Can It Be?

Description

Can It Be? is the sophomore and final album by the American folk/country-rock band The Way, released on Maranatha! Music in 1975. The album was recorded by Bill Taylor at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with Al Perkins producing. (During the same periode Ambrosia was working on their self-titled debut album at Mama Jo’s during daytime, so The Way was left to record late nights until morning.) With their second album the band took a giant step by adding more of a rock edge to many of the songs while staying true to their country roots.

When The Way disbanded in 1977, guitar virtuoso John Wickham and bassist Gary Arthur joined Parable for their second and final album, Illustrations, released on Maranatha! Music the same year. Drummer Alex MacDougall left the group earlier and had joined The Richie Furay Band as percussionist. (Later MacDougall went on to support Daniel Amos in concerts and as session player on their groundbreaking CCM albums Shotgun Angel and Horrendous Disc, as well as supporting numerous artists on tour, like Randy Stonehill, Mark Heard, Bob Bennett, Andrae Crouch, and Larry Norman – as recorded on Norman’s live album Roll Away The Stone.) Bruce Herring contributed his smooth vocal tones to the anonymous studio ensemble The Maranatha! Singers whose Praise Series of albums were to become huge selling projects for Maranatha! Music. Dana Angle kept his musical hand in with the funk band Horizon.

Can It Be? is certainly up there in the tops as far as US country rock is concerned. These guys have manned incredibly since their excellent debut, sizably upping the electric angle while adding distinctive rural FM/classic-rock edges. Not super heavy or anything but it sure ain’t light and wimpy either. «I’ve Been Sealed», «Do You Feel The Change» and «Sittin’ In The Pew» are all vibrant tracks with summery kickin’ Allman Brothers/Doobies vibes and lots of good jarnmin’ electric leads from guitarist John Wickham. Simple country-rock melodies like «A Cowboy’s Dream» and «Days Of Noah» flow along effortlessly, while «Living On The Bottle» ups the voltage for its Southern rocking antiboozin’/dopin’ message. «Bearded Young Man» is a beautiful acoustic ballad. Closes with the moody title piece featuring soft sustained electric piano (ala «Riders On The Storm»). Produced by Al Perkins. Dandy gate-fold cover showing the earth suspended in space. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/can-it-be/724878949)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “A Cowboy’s Dream” – 3:14
A2. “Days Of Noah” – 4:02
A3. “I’ve Been Sealed” – 3:16
A4. “Do You Feel The Change” – 5:16

Side Two
B1. “Livin’ On The Bottle” – 3:58
B2. “Sittin’ In The Pew” – 4:09
B3. “Bearded Young Man” – 3:49
B4. “Can It Be?” – 4:50

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Later re-issued on CD.

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The Way (L-R): John Wickham, Gary Arthur (September 24, 1952 – January 4, 2013), Alex MacDougall, Dana Angle, Bruce Herring.

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“Spiritual Man,” Live in Concert 1974

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CREDITS. Produced by Al Perkins. Recorded at Mama Jo’s in North Hollywood, CA. Engineered by Bill Taylor. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. String arrangements on “Bearded Young Man” by Dave Diggs.

Musicians: Dana Angle (Lead and Slide Guitar, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), John Wickham (Lead Guitar, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals), Bruce Herring (Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals), Gary Arthur (Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals), Alex MacDougall (Drums, Congas, Timbales, Percussion).