Description
The Vision is the third album by the American blues-rock combo Darrell Mansfield Band, released on the Maranatha! Music related label A&S Records in 1983.
Darrell Mansfield’s artistic vision on ‘The Vision’ is somewhat blurred. The album is a hodgepodge of musical styles and messages that may disappoint those who thought Mansfield reached his prime with ‘Get Ready‘, his fine 1980 release for Polydor Records.
‘The Vision’ contains songs of testimony, prophecy, and edification – played in blues, rock, pop, and MOR styles. There is no quibbling with what Mansfield and numerous co-songwriters have to say (with one exception noted below), but they say nothing that hasn’t been said before – and better.
In the hands of some musicians, arrangers, and producers even the most mundane material – when played and arranged with gusto – will sound better than it actually is. Except for two songs («Jerusalem» and the title track), Mansfield and his band have not even accomplished that.
Though the album is not likely to excite many listeners, a few may be angered or confused by «Radio», in which Christ is cast as muse to the Christian rocker. The message perpetuates the idea that musicians who serve Christ don’t/can’t/won’t get played on the radio. Singing “I don’t care if I ever make the radio” may discourage young Christian artists struggling to integrate faith and art – who believe it is possible to be true to both Christ and their music and achieve commercial acceptance as well. To do that, though, they must have a larger vision than Mansfield’s.
Although not the best example of Mansfield’s work, ‘The Vision’ does show this veteran rocker remaining faithful and true to his music ministry. [Peter Crescenti, CCM, November 1983]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Lay Down This World”
A2. “No More Blues”
A3. “Hard Times”
A4. “The Vision”
A5. “Radio”
Side Two
B1. “Walk Across Heaven”
B2. “Empty Hearts”
B3. “Can’t Do Nothin'”
B4. “Jerusalem”
B5. “Haven You Been Listenin'”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by A&S Records.
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