Description
Larry Norman and his “Friends on Tour” is a live album by the American singer and songwriter Larry Norman, independently released on Solid Rock Records in 1981, in co-operation with Chapel Lane. The album was recorded May 9, 1981, live at the Dominion Theatre in London, England. Side one features two tracks by Barratt Band and three by Alwyn Wall backed by Barratt Band, while side two features five tracks by Larry Norman backed by Barratt Band and Alwyn Wall.
Following in the footsteps of ‘Barking At The Ants‘ here is another album where we have Larry Norman songs and performances on only one side of the LP. Side one features Alwyn Wall and the Barratt Band playing a few songs off albums like ‘The Prize‘, ‘Invisible Warfare‘ and ‘Playing In The City‘. On the second side they back up Larry to good effect on two songs from his ‘Something New Under The Son‘ album – «I Feel Like Dying» and «Put Your Life Into His Hands» – and turn in a powerful performance of «Why Can’t You Be Good» and a zany ensemble rendition of «A Note From Mr God» before finishing with a fairly impressive prog-rock version of «I Wish We’d All Been Ready». Larry jokes about a recent Buzz article and offers his own viewpoint on the threat of nuclear war bringing about the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it. Recorded in front of a large enthusiastic audience at the Dominion Theatre, London on 9th May 1981. Less than a week before the Dominion recording Larry had been struck by a virus and the Eastbourne show was cancelled. The following evening in Bristol (6th May) Larry came on stage with crutches which were tossed aside after a few songs! The best of the early live albums by some distance and sadly never issued on CD. [Dougie Adam, Cross Rhythms, May 2001]
Larry Norman – Friends on Tour (Solid Rock CD re-issue, 2007)
Larry Norman’s 1981 concert at the Dominion Theatre in London was one of the defining moments in his career. Rumour is that backstage after the gig The Jam’s legendary producer Vic Coppersmith offered Larry a recording contract on the spot. This CD reissue of the concert exhibits more than just the passion exuded on stage, but the wit and personality of the man. By not excluding the banter between songs as many modern live CDs do, it provides an insight into the man and mission. Looking back on an era when The Beatles and The Who were admirers and contemporaries of Norman, it’s hard to think of a rock’n’roll act achieving success on a par with Norman, yet remaining as outwardly Christian and evangelistic as he did. From the frank blues opener «I Feel Like Dying» to the poignancy of piano-led ballad «I Wish We’d All Been Ready» Larry introduces almost all his songs with a mixture of humour and serious messages. Before «Why Can’t You Be Good» he talks about the nature of love, not before remarking “sometimes you have trouble falling in love with the right girlfriend. I mean it’s hard enough picking the right parents!” The versatility of his powerfully resonant voice is apparent throughout as he embraces soul, blues and drawls like Bob Dylan on «Put Your Life Into His Hands». The CD opens with five tracks from support acts and friends Alwyn Wall and the Barratt Band, who combine social commentary with rock’n’roll. While this reissue only offers eight live tracks from the man many attribute as the father of CCM, the quality of recording and performance are fantastic. [Tom Whitman, Cross Rhythms, August 2007]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Only One”
A2. “Not the Way”
A3. “I’m Alright Jack (Money)”
A4. “Hold On”
A5. “Dreams on Sand”
Side Two
B1. “I Feel Like Dying”
B2. “Why Can’t You Be Good”
B3. “A Note from Mr. God”
B4. “Put Your Life into His Hands”
B5. “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Solid Rock Records. Later re-issued on CD by Solid Rock Records featuring two bonus tracks; “Everybody Work” and “Stop This Flight” (both tracks originally featured on a double-sided 12-inch vinyl single released by Solid Rock Records in 1985). Available at Bandcamp: https://larrynorman.bandcamp.com/album/friends-on-tour
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