Description
God Unlimited! is the debut album by the American folk-rock combo God Unlimited (Diocesan Youth Choir presents God Unlimited directed by Father Thomas Belt), independently released in 1968, manufactured by Century Records. Arranged by Tom Belt. All songs written by Tom Belt, except track B4 written by Bill Forrest, track B5 written by James Thiem, and track B6 co-written by Belt and Forrest.
“Side Two presents the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper, its’ joy and its’ personal meaning to those who celebrate it.”
Originally God Unlimited was the Episcopal “diocesan youth choir” at Arizona State University, under the direction of the Rev. Tom Belt. Choir isn’t exactly what they were, at least not in the sense that word was understood in the Episcopal Church. Their music is certainly folk, but their ability to move from the choral to the folk and back again with ease is one of the strong points of the group.
Obviously as a college group frequent personnel changes were a given, so with these, the first four of their discography, we see several repeats in songs. That isn’t bad, and there are several liturgical seasonal songs. But their proficiency and their charm give them a special place in the history of the “Jesus Music era.”
In some ways a “prequel”, this album is a very home-made introduction to their music, before their years on GIA took them up a notch. But their music shows what’s to come. A couple of tracks reflect some social activism that, although not unusual with Christian music of this era, doesn’t carry over into their later productions.
The Diocesan Youth Choir presents God Unlimited!
Hi! Can you hear the spirit of life and love around you? I am just one of those small voices that is trying to convey the joy of living to people around me… to people like you.
We are happy and full of joy because we have found something that has given meaning to our lives. That special something is Christ, the person who is calling us to share what we have found.
So here we are, trying to convey to you our love and hoping that somehow you will take it and share it with others. Why all the excitement in our singing? Because we feel worship with Christ ought to be exciting, that we should make a joyful noise unto our Lord.
We feel the celebration of the Lord’s Supper ought to be just that… a celebration of the new meaning we are finding through Him! We meet to celebrate, to forget our past and look forward to the future knowing His love will guide us through.
Rejoice then, and listen with your heart to these songs and the spirit that guides them… Side one presents Jesus and what He means personally to those who choose Him as the event through which life becomes meaningful.
– Carl Lenz, Member. [Liner notes printed on the back of the LP sleeve]
God Unlimited’s first three LPs represent some of the best folk-rock the Jesus movement put out. Indeed some have even referred to the group as “folk/psych”. At the point of their debut release the group was based out of Arizona State University and led by Episcopalian priest Tom Belt. Do not pass these folks up simply because the album refers to them as a choir. To me a choir means robes, ordinary voices, traditional tunes, and individual members drowned out within a multitude of singers, none of which is the case here (perhaps they would be more aptly termed an ensemble). The group’s harmonies have a mesmerizing quality to them, haunting in their beauty. Ditto for the individual soloists that are highlighted on some of the songs. The musical backdrop features a crisp rhythm section, guitars both electric and acoustic, flute, organ, piano, bass, and timely use of saxophone. Belt’s compositions and vocal arrangements are moving and full of emotion, capturing a dynamic worshipful folkrock sound on titles like «The Lord Is Come», «Songs From My Heart», «Break Loose», «Love Divine», «Streams In The Desert» and «Sing Freedom». Also some stunning acoustic ballads, including «Blow, Wind», «The Sun And The Sea», «Where The Children Run Free» and «God Unlimited». Some of the later albums would rock out more, but Joy still holds a rather precious spot in their catalog. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Lord Is Come” (Christmas)
A2. “Break Open” (Epiphany)
A3. “Ride On” (Palm Sunday)
A4. “Leaves A Fallin” (Good Friday)
A5. “The New Morn” (Easter)
A6. “Blow Wind” (Pentecost)
Side Two
B1. “Joy”
B2. “Go Forth, My Brothers”
B3. “Sing Freedom”
B4. “Where Are We Agoin”
B5. “The Freedom Song”
B6. “Listen Lord”
B7. “Praise God”
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