Description
Fingerprint is the third studio album by the American singer and songwriter Mark Heard, independently released in Europe on Palmfrond Communications in 1980. The album was recorded during two weeks at Peace in The Valley Studios in Los Angeles, California; and was produced, recorded and mixed by Mark Heard.
In the late ’70s Mark Heard did a bit of touring in Europe which he enjoyed. He was approached by the Swiss gospel label Kir and asked about the possibility of doing an album for release in Europe, and thus ended up recording the Fingerprint album for the label. On the album sleeve it is stated that “this is a homemade album for European release.” (Excerpt from the liner notes: the album really has a homemade feel to it. There’s even one place where, if you listen carefully, you can hear Thurston the dog jingling his collar outside the studio.)
Why is the album called Fingerprint? I think it is important for each of us as creatures made in God’s image to leave our individual marks – graffiti if you will. Whether that’s done in vinyl, ink, words, paints, actions, whatever, each of us bears the responsibility to be honest about life, and those of us who are Christians, to be honest about our faith. Everyone can be creative in our own perceptions of life, just to express things in a new way. Trying to avoid clichés helps life become fresh again, helps us remember what life is about in the first place. [Mark Heard]
Another big Mark Heard rarity released only in Switzerland with only three of the thirteen songs appearing on other albums. Mix of acoustic, country and rock tracks, the latter having a more pared-down raw approach compared to previous LPs (often a similar tone to Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill’s Solid Rock output from the same era). Noticeable maturity in sound as well, beginning to step into the style that would characterize his ‘80s albums Stop The Dominoes, Victims Of The Age and Mosaics. Gritty rockers («I’m In Chains», «Gimme Mine») balanced with acoustic ballads of the Appalachian Melody variety («Nowadays», «Well-Worn Pages»). Intelligent insightful lyrics that reflect on society values («Gimme Mine»), existentialism («All The Sleepless Dreamers»), personal skepticism («One More Time») and how Christians frequently oversimplify life («Negative Charge»). Nice country stroll ala Gram Parsons on «Just The Same», with wonderful background vocals from Janet Sue Heard. Even a humorous live tidbit sung in German («Es Tut Mir Leid») where Heard claims that he’s just a “dummer Amerikaner” (ie, a “dumb American”). Includes assistance by Peter Johnson (drums), Jon Linn (acoustic and electric leads, slide guitar), and Tom Howard (piano, synthesizer). As with all Heard product it’s exceedingly good. Re-issued on CD. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
There is something about christian singer/songwriters, a rule that dictates that they should receive lots of praise and very little in the way of sales. T-Bone Burnett, Bruce Cockburn, Peter Case, Tonio K are just some that spring to mind, but the first one I discovered, from a tape that I bought some 15 years ago at a OM conference (for 50p!), was Mark Heard, where I first heard a Christian musician that was truly a talent in his own right (coincidentally all the above artists were friends and fans of Mark). What anyone who only tapped into his last few albums might be surprised to hear is that apart from writing ballads of aching beauty, he could also turn his hand to southern boogie. «Im In Chains», the first track on his album (also recorded for that first tape of mine ‘Stop The Dominoes‘) could actually sit alongside your Lynyrd Skynrd albums, as could «Gimmie Mine». This fairly obscure album was recorded for a Swiss label with an even lower budget than Mark was used to, and the improvised techniques he used to self-produce the album were pretty resourceful. The sleevenote interview and the lyrics reveal one of the most intelligent and literate artists that CCM has ever produced, and «Es Tut Mir Leid» and «Threefold Amen», if hardly my favourites, show a playfulness that his official albums never really hinted at. Still sadly missed. [James Lewis, Cross Rhythms, October 1999]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fingerprint/41450558)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I’m In Chains” – 3:30
A2. “Nowadays” – 3:25
A3. “One More Time” – 3:03
A4. “Epistle” – 2:57
A5. “Just the Same” – 3:16
A6. “Well-worn Pages” – 2:48
Side Two
B1. “Intro”
B2. “Gimme Mine” – 3:51
B3. “All the Sleepless Dreamers” – 3:33
B4. “Negative Charge” – 3:58
B5. “Brown-Eyed Sue” – 3:20
B6. “Es Tut Mir Leid” – 2:04
B7. “Remarks To Mr. McLuhan” – 2:02
B8. “Threefold Amen” – 0:21
Note: Re-issued on cassette and CD by VIA Records in 1995, distributed by Diamante. Featuring new cover artwork.
CREDITS. Written, Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Mark Heard. Recorded at Peace in The Valley Studios, Los Angeles, California. Live Concert Taping by Kir, Basel, Switzerland, June 14, 1980. “This is a homemade album for European release.” Photographs by Mark and Janet Sue Heard. Copyright 1980 Palmfrond Communications. Parenthood by Kir, Kings records, Kalkbreitestrasse 71, 8003 Zurich, Switzerland. Deutsche Übersetzung: Wolfgang Küng, Jean-Daniel v. Lerber.
Thanks to Terry Laughlin for use of his studio and home, to Peter, Jon and Tom for dropping by, to Jean-Daniel and Hansruedi for Birchermuesli. Love to Larry and the Circle of Cynics, to John & Prisca & Ann and the Huemoz folks for encouragement, to Chuck for darkroom work and being Perefit, to the Russell Hall Stairwell Dreamers, and to Corliss Lamont wherever you are.
Musicians: Mark Heard (Vocals and Background Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass, Electric Lead and Slide Guitars, Mandolins, Moog, Percussion), Janet Sue Heard (Additional Background Vocals), Tom Howard (Piano and Synthesizer), Jon Linn (Electric and Acoustic Lead and Slide Guitars), Peter Johnson (Drums).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.