Daniel Amos

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American country-rock band Daniel Amos was released on Maranatha! Music in April 1976, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Jonathan David Brown at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; and was produced by Al Perkins with the band. “Don’t Light Your Own Fire” features jazz pianist Joanne Grauer on Fender Rhodes.

The album was included among Harmony Magazine‘s Best Albums of 1976, a list of ten albums featured in issue No. 11. (“Harmony picks Jesus Music’s best of ’76” – “Regardless of music style, “the best” were picked on the basis of their ability to communicate beyond the four walls of the church.”)

Trivia: Daniel Amos was born out of the ashes of an earlier group, Jubal’s Last Band, an acoustic quartet formed in 1972 who did perform at coffee shops throughout Southern California. In 1974, the band recorded a demo tape together to shop around to record labels, but without any success. Later that year two of the guys left the group and Jubal’s Last Band’s remaining members, Terry Scott Taylor (guitar and vocals) and Steve Baxter (guitar and vocals), brought in bassist Marty Dieckmeyer and guitarist Jerry Chamberlain to fill the empty spots. Sometime in the middle of 1975, this line-up auditioned for Maranatha! Music in hopes of signing a recording contract, which they actually achieved.

December 1975 Daniel Amos entered Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood and began work on their first album. Since the band’s line-up at this point didn’t include a drummer, a few session drummers were used for the recording of the debut album, including Mike Baird, Emmylou Harris sideman John Ware, as well as Ed McTaggart (who previously had been a member of Bill Sprouse Jr.’s band The Road Home). The self-titled debut album was released in early 1976. Soon after the release of their album, Daniel Amos enlisted McTaggart as their full-time drummer.

“That country album” is what this record is usually referred to as by fans of what would eventually become Christian music’s most celebrated “alternative” band of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Hard to believe it’s the same guys, but the original line-up of Terry Taylor, Jerry Chamberlain, Marty Dieckmeyer and Steve Baxter were on the Maranatha label where good-ol’ cowboy sounds ruled. A versatile bunch even then, sampling such moods as slow piano/steel-guitar country gospel («Jesus Is Jehovah To Me», a poke at Jehovah’s Witnesses), swingin’ boogie («Abidin»), soft rock («Don’t Light Your Own Fire») and ballads («Walking On The Water»). A touch of The Eagles can be found cruising along within mellow tracks like «The Bible» and «Losers And Winners». Those creative vocal harmonies bring a wholesome soothing quality to their music. Harmless, pleasant, listenable, and better than most. Lines like “Oh my! You’ll fry as we wave goodbye to you” (from the novelty «Skeptic’s Song», credited to Dan Amos and The Maranatha Mood Makers) foreshadowed the zaniness that was to come. Fold-out cover. See also Maranatha 5. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

Daniel Amos (Collector’s Edition) / Born Twice Records

First a full disclosure: I rate Daniel Amos as one of the best Christian music bands ever and over the years they have recorded some of the most innovative and interesting albums of Christian music. They’ve had a few misses too and long periods of silence but in band leader Terry Taylor they have a hugely talented visionary songwriter who hasn’t been scared to let the band change and develop over the years, unlike the majority of today’s bands emerging from Nashville who sound one dimensional by comparison. This 1976 debut album is where it all started. Born out of a time when the emerging Jesus music was emanating from the west coast of America, we shouldn’t be surprised that this features the country style popularised by bands like The Eagles and Poco. The album may have its roots in west coast country but in a move that would typify Taylor’s entire recording career, there are also other influences coming into play so there are early nods to The Beatles and there is even a comedy show tune.

The album starts pure country with the acoustic «Jesus Is Jehovah To Me» which refutes the claims of Jehovah’s Witnesses which were becoming popular at the time, and «The Bible» which has some great electric guitar work and harmonies. The country swing of «Abidin’» was repeated on ‘Shotgun Angel‘ on the song «Black Gold Fever» and Taylor’s confident vocal style was already developing. «Don’t Light Your Own Fire» sees the band move away from pure country into something incorporating pop and again points towards their second album. Tracks like «Walking On Water», «Ridin’ Along» and «Dusty Road» take an easy west coast country style and like a lot of the songs on this album have very solidly Christian lyrics. Like much ’70s Jesus music these songs wear their faith firmly on their sleeves. There’s even a bit of ’20s swing in the humorous «Skeptics Song» and humour/satire was to become a huge part of their future repertoire. One of the most popular songs on ‘Daniel Amos’ was «Happily Married Man» which prior to its appearance on this album had appeared on an album showcasing the talent coming out of Maranatha Music in the mid ’70s.

The second disc which makes this a collector’s edition is an extended lifting of the lid of early Terry Taylor forays into the beginnings of recording and songwriting so there’s an interview with Taylor reflecting on this era of his life. It’s obvious that he has plenty of affection for his roots and you get some live recordings and demo songs from bands prior to Daniel Amos including when the group were called Jubal’s Last Band and the wonderfully named Judge Rainbow & The Prophetic Trumpets. Retroactive Records are to be thanked for putting this handsome package out to Joe Public. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, February 2014]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/daniel-amos-collectors-edition/453135765)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Jesus Is Jehovah To Me” – 3:18
A2. “The Bible” – 4:20
A3. “Abidin'” – 3:24
A4. “William” – 2:52
A5. “Prelude: Servant’s Prayer” – 0:47
A6. “Don’t Light Your Own Fire” – 4:28

Side Two
B1. “Losers & Winners” – 3:52
B2. “Walking On The Water” – 4:38
B3. “Ridin’ Along” – 2:10
B4. “Dusty Road” – 3:25
B5. “Love In A Yielded Heart” – 2:34
B6. “Skeptics’ Song” – 2:22

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music, with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold jacket. Re-issued on CD by Maranatha! Music in 1990, manufactured and distributed by The Benson Company. Featuring two bonus tracks: “Happily Married Man” (from the multi-artist compilation Country Roundup) and “Ain’t Gonna Fight It” (from the multi-artist compilation Maranatha 5). Stunt Records released a two-disc 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the album in June 2006 featuring an expanded booklet of never-before-seen photos, additional liner notes, and an entire extra disc of bonus material including early demos and live recordings from the pre-DA years. Available at Bandcamp: https://terryscotttaylor.bandcamp.com/album/daniel-amos-deluxe-disc-1
https://terryscotttaylor.bandcamp.com/album/daniel-amos-deluxe-disc-2
https://terryscotttaylor.bandcamp.com/album/daniel-amos-30th-anniversary-bonus-disc-3

Gatefold Cover Artwork