Description
Straight Talker is the sole album by the British progressive hard rock band Amaziah, independently released on Sonrise Records in 1979. Later re-issued on the Canadian label Tunesmith Records. The album was recorded by Chris David at Sound Conception in Bristol, England; with Eric Cribb and Keith Loring producing.
The Amaziah story can be traced to the early seventies when it arose out of British Youth for Christ as a thirteen piece choir and seven piece backing band. (The original aggregation were originally formed to perform a musical penned by America’s Jimmy and Carol Owens called Come Together that was being performed at Bristol’s Colston Hall.) As the years passed, the group toured extensively – and experienced significant turnover in its line-up in the process – while playing a blend of Gospel and progressive rock. By 1978 Amaziah had reduced its roster to a more manageable six members prior to entering the studio to start work on Straight Talker. In the summer of 1979 the decision was taken to record their first (and only) album. To produce it the band got Keith Loring, a popular Christian singer/songwriter of the time, along with Eric Cribb, the band pastor as well as manager. The album was initially a custom release in the UK with a plain, off-white cover and featuring the bands logo in the backdrop; it was later picked up by the Canadian label Tunesmith and a revised version was released on red vinyl with a band photo on the cover instead (featuring a different line-up than the one that actually recorded Straight Talker).
Several members of Amaziah went on to have careers in the music industry; Jez Coad (guitar) went on to become a successful record producer and has co-written and produced albums for artists such as Simple Minds and Andrew Strong (The Commitments) as well as producing music for a string of TV shows and films; Ken Watts (rhythm guitar) went on to look after George Michael; Phil Williams (drums) continued as a drummer for a while (though no longer playing drums due to arthritis), and went on producing festivals, tours and events and running Ultimate International Ltd; Andy May (Road Crew) went on as a sound engineer including doing Front of House sound for Status Quo. As well, Derek Elliot (lead vocals) has been involved in a variety of outreach ministries including managing Sal Solo and Bushbaby, Dave Steel (keyboards) is one of the main worship musicians for Christchurch Clifton in Bristol, and Paul Loader (bass) leads worship at his local church and plays in The Mudheads Monkey (and reviews albums for UK’s Cross Rhythms).
Copies of this LP have been spotted recently for upwards of 500 pounds. “Wow!” you say, “I’ve got that one!” Oh no you don’t. That’s because more than likely you’ve got the pressing distributed by the Canadian Tunesmith label (TS 6002). Originally this was released in England as a custom and that’s the one that has sky rocketed in value. Though not hugely appreciated by Christian collectors in general, those with an ear trained to home-made heavy rock monster sounds will find a real treasure here. A few progressive influences such as on «Way, Truth, Life» but mostly just loud cranking hard rock with aggressive, guitar coupled with power synths and organ. Great stomping head-banger riff on the closing «He Is Lord». They can be melodic too when they want and there’s one ballad «All Is Peace». Derek Elliott’s vocals may be an acquired taste for some. Tunesmith picked up the LP and released it on luscious red vinyl, replacing the original simple logo cover with the now classic band photo that makes them out to be punk rockers (which they’re not). I love that guy’s furry leopard-skin vest. And is that Joey Ramone on the far right? (Addendum, courtesy of a friend of the group: The band members all hailed from Bristol, UK. The Canadian press was actually re-mixed for a slightly heavier sound, although I have to admit I can’t tell the difference And the band shown on the Tunesmith label was a later line-up of the band, not the one actually heard on the record. By the time of that photo the band was actually doing some punk stuff, hence the more radical look.) [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Hopefully, you will have already read in the Cross Rhythms article on Amaziah about this rare collector’s item (which is now fetching upwards of £500 on vintage record sites). If you didn’t know already, this Bristol-based crew recorded and toured in 1979 before disbanding. On one level this is pretty good progressive-tinged rock music with songs like «All Is Peace» rather beautiful while Derek Elliott’s voice, though not to everyone’s taste, does come through with considerable passion. There is also a tasty track in «Slowly» which makes a considerable nod to the Alan Parsons Project while «He Is Lord» shows a bit of Alice Cooper in its vibe. Unfortunately, what scuppers the album is the very poor production and mix. Keith Loring, a CCM artist of the time, was responsible for that (though one track was mixed and produced by 18 year old guitarist Jez Coad, who went on to produce such artists as Simple Minds). Anyway, if you can bear vintage rock with inaudible bass guitar and drums that sound boxy, plus you have £500 to spare, you might want to search out the vinyl. