Description
Meadowlark Sampler 1985 is a multi-artist sampler album featuring instrumental pieces only, released on Meadowlark Records in 1985, manufactured, marketed, and distributed by Sparrow Records. The album was part of the Meadowlark Series, a series of contemplative instrumental albums launched by Sparrow Records in late 1985, sub-titled “Music without words for thoughts without limits” and later ammended to “Music for your personal retreat“.
The ten tracks on the sampler album were lifted from the first five albums of the Meadowlark Series, which were simultaneously released in late 1985 – Heirborne by session keyboardist/synthesizer artist Richard Souther; Songs Unspoken by pianist Douglas Trowbridge; The Quiet by guitarist John Michael Talbot; No Shadow Of Turning by keyboardist/producer/engineer Jeff Johnson (with Sandy Simpson, Dieter Zander and Kathy McClatchy); as well as Forever Friends by woodwind player Justo Almario of Koinonia fame. According to the October 19, 1985 issue of Billboard Magazine, the Meadowlark Series feature “non-intrusive ambient music for individual meditation and quiet time play”.
Music for Your Personal Retreat (PROMO TEXT)
Meadowlark Sampler 1985
Words are at a loss to completely describe music that offers an escape from them. That’s why Sparrow has assembled this non-verbal introduction to its New Meadowlark label.
An operative and full description of the complete Meadowlark concept, this first sampler reflects the wide spectrum of prayerful yet wordless music on the label, with selections from the first all-instrumental Meadowlark releases from John Michael Talbot, Douglas Trowbridge, Justo Almario, Richard Souther and Jeff Johnson.
Sparrow is particularly excited about its new label, Meadowlark Records. Billy Ray Hearn, who conceived the label as a Christian version of Windham Hill, calls it “music for your personal retreat; contemplative music for the contemporary” (both phrases being marketing slogans as well).
The five all-instrumental Meadowlark albums are all being released and marketed as a set, all with similar, striking black and white cover art. All LPs were digitally mastered and custom pressed on KC 569 premium virgin vinyl compound, with cassettes recorded on Cobalt CS-1 formula tape. Non-static inner sleeves and special plastic-bag packaging accompany all releases, which despite their audiophile quality bear the modest price tag of $8.98, according to Hearn. [Excerpt from the October 19, 1985 issue of Billboard Magazine]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. Richard Souther – “Heirborne” – 5:15
A2. Douglas Trowbridge – “Where Dreams Are Born” – 3:33
A3. Justo Almario – “Sharing” – 6:06
A4. Jeff Johnson – “No Shadow Of Turning” – 2:12
A5. John Michael Talbot – “The Magnificat: Prelude Of Faith; Holy Is Thy Name” – 5:03
Side Two
B1. Justo Almario – “Beautiful” – 5:01
B2. Jeff Johnson – “Lilies Of The Field” – 2:27
B3. Richard Souther – “Heartcall” – 4:01
B4. John Michael Talbot – “Sunset” – 3:11
B5. Douglas Trowbridge – “The Farewell” – 5:58
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP and CD by Meadowlark Records.
Contemplative Music for the Contemporary (Meadowlark Promo Folder)
Introducing Meadowlark
Life can sometimes seem like an infinite number of concerns all screaming for our individual attention. Even the big beat and bigger voice of contemporary Christian rock can’t always break through the sound barrier of daily living.
At these times, it often takes a whisper to be heard above it all. It often takes a more peaceful sort of music to set the mood, as well as the stage, for a meaningful talk with the Lord.
In the last few years, artists like George Winston and Vangelis have created a new contemporary instrumental music out of elements of classical, jazz and folk. Often overlooked even here are the contributions made by Christian artists to this contemplative music’s development.
Phil Keaggy’s The Master & The Musician (Nissi) and the instrumental tracks of John Michael Talbot’s Come To The Quiet (Birdwing) collection were forerunners in the musical sense. And both albums have exhibited the long-term sales that also characterize this “untrendy” trend in sound.
So it seems quite natural that Sparrow – the Company that distributes both of these Christian milestones – should launch a label to further the tradition they started.
The artists for this new venture came just as naturally to mind. When the “pebble hit the pool,” a ripple effect began suggesting an even-widening circle of contributing talent to Sparrow’s newest offspring, Meadowlark.
John Michael Talbot immediately set out to create his first solo instrumental album for Meadowlark. Justo Almario from Koinonia became enthused about doing the same. New artists like Jeff Johnson, Richard Souther and Douglas Trowbridge seemed to tune into our new plans even before they were officially announced.
The most prominent secular label for this new “listening” music, Windham Hill, has set high graphic and audio standards for the market. Meadowlark’s own unifying package look will complement our long-term commitment to definitive sound reproduction.
Meadowlark Records will be pressed on KC 569 premium virgin vinyl. Meadowlark Cassettes will be duplicated with high quality Cobalt CS-1 tape, virtually eliminating noise, distortion and echo. But unlike Windham Hill, Meadowlark offers these distraction-free premiums without a premium price tage – at an $8.98 suggested list.
The Bible can inspire melody as well as lyric. Heard in their definitive Meadowlark recordings, it’s our hope that these melodies will inspire an ever-widening circle of listeners to use their solitary moments to re-discover their oneness with the Lord.
Billy Ray Hearn
President
The Sparrow Corporation—
Meadowlark Records: An Overview
The highest earthly praise and instrumentalist can aspire to is that of a “musician’s musician.” To earn that label, you have to make the kind of music your peers both respect and return to.
Meadowlark has been founded as something more than the label for such talent. Our goal is to become the label of the Christian musicians’ Christian musicians. So the praise we seek to facilitate is meant to be shared by everyone.
By making music for contemplation contemporary once more, Meadowlark sets out to become America’s musical retreat. In the best and most spiritual sense of the term.
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Photographers!
If you have taken any photographs appropriate for future Meadowlark Records covers, please send 2 non-returnable prints to Meadowlark Records, 9255 Deering Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Please include your name, address and telephone number. The prints will not be returned. Release information will follow on all potential photos.
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