The Pebbles

Description

The self-titled and sole full-length album by the British gospel beat group The Pebbles was released on Pilgrim Records in 1968. The Pebbles features Ian McNair on rhythm guitar, George Hazel on lead guitar, Tom Bonnar on bass, and Jim Fotheringham on drums.

Since the arrival of psychedelic and inventive music, our top pop-music groups are becoming more and more recording-studio conscious. A great deal of session time is devoted to creating original and distinctive sounds with the aid of sophisticated electronic equipment, so much so that a truly natural performance becomes something of a misnomer.

In recording Gospel groups a balance must be achieved between striving for effect and conveying the essential message of a song. With this very much in mind THE PEBBLES, one of Scotland’s leading Gospel rhythm groups (from Viewfield Baptist Church, Dunfermline), believe that the words of their songs are too important to be lost in the jungle of feedback, phasing and fuzz so that this record, their first, pleasingly presents a varied selection of songs in which modern recording techniques have been utilised to enhance, rather than detract from, the message.

THE PEBBLES launched out as a Group in 1964 since when they have played not only in churches but also in cafes and youth clubs, cinemas, prisons, borstals and at an R.A.F. training centre: they have also taken part in a national youth camp and have made several radio broadcasts. The Group name alludes to the “smooth stones” with which David armed himself against Goliath – in modern counterpart they use their musical talents in the name of Jesus Christ to combat the contemporary “Goliaths” of apathy and agnosticism among the teens and twenties to whom they play. [LP liner notes]

Another winning entry from the British beat scene. Two songs in particular are high points for the genre, totally defying the coat-and-tie Leave It To Beaver looks of these four young men. «He Knows The Way» has that classic ‘60s garage/psych ambience that characterizes selections on Rhino’s Nuggets series. And it has a cool gnarly guitar effect (pardon my ignorance on such matters – it’s similar to that thing the Stones use on «Mothers Little Helper»). Likewise, «My Master And My God» with its sharp punchy beat, garage band assault, and irresistible melody may well be the definitive moment for the whole movement. The rest of the LP? Well, George Beverly Shea’s «The Wonder Of It All» just doesn’t seem to fit in, but what’s left (swinging London pop and Elvis-type «It’s Now Or Never» sounds) is done competently enough. What a shame albums like these aren’t better known. [Ken Scott, Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “He Knows The Way” – 3:59
A2. “He Cares” – 2:28
A3. “The Wonder Of It All” – 2:24
A4. “Where Do I Go From Here?” – 2:25
A5. “Day By Day” – 4:34
A6. “Can It Be True” – 3:18

Side Two
B1. “The Glory Road To Heaven” – 2:44
B2. “Lord Of The Cross” – 2:19
B3. “My Master And My Lord” – 4:43
B4. “World Aflame” – 4:43
B5. “Last Chance” – 2:58

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