Heavenly Place is the major label debut studio album by Jaci Velasquez. It released on May 13, 1996 on Myrrh Records.

Heavenly Place
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 13, 1996
Recorded1995–1996
GenreContemporary Christian music
Length40:04
LabelMyrrh
ProducerMark Heimermann
  • Phil Naish
Jaci Velasquez chronology
Keep the Fire Burning
(1994)
Heavenly Place
(1996)
Jaci Velasquez
(1998)
Singles from Heavenly Place
  1. "If This World"
    Released: April 15, 1996
  2. "Flower In The Rain"
    Released: July 22, 1996
  3. "Un Lugar Celestial"
    Released: October 21, 1996
  4. "On My Knees"
    Released: March 3, 1997
  5. "We Can Make A Difference"
    Released: June 16, 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [1]
Jesus Freak Hideout[2]

Critical reception

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Rodney Batdorf wrote in his AllMusic review that "Heavenly Place is an impressive debut album from the 16-year old singer." This album includes five radio singles, including "On My Knees," which won a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1998.[3][4]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."If This World"
4:04
2."Un Lugar Celestial (A Heavenly Place)"
  • Bob Farrell
  • Regie Hamm
  • Mark Heimermann
  • David Velasquez
4:07
3."Flower In The Rain"Chris Eaton3:38
4."On My Knees"3:49
5."Shelter"4:19
6."Baptize Me"
  • Mark Heimermann
  • Erik Sundin
4:17
7."We Can Make a Difference"
  • Mark Heimermann
  • David Mullen
3:50
8."I Promise"
  • Jaci Velasquez
  • Johnny Ramirez
3:39
9."We Will Overcome"
  • Bob Farrell
  • Regie Hamm
  • Mark Heimermann
3:52
10."Thief of Always"Chris Eaton4:29
Total length:40:04
  • Track information and credits taken from the album's liner notes.[5]

Personnel

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  • Jaci Velasquez – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–4, 6, 10)
  • Mark Heimmerman – keyboards (1–3, 5–10), drum programming (1, 2, 5–8), backing vocals (3, 4, 10), additional arrangements (4), keyboard programming (7), acoustic piano (9)
  • Phil Naish – acoustic piano (4)
  • George CocchinI – guitars (1, 2, 7)
  • Dann Huff – guitars (2–6, 9, 10)
  • Jackie Street – bass (1–7, 9, 10)
  • Scott Williamson – drums (2–4, 6, 9, 10)
  • Terry McMillan – percussion (1–5, 7, 9)
  • Bobby Taylor – oboe (4)
  • David Hamilton – string arrangements and conductor (4)
  • Carl Gorodetzky – concertmaster (4)
  • The Nashville String Machine – strings (4)
  • Sally Jumper – backing vocals (3, 4, 9)
  • Chris Rodriguez – lead vocals (5), backing vocals (5, 7), guitars (8)
  • Nicole C. Mullen – backing vocals (7)
  • D.L. Turnedge – backing vocals (7)

Production

  • Judith Cotton Volz – executive producer, A&R direction
  • Mark Heimmerman – producer (1–3, 5–10), additional production (4)
  • Phil Naish – producer (4)
  • Joe Baldridge – engineer (1–3, 5–10), mixing
  • Eric Elwell – engineer (1–3, 5–10)
  • Todd Robbins – engineer (1–3, 5–10)
  • Ronnie Brookshire – engineer (4)
  • Dave Dillbeck – assistant engineer (4)
  • Dean Jamison – assistant engineer (4)
  • Joe Costa – mix assistant
  • Mike Wrucke – mix assistant
  • Fun Attic Studio, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location (1–3, 5–10)
  • Dark Horse Recording Studio, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location (1–3, 5–10)
  • Studio at Mole End, Franklin, Tennessee – recording location (4)
  • Great Circle Sound, Nashville, Tennessee – strings recording location (4)
  • House of David and Battery Studios, Nashville, Tennessee – mixing locations
  • Hank Williams – mastering at Master Mix, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Kathi Dement – A&R coordination
  • PJ Heimmerman – production manager (1–3, 5–10)
  • Bridgett Evans O'Lannerghty – production coordinator (4)
  • Christy Coxe – art direction
  • Firehouse 101 Art + Design – design
  • Matthew Barnes – photography

Charts

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Chart performance for Heavenly Place
Chart (1997) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[6] 142
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[7] 2
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[8] 4

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Batdorf, Rodney. Heavenly Place at AllMusic
  2. ^ Ilex, J.B. (October 13, 2007). "Jaci Velasquez, "Heavenly Place" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Jaci Velasquez On My Knees". georgia.thejoyfm.com. thejoyfm.com. April 19, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "On My Knees". doveawards.com. Dove Awards. April 23, 1998. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Heavenly Place (liner notes). Jaci Velasquez. Rhino. 1996.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Jaci Velasquez Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  9. ^ "American album certifications – Jaci Velasquez – Heavenly Places". Recording Industry Association of America.