Description
Maranatha! Six: A Family Portrait is a multi-artist compilation released on Maranatha! Music in November 1977. Also released in the UK by Kingsway Music. It is the sixth of seven multi-artist compilations released by Maranatha! Music in the 1970s as a part of their Maranatha! Series, featuring mostly non-album tracks by artists that were part of the labels’ roster.
The Everlastin’ Living Jesus Music Concert was the first release of the Maranatha! Series, and was followed by the release of six more multi-artist compilations released between 1972 and 1980: Maranatha! 2, Maranatha! 3: Rejoice in the Lord, Maranatha! 4, Maranatha! 5, Maranatha! 6: A Family Portrait, as well as the final installment, Maranatha! 7.
In 1979, following Maranatha! Six: A Family Portrait but before the final installment of their Maranatha! Series, Maranatha! Music actually released a compilation entitled Maranatha! Current, as well as the Harlan Rogers produced Hosanna released the same year (a collection of traditional worship hymns interpreted in a contemporary style).
Only three non-LP tracks on this one. In the pity-they-never-had-an album department is Aslan with their excellent melodic rocker «Who Loves The Lonely». Becky Ugartechea contributes a fine orchestrated ballad («Nightingale»), while Bruce Herring takes a solo break from The Way to do some mellow easygoing country rock («Perfect Will»). Everything else is lifted from the artists’ full-length LPs, including tuneage from Karen Lafferty, Sweet Comfort, Erick Nelson, Parable, Bethlehem, Daniel Amos and Bob & Joy Cull. What was hinted on Maranatha! 4 and confirmed on Maranatha! 5 continues here also: the periodic MOR angle tends to mar the overall listening experience. Consistency is what set apart the early albums in this series from other samplers. Gatefold cover. Some copies pressed on clear yellow vinyl. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/maranatha-6-a-family-portrait/1533945656)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. Karen Lafferty – “Beautiful Day” – 4:22
A2. Bruce Herring – “Perfect Will” – 3:53
A3. Sweet Comfort Band – “Somebody Loves You” – 3:02
A4. Aslan – “Who Loves The Lonely” – 3:54
A5. Erick Nelson – “He Gave Me Love” – 3:54
Side Two
B1. Parable – “The Plain Truth” – 3:34
B2. Bethlehem – “Desert Songs” – 3:40
B3. Becky Ugartechea – “Nightengale” – 3:55
B4. Daniel Amos – “Father’s Arms” – 4:26
B5. Bob & Joy Cull – “Sail Away” – 4:18
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch amber coloured vinyl LP (housed in a gatefold cover) by Maranatha! Music. The LP was also released on ordinary black vinyl, distributed by Word.
Gatefold Cover Artwork
Gatefold Cover, Inside
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