The Ancient Star Song

February 26, 2012

RISING HOPE (OH)

Where The Song Comes From (no label 8064N2) 1978

Top-rate second custom lp of gentle folkrock tunes, mostly originals. Pretty simple sound, but it’s the catchy melodies, creativity, beautiful arrangements (including some nice flute, mandolin, violin) and the overall atmosphere of charm and radiant joy that makes this one of my all-time favorites. The acoustic flute-backed folk rock opener ‘Here’s My Family’ and the closing ‘A Wind In The Door’ (which builds to a lively electric conclusion) are some of the most exuberant moving pieces of Jesus music to my remembrance. ‘Listen To The Singer’ is an equally touching acoustic ballad, as are ‘Morning Song’ and the delicate violin-backed ‘Friends & Lovers’. ‘I Want To Be’ supplies a folksy fiddle/banjo number, while ‘Try To Run’ boogies along with piano and electric guitar. ‘Run To California’ introduces some steel guitar for its peaceful-easy-feeling country mood. Also includes covers of Suzanne Toolan’s ‘I Am The Bread Of Life’ and Noel Stookey’s ‘The Winner’. It’s albums like this that make this whole record collecting thing worthwhile. Attractive cover art by Susan. See also Jesus Only. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. Here’s My Family

02. I Want To Be

03. Try To Run

04. Listen To The Singer

05. Friends And Lovers

06. I Am The Bread Of Life

07. Run To California

08. The Winner

09. Morning Song

10. A Wind In The Door

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Filed under (USA), 1978, 8064N2, no label, RISING HOPE (OH), Where The Song Comes From

February 26, 2012

RISING HOPE (OH)

Farewell To The Shadowlands (no label LP S 726) 1975

Besides coming up with one of the coolest album titles of all time (taken from the final chapter in C. S. Lewis’ ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia’), the Cincinnati trio of Michael Goldberg, Susan Goldberg, and Ross Johnson have managed to create a brilliant homemade release of contemplative acoustic/folk music. All three have nice soothing voices that harmonize well together (Susan sounds a lot like Debby Kerner, especially on the briskly strummed ‘Psalm 27’). Quiet and acoustic-oriented for the most part, with some flute, piano and folky percussion, plus banjo and jew’s-harp for ‘The Lord Will Be My Snowtires’, a novelty bluegrass side-trip. Mostly originals plus a couple Martin Bell songs (‘Secret Of The Stars’ and ‘Come Gather Children’). Includes a lovely minor-key track ‘Help O Lord’ that’s accompanied by flute and what sounds like a hammer dulcimer. Closes with the Narnia-inspired ‘Further Up’. Best cover art seen in years. Essential Jesus music classic. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. Farewell To The Shadowlands

02. Secret Of The Stars

03. Love To Pass The Ages

04. Psalm 27

05. Come Gather Children

06. Song Of Praise

07. The Lord Will Be My Snowtires

08. Psalm 121

09. Help Oh Lord

10. Lead Me On

11. Further Up (A Song About Narnia)

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SHEKINAH (EDEN)

Shekinah (Eden EDN-104) 1982

The stunningly beautiful spacey music of Shekinah (Paul McKenzie and Bruce Labadie) would seem to have come from another world. Seldom has an acoustic duo resounded with such depth and mysterious beauty, with wind chimes, bell tree, harmonics, chamberlain (like a mellotron) and haunting harmonies all contributing to that otherworldly quality. Moods range from the classical guitar John Michael Talbot tone of ‘Let Me Want You’, to the eerie dissonance of ‘I Am Come Nigh’, to the cascading flanged electric guitar of ‘Jesus’ Eyes’. Spotlight goes to the majestic 7-minute ‘Christ, Lord, Messiah’. Brilliant guitar work throughout and magnificent fiery sun cover painting. Five stars easily. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. Who Am I

02. Christ Lord Messiah

03. Let Me Want You

04. I Am Come Nigh

05. Blessed Be

06. Jesus’ Eyes

07. More Like You

08. Let Me In Your Light

09. All Things

No download on this one.

