Description
Barratt is the sole solo album by the British singer, songwriter, session guitarist, and producer Norman Barratt of Gravy Train and Barratt Band fame, released in the UK on Edge Records in 1988, and in the US on Refuge Records in 1991. (It was among the first releases by Edge Records, a short-lived label established by Kingsway Music as a home for edgier, youth-orientated music.) The album was recorded by Steve Boyce-Buckley at Square 1 Studios in Bury, England; with Norman Barratt, Trevor Taylor, and Boyce-Buckley producing. Mixed by Boyce-Buckley and Barratt. (The album was recorded using a 40 channel AMEK 2025 with automation and an OTARI MTR90 analogue machine. Computer programming was achieved via an ATARI ST1040 running PRO24. The album took around 4 weeks to record and about 10 days to mix.)
Norman Barratt is a big name in the genesis of UK contemporary Christian music. Barratt joined up with the Alwyn Wall Band for a short while before birthing a new group Barratt Band in 1980. Three albums followed during the ’80s: the highly regarded ‘Playing In The City‘, ‘Voice‘ and ‘Rock For All Ages‘. Disillusioned with the CCM industry, Barratt then concentrated on playing in his church worship band and studio session work (playing on albums for various artists like Paul Young, Sad Cafe, and the Mike Rutherford Band to name a few) before Nigel Coultman of Kingsway persuaded Norman to produce another Christian album. ‘Barratt’ came forth in 1989 but because of a warehouse fire the album had a short life in the UK and was sold on to the US. Why it should re-appear in 2007 is thanks to the tireless efforts of Jesus Music’s Alan Gibson. Of course, even with one re-recorded track in 2005, the re-mastered album cannot disguise that it is very ’80s. But the quality is here with great guitar work from Norman, powerful lyrics and vibrant energy. Listening keenly to the refrain «Who is right?» on the politically aware song «The Last Night» one could not help thinking we’re still asking the same question. With the “ancient and modern” versions of «I Know Where You Are» you get a searching classic centred on God’s omniscience. Maybe the album is one just for Barratt completists, but all who enjoy ’80s rock should investigate. [Steven Bridge, Cross Rhythms, May 2007]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Last Night”
A2. “I Know Where You Are”
A3. “I Can See It In Your Eyes”
A4. “Now I Know”
Side Two
B1. “Automatic Life”
B2. “Still Waitin'”
B3. “When The Night Comes”
B4. “Sing A New Song”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Edge Records (ER/EC/ECD7004). Re-issued on CD by Refuge Records in 1991. In 2007 a digitally-remastered version, including a new version of “I Know Where You Are” recorded at Barratt’s DML Studios in 2005, was released by the Leeds-based Christian music oldies specialist Jesus Music.
Norman Barratt, Live in Belfast, December 1, 1989; “I Know Where You Are”
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