Description
The Wine of Lebanon is an album by the British praise & worship outfit Achor, released on Dovetails Records in 1976. The album was recorded and mixed by Andy Kidd at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England; with John Pantry producing.
The theme of this album is unity, One Body of Christ, one Church out of every nation, dwelling together in love and harmony. Not merely coexistence and tolerance but a true oneness of relationship based on union with Jesus as Lord.
Of course we’ve heard it all before! It has been God’s purpose from the beginning starting from the Book of Genesis it runs right through to Revelation. God doesn’t have an emergency programme in reserve just in case the Church fails to make it. There isn’t anything else. Jesus prayed “that they may be one” and God is committed to answering that prayer in the flesh and blood of our lives, right here on earth.
These songs are born out of the life of a Church in London as God has continually brought us back to the practicalities of realising this vision right where we live. The way has not been all smooth. With the joy and fulfilment of growing bonds of love and commitment there has also been disappointment, set-backs and heartbreak where we have missed the way. As one song puts it, we have sometimes been “completely discouraged”. But what shall we say, “It’s all a dream. Lord! do a new thing?”. God’s new thing is to make the old thing, His word of promise, actually work – not to change programme.
We will not sit down and sing the blues about a vision that has not worked out, instead we will continue to declare the word of the Lord “There is one body”. We will shout aloud “Our God reigns”, and proclaim our intention to setback the setbacks, saying to this mountain “Be removed”.
We will hasten the coming of that day, giving ourselves in wholehearted response to the Lord to do His will, until the vision is reality.
Dave Mansell & Loxley Ford.
[Album liner notes printed on the inside of the gatefold sleeve]
In between recording as Valley Of Achor and simply Achor, this London folk/praise/soft-rock outfit issued this fine LP under the name Wine Of Lebanon. It’s a bit smoother than Valley Of Achor, but still retains a dreamy “progressive” edge from the melodic blending of flute, acoustic guitars and synthesizer. Most female vocals (credits actually say “vocals by Achor”). «Holy Nation», «I Am Completely Discouraged», «Fallow Ground», «The House Of Jacob» and «You Can Hasten» are some of the eleven titles. Much better than the Achor LPs (less unison singing). And once again we have the colorful fantasy sleeve. Produced by John Pantry. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Wine Of Lebanon”
A2. “I Will Never Leave You”
A3. “Changing”
A4. “Ask And It Shall Be Given Unto You”
A5. “Holy Nation”
A6. “I Am Completely Discouraged”
Side Two
B1. “Lord Please Make The People One”
B2. “Fallow Ground”
B3. “The House Of Jacob”
B4. “You Can Hasten”
B5. “Father The Time Has Come”
CREDITS. Produced by John Pantry. Recorded at I.C.C. Studios, Eastbourne, UK. Engineered and Mixed by Andy Kidd. Flute and Clarinet Arrangements by Joe King.
Musicians: Vocals by Achor – Claire White, Sue Martin, Irene Wilkie, Mavis Ford, Ann Smith, Chris Head, Alan Woodruffe, Martin Lever. Instrumentation – John Pantry (Piano, String Synthesizer), Joe King (Synthesizer), Fred Chedgey (Vibes), Robert McKay (Flute, Clarinet), Claire White (Acoustic Guitar), Mo Witham (Electric Guitar), Chris Head (Acoustic Guitar, Bass), Gerry Page (Bass), Keith Entwhistle (Drums), Bernard G. Shaw (Congas).
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