Electric Praise

Description

Electric Praise is the solo album debut by the British keyboardist and songwriter Chris Rolinson of Heartbeat fame, released in the UK on DaySpring Records in 1983, a division of Word. The album was recorded July 1983 by Colin Larn at Blooper Sounds in Manchester, England; with Chris Rolinson producing and arranging for Pioneer Productions. A follow-up album simply entitled Electric Praise 2 was released in 1986.

Featuring Chris Rolinson on Oberheim OB-Xa Polyphonic Synthesizer with Colin Larn providing drums and percussion.

Electric Praise is an album of synthesiser versions of hymns and songs popular in that era – produced a little like the ‘Stars on 45’ for those who remember that. That was Executive Producer Norman Miller’s idea! The album was recorded on a very tight budget in a cellar in Didsbury, Manchester in the summer of 1983, with one of Cliff Richard’s drummers, Colin Larn and just an Oberheim OBXa synth. It was Word Records ‘Album of the Month’ through their record club and went on to be one of the top selling religious albums in the UK selling over 12,000 copies.

A more sophisticated follow-up album on a similar theme – Electric Praise 2 – was recorded in Carshalton at singer/songwriter Paul Field’s studio, this time using the ubiquitous Yamaha DX7 Synth. [Chris Rolinson]

Album Liner Notes (printed on the back of the album sleeve)

Chris Rolinson was born in Walsall, West Midlands in 1958. He began piano lessons at the age of 7, and won several cups at local music festivals. On leaving Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall in 1976, he went on to gain a B.Mus. Honours Degree at Birmingham University, specialising in composition.

From 1979 to 1983 he worked full time with British Youth for Christ, travelling as an itinerant musician. During that time he worked with Graham Kendrick, Dave Pope, Phil Keaggy, Ishmael, Norman Barratt, Dave Bilbrough and others.

For much of this time he was involved closely with Sheila Walsh as personal musical director. He has toured extensively in England, Holland and the USA with Sheila and was the arranger, co-writer and keyboard player on her debut album ‘Future Eyes‘.

He was musical director at Spring Harvest for 2 years, and was part of Heartbeat – the BYFC Band – working with Dave Pope and Graham Kendrick, both well-known for their contribution to worship music (indeed Chris arranged Graham’s ‘The King is Among Us‘ album). This experience has led to the production of ‘Electric Praise’ in which Chris features some of the best known choruses in an instrumental pop/rock setting, so that at anytime and anywhere God’s people can join in and give praise to Him who reigns upon the throne for ever and ever.

LP tracklist:

Side One
Part One (9:35)
A1.a “We’ll Sing A New Song”
A1.b “This Is The Day”
A1.c “Thine Be The Glory”
A1.d “Praise The Name Of Jesus”
A1.e “O Come Let Us Adore Him”
Part Two (11:00)
A2.a “Let There Be Love”
A2.b “Majesty”
A2.c “I Love You Lord”
A2.d “For I’m Building A People Of Power”

Side Two
Part Three (10:25)
B1.a “Prologue – Nocturne”
B1.b “Bind Us Together”
B1.c “Jesus Name Above All Names”
B1.d “Jesus Take Me As I Am”
B1.e “Alleluia No.1”
Part Four (11:00)
B2.a “I Hear The Sound Of Rustling”
B2.b “Enter His Gates”
B2.c “From The Rising Of The Sun”
B2.d “He Is Lord”
B2.e “Bless The Lord O My Soul (Psalm 103)”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by DaySpring Records.

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