Liberation Suite - Liberation Suite 25th Anniversary Edition

Published Wednesday 13th July 2005
Liberation Suite - Liberation Suite 25th Anniversary Edition
Liberation Suite - Liberation Suite 25th Anniversary Edition

STYLE: Jesus Music
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 13029-2729
LABEL: JM1
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £15.99

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Originally hailing from Texas, Liberation Suite felt called by God to minister in the UK and pitched up in Belfast to live and minister there at the height of the British Jesus movement. They recorded this album during the last few weeks of 1974 with Premier Radio DJ John Pantry in the producer's chair (I'm not making this up!) and it is very much of its time. The horn section makes them sound like early '70s Chicago at times but the complex music and spiritual themes make the album pure '70s and this really is a classic Jesus Music re-release.. Standouts include the acoustic instrumental "Hearken" and the grooving "More Than A Matter". There's also a pretty cool version of Blind Faith's "Presence Of The Lord" redeeming Eric Clapton's famous drug song and using it for God. It also gives Barry Bynum the chance to shine on guitar. There's a bluesy country rock feel to "Led To Roam" which drives along as the album's opener and a bluesy pop swing that propels "Oh Lord You Know (That I Feel So Fine)" with fine results. This is classic Christian music not to be missed.

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Sample Track Listing:
1. Led to Roam [Listen]
2. Run Run Lucifer [Listen]
3. My Lod Is a Remedy [Listen]
4. Oh Lord You Know (That I Feel So Fine) [Listen]
5. Reachin' For the Sky [Listen]
6. More Than A Matter [Listen]
7. Presence of the Lord [Listen]
8. Hearken [Listen]
9. I Wanna Be With You [Listen]
10. Interview [Listen]
11. I Wanna Be With You (Live Cut) [Listen]

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.

Reader Comments

Posted by Jerry Thompson in Essex, UK. @ 08:38 on Jul 31 2010

How good is this debut album?
I put it right up there with Larry Norman's Only Visiting This Planet and Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming.
I first saw Liberation Suite in a Maidstone church and afterwards got to meet them, they were very down to earth and approachable.
Later that year, 1975, I saw them at the Royal Albert Hall with Parchment supporting Larry Norman.
US Christian rock at it's best, 10 out of 10!


Reply by Randy Hill in Oregon @ 18:50 on Aug 21 2010

Thanks Jerry for the kind words! I am thankful to our Father who chose to use a bunch of kids to help spread the Gospel.
-Randy

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Posted by James in Austin, Texas @ 04:07 on Mar 5 2007

I had the honor to play (with another band) on the same stage as Liberation Suite in the 70's in Texas. The guys were about to leave for Ireland the last time we played together. I have this record (original) on vinyl, and it will always be one of my most treasured blessings. God continues to use them as His hands thirty years later.



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