Gold

Description

Gold is the sophomore album by the British progressive folk group Meet Jesus Music, released on Dovetail in 1975. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by John Pantry at Grosvenor Studios in Birmingham, England.

Lou Hayles continued as a solo artist, releasing five albums on her own. (As Lou Lewis she also released a biography entitled No Easy Answers, published on Kingsway Publications in 1993.)

Gold is at times heavier but mostly lighter than their debut. The music is led by piano and acoustic/electric guitars, with brass, organ, flute, synthesizer, vibes, harp and percussion making some fitting appearances. The title track begins softly with a mesmerizing almost ‘Bali Hai’ kind of sound including mysterious harp and flute, then shifts into a chunky hard rock riff with wah-wah and fuzz. Even louder electric guitar action can be found stirring up trouble on «Hey Mr. Sally Ann!». The lovely and talented Lou Hayles emerges in a bigger role, her captivating voice fronting four of her self-written ballads, including the intensely moving «Don’t Let Them Fool You» (love the fuzz guitar). That track would later appear on her excellent solo LP Don’t Hide Away on the Myrrh UK label. Once again the loungy trombone tracks totally sweep me away, particularly «Jesus» and «Just One Touch» (the latter is also effectively caressed with fuzz). A bit of a quirky island rhythm on «High Time». All the instruments come together in a climactic burst for the closing high-energy «Praise The Lord!» (based on Psalm 150). Produced by John Pantry. A superb follow-up with many endearing moments. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Gold” – 5:05
A2. “Too Many Times” – 4:05
A3. “Just One Touch” – 4:06
A4. “High Time” – 2:40
A5. “Cannot Understand” – 4:15

Side Two
B1. “Hey Mr. Sally Ann!” – 3:22
B2. “Jesus” – 3:22
B3. “Take Time” – 4:51
B4. “Don’t Let Them Fool You” – 4:21
B5. “Praise The Lord!” – 3:20

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CREDITS. Produced and engineered by John Pantry. Recorded at Grosvenor Studios, Birmingham, England.

Musicians: Meet Jesus Music – Keith Routledge (Vocals, Keyboards), Angie Routledge (Vocals), Lou Hayles (Vocals, Keyboards), Ken Smith (Vocals, Guitar, Trombone), Dave Gillard (Guitars), Simon Dennis (Bass), Tony Taylor (Drums), Julian Sullivan (Congas, Timbales). Mike Waller: Live sound engineer. Special thanks to: Peter Shade (Vibe, Flute and Brass Arrangements for track B5), Ray Allen (Trumpet, Flugel Horn), Dave Gladman (Trombone), Keith Brown (Trombone), Dave Scragg (Bass Trombone), Dave Thorn (Cello), Muriel Liddle (Harp).