David Edwards – The Collected Archives

Description

The Collected Archives is a double disc compilation album by the American singer and songwriter David Edwards of Ron Salsbury & The J.C. Power Outlet fame, independently released on Blind Records in 2001.

In the first half of the 1970s David Edwards was a member of Ron Salsbury & The J.C. Power Outlet, one of the first rock & roll bands signed to Myrrh Records. In the late ’70s David Edwards actually was working on a solo album tentatively to be released on Larry Norman‘s Solid Rock Records, though no record ever materialised. (Though fellow J.C. Power Outlet members John Pantano and Ron Salsbury did release an album entitled Hit the Switch on Solid Rock as the duo Pantano Salsbury.)

This package contains David’s first two releases plus eleven bonus tracks, thirty four songs all told. His debut album was released in 1981 and was followed by his sophomore release, Get the Picture in 1983. This was just when CCM was actually starting to get adventurous. Daniel Amos was releasing the Alarma Chronicles and Exit Records was making an impact with such artists such as Vector, Charlie Peacock and the 77’s. Listening to these songs again twenty years later it is interesting remembering the excitement that I felt upon first hearing them. That feeling is still there even now, these songs although a few of them are somewhat dated still have that energy which made these albums great to listen to in the first place. With all of the music that is available now in the CCM marketplace it is difficult to explain to someone who wasn’t there just how important these recording were at the time of their release. These albums were and are for that matter first rate butt kicking rock n roll.

All told Edwards released three albums back in the day, the third was a concept album whose songs were based on classic literature and featured a string ensemble. After that, he basically disappeared from the scene reappearing a few years ago with a Christmas album. If early eighties new wave rock is your thing than by all means pick this package up. Even if it isn’t pick it up anyway, there is too little sense of history in the Christian rock market. Forget about the newest 13 year old girl singer for a minute and take a trip into the past, it is well worth the effort. Thanks for the memories, now how about something new to teach these young whipper snappers how it’s done. [Chris MacIntosh, The Phantom Tollbooth, 4/16/2003]

In 1981, David Edwards’ self-titled debut album launched him onto the Christian scene with a pile of fabulously produced post punk power pop and an equally fabulous skinny tie. His first album promised a great deal and showed that Edwards was skilled at creating short, snappy, energetic songs that drew as much on ’60s garage influences as it did from the new wave scene. Most of the songs on the debut album come in under three minutes long and it’s his brevity that somehow adds to the power of songs like «Best Friend», «Rather Be Wrong» and «Nagging Optimism». Even his cover of Paul Revere & The Raiders’ «Kicks» seems to fit in well here with its observations about the emptiness of life. The strength lyrically is that Edwards uses the songs to really say something. «Disposable Love» and «The Tongue Is A Fire» are both songs with plenty to say about contemporary culture and more than 25 years later, still speak powerfully. His critique of the conversion of Bob Dylan on «Commercial Suicide» is insightful and timely whilst my lasting memory of Edwards’ song «Not Going To Fall Away» is his duet with Sheila Walsh at Greenbelt. As well as the ‘David Edwards’ album, the first CD of this compilation, released by David himself in 2001, includes demos and a live recording of «The Feeling Part» recorded at the event. Disc two features his second album Get The Picture from 1983. As listeners will hear, two years made a huge difference as Edwards’ sound smoothed out losing much of its rock ‘n’ roll bite and consequently feeling less incisive. There are still flashes of brilliance though on «Watch Over Your Heart» and «(I Love It When You) Put Me Down» but even here there are synth sounds, sax and big ’80s drums which haven’t travelled well into the 21st century. Like disc one, the second CD also contains demos from the era to complete the package. David now writes the occasional book but as this compilation shows, he made a brief but significant contribution to CCM history. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, August 2008]

Finally released in July 2002, David managed to (successfully) reissue his first two albums on CD. I’ll admit to being somewhat anxious to hear these again. After all, these two albums were a big part of my life, and songs like «The Getaway», «Not Going To Fall Away», and «A Fool’s Condition» were big influences on my own songwriting. Could they stand the hardest test of all – nostalgia? In a word yes. It took me back in time, with better sound quality – except for one little flanged glitch about 10 seconds in on «Anything But Love». Still, considering the self destructive nature of recording tape from the 70’s and 80’s the fact that this sounds as good as it does is amazing. I guess quality really does last.

The first disc holds up pretty well, and features some great new wave influenced tunes. However this is more than just skinny tie Elvis Costello-ish pop, it’s got some depth. It’s interesting what twenty years will do one’s tastes. «Kicks» which I really liked before, doesn’t work so well anymore. But «Commercial Suicide» which was a tune I used to skip over, really sounds great. Sadly I still can’t make myself like «Song Of Wholeness». Don’t know why, I just don’t. The bonus songs are great snapshots. My favourite being the disco version of «Tongue Is A Fire». I was listening to this cranked on headphones the first time, and when the guitar solo kicked in, it scared the crap out of me it was mixed in so loud. That’s really funny.

The second disc, is still my favourite. Amazing to see what two years will do to an artist’s development. The sound is more stripped down, and has a rougher feel. «Someone to Trust» is one of the best rock ballads I’ve ever heard. I wore out my original vinyl and cassette copies. David loaded this one with bonus stuff too (whoops, I just jumped. That danged disco version is playing right now, and the guitar solo just came on. It really is hilarious, who said the guitar can’t be funny? This is the best as in worst solo since the Cover of the Rolling Stone by Dr. Hook) his version of «Friend of Old» is better than Randy Stonehill‘s.

All in all well worth the wait.

Hats off to Myrrh for taking a chance on this guy the first time, and kudos to Word for providing the master tapes for an independent release. Can I get an Amen? [Jevon, Banophernalia, July 19, 2002]

2CD tracklist:

Disc One

David Edwards:
1-01. Best Friend – 2:15
1-02. Rather Be Wrong – 2:29
1-03. Commercial Suicide – 4:21
1-04. Nagging Optimism – 2:41
1-05. Hollywood High – 2:57
1-06. The Getaway – 3:28
1-07. Kicks – 2:47
1-08. Disposable Love – 2:27
1-09. The Tongue Is A Fire – 3:24
1-10. Don’t Ever Say – 3:19
1-11. Not Going To Fall Away – 2:52
1-12. Song Of Wholeness – 3:28
Bonus Tracks:
1-13. Part Of Yesterday (Unmixed Demo) – 3:54
1-14. You Got Me Now (Unmixed Demo) – 3:58
1-15. Disposable Love (Unmixed Rough Track) – 2:31
1-16. Nagging Optimism (Unmixed Rough Track) – 2:45
1-17. Tongue Is A Fire (Unmixed Disco Version) – 3:59
1-18. The Feeling Part (Live At Greenbelt) – 3:00
1-19. Commercial Suicide (Live At Calvary Chapel) – 4:35

Disc Two

Get The Picture:
2-01. Anything But Love – 3:37
2-02. Someone To Trust – 3:14
2-03. The Feeling Part – 4:55
2-04. Watch Over Your Heart – 3:21
2-05. How Could You Throw It All Away? – 4:38
2-06. Break The Big One – 3:41
2-07. (I Love It When You) Put Me Down – 3:09
2-08. All I Want – 3:13
2-09. True Confession – 2:52
2-10. Girls Like You – 2:22
2-11. A Fool’s Condition – 5:23
Bonus Tracks:
2-12. Befriended (2-Track Demo) – 3:21
2-13. Hope Lies Still (2-Track Demo) – 3:30
2-14. Friend Of Old (Demo) – 4:28
2-15. By The Way Of The Sea (A “New” Christmas Song) – 5:20