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Filed under (USA), 1982, Eden, EDN-104, Shekinah, SHEKINAH (EDEN)

February 23, 2012

SHEKINAH (OR)

Today’s The Day (Sands Of Time S-5046) 1979

Five guys from Estacada, Oregon playing decent middle-ground rock with a twinge of rural sentiment. Electric guitar leads here and there, plus a good deal of phased rhythm guitar. Soaring country rock mood to the 6:34 ‘Brother John’. Electric bass highlighted on a couple atypical tracks: keeping the funk on ‘The Reign’, droning along with sax, strange synth sounds and a thick percussive disco beat on ‘Take It To Your Heart’. A few ballads featuring acoustic guitar and Arp-sounding keyboards. All originals, seven written by guitarist Rocky Hash, one by bassist Roddy Hash. A couple longhaired ones in the bunch. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. Fly Away

02. Our Song

03. Comin’ Home

04. Brother John

05. The Reign

06. How Much I Care

07. Take It To Your Heart

08. Today’s The Day

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Filed under (USA), 1979, S-5046, Sands Of Time, SHEKINAH (OR), Today's The Day

February 10, 2012

LEAF RIVER

Son Shine (Arrow 2002) 1971

Obscure California band’s first-rate venture into early Jesus Music country-rock sound, soon to be popularized by groups like The Way and Love Song. Good natural outdoor feel, usually with just acoustic/electric guitars, bass and drums, plus samplings of banjo and steel guitar. No keyboards, strings, brass, etc. “Tell Me More’ cranks things up pretty good, though for the most part this is not a loud album. Nice subtle rural/psych edge ala Rainbow Promise on ‘Jesus Of Nazareth’. Other original titles include ‘He’s The Way’, ‘Don’t Let The Devil Get You Down’, ‘The Beast’ and ‘Shoulder To Cry On/Goodbye, Goodbye’. Also faithful covers of the Flying Burito Brothers’ ‘Sin City’ (on which they sound like the Flying Burito Brothers, not surprisingly) and Larry Norman’s ‘I Wish We’d All Been Ready’. One of the members is Jon Linn (bass, lead guitar), later to become a prominent session guitarist on many Larry Norman and Solid Rock records. Simple black-on-yellow cover with primitive hand-drawn art and graphics – definitely has that local look. Reported to be a 300 press item. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. He’s The Way

02. Sin City

03. Don’t Let The Devil Get You Down

04. The Beast

05. Showed Me The Way To Heaven

06. Three Day’s Time

07. I Wish We’d All Been Ready

08. Tell Me More

09. Jesus Of Nazareth

10. Shoulder To Cry On & Goodbye Goodbye

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Filed under (USA), 1971, 2002, Arrow, LEAF RIVER, Son Shine

February 10, 2012

CHUCK NEUFELD

On The Other Hand… (Stucky SA22282) 1982

The Dylan angle is even more pronounced on this admirable twelve-song acoustic folk collection. No harmonica this time, but the guy can vocally sure sound dead-on like Dylan as he works through convicting titles like ‘Hey Mister’, ‘Callin’ Bad Bad’, ‘Ain’t Gonna Join You’ and ‘Look To The Street’. From passionately strummed numbers to bright folksy melodies to more delicately fashioned songs. Chuck provides guitar and dulcimer, while Duane Gundy returns on guitar, mandolin, bass and backup vocals. SeJesus Music, Christian music, MP3′s, Album Review,e also Charles & Bonnie. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. You Could Be Free

02. Hey Mister

03. Hard Times

04. The Way Of Your Heart

05. Apocalypse

06. Hope To The End

07. Callin’ Bad Bad

08. Ain’t Gonna Join Ya

09. Laughing

10. Count On My Love

11. Look To The Street

12. Blessed Be Those

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STUART & SANDY CAVE

Dawn On Sunday (Profile GMOR 143) 1977 UK *

With their vibrant British folk/acoustic style, Stuart and Sandy Cave would have fit perfectly on the This Side Of The River compilation from the same label. Dawn On Sunday stands as one of the finest Profile releases as well as one of the rarest. Heartfelt harmonies over mostly self-penned tunes, backed by Stuart’s 6 and 12-string guitar, mandolin and banjo, plus bass and drums, enveloped with that familiar wholesome homemade Profile sincerity. Some of the mandolin tracks have a similar feel to Gimli & Gloin from the aforementioned River lp, particularly ‘The Perfect Cure/In Dulce Jubilo’. Attractive gold-on-aqua cover illustration of figure kneeling before the empty tomb. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. Spaces

02. Two Thousand Years

03. Dawn On Sunday

04. Jesus You Are

05. Glory Glory Glory

06. How Can I Tell You

07. Hallelujah He Is Born

08. Realife

09. Psalm 46

10. Glory Glory

11. The Perfect Cure-In Dulce Jubilo

12. Through The Water

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Filed under (UK), 1977, Dawn On Sunday, GMOR 143, Profile, STUART & SANDY CAVE

February 9, 2012

MORNING STAR

Message From the Throne (Sound 80 S80-1071-4144S) 1975?

