Description
The self-titled debut album by the American group Good News was released on Maranatha! Music in 1975. The album was recorded by Billy Taylor at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with the band producing. Arranged and conducted by band member David Diggs. According to Cornerstone Magazine the debut album from Good News was “one of the best products to come out of Maranatha! Music… a sophisticated blend of acoustic and harder rock elements, producing an excellent overall sound.” A second and final album was released in 1977, simple entitled Good News II.
In 1970 singer/songwriter and bassist Bill Batstone started his first band, Rebirth, with David Diggs and percussionist Alex MacDougall. When Rebirth ended Batstone (bass) and Diggs (drums) formed Good News with singer/songwriter Erick Nelson on piano and vocals. (The name of the group came, at least in part, from a song by Beau MacDougall, a brother of Alex MacDougall.) Later the band added Bob Carlisle (then 16 years old) on guitar and Yvonne Lewis on vocals. The band privately-funded their self-titled debut album, which Maranatha! Music purchased and released. (Carlisle actually quit the group to join Psalm 150 during the recording of the album.) All songs on the debut album were written by Erick Nelson except track A4 written by Joy Strange (of Selah, Parable, and Bob & Joy Cull fame).
Well produced light rock and ballads LP from Maranatha’s glory days. The group is identified on the cover as Yvonne Lewis, Erick Nelson, Bill Batstone and David Diggs. Also making appearances on vocals are Bob Carlisle, Chuck Girard and Eddie Espinosa. Although the moods are often slow, mellow and string orchestrated, there are also some heavier edges with exciting guitar work on «Tear Down The Walls» and the soulful Elton John-ish tracks «Good News», «Never Knew» and «Rock Of Ages». Arranged and conducted by Diggs, with keyboards (particularly piano) figuring heavily in the band’s sound. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
> iTunes ( https://music.apple.com/us/album/good-news-good-news/266872256 )
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Good News” – 4:19
A2. “Carry Me Along” – 3:42
A3. “Going Home” – 3:14
A4. “Tear Down The Walls” – 4:21
A5. “Picking Up The Pieces” – 4:01
Side Two
B1. “Never Knew” – 3:56
B2. “Follow You” – 3:03
B3. “Rock Of Ages” – 2:52
B4. “Why Must You Go” – 3:11
B5. “Jimmy” – 3:18
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music.
CREDITS. Produced by Good News. Arranged and conducted by David Diggs. Recorded at Mama Jo’s. Engineered by Billy Taylor. Art by Neal Buchanan. Photography by Scot Lockwood. Photo tinting by John Carreon. All songs written by Erick Nelson except track A4 by Joy Strange.
Musicians: Guest musicians: Anthony Dean (Elelctric Guitar on tracks A4, B1, B3), Bob Carlisle (Vocals on track A1 and A4), Chuck Girard (Vocals on B4), Eddie Espinosa (Vocals and handclaps on B3).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.