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1976 Maranatha! Music Produced By Al Perkins Previous Album - Next Album |
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by Bruce A. Brown (Feb. 2015)In spite of the groundbreaking efforts of artists like Larry Norman, Mylon, and Love Song, and the more recent emergence of performers such as Petra, Randy Stonehill and Phil Keaggy, the “Jesus Music” world of 1976 (it was way too early to call it “Contemporary Christian Music”) still largely consisted of records that were not rock-based – or anything like it. Outstanding albums released in 1975 & ‘76 such as Love Broke Thru (Keaggy), Welcome to Paradise (Stonehill) and Can It Be? (The Way) were still very much the exception to the rule.
Into this still-evolving eco-system rode Daniel Amos. Springing from the seemingly bottomless pool of talent swirling around Calvary Chapel/Costa Mesa, CA., DA was formed when pastor Tom Stipe (himself an accomplished writer and singer) encouraged a number of Calvary musicians to start a “second wave” of bands. The “arranged marriage” brought together the nucleus of a group whose various line-ups have now existed for more than forty years. Though admittedly green when they went into the studio to record their self-titled debut, Terry Taylor, Jerry Chamberlain, Marty Dieckmeyer and Steve Baxter were whipped into pretty fair shape by California country rock pioneer Al Perkins. The 3 B’s (Byrds, Beatles, Beach Boys) are the most immediate |
musical references you’ll hear, with a fourth B – The Band – influencing some arrangements. You can also detect the vocal overtones of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, America, and even some of the folk performers of Taylor’s youth; indeed, the vocals are strikingly spot-on for a debut album, with a gorgeous harmonic blend highlighting songs such as “Love In a Yielded Heart,” “Servant’s Prayer” and “Don’t Light Your Own Fire.”
As songwriters, Baxter and Taylor were still honing their craft, though the heartfelt nature of their lyrics is palpable, and on “Skeptic’s Song” and “Abidin’,” there’s early evidence of the sharp wit that has served Taylor so well throughout his career. The most fully realized track is “Don’t Light Your Own Fire,” with its jazz-inflected guitar and Fender Rhodes echoing the sophistication of Steely Dan and pointing the way to the great leap forward that would be Shotgun Angel.
(Maranatha! Five, a label sampler that also landed in 1976, contains “Ain’t Gonna Fight It,” another example of DA’s rapidly maturing sound – it endures to this day in the band’s live sets. You’ll find it, as well as a ton of other bonus materials, on the deluxe reissue of Daniel Amos.) Copyright © 2015. DanielAmos.com. All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce or publish without permission. |
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Daniel Amos Is:
Produced by Al Perkins.
Jason Townsend & Eric Townsend. Katy Haselden.
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CD One: from Maranatha Country Roundup
Judge Rainbow & the Prophetic Trumpets Scarlet Staircase & Down Home" Terry with wife Debi Judge Rainbow & the Prophetic Trumpets Terry solo Jubal’s Last Band ' Ain’t Gonna Fight It'" Terry and Debi with Judge Rainbow 1972, Judge Rainbow & the Prophetic Trumpets 1973, Jubal’s Last Band Judge Rainbow & the Prophetic Trumpets 1973, Steve Baxter and Jubal’s Last Band 1972, Terry and Debi 1971, Terry solo 1975, Daniel Amos |
