Spiritual Revolution Day

Description

Spiritual Revolution Day, sub-titled Live Jesus Trip and Pop Concert, is a multi-artist live recording released on Custom Fidelity in 1971. (The Custom Fidelity Company, Inc. was a private press record company located in Hollywood, California, that produced records on contract for artists.)

March 27, 1971 was Spiritual Revolution Day, at least in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bearing the caption “Live Jesus Trip And Pop Concert”, this virtually unknown custom press documents some of the dialogue and musical performances of the event. An unidentified “special guest” gives the opening comments – I’m pretty sure it’s Randy Matthews. The group God’s Children provides two songs: «Amazing Grace» and «Coming Home», both in a piano-accompanied light rock style. They’re followed by a like-wow-man zoned-out Jesus freak who provides a few remarks on Christ’s imminent return and baptizing some converts from the concert in the river. He then introduces the band Maranatha. These guys are the highlight of the LP, delivering two tracks of good basement electric-guitar-and-organ rock that includes some rough fuzz outbursts. One of the songs is Randy Matthews’ «Children Come Together». It’s a low-fi sound like Wilson McKinley’s On Stage, but nevertheless quite cool. These guys were obviously quite excited, givin’ shouts of “if you love Jesus say amen!” and “one way!” between the songs. Side two continues with two more fine songs by Maranatha: «Country Boy» and «God’s Creation», both lengthy ballads with a rural feel. Lillie Knauls is next with a pair of contemporary black gospel numbers including Edwin Hawkins’ «Come & Go With Me». Lastly, someone identified only as “a brother” (I’m quite certain it’s Randy Stonehill) does a brief a cappella song (a portion of «Baby Out Of Wedlock») followed by closing in prayer. Back cover has a small pic of a flyer advertising the concert. Arthur Blessit, Glenn Schwartz and Larry Norman are listed but they’re not on the actual recording. Like Jesus Sound Explosion and Jesus People, this album definitely captures the spirit and enthusiasm of the times. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. Special Guest – 0:22
A2. God’s Children – “Amazing Grace” – 2:44
A3. God’s Children – “Coming Home” – 2:02
A4. Rap – 1:00
A5. Maranatha – “Listen To Me” – 6:06
A6. Maranatha – “Children Come Together” – 5:52

Side Two
B1. Maranatha – “Country Boy” – 5:53
B2. Maranatha – “God’s Creation” – 7:14
B3. Lillie Knauls – “Just To Behold His Face” – 3:01
B4. Lillie Knauls – “Come Go With Me” – 3:44
B5. A Brother – Rap To The Father – 4:36