Description
The Courts of the King, sub-titled The Worship Music of Ted Sandquist, is a multi-artist album featuring performances by Phil Keaggy, Nedra Ross, Ted Sandquist, and Love Inn Company, released on New Song Records in 1977 (through the Jubilation Group distribution arm of Myrrh Records, a division of Word). Re-issued by Myrrh Records the same year featuring new cover artwork. The album was recorded by Alex Perialas at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios in Ithaca, New York; with Peter K. Hopper producing. Mixed at Hedden West Studios. Arranged by Phil Keaggy. Featuring the Phil Keaggy Band (Keaggy, Lynn Nichols, Phil Madeira, Dan Cunningham and Terry Andersen) who did record their sole album Emerging around the same time.
Back in the day when the contemporary Christian music industry was in its infancy, “Love Inn” – a small community in upstate New York – produced this recording of worship music born out of real relationships with each other and with God.
TED SANDQUIST – The Courts Of The King – New Song NS-003 – Producer: Peter K. Hopper – List: 6.98
This is an album of worship music written by Ted Sandquist and performed by Phil Keaggy, Nedra Ross, Sandquist and Love Inn Company. Chronologically, the songs are an invitation to enter “The Courts Of The King.” Individually there are some standouts that will be worn out on the gospel airwaves. «My Sun And My Shield» speaks of a highway to heaven that runs through the heart. On «Redwood Tree» Sandquist shares lead with Nedra Ross, whose solos are the vocal highlights of the album. «All That I Can Do» is a song of surrender, but the record may not yield its spot on the gospel charts for a long time. [Cash Box Gospel Reviews, CashBox, Vol. XXXIX – No. 50 / April 29, 1978]
Now this is interesting. For somebody weaned on the late 20th century-to-present day worship material available via the global Christian music industry this digitally re-mastered re-issue of a 1977 Jesus music album makes fascinating listening. Its most striking elements are the emphasis on melody (“Obviously,” I sense Sandquist would probably say, “this is music after all”), the straightforwardness and accessibility of the lyrics and the musicality of the orchestrations. This is praise and worship without pretension, where the Word does the work. Sandquist has had a long association with Phil Keaggy, and the latter contributes one song and co-writes another in this 14-track and 53 minute collection. Other guests contributing their vocal talents are Nedra Ross (one-time member of Phil Spector hitmakers The Ronettes) and the Love Inn Company. But this recording is primarily about Sandquist and his ability to set God’s Word to music in an engaging and illuminating way. The album takes the listener on a wonderful journey through a myriad of different rhythms, textures and musical colours, with harmonies (all exquisite) added when it is right to do so and omitted when it is not. And all solidly based on Scripture to boot. Sandquist is a performer in his own right as well as writer and while he is not heard to the fore on this CD what he has done here is pen a collection of songs from the heart for the heart. This is the fourth re-issue of ‘Courts’ (as it is known, apparently!), and my guess is there will be more, because great songs (which is what these are) endure. [David Holland, Cross Rhythms, December 2008]
Album Liner Notes
What extreme pleasure it brings me to share these songs with you. It is as though a part of me is finding completion, and the fulfillment of my purpose in being created.
Most of these songs are addressed to our First Love. A few are addressed to you, the embodiment of His love here on earth. Some of the songs came easily, as though a gift for the right moment. Some came to birth through the hard labor of shaping life into His likeness. Some came in lessons I was personally going through; some for the benefit of the fellowship here at Love Inn.
Courts of the King is an invitation to come into His courts; an open door waiting for you to walk through. You may find these songs to be good fuel for your first offering, or fresh ways of offering yourself. Whatever they become to you, I invite you to participate in them. You’ll never come into His courts by listening alone. Your first couple of hearings will give you glimpses of the courts – perhaps of the King Himself – but it will take your active involvement to walk into His presence. Learn the songs. Sing them with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind – the King Himself will take you by the hand and lead you into His throne room.
Let me take the liberty, as author, to share some insights as to what I see in this grouping of songs. There is much that you will come to see that is beyond me to say. I want you to go on to discover expressions to Him who is beyond breadth and length, height and depth.
