Joy and Other Sublime Aspirations

Description

Joy and Other Sublime Aspirations, sub-titled Contemporary Music for Liturgy and Other Occasions when People Meet to Celebrate, is the sophomore album by the American folk-rock combo The God Unlimited Choir (later known simply as God Unlimited), directed by Fr. Tom Belt, released on GIA in 1968. The album was recorded by Jack Miller at Audio Recorders in Phoenix, Arizona; with Robert J. Batastini producing. All songs written by Tom Belt.

Aspire to Joy. Aspire to Freedom. Aspire to the Living God. That is the kind of spirit that represents the GOD UNLIMITED CHOIR. It is not simply a group of young people located at Arizona State University, but a community trying very hard to become free in Christ so they can love, relate, touch, feel and be themselves, both personally and with others.

Father Tom Belt, a young Episcopalian priest and director of the group, puts it this way in his song, “Break Loose”:

Break loose, let go, give your heart, little one, and be free
Break loose, let go, touch me, my friend, and be free
Break loose, let go, sing for joy, old man, and be free
Break loose, let go, live in peace, young man, and be free
Break loose, let go, celebrate in love and be free
Break loose, let go, serve the Lord, everyone, and be free

All the songs on this album give a clue to an exciting interpretation of life … of the Christ life. The dynamic life style expressed in the songs is clearly stated in George Summers’ song, “With your hand in mind, and everyone’s in ours, we, like the children, will run free.”

We hope you will allow yourself to get into the spirit of the GOD UNLIMITED CHOIR. We welcome you into our community. [Liner notes printed on the back of the LP sleeve]

God Unlimited’s first three LPs represent some of the best folk-rock the Jesus movement put out. Indeed some have even referred to the group as “folk/psych”. At the point of their debut release the group was based out of Arizona State University and led by Episcopalian priest Tom Belt. Do not pass these folks up simply because the album refers to them as a choir. To me a choir means robes, ordinary voices, traditional tunes, and individual members drowned out within a multitude of singers, none of which is the case here (perhaps they would be more aptly termed an ensemble). The group’s harmonies have a mesmerizing quality to them, haunting in their beauty. Ditto for the individual soloists that are highlighted on some of the songs. The musical backdrop features a crisp rhythm section, guitars both electric and acoustic, flute, organ, piano, bass, and timely use of saxophone. Belt’s compositions and vocal arrangements are moving and full of emotion, capturing a dynamic worshipful folkrock sound on titles like «The Lord Is Come», «Songs From My Heart», «Break Loose», «Love Divine», «Streams In The Desert» and «Sing Freedom». Also some stunning acoustic ballads, including «Blow, Wind», «The Sun And The Sea», «Where The Children Run Free» and «God Unlimited». Some of the later albums would rock out more, but Joy still holds a rather precious spot in their catalog. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “The Lord Is Come” – 3:42
A2. “The Sun And The Sea” – 2:33
A3. “Songs From My Heart” – 2:01
A4. “Break Loose” – 1:36
A5. “Blow, Wind” – 3:00
A6. “Where The Children Run Free” – 2:43

Side Two
B1. “Joy”
B2. “A New Song”
B3. “Love Divine”
B4. “Streams In The Desert”
B5. “Sing Freedom”
B6. “God Unlimited”

Note: Also available: Guitar Songbook (G-1558), Piano Songbook (G-1559), and Choir Book with piano (G-1560).

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