Description
Please Forgive Us Lord is the sophomore album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer Jeff Johnson, independently released on his own label Ark Records in 1978.
Amongst the glut of folk, pop, rock, and everything else that the church cranked out in the ’70s, Jeff Johnson was one of the few loners that ventured off into unexplored territory. Please Forgive Us Lord often crosses expressions that foreshadow “New Age” music. At last, a true artist not conforming to the Christian wave, as evidenced not only in the lyrics and musical approach, but also in the deluxe packaging which includes Escher-esque pen and ink drawings on the gatefold cover, a 16-page lyric/photo booklet, and a bonus 7-inch single entitled «Songs For Loved Ones». This set reveals a fuller sound than Anvil, with synthesizers and spacey sounds beginning to play a bigger role, as on the instrumental «Fugata» and the mysterious haunting title track. Often laced with classical influences, not only from the strong piano presence, but also from the periodic string orchestration. Some nice folky Eastern vibes surrounding «Come, Let Us Walk». «Secret Agent Christian Spy» is an interesting piece that includes a suave Perry Mason horn section, the topic being stealth-minded Christians who leave their “witness” (i.e. tracts) on car windshields. Better things were yet to come, yet this remains Johnson’s rarest and most sought after LP – understandably so. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” – 0:37
A2. “Coventry Carol” – 1:27
A3. “Away From The Manger” – 5:55
A4. “Everyday” – 3:09
A5. “Everyday Tag” – 0:38
A6. “Jerusalem, City Of Gold” – 4:58
A7. “We’re Gonna Live Forever” – 2:18
A8. “Intermission Song” – 1:12
Side Two
B1. “Secret Agent Christian Spy” – 5:56
B2. “Come, Let Us Walk” – 3:02
B3. “Fugata” – 1:28
B4. “Please Forgive Us Lord” – 4:41
B5. “Teach Me Thy Way O Lord (Ps. 86: 11-13)” – 2:10
B6. “Afterthought” – 1:04
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Ark Records. Available at Bandcamp: https://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/early-songs
Gatefold Cover Artwork
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