Magnificent dreamy rural acoustic rock/psych gem from Minnesota trio of Roger Aleckson, Jon Bayless and Chris Hampton. Even though there are no drums, or even electric guitar for that matter, these guys have a cutting-edge pastoral hippie/garage mood that’s like an unplugged version of Wilson McKinley or Maranatha (Soon). This album is an acoustic guitar lover’s dream, with long tracks that feature sharp 6-string leads backed by bass and hardy 12-string action. Mellotron adds a spacious Moody Blues/King Crimson-ish atmosphere to cuts like ‘The First Day’, ‘His Will’ and ‘The Ship Of Life’. Also some great slide guitar and peppy harmonica stirring things up in a bluesy country folk-rock way on ‘Steppin’ In & Steppin’ Out’ and ‘The Conversation’. The 12-string guitar gets a nice phased effect on the psychy opener ‘You’re So Free’, also with slide guitar. ‘Shine On (With Jesus)’, ‘Joy In G Major’, every song a winner! Vocal harmony sounds real similar to Wilson McKinley, with straight-ahead Jesus-lovin’ lyrics to match. Totally homemade black-on-silver cover drawing of scroll in the sky floating above a cross on a hill, with the Biblical reference Revelation 22:16 written at the bottom. Back cover has a drawing of a van with “Jesus Lives” on the back, heading down The Straight and Narrow Pathway. Very rare custom record, mastered at Minnesota’s Sound 80 studio. See also Powerhouse Experience. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. You’re So Free

02. The First Day

03. Shine On (With Jesus)

04. His Will

05. Steppin’ In & Steppin’ Out

06. Joy In G Minor

07. The Conversation

08. The Ship Of Life

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PROCLAIMERS

The Proclaimers (Angelus Records, WR 4684) 1970?

Unlike many of the Christian Folk groups that sprung up the Proclaimers were different by offering more than half of the selections (9) as original compositions. Also they have a few standards like a Carmichael and All my trials and a hymn too. Very well done. Performed in the San Francisco Bay area. Review by OK.

Tracks:

01. He’s Everything

02. Oh The Day

03. Baby Born In Bethlehem

04. Casting Every Care

05. All My Trials

06. The Throne Of Your Soul

07. Virgin Mary

08. Well, It’s A Good Thing

09. He That Dwelleth

10. Souls

11. Happiness

12. My Jesus I Love Thee

13. Since Jesus Came Into My Heart

14. Three In One

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Filed under (USA), about 1970, Angelus, PROCLAIMERS, The Proclaimers, WR 4684

February 8, 2012

BRILLO BROTHERS

The Brillo Brothers (TO 009) 1979?

Enlisting the services of the Pat Terry Group at the Twelve Oaks studio, David Milford and Rick McKee (The Brillo Brothers) put down this fine custom release that stays true to that wholesome Georgia folkrockin’ sound. Milford handles bass and guitar while McKee covers drums and additional guitar. Sonny Lallerstedt and Pat Terry contribute electric guitar and synths respectively. Opens with a spirited Eagles-styled country rocker ‘Sticks And Stones’. The synthesizer is especially cutting-edge on the more progressive ‘Rick’s Other Song’ which includes some shifts into 5/4 time (or something like that). Sonny’s lead electric kicks into action on the Southern rocker ‘Turn It Over’. Other titles include ‘Headin’ Home’, ‘Tales Of An Ancient Prince’, ‘Other Plans’, ‘One Word Love Song’ and ‘Let’s Get One Thing Straight’. Good acoustic guitar work throughout. (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition).

Tracks:

01. Sticks And Stones

02. It Might Be Tonight

03. Headin’ Home

04. Rick’s Other Song

05. Tales Of An Ancient Prince

06. Turn It Over

07. Other Plans

08. One Word Love Song

09. Let’s Get One Thing Straight

10. The Difference

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