Prophets and Clowns

Description

Prophets and Clowns is an album by the American pop/rock band Shelter, released in the US on Rooftop Records in 1983, distributed by The Benson Company. As well released by Rooftop Records in Canada, licensed to the Canadian gospel label Image VII Records. The album was recorded and mixed by Thom Roy and Terry Taylor (the latter of Daniel Amos), assisted by Derald Daugherty of The Choir fame, at Whitefield Studios in Santa Ana, California; with Taylor producing for Rebel Base Productions.

Shelter features David Bunker on lead and background vocals; Jan Thomas on backing vocals; Tim Robbins on piano, synthesziers, and B-3 organ; “Jimmy T” Thomas on all guitars and background vocals (as well as lead vocals on tracks A4 and B2); Mark “Sully” Sullivant on bass and background vocals (as well as lead vocals on track A3); and Darrel Ferraiuolo on drums. (“Thanks to Terry Taylor for backing vocals on “I’ll Play the Fool,” Rob Watson for additional keyboards, Mike Davis for saxophone parts, Ed McTaggert for “techno” belt, Janet McTaggert for backing vocals on “Singer and the Song,” Chris Taylor for sax engineering.”)

Shelter is a full-time, Michigan-based Christian community, and a six-year-old band committed to combining fine art with accessibility. ‘Prophets and Clowns’ was produced by Terry Taylor (Daniel Amos), but Shelter’s style leans more toward pop/rock than progressive. Composer Dave Bunker says, “We’ve been influenced by everyone from Barry Manilow to Toto to Phil Keaggy.” Such diversity is both a curse (indecisive, awkward as in «Walk in the Spirit») and a blessing (creative, convincing like in «Here I Am» and «I’ll Play the Fool»).

The strong title cut is followed and overshadowed by «Super Heroes», a stunning new wave piece that punctures the myth of merely human messiahs. «Singer and the Song», the LP’s opener, is slated for airplay. Simple, poetic «This is the Day» is a personal favorite. Occasionally Shelter’s vocals lack precision, with a muddy result, and pacing tends to drag. Such execution problems are balanced by strong compositions, mature lyrics, and one of the best cover illustrations I’ve ever seen. An inviting debut album by multi-talents, an eclectic group certain to command future attention. [Diana Pavlac, CCM, August 1983]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Singer And The Song” – 3:09
A2. “Prophets And Clowns” – 3:18
A3. “Super Heroes” – 3:11
A4. “Walk In The Spirit” – 3:11
A5. “Here I Am Again” – 3:23

Side Two
B1. “This Is The Way” – 4:03
B2. “Hope” – 3:31
B3. “I’ll Play The Fool” – 3:13
B4. “Song To The Church” – 4:13
B5. “Come All Who Labor” – 4:15
B6. “Singer And The Song (Reprise)” – 1:12

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Rooftop Records. The album track “Singer And The Song” was also released as a 7-inch single by Rooftop Records (featuring the same song on both sides).