A decade before the Mac Powell lead Third Day began owning the Christian radio and album sales charts there was a band from Ontario, Canada with the same name and a distinctly different sound. Once again it was the little, progressive Canadian label, Tunesmith, that delivered the band to the States. The band released one fantastic and completely original album in 1982 and little is known about them other than what I can read on album sleeve and hear in the grooves. Primarily a jazz influenced, progressive rock band with a male lead vocalist and female backing vocals. Great guitar and synthesizer work. “Covenant” kicks off side one with the albums most memorable tune. I vaguely remember playing this one for a short while on KYMS back in 1982. The album is often filled with straight scripture. It is also filled with very good guitar solo work. The opening track has both. I have always enjoyed a band that is not afraid to stop singing and actually play their instruments, something they do quite well. In fact, there is a nearly 7-minute instrumental on an album only containing 8 songs. Outside of the one token cheesy ballad (His Yoke Is Easy) most of the album rocks pretty hard within the progressive constraints. This would be more for fans of early Genesis, with more folk and rock influences. In fact, I read a review once that described them a “prog-folk,” and the label kind of works. In 1982 there was Resurrection Band and a few “metal” bands, but very few progressive rock band in the vein of Third Day and, as a result, they stood out. They also stood out initially because of the great artwork and “gate fold” LP packaging Tunesmith provided. If only the label would have spent a few more pennies on the production of many of their releases. But here Third Day stands out again with great production.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – Covenant – 3:53
2 – The Real You – 5:30
3 – It’s A New Day – 6:30
4 – His Yoke Is Easy – 2:47
5 – Revelation – 5:20
6 – The Word – 4:55
7 – Without Love – 4:54
8 – He Holds The Sun – 4:37
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Al Tiernay, Lazarus Varla
Art Direction, Photography By – Tom Fenney
Artwork [Signed] – D. Rieger
Backing Vocals – Beth Hudson, Esther Hudson, Sharon Hudson
Bass – Geoff Taylor, Lazarus Varla, Steve Kennedy
Cover, Illustration – Adolph Rieger
Drums – Frank Difelice, Paul Quinton
Electric Guitar – Al Tiernay, Lazarus Varla
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – David Geldart
Engineer [Assistant] – Lori Taylor, Paul Templeman
Engineer [Second] – Cam Shearer, Frank Kitson
Engineer, Mixed By – Paul Massey
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Bev Joel
Guitar – Lazarus Varla
Lead Guitar – Lazarus Varla
Lead Vocals – Lazarus Varla
Mixed By – Doug McKenzie
Percussion – Paul Quinton
Producer, Arranged By – Lazarus Varla
Rhythm Guitar – Al Tiernay
Synthesizer – Lazarus Varla
Synthesizer [Oberheim O B X] – David Geldart, Lazarus Varla
Synthesizer [Prophet 5] – Bob Federer
Vocals – Al Tiernay, Lazarus Varla
Written-By – Al Tiernay, L. Varla
Companies, etc.
Published By – Noteworthy Publishing
Recorded At – Master’s Workshop
Mastered At – Greg Lee Processing
