Dave Bilbrough – An Army of Ordinary People: Live Praise

Description

The live album An Army of Ordinary People is the third effort by the British singer and songwriter Dave Bilbrough, released on Kingsway Music in 1983. All songs written by Dave Bilbrough except track A4 written by Wayne Drain.

Dave Bilbrough talks about his album An Army of Ordinary People

This was, I guess, what you would call my real breakthrough album. Yet surprisingly it was an album that I almost never made. Faced with challenges in our own local church situation with people moving away and a reappraisal of our leadership structure, I questioned if it was appropriate to record a selection of songs that celebrated unity. However, having sought counsel, I decided to go ahead and make the album. What a surprise it was when the album broke out of my existing networks into the wider arena of the Church at large. The recording showcased songs that were beginning to become the vocabulary of the contemporary Church. «I Am A New Creation», «Shout For Joy And Sing», «So Freely», «O The Valleys Shall Ring» and «An Army Of Ordinary People» seemed to be saying what so many were feeling. In my role of songsmith, I felt, and continue to feel, enormously humbled that the songs have been used in this way.

Rather than pursuing a studio sound, I decided to break with convention and put the songs in amongst the people by recording them live on two special nights in my home town. It was risky as our technology and understanding at that time was fairly limited. But I was so glad I did because it made the songs authentic and put me in the arena where I believe I function best – live and being able to be spontaneous. The album also brought the voice of a young Sue Rinaldi into the recording spectrum. She had become a good friend and there was no doubt of her considerable talent and strong vocal presence. It was an obvious move to ask her to do backing vocals. The front cover picture was taken at an event I was involved with alongside my good friend Gerald Coates at Wembley Arena called The Banquet. God was expanding our influence and whilst looking at the video recently, although cringing at the haircuts and fashion styles, I could not help but be amazed at the commitment to worship that was present in the congregation.

Two core themes took place on that album, which were, I guess, to symbolise much of my later writing. Unity, which has already been covered, coupled with the very important truth of our identity as New Covenant believers. The relationship a Christian has with his Creator is very, very different from the law-based conduct that was expected under the Old Covenant. Although pointing towards what was to come, much of the essence of Old Testament thinking that Jesus came to challenge is about rules. The arrival of Jesus points us towards the rule of Christ which comes to set us free from dependence on law-based activity and into the life of the Spirit where we function not according to laws and standards but out of relationship and trust in the saving life of Christ. Worship becomes not just something we do in special arenas administered by a privileged few specialists, but the birthright of every one of the vulnerable ordinary people that have been called by his grace. [Excerpt from the article “Dave Bilbrough: Artist Output – The worship leader talks about his releases so far” published in Cross Rhythms, April 2009]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I Am A New Creation”
A2. “Shout For Joy”
A3. “So Freely”
A4. “The Dancing Song”
A5. “Love So Special”
A6. “Reigning Over All”
A7. “O The Valleys Shall Ring”

Side Two
B1. “Gracious Father”
B2. “May Your Love In Me”
B3. “In Your Love”
B4. “Complete In Christ Jesus”
B5. “More Than A Conqueror”
B6. “I Will Celebrate His Name”
B7. “I’m Gonna Thank The Lord”
B8. “An Army Of Ordinary People”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Kingsway Music.