Oreon

Description

The self-titled album by the American singer and songwriter Oreon was independently released on PCA (P.C. Associates) in 1980. The album was recorded and mixed by David Cherry and Chuck Ainlay at The Rock House in Nashville, Tennessee; and was produced and arranged by Oreon and Scott Roley with Alan W. Moore and Michael Albrecht (the latter three of Albrecht Roley & Moore fame) for Window Rock Productions. All songs written by Oreon except the Beatles classic “Help” written by Lennon/McCartney.

This very tall young woman with an unusual tenor voice offers well thought out lyrics and simple, countrified gospel rock tunes in this, her first LP. Oreon’s musical and lyrical style indicated that, apparently at least, she has been profoundly affected by the early works of Larry Norman. (On a couple of cuts her voice quality even mildly resembles that of the veteran Jesus rocker.)

Lyrically, this collection is somewhat less impersonal and more humorous than the average first album in Christendom, and the artist certainly demonstrates an openness to good songwriting – the album includes the Lennon-McCartney tune, «Help».

Some very talented artists play supporting roles. Honeytree provides backup vocals, along with Scott Roley, Alan W. Moore, and Michael Albrecht, who also provides guitar work; Joe English works out on the drums.

(Best cuts: «Did What He Said», «Pilgrim’s Progress», «He’s the Shepherd, We’re the Sheep».) [Karen Marie Platt, CCM, May 1981]

I heard someone once describe her as a female Randy Stonehill which seems to fit the bill. Seen her name in a few old Harmony magazines in the mid-’70s but I guess it took a while before a slab of vinyl finally came forth. This classy custom sports a good mix of acoustic pop, and spunky rock, with a lot of familiar names donating talent: Albrecht Roley & Moore, Honeytree, Joe English. Like Uncle Rand her songs can be touched with humor, quiet and gentle, or rockin’ and a-rollin’. Includes a cover of The Beatles’ «Help» which takes on new light in a Christian context. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Did What He Said” – 2:34
A2. “I Am A Child” – 4:04
A3. “Pilgrim’s Progress” – 3:24
A4. “Help” – 4:41
A5. “Common Stone” – 3:30

Side Two
B1. “Stand Fast” – 4:35
B2. “Little Children” – 3:14
B3. “Prince Of Peace” – 3:22
B4. “He Let Me Into His Kingdom” – 3:23
B5. “He’s The Shepherd, We’re The Sheep” – 3:04

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CREDITS. Produced and arranged by Oreon and Scott Roley with Alan W. Moore and Michael Albrecht. Recorded at The Rock House in Nashville, TN. Engineered and mixed by David Cherry and Chuck Ainlay. Art Direction by Ted Brecheisen. Cover Photo by Ron Coppock. Photographic Illustration and Calligraphy by Oreon. Artist Management & Representation: P.C. Associates, Ft. Wayne, IN.

Musicians: Oreon (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Honeytree (Back-up Vocals), Scott Roley (Acoustic Guitar, Back-up Vocals), Michael Albrecht (Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Back-up Vocals), Alan W. Moore (Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Back-up Vocals), John Hardy (Electric Guitar, “Boa’s”), Tim Jessop (Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards), Dino Pastin (Saxophone, Fender Rhodes), Joe English (Drums), Walter Hastman (Drums on track B5).