Description
Lighten Up is the sophomore gospel album by the American singer and songwriter Barry McGuire, released on Myrrh Records in 1974, a division of Word. The album was produced and recorded by Buck Herring at Puget Sound Recorders in Maple Falls, Washington; and at Sunwest Studios in Hollywood, California. Mixed by Herring. Background vocals provided by 2nd Chapter of Acts.
Lighten Up is both quieter and heavier than its predecessor. Much of the same band from Seeds is re-enlisted (including 2nd Chapter of Acts on backing vocals), but the production is less cluttered and without strings, allowing a better environment for Barry’s folk and rock leanings. Intense rockers like «Don’t Blame God» and «Hey World» give full vent to Barry’s raspy voice others like the acoustic re-make of «Eve Of Destruction» or «Callin’ Me Home» are accompanied solely by guitar and piano respectively. Also rocking with substance are «Pay The Piper» (good organ solo), Buck and Annie Herring’s «Walk In The Sunshine» and the closing «Anyone But Jesus». Moodier textured tracks like «You’ve Heard His Voice» and «How Many Times» are intensified through Barry’s convicting vocal performance. By far his best studio LP I’d say. Gate-fold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition].
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. (a) “Eve Of Destruction” (b) “Don’t Blame God” (c) “II Chronicles 7:14” – 6:07
A2. “Callin’ Me Home” – 2:45
A3. “Pay The Piper” – 3:18
A4. “When The Mist Has Rolled Away” – 3:10
A5. “Walk In The Sonshine” – 2:57
Side Two
B1. “Hey World” – 3:26
B2. “You’ve Heard His Voice” – 4:05
B3. “Happy Road” – 3:28
B4. “How Many Times” – 4:38
B5. “Anyone But Jesus” – 4:32
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve with the lyrics printed on the inside. Re-issued on CD by Bearmark/Barry McGuire in 2008, “remixed and remastered”.
Gatefold Cover Artwork
Gatefold Cover, Inside
CREDITS. Produced and engineered by Buck Herring. Recorded at Puget Sound Recorders, Maple Falls, WA; and at Sunwest Studios, Hollywood, CA. Mastered at Artisan Sound Recorders in Hollywood. Horns arranged by Mike Melvoin. Photography by Wally Duguid. Tracks A1b to A3, B1, B3 to B5 written by Barry McGuire (B5 co-written with Andy Davis). Track A1a written by P.F. Sloan. Track A5 written by Annie Herring. Track B2 written by Art Podell and Walter Schorr.
Musicians: Barry McGuire (Lead Vocals), Larry Knechtel (Clavinet, Organ, Piano – tracks: A1a, A1c to A3, A5 to B5), Michael Omartian (Aarpvark, Piano on A1b “Don’t Blame God”), Danny Timms (Piano on A4), Ben Benay (Harmonica), Mike Deasy (Guitar, Banjo – tracks: A1 to A3, A5 to B5), Ben Benay (Guitar and Banjo with Mike Deasy on A1b “Don’t Blame God”), Dean Parks (Guitar and Banjo on A4), Leland Sklar (Bass – tracks: A1a, A1c to A3, A5 to B5), Michael Been (Bass on A4), Joe Osborn (Bass on A1b “Don’t Blame God”), David Kemper (Drums), Jim Gordon (Double Drums with David Kemper on A1b “Don’t Blame God”). Backing Vocals: 2nd Chapter Of Acts.
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