Waiting for the Rain

Description

Waiting for the Rain is the third solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Vincent (a former member of the 60s garage rock band The Exceptions), released on Caribou Records in 1978, distributed by CBS Records. Re-issued in 1982 by Priority Records (featuring new cover artwork), a short-lived gospel label established by CBS Records i 1981. The album was recorded by Wayne Jarnowski and Jeff Guercio at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado; with James Vincent producing. Mixed by Jarnowski at Caribou Ranch. Horns arranged and played by The Seawind Horns. This album is humbly dedicated as a seed to the people in the world searching for truth. (Note featured on the back of the album sleeve.)

Waiting for the Rain was included among CCM Magazine‘s Top 10 Albums of the Year. – Another entry into the jazz-rock field (once a rare quantity in Christian music), James Vincent quietly arrived on the scene with this beautiful and powerful album. His fine guitar playing and strong sense of melody, combined with his unique voice, brought one of 1978’s most satisfying records. (These ten albums released during 1978, were chosen for excellence in production, arrangements, composition and performance, as well as their overall contribution to contemporary Christian music.)

Waiting for the Rain was recorded and released in 1978. While the music was still very much R&B jazz fusion the lyrics boldly reflected my newfound Christian conversion while staying in Hawaii. It shipped world wide because of Space Traveler’s success and I received hundreds of letters in support of this record, which had crossed over with a message in secular music that was unprecedented. [James Vincent]

JAMES VINCENT – Waiting For The Rain, Caribou JZ34899 (CBS). Produced by James Vincent.

Vincent has an easygoing mellow vocal style which he puts to good use here on romantically styled ballads and midtempo pop. Lots of flashy synthesizer and horn work gives some cuts a jazz-like flavoring. Best cuts: «What Does It Profit A Man», «Daniel, Daniel», «How Can I Thank You Enough». [Billboard Magazine (Top Album Picks/Recommended LPs, Pop), March 18, 1978]

An excellent jazz guitarist and singer who already had a couple mainstream releases under his belt before Waiting For The Rain, his first as a believer. The professionalism continues here as fluid guitar lines within an easy-flowing pop/MOR framework elicit comparisons to George Benson circa Breezin’ (especially when he emulates Benson’s sing-and-play-the-same-notes vocal style). Full orchestral backing with horn section, backup singers, and distinctive ‘70s flavor nets a few top-40 potentials, as well as some good jamming cuts more true to the jazz-fusion crowd. The title track is a dreamy «Quiet Storm» type of ballad lined with mysterious strings. Pretty blatant lyrics for a mainstream album, dedicated “as a seed to the people in the world searching for truth”. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/waiting-for-the-rain/1100801613)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “What Does It Profit A Man?” – 4:50
A2. “Resistance” – 4:52
A3. “Etude #20” – 1:16
A4. “Daniel, Daniel” – 3:10
A5. “People Of The World” – 4:39

Side Two
B1. “How Can I Thank You Enough” – 4:55
B2. “Soon Comes The Son” – 3:48
B3. “Waiting For The Rain” – 3:12
B4. “The Seventh Day” – 6:11
B5. “Babylon Is Fallen” (Instrumental) – 3:09

Note: The Rock & Religion Radio Shows #41 & #42 (Air Dates 7/29/1979 and 8/5/1979, respectively), were released on the same 12-inch vinyl LP by Sangre Productions, featuring several interview segments with James Vincent produced by Mary Neely back in 1978, along with songs from his albums Waiting for the Rain and Space Traveler. (Excerpt from the cue sheet; Guest Description: James Vincent artist on Caribou label has recorded three albums: “Culminations” in 1972, “Space Traveler” in 1976 and his latest “Waiting for the Rain”. Vincent was a session musician in Chicago but came out to the West Coast playing with a number of well-known groups. The technically brilliant and innovative music he composes gave him the opportunity to record his own music. Program Description: Music from “Waiting for the Rain” and “Space Traveler”. Mary Neely talks with James Vincent about his variety of religious and spiritual searchs he has made and how they have been reflected in each of his albums.)

Original Cover Artwork, Caribou Records 1978