Description
Hill Climbing for Beginners is the debut album by the British folk-rock group Water Into Wine Band, released in the UK on Myrrh Gold in 1973, a division of Word. (It was the fifth album released on Word UK’s Myrrh Gold imprint, featuring catalog number MYR 1004.) The album was recorded by Nic Kinsey and Mike Marsh at Livingston Studios in New Barnet, England; with Bobbie Graham producing. Mastered by John Wadley at EMI Studios Abbey Road in London, England.
Water Into Wine Band features Bill Thorp, Ray Wright, Pete McMunn, and Trevor Sandford (with Bobbie Graham sitting in on drums and percussion on this recording).
The album was re-recorded for the US market the following year and released by Myrrh Records, featuring new cover artwork. The new version of the album was recorded by Gerry Kitchingham at R.G. Jones and Wessex Studios in London, England; with John Pantry producing. String and wind arrangements by Bill Thorp. Session drummer Mike Wade replaced Bobbie Graham who played drums on the original version of the album.
Perhaps the best album issued by Myrrh in the ‘70s. And I’m not referring to the neutered and de-clawed version that ended up being released in the US. Apparently the original UK issue was deemed too rough-edged for the American market, hence the band had to re-enter the studio to produce the less folky, more homogenized version. How typical – these executive types clearly didn’t realize what a work of art they had on their hands. If you’ve never heard the original you’ll undoubtedly still enjoy the later pressing – but once you’ve heard this one, listening to the other is like following up filet mignon with chopped steak. Here the acoustic guitars are given prominence over electric (save for the rough fuzz guitar on the closer «I Have Seen The Lord»). The percussion is more folky and innovative, with such instruments as bongos, tympani, and gong-like cymbals. The songs are all the same and are performed in the same order, but there’s more of a raw hands-off interpretation – away from rock, more towards folk. For those not familiar with either version, suffice it to say it’s a progressive folk masterpiece which reaches its apex on the stunning mysterious 11-minute «Song Of The Cross» where haunting harmonies, brilliant violin work, and jamming acoustic guitars mix magically. The whole work is very unique and refreshing. Much better cover art, too (a brown-tinted photo of the guys in a field beside a fence). I kid you not – this version is infinitely superior in every way. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Hill Climbing For Beginners, CD re-issue
And now for something quite unique. Even the veteren Larry Norman, notorious for ever releasing old songs in “new” wine skins, cannot lay claim to have released a double CD featuring TWO different recordings of the same album. That honour has fallen to his British contemporaries, the legendary, unplugged and much lamented Water Into Wine Band. Being one of a mere handful of vinyl recordings of early Jesus Music to resurface on CD is of itself an indicator of something pretty special. Indeed, the 1973 version is a joy to listen to. The three lads on guitars and vocals, abetted by violinist Bill Thorpe, ably ran through their gig list of self-penned humourous melancholy – from the classic «Stranger In The World» to the typesetter’s nightmare of «I Used To Be Blind (But Now I’m Short-Sighted)». The album pleased their many fans, but not their accountants. Then fame beckoned the lads to tour America but first they had to placate Word UK’s parent company. The bigwigs in Texas were less than happy with the album’s production and in 1974 John Pantry was hired to produce a “sharper” recording. Having compared the pair I reckon he came up with the goods. The delightfully rambling clutter of the original metamorphosed into something far more FM radio friendly, though, wisely, the band’s original arrangements were retained. Ironically, substantive rumours in recent years spoke of both versions changing hands for tidy sums across the Atlantic. Don’t view this double CD release as simply a case study for student producers. Here, twice over, is timeless proof that the dawn of CCM was nothing less than brilliant. [Chris Tozer, Cross Rhythms, July 2002]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/hill-climbing-for-beginners-remastered/895630929)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Stranger In The World” – 4:22
A2. “I Used To Be Blind (But Now I’m Short Sighted)” – 5:26
A3. “Jesus, I’ve Been Walking” – 6:45
A4. “Hill Climbing For Beginners” – 3:29
Side Two
B1. “The Start Of A Run” – 3:35
B2. “Song Of The Cross” – 11:00
B3. “I Have Seen The Lord” – 4:41
Note: Re-issued as a double CD by Kissing Spell in 2001, with one CD featuring the original UK version of the album and another disc featuring the US version. The UK version was also re-issued on vinyl LP by Spiral Groove in 2012.
Cover Artwork, UK version, 1973
Cover Artwork, US version, 1974
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