Tom Howard - View From The Bridge

Published Monday 25th October 2010
Tom Howard - View From The Bridge
Tom Howard - View From The Bridge

STYLE: Jesus Music
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 28104-VTI1762
LABEL: Solid Rock ROCKY3
FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Album

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Released back in the day (1977) when records from Larry Norman's Solid Rock label were the most polished and accomplished in Christendom, this, the debut from the late, great pianist/composer who, during this era, was also an excellent vocalist, is a near classic well worth searching out. Tom's debut was a lush mixture of pop melodies and atmospheric production. Opening with an orchestrated intro straight into the invitation "Come On In", this is the perfect entry to an album. Issued back in the era when albums were to be enjoyed as whole works and many sported gatefold LP sleeves burst with artwork and information, 'View From The Bridge' went on to be considered a Jesus Music gem. Highlights include the parable "Mansion On The Sand" and the cinematic feel of songs like "To Learn By Living" and "She Likes To Look At Pictures". Everything here is driven by Howard's keen piano skills from the celebratory "One More Reason" to the closing and worshipful "All Through The Day".

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 BRIAN JEWKES in DUDLEY @ 18:05 on Apr 18 2016

I dont claim to be an expert on Solid Rock, but remember here in the UK,i was amazed by the brilliance and sysmic change Mr Norman made to gospel rock with the release of Another land. Following releases by other artist also showed artistic excellence , though i doubt i would have even heard them if not for Norman. Toms album has a beauty of its own, but later solo vocal stuff not so good,at least to my ears. Musically Tom was a genius,and is now probably orchestrating the angels and enjoying the eternal landscape with his brother Larry.



Posted by Billy Kavanagh @ 01:31 on Jul 30 2012

Larry Norman was the powerhouse behind Solid Rock Music, a label that tried to bring modern gospel rock music to the fore. Norman is the one person that you attribute to bringing gospel music into the 21st century. Along the way, back in the 70's, he fell upon musicains that equaled or surpassed his ability. Tom Howard was one of the few who could claim that title. Listen to any of the albums that Norman released under his label and one will quickly realize that Howard's talent supersassed Normans by a long mile. Solid Rock will never release this album in a digital form. Why? Because when any listener hears this album and hears the noticeble absence of Norman on most of the tracks, they will realize that the biggest talent of the genre was buried in the ego of Larry Norman. View From The Bridge is the defining album of Solid Rock Records.



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