Description
Straight On is the sophomore album by the American rock combo DeGarmo & Key Band, released on Lamb & Lion Records in 1979, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Joe Hardy at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee; with Eddie DeGarmo, Dana Key, and Hardy producing.
Straight On was included among CCM Magazine’s Top 10 Contemporary/Rock Albums of 1979 – With ‘Straight On’, DeGarmo & Key integrated their earlier influences into an exciting style that is all their own. Produced in the manner of secular bands like Foreigner or Bad Company, the DeGarmo & Key Band delivered a solid, well-recorded album designed to wake the dead (or at least the sleeping).
Straight On was also named one of Campus Life‘s Top Records of 1979, included on a list featuring six albums released during the last year (published in the November 1979 issue of the magazine). – They have been called Christian music’s premier rock group. If you have any doubts, one listen to ‘Straight On’ will make you a believer. The music is hard without being abrasive, slick but not plastic, energetic but not chaotic, progressive yet accessible. Their first album, ‘This Time Thru,’ won three Album of the Year awards; ‘Straight On,’ surpassing even that fine effort in scope and imagination, should fare better still. The quality production of their full-blown sound makes headphone listening a must. What is more, all studio work was done by the artists themselves (not always the case these days), displaying a technical proficiency that is truly impressive.”
As good as This Time Thru is, the band’s vision comes to full fruition on Straight On. Top-notched songwriting, skillful playing and professional production are all at their peak here. Slick jamming guitar grooves from Key, rippling forth on cuts like «Jericho», «Go Tell Them», «Long Distance Runner» and «Let Him Help You Today». DeGarmo’s keyboards get equal time in the spotlight, satisfying the progressive rock edge heard on cuts such as the Kansas-like «Bad Livin» or the instrumental «Enchiridion». «Livin’ On The Edge of Dyin» is an especially strong track with bold intro that blends the synths of ELP with the harmony guitars of Queen. Closes on a slightly quieter note with the graceful «Mary». One of the strongest un-compromised Christian classic rock albums of all time. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Girder Music Promo, 2021
DeGarmo and Key were forerunners and pioneers of early Jesus Music. Their music transcended generations and musical boundaries. They released 15 albums spanning 3 decades. Their first three albums This Time Thru (1978), Straight On (1979) and This Ain’t Hollywood (1980) have been completely remastered on colored vinyl for the first time ever along with remastered CDs with 8 page booklets, lyrics and photos with LTD Trading Card.
Straight On, the second album by DeGarmo and Key, raised the bar for quality even higher. Eddie and Dana took part in its production, and established a tight knit band that gelled together like a well-oiled machine. On the opening track, «Jericho», a classic rocker that features impeccable sound quality, we hear a band at the top of their game. On the catchy «Livin’ on the Edge of Dyin’», Eddie is featured on lead vocals and this track hit #25 on the Christian radio charts. Flourishes of the progressive rock sound of their debut continue on «Bad Livin’», but the band also mix in elements of gospel and soul on tracks like «I Never Knew You» and funkiness on the classic rocker «Long Distance Runner». There’s even some Southern rock flavor blended in on «Let Me Help You Today». This album helped establish DeGarmo and Key as musicians and songwriters of the highest order and is widely considered their masterpiece.
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/straight-on/716623516)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Jericho” – 4:34
A2. “Livin’ On The Edge Of Dyin'” – 4:33
A3. “Go Tell Them” – 3:52
A4. “Bad Livin'” – 4:36
Side Two
B1. “Enchiridion” (instrumental) – 1:36
B2. “Long Distance Runner” – 4:09
B3. “Let Him Help You Today” – 4:15
B4. “I Never Knew You” – 4:04
B5. “Mary” – 3:03
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Lamb & Lion Records. “Mary” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single by Lamb & Lion in 1979 (b/w “Livin’ On The Edge Of Dyin'”, both were album tracks). Re-issued on CD by ForeFront Records in 1989, distributed by The Benson Company. Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on both 12-inch vinyl LP (pressed on Crimson Red Vinyl) and CD in 2021 by Girder Music (through Limited Run Vinyl/Limited Run Music).
Straight On, Remastered and pressed on Crimson Red Vinyl, Girder Music 2021
CREDITS. Produced by Dana Key, Edward De Garmo, and Joseph Hardy. Recorded and mixed at Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN. Engineered by Joseph Hardy. Mastered by Larry Nix at Ardent Mastering in Memphis. Photography by Gary Heery. Inner Sleeve Photo, Art Direction and Design by Kristen Kasell.
Musicians: Dana Key (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar), Edward DeGarmo (Keyboards), Lewis Collins (Saxophone), Carl Marsh (Recorder), Ken Porter (Bass), Terry Moxley (Drums).
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