Description
Like a Ship… (without a Sail) is an album by the American Youth for Christ Choir led by by Pastor T.L. Barrett, independently released in 1971.
Pastor T.L. Barrett led a youth choir out of Chicago during the late ’60s and early ’70s, just a few years after he got on the straight and narrow path, which may help listeners understand the unique power of the material on Like a Ship… (Without a Sail). Self-released by Barrett in 1971, it communicates many things, foremost being adoration and praise and, on the title track, the lost, aimless feelings that were undoubtedly shared by many a youth in the late ’60s. Barrett got help on arrangements from some of Chicago’s best studio hands, Chess/Cadet maestro Gene Barge, bassists Phillip Upchurch and Richard Evans, and drummer Charles Pittman. The opening title track is a moving piece of progressive soul, closer to Rotary Connection than Edwin Hawkins — Barrett’s vocals evoking Stevie Wonder singing in the style of Donny Hathaway — and the choir is powerful and recorded well. A gem of contemporary gospel, much more obscure (at least outside of Chicago) than it deserved to be.
The unexpected appearance of this album from 1971 on CD in 2010 shows that even when the African American audience for which albums like this were originally targeted have moved on to newer styles there still remains a small enclave of white record collectors and adventurous music buffs willing to give old school gospel a listen. Chicago Pastor T L Barrett formed this youth choir (nothing to do with the Youth For Christ organisation) from young members of Mount Zion Baptist Church. The original independent vinyl pressing of ‘Like A Ship (Without A Sail)’ never made it out of the mid-west but now a new niche audience has discovered its fiery power. The album is considerably better than most church-financed gospel efforts and producer Gene Barge, by bringing in such top rate musicians as bassist Richard Evans and Phil “You Can’t Sit Down” Upchurch, is able to add some raw funk power to the rich dynamics of the voices. Standouts are «Ever Since», brimming over with call-and-response urgency, and the title track, which showcases the good Reverend in fine voice. Not quite in the same class as the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ «Oh Happy Day», but then few choir records are and it’s certainly good to see an album brim full of spiritual proclamation spreading the word amongst atheistic soul fans (for example, reviewer Dave Segal wrote about the album, “Pastor T L Barrett and the Youth For Christ Choir work some serious miracles on ‘Like A Ship (Without A Sail)’. I now loathe religion a tiny bit less.”) [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, June 2012]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/like-a-ship-without-a-sail/1253758522)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Like A Ship” – 4:36
A2. “Wonderful” – 4:58
A3. “It’s Me O Lord” – 4:18
A4. “Ever Since” – 4:48
Side Two
B1. “Nobody Knows” – 6:29
B2. “Joyful Noise” – 5:21
B3. “Medley” – 3:09
B4. “Blessed Quietness” – 3:25
Note: A remastered version was re-issued in 2010 on CD and as 180 gram 12-inch vinyl LP by Light In The Attic. (The LP features a gatefold cover, and as well includes a 7-inch vinyl single featuring two bonus tracks; “Jingle Bells” Pt.1 and Pt.2.)
LIL BUCK | NOBODY KNOWS – Pastor TL. Barrett & The Youth For Christ Choir (October 2020)
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