Overland Stage

Description

The self-titled, sole album by the American progressive rock band Overland Stage was released on Epic Records in 1972, a division of Columbia Records. The album was recorded by George Engfer and Roy Segal at CBS Studios (a.k.a. Columbia Recording Studios) in San Francisco, California; with Bob Destocki producing for Lee Productions. Mixed by Roy Segal. (Track B1 recorded by Richard B. Dearborn and Edwin W. Stryszak at Columbia Recording Studios in Chicago.)

Featuring Julian Elofson on vocals and congas; Jim Flint on piano and organ; Rick Johnsgard on guitar, flute, and vocals; Don Miller on lead guitar; Steve Babbs on bass; and Dave Hanson on drums and vocals.

They were the first band from North Dakota to get a major record deal. The funky, jazzy, psych rock album was recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco at the same time that Santana was recording down the hall. The album did well in several regions of the country, but was not the success that Epic had hoped for. The group disbanded several years later.

Six Jesus freaks playing rock and roll; what is this word coming to??? This is the first album by OVERLAND STAGE, a Christian-oriented rock group from Fargo (believe it or not), North Dakota. If you’re looking for gospel music, you won’t find it here. What you will find is an album of refined rock and roll, much of which deals with something a lot more important than a dual quad four-barrel, and going steady with Mary Lou. Instead, we’re talking about “salvation,” and, like the songs says, “don’t you got it?”

Categorizing the music or style of OVERLAND STAGE is not easy. The influences are many and varied for each of their songs. The direction, though, is constant… Jesus Christ.

Here, instead of giving you insignificant details on the band, their favorite TV show, or anything else that would comprise liner notes, just listen to the album and let the music speak for itsef. We think you’re in for a surprise. [Album liner notes printed on the back of the LP sleeve]

Had this been a custom LP it would easily sell in three-digit figures as it’s fine ‘70s progressive rock with some of the complex song structure and vocal harmonies of Yes combined with the Latin organ-percussion base of Santana. Most of the songs are quite good and on occasion brilliant (in particular the psychedelic-meets-progressive «Brother Moses»). While big-label production values are evident here, most copies probably spent their life in the back vaults of radio stations along with all the other “Demo – Not For Sale”-stickered mainstream releases that never saw a hint of support. I suppose only three or four of these songs could really be called “Jesus music”, though the back cover boldly states “Six Jesus freaks playing rock and roll; what is this world coming to???”. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/overland-stage/1617714844)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Salvation” – 3:24
A2. “Cherokee” – 3:53
A3. “She Will Leave Me” – 3:11
A4. “I’m Beginning To Feel It” – 2:58
A5. “Brother Moses” – 5:30

Side Two
B1. “To The Park” – 3:08
B2. “After You Leave Me” – 3:15
B3. “Don’t You Believe It” – 3:11
B4. “It’s Just Life” – 3:55
B5. “Indian” – 4:49

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Epic Records.

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