Last year this blog featured Frederick Gere and Milton Williams' The Winds of God, which was one of the earliest Episcopal "folk Masses" produced. Attempting to break out of the traditional Episcopal mould of music, the folk Mass featured several types of music. One of them was the Nicene Creed, where choir director Milton Williams …
Newbury Park
Newbury Park (Cream CR-9003) Most Christian albums in the 1970's eschewed secular labels and concert venues, nurturing the developing Christian sub-culture and being evangelistic in the process. This album and group were an exception, although their later work was more distinctively Christian. But if you like the 1960's with its "Sunshine music" (like the Mamas …
No More Time to Run: My Response to the Newtown, CT School Shootings
Events like the Newtown, CT school shootings simply leave one numb. As one who moves in the halls of academia, the possibility of something like that happening is one that crosses the mind. When it does take place, it hurts. Not so far from Newtown is Danbury, CT. Years ago a group of very accomplished …
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The Best Part of Being an Aggie
Although the "official" entry of Texas A&M to the SEC was 1 July, the "grand entrance" (and for a Palm Beacher, the importance of this cannot be understated) will be this Saturday, when the Florida Gators visit Kyle Field. One serious question, of course, is whether Kyle Field will stay, be remodelled, or built somewhere …
Stewart Henderson: Whose Idea of Fun is a Nightmare
(Dovetail DOVE 35) 1975 One of the most difficult genres of albums to sell is the spoken word. That's because it's not easy to sustain the listener's interest over a sustained period. Long talking head videos have the same problem. This album is a glorious exception to that. Henderson, originally from Liverpool, regales us with …
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Phoenix Sonshine: Shinin’ In The Light
(Destiny D-4404-S) 1971 "Jesus Music" was, by definition, evangelistic. It also tended to be folksy; there were many in the movement who had strong reservations about the use of straight-up rock 'n roll for Christian music. (There were others who didn't, but I digress.) Phoenix Sonshine epitomised that sound and that message with this evangelistic, …
Interview with "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love" Peter Scholtes
This week I'm taking a little different tack by spotlighting an interview with Peter Scholtes, best known as the composer of "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Conducted by his stepdaughter Jenna, it's a fascinating trip through his life, career as a priest in the South Side of Chicago, involvement in the …
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Fruit of the Spirit: He Loves You and Me
Fruit of the Spirit He Loves You and Me (Holiday 12101, 1976) A great deal of the "Jesus Music" of the 1960's and 1970's was performed in coffee-houses. An innovative form of ministry, it broke with the "church" tradition (a breaking churches struggle with perpetuating until this day) and placed the gospel in a laid …
Oasis: Smile for the Sun and Promised Land
Oasis was the touring group for Youth for Christ. As a result of that, their line-up was subject to frequent change, but in the course of that change they put out some pretty interesting music. The best known member of the group was the Scottish vocalist (and later co-hostess of the 700 Club) Shelia Walsh, …
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Achor: A Door of Hope, The Wine of Lebanon, and End of My Day
Achor was a church-based group from London. They produced (AFAIK) three albums, all of which are available on this page. A Door Of Hope (Dove 18, 1975) The first of the albums, a very folksy production more in line with the Fisherfolk/Word of God axis. Part of that includes singing in the Spirit, which one …
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Positive Infinity 