Come Into His Presence

Description

Come Into His Presence, sub-titled Songs from the Savior, Volume Three, is the third studio album by the American singer and songwriter Paul Clark. (Actually, this album, as well as Clark’s next effort Good to be Home, are credited “Paul Clark & Friends”.) It was originally released on the independent label Sonrise Mercantile in 1974 but soon picked up by Word and re-issued on their contemporary music label Myrrh, featuring new cover artwork. Also released in the UK on Dovetail Records in 1975. The album was recorded March 1974 by “Gentle Jim” Ford at Producer’s Workshop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All songs written by Paul Clark.

This project began a new era for Paul Clark. Out of the friendships birthed from touring with the group Love Song, Clark’s music was flavored with the musical talents of guitarist Phil Keaggy (who had been a touring member of Love Song) and the rhythm section of Love Song; Jay Truax on bass and John Mehler on drums and percussion (both later to join The Richie Furay Band). Along with Bill Speer (piano and vocals) and Mike Burkhart (mandolin, acoustic guitar, and vocals), these six brothers brought a new dimension to contemporary Christian music. (Paul Clark and Bill Speer actually were former bandmates from The Clergymen, a mid-60s Beatles clone band.) Stew Langer is as well sitting in on organ.

For Come Into His Presence (subtitled Songs From The Savior Volume Three) Paul Clark enlisted some Jesus rock heavyweights: Bill Speer on piano, Love Song members Jay Truax and John Mehler on bass and drums, Mike Burhart on guitar, banjo and mandolin, and not least of all the commanding presence of lead guitarist Phil Keaggy. The musical depth was often expanded to a fuller rock sound, including some of Clark’s heaviest moments (check out the classic rock vibe of title track or the Glass Harp-ish «He’ll Do The Same», both enriched with stately organ and fulfilling Keaggy licks). In contrast are the acoustic ballad «Believe And Receive» and the delicate ethereal folk/psych shimmer of «Latter Rain». Steel guitar lays some strong country twang on «Gonna Let My Light Show» (“yippie-yi-yo cay-yeh, I don’t care what they say”). Sparing use of strings this time – just on «Land Of Peace» and the short opener «Listen Closely». This album is rightly considered a Jesus music classic, as is its follow-up Good To Be Home. The original Sonrise Mercantile pressing is the one to get – it comes in a classy bright blue gate-fold cover made to resemble a door, plus there’s an inner lyric sleeve. Later re-issued on Myrrh (MSB-6715) in a drab single-slip cover with a gray clouds/lake photo. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/come-into-his-presence/306870566)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Listen Closely” – 1:22
A2. “Come Into His Presence” – 5:33
A3. “With You Forever” – 3:07
A4. “Latter Rain” – 4:41
A5. “Land Of Peace” – 3:05

Side One
B1. “He’ll Do The Same For You” – 4:26
B2. “Gonna Let My Light Show” – 2:58
B3. “A New Man’s Song” – 1:45
B4. “Here By My Side” – 2:56
B5. “Song Of Love” – 4:10
B6. “Believe And Receive” – 2:35

Note: The original Sonrise Mercantile pressing comes in a classy bright blue gatefold cover made to resemble a door, plus there’s an inner lyric sleeve. Later re-issued on both Sonrise Mercantile and Myrrh Records (MSB-6715) in a drab single-slip cover with a gray clouds/lake photo. Also released on 8-track tape.

A live recording featuring this album line-up is available at Bandcamp:
https://philkeaggyfriends.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-kansas-city-1975

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CREDITS. The album was recorded at Producer’s Workshop, Oklahoma City, USA, in March 1974, and engineered by “Gentle Jim” Ford. Jacket design by Norm Friant

Musicians: Paul Clark (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano), Phil Keaggy (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), Mike Burhart (Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), Bill Speer (Piano, Vocals), Stew Langer (Organ), Jay Truax (Bass, Oboe, Vocals), John Mehler (Percussion, Vibes).