Description
A self-titled compilation album (a.k.a. Starstorm) by the American singer and songwriter Larry Norman was released in Australia on both Starstorm Records and Rhema Records in 1977, distributed by Rhema Records.
Back in the late 70s for the Australian market, it was decided that a compilation album would be a good way of introducing a new audience to some classic Larry tracks. This much bootlegged album (known to Larry fans simply as the Australian album) finally sees it onto CD after more than 20 years. Originally I had a bootleg cassette of this and infuriatingly someone taped a song over «I Don’t Wanna Lose You» so until I spent a fortune buying the rare vinyl album of this a while back, I’d only ever heard the last 40 seconds of the song! Most of this is stuff off ‘Only Visiting This Planet‘ and ‘So Long Ago The Garden‘. However, the Larryphile (and when it comes to Cross Rhythms reviewers, you’ll know that’s me and a Scotsman named Douglas!) will recognise that «Fly Fly Fly» has totally different lyrics and Larry doing his best Van Morrison impression! «Righteous Rocker» is the original mix of an up tempo version that has appeared elsewhere but not as well produced as it is here. Of course, there are two absolute Norman classics that aren’t available anywhere else. The definitive version of «If God Is My Father» was originally intended for ‘So Long Ago The Garden” but was cut by the record label. Although partially mixed inferior versions have appeared here and there and a band called The Salvation Air Force cut a version using this very backing track back in the 70s, it finally makes it onto CD. The song features a great washof hundreds of Larry’s performing backing vocals which, though one of his favourite production tricks, has never been bettered. Just a beautiful song. And then there’s the definitive pop version of «I Don’t Want To Lose You» which again has appeared elsewhere but never sounding as good as this. If you’re a fan of the great blonde Normanski, this is one album that’s a must for these definitive. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, February 2001]
In years to come this Australia only release became something of a much sought after rarity as word got out that the album had a new recording of «I Don’t Wanna Lose You» and two of the censored tracks from the ‘Garden’ sessions with new overdubs on them, «Righteous Rocker # 2» and the full length version of «If God Is My Father». Elsewhere there is a new mix of «Christmas Time» and new vocals on «It’s The Same Old Story» from ‘Garden’ and most noticeably «I’ve Got To Learn To Live Without You» (from ‘Planet’) which also received new lead guitar overdubs courtesy of Jon Linn. Now available for a limited time from Solid Rock Records as part of their Historical Archives CD Series begun in 2000. [Dougie Adam, Cross Rhythms, May 2001]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I Don’t Want To Lose You” – 4:47
A2. “Song For Pamela (Fly, Fly, Fly)” – 3:59
A3. “I’ve Got To Learn To Live Without You” – 3:53
A4. “The Same Old Story” – 4:12
A5. “Great American Novel” – 4:31
Side Two
B1. “Christmas Time” – 4:02
B2. “Pardon Me” – 3:58
B3. “Righteous Rocker #2” – 4:20
B4. “Be Careful What You Sign” – 4:55
B5. “If God Is My Father” – 6:25
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Starstorm Records with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve with the lyrics printed on the inside. Re-issued on CD by Solid Rock Records in 2000. Available at Bandcamp: https://larrynorman.bandcamp.com/album/larry-norman-starstorm
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