A Man Dies

Description

A Man Dies is a multi-artist musical/rock opera released in the UK on Columbia Records in 1964. Featuring Valerie Mountain, Ricky Forde, and The Strangers, with the Boys and Girls of St. James’ Church, Lockleaze, Bristol, UK. Written and composed by Ernest Marvin, Ewan Hooper, Valerie Mountain, David Mallett, Richard Smith, and Michael Gwilliam. Conceived and produced by Ernest Marvin and Ewan Hooper. The first Christian rock album?

The first Christian rock album? Mmmmmmmmm could be! That 1964 date on this baby shaves a good two years off of shortly-to-follow entries from The Concords, The Crusaders and Joy Strings. A Man Dies was written by Ewan Hopper and Ernest Marvin for the teenagers of St. James’ Presbyterian Church at Lockleaze, Bristol. “It is an attempt to present the Bible story in the modern idiom – in the music and dancing which teenagers love so much and can do so well”. This is definitely an electric album and it’s got the early UK ‘60s written all over it. The main performers are identified as Valerie Mountain, Ricky Forde and a group called The Strangers. Swinging pop, jangly beat, slow blues rock, Hard Days Night-era Beatles, talk-singing over a beat – it’s all here spanning twenty-six tunes that feature titles like «How Long, Lordie?», «Do Us A Favour», «What’s The Use?», «Look In The Paper», «Ding Dong», «Riding On A Donkey», «Who Is My Neighbour?», «Gentle Christ», etc. Even a couple surfy twangin’ instrumentals in classic Ventures/Shadows tradition («Dominator» and «Jack Knife»). No keyboards from what I can tell – just revved-up drums, bass and raw electric guitars. Cover says it was first performed in 1960. I’m surprised this isn’t more widely known, especially given that it’s on a major label. Seldom has early Jesus music sounded so alive and bursting with energy as it does on A Man Dies. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “How Long Lordie”
A2. “So Tired”
A3. “Do Us A Favour”
A4. “Split The Trumpet”
A5. “What’s The Use”
A6. “Look In The Paper”
A7. “Ding Dong”
A8. “Riding On A Donkey”
A9. “Gentle Christ”
A10. “Just Look At Him”
A11. “Who Is My Neighbour”
A12. “Go It Alone”

Side Two
B1. “Gentle Christ (Reprise)”
B2. “Oh He’s Alright Jill”
B3. “Blues In The Night”
B4. “Gentle Christ (2nd Reprise)”
B5. “Dominator”
B6. “You’ve Never Had It So Good”
B7. “Blues Won’t Leave Me Now”
B8. “He’s A Big Man”
B9. “Strangely Warm”
B10. “Jack Knife”
B11. “Gentle Christ (3rd Reprise)”
B12. “16th Birthday”
B13. “Go It Alone (Reprise)”
B14. “The Lord’s Prayer”

Note: Available at: http://www.1960schristianmusic.com/1960s_Christian_Music/Downloads_%28UK%29.html

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