Description
Wish We’d All Been Ready is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Randy Matthews, released on Word Records in 1971. The album was recorded at Athena Recording Studios in Brentwood, Tennessee; with Billy Ray Hearn producing. Arranged by Rick Powell. Eight of the tracks were written by Randy Matthews. As well featuring “Psalm 19” and “Here Comes Jesus” written by Sonny Salsbury (an older brother of Ron Salsbury of J.C. Power Outlet), “When I Think Of The Cross” written by Ralph Carmichael (a song featured on the folk musical Natural High released by Light Records the same year), as well as the title track – a cover of a Larry Norman classic featured on Norman’s solo debut album Upon This Rock released on Capitol Records in 1969.
Early 1971 Randy Matthews had been signed as the first “contemporary Christian artist” to record for Word, a gospel label which had, up to that point had focused on spoken word recordings and albums of traditional gospel music. The July 31, 1971 issue of Billboard Magazine featured a short review of Matthew’s debut album in the Special Merit Picks – Popular section of the magazine (Albums with sales potential that are deserving of special consideration at both the dealer and radio level.).
The Randy Matthews penned track “Children Come Together” is also featured on a multi-artist live recording entitled Spiritual Revolution Day released on Custom Fidelity in 1971, and “Hallelujah Brother”, another track from Wish We’d All Been Ready written by Matthews, was covered by Vonda Van Dyke on her 1971 album Day By Day, the second release by Word’s contemporary label Myrrh Records.
RANDY MATTHEWS, Wish We’d Been Ready, Word WST 8547
The unprecedented popularity of religious rock triggered by “Jesus Christ Superstar” has sparked a new wave of musical effort in this direction. Randy Matthew’s “Wish We’d All Been Ready” is among the better ones. Coming from a background of evangelism and show business (his father helped organize the Jordanaires), Matthews has used his access to both worlds to deliver his message in a scintillating pop-rock format. [Billboard Magazine, July 31, 1971 (Album Reviews/Special Merit Picks – Popular)]
Probably the most adventurous album that Word released back then. Still, if you’re more acquainted with the gritty-voiced rocker from Son of Dust, then Randy’s debut will surprise you in its tameness. Randy’s voice is certainly restrained here – not his fault I’m sure. Probably Word execs thinking “hmmmm, we don’t wanna go too far”. That opportunity would come later. The Billy Ray Heam production and Rick Powell arrangements seem to have opted for an overall gospel pop/rock feel, with lots of piano, female backing singers, a bit of electric here and there. Features eight of Randy’s own songs, including «Plastic Clown», «Empty My Soul», «Easy Movin» and «Hallelujah Brother». Also covers of Ralph Carmichael, Sonny Salsbury and Larry Norman (the title track). Sometimes a tad smooth, other times kinda churchy, but still managing a mild rock edge in spots. An important album, but better things were ahead. Cover notes state that Randy had previously been the lead singer of an acid rock band, followed by a two-year stint in a gospel quartet called The Revelations. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Plastic Clown” – 4:52
A2. “Empty My Soul” – 3:48
A3. “Refuge” – 2:34
A4. “Psalm 19” – 2:40
A5. “When I Think Of The Cross” – 2:03
A6. “Here Comes Jesus” – 3:10
Side Two
B1. “Children Come Together” – 4:28
B2. “Sunday Morning” – 2:45
B3. “Easy Movin'” – 4:20
B4. “I Guess That I’ve Changed” – 2:57
B5. “Wish We’d All Been Ready” – 2:08
B6. “Hallelujah Brother” – 3:02
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.
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