Description
My Poor Generation is the debut album by the American rock combo All Saved Freak Band featuring guitarist Glenn Schwartz (March 20, 1941 – November 2, 2018) formerly of the James Gang and Pacific Gas & Electric, independently released on Rock the World Enterprises in 1973. The album was produced by Rob Galbraith. Featuring music written between 1968 and 1972.
One of the more fascinating chapters in Jesus music history is that of Ohio’s commune-bred All Saved Freak Band whose four excellent custom albums creatively alternate blues rock with progressive hippie folk/folkrock. Lead guitarist Glenn Schwartz is the person primarily responsible for the blues angle, his high-powered talented licks having done previous service within The James Gang and Pacific Gas & Electric. «Great Victory» and «Daughter Of Zion» are first-rate heavy blues/boogie rockers that give plenty of room for Schwartz’s extended sizzling workouts. On the other side of the spectrum are more delicately structured acoustic songs like «Lonely Street», «Tom Miller», «The Lord Is My Shepherd» and «Flowers Of Time», where sisters Kim and Pam Massmann add folk and classical textures through use of violin, cello, acoustic guitars and piano. In between are slow mysterious psychy electric moods like the haunting minor-key «Ancient Of Days» and the eerie opener «Elder White». «There Is Still Hope In Jesus» features spoken testimony from member Rev. Larry Hill over strummed acoustic backing. Raspy male vocals on the heavier tracks, graceful female leads on the softer selections. Other contributors include Joe Markko (rhythm guitar), Ed Durkos (rhythm guitar) and Morgan King (bass). A later 1976 pressing also exists with a slightly modified cover design. Re-issued on CD in 1998 by Hidden Vision. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Although this band were formed at the height of the Jesus Movement in the late ’60s, it wasn’t until 1973 that they recorded this debut album. Like many freaks who got saved back then, the band lived communally and played just about everywhere. They were also quite a fluid line up but effectively were a five piece at the time of making this album. Most prominent was blues guitarist Glenn Schwartz, the original guitarist with rock band The James Gang who quit mainstream rock success to play Jesus rock and to minister. This is very much an album of its time where radical ideas, politics, hippie ideals and Jesus all created a potent mix. The band were sold out in reaching others and the songs reflect the issues around them. The title cut effectively critiques what’s going on whilst «Tom Miller» pays tribute to the former band member killed in a car accident after he was made famous during the Kent student slayings where national guardsmen shot demonstrators. Musically, this is a mixture of bluesy boogie and drifting, earnest, folky songs. Personally it feels as though the bluesy material has travelled better over time and in Scwartz, they had a master. At times though, this sounds like two different bands sharing a record. So highlights for me are the swamp rock of «Daughter Of Zion» and «Great Victory», the blues of «Elder White» though the gentle acoustic «There Is Still Hope In Jesus» is a fabulous period piece with its uncompromising gospel message. Driven by the band’s fervour, they released three more albums before they folded in 1981. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, July 2006]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-poor-generation/1404136772)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Elder White” – 3:38
A2. “Lonely Street” – 4:08
A3. “My Poor Generation” – 1:55
A4. “Tom Miller” – 2:54
A5. “Great Victory” – 4:08
A6. “Ancient Of Days” – 5:22
Side Two
B1. “The Lord Is My Shepherd” – 3:09
B2. “Daughter Of Zion” – 5:34
B3. “Christmas Song” – 1:50
B4. “There Is Still Hope In Jesus” – 6:27
B5. “Flowers Of Time” – 3:45
Note: White and black cardboard cover, orange label with black print. Private press, 500 copies made. Re-issued on CD by Hidden Vision Records in 1998.
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