The Joy Album

Description

The Joy Album is a multi-artist praise & worship project released on Maranatha! Music in 1975. The album was recorded by Bill Taylor and Buddy King at Buddy King Studios in Huntington Beach, California; and was produced and arranged by Gary Arthur of The Way (and later a member of Parable as well) and Tommy Coomes of Love Song fame. Featuring a revolving cast of singers known as The Maranatha Singers (the in-house choir of praise & worship label Maranatha! Music), backed by various session musicians connected to Maranatha! Music.

This compilation of otherwise unavailable tunes includes about every Maranatha associate in the book, plus a few more. Parts are similar to the early same-label Praise series (also produced by Tom Coomes), though this is more stylistically spread out, so pick and choose from folk, praise, rock, gospel, country, orchestrated MOR, bluegrass, honky-tonk, marching band, and choral. Despite the huge cast most of the songs are done in small band format. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Thank You Jesus” – 3:38
A2. “There’s A River Of Life” – 1:57
A3. “Peace Like A River” – 2:09
A4. “Ho! Everyone That Thirsteth” – 1:25
A5. “Caanan’s Land” – 2:00
A6. “Matthew” – 1:38
A7. “I Will Sing Of The Mercies Of The Lord” – 1:48
A8. “Jeremiah” – 2:28
A9. “This Is My Commandment” – 1:49

Side Two
B1. “From The Rising Of The Sun” – 2:43
B2. “Zephaniah” – 3:17
B3. “John 16:33” – 3:00
B4. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” – 2:30
B5. “Rule Over My Soul” – 2:57
B6. “Kingdom Of Children” – 2:50
B7. “Sing Hallelujah” – 3:37
B8. “Thank-You Jesus” – 1:06