The Regathering

Description

The Regathering is an album by the American singer and songwriter John Michael Talbot of Mason Proffit fame, released on Sparrow Records in 1988. The album was produced by John Rosasco with assistance from Phil Perkins and John Michael Talbot. Orchestrated and choir arrangements by Rosasco with additional music preparation and additional orchestrational assistance by Leland Sklar. The album features The National Philharmonic Orchestra of London conducted by John Coleman, The Ambrosian Singers conducted by John McCarthy, with Sidney Sax as concert master. As well featuring John Michael Talbot on guitars, Leland Sklar on bass, Alex Acuña on percussion, and Missy McGinty on additional backing vocals.

‘The Regathering’ ranks alongside Sparrow’s re-recording of ‘The Messiah’ as the most ambitious project the label has yet attempted. It is a call to Christians of every denomination to join in the effort to reunite the modern day church. Talbot uses as his Scriptural parallel the dispersion and regathering of the Jewish nation in the Old Testament. Never before has Talbot so seamlessly integrated his folk and rock heritage with the impressionistic classical stylings of his recent recordings. He is ably assisted by arranger/orchestrator John Rosasco, the acclaimed Ambrosian Singers, and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of London.

The all-digital recording ensures a smooth sonic canvas on which Talbot paints a vibrant portrait of the Church, both ancient and modern. «One Faith» begins the progam. As with many recent Talbot compositions, the song opens with a lone classic guitar being plucked, then layer upon layer of instruments is added. The orchestra explodes, driving home the point that we are, indeed, all one in Christ. «Build Up» features an atonal harmonic structure and complex rhythms which Talbot uses as an analogy for God bringing order to chaos. Talbot introduces musical themes here which are heard throughout the record. Flutes, English horns and a plucked harp evoke peaceful images of harmony within oneself and with nature on «Say to the Prisoner».

«See My Servant» introduces side two with a simple guitar and string arrangement, highlighting the ultimate irony of Jesus’ triumph through His sacrifice on the cross. The following three selections – «Lord Have Mercy», «Glory to God», and «Holy, Holy, Holy» – are, in one form or another, fairly standard liturgical elements of many denominations. Don’t let that make you nervous! The Talbot touch, whether the choral arrangement on «Lord Have Mercy» or the chant-like tone of «Holy, Holy, Holy», makes them unique.

The concluding tracks, «Lamb of God» and «All Who Are Thirsty», return to the more intimate settings of the record’s opening compositions. «Lamb of God» stays with the feel of a traditional chant. Talbot uses a dissonant chord on the word “sin” as an audible cue to our fallen nature. «All Who Are Thirsty» begins with cello, oboe and acoustic guitar, but does not build, as one might expect, to an artificially dramatic climax. Rather, the record ends on an unresolved chord, because, as Talbot notes, “our unity is not complete.” This album may provoke many Christians to examine the issue of unity, and where they stand with their brothers and sisters. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, April 1988]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-regathering/724926611)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “One Faith” – 4:24
A2. “Build Up” – 4:10
A3. “Say To The Prisoner” – 2:41
A4. “Keep Silence” – 4:11
A5. “For Zion’s Sake” – 5:08

Side Two
B1. “See My Servant” – 4:14
B2. “Lord Have Mercy” – 3:03
B3. “Glory To God” – 4:22
B4. “Holy, Holy, Holy” – 3:06
B5. “Lamb Of God” – 2:32
B6. “All Who Are Thirsty” – 3:58

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Sparrow Records.