Description
Sparrow Spotlight Sampler is a multi-artist compilation released on Sparrow Records in 1978.
Since its inception a little over four years ago, Sparrow has maintained a consistent reputation for quality. One of the firm’s first advertising slogans, “Quality artists who live what they sing,” continues to hold true. Being a relatively young company, many people still think of it as “just a small west coast label,” but those who have been keeping their eye on Sparrow know differently.
It was January, 1976 when Billy Ray Hearn came to California to begin a new records label. Hearn and his administrative assistant, Adeline Griffith, first opened the doors in a 4000 square foot office/warehouse unit in Canoga Park, California. By the time the first album was released (Annie Herring‘s ‘Through A Child’s Eyes‘), in May of that year, the staff numbered five. A handful of artists had been signed, including Barry McGuire, John and Terry Talbot and Janny Grein. Although it had the financial backing of a large corporation, Sparrow Records at this point had little more going for it than a great deal of potential and the faith and vision to match.
That faith has since become reality, the potential has been realized to an astonishing extent and the vision continues to expand. Sparrow has now released nearly 60 albums on its family of labels which includes its namesake (devoted to the music of contemporary concert ministries), Birdwing (devoted to children’s products and the music of praise and worship) and Neworld (Noel Paul Stookey‘s “custom” label).
Sparrow perceives itself as a “support arm” for ministry-oriented artists, and as such has become the “nest” for talent like the 2nd Chapter of Acts, Keith Green, Candle, Scott Wesley Brown, Jamie Owens-Collins, Phil Keaggy, James Vincent, the New Creation Singers and others (including the artists mentioned earlier).
Demand for product by Sparrow’s artists has been so great that the firm now employs 40 people and it occupies a beautiful, 14,000 square foot building. The move to new quarters alleviated the previously cramped conditions and was intended to accommodate at least a couple of years growth, but the space is nearly full already. This “problem” is typical of Sparrow’s growth pattern, which has seen business double each year. [Excerpt form the article “Sparrow Rises to the Challenge” featured in the May 1980 issue of CCM Magazine (an issue that actually had a “Spotlight on Sparrow Records”)]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. Barry McGuire – “What Good Would It Do” – 3:21 (from Cosmic Cowboy)
A2. Janny Grein – “Keep the Fire Goin'” – 3:51 (from He Made Me Worthy)
A3. Terry Talbot – “Cradle of Love” – 3:02 (from Cradle of Love)
A4. Children Of The Light – “Come On In” – 2:58 (from Come On In)
A5. Scott Wesley Brown – “I Wish You Jesus” – 5:01 (from I’m Not Religious, I Just Love the Lord)
A6. Ark – “Hold Me Tonight” – 2:23 (from …the Angels Come)
Side Two
B1. Annie Herring – “Some Days” – 4:37 (from Through a Child’s Eyes)
B2. Mike and Kathie Deasy – “Silver And Run” – 3:12 (from Wings of an Eagle)
B3. Benny Hester – “Squeeze You” – 3:51 (from Benny Hester)
B4. John Michael Talbot – “The Greatest ‘Tis Love” – 4:17 (from The New Earth)
B5. John Michael Talbot – “Shiloh” – 2:35 (from The New Earth)
B6. Danniebelle – “The Lord Is My Light” – 3:27 (from Live in Sweden with Choralerna)
Album liner notes (printed on the back of the album sleeve).
Barry McGuire. Barry made an indelible mark on pop music scene in the sixties via the foreboding hit, “Eve of Destruction.” But since 1973 he’s been making his mark with more positive feelings. His faith in the Lord restoring his faith in man.
Janny Grein. A flower child of the sixties found Jesus and blossomed into the “Covenant Woman” of the seventies. Her songs are aimed at the believer and non-believer alike. So all will know how it feels to be reborn.
Terry Talbot. Terry has always been a man of strong moral and social convictions. Now a Christian his emphasis is on solutions. His faith and his sound produce what some have called one of the top talents in the field of contemporary Christian music.
Children Of The Light. Five well-rounded talents. Singer/songwriters/musicians with a distinctive country/rock sound. Their songs bear witness to the Gospel at work in their lives.
Scott Wesley Brown. Scott writes unique and purposeful songs. Taking a common problem and giving the scriptural answer to the everyday dilemma. So that God’s love can provide the soultions.
Ark. The British sound, so prevalent in contemporary music, carries the songs of Scottish writer/performers Dave Kelly and Derek Jefferys. They share their ministry with veteran artist Al Perkins along with Californians Jim Kehn and David MacKay. And a new sound comes to Christian music.
Annie Herring. Annie’s special gifts are many – she sings, plays piano and produces albums but the day she wrote the immortal “Easter Song” it put her in a special category as one of the great songwriters of Christian music of our day. She and her brother and sister, Matthew and Nelly are the very well known 2nd Chapter of Acts.
Mike & Kathie Deasy. As back-up musicians, hundreds of hit records have testified to the talents of Mike and Kathie. Now their music testifies to all they’ve found in Jesus.
Benny Hester. Benny tells it, flat out! Like he knows it to be. No innuendo or metaphor. His life. His stories. With a music background that puts it all properly into contemporary song.
John Michael Talbot. John’s dedication to the care and feeding of the soul and the universe is fully visible in his music. And his God-given visions are set to some of the most brilliant vocal/instrumental work in Christian music today.
Danniebelle Hall. The former lead singer of Andrae Crouch’s Disciples sings with extraordinary power. A major moving force in gospel music.
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