Description
Son of Dust is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Randy Matthews, released on Myrrh Records in 1973, a division of Word. (It was the 15th album released on the Myrrh label.) Also released on Word’s Myrrh Gold label in the UK the following year. The album was recorded at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Billy Ray Hearn producing. Arranged by D. Bergen White. All songs written by Randy Matthews.
On Son of Dust Matthews addresses more political, spiritual and emotional issues than what his contemporaries were willing to look at. Relationships, sin, society and the whole of life are addressed with an honesty that would not be seen very often in the CCM industry until the 1980’s. Featuring Matthew’s classic ballad “Didn’t He”.
All sweeteners were thankfully put aside for this the quintessential Matthews opus. At last Randy truly sounds like a rocker here. The vocal transformation is especially apparent, making albums one and two sound like easy listening (just listen to him let loose on the opening «Holy Band»). Guitar, piano, occasional organ, banjo, and steel successfully zero in on that quasi-Neil-Young sound, especially «Brown Eyed Woman» and «Pharaoh’s Hand». Honest lyrics, like «It Ain’t Easy» stating “wanna go to heaven but I’m scared to die”. No horns this time, although sax works its way into the gospel-rock tune «Here I Am». «Mighty Fine» and «Evacuation Day» are two more fine examples of Randy’s cordial upbeat Jesus rock style. Contains his classic ballad «Didn’t He», one of the most popular songs of the whole Jesus music scene. This also makes the third straight album where he’s not smiling on the cover – I like that. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/son-of-dust/1781930052)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Holy Band” – 3:25
A2. “The Bad Has Made It Better” – 2:45
A3. “It Ain’t Easy” – 2:42
A4. “Mighty Fine” – 2:25
A5. “Brown Eyed Woman” – 4:46
Side Two
B1. “Here I Am” – 3:22
B2. “On The Road” – 2:50
B3. “Evacuation Day” – 2:30
B4. “Didn’t He” – 5:40
B5. “Pharaoh’s Hand” – 3:17
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. A shorter version of the album track “Holy Band” (stereo + mono b/w, 2:27) was released as a 7-inch promotional single by Myrrh Records in 1974. The album was remastered by Bim Ingersoll at Rockroach Studio, and independently released on CD by Randy Matthews in 2015, on his Stowaway Music label.
Randy Matthews carries “Jesus Music” to success with Myrrh. (Billboard Magazine, June 15, 1974, p42)
CREDITS. Produced by Billy Ray Hearn. Recorded at Woodland Studios, Nashville, TN, by David McKinley and John Brandon. Engineered by Rex Collier, Rick Horton, and Tommy Semmes. Arranged by D. Bergen White. Art Direction and Photography by Bill Grine.
Musicians: Randy Matthews (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Bobby Wood (Keyboards), David Briggs (Keyboards), Rick Powell (Moog), Bill Puett (Saxophone), Lloyd Green (Steel Guitar), Robert Thompson (Banjo), Billy Sanford (Guitar), Charlie McCoy (Guitar), John Christopher (Guitar), Reggie Young (Guitar), John Williams (Bass), Tommy Cogbill (Bass), Jerry Carrigan (Drums, Percussion), Kenny Buttrey (Drums), Farrell Morris (Percussion). Vocals: Bergen White, Billy Ray Hearn, Randy Matthews, Rick Powell.
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