Description
Broken Chains is the solo debut album by the British singer and songwriter Malcolm Wild of Malcolm & Alwyn fame, released in the UK on Grapevine Records in 1979 (Phonographic Copyright by Pilgrim Records) and on Maranatha! Music in the US the following year. The album was recorded in both the UK (at The Old Smithy Recording Studio in England) and in the US (at Maranatha! Studios in Santa Ana, California), with John Pac of Parchment fame and Malcolm Wild producing.
Former bandmate Alwyn Wall is featured on vocals and acoustic guitar on his own song “Morning Star”, with Norman Barratt sitting in on electric guitar. The album closes with the Henry Cutrona (Gentle Faith) ballad “The Prize” which also appears on Darrell Mansfield’s Higher Power.
The Malcolm half of Malcolm & Alwyn leaves behind the sound of the duo’s prior recordings for this orchestrated pop-rock offering. A few George Harrison impressions are left here and there, especially the opening «When You Call» with its slide guitar melody. Heavily doctored up with strings at times, but still has plenty of Vibrant rock energy on «Pride (Before A Fall)» and the title track. Some catchy tunes in here, including «Morning Star» (which enlists the aid of his old chum Alwyn), the Nilsson-esque «You’re The Reason» and the bitter-sweet ballad «Dreams» (for which Malcolm resurrects his auto-harp). Closes with the Henry Cutrona ballad «The Prize» which also appears on Darrell Mansfield’s Higher Power. The album credits list assistance from Cutrona and Mansfield, as well as Parchment, Norman Barratt, John Mehler and John Wickham. Released in the US on the Maranatha label (MM0069A) [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
It took some time for Maranatha to release this import LP, but that doesn’t account for its throw-back sound born of inadequate arrangements. Musically, Wild has produced a circa late-sixties folk-rock LP with shades of Harry Nilsson and the Beatles. Lyrically, the album occasionally communicate, especially on the slower tunes tinged with slight country flavors. (Best cut: “Love Is You,” “The Prize”) [CCM, September 1980]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/broken-chains/1334803364)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “When You Call” – 3:45
A2. “Morning Star” – 3:05
A3. “Broken Chains” – 4:53
A4. “Was It You My Love?” – 3:50
A5. “Dreams” – 3:49
Side Two
B1. “Pride (Before A Fall)” – 3:44
B2. “The Best Is You” – 3:04
B3. “You’re The Reason” – 3:45
B4. “Love Is You” – 3:14
B5. “The Prize”- 3:32
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music.
CREDITS. Co-produced by John Pac and Malcolm Wild. Recorded at Maranatha! Studio in the US and at The Old Smithy Recording Studio, UK. Mixed at The Old Smithy Recording Studio. Engineered by Chris Taylor (tracks: A1, A3, A5, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5) and Colin Owen (tracks: A2, A4). Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios, Los Angeles, US. String arrangements by Colin Owen. Basic track arrangement assistance by Henry Cutrona and Don Gerber (track A4).
Musicians: Malcolm Wild (Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Autoharp), Rick Godsall (Piano, Electric Piano), Marty Goetz (Piano, Electric Piano), Colin Owen (Synthesizer, Organ, Bass), Alwyn Wall (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, track A2), Don Gerber (Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Banjo), Richard Cimino (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar), Steve Kara (Slide Guitar, Electric Guitar), Mike Minardi (Electric Guitar), John Wickham (Electric Guitar), Norman Barratt (Electric Guitar), Henry Cutrona (Bass), Steve Kara (Bass), John Spurling (Bass), Stan Linder (Bass), Pete Thompson (Drums, Electronic Drums – Syndrum), Gerry Freeman (Drums), John Mehler (Drums), Greg Gustafson (Drums). Darrell Mansfield (Harmonica), Hugh Thomas (Saxophone), Jeff Crandle (Accordion – Squeeze Box). Backing Vocals: John Pac, Sue McClellan.
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