Love Song and Other Greats

Description

The Sonlight Orchestra plays Love Song and Other Greats is the debut album by the American instrumental project The Sonlight Orchestra (fronted by keyboardist Kim Rose), released on Myrrh Records in October 1975, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Brent Maher and Todd Cerney at Creative Workshop in Nashville, Tennessee; with Austin Roberts producing. Arranged and conducted by Kim Rose who also provides synthesizer.

The Sonlight Orchestra is mainly synthesizer “genius” Kim Rose, joined by seven others on drums, keyboards, guitar, bass, flute, recorder and percussion. The project is overseen by producer Austin Roberts, who also came up with the original idea for the group. They play what might be called “progressive easy listening” instrumental versions of Jesus music standards like «Fool’s Wisdom», «Since I Opened Up The Door», «I Wish We’d All Been Ready», «Easter Song» and «Didn’t He». No strings or horns, thankfully. Every now and then there’s a brief vocal bit on the chorus to remind you what song it is. As far as Christian instrumental music goes this is nowhere near as fun as Ralph Carmichael’s The Electric Symphony; still it’s miles above the pathetic dreck of things like the Praise Strings. Still kind of sappy and never really gets rockin’, but at least the synth angle is semi-creative. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Overture (Medley)” – 3:15
A2. “Love Song” – 2:20
A3. “Fool’s Wisdom” – 3:02
A4. “Since I Opened Up The Door” – 2:36
A5. “Welcome Back” – 3:15
A6. “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” – 2:38

Side Two
B1. “Easter Song” – 2:45
B2. “It Won’t Be Long” – 4:27
B3. “Little Pilgrim” – 3:25
B4. “Two Hands” – 3:33
B5. “Didn’t He” – 3:40

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.