Description
Take Me Away is the sole album by the American progressive folk/jazz-fusion combo Thomas Goodlunas and Panacea, released on Exit Records in 1983, a division of Word. As well distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded by Larry Hirsch and Daryl Zachman at The Warehouse Ministries’ Sangre Studios in Sacramento, California; with Steven Soles of The Alpha Band fame producing. (Interestingly, some of the tracks are actually not that far from what The Alpha Band did musically on their album trilogy.) Mixed by Larry Hirsch at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California.
The well-turned question, “Where’s the beef?” can now be applied to contemporary Christian music when considering the debut LP ‘Take Me Away’ by Thomas Goodlunas and Panacea. But with this product one can add, “Where’s the fire and the kick?” Goodlunas has a smokey, foghorn-strength voice that begs for an appropriately powerful, punchy musical backdrop. He’s hard-pressed to find it in most of these tunes.
«Take Me Away» opens the LP with a jazzy bang, contrasting heavenly imagery with lively saxophone work by Michael Butera. But the next song, and most of the others, suffers from a lack of focus, despite a tasteful violin and guitar interlude by David Mansfield. What type of music is Goodlunas (who also handles guitar and piano on many of the songs) trying to make here? Jazz, pop-rock, or sweet-sounding folk? Most of these cuts are an uncomfortable meld of all three, suffering an identity crisis because of it.
One thing’s for sure, though. Goodlunas’ rich, gutsy voice sounds downright overpowering on most of these tunes. For instance, why are the perfectly capable Jim Abegg (from Vector) and Mike Roe (from the 77s) twiddling along on guitar on «Jordan» when they could cut loose and spur Goodlunas to greater heights?
The potential is here, but everything’s just a bit too tame and careful. Goodlunas is obviously talented. When he clarifies his musical direction on future projects and gets his musicians to go for the gusto, sparks should fly. [Lori E. Pike, CCM, June 1984]
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LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Take Me Away” – 4:26
A2. “Under The Sun” – 5:25
A3. “What Can I Say” – 3:32
A4. “Jordan” – 4:35
Side Two
B1. “Last Train” – 3:11
B2. “When The Music Ends” – 3:45
B3. “Resurrection” – 4:58
B4. “Meditation” – 5:32
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Exit Records.
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Take Me Away by Thomas Goodlunas and Panacea. An upbeat music sensation featuring lead vocals by Thomas Goodlunas. Stellar harmonies by Charlene Rodriguez, and Steve Griffith. Flying solos by Jimmy Abegg/guitar and Mike Butera/saxophone. Driving rhythm & groove by Gary Landaker/bass, Steve Griffith/drums, Thomas Goodlunas/piano, and Kenneth Nash/percussion. Video features Track 1 from the original Paramount Studios album release of the same name, Take Me Away. Video clips courtesy of Maui and the Hawaiian islands!
From the trailblazing Christian rock album, Take Me Away, by Thomas Goodlunas and the original Panacea. A must-listen-to recording featuring stellar harmonies, flying solos, and tasteful percussion by the top musicians of the era! Released by Exit Records and distributed worldwide by Word and A&M Records.
CREDITS. Produced by Steven Soles. Recorded at Sangre Studios in Sacramento, CA. Engineered by Daryl Zachman and Larry Hirsch. Mixed by Larry Hirsch at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA. Mastered by John Golden at K Disc Mastering, Hollywood. Executive-Produce: Mary Neely. Executive-Coordinator: Jan Eric Volz. All songs written by Thomas Goodlunas except lyrics on track A2 and B1 by Mary Neely, and lyrics on B2 by Mary Nash, as well as track B4 co-written by Jimmy Abegg and Thomas Goodlunas with lyrics by Goodlunas.
Musicians: Thomas Goodlunas (Vocals, Piano, Harmonica, Violin, Timpani, Acoustic Guitar), Charlene Rodriguez (Backing Vocals – tracks: A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4), Frank Martin (Synthesizer – tracks: A1, A3, B4), Mike Butera (Saxophone on tracks A1 and A4; Flute on track A4), Michael Roe (Acoustic Guitar on track A3, Guitar on track A4); Dann Wick (Banjo on track B1), David Mansfield (Electric Guitar and Violin on track A2), Jimmy Abegg (Acoustic Guitar on track B4; Electric Guitar – tracks: A4, B2, B3; Lead Guitar on track A1; Bass on track A3), Gary Landaker (Bass), Steve Griffith (Drums, Backing Vocals – tracks: A1, B1, B2, B3, B4), Kenneth Nash (Percussion, Bongos, Congas, Triangle).
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