Description
The self-titled and sole album by the American psych/rock band Kristyl was independently released on PRP in 1975. The album was recorded and mixed by Bob Ernspiker at Allen-Martin Productions in Louisville, Kentucky. Written and arranged by Bob Terrell and Sonny De Vore. Featuring Bob Terrell on guitar and Sonny De Vore lead guitar backed by a rhythm section consisting of David Atherton on bass and Bruce Whiteside on drums.
(Kristal wasn’t really a Christian rock band. They were more a rock band that happened to have a Christian (Sonny DeVore) in it, who happened to write half of the songs and happened to be the best lead guitar player that I’ve ever seen. Sonny played all the lead on the album he used a Morley Wa-Wa paddle. Sonny painted the album cover. The back cover incorrectly has Sonny and Bob’s picture crossed. It shows Sonny’s name in front of Bob and Bob’s mane in front of Sonny. – Terry, Sonny’s brother-in-law.)
Maybe not “Jesus music” per se, but some definite Christian influences on this scarce Kentucky private press monster, one that’s revered among collectors of the whole local basement psych phenomenon. Great lengthy dual guitar action with fuzz, wah-wah, tremolo jamming in psychy rural Southern-edged progressive context, balancing both heavy and soft melodic passages. Vocals are on the amateurish end, but nothing particularly grating. Spiritual angle most evident on tracks like «Deceptions Of The Mind» (“pray to the messiah, pray to the living God, pray that he will forgive your sin, pray that he will save your soul”), along with «Like A Bird So Free» and «Morning Glory». Loud blues-rock moves on «Woman» and «Bluebird Blues». Only a couple hundred pressed, though some occasionally show up on lists in the $300 range. A more budget-friendly re-issue exists on the Hype label. Mysterious faded blue cover of snake encircling the earth. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]
Looking through the net over a period of eight or so months, I gradually became aware that this record has both monster and legendary status and a few months back, I managed to snag a copy on CD. It did not disappoint. Like Fraction’s ‘Moonblood’, the hype was actually justified. It is a wondrous LP if you like that kind of music – and I do ! I’ve long had a thing for twin lead guitars and the rhythm/lead set up as well as that blurred hinterland between the two where the roles of the dual guitars are not at all distinct. The way I’d seen it described gave no real clue as to it’s heavy sound and I for one was more than pleasantly surprized by it’s rough edge. I was also surprized to see a reviewer call it ‘the pinnacle of teenage rural Christian psychedelia’ because they don’t sound teenaged at all in my ears. I think it’s got a mature yet exuberant sound. It’s also lyrically not quite so cliched or predictable as alot of it’s fellow travellers of the time. Granted, some of the rhymes seem forced but because the surrounding music is so strong, it seems to matter less. And I would definitely describe it as Jesus music. I think that term was actually far wider embracing than we have tended to use it, even if some of the artists to whom I’d ascribe it suffer from ‘guilt by association’! I don’t know who these guys were or what happened to them but they left an indellible mark on the history and application of Christian rock. [grimtraveller].
> iTunes
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Together” – 4:16
A2. “Deceptions Of The Mind” – 4:32
A3. “Like A Bird So Free” – 4:48
A4. “The Valley Of Life” – 6:44
Side Two
B1. “Woman” – 5:25
B2. “Blue Bird Blu’s” – 5:00
B3. “Morning Glory” – 7:15
Note: Originally 500 LPs press, many of which were thrown out by the band. Re-issued on CD by Erebus Records, who also re-released some other quality Christian psych/rock, like Wilson McKinley, and the Search Party.
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