Maranatha Marathon

Description

Maranatha Marathon is the fifth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Honeytree (a.k.a. Nancy Henigbaum), released on Myrrh Records in 1979, a division of Word. The album was recorded and mixed by Jack Joseph Puig at Martinsound Studios in Alhambra, California; with Jim Stipech producing and arranging.

MARANATHA MARATHON – HONEYTREE – Myrrh MSB 6629 (Word)

As one of the leaders in Jesus music, Honeytree has carved a special niche for herself in the world of contemporary Christian music. Her folk style and clear voice make this an enjoyable LP. «Live For Jesus», «Righteous Rock And Roll», «Do You Love Me» and the title cut are prime selections along with the praise song «Psalm 57». An occasional steel guitar adds a sweet country flavor. [Record World (Gospel Album Picks), October 27, 1979]

Maranatha Marathon isn’t nearly as good as Evergreen or The Melodies In Me, but it’s still more or less classic Honeytree. The country angle is stronger than in the past, surfacing on the title track, «The Pilgrim» and «Bethel», the latter written by Oreon. Also a bit of string orchestration to deal with that pushes some songs toward an adult contemporary format, especially the ballads «Live For Jesus» and «Father Lift Me Up». «Righteous Rock And Roll» has some boogie slide guitar, but doesn’t quite live up to its promising title. There’s a fun silly tuba-accompanied children’s ditty about the Rapture called «That’s When We Learn To Fly» (which as I recall evoked a horribly sour facial expression from an unbeliever in my college dormitory). You can’t help but love a line like “when do all the people stop all their walking and fly like a flock of birds?” Best track is a beautiful full-blown orchestral interpretation of «Psalm 57». Still a decent record but the newcomer should check out the earlier LPs first. Her subsequent ‘80s albums have more of an easy Christian radio sound. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/maranatha-marathon/1587283281)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Maranatha Marathon”
A2. “The Pilgrim”
A3. “Live For Jesus”
A4. “That’s When We Learn To Fly”
A5. “Father Lift Me Up”

Side Two
B1. “Righteous Rock And Roll”
B2. “Psalm 57”
B3. “Bethel”
B4. “Go To Church”
B5. “Do You Love Me”

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

---

---

---

CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Jim Stipech. Recorded by Rick Donaldson. Engineered and Mixed by Jack Joseph Puig. Recorded at Soundcastle Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA. Engineered and mixed at Martinsound Studios, Alhambra, CA. Mastered by Kevin Gray at Location Recording Studios, Burbank, CA. Executive-Producer: Buddy Huey.

Musicians: Honeytree (Lead Vocals, Guitar on track B3), Richard Souther (Keyboards on track A1), Frank Morocco (Musette on track B3, Accordion on track B5), John Phillips (Clarinet – tracks: A3, A4, B5; Bass Flute on track A3, Flute – tracks: A4, B5; Alto Flute on track B5, Alto Saxophone on track B4), Darrel Gardner (French Horn – tracks: A4, A5, Trumpet on track A5, Flugelhorn on track A5), Charlie Warren (Tuba on track A4), Dorothy Remsen (Harp – tracks: A5, B2, B5), Peter York (Guitar – tracks: A1, A3, A4, A5), Randy Mitchell (Guitar on track A1, Slide Guitar on track B1), Jim Stipech (Guitar on track A2, Tambourine on track B1, Piano – tracks: B2, B5), Al Perkins (Steel Guitar – tracks: A2, B3), Dennis Kovarik (Bass on track A1), Herbie Melton (Bass on track A1), Bob Stone (Double Bass – tracks: B1, B2), Jack Kelly (Drums on track A1, Percussion on track B5), Dale Anderson (Percussion – tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5). Backing Vocals: Bob Bennett (tracks: A2, A3), Marjorie Clifford (tracks: A2, A3), Michele Pillar (tracks: A2, A3), Jim Stipech (tracks: A3, B4), Art Aitken (track B4), Bruce Herring (track B4), David Lyon (track B4), Maranatha Christian Academy of Calvary Chapel (track A4), Peter Jacobs (track A4).