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, October 2008]
Straight Talker Legends Remastered 2011, Born Twice Records Promo
Copies of this 1979 vinyl release have been spotted for close to $1,000. Originally, this was a custom release in England (where the band was located), and that’s the one that has skyrocketed in value. Those with ears trained to homemade heavy rock monster sounds will find a real treasure here. A few progressive influences shine though on «Way, Truth, Life» but mostly just loud cranking hard rock with aggressive guitar coupled with power synths and organ. Great stomping head banger riffs abound on the closer «He Is Lord». They can be melodic too as proved on the one ballad «All Is Peace». Canada’s legendary Tunesmith label (Servant, Barnabas, etc) picked up the record and released it on luscious red vinyl, replacing the original simple logo cover with the now classic band photo that makes them out to be punk rockers (which they’re not). The band shown on the Tunesmith label was a later line-up of the band, not the one actually heard on the record. By the time of that photo the band was actually doing some punk stuff, hence the more radical look. On the Born Twice Records: Legends Remastered Volume One you can hear this legendary release in digital format for the very first time, remastered by specialist J Powell of Steinhaus. As an added bonus you can hear the post-album four track demo that showcases the new slightly punk-influenced direction of the new line-up. Everything is packaged in a beautiful 6 panel digipak featuring both the original custom release’s cover and the Tunesmith cover with the classic picture of the band (leopard skin and all!). It even includes a band biography to introduce the band to new fans! For fans of BTO, Aerosmith, Daniel Band, Barnabas, Nazareth, and Deep Purple! Collect all of the Legends Remastered special series that resurrects classic Jesus Music and Christian rock releases from the 70?s! See also Bill Mason Band and Exkursions
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/straight-talker/1531418113)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Way, Truth, Life”
A2. “Say Goodnight”
A3. “No. 1”
A4. “All Is Peace”
Side Two
B1. “Night Walker”
B2. “Slowly”
B3. “Peace”
B4. “He Is Lord”
Note: Remastered by J Powell at Steinhaus and re-issued in 2011 as a digipak CD by Retroactive Records’ sub-label Born Twice Records, featuring four never before released demos recorded prior to the band’s demise in 1980 – “No. 1” (2:43), “Vision” (2:54), “All Is Peace” (3:48), and “Susie” (3:43).
Re-issue Cover Artwork, Tunesmith Records version
It was 1975, I was at the Hartcliffe School West Building school hall and I, a 14 year old boy, was about to witness my very first live concert. The band playing were Amaziah and they blew my mind! I can still vividly recall the shiver that ran down my spine as they hit that very first power chord. It was as if all at once they would lose control of the power that reverberated around the hall and chaos would sweep in. You must understand that I was a good Christian boy, brought up in the church, whose only experience of live music came from folk-gospel trios like The Outreach – nice young men with big acoustic guitars and even bigger moustaches. Amaziah were something different – a rock band, meaning electric everything and with a HUGE rock and roll drum kit. Add to that lights like you would not believe and loads and loads of volume and I was completely entranced. It ignited a spark in me that not only refused to go out but grew brighter and brighter. I wanted to play music like Amaziah, I wanted to be in a rock band. And so it came to pass that four years later I was the lead singer of that very same band. [Excerpt from the article ‘Amaziah: British hard rockers with an album worth $1,500’ written by Amaziah’s bass player Paul Loader and featured in Cross Rhythms July 2008]
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