Randy Matthews – Son Of Dust – 1973

Randy Matthews may be the single most important artist in Christian music that the vast majority of CCM fans have never heard of. Even casual fans of the genre are familiar with randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy, Larry Norman and Love Song, but few can name Randy Matthews. Yet, without Matthews and his early success and ground breaking, the industry that formed may have never stood a chance. After dabbling in Southern Gospel with his father Monty (a founding member of the Jordanaires), Matthews took to a more folk rock approach and began performing in coffee shops and small concert halls building a name for himself as a songwriter and performer. His infusion of dry and biting humor in concert was legendary. As a result, Matthews became the first “rock” act to be signed to a mainline Christian label. Word Record, a label known for spoken work and Southern Gospel acts, signed Matthews and he released his debut. For his next album Word would launch the Myrrh label to provide a platform for the new “Jesus Rock” that was beginning to break through. Matthews would be seen as the “rockiest” with his more blues influenced music and Joe Cocker like rough vocals. The rest of the movement was a little softer, employing a more folk and country driven sound. This would haunt Matthews and ultimately cause a disillusionment with Christian Music. In fact, while touring in support of Son of Dust, Matthews appeared at a large outdoor Christian music festival. The audience was more accustomed to the Love Song acoustic folk style and Randy’s raucous rock cause such an uproar that their instruments were unplugged and were chased off the stage by the crowd. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Matthews would later release an album called “Plugged In” where that story would be recounted. Fans of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison and Larry Norman will find much to appreciate on this album that is now considered a true classic of Jesus Music. On Son of Dust Matthews addresses more political, spiritual and emotional issues than what his contemporaries were willing to look at. Relationships, sin, society and the whole of life are addressed with an honesty that would not be seen very often in the industry until the 1980’s. The album is also noteworthy for the studio version of Matthews most memorable and time tested classic. Didn’t He. The story of the crucifixion is, in this reviewers opinion, the very best contemporary song written on the subject. Matthews emotive and scratchy voice delivers an unforgettable emotional experience. Matthews pounds his acoustic guitar for every time the hammer hits the nail and that sound hits the heart. One cannot listen to this song without some sort of emotional connection. If there is ever a list to be done of the greatest songs in CCM history this must be among the Top 5! Amongst the great albums of Jesus Music history, this is a must have and an unquestionable AYSO!

Contributor – David Lowman https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Holy Band – 3:25
2 – The Bad Has Made It Better – 2:45
3 – It Ain’t Easy – 2:42
4 – Mighty Fine – 2:25
5 – Brown Eyed Woman – 4:46
6 – Here I Am – 3:22
7 – On The Road – 2:50
8 – Evacuation Day – 2:30
9 – Didn’t He – 5:40
10 – Pharaoh’s Hand – 3:17

Credits
Arranged By – D. Bergen White
Art Direction, Photography By – Bill Grine
Banjo – Robert Thompson
Bass – John Williams, Tommy Cogbill
Drums – Jerry Carrigan, Kenny Buttrey
Engineer – Rex Collier, Rick Horton, Tommy Semmes
Guitar – Billy Sanford, Charlie McCoy, John Christopher, Randy Matthews, Reggie Young
Keyboards – Bobby Wood, David Briggs
Keyboards [Moog] – Rick Powell
Mastered By – Tom Semmes
Percussion – Farrell Morris, Jerry Carrigan
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Recorded By – David McKinley, John Brandon
Saxophone – Bill Puett
Steel Guitar – Lloyd Green
Vocals – Bergen White, Billy Ray Hearn, Randy Matthews, Rick Powell
Written-By – Randy Matthews

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Woodland Studios
Mastered At – Woodland Studios