Learning How to Love

Description

Learning How to Love is an album by the American singer and songwriter Brian McLaren, released on Jubal Spring Records in 1978. The album was recorded and mixed by Bill McElroy at Bias Recording Company in Falls Church, Virginia; with Tom Willett producing (who also played bass and provided background vocals). Arranged by Brian McLaren with Rodger Hamilton and Tom Willett. All songs written by Brian McLaren.

Featuring Brian McLaren on lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, winds, and congas; and as well Rodger Hamilton on guitars (leads on tracks A3, A4, and A6) and background vocals, Tom Willett on bass and background vocals, and Scott Smith and Tom Tuel on background vocals.

(Trivia: Producer Tom Willett actually recorded and toured with the Sons of Thunder in the early 70s, a band founded by Blaine Smith in 1968 and the first US rock act to record a contemporary Gospel album for a major label. In the 80’s Willett founded What? Records, a boutique label marketed and distributed by A&M Records and featuring artists like Tonio K., Dave Perkins, and iDEoLA.)

The voice reminds me of Evan Williams, the music of Phil Keaggy’s What A Day or perhaps the quieter side of Harvest Flight. Learning How To Love is an exceptional private press recording of dreamy acoustic rock that features beautiful melodies layered with silky guitar work and soft lulling vocals. Over forty-five minutes of music to drift away to, twelve original songs with titles like «Sailing Out On Life», «Publican And Pharisee», «I Wonder How You Love Me», «I Believe In Him», «Simple Things», «Mary And Martha» and the boogie jammin’ «Depersonalization Blues». Brian plays guitar, woodwinds, congas and keyboards, while four other guys add various instruments and/or bgvs. How come no one’s ever heard of this guy? [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Sailing Out on Life” – 4:35
A2. “Becoming” – 3:30
A3. “Depersonalization Blues” – 2:08
A4. “I Wonder How You Love Me” – 4:20
A5. “Learning How to Love” – 4:53
A6. “Every Step I Take” – 3:40

Side Two
B1. “Publican and Pharisee” – 4:09
B2. “Simple Things” – 4:09
B3. “Mary and Martha” – 5:05
B4. “Immanuel” – 2:21
B5. “I Believe in Him” – 6:28
B6. “Psalm 95” – 2:40

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