Michael W. Smith Reveals the Wonder of God's Grace" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
4. Willits, Andrea Bailey. Christianity Today "Wonder" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
5. Jesus Freak Hideout "Wonder" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
6. Wood, Dave. Louder Than the Music "Wonder" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
7. Price, Deborah Evans. Billboard "Wonder" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
8. "Michael W. Smith – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Michael W. Smith. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
9. "Michael W. Smith – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for Michael W. Smith. Retrieved May 23, 2014.