TOM AUTRY

Blood Of The Lamb (Star Song SSR-0006) 1978

Tom Autry’s second lp has some definite high points. ‘Blood Of The Lamb’, ‘I Want To Set You Free’, and the instrumental ‘Sacrifice’ are all beautiful moody pieces featuring spacey synths - essentially early versions of new age music that’d be right at home on a Jeff Johnson album. Most of the album, however, fits into the contemporary gospel and ballads format. Still, the aforementioned tunes justify obtaining this unusual item - and gave me enough cause to file my copy in with Johnson, Arkangel, Jimmy Hotz, and the Eden lps in the ever-so-thin art rock section. Impressive George Werth cover, the same artist who did Arkangel’s Warrior and Phil Keaggy/Glass Harp’s Song In The Air. (Ken Scott - Archivist)



Tracks:

01. Blood Of The Lamb
02. Sweet Smell Of Faith
03. Is It Wrong?
04. Natural Man
05. Blood Of The Lamb (Reprise)
06. Sacrifice
07. Without You
08. I Want To Set You Free
09. You're My Rock
10. Sacrifice (Reprise)


Bitrate: 320

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HARVEST

Never Thirst Again (Pure Joy PJ103) 1976

Enjoyable five-man country rock band produced by Al Perkins sporting a nice rollicking sound with piano, steel guitar and banjo leading the way. Other country albums in this era lost authenticity due to too much polish and overproduction, but this band sticks to their roots (not necessarily a backwoods format, but no real pop crossovers either). Mix of acoustic and electric guitars, heavier than Shiloh, less aggressive than Canaan; mostly mid-tempo grooves ranging from mellow to mid-rocking, sounding a little like Bethlehem and The Way. A couple fast banjo hoedown numbers: ‘God The Father’ and ‘Oh Sweet Jesus’, Fred Field’s fiddle joining the party for the latter (some decent acoustic guitar picking in there as well). Dobro and organ also make appearances. Other titles include ‘Let Your Sun Shine’, ‘Rich Man, Poor Man’, ‘What Is Justice’ and ‘Pointin My Finger’. Outlaw saloon/bar cover makes ‘em look a bit meaner than they really are. Cowboy hats proudly in position. Overall goes down quite well. (Ken Scott - Archivist)

Tracks:

01. Never Thrist Again
02. Let Your Sun Shine
03. Rich Man, Poor Man
04. Thinkin' Back
05. What Is Justice
06. Oh Sweet Jesus
07. Pointin' My Finger
08. You Just Can't Lose
09. Raise Your Voice
10. They Don't Know
11. God The Father
12. Never Thirst Again

Member musicians: Edison Riggs, Willie Roberson, Jerry Barnard, Mark Ala, & Steve Messick.
Other musicians: Fred Field, Don Gerber. Produced by Al Perkins


Bitrate: 320

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Presence - Presence (1976)

Absolutely precious 5-star UK progressive folkrock materpiece from 4-guy 1-girl outfit.  A distinctly British sounding record that combines the usual folk and rock gear with such instruments as mandolin, recorder, bongos, harmonica, organ, Chinese finger cymbals and African pottery drums.  The group's progressive angle is revealed through shifts in tempo, mood and dynmaics, as heard on 'Moment Of You', 'Turning Point' and 'God Is Love'.  Skillful acoustic presence throughout, plus a couple nice electric guitar solos that step in to accentuate the rock angle.  Artful use of percussion adds an edge to several songs.  'Break Down The Walls', 'Peace' and 'Presence' are all lovely delicate acoustic ballads.  'All For You' flows gently along to a wistful melody, while the recorder-backed 'Shepherd Song' fashions a hauntingly beautiful Cletic mood.  'Laws Of God' is passionately strummed, while 'Children' and 'Prayer' supply playful mandolin folk.  Charming fragile from-the-heart vocals (both male and female), coupled with creative songwriting that makes each and every song special.  It all adds up to one awesome record, my personal favorite from the whole UK scene!  (Ken Scott - Archivist)


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God Unlimited - Ride High The Wind (1974)

Back in the peppy folkrock mode, their sixth lp has a lot of what make the early albums so good.  For one they've tossed in a couple of hardrockers (smile), proving they've still got what it takes.  The centerpiece would have to be their powerful remake of the lengthy 'Ride on', where loud electric leads and a ripping bass solo meet up against intense percussion.  Folkrock moods range from the brisk upbeat 'The Christed Life' to the driving electric 'You Are Free' to the dreamy minor-key title track.  Opportune use of phasing and wah-wah in spots.  Some of the ballads (which I've always considered to be their forte) seem truer to the old form as well, particulary their update on 'God Unlimited'.  Works in covers of 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' and Ken Medema's 'Will You Stay?  There's Some spoken dialogue between the songs - rather lengthy at times, but you could edit it out for repeated listening.  (Ken Scott - Archivist)


Bit Rate: 320
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