Description
House-between-two-rivers is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Becky Ugartechea, released on Maranatha! Music in 1976. The album was recorded by Jonathan David Brown at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood and at Studio 55 in Los Angeles, California; with Al Perkins producing and arranging. Mixed by Brown at Mama Jo’s. Cover artwork by Kernie Erickson. (The theme for the album cover comes from our last name, Ugartechea (U-gar-te-shea-a). Being interpreted as “House-between-two-rivers”, it brings to our minds the serenity and security found in Christ. – Becky [Note featured on the back of the record jacket])
Featuring an ace session band with Paul Harris on acoustic and electric piano (whoes keyboards have graced albums by artists like B.B. King, Nick Drake, Poco, Stephen Stills, and Dan Fogelberg), Jay Graydon on guitars, and a rhythm section consisting of Jim Fielder on bass (an original member of Blood, Sweat & Tears) and Mike Baird on drums, as well as Alex MacDougall of The Way and Daniel Amos fame on percussion. Background vocals provided by the Ward siblings Matthew and Nelly of 2nd Chapter of Acts, Jamie Owens, as well as Terry Talbot (the latter featured on the mandolin-backed country track “Simple Joy”).
Becky Ugartechea first appeared with a track on the multi-artist sampler Maranatha! 3: Rejoice in the Lord released in 1973, and was as well featured with another track on Maranatha! Six: A Family Portrait released in 1976.
Mix of light acoustic, folkrock, country, light rock and soft jazz from a gal who sounds a little like Anne Murray. Becky Ugartechea (pronounced u-gar-te-shea-a) plays acoustic guitar and writes all her own material. On the debut she’s assisted by a slew of Maranatha regulars, plus some bgvs courtesy of 2nd Chapter of Acts. Pleasant relaxing sound, lots of different instruments, no gushy strings or overproduction. «Glory And Honor» and «Never Knew How Happy» are both moody soft-rocking pieces, the latter enriched by electric guitar and swirling flute. Other noteworthy songs are «Son Of The Living God», «Simple Joy» (a mandolin-backed country melody), the torch ballad «Take All The Lonely Times», and «There Is Love» with its sleek jazz-rock groove and lustrous electric guitar solo. The album title is a translation of her last name. Scenic cover painting by Kernie Erickson. A fitting companion to early Jamie Owens, Honeytree and Karen Lafferty. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Who’s The Master” – 3:32
A2. “Never Knew How Happy” – 3:25
A3. “Son Of The Living God” – 2:52
A4. “Take All The Lonely Times” – 4:03
A5. “Driftin'” – 3:40
Side Two
B1. “Simple Joy” – 3:40
B2. “He’ll Lift You Up” – 4:15
B3. “There Is Love” – 4:12
B4. “Glory And Honor” – 3:14
B5. “Now Is The Time” – 2:50
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music.
CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Al Perkins. Recorded at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA, and at Studio 55, Los Angeles, CA. Mixed at Mama Jo’s. Engineered by Jonathan David Brown. Mastered by “Lanky” Linstrot at A.B.C. Records. Photo by Jim Benner. Art by Kernie Erickson. Executive Producer: Don Abshere.
Musicians: Becky Ugartechea (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Twelve String Acoustic Guitar on track B1), Paul Harris (Acoustic and Electric Piano), Jonathan David Brown (Organ on track B2), Jim Coile (Flute on track A2, Tenor Saxophone on track A4), Jay Graydon (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar on track A4 and B1), Al Perkins (Electric Guitar on track A1, Pedal Steel on track B1), Larry Meyers (Mandolin on track B1), Jim Fielder (Bass, Acoustic Bass on track A4), Mike Baird (Drums, Brush Box on track B1), Alex MacDougall (Percussion on track A3, A5, B2, B3). Background Vocals: Matthew Ward, Nelly Ward, Jamie Owens (tracks: A1, A3, B2), Nelly Ward and Terry Talbot (track B1), Becky Ugartechea (Second Harmony in the Do’s on track A3, Harmony Vocal on track A5, Background Vocals on track B3 and B5). Hand Claps on track A2: Al Perkins, Don Abshere, Matthew Ward, Nelly Ward, Jamie Owens.
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