Harbinger

Description

Harbinger is the debut album by the Canadian born, UK based singer and songwriter Barry Crompton, released in the UK on Dove Records in 1978. The album was recorded by Brook Trickett at Soundtree Studios in Kent, England; with Chris Head producing. “Fishers Of Men” features backing vocals by Garth Hewitt.

Barry Crompton was a Canadian singer-songwriter resident in the UK from the late ’70s until the mid ’80s. He recorded five albums for CCM labels and established himself as the consummate opening act for any UK Christian gig. Crompton’s mix of songs and comic banter always connected with audiences.

UK singer/songwriter’s warm-hearted statement of soft rock and acoustic moods, with occasional country or light jazz lilt. This is a much longer-haired Barry than the one seen on his 1983 US release Don’t Look Down, one of several Pilgrim America imports that ended up as cut-outs. Musical assistance from Nick Brotherwood, Keith Loring, Mo Witham and Garth Hewitt, with Barry supplying acoustic guitar and keyboards. All songs written by Barry, including «Let It Rain (Reign Of Love)», «Sixteen», «Jackson», «Koinonia», «Fisher Of Men» and «Love Changed Me» (the latter two were recorded by Pam Burgess on the acclaimed This Side Of The River compilation). Nice slide guitar solo on «Teach Me To Dance». Good company for Graham Kendrick, Phil Potter, Adrian Snell, Steve Goddard and all the other fine male solo artists that kept British Jesus music alive on into the late ‘70s. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Let It Rain (Reign Of Love)” – 4:04
A2. “Sixteen” – 5:41
A3. “Jackson” – 3:54
A4. “Fishers Of Men” (feat. Garth Hewitt) – 3:30
A5. “Koinonia” – 3:27

Side Two
B1. “Teach Me To Dance” – 4:43
B2. “What If I Let You Down” – 4:51
B3. “Love In Deed” – 4:40
B4. “The Quest” – 4:21
B5. “Love Changed Me” – 3:24

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Harbinger Sampler

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CREDITS. Produced by Chris Head. Engineered by Brook Trickett. Recorded at Soundtree Studios. All songs written by Barry Crompton.

Musicians: Barry Crompton (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Molly Peters (Keyboards), Robert McKay (Flute, Saxophone), Mo Witham (Electric Lead Guitar), Keith Loring (2nd Acoustic Guitar, Electric Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals), Gordon Huntley (Pedal Steel Guitar), John Allan (Banjo), Les Parry (Bass, Backing Vocals), Nick Brotherwood (Drums), Bernard Shaw (Percussion).