Gentle Spirit

Description

Gentle Spirit is a solo album by the American singer and songwriter Mike Johnson of The Exkursions fame, independently released on CAM in 1974. Also released on Shalom Records, distributed by Acts 29, PA.

As the title suggests, this album is a reflection of Mike’s gentler side – a notably different style from both his earlier Freedom Light customs and his later more polished NewPax recordings. Keyboards play a bigger role than in the past, supplied herein by Sonlight’s Harlan Rogers. Piano carries the melody on the pop-edged «Gather ‘Round», as well as ballads like «Joseph’s Song», the eight-minute «Time Has Come» and «The Healing», the latter’s theme being that God still heals today. Electric piano appears on the light-n-jazzy «Feelin’ Good». Also effective use of mellotron in spots. A few songs still have an acoustic guitar focus, such as the title track (which recalls the Lord Doctor-era ballads) and the childlike tunes «Forgive» and «La La», Originally released on the Oklahoma City custom label CAM, with an attractive dove illustration on the front. Later picked up by JoySong/NewPax (J 833012), the front cover replaced with a photo of Mike. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition].

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “They’re Loving You” – 3:09
A2. “Gather ‘Round” – 2:48
A3. “Forgive” – 3:12
A4. “Feelin’ Good” – 1:58
A5. “Joseph’s Song” – 5:34

Side Two
B1. “Gentle Spirit” – 4:31
B2. “The Healing” – 4:31
B3. “La La” – 2:58
B4. “Time Has Come” – 8:07

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Destiny Records.