Description
Onward – known as Adam Again in the Christian music market – is the sophomore album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer Michael Omartian, originally released on ABC Records in Australia in 1975, manufactured by RCA Limited Sydney Australia. The album was recorded by Tommy Vicari at Sound Labs in Hollywood, California; with Michael Omartian producing and arranging. Music written by Michael Omartian with lyrics by his wife Stormie.
Onward was picked up by Word’s contemporary music label Myrrh Records and re-issued in the American Christian music market in 1976, re-titled Adam Again and featuring new cover artwork. Also released in the UK. In Buzz Magazine‘s Readers Poll 1977, the premier UK gospel magazine back in the day, Adam Again was voted the most popular album of the year.
Excerpt from “For The Record”, CashBox Magazine, April 1975:
As Michael Omartian goes into the studio to start work on his second LP for ABC, the keyboard wizard’s first effort, “White Horse,” is helping him to a growing “cult” following. [CashBox, Volume XXXVI, Number 48, April 19, 1975]
Fine follow-up retains a professional sound despite the lack of mainstream label attention this time. The progressive influence is still present but not quite as apparent. Instrumental solo excursions can be found on the lengthy prog-edged selections «Alive And Well» (sung first-person from the perspective of Satan) and «Here He Comes», the latter recounting the return of Christ “through the smog” – both songs are part of side two’s ‘Telos Suite’. Not quite the ‘70s FM radio sound, but not really top-40 pop-rock either. Omartian’s unique jazz-influenced keyboard-driven rock finds a nice middle ground on cuts like «Ain’t You Glad», «Annie The Poet», «No Matter What Shape You’re In» and the ballads «See This House» and «Adam Again». Tastefully orchestrated with strings and horns at times and there’s even a catchy dated disco tune called «Whatchersign», a humorous knock on astrology. Guitar whiz Larry Carlton graces a couple cuts. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Ain’t You Glad” – 2:52
A2. “No Matter What Shape You’re In” – 3:16
A3. “See This House” – 3:53
A4. “Whachersign” – 3:30
A5. “Annie The Poet” – 3:58
Side Two
Telos Suite:
B1. “Prelude” – 1:31
B2. “Alive And Well” – 4:44
B3. “Adam Again” – 4:59
B4. “Here He Comes” – 6:00
Note: Originally released on ABC Records in Australia in 1975, manufactured by RCA Limited Sydney Australia. Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records in 1976, featuring new cover artwork. Digitally remastered and re-issued on cassette and CD by Myrrh Records in 1991, paired with White Horse, as a part of the label’s Contemporary Christian Classics Series.
Adam Again, Myrrh Records 1976
Onward, ABC Records 1975 (Australia)
In 2017 the Michael Omartian written – and as well Pratt and McClain recorded – song “Whachersign” (the original extended promo only version) was included on a sampler album entitled Too Slow to Disco, Volume 3, a mainstream compilation series of ’70s Westcoast Yachtpop.
CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Michael Omartian. Engineered by Tommy Vicari. Recorded at Sound Labs, Hollywood, CA. Mastered at The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, CA. Concertmaster: Sid Sharp & The “L.A. Super Strings”. Photography by Harry Langdon. Music by Michael Omartian and Lyrics by Stormie Omartian.
Musicians: Michael Omartian (Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer on track A3 and B1, Drums on track A3), Dean Parks (Guitar – tracks: A1, A2, B4), Larry Carlton (Guitar on track B3, Guitar Solo on track B4), Lee Ritenour (Guitar – tracks: A2, A4, B2, B4), Richard Bennett (Guitar on track B2 and B3), David Hungate (Bass on track B2 and B3), Lee Sklar (Bass on track A5), Scott Edwards (Bass on track A2 and A4), Wilton Felder (Bass on track A1 and B4), David Kemper (Drums – tracks: A1, A5, B2 to B4), Ed Greene (Drums on track A2 and A4), Victor Feldman (Percussion on track B2 and B3). Backing Vocals: Ann White, Carolyn Willis, Stormie Omartian. Horns: David Duke, Don Menza, Ernie Watts, Paul Hubenon, Vince DeRosa. Ernie Watts (Alto Saxophone Solo on track A3). Paul Hubenon (Trumpet Solo on track B2).
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