A Time to Laugh, a Time to Sing

Description

A Time to Laugh, a Time to Sing – part live, part studio recording – is the third solo album by the American singer and songwriter Terry Talbot of Mason Proffit and the Talbot Brothers fame, released on Sparrow Records in 1978. The album was produced by Buck Herring. All tracks written by Talbot except “Takin’ The Time” written by Annie and Buck Herring and “Pleasin’ You Pleases Me” written by Auburn Burrell, Kim Venable, and Mylon LeFevre.

As this half-live half-studio set attest, Mr. Talbot can be confidently be added to the list of certified male goofball ham-it-uppers. The live side opens with a sturdy Talbot rocker «Down To The Well», followed by a humorous talk-sung acoustic tour through the ridiculous world of «Bible Land». Soon afterwards we’re treated to speculation as to what would happen should the crew of the starship Enterprise encounter Billy Graham on the viewport, complete with sound effects and impersonations (if you ever wondered how Spock would say “hallelujah” here’s your opportunity). The tracks on the studio side are all worthwhile, downplaying the pop trends from his last couple albums. «Hollywood Lies» rocks pretty heavily, Beau MacDougall growlin’ away on lead guitar. One of his better solo albums. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

With brother John Michael Talbot, Terry had been a part of the mainstream American band Mason Profitt but after encountering Jesus in the early ’70s, they embarked on solo careers. This 1979 album is split between a live side and a set of studio recordings. It shows Talbot’s skill as a live performer using comedy as well as music and whether backed by a band or armed with an acoustic guitar he cleverly communicates his message. Whether he’s sharing a simple song like «Lamplighter» or doing a comedy routine which imagines what would happen if Billy Graham appeared on Star Trek on «Angels» Talbot’s skill shines through. There’s the highly amusing story song «Bibleland» which owes a lot stylistically to Loudon Wainwright. The second half of the album sees Talbot in the studio cooking up some West Coast ’70s sounds, high on melody and harmony. «Pleasin’ You Pleases Me» and «Hollywood Lies» are the most dynamic tracks here and listening to this 30 years on makes me realise that few artists take this approach in the 21st century. Talbot’s work was a mixture of encouragement to the Church and songs that powerfully challenged the culture of the day, all wrapped up in skilful songwriting. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, December 2010]

LP tracklist:

Side One – A Time To Laugh
A1. “Down To The Well” – 5:04
A2. Intro – 1:07
A3. “Bible Land” – 4:44
A4. “Lamplighter” – 4:44
A5. “Angels!” – 4:01
A6. “Sing Hallelujah!” – 3:37

Side Two – A Time To Sing
B1. “Pleasin’ You Pleases Me (Pleasin’ Who Pleases You?)” – 3:04
B2. “Never Let Yesterday” – 3:19
B3. “Hollywood Lies” – 3:19
B4. “Takin’ The Time” – 2:15
B5. “Father” – 2:53

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records. Re-issued by Sparrow Records in 1979 with the “Intro” track removed.

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CREDITS. Produced by Buck Herring. Side One (A Time To Laugh) recorded at The Bronco Bowl, Dallas, TX, and at Cullen Auditorium, Houston, TX, in May, 1978, by Buck Herring using Omega Audio. Side Two (A Time To Sing) recorded and mixed by Buck Herring at Buckskin Studio, Northridge, CA, April and July, 1978.

Musicians (Side One – A Time To Laugh): Track A1 – Terry Talbot (Vocals, Bass), Tim Wright (Electric Guitars), Beau MacDougall (Electric Guitars), Jack Kelly (Drums). Background vocals: Beau MacDougall and Peter York; Track A3 – Terry Talbot (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar); Track A4 – Terry Talbot (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Tim Wright (Banjo), Beau MacDougall (Electric Guitars). Background vocals: Beau MacDougall and Peter York; Track A6 – Terry Talbot (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Tim Wright (Steel Guitar), Beau MacDougall (Bass), Jack Kelly (Drums). Background vocals: Beau MacDougall and Peter York.

Musicians (Side Two – A Time To Sing): Terry Talbot (Vocals, Electric Twelve-String Guitar, Acoustic Guitars on track B5), Richard Souther (Piano, Synthesizer, Clavinet), Annie Herring (Piano on track B4), Tim Wright (Pedal Steel Guitar on track A5), Beau MacDougall (Electric Guitar), Herb Melton (Bass), Jack Kelly (Drums). Background vocals: Matthew Ward, Annie Herrin, Terry Talbot.