A Distant Call begins with a reflective relaxing tune, "You Move Me." Most artists would have chosen to place the energetic "Blind Side" at the beginning of the album, but Ashton has made a few albums already, and knows she doesn't have to show us her flashiest stuff first.
If you thought Ashton was joined at the hip to producer Wayne Kirkpatrick, consider this album a trial separation. He produced only four of the 11 tunes, while Brown Bannister and Michael Omartian produced three and four cuts respectively. Consequently, A Distant Call covers more musical territory than previous Susan Ashton albums.
Several tunes on this album would be suitable for mainstream Country radio. Typical country love ballads include "Spinning Like A Wheel," "Send A Message," "Love Profound," and "I Will Follow." (On "I Will Follow" she sings a genuine countryfied "Californ-EYE-AYE"). There is variety, though. "Crooked Man" will have fans of the "Theme from Peter Gunn" sitting up and taking notice for obvious reasons in the bass line. Pop material includes the previously mentioned "Blind Side," "All Kinds Of People" which addresses the need for empathy, and "Body and Soul" which practices it.
Both "You Move Me" and "Lonely River" would have been fitting for a "My Utmost" album. In "Lonely River" the soul is compared to a river searching for the sea. The chorus is:
Lonely river, is there a place you're running to, or is it something that you're running from? Is it hope that keeps you going? Is it faith that makes you strong? Lonely river, lonely river, running on.
The point isn't driven home until the end of the second verse, though:
. . . The arm of God is long, and I believe that through this journey 'til we're finally home, lonely river, we will never run alone.