Larry Norman – Something New Under the Son – 1981

This album is probably Larry’s best straight out Rock and Roll album.

Recorded in 1977 it didn’t get released until 1981 due in part to difficulty with Word Records. In fact Word censored “Watch What You’re Doing”. Given these difficulties, this album was the end of Larry’s distribution agreement with Word Records. It was also his last release on Solid Rock Records, which was actually shut down before this album was released.

As a teen I remember loving “Watch What You’re Doing” though now I can enjoy all of the album with more years of life experience under my belt.

Track Listing:
1 – Hard Luck Bad News
2 – Feeling So Bad
3 – I Feel Like Dying
4 – Born To Be Unlucky
5 – Watch What You’re Doing
6 – Leaving The Past Behind
7 – Put Your Life In His Hands
8 – Larry Norman’s 97th Nightmare
9 – Let That Tape Keep Rolling (C:12/L:6)

Credits:
Bass – Billy (Shazam) Batstone*, Dave Coy, Tim Jaquette
Drums – Alex MacDougall, Peter Johnson (3)
Guitar, Slide Guitar – Jon Linn
Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Larry Norman
Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Piano, Harmonica, Saxophone, Harmony Vocals, Photography By, Artwork – L.N.*

Larry Norman – Barking At The Ants – 1981

This rather odd release from Larry Norman features 4 tracks of his own work on side 1 including a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman”.

Side 2 is a sampler of British acts signed to Solid Rock records. This album was not licensed so it received no airplay and I’m mystified about the legalities of covering a Bob Dylan song.

If you only have time for one song I would suggest Alwyn Wall’s “Doctor Doctor”.

Track Listing:
1 – Larry Norman – The Tune (Almost)
2 – Larry Norman – Why Can’t You Be Good
3 – Larry Norman – Just Like A Woman
4 – Larry Norman – Deep Blue
5 – Various – The British Invasion (Medley With Cliff Richard, Lyrix, Sheila Walsh, Bryn Haworth, Steve Scott, Alwyn Wall, Barratt Band)
6 – Lyrix – Don’t Turn Your Back On Jesus
7 – Alwyn Wall – Doctor Doctor
8 – Sheila Walsh – Love In My Life

Andy McCarroll & Moral Support – Zionic Bonds – 1981

Zionic Bonds was one of the most important CCM albums ever released. While a few small bands had been working in this style Andy McCarroll and Moral Support brought punk/new wave into the mainstream CCM music scene. It was exactly what CCM listeners were waiting for whether they knew it or not. Historically Andy McCarroll had released 2 previous albums that are not in the style of Zionic Bonds and there are 2 very rare previous Eps using the name of Moral Support. The use of this style of music with some very strong social commentary lyrics makes this album one of the best and most important CCM albums ever. Strangely the band were referred to as just Moral Support in the UK giving us an alternate album cover.

 

Tracklist
1 – Sin – 4:10
2 – How The Kids Are Feelin’ – 2:39
3 – To Know You – 2:53
4 – Slippin’ And Slidin’ – 3:38
5 – I Am Human – 3:53
6 – Cyan City – 3:44
7 – King Man – 2:43
8 – Livin’ A Lie – 3:54
9 – In Control – 4:56
10 – 20th Century – 4:41

Credits
Bass – Alan Gillespie
Drums – Ian Sloan
Guitar – Jimmy Davis (7)
Keyboards – William Hilary
Photography By – Dennis McMeekan
Producer – Andy Kidd
Sleeve [Design] – Andy McCarroll
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Andy McCarroll

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pilgrim America
Copyright (c) – Pilgrim America
Recorded At – ICC Studios