Poiema

Description

The self-titled and sole album by the American folk-rock trio Poiema (Gary Trabant, Dane Sorensen, and Randy Smith) was independently released on Humble Beginnings Music in 1976. The album was recorded by Al Lyon at Ocean Sound Studios in Huntington Beach, California; with the band producing, assisted by Lyon and Bruce Herring (the latter of The Way). The recording features guest musicians as Dave Spurr (drums), Alex MacDougall (percussion), Dominic Franco (pedal steel), and Tom Fuller (banjo).

Selecting their group name from the Greek word for “handiwork” in Ephesians 2:10, this California male trio crafted a welcome soft melodic rural style similar to The Way. Of course the fact that The Way’s Bruce Herring provided production and technical assistance certainly doesn’t hurt, nor does the presence of Bethlehem’s Dominic Franco on pedal steel and popular sideman Alex MacDougall on percussion. Indeed Poiema would have made a fine addition to the Maranatha catalog. Good balance of both electric country rock and gentle acoustic numbers. «Give The Key Away», «Southern California», «Lukewarm», «Little Flock», «»You Are A Gift», twelve selections in all with each of the members participating in the songwriting. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Give The Key Away” – 3:35
A2. “Southern California” – 3:16
A3. “Little Flock” – 3:23
A4. “What Have They Done” – 3:35
A5. “Secrets” – 3:24
A6. “Wait Up Jesus” – 2:35

Side Two
B1. “You Are A Gift” – 3:25
B2. “Lukewarm” – 2:06
B3. “Poiema” – 3:50
B4. “Only Your Voice” – 3:33
B5. “Create In Me” – 2:58
B6. “Take Time” – 3:42

CREDITS. Produced by Poiema. Production and Technical Assistance by Bruce Herring and Al Lyon. Engineering and Mixdown by Al Lyon. Recorded at Ocean Sound Studios, Huntington Beach, CA. String Arrangements by Michael Harrison. Album Cover Design and Artwork by Walt Sorensen Studio. Front Cover Photos by Dane Sorensen. Back Cover Photo by Martin Levan. Typesetting by Typo-Graphics. Album Cover Color Separations by TruColor.

Musicians: Poiema – Gary Trabant (Lead Vocal, Background Harmonies, Bass, Electric Piano, Moog Synthesizer, Accordion), Dane Sorensen (Lead Vocal, Background Harmonies, Acoustic 6-string and 12-string Guitar, Electric Guitar), Randy Smith (Lead Vocal, Background Harmonies, Acoustic 6-string Guitar). Additional Musicians: Dave Spurr (Drums), Alex MacDougall (Percussion), Dominic Franco (Pedal Steel), Tom Fuller (Banjo).