Description
God Spoke…and Said, “Lead My People” is the sole album by the American three piece rock band Joshua (Tony Sena, Quincy Rogers and Shelby Rogers), released on Impact Records in 1973, a sub label of the Benson Company. Also released in the UK on Key Records featuring new cover artwork. The album was recorded and mixed by Tom Brannon at Athena Studios in Texas with Bob MacKenzie (and Rick Powell, according to the UK edition) producing for Athena Records. All songs written by Tony Sena except tracks A5, B3, and B4 co-written with Quincy Rogers. For the last track of the album the band does a cover of the Larry Norman classic “I Wish We’d All Been Ready“.
This Southwestern group’s sole LP sounds similar to the rural hard rock of Petra’s first LP, only loads better (no «Lucas McGraw»’s, no annoying vocals). Joshua is Tony Sena, Quincy Rogers and Shelby Rogers. No pics of the guys on the cover but I’d betcha anything they got long hair. Their tunes cook along with fast-strumming rhythm guitars; then suddenly they’ll blast in with an abrasive electric lead. Side one hits us with «The Word», «Revelation», «New Life» and «Keep Your Light Shining», all top-notch rockers empowered with sizzling riffs. Side two continues the assault with «I Was Lonely» and the blistering «Free Me». «Caterpillar» begins with a quiet acoustic mood before shifting into a fairly rocking mid-section. Interspersed with some fine acoustic ballads like «The Secret», «If He Came To Your House» and a cover of Larry Norman’s «I Wish We’d All Been Ready». Good natural vocal harmonies of the rural hippie variety, often with a rough Crosby, Stills & Nash quality. Deserves the same attention that Agape and The Exkursions gets. If ya like it raw and shaggy and loud, you’ll want Joshua. Co-released on the Key label in the UK where it sells for ungodly amounts. The UK version also has a much more attractive color sleeve featuring a person with their arms outstretched. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Joshua – Tony Sena, Quincy Rogers and Shelby Rogers – came to us not too long ago to talk to us about making a record. They took their guitars out to play and as they did they told us why they were together. They had been working in street ministries in the Southwest and about a year ago had been led to combine their musical talents and form a group. So the three of them went out into the desert for several months to pray and write songs. When they decided they were ready, they came out of the desert and found their way to us.
Consequently, as you hold this record in your hand and decide whether or not to take it home, you must remember two things. The first is that it is one of the two or three best Jesus Rock albums ever produced. Some of the most powerful lyrics and music to come out of the Jesus movement are to be found on this album. The second is the name that they bear. It is no coincidence that they are called “Joshua” and that God has led them out of the desert to you. [Note on the back of the original album sleeve]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Word” – 2:35
A2. “Revelation” – 3:07
A3. “The Secret” – 3:35
A4. “Keep Your Light Shining” – 4:15
A5. “New Life” – 3:30
Side Two
B1. “If He Came To Your House” – 2:50
B2. “I Was Lonely” – 3:45
B3. “Caterpillar” – 3:47
B4. “Free Me” – 5:35
B5. “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” – 3:25
Note: Released on both 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Impact Records. There are two US pressings in existence; the original is black, the second has a red label. (A 7-inch vinyl single was as well released by Impact, featuring two album tracks; “Free Me” and “The Secret”.) The LP was also issued on Key Records (Key KL-014) in the UK, in New Zealand and in Canada. The UK version features a color sleeve featuring a person with arms outstretched.
US Edition Cover Artwork / Impact Records (Stereo/R3228)
UK Edition Cover Artwork / Key Records (KL014)
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