The songs that introduce both sides of the album (O Come Let Us Worship and Come to the Courts of the King) are invitations to join us in the courts of the King. As you come, tell the Lord, “All of your creation responds merely At the Mention of Your Name.” Sit in the banquet hall with Him alone after a great feast and speak your love for Him face to face with Your Steadfast Love or My Sin and My Shield. March into His presence with all the hosts of the faithful singing Lion of Judah. Call boldly for the consummation of His reign!
A part of worship in spirit and in truth is starting where you are in reality (truth) and from there moving towards the Lord (by the power of the Spirit). Often the cry of Come To Me is the only appropriate way to initiate our movement towards the Lord. Then there is the affirmation of one who, in the midst of negative circumstances or feelings, speaks the Word to himself to gird up his soul (Waiting for the Lord and Love of my Lord). It is often in this act of moving beyond our natural selves towards the giver of new life where we are met and strengthened by a word from the Lord Himself (Redwood Tree). Whether or not one finds oneself in this circumstance, it is necessary for us to understand that the Lord does respond to worship in spirit and in truth. Our ears should be prepared to hear Him in times of worship. You may use Selah – a momentary pause – for this.
Finally, our worship must, by definition, include our full surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Prayer for the Kingdom can be this expression for you, along with the sweet, sweet song of surrender, All That I Can Do.
Throughout the album there are musical pieces (without lyrics) which are in themselves worship. I encourage you to take advantage of them to sing a song for the moment – straight from your life to the Lord.
May this album serve as a tool for you to express your love to the King of Kings, and open new doors for you to the Courts of the King.
For Jesus,
Ted Sandquist [Album liner notes printed of the back of the album sleeve]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-courts-of-the-king-30th-anniversary-edition/1786256305)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “O Come Let Us Worship” – 3:40
A2. “At The Mention Of Your Name” – 4:30
A3. “Your Steadfast Love” – 2:46
A4. “Lion Of Judah” – 4:52
A5. “Love Of My Lord / Redwood Tree” – 5:50
Side Two
B1. “Come To The Courts Of The King” – 3:30
B2. “Come To Me” – 3:58
B3. “My Sun And My Shield” – 2:43
B4. “Selah” – 1:26
B5. “Waiting For The Lord” – 2:28
B6. “Prayer For The Kingdom” – 2:55
B7. “All That I Can Do” – 4:42
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by NewSong Records. Re-issued on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records featuring new cover artwork. (According to the March/April 1976 issue of Harmony, Word had signed agreement with New Song Productions to distribute the label under Word’s Jubilation Group. New Song granted distribution rights to Keaggy’s What A Day as well as future releases by Keaggy and Ted Sandquist.) A remastered edition was re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records’ sub-label Born Twice Records in 2011, entitled The Courts Of The King – 30th Anniversary Edition. The album was remastered by Peter Hopper, the original producer. Featuring two bonus tracks, “God How I Love You” and “I Wait For You”; the first track from Phil Keaggy’s The Master and The Musician sessions previously not released, and the second a new track recorded by Phil Keaggy and Ted Sandquist.
CREDITS. Arranged by Phil Keaggy and produced by Peter K. Hopper. Strings arranged by Bob Schiff (tracks: A4, B3). Recorded at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios. Mixed at Hedden West Studios. Mastered at Discwerks.
Musicians (The Phil Keaggy Band): Phil Keaggy (Acoustic Guitar, Twelve-String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Autoharp, Lute, Dulcimer, Percussion, Tambourine), Lynn Nichols (Acoustic Guitar), Phil Madeira (Piano, Keyboards), Dan Cunningham (Bass), Terry Andersen (Drums, Percussion, Timpani). Additional musicians: Julie Reeve (Flute), Peter Hopper (Percussion). Lead vocals by: Mary Hamilton, Nedra Ross, Nina Lee Hopper, Ted Sandquist, Phil Keaggy, Terry Andersen, Phil Madeira. Vocals by Love Inn Company.
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