Description
Spirit of St. Lewis is the debut solo album by the American singer and songwriter Lewis McVay of Mustard Seed Faith fame, released on Maranatha! Music in July 1978. The album was recorded by Jonathan David Brown at United Western Studios and the Soundcastle in Hollywood, and at Maranatha! Studios (a.k.a. Whitefield Studios) in Santa Ana, California; with Britain’s John Pantry producing. Art direction by Ric Griffin and artwork by Kernie Erickson. All songs written by Lewis McVay.
Featuring musicians like Al Perkins, Fred Field, and Dennis Holt.
Standard late-’70s Maranatha fare from former Mustard Seed Faith member gone solo. Much more pop-oriented that MSF, sometimes even stepping into easy listening. When he does rock, it’s usually in an easygoing way, as on «Time» and «How Long?». A few jazz moves, smooth and breezy on «Any Day», slow and funky with sax on «Somebody», soft-n-easy on «To Be With You». Also some country edges with barnyard sounds, a vocalized moaning hound-dog and Fred Field fiddle. Lewis provides lead vocals and acoustic guitar, assisted by several others, including some soulful backup singers. Features ten of Lewis’ songs. Produced by John Pantry. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
The cover photo and insert for Spirit of Saint Lewis was take at the San Diego Aerospace Museum in 1978. I was prompted to go do the photo shoot for this record before we even started the project, the record company didn’t want to shoot it yet so I just used my own money and got a photographer to come with me so I could do the shoot. Less than a month later the whole place burned to the ground and all was lost, except for my pictures of that plane. It was an exact replica built by the same builders as the original Spirit plane hanging in the Smithsonian. They have rebuilt the Museum and a third replica of the Charles Lindbergh plane but that plane on my record is long gone. [Lewis McVay]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Time” – 3:26
A2. “Ridin’ In The Wind” – 3:48
A3. “Any Day” – 5:28
A4. “Water” – 3:04
A5. “Somebody” – 3:52
Side Two
B1. “Lost But Not Forgotten” – 3:27
B2. “How Long?” – 4:30
B3. “Oh Lord” – 4:07
B4. “With You” – 3:15
B5. “Sit Down” – 5:40
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Available at Bandcamp: https://lewismcvay.bandcamp.com/album/sosl
Lewis McVay 1990’s interview & concert
CREDITS. Produced by John Pantry. Recorded at United Western Studios and the Soundcastle in Hollywood, and at Maranatha! Studios in Santa Ana, CA. Engineered by Jonathan David Brown. Art Direction by Ric Griffin. Art by Kernie Erickson. All songs written by Lewis McVay.
Musicians: Lewis McVay (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Handclaps), Phil Kristianson (Keyboards), John Yoakum (Saxophone, Flute), Fred Field (Mandolin, Violin), Don Gerber (Acoustic Guitar), Joe Cadrecha (Acoustic and Electric Guitars), Tony Sena (Electric Guitar), Al Perkins (Guitar), Darrell Cook (Bass), Mike Fickling (Drums), Dennis Holt (Electronic Drums), Steve Berchtold (Handclaps). Backing Vocals: Bili Thedford, Kelly Willard, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Virgil Beckham.
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