Description
Held Accountable is the sophomore album by the American singer, songwriter, and session drummer Joe English, a former member of Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles band Wings, released on Refuge Records in 1982, distributed by The Benson Company. The album was produced by Joe English and John Rosasco for Primacy Productions.
Joe English (drums and lead vocals) is backed by what would become known as The Joe English Band, featuring core members George Cocchini and Paul Brannon on guitars, John Lawry on keyboards (later a member of Petra), and Tim Smith on bass. (These musicians – under the name Forerunner – actually released an album of their own in 1984, entitled a.k.a..) Featuring “Where You Gonna Run” written by Will McFarlane.
In the ’70s whilst Joe English was recording the ‘London Town’ album as Paul McCartney’s drummer in Wings, he got a phone call to say his wife was injured following a car accident. Doctors did their best but it was the miraculous healing following his wife visiting a prayer meeting that really got his attention. English became a Christian, quit Wings and started work on his own gospel material. ‘Lights In The World‘ and ‘Held Accountable’ were his first two releases on Refuge Records and marked the launch of his solo career. He headlined Greenbelt ’81 and toured the UK in the autumn of that year and my job back then was to organise his first British tour. It’s simple to say that ‘Lights In The World’ is a gem with a smooth funky pop production that highlights the strength of English’s blue-eyed soul-ish vocal style. Breezy songs like «Shine On», «Midnight Angel Choir» and «Get Ready» all highlight superb musicianship, fab horn arrangements and strong spiritual messages. I think my favourite has always been the upbeat groove of «Praise Him». His second album ‘Held Accountable’ is more of the same with the signature smooth production sound and layered vocals all in place. There are plenty of fine moments here. «My Strength Is In The Lord» is a great ballad whilst «Learn To Celebrate» is a fabulous short burst of praise. The one thing that is easy to overlook when it comes to Joe and his band is that they were a fine bunch of musicians in their own right (they recorded their own album under the name Forerunner, with ex-Petra man John Lawry handling the vocals). The band’s dexterity can be measured on the excellent instrumental workout «Thief In The Night». Of the two albums, ‘Lights In The World’ is slightly better and for younger music fans, the ’80s production sound may make them feel dated but good music is good music. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, January 2008]
Well, Joe English and his band have a new album out. If the reader is familiar with Joe’s first album, ‘Lights in the World‘, and liked it, his second LP, ‘Held Accountable’ (Refuge R3981), will please him. The Joe English Band has not lost its sound, with much of the credit going to the magic of co-producer (along with Joe) John Rosasco.
‘Held Accountable’ really doesn’t contain the smash hitability of ‘Lights’, and there’s no title song, but the 10 songs contained herein are a much more audacious. Joe slides through pop on «First Love» and «My Strength Is in the Lord», stabs at new wave with «Learn to Celebrate», shakes out som rockier tunes through «Wake Up» and «The Best is Yet to Come», and dives into some lyricless fusion on «Thief in the Night» – and appropriate title considering the captured sound of this vinyl jam. But, if it’s heavy-handed, hard-hitting, super-ministry-oriented lyrics you’re looking for this time around… you’ll love the musicianship.
It appears as if Joe has maintained all the members of his original band. That these brothers are able musicians is a joy to proclaim. Most striking are the keyboards, fingered with skill and mixed crisply, and also Joe’s drums (we would never accept less). The drums are mixed more evenly than on ‘Lights’, still sounding thrilling, but not half as thrilling as they are live. Joe’s vocals sound much more confident this time around. [C.A. Burns, CCM, October 1982]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Best Things” – 3:09
A2. “We Live When We Die” – 3:15
A3. “My Strength Is In The Lord” – 4:55
A4. “First Love” – 3:53
A5. “Voice Of Triumph” – 3:48
Side Two
B1. “Wake Up” – 3:53
B2. “Learn To Celebrate” – 2:40
B3. “Where You Gonna Run” – 3:29
B4. “Thief In The Night” (instrumental) – 4:28
B5. “The Best Is Yet To Come” – 3:42
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Refuge Records. Re-issued on CD by Benson Records in 1991, coupled with Lights in the World.
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