Description
Quiet Night is a compilation album by the American singer and songwriter Larry Norman featuring The Young Lions, independently released on Stress Records in 1984, distributed thru Gospel Media California. The compilation features selected tracks from the bArchaeology 3LP boxed set which was released simultaneously. All songs written by Tom Howard except “Farther On” co-written by Randy Stonehill and Howard, and “Sigrid Jane” and “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” written by Larry Norman (as well as the two instrumental tracks; “Piano L’etude” and “Drum L’etude”).
Another compilation. This was intended as a ‘best of the bArchaeology boxed set. The only thing new about this release is that it was apparently given a new European remix by Tim ‘Jellybean’ Jacquette. According to Larry it was greeted with the same apathy which the previous releases of ‘Letter of The Law’, ‘Labor of Love’ and ‘bArchaeology’ had met on their release. [Dougie Adam, Cross Rhythms, May 2001]
Larry Norman is either having serious record company problems, or he’s suffering a severe case of writer’s block. ‘Something New Under the Son‘, his last studio album, was released in 1981 but recorded in 1977. And we have to go back to 1976 to find a prior release. The interim has been filled with a series of self-released, “unofficial,” live albums. Though the days when Norman seemded to be the only guy turning out Christian rock are long gone, a veteran from that dry period may still find his mouth watering in Pavlovian response at the mention of a new, “official” Larry Norman album.
The salivation may turn to initial disappointment upon reading the song credits on the label of ‘Quiet Night’ (officially credited, for some reason, to the Young Lions). Only two of the ten songs were penned by Norman himself. The remaining eight come from compatriot Tom Howard, who’s always seemed the least adventurous among the Norman stable of proteges. However, Howard has been seriously underrated as a songwriter and craftsman, and his Christian messages are no less profound than some of the obscure ones usually favored by Norman and company.
‘Quiet Night’ is probably the most commercial album Norman has ever released (for the Christian market, that is). The mild, ’70s-ish pop-rock of ‘Quiet Night’ sounds right at home with the musical styles of Amy Grant and Russ Taff. It also seems like a retreat of sorts from the raw, risky, and wholly successful gospel-blues-rock of ‘Something New Under the Son’.
The two self-penned tunes, «I Don’t Want to Lose You» and the 1965-Stones-ish «Sigrid Jane» were obviously recorded during different sessions. They sound totally out of place alongside Howard’s orthodox Christian pop.
Larry Norman’s ‘Quiet Night’ is a pleasant and refreshing departure, as well as a real curiosity, for the artist. But at this point in the drought, it will only momentarily abate the thirst for a real Larry Norman album. [Chris Willman, CCM, November 1984]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Iron And Steel” (from Letter Of The Law, Phydeaux 1982)
A2. “Shine Your Light” (from Letter Of The Law, Phydeaux 1982)
A3. “I Found Love” (from Letter Of The Law, Phydeaux 1982)
A4. “Let The Master Make It Right” (from Labor Of Love, Phydeaux 1982)
A5. “Piano L’etude” (instrumental from Labor Of Love, Phydeaux 1982)
A6. “Sigrid Jane” (from the first version of Street Level, One Way Records 1970)
Side Two
B1. “Stronger Love” (from Letter Of The Law, Phydeaux 1982)
B2. “Farther On” (from Labor Of Love, Phydeaux 1982)
B3. “Come On In” (from Labor Of Love, Phydeaux 1982)
B4. “Drum L’etude” (instrumental from Labor Of Love, Phydeaux 1982)
B5. “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” (from the first version of Street Level, One Way Records 1970)
B6. “Jesus Is The Song Inside Of Me” (from Labor Of Love, Phydeaux 1982)
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by both Phydeaux and Stress Records. This album was released as a compilation of the Barchaeology 3LP (Phydeaux 1984). They were released simultaneously. Some of the Quiet Night songs are mixed differently, most of them are shorter. Quiet Night was released as by “The Young Lions” on the cover and as by “Larry Norman and The Young Lions” on the labels. Some copies had a sticker on the cover, some came with an insert. (‘Digital Half-Speed Master mixed by “Jellybean” Jaquette’ on rear sleeve.)
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