Anyone But Jesus

Description

Anyone But Jesus (Segments from Barry McGuire’s television show… Anyone But Jesus) is a multi-artist live recording released on Masterpeace in 1976. Featuring segments from a television show hosted by Barry McGuire and featuring artists like Children Of The Light, Dee Dee Gray, Bryan MacLean (of Love fame), Janny Grein, and Wendell Burton. The album was recorded and mixed by Joel Productions at Trinity Broadcasting Network Studios in Santa Ana and at Joel Productions Studio in San Pedro, California; 1976. Engineered by Rick Crowell and Larry Myers with Jerry Melrose producing. “Our deep gratitude to Billy Ray Hearn for his technical advise and spiritual enthusiasm.”

Barry McGuire actually recorded his own version of Children of the Light’s “Follow the Light” for his C’mon Along album, also released in 1976. McGuire’s album got enough airplay that Sparrow Records signed Children of the Light.

Although this independent release consists of material from a television production hosted by Barry McGuire, the album has more the feel of a small unplugged on-the-air studio concert. Live, natural, low-key and spontaneous, without any audience applause. Mostly folky acoustic performances, although country rockers Children Of The Light slip a bit of electric into «Follow The Light», an easygoing rural track not found on their Come On In LP. Also are performance by Love guitarist Bryan MacLean, his rustic folk contribution «Blessed Salvation» backed by acoustic guitar and mandolin (he also briefly shares his testimony). Also coming across quite folky and down-to-earth is Wendell Burton’s duet with Barry, «Good Ol’ Gospel Feelin». Janny Grine does a simple acoustic rendering of «The Only One», while Dee Dee Gary sounds slightly more traditional with her piano-backed selection. And of course there’s Barry himself doing live versions of «Come To Praise The Lord» (where he breaks a guitar string), «The Beatitudes» and the title track. Usually some friendly chitchat between Barry and his guests preceding each song which adds to the album’s homey atmosphere. Of course Barry loves to talk – when he finally gets around to asking MacLean to play his song, MacLean laughs and says “I’ve been holding this G-chord for the last fifteen minutes”. You gotta love stuff like that. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. Barry McGuire – “Come To Praise The Lord” – 1:09
A2. Barry McGuire introducing Children of the Light – 0:27
A3. Children of the Light – “Follow the Light” – 3:38
A4. Barry McGuire introducing Wendell Burton – 1:08
A5. Wendell Burton with Barry McGuire – “Good Ol’ Gospel Feelin'” – 4:35
A6. Barry McGuire introducing Dee Dee Gray – 0:55
A7. Dee Dee Gray – “Praise The Lord, He Never Changes” – 3:57

Side Two
B1. Barry McGuire – “The Beatitudes” – 4:34
B2. Barry McGuire introducing Bryan MacLean / Under Construction – 3:43
B3. Bryan Maclean and Larry Myers – “Blessed Salvation” – 3:38
B4. Barry McGuire – “Balance Of Justice” – 4:04
B5. Janny Grein – “The Only One” – 3:35
B6. Barry McGuire – “Anyone But Jesus” – 1:20