Cry for the Desert is the eighth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1990 by Star Song Records.[2][3][4] The album is Paris' first time working with producer Brown Bannister, who is best known for producing Christian pop superstar Amy Grant's albums and recently produced the Christian rock group White Heart's 1989 album Freedom and features the band's rhythm section of guitarist Gordon Kennedy, bassist Tommy Sims and drummer Chris McHugh. Producer Bannister updated Paris' sound on Cry for the Desert to sound more contemporary pop while still incorporating her praise and worship music. Paris' song "How Beautiful" is now considered a modern day hymn and is used during Easter services during communion. The song is ranked in the Top 20 from CCM Magazine's 2006 book The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music.[5] Paris was nominated in two categories at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.[6]Cry for the Desert climbed up to number two on the BillboardTop Christian Albums chart.
^Brothers, Jeffrey Lee, ed. (1999). CCM Hot Hits: Christian Hit Radio - 20 Years of Charts, Artist Bios and More. CCM Books. pp. 131, 132. ISBN0-8230-7718-7.