Tag: Daniel Amos

It is amazing to consider that within a year the conclusion of the Alarma Chronicles will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. 25 years ago one of the most impressive, ambitious and amazing four album series came to an end with a work of sheer art. Each album was unique musically with Fearful Symmetry being the darkest, brooding and mysterious of the four. Following the significantly more new wave “pop” of Vox Humana, FS was shocking, intriguing and…well…fearful. The majority of the album deals with darker subjects like death, pain and loss and the musical soundscape of ethereal vocals and sweeping and weeping keyboards envelope the listener in the dark cloud of the content. That is not to say that the album is replete of hope or grace, but actually just the opposite. It is through the valley of this projects the light that does shine through appears that much brighter. Terry Scott Taylor’s admiration of and inspiration by William Blake is the strongest on this project. From the album title to the most haunting song, Sleep Silent Child, the album is filled with images and direct quotations from Blake. The album does close with the stunningly simple and beautiful lullaby or sorts, Beautiful One. This one hearkens back to Taylor’s solo projects with the sing-songy simplicity and lush keyboard strings and Taylor’s lilting higher register. It is the perfect ending to the “chronicles” as it’s message about the eternal hope of all Christians to find themselves in the arms of the Beautiful One upon their death. I remember when the album was released the number of complaints we received were almost exclusively related to the naked man (from the waist up) on the album cover. Those that complained obviously never listened to nor understood the content of the project or the complaints may have been drastically different. More keyboard driven and music less guitar oriented. the album reflected much of the European alternative music of the day like Depeche Mode, Alphaville, etc but also shows reflections of art rock music of Genesis and Pink Floyd. Not immediately accessible or as warmly received as the first four projects, the album eventually became regarded as one of the best of the Daniel Amos catalog.

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

Tracklist
1 – A Sigh For You – 3:58
2 – The Pool – 3:47
3 – Sleep Silent Child – 4:38
4 – Neverland Ballroom – 3:17
5 – Strong Points, Weak Points – 3:55
6 – Instruction Thru Film – 3:20
7 – When Moonlight Sleeps (On The Frosted Hill) – 3:55
8 – Sudden Heaven – 3:23
9 – Shadow Catcher – 4:32
10 – Beautiful One – 3:33

Credits
Arranged By [All Arrangements By] – DA
Art Direction, Layout – Mr. Ed (McTaggart)
Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis (tracks: B2, B5), Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A5, B5)
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – DA
Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Ed McTaggart
Electric Bass, Double Bass [Upright Bass], Bass [Electric Twelve-String Bass], Guitar [Guitars] – Tim Chandler
Keyboards, Snare [Snares] – Rob Watson (tracks: A3)
Lead Guitar [Lead Guitars], E-Bow [E-Bo], Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Organ [Pump Organ], Dulcimer, Mandolin – Greg Flesch
Mastered By – John Matousek
Narrator – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: B1)
Percussion – Alex MacDougall (tracks: B2, B5)
Photography By [Band Photos By] – Linda Dillon Baley
Photography By [Photographics By] – Ken Baley
Photography By, Photography By [Photographics By] – Derrill Bazzy
Producer – DA, Terry Taylor
Recorded By, Mixed By – Dave Hackbarth, Doug Doyle, Terry Taylor
Synth [Synth Treatments] – Dave Hackbarth (tracks: A1, B3), Doug Doyle (tracks: A1, B3)
Text By [¡Alarma! Chronicles Text Volume 4 By] – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Vocals, Guitar [Guitars], Harmonica, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Distributed By – The Master’s Collection
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records (3)
Published By – Broken Songs
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Hitsville

This is the tenth studio album by Daniel Amos and the first one in awhile where they used their full name vs just DA. It also marked the return of longtime guitarist Jerry Chamberlain. This was their second album on the Brainstorm Artists International label which was owned by Gene Eugene and Ojo Taylor. Eugene was also invlved in the engineering of the album. The album was dedicated to Mark Heard though I don’t really feel that any of the songs were written with his passing in mind. The sound of this album was a bit of a step back for the band and a pleasant surprise for their longtime fans. I was reading a review of the album today that called the sound “neo-psychedelia” which made me kind of laugh. By the way if you want a good laugh look up the definition of neo-psychedelia on Wikipedia, it’s hilarious. Anyway here’s a Daniel Amos album with them doing Daniel Amos music with a Daniel Amos sound. Now it’s time for my pet peeve of this album. It is obvious that this album was recorded and engineered for vinyl. Most the songs run together and overlap. While this is fine on vinyl (though I dislike it) it does not work on a CD and I can’t find anywhere that this album was released on vinyl, just cassette and CD. The result is a CD that is choppy and just a nightmare to listen to. I have recreated the tracks here as they are on the CD. I believe this is where the band shows their age and while they were always willing to do do something new and different with their music they unfortunately did not have a good grasp on the changing technology of the industry.

