Description
The self-titled, sole album by the American rock band Rainbow Promise was independently released on Wine Press Records in 1972. The album was recorded live in a long, one day session at Crusade Studios in Illinois. All songs written by Steve Powell except track A3 co-written with Wolf and track B3, a song co-written by Chuck Girard and Fred Field and originally recorded by Love Song on their self-titled debut album in 1972.
One of the top Christian psych rarities is this custom guitar-based rural rock monster from the five-man band Rainbow Promise, with strong west-coast vibes that at their best recall Wilson McKinley. The stage is set right from the start with the driving rocker «Get Ready» featuring sharp dual electric guitar leads. «Someone You Need» follows with some of the most intense scorching echoed wah-wah guitar on record. «Do You Hear» starts off fast, then slows to a moodier setting that could just as easily been found on Wilson McKinley’s Spirit Of Elijah. The same could be said for «Prophecy» and the tempo-shifting «I’ve Got The Rebirth», the latter with inspiring echoed guitar leads. Also a plugged-in rendition of Love Song’s «Little Country Church». Hard to top all that, hence the gospel country rocker «Romans 8:28» and the brief whimsical «The Joy Of The Lord» don’t quite measure up to the high standards set by the rest of the album. Closes on a ballad note with «Please Don’t Refuse Him». Dynamic drumming action throughout the LP, and not a single keyboard note to be found. Brilliant home-made cover painting, a depiction of the glorified Son of Man amidst the seven candlesticks as presented in Revelation 1:12-18. An even rarer variation has a pink cover with a black border design and “Steve Powell & Rainbow Promise” in the center. Recorded at Crusade Studios in Illinois and released on a Springfield, Missouri custom label. Guitarist and primary songwriter Steve Powell has a solo LP on the same label that’s worth checking out. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Girder Music Promo, 2021
One of THE top Christian psychedelic rarities is this custom guitar-based rock monster from the 5-man band, Rainbow Promise with strong west coast vibes that recall the best of Wilson McKinley! The stage is set right from the start with the righteous rocker, «Get Ready», featuring mouth-dropped-to-the-floor sharp dual guitar leads (reminds us of «Paint It Black» by The Rolling Stones!). «Someone You Need» follows with some of the most insane scorching echoed wah-wah guitar on record anywhere and. «Do You Hear» starts off fast, then adjust to a moodier feel, on par with much of what is on the Christian psych legendary album, ‘Spirit of Elijah‘ by Wilson McKinley. The same can be said for both «Prophecy» and «Rebirth», with the latter treating listeners to inspired echoed guitar leads. Track eight is an electrified cover of one of the most iconic Jesus Music tracks of the 70’s – «Little Country Church», made popular by Love Song. It’s hard to top all this greatness! The band even breaks open a fresh can of pure charm with the delightful country rocker, «Romans 8-28» and the laid back campy «The Joy of the Lord». The album features dynamic drumming and not a single keyboard note to be found anywhere! The homemade cover art is psychedelic perfection, with a depiction of the glorified Son of Man in the midst of seven candlesticks as presented in Revelation 1:12-18. Guitarist and primary songwriter, Steve Powell (R.I.P. 2021) also has a 1974 solo album, Revelation (The Party’s Over) also available on CD and Vinyl. CDs come with a foil-stamped trading card, packaged in an eight panel insert. Vinyl comes with a 12″ insert, and both CD and Vinyl have been remastered to perfection. For fans of Exkursions, Wilson McKinley, The Doors, Rolling Stones, Cream, Iron Butterfly, early Resurrection Band, All Saved Freak Band, Agape, and JC Power Outlet! If you like massive, haunting rock music, and a scorching, guitar onslaught, then this is for you!
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Get Ready” – 3:04
A2. “Someone You Need” – 3:54
A3. “Do You Hear” – 3:36
A4. “Romans 8:28” – 3:43
A5. “The Joy Of The Lord” – 1:31
Side Two
B1. “I’ve Got The Rebirth” – 5:21
B2. “Prophecy” – 5:20
B3. “Little Country Church” – 2:40
B4. “Please Don’t Refuse Him” – 3:18
Note: Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on both 12-inch vinyl LP (140 gram heavy-weight vinyl) and CD in 2021 by Girder Music (through Limited Run Vinyl/Limited Run Music).
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