Description
Listen to the Peace is the third studio album by the British singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Adrian Snell, released in the UK on Dove Records in 1978. Also released by Maranatha! Music in the US. The album was recorded during December 1977 by Andy Kidd and Helmut Kaufmann at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England; with John Patry producing. Strings, brass, and harp arranged by Bill Thorp. All songs written by Adrian Snell except tracks A1, A3, A4, and B1 co-written with Phil Thomson, tracks B2 and B4 co-written with Doug Constable, and track A2 co-written with Colebrook.
Adrian Snell – providing lead vocals, keyboards, and acoustic guitar – is backed by a rhythm section consisting of Gerry Page on bass and Keith Entwistle on drums. Also featuring Mo Witham on acoustic and electric guitars, Frances Kelly on harp, Julian Sullivan on congas, Robert McKay on saxophones and flute, Tony Hepworth on trumpet, and Michael Harding on trombone. A tie up between Snell’s British record company MGO and US company Maranatha! Music based in California ensured a second tour of America as well as the release of Listen to the Peace by Maranatha! Music in the US.
I would like to share some bits about my third album ‘Listen To The Peace’, released in 1978. This album contained many songs I wrote with Phil Thomson during our first writing sessions, like «Judas», based on one of Phil’s poems. The album was dedicated to the one who became my wife that same year. The song «Travelling» was written for Susan; an expression of my thoughts and feelings on life on the road now that I would be married. Also, this album was a catalyst for my first major U.S. outing: a West Coast tour together with an American group called the Sweet Comfort Band. I have fond memories of those shows that I share with SCB members like Bryan Edward Duncan and Randy Thomas. [A note by Adrian Snell published on Facebook, August 2019]
Listen To The Peace opens with «Reach Me», one of Snell’s best progressive tracks with brisk acoustic strumming, artful synths and lively electric guitar. Several gentle ballads, including «Peace Be With You», «Listen» and «Judas», the latter a solemn piano piece with classical influences and brooding string arrangements. Jazzy moods can be found on the lilting «That’s Me In The Corner» and the bright playful «Travelling». «Turn Your Vengeance» and «Children Of The Dream» are from a work Snell co-wrote with Doug Constable called ‘Songs Of The Servant’. Another beautiful cover painting. Co-released in the US on the Maranatha label (78-045), but only the UK version has the fold-out cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-early-years/1483315548)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Reach Me” – 3:57
A2. “Peace Be With You” – 2:26
A3. “Through The City Noise” – 3:30
A4. “Judas” – 4:30
A5. “Travelling” – 3:38
Side Two
B1. “That’s Me In The Corner” – 2:25
B2. “Turn Your Vengeance (Psalm 79)” – 6:40
B3. “Losing” – 5:10
B4. “Children Of The Dream (Psalm 126)” – 3:42
B5. “Listen To The Peace” – 4:45
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Dove Records, with the LP housed in a gatefold sleeve (with lyrics printed on the inside). Simultaneously released in the US on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Some tracks from this album were included in the 3CD set The Early Years 1975 – 1981, released on the DUtch REcord COmpany DURECO in 1994.
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