Description
I’ve Got a Reason is the sole studio album by the American country-rock combo The Richie Furay Band, released on Asylum Records in 1976, distributed by WEA Records, a Warner Communications Company. (Re-issued by Myrrh Records in 1981 featuring new cover artwork.) The album was recorded and mixed by Bill Schnee at Producers Workshop in Hollywood, California; with Schnee and Michael Omartian producing. All songs written by Richie Furay, except “Look At The Sun”, “Starlight”, “Gettin’ Through”, and “Over And Over Again”, co-written with band member Tom Stipe. Lettering by Rick Griffin.
The Richie Furay Band was fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco fame, backed by keyboardist Tom Stipe formerly of Country Faith and Wing & A Prayer, and a rhythm section consisting of Jay Truax on bass and John Mehler on drums – a.k.a. the rhythm section of Love Song. (Following the breakup of Love Song in 1974, three of the members – guitarist Tommy Coomes, bassist Jay Truax and drummer John Mehler – formed Wing & A Prayer together with keyboardist Tom Stipe and legendary pedal steel player Al Perkins. Wing & A Prayer never recorded an album but two of their songs – “Old Gray Ford” and “Jesus Is Standing Here” – were featured on the Maranatha! 4 multi-artist compilation released in 1974.)
I’VE GOT A REASON – The Richie Furay Band – Asylum 7E-1067 – Producers: Bill Schnee, Michael Omartian – List: 6.98
With a track record that includes such runaway winners as Buffalo Springfield, Poco and the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, Richie Furay is definitely ready for this initial solo effort. Long a favorite in the country-rock genre, Furay takes a step in a new direction with this offering – not so much in his material, it’s still as pleasant as ever, it’s the production. Furay has enlisted the services of Bill Schnee and Michael Omartian for this album and the resulting sound is one of clean professionalism that manages to retain Richie’s casual warmth. Cross-over potential runs rampant, with strong shots at the progressive C&W, FM and AM/pop markets. «Look At The Sun» is a natural for pop play, featuring the clean string arrangements of newcomer David Diggs. [Cash Box, July 24, 1976 (Album Reviews section)]
It was a real pleasure to spin this record again after a bit of a hiatus from the turntable. It’s hard to believe that this album was originally released (on Asylum) five years ago because, in many respects, it blows away most Christian albums released today.
After making rock’n’roll history as a member of Buffalo Springfield, Poco and, later, the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, Riche turned his life over to Christ. ‘I’ve Got A Reason’ was his first attempt at expressing his faith musically while still signed to a secular label. This tightrope between spiritual integrity and secular commercial success (the two are often mutually exclusive) resulted in some songs with fairly obtuse lyrics (all written by Richie, with four co-written by Tom Stipe). Yet despite this potential liability, these time-tested songs remain incredibly compelling.
Rock, country-rock and even a reggae tune provide a varied but solid setting for the tunes. The music is a real treat, in fact, especially considering that platinum producers Bill Schnee and Michael Omartian share the credits. Furay’s band included former Love Song members John Mehler, Jay Truax and Tom Stipe. They were joined by studio players like Al Perkins, Steve Cropper (who currently strums for the Blues Brothers), Al MacDougall and Don Gerber.
(Best cuts: Take your pick.) [John W. Styll, CCM (What’s New), July 1981]
Buffalo Springfield and Poco graduate teamed up with Love Song members Jay Truax, John Mehler and Tom Stipe, as well as producer Michael Omartian for this mainstream label offering. Doesn’t really sound like either of his former bands, though the country rock angle of the whole ‘70s Jesus music thing shines through loud and clear. Happy kind of sound throughout with some slide guitar and Eagles-ish rockers, as well as orchestrated ballads and pop moves. Furay’s subsequent solo albums leaned more and more toward the latter. Comes all together on the epic 7-minute «Over And Over Again». [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
In the seventies, Richie Furay stopped running and finally found spiritual rest when he became a Christian. Career-wise, he’d helped shape the sound of country rock with his band Poco and then formed the supergroup The Southern Hillman Furay Band which, despite its musician pedigree, failed to hit the commercial big time. Signing as a solo act with Asylum Records, the newly saved Furay gathered together a set of top Christian musicians and formed his own band. The feel of his new faith influences all the songs on this 1976 album and comes through particularly strongly on the yearning title cut and the excellent «Mighty Maker». The brooding opener «Look At The Sun» catches the great vibe as Furay’s guitar and vocals are augmented by some excellent keyboard work from Tom Stipe. These are catchy, well constructed songs and Furay is in fine voice. From the autobiographical «We’ll See» to the country romp of «Getting Through», this still sounds great 35 years later. Guest appearances from Al Perkins, Steve Cropper and Michael Omartian only add to the quality. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, March 2010]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Look At The Sun” – 5:07
A2. “We’ll See” – 3:02
A3. “Starlight” – 3:39
A4. “Gettin’ Through” – 2:59
A5. “I’ve Got A Reason” – 4:07
Side Two
B1. “Mighty Maker” – 3:54
B2. “You’re The One I Love” – 3:40
B3. “Still Rolling Stones” – 3:54
B4. “Over And Over Again” – 7:09
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Asylum Records. Re-issued by Myrrh Records in 1981 featuring new cover artwork. Re-issued on CD by Wounded Bird Records in 2003.
