Description
Crowning of a Simple Man is a solo album by the British singer and songwriter Dave Kelly of ‘Ark fame, released on Pilgrim America in 1980, distributed by The Benson Company. (It was actually the last album that Pilgrim America made before closing their doors.) The album was recorded and mixed by Barron Abramovitch at Excalibur Studios in Sherman Oaks, California; with Dave Kelly producing. (Executive Producer: John Pac of Parchment fame.) In the words of Pilgrim America’s promo ad: A Scottish “Pilgrim” comes to America.. the essence of British Pop-Rock combined with forceful and inventive lyrics.
Six months after Ark’s full-length album The Angels Come was released, band member Dave Kelly recorded his solo album Crowning of a Simple Man that included a number of songs initially co-written by Kelly and his songwriting partner and fellow Ark member, Derek Jeffery for the proposed Ark II album. Crowning of A Simple Man is a gem from the slick guitar-accompanied “Turn Your Back”, the Beatlesque “Supernatural Man” and the folky closer “Ballad Of JC” with recorder, fiddle and even bagpipes playing their part.
Featuring Dave Kelly on lead vocals, as well as acoustic and electric guitar, backed by what was considered Bob Dylan’s live band back in the day (thus quite a few of the musicians who played on Dylan’s 1980-album Saved): Terry Young on piano, organ, and background vocals (with Dale Ocherman sitting in on Prophet Synthesizer on track B4), Billy Joe Walker on lead guitar, Dennis Belfield on bass, and Jim Keltner on drums, with Stewart Hamilton providing penny whistle and fiddle on track B5. Background vocals by Mary Russell and Mona Lisa Young with Jim Seatter on harmony vocals.
Dave Kelly was one of the leaders of the group ‘Ark whose lone 1979-album The Angels Come irresistibly blended British rock and pop with ’60s sounds. Crowning Of A Simple Man has a similar infectious spirit. The Beatles influences return with the chiming «Ticket To Ride» guitars of «Supernatural Man», along with the lyrical Harrison-esque glide of «Dead Or Alive». The opener «King Of Love» is a solid driving rocker, as are «Trouble» and the slide guitar-accompanied «Turn Your Back». «God Knows» and «Love Night And Day» provide catchy melodic folk/pop/rock moments. «Ballad Of JC» closes the album on a minor-key folky note with bagpipes, recorder and fiddle backing the acoustic guitar. Features Kelly on lead vocals and 6 and 12-string rhythm guitars, assisted by ten others. A list of these Pilgrim America releases quickly became cut-outs, plus the cover designs tend to look dull and unpromising, but this is one you definitely need to check out. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
[CCM, March 1981]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “King of Love”
A2. “God Knows”
A3. “Tonight”
A4. “Supernatural Man”
A5. “Dead or Alive”
Side Two
B1. “Turn Your Back”
B2. “Love Night and Day”
B3. “Trouble”
B4. “Sandy”
B5. “Ballard of JC”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Pilgrim America. Available at Bandcamp: https://davekelly.bandcamp.com/album/crowning-of-a-simple-man
An advertisement for Dave Kelly’s Crowning of a Simple Man was featured in the November 1980 issue of CCM Magazine.
The November/December 2013 issue of Christian Musician magazine featured a cover story on Dave Kelly.
CREDITS. Produced by Dave Kelly. Recorded and Mixed at Excalibur Studios, Sherman Oaks, CA. Engineered by Barron Abramovitch. Mastered at A&M Records, Hollywood, CA. Insert Photography by Greg Wigler. Cover Photography by Dill Beaty. Executive Producer: John Pac.
Musicians: Dave Kelly (Lead Vocals, 6 and 12-string Rhythm Guitars), Jim Seatter (Harmony Vocals), Billy Walker (Lead and Slide Guitars), Terry Young (Piano, Organ), Alex McGilvery (Bagpipes), Stewart Hamilton (Flute, Fiddle), Dale Ocherman (Synthesizer), Dennis Bellfield (Bass), Jim Keltner (Drums). Backup vocals: Mary Russell, Mona Lisa, Terry Young.
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