Tag: Wilson McKinley

We recently uploaded the 1972 Wilson McKinley album, Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast! and people enjoyed it so here is their previous 1971 album. While i don’t think it’s quite as good as their subsequent album I actually still quite liked it. The album includes a updated rock cover of the 1966 Peter Scholtes hymn “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” renamed “One In The Spirit”. It’s a pretty good version though there are errors in the song if you listen carefully. Normally stuff like that would be re-cut but this was a self released album on a tight budget and I don’t care it adds to the album. It’s actually pretty well engineered and produced for the era. Luckily for us it has been re-released a few times on vinyl then finally on CD so there are copies out there.

Tracklist
1 – He – 4:08
2 – It’s Up To You – 3:25
3 – Come On Home – 2:52
4 – One In The Spirit – 4:00
5 – Tree Of Life – 3:52
6 – His Eye Is On The Sparrow – 3:03
7 – All My Life – 3:40
8 – Crown Of Glory – 1:30
9 – I Need A Saviour – 3:30
10 – Spirit Of Elijah – 6:08

Credits
Design – Johnny T’s House Of Design
Drums – Tom Slipp
Engineer – Terry Sheets
Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Mike Messer
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Bass – Jimmy Bartlett
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar [Electric], Rhythm Guitar [Acoustic], Lead Guitar, Electric Piano – Randy Wilcox
Liner Notes – Timothy Smith
Mastered By – Dingbat Lacquer Sound Disc
Photography, Layout, Design – Dave Joern

Companies, etc.
Licensed From – Timothy Smith
Licensed From – Tanignak Productions
Recorded At – Sound Recordings
Pressed By – Gotta Groove Records

The origins of Wilson McKinley are a rather odd story that I won’t really get into but this is the relevant part. They started as a band called “The California Poppy Pickers” and they released an album of cover tunes in 1969 and it sold well. They took the profits form that album and used them to produce a 7″ demo in 1970. This was the end of their secular career as they became Christians in 1970. They proceeded to start self releasing albums through the early 70’s. This is their 3rd album and probably the best known. The album has a bit of a Allman Brothers sound but basically is your standard fare 70’s Jesus Music album. The wild cover was a black light feature in case you are wondering.

Tracklist
1 – Standin’ At The Crossroads
2 – I’m Only Smiling
3 – He Made Us Free
4 – Then I Fell In Love
5 – I Wish I Had The Words To Tell You
6 – Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast!
7 – Never Cry No More
8 – A Warm Summer Day
9 – Almighty God

Credits
Design – Johnny T’s House Of Design
Drums, Percussion, Cover, Artwork [Label] – Tom Slipp
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Mike Messer
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Bass – Jimmy Bartlett
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Grand Piano, Electric Piano – Randy Wilcox
Liner Notes – Timothy Smith
Mastered By – Dingbat Lacquer Sound Disc
Photography – Dave Joern