Siloam – Reflections

Description

Reflections is a double album by the American folk-rock combo Siloam featuring singer/songwriter David Duerr, independently released in 1977. The album was recorded by Don Enos as Master Track Studios in Hayward, California; with David Duerr producing. All songs written and arranged by David Duerr.

This particular Siloam is from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Gilroy, California. It appears to be mostly the work of songwriter, singer and guitarist David Duerr, but there are numerous folks assisting him. Reflections is a delightful two-disc amateur production that often recalls two of my favorite folk/folkrock groups: God Unlimited and Ellis & Lynch. Musically there’s a broad range of styles, yet the album has a sincere cohesive quality from start to finish. Gentle male/female harmonies are the norm, acoustic guitars, piano, bass, drums, electric guitar, sometimes embellished with flute, oboe or recorder. Homemade brass and strings also show up periodically, but they didn’t bother me one bit. «Feelin’ Free», «You Are You», «Thanks To Our Maker», «Your Birthday», «I Am Your Instrument Lord» and «Thank You So Much Jesus» all have softly-flowing worshipful melodies similar to later God Unlimited, while «More Abundantly» brings to mind the folk/pop of Gamble Folk. The ballads «Life Is Like A Flower In The Desert» and «Make Me Like Your Mountains Lord» stand out with their mesmerizing ethereal beauty. Some rock moments with psychy organ and electric guitar, most notably «Psalm 100». Also side trips into country, solemn choral/classical, a touch of marimba on «Proverbs 3:5-6», even a bit of experimental rock opera on the ten-minute «Woe Be To The Nation» which includes wah-wah guitar, trippy organ, a screaming baby, gloomy Gregorian harmonies and dynamic spoken portions. Gatefold cover with lyrics inside. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]

2LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Reflections”
A2. “Feelin’ Free” – 6:39
A3. “Life is Like a Flower on the Desert” – 8:47
A4. “You Are You” – 2:21
A5. “This Do In Remembrance of Me” – 3:17

Side Two
B1. “More Abundantly” – 3:24
B2. “My Light” – 2:50
B3. “Thanks to Our Maker” – 3:37
B4. “Proverbs 3:5,6” – 3:19
B5. “As Eagles” – 3:17

Side Three
C1. “Unto Thee” – 4:40
C2. “Your Birthday” – 3:55
C3. “I Am Your Instrument Lord” – 3:41
C4. “Woe Be to the Nation” – 10:17

Side Four
D1. “Psalm 100” – 5:08
D2. “Sittin’ in His Sunshine” – 2:50
D3. “From This Day Forth” – 7:08
D4. “Thank You So Much Jesus” – 4:18
D5. “Make Me Like Your Mountains Lord” – 2:30