Description
The Rock Revival, Vol. 2: Remembering the Future is a multi-artist compilation featuring various Jesus Music artists from the 1970s, released on Sonrise Music Company in 1991. It is the second album of a three part CD series, alongside The Rock Revival, Vol. 1: Feeling the Spirit 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]
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CD tracklist:
01. Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction – 3:33 (from Lighten Up, Myrrh Records 1974)
02. Pratt & McClain (feat. Michael Omartin) – Here I Am (The Song of the Antichrist) (from Pratt/McClain, ABC Dunhill Record 1974) – 3:24
03. Liberation Suite – How Do I Get to You – 3:20 (from Stride for Stride, Chapel Lane Records 1980)
04. Paul Clark – He’ll Do the Same – 4:23 (from Come Into His Presence, Myrrh Records 1974)
05. Larry Norman – Forget Your Hexagram – 2:21 (from Upon This Rock, Capitol Records 1969)
06. Armageddon Experience – God Leads a Sheltered Life – 2:59 (from The Armageddon Experience, MM Records 1970)
07. Randy Stonehill – I Love You – 2:59 (from Born Twice, One Way Records 1971)
08. Agape – Wouldn’t It Be a Drag/Change of Heart – 4:29 (from Victims of Tradition, Renrut 1972)
09. Randy Matthews – Which Side Are You On – 4:09 (from Randy Matthews, Spirit Records 1980)
10. Wendell Burton – Guru – 3:49 (from Shinin’ thru the Rain, Lamb & Lion Records 1979)
11. Kentucky Faith – Open Your Eyes – 2:28 (from Fool’s Gold, Mark Records 1970)
12. Charles McPheeters & Bible Belt Boogie Band – Ain’t Got No Time – 3:05 (from Faces, Holy Ghost Repair Service 1980)
13. Good News Circle – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 3:33 (from He Can Make You Smile, Sonrise Mercantile 1973)
14. Resurrection Band – The Return – 3:29 (from Awaiting Your Reply, StarSong Records 1978)
15. Hallelujah Joy Band – It’s All Coming to an End – 3:45 (from The Hallelujah Joy Band, Creative Sound 1973)
16. Mike Johnson – The Last Battle – 3:19 (from The Last Battle, Creative Sound 1972)
17. Truth of Truths – Prophecies of the Coming of the End – 5:27 (from Truth of Truths, Oak Records 1971)
18. One Truth – Victory In the Lord – 3:02 (from One Truth, Sonrise Mercantile Company 1976)
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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