With Joy

Description

With Joy is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Robert Edwin, released on Fortress Records in 1971. The album was recorded by Russell Brown at I. & h. Sound Recording Studios in Pennsauken, New Jersey; with Richard N. Clapper and Robert Edwin producing. All songs written, arranged, and directed by Robert Edwin.

Featuring Robert Edwin on guitar and vocals backed by Fred Shimmin on piano and organ, Bob Walter on electric guitar, Bob Cerulli on bass, and Carl Mottola on drums. (Special pastoral assistance on “Postmortem Presents” by Rev. G. W. Freyberger.)

On With Joy the ‘60s big-beat folk style of Edwin’s debut is left behind for hipper rock sounds and quieter acoustic-with-piano pastures. Electric guitar, fuzz and organ make appearances, bringing a dated quasi-psych feel to the title track, «Lonely Little Lady», «Questions And Answers» and «Hell Of A Heaven». Even some acid rock moves on the psychedelic Eastern-influenced «And They Killed Him». He’s not as radical as Ylvisaker or The Mission, but he’s still hangin’ in there pretty good. Whimsical melodies become the vehicle for Edwin’s satirical side on «Keep America Beautiful», «Military Industrial Complex», «What Is Christmas All About?» and «Postmortem Presents». The latter begins with a funeral (“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…”), then proceeds in song with the dead person’s requests on who should be the recipients of his various body parts. A worthwhile record, even if it’s not as professional or consistent as Keep The Rumor Going. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “With Joy” – 3:58
A2. “Keep America Beautiful” – 3:16
A3. “Lonely Little Lady” – 3:55
A4. “Military-Industrial Complex” – 3:03
A5. “Postmortem Presents” – 3:30
A6. “Gentle, Peaceful Notions” – 4:30

Side Two
B1. “What Is Christmas All About?”
B2. “And They Killed Him”
B3. “Questions And Answers”
B4. “Act”
B5. “Hell Of A Heaven”
B6. “Peace, Jesus, Peace”

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