Description
Bow & Arrow is the solo debut album by the American singer, songwriter, and session drummer John Mehler of Love Song fame, released on A&S Records in August 1982, a sub-label of Maranatha! Music, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was recorded and mixed by John Vestman at his Trianon Recording Studio in Long Beach, California; with John Mehler producing. All songs co-written by John Mehler and Bill Batstone except track B1 co-written by Batstone, Mehler, as well as Mehler’s wife, track B4 written by Mehler only, as well as track B2, a cover of the Christmas classic “Little Drummer Boy”. (Trivia: The title track was actually first featured on Back to the Rock, a multi-artist compilation released on A&S Records in 1981.)
Bow & Arrow is essentially the work of a power trio featuring Randy Mitchell on guitar and a rhythm section consisting of Bill Batstone on bass and John Mehler on drums (as well as vocals), with Phil Keaggy and Wayne Brasel sitting in on lead guitar. Unfortunately the album received very limited promotional and radio support as it was around this time that Maranatha! Music decided to no longer do artist oriented releases and focus exclusively on worship and children’s albums. (Trivia: Just prior to the formation of Love Song, John Mehler actually did put together a power trio with Chuck Fraher and Love Song bassist Jay Truax called Spirit of Creation. This trio opened rock shows for some of the biggest groups of the day, like Three Dog Night, Canned Heat, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Spirit, and The Grateful Dead.)
Got this record when it came out. Still have it on vinyl! It was ahead of its time musically for Christian music. It sounded secular, which was a no-no in Christendom back then. Times have truly changed, and this record stands the test of time. [Doug Pinnick of King’s X]
John Mehler combines his high, smooth singing, steady drumming, and crew of top musicians for a solid bar-rage of rock framed in praise lyrics and instrumental settings. Phil Keaggy‘s rolling lead guitar strums add to «His Love For You», odd studio effects and hot guitars drive «Bow & Arrow» and Mehler’s drums highlight a somber «Little Drummer Boy» instrumental. [Billboard Magazine, September 4, 1982]
John Mehler’s musical contributions have graced the “fine print” of more Christian albums than just about anyone I can think of. As a member of Love Song (one of ccm’s foundational bands), his distinct style as a drummer was to have as dramatic an influence on the sound of many early Christian bands as Ringo Starr did on the British bands that followed in the wake of the Beatles. As a session player on countless records, John brings to the drums a unique musicality thoroughly individual yet always complementary to the sound of the artists he’s accompanying.
So much for history. Here begins a new chapter in Mehler’s musical ministry, his first album as an artist in his own write (as John Lennon would say), called ‘Bow and Arrow’ (A&S AS0003). The record was self-produced by Mehler and co-written with bass player Bill Batstone. Unfortunately at the time of this writing those are all the credits I have, so let me just tell you this album sounds great! And you who played guitars and electric violin and you who engineered and mixed, be flattered!
As for more of a description, the music sounds like sort of a cross between The Police and Phil Keaggy. Which brings up a point too obvious to ignore: John’s voice sounds remarkably like Keaggy’s. Whether that is intentional or genetic I have no idea. However, if that doesn’t bother you (why should it?), let it be known: This record is innovative and fun, and John Mehler makes sure the glory goes back to the one who freely gave it. [Thom Granger, CCM, September 1982]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Trust In The Lord” – 3:57
A2. “Just Like You” – 2:55
A3. “His Love For You” – 5:19
A4. “Bow And Arrow” – 3:39
A5. “Be Strong In The Lord” – 5:55
Side Two
B1. “Alright” – 4:08
B2. “Little Drummer Boy” – 4:00
B3. “The Seventh Seal” – 2:32
B4. “My Strength” – 4:10
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Maranatha! Music. Later re-issued on CD. “Trust In The Lord” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single featuring the mono version on the flip-side.
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