Tag: Norman Barratt

Barratt Band – Playin’ in the City – 1981

This is one of my personal favourites from the 80’s and easily resides in my top 100. It was released as Playing In The City in the U.K. and Playin’ in the City in North America. It also had 2 different album covers with the North American one coming in as the clear winner. The Strat will usually win. The Barratt Band was basically The Alwyn Wall band without Alwyn with Norman on vocals instead but with a more mainstream sound. There’s a bit of an After The Fire feel and they did have a connection as Bass player Tim Hatwell had been in the band Narnia with John Russell and Peter Banks. I also read somewhere that Tim did some work with ATF but I have not confirmed that with Peter Banks yet. Anyway these guys meshed really really well and the opening track sets the tone for a great rock pop album. If you missed this one in the day you need to give it a listen, you won’t be sorry.

Tracklist
1 – The Only One – 3:18
2 – Not The Way – 4:50
3 – Your Love – 5:40
4 – Playing In The City – 4:15
5 – Coming Of The Man – 1:55
6 – Bad Mean World – 2:37
7 – My Spirit’s Free – 4:15
8 – Voice In The Night – 6:54
9 – Never Seen Your Face – 6:30

Credits
Bass Guitar – Tim Hatwell
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Guitar – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Walter Bollard
Producer – Vic Coppersmith, Norman Barratt
Vocals – Norman Barratt
Written-By – Norman Barratt, Tim Hatwell

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Refuge Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Gravy Train – Gravy Train – 1970

If you know Gravy Train then you may be wondering what they are doing here but if you really know Gravy Train then you know why they are here. Norman Barratt formed the band in 1969. He was looking to start a original material band as opposed to a cover band as many bands start. Instead right from the start Norman wanted to do original music. I think it’s safe to say this idea was a success. This is the first album from Gravy Train and Norman got saved during the recording of the album so the album itself does not reflect his Christian beliefs. This album is pretty hard rock for 1970 but could also be classified as Progressive. Unfortunately the album didn’t do that well because it’s just not that good compared to what was available in this genre at the time. Let’s remember this was a time when the success of an album was determined by dollars in cash registers not views on Spotify and people were tight with their money in 1970. An album had to stand out to make it back then. All that aside it’s a great piece of history and is still a quite enjoyable album.

Tracklist
1 – The New One – 5:15
2 – Dedication To Sid – 7:17
3 – Coast Road – 6:46
4 – Enterprise – 6:20
5 – Think Of Life – 5:10
6 – Earl Of Pocket Nook – 16:11

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Les Williams
Design [Cover Design], Photography – Hipgnosis
Drums – Barry Davenport
Engineer – Keith Harwood
Flute [Alto, Simultaneous Alto And Tenor], Vocals – J.D. Hughes
Lyrics By [Written By], Composed By – Gravy Train
Producer – Jonathan Peel
Vocals, Lead Guitar – Norman Barratt

Companies, etc.
Printed By – Dillard et Cie. Imp. Paris
Recorded At – Olympic Studios

Barratt Band – Voice – 1983

This is the final album from the Barratt Band. The lineup changed slightly from their first album with Dave Engel replacing Russell Caldwell on drums. This album is fantastic as was their first one and it is the epitome of what my group of friends listened to in 1983. Of course we didn’t actually listen to this one because it as only released in the UK and NZ & Australia. Why their albums were not released in North America is completely beyond me. They both are excellent and I’m positive would have sold well. The sound is a Pop Rock sound and I guarantee you’ll enjoy this one.