The Richie Furay Band: (L-R) Jay Truax, John Mehler, Tom Stipe, Richie Fuary.
An advertisement for The Richie Furay Band’s I’ve Got a Reason was featured in the July 24, 1976 issue of Cash Box Magazine.
The Richie Furay Band Live in Concert at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ, 28. august 1976. Featuring Richie Furay (vocals, guitar), Bob Wall (lead guitar), David Diggs (organ), Tom Stipe (keyboards), Jay Truax (bass), John Mehler (drums), Alex MacDougall (percussion).
Richie Furay – I’ve Got a Reason + Dance a Little Light + I Still Have Dreams, 2017 CD re-issue
Here’s a lovely re-issue that I have been waiting on for over twenty years!
Around 1980 I was a member of the Word Record Club. It was a Christian record club and I was drawn to the Richie Furay record I’ve Got A Reason. I was a Neil Young fan by then but not very aware Buffalo Springfield or Furay’s place rock history.
I got fascinated by Furay, a rock star who became a Church pastor. It took a few years but I eventually started investigating Furay’s career. I got my hands on the two Souther Hillman Furay Band records that he did with songwriter JD Souther and one of the founders of the Byrds, Chris Hillman. Then there was Poco, the band Furay formed after Buffalo Springfield. Then there was Buffalo Springfield itself!
Over the last twenty years Furay has come out of his Church pulpit to make a few records. There have been a few that have been very upfront in their Christian content. Then there are The Heartbeat Of Love and 2015’s Hand In Hand, Best of all 2007’s live record Alive blended his entire career in one stunning concert.
Of everything Richie Furay has done however, there is a trilogy of records that he recorded for David Geffen’s Asylum label in the late 70s – I’ve Got A Reason, Dance A Little Light and I Still Have Dreams – that I think are the best three records he was ever involved in.
Furay promised David Geffen that he would not preach in his music. He doesn’t. Yet, at least on the first two of these records there is a underlay of faith. The songs are strong and the arrangements creative. The songs are as good as Furay ever wrote.
Being Richie Furay these records are littered with big names, Al Perkins, Waddy Wachtel and two Eagles, who were formerly Poco, Randy Meisner and Timothy B Schmit. David Cassidy even does backing vocals!
Over the years I picked up the vinyl versions and was always astounded that an artist of Furay’s status had not had these records re-issued. Finally… I was a happy boy on Christmas Day when Santa delivered the Remastered two CD set that has all three of the Asylum records on. [Steve Stockman, Soul Surmise, 29/01/2018]
CREDITS. Produced by Bill Schnee and Michael Omartian. Engineered and mixed by Bill Schnee. Recorded and mixed at Producers Workshop, Hollywood, CA. Assistant Engineer: Rick Hart. Additional Recording: Davlen Studios, Universal City, CA, and MartinSound, Alhambra, CA. Mastered by Doug Sax at the Mastering Lab. Strings on track A3 and B1 arranged by Michael Omartian. Strings on track A1 and A5 arranged by David Diggs. All songs written by Richie Furay, except track A1, A3, A4, and B4, co-written with Tom Stipe. Front Cover Photo by Bob Seidmann. Back Cover Photo by Mary Ellen Mark. Art Direction by Glen Christensen. Design by Anne Garner. Lettering by Rick Griffin.
Musicians: The Richie Furay Band – Richie Furay (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Tom Stipe (Keyboards, Background Vocals), Jay Truax (Bass, Background Vocals), John Mehler (Drums). Additional Musicians: Michael Omartian (Keyboards, Percussion, Background Vocals), Al Perkins (Guitar), Steve Cropper (Guitar), Alex MacDougall (Percussion), Don Gerber (Banjo), Bill Schnee (Handclaps). Background Vocals: Stormie Omartian, Ann White, Myrna Matthews, Carolyn Willis.
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