Description
Born Twice is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Randy Stonehill, independently released on One Way Records in late 1971. Later distributed by Sonrise Mercantile Company. The album – recorded on a shoestring budget (for a mere $800) while Randy was still in his teens – was produced and arranged by Larry Norman. Side A is live solo acoustic, and the B-side features tracks recorded in the studio with a full band. Mixed at Fat Chance Studio in Tarzana, California.
Born Twice follows the same format as Larry Norman’s Street Level, with one side recorded live and the other in the studio. Both albums (and much of Bootleg) were recorded during the same sessions and using the same musicians – Fred Bova, Glenn Selwitz and Hilly Michaels. Larry dubbed the band ‘White Light’. (The session band referred to as White Light actually was known as Joy, a band that released two singles in the late 60s/early 70s featuring Michael Bolotin – later known as Michael Bolton – as lead singer.)
The same year Randy Stonehill also appeared on the Jimmy & Carol Owens musical Show Me! (a cover of “I Need You”, a song from the musical, actually is included on Born Twice). A year later, Stonehill made his film acting debut in The Blob sequel, Beware! The Blob (also known as Son of Blob), with Cindy Williams where he performed the unreleased song “Captain Coke”. He also made a cameo appearance in the 1973 Billy Graham film Time to Run, performing his song “I Love You” (a Born Twice track), which is also included on the accompanying Motion Picture Soundtrack.
In 2008, Randy Stonehill was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
In 1991 Larry Norman’s private label Phydeaux briefly distributed this extremely limited two-disc set containing the ‘Christmas Time’ version of Born Twice along with an album of early previously unreleased Stonehill acoustic performances entitled Judgement Day At Speedee Mart. That title is actually identified only on the promotional flyer since both record labels are blank and the cover used is the one from Born Twice. Each disc (one of which is pressed on clear blue vinyl) contains one side of each album — together both records contain both full albums. All the Judgement Day tracks are solo-with-guitar, performed before an audience in England, hence a very similar feel to the live side of Born Twice (and probably recorded not too long afterward). Randy does several of Norman’s songs here: «Forget Your Hexagram», «Why Don’t You Look To Jesus», «Lonely By Myself», «I Am A Servant» and «Pardon Me». There are some prime examples of Randy’s trademark clowning around on «Norman’s Kitchen», the offbeat «God’s Not Dead», and a moseyin’ cover of the People song «Hasty Heart» that’s heavy on the hick accent. Also a nice ballad entitled «Sunset Road To Nowhere». Closes with «He’s A Friend Of Mine». A rare treat and essential item for the Stonehill collector. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
This debut album was recorded within a year of Stonehill becoming a Christian and famously was recorded with $800 borrowed from Pat Boone. Stonehill jokes it “sounds like every penny of it!” He isn’t wrong. Side one is recorded live and features a very young Stonehill armed with a guitar and a naïve enthusiasm for his new faith. The recording quality means you can hear the songs but you can’t hear his between song exchanges with the audience. The second side of the album is a studio recording with Stonehill mainly backed by a band to varying degrees of success. «Never Can Repay» is a bit of a rocker and «All Right Now» is a pretty enough song. There are early versions of «I Love You» and «Christmas Time» which were both later recorded by Larry Norman. Talking of whom, ‘Born Twice’ also contains the classic «Norman’s Kitchen», complete with sound effects that describe the moment when Randy became a Christian in his producer’s kitchen. This is classic Jesus movement and an essential album of the early ’70s. It still has a certain charm that helps it overcome its budgetary constraints! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 2011]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I Need You”
A2. “Hand in the Hand”
A3. “Help Me Lord”
A4. “He’s Got the Whole World”
A5. “Thank You”
Side Two
B1. “Never Can Repay”
B2. “All Right Now”
B3. “Passing Stranger”
B4. “I Love You”
B5. “He Is A Friend Of Mine”
B6. “Norman’s Kitchen”
Note: Re-issued in 1973 on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP (with a dark red label – originally baby blue label), distributed by Sonrise Mercantile Company. Side A has some commentary and false start on “Help Me Lord” edited out. Side B had the song “Christmas Time” replace “He Is A Friend Of Mine” which appeared on the original issue and is completely remixed. Re-issued on CD by Solid Rock Records in 2005 (minus “He Is A Friend Of Mine” but plus “Christmas Time” and the bonus track “Sunset Road To Nowhere”). https://randystonehill.bandcamp.com/album/born-twice-deluxe
A photo of Randy Stonehill from the Born Twice album cover photo session.
Born Twice CD re-issue, Solid Rock Records 2005.
