John Michael Talbot - History Makers: John Michael Talbot
STYLE: Ambient/Meditational RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 8024-7775 LABEL: Sparrow SPD80661 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £2.50
Reviewed by Trevor Kirk
The musical history of John Michael Talbot has been well documented. Back in the 1970s he and his brother Terry were well known both in Jesus Music circles and in the mainstream as Mason Proffitt, and in 1976 Billy Ray Hearn signed them to his fledgling Sparrow label. After some recordings in a folk/rock style, John Michael’s spiritual journey then took a totally different direction, which led him into the Roman Catholic Church and to Alverna, a Franciscan monastic order in Indiana; as a result, his music metamorphosed into the familiar acoustic meditational style that has become his trademark. I get the impression that some Christian music buffs consider John Michael to be decidedly uncool, which is a pity (not that I imagine that the man himself cares one iota) so this CD in the History Makers series from Sparrow comes at an opportune moment, and may just win him a few new fans. It covers material from 1979’s ‘The Lord’s Supper’, his first album after joining Alverna, through the 1980s and 1990s to his 2000 release ‘Simple Heart’, and it’s a well-chosen selection and a good place to start if you want to investigate the music of this underrated troubadour for the Lord.
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Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 15:48 on Oct 30 2011
I have this great cd of works by a great early pioneer
gospel songwriter/guitarist. I had been a long time
listener of John's songs way before the release of this cd
in April of 2003. I was kinda disappointed that some songs
were not included from his first 2 albums; to include long
time fave "Cast Down Your Cares". The 1979 "Glory to GOD"
begins the 15 set of songs;great for a church musical
cantata. This collection covers a basic 20 year span of
John's music; it ends with a song from 2000 cd "Simple
Heart". There is a nice handful of songs from 1980
"Come to the Quiet"; John writes many a song that bring an
inviting calm atmosphere. The nearly 6 minute "Lilies of
the Field" from 1988 is a top fave.
"I AM The Bread Of Life" is another top fave, even though it
is a little on the short side in length ( a little over 2
minutes). "One Faith" is quite the ccm sound;
similar to the sound of top ccm artist Michael Card.
3 years later, John would release a 2 cd set "The Ultimate"
that would include many of these same songs. Anyone notice
that the cd states this is 15 songs from 1970-1985 ?(on back
cover) In actuality, they are songs from 1979-2000. John
has over 40 years in the recording studio ( since 1969 at
age 15).
GOD Bless the music of John..................-Don
I have this great cd of works by a great early pioneer
gospel songwriter/guitarist. I had been a long time listener of John's songs way before the release of this cd in April of 2003. I was kinda disappointed that some songs were not included from his first 2 albums; to include long time fave "Cast Down Your Cares". The 1979 "Glory to GOD" begins the 15 set of songs;great for a church musical cantata. This collection covers a basic 20 year span of John's music; it ends with a song from 2000 cd "Simple Heart". There is a nice handful of songs from 1980
"Come to the Quiet"; John writes many a song that bring an inviting calm atmosphere. The nearly 6 minute "Lilies of the Field" from 1988 is a top fave.
"I AM The Bread Of Life" is another top fave, even though it is a little on the short side in length ( a little over 2 minutes). "One Faith" is quite the ccm sound;
similar to the sound of top ccm artist Michael Card.
3 years later, John would release a 2 cd set "The Ultimate" that would include many of these same songs. Anyone notice that the cd states this is 15 songs from 1970-1985 ?(on back cover) In actuality, they are songs from 1979-2000. John has over 40 years in the recording studio ( since 1969 at age 15).
GOD Bless the music of John..................-Don