For Lack of a Better Title

Description

For Lack of a Better Title is the sophomore and final album by the Canadian folk-rock group The Centurions, released on the Canadian gospel label Praise Records in 1973. (Later re-issued on New Born Records featuring new cover artwork.) The album was recorded by Ed Jurak at Stoney Productions in North Vancouver, Canada; with Don Marsh producing. Album arranged by Laurey Berteig and “the guys”. Strings arranged and conducted by Laurey Berteig. Brass arranged by Rob Bonk.

Featuring Laurey Berteig on lead vocals, electric piano, and organ; Ken Jasper on lead and backing vocals, as well as acoustic guitar; Dave Kurtz on acoustic and electric piano, as well as backing vocals; Jerry Stewart on rhythm and lead guitar; Rob Bonk on bass and backing vocals; and Reinhard Herzog on percussion and backing vocals.

The boys totally re-invented themselves for this often impressive heavier rock effort. The Curse Of The Guy With The Deep Voice is gone, they’ve added a lot of their own songwriting, and they’ve plugged in the organ and electric guitar. «On And On» could pass for something off The Mission’s Becoming One with its pulsating bass, electric wah-wah lead and trippy acoustic strum. «Cry Of Love» is split over two sides – Part 1 features a hypnotic instrumental jazz groove with Doors-ish reverbed electric piano, while Part 2 opens with a big drum solo and finishes with a lengthy acid hard-rock climax, including a sped-up repetition of the riff from «Smoke On The Water»! I couldn’t help but laugh at the fuzz solo on «Jesus Love Goes A Long Way», as it’s clearly patterned after the one on the Carpenters’ «Goodbye To Love». Even a few symphonic progressive touches on side two: «Interlude», «Concerto For Piano», «Inside» and «The Eyes Of God» are almost King Crimson-like in their beauty, particularly in the use of flute, piano and mellotron-esque strings. Still two or three lesser numbers that reveal their gospel origins, but overall I’m amazed at how well they pull this thing off. Gatefold cover with foldout lyrics pasted on the inside like a booklet. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Jesus Love Goes A Long Way” – 2:55
A2. “Sweet Peace Within” – 4:00
A3. “Jesus Made Me Higher” / “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – 4:55
A4. “On & On” – 2:50
A5. “So Let’s All Tell The World” – 3:00
A6. “Cry Of Love – Part I” – 2:47

Side Two
B1. “Cry Of Love – Part II” – 4:06
B2. “Portrait” – 2:02
B3. “Interlude” – 1:35
B4. “Concerto For Piano Opa 65” – 2:23
B5. “Inside” – 2:54
B6. “The Eyes Of God” – 5:27
B7. “It Won’t Be Long” – 7:35
B8. “Grand Finale” – 7:35

---

---

---

[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”CT8b7UDQBHE,dyEVPGfSOwc,RFGgVUKpr5U,mIq50AYfLCw,YL71HO9aKNw,AfzRkjIo11Q,WPYg24n_m1Q,x4XwBVaoAdY,9arvaq6HTRU,Stq-EscHjJE,mcu1aK3IQ-I,fY-mo4KOMaM,fnfIdvaM4Q8″ title=”The Centurions, For Lack of a Better Title – Jesus Love Goes A Long Way + Sweet Peace Within + Jesus Made Me Higher, Bridge Over Troubled Water + On & On + So Let’s All Tell The World + Cry Of Love – Part I + Cry Of Love – Part II + Portrait + Interlude + Concerto For Piano Opa 65 + Inside + The Eyes Of God + It Won’t Be Long + Grand Finale” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]