Description
Singing in the Light is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Mike Joncas, released on World Library in 1970. The album was recorded by Dan Holmes at Audiotek Recording Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Featuring Mike Joncas on piano, 12-string guitar, and vocals, Sue Joncas on vocals, Maggi Strandskov on flute, Dave Lowe on electric bass and vocals, and Mark Welch on acoustic and electric guitars and conga.
In the July 11, 1970 issue of Billboard Magazine, the album was featured in the Special Merit Picks section, rewarded with 4 stars, filed under Religious.
A truly precious folk LP, one of the best on this fine label. While many early World Library albums have a rough homemade edge to them, Singing In The Light seems to be more delicately fashioned. Joncas, only eighteen at the time of this recording, has a mesmerizing voice that hovers calmly over a tranquil acoustic guitar setting, to which are added piano. flute, electric bass, congas and female backing vocals (courtesy of Sue Joncas). Moods may be slow and contemplative, dreamy and mysterious, brisk and lively, sometimes even approaching an edgy melodic hippie folk sound on tracks like «Psalm 150» and «Come On, People». Thirteen songs in all, three of which are short liturgical refrains. Whether spirited songs or quiet ballads, Michael Joncas creates beautiful melodies that seek to carry you into the presence of God. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Come on, People” – 2:08
A2. “Psalm 150” – 3:16
A3. “Lord, Have Mercy” – 2:32
A4. “Psalm 22” – 4:47
A5. “Have You Seen My Lord?” – 4:20
A6. “What Can We Offer You?” – 2:40
Side Two
B1. “Holy, Holy, Holy” – 1:35
B2. “Acclamation” – 1:40
B3. “Lamb of God” – 1:45
B4. “Open Up!” – 3:45
B5. “Taste, Taste and See” – 3:20
B6. “Give Praise to the Lord With Trumpets” – 2:33
B7. “Alleluia! Praise Be to God” – 3:16
Note: According to a note on the back of the album sleeve, sheet music for the songs recorded on this album is available from Word Library of Sacred Music.
[youtube_sc url=”BLa88JLmxtE” title=”Mike Joncas – Psalm 22″ autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
Peace in the world, a theme prevalent today, is the wish expressed in song by eighteen-year-old Mike Joncas, a seminary student in the Minneapolis area. With little formal musical training, this young, self-taught composer has become especially interested in music for the liturgy.
Singing in the Light, his first album, is simple and direct, in the current folk style. It is a collection of songs which presents the current themes in a manner appealing to both young and old. More than that, it is the hope of the composer that his music may truly lead to the attainment of peace. To quote Mike Joncas: “The songs on this particular album were all written for peace on earth, and it is my sincere hope that the sentiments expressed in these songs may become part of the lives of those people that utilize them.”
[Note on the back of the album sleeve]
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