In His Majesty’s Service: Northwest Native Sounds

Description

In His Majesty’s Service, sub-titled Northwest Native Sounds, is a multi-artist compilation released by MRC Records in 1984, a sub-label of Maranatha! Music. The compilation features songs from Seattle area artists. The album was recorded by Lary Netzger assisted by Dan Willard at Triad Studios in Redmond, Washington; with Willard producing. Mixed by Willard at Whitefield Studios in Santa Ana, California.

Both Cypress and Crystal City Rockers include members of Bloodgood; Michael Bloodgood with Cypress, singing one of their two songs and David Zaffiro with Crystal City Rockers, providing vocals for one of their two songs.

This is a rare vinyl that was shared with me recently. This is pretty much an compilation of Seattle area bands from the early 1980s. The main historical interest is that members of two these bands went on to form Bloodgood. Nothing on here is near as heavy as Bloodgood, though. Side 1 is mostly adult contemporary and light rock. Side 2 brings more of the alternative and rock. Serviceman is described as progressive music, still on the pop side, but definitely not adult contemporary. Cypress is the band that Michael Bloodgood was in with his wife before he decided to form Bloodgood. They are probably the heaviest on the compilation, but still barely hard rock. Crystal City Rockers is the band that David Zaffiro was a part of before joining Bloodgood. They describe themselves as new wave, which is pretty accurate – but I can’t help noticing the raging near-metal solos from Zaffiro. FYI – Les Carlsen was in a hard rock/new wave band called Sticker before joining Bloodgood as well – but obviously not on this compilation. [Christian Tape Underground, May 9, 2020]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. Mike Doran – “Give My Life Away” – 3:49
A2. Robert Case Band – “Come to Me” – 3:47
A3. Suzanne Dull – “Psalm 46” – 3:39
A4. Mary Wiles – “A White Horse” – 4:27
A5. Suzanne Dull – “The Witness” – 2:20
A6. Wayne Taylor – “Lord I’m Thinkin’ About You” – 4:11

Side Two
B1. Robert Case Band – “Fools for Christ” – 3:23
B2. Service Man – “League of the Lamb” – 4:28
B3. Cypress – “You Are the One” – 3:52
B4. Cypress – “Next Time” – 3:19
B5. Crystal City Rockers – “He Do” – 3:01
B6. Crystal City Rockers – “Crystal City” – 3:55