Tracklist
1 – Banquet At The World’s End – 3:47
2 – Traps, Ensnares – 3:49
3 – Hole In The World – 5:33
4 – (What’s Come) Over Me – 3:48
5 – Buffalo Hills – 4:24
6 – Guilty – 4:35
7 – Motorcycle – 3:33
8 – Wonderful – 2:17
9 – So Long – 0:57
10 – My Frontier – 3:48
11 – Grace Is The Smell Of Rain – 4:01
12 – Noelle – 2:44
13 – Wise Acres – 2:15
14 – So Long Again – 2:54

Credits
Arranged By – Daniel Amos
Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals [Arranged & Performed By] – Jerry Chamberlain, Sharon McCall, Terry Taylor
Bass Guitar – Tim Chandler
Design Concept [Cover] – Bruce Heavin, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor
Drums, Percussion – Ed McTaggart, Steve Hindalong (tracks: 2)
Engineer [Addtional] – Bob Moon, Chris Colbert, Dave Hackbarth
Engineer [Engineered By] – G. Eugene
Illustration – Bruce Heavin
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Greg Flesch
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Sitar [Electric], Lap Steel Guitar, Percussion – Jerry Chamberlain
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Harmonica – Terry Taylor
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Piano – G. Eugene* (tracks: On “…now For The Cliffhanger…”)
Producer [Produced By] – Daniel Amos, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor
Synthesizer [Melotron], Organ [Hammond], Piano – Rob Watson
Trumpet – Buckeye Jazzbo (tracks: 2)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright (c) – Brainstorm Artists International
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Stunt Productions
Recorded At – The Golden Recording Room
Recorded At – Neverland
Recorded At – McCrum’s
Recorded At – Wax Lips
Mixed At – The Golden Recording Room
Mastered At – Digital Brothers
Published By – Twitchen Vibes Music
Published By – Brainstorm Artists International
Published By – Young And Ambitious Music
Manufactured By – JVC

The famous gorilla Koko was trained to speak in sign language on a limited basis, After experiencing an earthquake the gorilla signed the words, “Darn Floor – Big Bite” to describe the incident. The gorilla’s limited expressions and inability to fully communicate the response is compared to man’s inability to express the wonders of God and the way life is lived with its many facets and expressions on one of Daniel Amos’ most constantly impressive albums of the same name. After finally completing the four album tour de force known as the “Alarma Chronicles,” (on four separate labels mind you), the band released its second album for Frontline Records. Now without keyboardist Rob Watson and featuring an increase involvement of the ever impressive Greg Flesch, the album was less atmospheric and surreal and more earthy and rock driven. It is a brilliant, rather accessible and stunning album that would remain one of the least successful projects in the band’s history. (Well, they did use the word “darn” in the title, so what did they expect?) I almost dread reviewing anything Terry Taylor does, especially what is found under the moniker Daniel Amos for fear of fans decrying a lack of understanding on my part as to what the band and Terry were attempting to create. Quite frankly a quick perusing of Daniel Amos websites and chat boards reveal that the only acceptable Christian Music Top 10 would look something like this:

