Description
The Rock Revival, Vol. 1: Feeling the Spirit is a multi-artist compilation featuring various Jesus Music artists from the 1970s, released on Sonrise Music Company in 1991. It is the first album of a three part CD series, alongside The Rock Revival, Vol. 2: Remembering the Future and The Rock Revival, Vol. 3: Jesus People Music Festival.
Various Artists – The Rock Revival, Vols. 1 & 2
Although many of the folks running the major Christian record companies are products of the “Jesus Music” era (roughly 1965-1977), most have been slow to mine the vaults of their companies in an effort to educate today’s audience about the music’s infancy and youth. One of the “little guys” – Creative Sound/Sonrise Music – has stepped forward to correct this oversight. Though far from definitive (these collections are heavily skewed toward master tapes which Sonrise owns), the two-volume package offers both collectors and neophytes much memorabilia about which to rejoice.
The set includes three early Paul Clark tracks (which feature Phil Keaggy, along with Love Song members Jay Truax and John Mehler); two extremely rare tracks by Randy Stonehill – «Norman’s Kitchen» (Stonehill’s testimony song) and the original version of «I Love You» (Norman himself is represented by songs from ‘Upon This Rock’ and ‘In Another Land’). Other “old-times” featured include John Fischer, Randy Matthews, Resurrection Band and Barry McGuire. Allies’ Bob Carlisle can be heard singing lead on «Run To the End of the Highway», a cut by Good News; the late Keith Green wrote and played piano on the track. The talents of celebrated producer Michael Omartian are utilized on tracks by the Armageddon Experience (collegiate glee-club pop) and Pratt & McClain (who wrote the theme for TV’s «Happy Days»). Hardcore collectors will love the three out-of-print tunes by Agape, and early Christian rock band so heavy it makes many of today’s rockers seem like “girly-men,” as well as en excerpt from the difficult-to-obtain rock opera ‘Truth of Truths’.
Aside from ill-conceived re-recordings by Love Song and Liberation Suite, the musical choices are largely satisfying and revelatory. Liner notes by Larry Norman, though somewhat rambling, add a touch of historical color; a track-by-track treatise by former CCM editor Paul Baker is invaluable in gleaning a sense of the people and circumstances which birthed this industry. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, January 1993]
This three album box set was originally released in single volumes back in the ’90s and still remains the best introduction to America’s groundbreaking Jesus music revolution that anyone has put together. It is cram-packed with tracks that are either stunning music (Larry Norman’s «Without Love You Are Nothing», Pratt & McClain’s «The Song Of The Anti-Christ», Love Song’s «Little Country Church») or fascinating chunks of musical history like the cod doowop of Charles McPheeters & The Bible Belt Boogie Band on «Greasy Truth» or Arthur Blessitt (the evangelist who literally carried a cross around the world) preaching with a country band accompaniment. Many of these tracks were recorded for zero budget so consequently acts like the Hallelujah Joy Band or the Good News Circle don’t overcome the thin sound and dated arrangements. But with some fascinating sleevenotes and one or two wonderful vintage photos the whole package conveys much of the joy and excitement when 10 of thousands of Californian hippies and street people found faith in Christ. There are one or two miscues in the compilation – Barry McGuire’s pre-conversion «Eve Of Destruction» is out of place here while the Voices Of Jerusalem is unexceptional call and response black gospel, but on the whole the music or the historic significance make this a hugely enjoyable album that anyone looking to explore CCM’s roots needs to search out. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, January 2012]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-rock-revival-vol-1-feeling-the-spirit/266537789)
CD tracklist:
01. Paul Clark – Listen Closely – 1:23 (from Come Into His Presence, Myrrh Records 1974)
02. One Truth – Reason to Rejoice – 3:43 (from One Truth, Sonrise Mercantile Company 1976)
03. Larry Norman – Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation – 3:50 (from Upon This Rock, Capitol Records 1969)
04. Omartian, Pratt & McClain – Me and Jesus – 3:05 (from Like Brothers)
05. Love Song – Little Country Church – 2:43 (from Love Song, Good News Records 1972)
06. Randy Stonehill – Norman’s Kitchen – 3:54 (from Born Twice, One Way Records 1971)
07. Resurrection Band – Waves – 2:55 (from Awaiting Your Reply, StarSong Records 1978)
08. Randy Matthews – Small Circle of Friends – 3:26 (from Randy Matthews, Spirit Records 1980)
09. Good News – Run to the End of the Highway – 2:46 (from Good News II, Sonrise Mercantile 1977)
10. Al Mossburg – Kind of a Woman – 3:58 (from Jesus: The Moment of Truth, custom label 1972)
11. Agape – Voyaging Pilgrim – 2:52 (from Victims of Tradition, Renrut 1972)
12. Charles McPheeters & Bible Belt Boogie Band – Practice What You Preach – 2:31 (from Faces, HGRS 1980)
13. Armageddon – I’ve Got the Love – 2:21 (from The Armageddon Experience, MM Records 1970)
14. Paul Clark – Song of Love – 4:09 (from Come Into His Presence, Myrrh Records 1974)
15. The Simple Truth – Ain’t Jesus Good – 3:28 (from Ain’t Jesus Good, Creative Sound 1973)
16. John Fischer – Way of All Flesh – 3:00 (from Have You Seen Jesus My Lord, F.E.L. Records 1970)
17. Hallelujah Joy Band – To All There Comes a Time – 3:44 (from The Hallelujah Joy Band, Creative Sound 1973)
18. Larry Norman – Shot Down – 1:57 (from In Another Land, Solid Rock Records 1976)
19. Liberation Suite – Heal the Broken Hearted – 4:28 (from Stride for Stride, Chapel Lane Records 1980)
20. Newbury Park – Thank You – 3:12 (from A Taste of New Wine, Creative Sound 1972)
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sonrise Music.
An advertisement for Sonrise Music’s 3-disc Rock Revival Series was featured in the February 1994 issue of CCM Magazine.
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