Joe English - Lights In The World/Held Accountable

Published Friday 25th January 2008
Joe English - Lights In The World/Held Accountable
Joe English - Lights In The World/Held Accountable

STYLE: Pop
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 44023-13608
LABEL: Benson CD02827
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £4.99

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

In the '70s whilst Joe English was recording the 'London Town' album as Paul McCartney's drummer in Wings, he got a phone call to say his wife was injured following a car accident. Doctors did their best but it was the miraculous healing following his wife visiting a prayer meeting that really got his attention. English became a Christian, quit Wings and started work on his own gospel material. These two albums were his first releases on Refuge Records and marked the launch of his solo career. He headlined Greenbelt '81 and toured the UK in the autumn of that year and my job back then was to organise his first British tour. It's simple to say that 'Lights In The World' is a gem with a smooth funky pop production that highlights the strength of English's blue-eyed soul-ish vocal style. Breezy songs like "Shine On", "Midnight Angel Choir" and "Get Ready" all highlight superb musicianship, fab horn arrangements and strong spiritual messages. I think my favourite has always been the upbeat groove of "Praise Him". His second album 'Held Accountable' is more of the same with the signature smooth production sound and layered vocals all in place. There are plenty of fine moments here. "My Strength Is In The Lord" is a great ballad whilst "Learn To Celebrate" is a fabulous short burst of praise. The one thing that is easy to overlook when it comes to Joe and his band is that they were a fine bunch of musicians in their own right (they recorded their own album under the name Forerunner, with ex-Petra man John Lawry handling the vocals). The band's dexterity can be measured on the excellent instrumental workout "Thief In The Night". Of the two albums, 'Lights In The World' is slightly better and for younger music fans, the '80s production sound may make them feel dated but good music is good music. These days Joe English has completely disappeared off the scene. If you know where he is, can you tell me? It's time we got his story for these pages!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Tim in New Bedford, Ma @ 22:43 on Jan 23 2009

Hello
My Name is Tim and I have been searching for Joe English Lights in The World CD, With no luck. I have fond memories of "Praise Him" as the year I was Saved, this song kept me going! Can anyone out there help? Thank You....


Reply by Andrew @ 21:50 on Sep 4 2009

Try the following link http://www.sweet-music.com/RE

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Reply by G in CA @ 03:25 on Jul 21 2009

There are a few of his songs on youtube, type joe english in youtube and lights of the world to narrow it, apparently "refuge" is a distributor of his music? but not sure, my fav is "keep in touch"...

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Posted by Kevin Stricker in LkLnd fla @ 15:58 on Sep 10 2008

I need a copywright for song Keep In Touch, remember ? us meeting Joe ? bk in 1980, at the Church in Dunedin, or Largo Fla. ? PRAISE GOD FOR HIS VOICE, you reached out to me giving me a cassette tape, saying this will have impact on your life to help change the world, leaving the Church as I was pulling in! ! ! "Listen" "REACH UP FOR MY HAND" "GRAND DESIGN, THANK YOU JESUS"! ! !



Posted by darryl in oklahoma @ 18:42 on Jul 17 2008

JOE your songs still rings in my ears because i'm still waking up to what i call a midnights dream and i'm still hearing the angel chior and please make some cd'\more music



Posted by paul Higghins in Adelaide South Australia @ 07:25 on Jul 17 2008

I am a huge fan of Wings and Joe English. I hvae left several phone messages for him at WOFF ( Word of faith fellowship) in SPINDALE Nth Carolina, but he has not retuned my calls. I have read some pretty bad things about WOFF and just want to make sure that Joe is ok and I would love to speak to him. Oh well , I'll keep trying


Reply by Jussari in Helsinki, Finland @ 12:32 on Jul 22 2010

http://wordoffaithfellowship.org/testimonies/joe-english

I was very shocked when I heard his testimone. Could it be true what he's telling?

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Reply by Jussari in Helsinki, Finland @ 12:23 on Jul 22 2010

http://wordoffaithfellowship.org/testimonies/joe-english

I don't know is that true or has Joe manipulated to believe those things, but I was shocked when I heard this.

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Posted by Rich Shivers in South Jersey @ 04:09 on Jun 3 2008

I too have a couple of Mr. English's Cassettes. I was also blessed by his music ministry. I have looked for his music on CDs for a while and have not found any. I pray that he and his family are well and serving our LORD!!! Thanks for your ministry.



Posted by Vito Dubnokov in Orlando, Florida @ 05:29 on Feb 29 2008

From what I understand Joe English is retired from the music scene and living in North Carolina. Pity !! His music is such a blessing still. I saw Joe English in concert only one time in late 1982 or early 1983. His band rocked !! I still listen to what I have of his music on CD regularly !!


Reply by vito dubnokov in orlando florida @ 19:14 on May 11 2013

I never realized I had a reply to this message lol. So sorry I didn't see it sooner. I hope you get some music from Joe English. If not let me know

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Reply by paul Higgins in Adelaide South Australia @ 05:46 on Aug 27 2008

hey how ya doin? even though I am not particularly religious , I would love to hear The Joe English Band> I have tried to get some cd's over here but no one can help.

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