1. Alarma – Daniel Amos
2. Horrendous Disc – Daniel Amos
3. Mr. Beuchner’s dream – Daniel Amos
4. Outdoor Elvis – The Swirling Eddies
5. Bibleland – Daniel Amos
6. A Briefing for the Ascent – Terry Taylor
7. Shotgun Angel – Daniel Amos
8. Doppelganger – Daniel Amos
9. Let’s Spin – The Swirling Eddies
10. Fearful Symmetry – Daniel Amos

and so on… There is no fan base in Christian music that comes anywhere close to the passion and obsession that accompanies the fans of this amazing band. Myopic and intolerant of dissent, they know more about every little release Taylor and Co. have even been involved with and to speak with any authority on the subject without prior approval and the express written consent of Major League baseball is strictly prohibited. So, walk softly and carry a very approving stick! The other problem is that, quite often, I have no idea what a song may be about. Taylor may be one of the best read songwriters in CCM (or anywhere for that matter) and his references to obscure writers and events can leave a puzzled look on many a face. That’s not a Taylor problem, but rather a listener problem; but it also can cause some severe confusion on the listener’s part. But despite the limited success of the album and it, sometimes, obscure content, it remains one of the best of the band’s career and has a cool freshness even as I listen over and over to it in writing this review.

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

Tracklist
1 – Return Of The Beat Menace – 2:56
2 – Strange Animals – 3:11
3 – Darn Floor – Big Bite – 4:22
4 – Earth Household – 3:49
5 – Safety Net – 3:28
6 – Pictures Of The Gone World – 2:47
7 – Divine Instant – 3:51
8 – Half Light, Epoch, And Phase – 4:15
9 – The Unattainable Earth – 3:42
10 – The Shape Of Air – 3:25

Credits
Backing Vocals – Gene Eugene (tracks: B5), Jeff Crandall (tracks: B5), Maria Chandler (tracks: B5), Mike Stand (tracks: B5), Ric Alba (tracks: B5), Riki Michele (tracks: B5)
Bass, Backing Vocals – Tim Chandler
Co-producer – DA
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Lead Guitar, Panpipes [Pan Flute], Concertina [Squeeze Box] – Greg Flesch
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor
Lyrics By – Terry Taylor
Music By – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Recorded at the 2000 Cornerstone Festival Daniel Amos nailed this concert. They played over 2 hrs and this album is a reflection of that concert. It has a nice selection of their songs but it would have been nice to hear some more of their early stuff. I don’t feel the album was very well engineered but it is what it is. Again a must have for any Daniel Amos fan.

Tracklist
1 – Introduction – 1:02
2 – Ghost Of The Heart – 2:38
3 – Hell Oh – 4:04
4 – Prayer Wheel – 4:25
5 – I Didn’t Build It For Me – 2:13
6 – If You Want To – 5:24
7 – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – 5:05
8 – Tracking The Amorous Man – 3:10
9 – Alarma – 3:27
10 – Grace Is The Smell Of Rain/Glory Road – 6:51
11 – Virgin Falls – 4:02
12 – Terry Taylor Speaks (Tattoos And Alarma Chronicles And The Band) – 3:33
13 – Walls Of Doubt – 3:49
14 – Terry Taylor Speaks (Tough Year, Death, Dad, Intimacy With Jesus – Suffering) – 5:08
15 – Broken Ladders To Glory/Zoom Daddy – 10:25
16 – The Twist/CoCo The Talking Guitar – 4:58
17 – Safety Net – 3:33
18 – Arthur Fhardi’s Yodeling Party – 3:36
19 – Theo’s Logic – 2:46
20 – Band Introductions – 0:31
21 – Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing – 4:22
22 – Big Guns – 4:03
23 – I’ll Get Over It – 6:41
24 – Sanctuary – 5:36
25 – I Love You #19 (Audience Band) – 6:37
26 – Shape Of Air – 3:56
27 – Through The Speakers – 2:54
28 – Let’s Spin – 5:10
29 – Applause – 1:18
30 – I Didn’t Build It For Me (Reprise) – 2:07
31 – Applause – 1:18
32 – The Happy Wanderer – 3:19

Credits
Bass – Tim Chandler
Design [Art Design] – Dennis Preston (2)
Drums – Bruce Brown (5) (tracks: 2-10), Ed McTaggart
Engineer [Assistant Engineers] – Josh (87), Rob (78)
Engineer [Co-engineer] – Zeo Brothers Productions
Engineer [House Sound] – Zeo Brothers Productions
Executive-Producer – Bradley S. Hamilton
Guitar – Greg Flesch
Layout – Adam Gongwer
Organ [B3] – Phil Madeira
Organ [B3], Backing Vocals – John J. Thompson* (tracks: 2-10)
Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By] – Rev*
Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Millenium Eight Records
Distributed By – M8 Distribution
Recorded At – Cornerstone Festival
Manufactured By – Acutrack