Description
Portrait of Man is an album by the American singer and songwriter Bernard Backman, released on Mandala Productions in 1969. The album was recorded January 27, 1969 by Fritz Sinjuschkin at the recording studio of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Arranged by Jaynienell Hickman.
Featuring Bernard A. Backman on vocals, 12-string guitar, and kazoo, Wayne Priddy on lead guitar, Anthony Bauer on bass, and James E. Bauer on percussion.
[Ken Scott, The Archivist]
Portrait Of Man – The theme, distant life and death of stars, descending to the bird in flight, and finally the lamplit life of man on earth.
Frog And Cricket – (From Judson Jerome’s play Candle In The Straw) A fable on the historic conflict between frog and cricket personalities.
Jerusalem Road – (From Luke 9:57-62) A ballad on the lonely coast of committment.
What Did You Learn In Church? – A snapshot of non-Christian mis-education.
Solemn 22 or 23 – (Depending on the version you subscribe to) An urban paraphrase of the rural image for sheepish man.
River Is Risin’ – A topical comment on the ways of wayward man before the fire and after the flood.
High-Flyin’ Bird – A blues dirge for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You Can’t Legislate Morals – A satiric look at the theological implications of a political slogan.
East And West – A ballad dedicated to Peter Fechter who died while I watched from the West side of Check-point Charlie in Berlin, Germany, August 17, 1962.
The Pills – A poem by my friend Peter Meinke which he called “The Family Megashelter” or “Why do I Feel Like an Ostrich”.
Reverse Creation – A confession of what we have done with this world.
Wayfarin’ Pilgrim – A song of hope dedicated to Gerald Judd and the “Pilgrim’s Process”. “Wayfarin’ Pilgrim” and “Solemn 22 or 23” were both commissioned for the General Synod of the United Church of Christ in the summer of 1967. [Excerpt from the liner notes featured on the back of the LP sleeve]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Portrait Of Man” – 2:55
A2. “Frog And Cricket” – 3:00
A3. “Jerusalem Road” – 2:59
A4. “What Did You Learn In Church?” – 1:25
A5. “Solemn 22 or 23” – 2:15
A6. “River Is Risin'” – 4:20
Side Two
B1. “High-Flyin’ Bird” – 3:15
B2. “You Can’t Legislate Morals” – 4:38
B3. “East And West” – 3:07
B4. “The Pills” – 2:25
B5. “Reverse Creation” – 2:40
B6. “Wayfarin’ Pilgrim” – 2:08
[youtube_sc url=”_uwnSI7gw50″ title=”Bernard Backman – High Flyin Bird” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
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