Don’t Look Now… It’s the Hallelujah Brothers

Description

Don’t Look Now… It’s the Hallelujah Brothers is the fourth album by the British folk-pop duo Phil & John (Phil Baggaley and John Hartley), released in 1989 on What? Records in UK and on Dayspring Records in the US, both divisions of Word. The album was produced by Steve Taylor and Lynn Arthur Nichols, both of Chagall Guevara fame. Includes a cover of “Fool’s Wisdom”, the title track from Malcolm & Alwyn’s classic 1973 debut album. Featuring Phil Keaggy and Mark Heard on acoustic and electric guitars respectively.

When British duo Phil & John sing “feels like summer again,” it certainly does. Their second U.S. release conjures memories of all those summer classics. Phil & John evoke the harmonies of the Everly Brothers on the acoustic «Young at Heart» while ringing guitars reminiscent of The Byrds or The Beatles grace «Please Tell Me Why».

The album is a return to the duo’s musical roots. Equally, the lyrics reflect a return to God and the change of heart this creates. The wistful «Heart’s on Fire» pleads, “Give me a heart of compassion, show me the world through your eyes.” «Gabriel’s Sittin’ In» glimpses the comic side of Phil & John, for which they are celebrated in their native land.

With production by Steve Taylor and Lynn Nicholas and a great remake of the Elvis Costello hit «(What’s so Funny ’bout) Peace, Love and Understanding», ‘Don’t Look Now, It’s the Hallelujah Brothers’ retains a definite ’80s sound which will last beyond any summer. [Dawn Stafford, CCM, June 1989]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Young At Heart” – 4:41
A2. “Feels Like The Summer” – 3:49
A3. “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?” – 3:30
A4. “Keep Me In Your Love” – 2:27
A5. “The Old And The Wise” – 3:13
A6. “Gabriel’s Sitting In” – 3:00

Side Two
B1. “Please Tell Me Why” – 3:16
B2. “Heart’s On Fire” – 4:39
B3. “This Boy” – 2:46
B4. “California Dreamers” – 4:19
B5. “Fool’s Wisdom” – 2:59

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD. The album track “Fool’s Wisdom” was also released as a 7-inch vinyl single by DaySpring Records.

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CREDITS. Produced by Steve Taylor and L. Arthur Nichols. Recorded at Wayne Cook Studio, Los Angeles, at Hot Nights Studio, London, at KGM Studio, Wakefield, at Studio 55, Los Angeles, at The Hop, Los Angeles, at Steve Lindsey Studio, Los Angeles, at The Field, Derby, and at ICC Studio, Eastbourne. Engineered by David Schober, Simon Humphries, Neil Costello and Mark Heard. Mixed by David Schober with Lynn Nichols and Steve Taylor. Photography by Theresa Wassif. Design by James Kessell.

Musicians: The Hallelujah Brothers – Phil Baggaley, John Hartley, Dennis Holt, Glen Holmen, Lynn Nichols and Mark Heard. Robbie Buchanan (Piano, Harpsichord – tracks: A1, B3, B4), Jeff Hammer (Electric Piano on track A5), Steve Lindsey (Harmonium, Mellotron – tracks: A2, A5, B2), Dave Plews (Trumpet, Flugelhorn – tracks: B3, B4), Phil Keaggy (Acoustic Guitar – tracks: A1, B1, B2), Lynn Nichols (Guitar – tracks: A1 to A6, B1 to B3), Mark Heard (Electric Guitar – tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3), Martin Klute (Upright Bass – tracks: A5, A6, B2), Glen Holmen (Bass, Guitarrón – tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3, B4), Dennis Holt (Drums – tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3, B4), Terl Bryant (Percussion – tracks: A2, A4 to A6, B1 to B3), S. Hall (Handclaps on track A1 and B3).