Description
Welcome to the Family is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Bob Cull, independently released on Armchair Music in 1972, and re-issued by Maranatha! Music in 1975. The album was recorded at Abbey Sound Ltd. in Hollywood, California; and was produced by Darrel Gardner and Dave Peters II. Written, arranged, orchestrated, and performed by Robert Cull.
One of the mellowest artist on the early Maranatha roster. Bob’s songs are typically slow ballads centered around acoustic guitar and piano, with strings, bass woodwinds and lush Carpenters-like backing vocals giving it all an easy listening sheen. Written, arranged, orchestrated and performed by Bob. Originally released as a private press under the name Robert Cull, then picked up by Maranatha in 1975 (HS-777/20) using the name Bob, with a different back cover photo (the fireside Bob replaced by the hairier sailboat Bob). [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Whatch out for this album – it’ll sneak up on you. You may not notice is at first, but the soft and melodious tunes on this LP will soon find their way into your heart and life. You’ll find yourself unconsciously humming some of Bob’s catchy choruses, and soon you’ll feel as if he were giving you a personal “Welcome to the Family.”
Perhaps the key to this album is that it edifies the listener as well as the artist. Bob’s love for the Lord is an intricate part of his lyrics, which are simple but powerful. He personally arranged and orchestrated the entire LP, and thus demonstrates his sensitivity for musical technicalities as well as basic songwriting.
This is Bob Cull’s first album, which is being re-released by Maranatha! Music. Some may recall his ‘Remember‘ album (reviewed in Harmony, Vol. 1, No. 3), which featured Bob and an all-star cast helping him out both vocally and instrumentally. Unfortunately, no credits appear on ‘Welcome to the Family’ which is a shame since the back-up musicians deserve a round of applause for their efforts. Their help stands out particularly on «Someone To Follow» and «All I Need Is You».
Bob’s keyboard work, pleasant voice, and songwriting talents make ‘Welcome to the Family’ an album which, given a fair chance, will grow on you in a beautiful way. [Russ Proctor, Harmony, Vol. 1, No. 6, March/April 1976]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Back Where I Started” – 2:19
A2. “Here Is All Of Me” – 3:10
A3. “Let’s Keep Growing” – 3:09
A4. “You’re A Friend” – 2:05
A5. “Welcome To The Family” – 1:45
Side Two
B1. “Someone To Follow” – 4:58
B2. “Love Song” – 3:28
B3. “All I Need Is You” – 3:48
B4. “Alleluia” – 1:13
[youtube_sc url=”aH9WMilVCPQ” title=”Bob Cull – Here Is All Of Me” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
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