Low Flying Angels

Description

Low Flying Angels is the debut album by the British rock band The Mighty Flyers, released on Myrrh Records in 1974, a division of Word.

Another Myrrh UK authentic rock recording that inexplicably didn’t get co-released in the States. As with The Sheep and Liberation Suite, I think at least some of the members were actually from the US. That would explain the strong American rural South sentiments expressed in their music. Much like The Band in that respect, employing a variety of instruments such as violin, dobro, accordion, slide guitar, banjo and piano along with the regular rock line-up. Includes excellent covers of Ry Cooder’s «How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live», «Dark End Of The Street», «Denomination Blues», and Joe Grier’s (of “E” Band and The Joyful Noise) «Toward The Light», along with several originals. Powerful electric guitar and classic rock vibes on the standout track «We Will Not Find You There». One of the best examples of this rarely explored style. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

In some spots the Flyers have produced an exciting album. In other places, it plods along. Much of what they play is country-rock. Those songs are for the most part about simple people and simple faith. But when they do go to rock they deliver some of the best of it in Christendom.

In singer David Rees, they have one of the few Christian vocalists who can handle a rock song. He delivers with power in «Blood for Blood», «Dark End of the Street» and «We Will Not Find You There».

The best song here is «We Will Not Find You There». The story is about someone who’s friends have all become Christians, but refuses to become one himself. “But what sets these tears aflowing, is this knowing, as we’re going, that we will not find you there.” With the stormy music background, it is a vivid song.

In all, “Low Flying Angels” is solid, but could use more imagination. It’s worth noting that Mick Abrahams played on most of these tracks. Mick was the original guitarist in Jethro Tull and is a Christian.

This is an English Myrrh release and will be be released in the States. [Harmony, Vol 1. No. 4 (1975)]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “The Dancer’s Daughter” – 3:15
A2. “How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live” – 3:52
A3. “The Preacher’s Song” – 3:24
A4. “Toward The Light” – 4:20
A5. “Blood For Blood” – 3:50

Side Two
B1. “Fire To Behold” – 2:14
B2. “Dark End Of The Street” – 3:34
B3. “Leave It There” – 2:51
B4. “We Will Not Find You There” – 4:14
B5. “Denomination Blues” – 5:51

Note: LP housed in a textured album sleeve.