Description
Farewell to the Shadowlands is the debut album by the American folk trio Rising Hope, independently released by the group in 1975. The album was recorded by Ray Harris at Crusade Studios in Flora, Illinois. (Crusade Enterprises was an American custom record production operation based in Flora, Illinois, producing records for the religious market using their own recording studio, Crusade Studios. Founded in 1959 by Ray Harris.) The trio features Michael Goldberg, Ross Johnson, and Susan Goldberg. “Rising Hope is a Christian creative arts ministry from Cincinnati, Ohio.”
Besides coming up with one of the coolest album titles of all time (taken from the final chapter in C. S. Lewis’ ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia’), the Cincinnati trio of Michael Goldberg, Susan Goldberg, and Ross Johnson have managed to create a brilliant homemade release of contemplative acoustic/folk music. All three have nice soothing voices that harmonize well together (Susan sounds a lot like Debby Kerner, especially on the briskly strummed «Psalm 27»). Quiet and acoustic-oriented for the most part, with some flute, piano and folky percussion, plus banjo and jew’s-harp for «The Lord Will Be My Snowtires», a novelty bluegrass side-trip. Mostly originals plus a couple Martin Bell songs («Secret Of The Stars» and «Come Gather Children»). Includes a lovely minor-key track «Help O Lord» that’s accompanied by flute and what sounds like a hammer dulcimer. Closes with the Narnia-inspired «Further Up». Best cover art seen in years. Essential Jesus music classic. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Michael Goldberg, one-third of the group known as Rising Hope, said that ‘Farewell To The Shadowlands’ is “about as close as you can come to doing a homemade album.” The outward appearance of this LP support him – the lettering was done by hand, and the list of credits includes “a lot of family and friends.” However, don’t judge this book by its cover – the music inside is good”
Susan Goldberg and Ross Johnson round out Rising Hope, and this threesome has put together an album which will really bless those who listen to it. Their music has no frills or orchestration; it is simple, soft, and penetrating. «Song of Praise», for example, is a tune which starts out with Ross singing in a ballad-like fashion, building with each chorus, rising to a climax with a guitar and autoharp run, and finishing with a final chorus by all three members. This may sound like basic folk/rock style, but the result is a song which will grab the listener with its simple beauty. Other highlights include «Love To Pass The Days» and «Help Oh Lord», which contains a nice flute solo.
Perhaps Michael Goldberg gave the best review of this album: “Our prayer and intention was not to produce the slickest LP, but rather one that would minister to those who heard it – one in which the Spirit of God was present.” ‘Farewell To The Shadowlands’ fullfills that prayer. Rising Hope, 3443 Cornell Pl., Apt 12, Cincinnati, OH 45220. [Russ Proctor, Harmony, Vol. 1, No. 6, March/April 1976]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Farewell To The Shadowlands” – 1:20
A2. “Secret Of The Stars” – 5:14
A3. “Love To Pass The Ages” – 2:58
A4. “Psalm 27” – 4:15
A5. “Come Gather Children” – 3:23
Side Two
B1. “Song Of Praise” – 3:06
B2. “The Lord Will Be My Snowtires” – 2:16
B3. “Psalm 121” – 1:56
B4. “Help Oh Lord” – 3:42
B5. “Lead Me On” – 1:44
B6. “Further Up (A Song About Narnia)” – 4:56
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