Malcolm & Alwyn - Fool's Wisdom (Footstep)

Published Tuesday 26th July 2005
Malcolm & Alwyn - Fool's Wisdom (Footstep)
Malcolm & Alwyn - Fool's Wisdom (Footstep)

STYLE: Jesus Music
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 13027-2727
LABEL: Footstep FRCD003
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £14.69

Reviewed by Chris Tozer

When this album was originally released in 1973, alongside Parchment's 'Light Up The Fire', it was snapped up by Pye Records - one of the top labels of the day. 'Fools Wisdom' was very much a landmark album of the fledgling CCM industry in this country. Larry Norman, the godfather of contemporary Christian music, had become a British resident and the American Jesus Movement had inspired young Christians on this side of the Atlantic to take up their guitars for the cause. Malcolm & Alwyn, with their trademark autoharp, acoustic guitar and Beatlesque harmonies, sang at all the major Jesus Festivals across the country that summer and were clearly a cut above the rest in those pioneer days. For this, their first album, they were able to enlist the services of Norman's production team and a superb roster of session musicians that included Elton John's drummer. The investment was clearly worthwhile as the recording puts the duo's voices and instruments very much to the fore on each of these delicate self-written songs. Despite dealing with issues common to spiritually seeking young people the world over, the lyrics are quintessentially British - a rare commodity then as now. Yet, curiously, the Americans loved them for it. Malcolm Wilde has, for many years, pastured a Calvary Chapel in Florida whilst Alwyn Wall now leads a similar church in south London. Yet somehow, I doubt that they have ever preached so succinctly to their generation as on this brilliant debut.

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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Sample Track Listing:
1. Say It Like It Is [Listen]
2. Fool's Wisdom [Listen]
3. Tomorrow's News [Listen]
4. Growing Old [Listen]
5. Things are Getting Better [Listen]
6. Heaven or Hell [Listen]
7. Seed of Corn [Listen]
8. The World Needs Jesus [Listen]
9. Always On My Mind [Listen]
10. It's Here the Answer Lies [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 James Oswald in Suffolk, VA @ 16:19 on Jun 26 2008

Woke up this morning with part of the lyrics in my head after not hearing this for ? years...
\"Got myself a postcard from a leather backed book, God myself a Savior when I took a second look
Opened up the post card and what did I find? A black and white portrait of a King, Who\'s a friend of mine.\"

Awe lyrics from the past that still stick today! Thank God for the internet, that lets us look this kind of thing up!



Posted by Colin in Carrick, N Ireland @ 16:03 on Jan 11 2007

I was influenced by M & A in my early days as a young Christian. They produced a really annointed album, in Fools Wisdom. Bessed later when I met Malcolm. Thanks guys.



Posted by Angie in California USA @ 00:31 on Dec 22 2006

I was born the year this album came out. My Jesus people mom listened to it constantly. I still sing these songs in my head. Love it!



Posted by Roy Batterman in Jacksonville, FL @ 06:34 on Aug 10 2006

Wow! Mix a cake of Simon & Garfunkel, The Moody Blues, Larry Norman and The Beatles and bake it in the oven of the love of Jesus, and frost it with folk frosting. Beautiful. Serious. Contemplative. Fun. Yea, I love Malcolm and Alwyn!



Posted by Barry Boyers in Yarm, Teesside, England @ 21:59 on Dec 14 2005

I don't think there could be more excitment at a christian concert than a tour in the early '70s which called in at Middlesbrough (!). An american Jesus people rock band-the Sheep- headlined and Malcolm and Alwyn + Parchment supported. Imagine our astonishment when Randy Stonehill was announced as having flown in from California . What a mega night. They ended with all on stage singing 'Oh Happy Day' -It Was. That was 40p well spent!! PTL



Posted by rachelle in los angeles, Ca @ 22:03 on Jul 19 2005

I LOVE malcolm and alwyn..it reminds me of a mission trip i took to england..good sweet folksy music- i love it!!



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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