A Turn for the Better

Description

A Turn for the Better is the sophomore and final full-length album by the Scottish gospel beat group The Concords, released in the UK on Emblem Records in 1967. The album was recorded by Pete Kerr with John McLarty producing. Musical arrangements and orchestra direction by band member Douglas Watt.

The Concords feature Leslie Mitchell on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Douglas Watt on lead guitar, Gordon Webster on bass and vocals, and Ian Ramsden on drums and percussion.

There can be no doubt that the Concords are one of the most popular Gospel groups in Britain. As you will find from this, their second album, they combine brilliant musical ability with deep religious conviction. Perhaps this, more than any other reason, is why their records have reached all parts of the world and are heard so frequently on radio at home and abroad. Douglas Watt is the manager, lead guitarist, and musical director. Leslie Mitchell plays rhythm guitar and sings lead. Gordon Webster handles bass and sings top tenor. Ian Ramsden is the master of percussion, handling his brand new Ludwig kit. [A note printed on the back of the LP sleeve]

Released in 1967, the second and final album from Scottish CCM pioneers the Concords saw them attempt to move their sound on from the straightforward four piece format that worked so well on their ‘Soul Purpose‘ debut the previous year. Thanks to the relative success of the first record, Emblem Records brought in members of the Scottish National Orchestra to add brass and string parts to the Renfrewshire boys’ songs with tracks like «We Believe In Miracles», «I Didn’t Realise» and «By God’s Hand» all augmented by additional instrumentation under the guidance of lead guitarist Douglas Watt. Unfortunately and much to the band’s dismay at the time, the strings and brass were placed far too high in the mix with the group’s fine-tuned harmonies sounding as though they were coming from the house next door on several tracks. Thankfully, this doesn’t take away from the fact that the aforementioned Watt, bassist Gordon Webster, drummer Ian Ramsden and lead vocalist Leslie Mitchell could all write quality songs that still stand the test of time despite this album being very much a period piece. With trademark directness about their faith in Jesus, songs like «Somebody You Ought To Know» and the somewhat point blank «Call Yourself A Christian» refuse to pull punches whilst «Come On» – sounding very much like a cross between Chuck Berry’s song of the same name and «Memphis Tennessee» – sees the band continue to draw on the mainstream influences of the decade. In short, an album full of great faith-based songs let down by a dreadful mix and one that deserves remastering for it to be fully appreciated. [Lins Honeyman, Cross Rhythms, January 2017]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “We Believe In Miracles”
A2. “By God’s Hand”
A3. “Come On”
A4. “I’m Going Home”
A5. “Somebody You Ought To Know”
A6. “Got No Worries On My Mind”
A7. “There’s No Mountain We Can’t Climb”

Side Two
B1. “Faith And Trust”
B2. “Home In That Rock”
B3. “Call Yourself A Christian”
B4. “I Sing Of One I Know”
B5. “Theme from ‘No Worries On My Mind'”
B6. “Sure Would Like To Go”
B7. “I Didn’t Realise”

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