Sammy actually grew up in the church often accompanying his dad’s guitar with vocals on hymns. Unfortunately he slipped from the church and started what he called an alcohol addiction at 13 years old. At 17 years old his best friend died of alcohol poisoning at a party he and Sammy were drinking at. Sammy continued his music career and was in 60’s rock groups The Mor-loks and The Birdwatchers the latter group appeared in the 1967 youth exploitation film Wild Rebels. Those years were full of drug and alcohol addiction which led to 2 self deletion attempts. After his second attempt he came back to Christ and the Sammy Hall we know was born. He started a group called the Sammy Hall Singers and self released 10 albums with them. They sold these albums as they toured churches throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1974 he started releasing albums as a solo act but he continued to tour churches playing and ministering. I believe this was his first album on a label though I’m not positive of this as the history of The Sammy Hall Singers is a little shaky. This album was released in the U.S. and Canada on Impact records and in the U.K. on Pilgrim records. I have to admit that I didn’t know anything about Sammy before starting this project but I have taken a real interest in his music. This is rather strange because he definitely doesn’t perform my style of music but I’m really drawn to his work for some reason. As for this album it’s relatively easy listening but the real highlight is his cover of “Cat’s In The Cradle” which is a fantastic version and I actually prefer it to the original. Anyway Sammy’s work is an overlooked part of CCM history and should be listened to.
Tracklist
1 – If Nobody Loves You Create The Demand – 2:14
2 – Guess Who Moved – 2:10
3 – If You’re Happy Notify Your Face – 2:14
4 – We’re Not Gettin’ Older (Just Closer To Home) – 3:30
5 – Jesus Is My Soul Supporter – 1:59
6 – No Shortage (On God’s Love) – 2:46
7 – The Days We Let Slip By – 2:49
8 – Cat’s In The Cradle – 3:38
9 – My Dependable Friend – 3:58
10 – We Have Become The People Our Parents Warned Us About – 3:30
Credits
Lead Vocals – Sammy Hall
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Gary S. Paxton
