For Mature Adults Only

Description

For Mature Adults Only is a musical released in 1968, produced by Mosann Enterprise Recording and distributed by Fortress Records. (“Honest Teenage Cries, Poems and Prayers collected and narrated by Norman Habel with music by Richard Koehneke”.) The album was recorded by George Engfer and Stanley Tonkel at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City with Robert P. Mosley producing for Mosann Enterprises, New York.

Featuring Dr. Norman Habel as the narrator, soloists Don Hunter, Robert Edwin, and Corky Hale, as well as The Martin Luther High School Choir from Long Island, New York. The session band used on the album features Richard Koehneke on piano (who also wrote the music), Chuck Raney on guitar, Corky Hale on harp, Larry Mohr on saxophone, Joe Newman on trumpet, as well as a rhythm section consisting of Eric Gale on bass and David Dahline on drums.

The show was first presented in the auditorium of Concordian Seminary, St. Louis in March, 1968. The response was so dramatic that the International Walther League invited the cast to appear at its Convention in August, 1968. Mosann Enterprises then offered to record and promote major portions of the show fro the benefit of youth groups across the country.

The music for the show was written and directed by Richard Koehneke, a talented young Seminarian from St. Louis. The original musicians for the show included the New Saxons and The Lost Cause. The vocalists were Don Hunter, Pat O’Conner, Ted Wuerffel, Paul Lutze, Claudia Lawrenz and Meri Horn. The comediens were Ed Arle and Bob Myers. [Excerpt from the album liner notes featured on the back of the LP sleeve]

No, not a stag party record. Just some with-it Lutherans trying to reel in a few youths with this hip musical. Described as ‘honest teenage cries, poems and prayers’ collected and narrated by Norman Habel with music written by Richard Koehneke (he was also involved in composing the fine Meet God, Man! Project). Habel’s characterizations get pretty candid at times: ‘Michael’ describes sex as a “beautiful leopard crouching inside of me”; ‘Mike’ goes off about some wild psychedelic drug trip. Joe Newman’s combo provides a mixed bag of musical styles from jazz and samba to rock and funk. Lead vocal position receives turns from Robert Edwin, harpist Corky Hale and the exceedingly soulful Donald Hunter. A couple cover variations, one with a photo of a couple hugging each other, the other a b&w drawing of six people. Significantly better than average. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. The Martin Luther High School Choir – “For Mature Adults Only – 2:09
A2. Norman Habel – Juan – 1:25
A3. Don Hunter – “Listen (Juan’s Song)” – 2:34
A4. Norman Habel – Tim – 1:24
A5. Robert Edwin – “Black Shadows (Tim’s Song)” – 2:24
A6. Norman Habel – Michelle – 2:18
A7. Corky Hale – “Tomorrow Calls (Michelle’s Song)” – 2:54

Side Two
B1. Norman Habel – Mike – 1:33
B2. Robert Edwin – “Christ Is Changing Everything” – 2:37
B3. Norman Habel – Jan – 1:04
B4. Corky Hale – “One Little Piece Of Mystery” – 3:03
B5. Norman Habel – Willie – 2:06
B6. Don Hunter – “Adam Was A Man” – 2:35
B7. (unknown artist) – “Debbie’s Song” – 2:50

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For Mature Adults Only, Mosann Enterprise Recording Edition Cover Artwork

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For Mature Adults Only, Fortress Records Edition Cover Artwork

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