Tracklist
1 – December – 6:13
2 – Stereo – 6:28
3 – Computer Failure – 2:52
4 – Loud Silence – 5:09
5 – Play My Guitar – 5:39
6 – Exit Through Exit – 3:07
7 – Being Alive – 3:17
8 – The Voice – 7:32

Credits
Bass – Dave Markee, Les Williams
Drums – Dave Engels
Engineer – Derek Murray
Guitar, Vocals – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Producer – Norman Barratt
Written-By – Dave Morris, Norman Barratt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Chapel Lane Productions
Distributed By – Concorde Productions

Norman Barratt – Barratt – 1988

This is the only true solo album from Norman Barratt which I found surprising considering how many albums he has in one form or another. The album highlights his guitar skills throughout and he also put in part time duty producing the album. Norman only signed on 2 artists to help with the album, Mark Olly on drums, and Steve Boyce on keyboards. While the album only has 8 tracks you get your money’s worth because there isn’t a track shorter that 4:30. While the album was only released in Europe in 1988 Refuge Records did a deal to release it in the U.S. in 1991.

Tracklist
1 – The Last Night – 5:20
2 – I Know Where You Are – 4:24
3 – I Can See It In Your Eyes – 5:01
4 – How I Know – 6:16
5 – Automatic Life – 5:36
6 – Still Waitin’ – 4:32
7 – When The Night Comes – 4:48
8 – Sing A New Song – 5:23

Credits
Cover [Cover Design] – Ron Bryant-Funnell
Engineer [Assistant] – Bob Little, Damon Gough
Guitar, Backing Vocals, Producer, Lead Vocals, Mixed By, Engineer [Assistant], Programmed By [Programming], Written-By – Norman Barratt
Keyboards, Producer, Mixed By, Engineer, Programmed By [Programming] – Steve Boyce-Buckley
Management – Bill Hampson
Percussion [Additional] – Mark Olly
Photography By – Johan Van Loo
Producer [Vocals Produced By] – Trevor Taylor (tracks: 4)
Software Instrument [Guitar f.x. And Programs Supplied By] – Neil Costello
Technician [Technical Assistant] – Stephen Naughton

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Edge Records
Copyright © – Edge Records
Licensed From – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Distributed By – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Made By – MPO
Recorded At – Square One Studios
Mixed At – Square One Studios
Published By – Thankyou Music

Larry Norman Featuring Alwyn Wall & Barratt Band – Larry Norman And His Friends On Tour – 1981

This live album was recorded at the Dominion Theatre In London on Dec 26th 1980. According to Larry, Cliff Richard, The Vapors, Vic Coppersmith, and several members of Eric Clapton’s band were in attendance. Alwyn Wall and the Barratt Band opened for Larry and stayed on to back Larry’s set. Larry released the album with side 1 having 5 tracks from the opening set and 4 tracks on Side 2 from Larry. Well actually the first pressing had 4 tracks but subsequent pressings actually had 6 tracks. In typical Larry form he did not redo the jacket to represent these extra tracks but instead put an insert in the album to explain. In his defense though redoing the Jacket would have cost a lot of money so I don’t fault him. I do fault his however for some of his editing choices. Some tracks are chopped off and the sound quality varies greatly from track to track. However this is all part of listening to a Larry production. The electronic release of the album includes 5 bonus tracks recorded at the Bremen Germany stop of the same tour. We have included those tracks for your listening pleasure.

Tracklist
1 – Barratt Band – The Only One – 3:43
2 – Barratt Band – Not The Way – 3:41
3 – Alwyn Wall – I’m Alright Jack (The Greed Song) – 3:55
4 – Alwyn Wall – Hold On – 3:46
5 – Alwyn Wall – Dreams On Sand – 6:05
6 – Larry Norman – I Feel Like Dying – 2:48
7 – Larry Norman – Leaving The Past Behind – 1:39
8 – Larry Norman – Why Can’t You Be Good – 4:31
9 – Larry Norman – A Note From Mr God – 3:46
10 – Larry Norman – Put Your Life Into His Hands – 3:19
11 – Larry Norman – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 5:48
Bonus Tracks
12 – Larry Norman & Friends – Swing Low Sweet Chariot – 5:01
13 – Larry Norman – Watch What You’re Doing – 7:02
14 – Larry Norman – Feeling So Bad – 4:26
15 – Larry Norman – Sweet Sweet Song Of Salvation – 5:26
16 – Barratt Band – My Father’s House – 10:01