Description
No Violence, sub-titled Early Songs, is the fourth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist James Ward, originally released on Music A.D. in 1980. Re-issued by the same label in 1983 featuring new cover artwork. The album was recorded by Steve Vaughan and Paul Massey at the Master’s Workshop in Toronto, Canada; January 1980, with James Ward, Hans Altena, and Howard Baer producing. Arranged by Ward who also wrote all the songs.
No Violence is James Ward at his raw and energetic best. From a session with Ward covering several tunes from the early album, himself. A full on funk clavinet powers through “I Wish That I Could Ask”; the title track “No Violence” is sublime and poignant, giving way to the raucous gospel number “Satisfied”.
No Violence has a sound similar to Mourning, re-interpreting some of his early material with a sharper more up-to-date jazz-rock sound. The crisp production brightens the peppy gospel grooves and soulful optimistic vibes within songs like «Moming Sun», «Consider The Lilies (Seek First The Kingdom)» and «Satisfied». Embellished here and there with skillful jazz soloing, plus some timely electric guitar flourishes (a couple of which are fairly rocking). A 1983 pressing exists, but look for the original 1980 orange cover with the crowing rooster illustration. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-violence/427233754)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Morning Sun” – 3:00
A2. “Consider The Lilies (Seek First The Kingdom)” – 4:27
A3. “I Wish That I Could Ask” – 3:53
A4. “All You Who Roam” – 3:56
Side Two
B1. “Meditate On These Things”
B2. “Creation”
B3. “No Violence (Isaiah 53)”
B4. “Satisfied”
B5. “O Father”
Note: Songbook available from Music A.D. The album was Digitally Remastered in 2009 and re-issued on CD.
CREDITS. Produced by James Ward, Hans Altena and Howard Baer. Recorded at the Master’s Workshop Studio in Toronto, January 1980. Engineered by Steve Vaughan and Paul Massey. Arranged by James Ward. All songs written by James Ward. Cover Design by Nathaniel Belz. Photo by Andrew Belz. Illustration by John De Haan. This recording may be copied for private use only. Not available in stores; may be ordered from Music A.D. Records. Songbook also available.
Musicians: James Ward (lead and backup vocals, acoustic and electric piano, clavinet), Margaret Pleasant (lead and backup vocals), Cam Shearer (organ, synthesizer, percussion), Cary DeNigris (acoustic and electric guitar), Paul Loranger (bass), John Dell (drums, percussion, backup vocals on track A4).
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