Fighter

Description

Fighter is the fifth album by the British singer and songwriter Graham Kendrick, released on Dovetail Records in 1978. The album was recorded in the USA at Maranatha! Studios in Santa Ana, California; and was produced, recorded, and mixed by John Pantry. Brass arranged and conducted by Jim Stipech. All songs written by Graham Kendrick.

Featuring Graham Kendrick on acoustic guitar and vocals backed by an American session band consisting of John Wickham of The Way and Parable fame and Tony Sena of Joshua fame on electric guitars, Darryl Cook on bass, and Michael Fickling on drums, with Dennis Holt sitting in on saxophone and flute. Backing vocals provided by Barbara Paige, Michelle Zagrelle, and Phil Potter.

Fighter features mostly new compositions by Kendrick, however “Make it Soon” first appeared on Paid on the Nail and “Reluctant Disciple” includes a segment of “I’d Like to be a Martyr” from Bright Side Up. The British CCM artist Sheila Walsh, who during the 1980s recorded numerous songs written by Kendrick, recorded the title track on her 1983-album Drifting (and even named her autobiography after the song). “Fighter” was as well covered by Cliff Richard on his 1990-album From a Distance: The Event, a live recording of Richard’s “The Event” concert held at Wembley Stadium in London, June 1989.

Fighter draws upon the spiritual battle themes in Ephesians 6 for such titles as «On The Front Line», «Victory Is The Only Song I Know», «God Put A Fighter In Me» and «Battle Hymn». Such themes are also reflected in the cover art an out stretched hand filled with soldiers, a tank, a tiger, guns and grieving faces. In spite of all the battle imagery, Fighter’s line-up of ballads, light-rock, folk-pop and soft jazz actually makes it one of Kendrick’s mellowest albums. No matter. In fact the melancholy ballad «Reluctant Disciple» turns out to be one of Kendrick’s most convicting songs. Brass arrangements on some selections. Includes appearances by John Wickham, Dennis Holt, Phil Potter, Jim Stipech and John Pantry. At this time Kendrick was Music Director for British Youth For Christ. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “On The Frontline”
A2. “Sleeping In Gethsemane”
A3. “The Reluctant Disciple”
A4. “Night Comes”
A5. “Make It Soon”

Side Two
B1. “Victory Is The Only Song I Know”
B2. “Often When The World Crowds”
B3. “The Story’s Just Begun”
B4. “God Put A Fighter In Me”
B5. “Battle Hymn”

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Dovetail Records. Re-issued by Kingsway Music in 1983.

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CREDITS. Produced and engineered by John Pantry. Recorded at Maranatha! Music Studios, Santa Ana, California, USA. Brass arranged and conducted by Jim Stipech. Cover Design by Phil Thomson, Illustration by Robert Jones, Photograph: James Price, Penkridge. All songs written by Graham Kendrick. (Graham Kendrick is the Music Director of British Youth for Christ – BYFC.)

Musicians: Graham Kendrick (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Dennis Holt (Saxophone and Flute), John Wickham (Electric Guitar), Tony Sena (Electric Guitar), Darryl Cook (Bass), Michael Fickling (Drums). Backing Vocals: Barbara Paige, Michelle Zagrelle, Phil Potter. Brass section: V. Johnson, L. Wicks, T. Winch, D. Gardner.