Description
Nativity is the debut album by the American folk-rock band The Joyful Noise, independently released on Christ Is The Answer in 1975. The album was recorded by Terry Jamison and Tom Byler at Golden Voice Studios in South Pekin, Illinois; with Bill Lokatys and the band producing. (Tom Byler was bass player and former bandmate of Greg X. Volz from The Wombats, and later E-Band, and as well engineer at Golden Voice Studios.)
The Joyful Noise was a band working in support of Christ Is The Answer Crusades International, a Weldon, Illinois based tent ministry organization from the mid-70s. Featuring E-Band alumnus Joe Grier.
A most endearing home-made Jesus rock LP with a sound reminiscent of Servant and UK’s The Sheep. This is the Illinois band, managed by Bill Lowry of Christ Is The Answer ministries. Member Joe Grier was previously part of the hard-rocking e band and he brings some of that heaviness into Nativity as well. As with The Sheep they use organ frequently, as well as alternate male and female lead vocals. They are mildly progressive in a “classic rock” way as heard on mid-rocking tracks like «Separated» and «Love Is God’s Command». A touch of blues/boogie on «Make A Choice», hippie country on «Keep Your Mighty Hand On Me». The melodic acoustic side of the group can be heard on the ballads «Lantern Of Life» and «Help» (the latter was also covered on The Mighty Flyers’ Low Flying Angels where it was titled «Toward The Light»). It all comes together on the magnificent closing ten-minute title track where they build to loud surging peaks of electric guitar and organ. David Eden (another e band graduate) did the LP artwork as well as co-write the title cut. Two different covers exist: one a light-brown composite of several drawings and photos, the other a b&w cover of just the nativity (front) and crucifixion (back) drawings. 1000 pressed. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Separated” – 7:26
A2. “Love Is God’s Command” – 3:46
A3. “Lantern Of Life” – 3:14
A4. “Make A Choice” – 3:56
A5. “Keep Your Mighty Hand On Me” – 1:59
Side Two
B1. “Help” – 4:26
B2. “Nativity” – 10:50
Note: Also released featuring a different album cover.
[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”cTi-bvdFhLE,XXMbpPOVbhI,62JtyZFe_-A,wUs7AjGLX2Q,f2w492VUaZE,ovlyGA8pSRs,1e2Kn_ypiDo” title=”The Joyful Noise, Nativity – ” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.