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radioThese are reader comments for the article '1979 - Christian Music's Year Zero!: A Personal Reflection by Mike Rimmer'
Reader Comments
Posted by Derek Collins in London, England @ 19:48 on Mar 8 2007
An interesting article.
Being just a few short years older than you I remember those same events but perhaps ever so slightly differently. I was always a huge music fan too and unlike you, found spiritual sustenance in music outside the 'Christian' genre. In fact I found a lot of Christian Music superficial and lacking in depth, though some of the bands you mentioned brought back great thrills to my jaded soul! I was a particular fan of Bill Mason Band (fellow scousers), FishCo/Writz (Brilliant Songwriters - Fairnie was a wonderful character). I don't think I had such high hopes as you for 'Christian Music' to break through in a big way in 79. Partly I guess I was already jaded even back then. Partly because I was finding spiritual food in music outside the ghetto. As you pointed out, new wave was already under way by then and while certainly not Christian, artistes like Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg were feeding my concern for social justice, Van Morrison and others my demand for spiritual depth.
I don't know if the current ease with which Christian Artistes can be recognised and applauded in the general music scene would have come about without your 'year zero'. Artistes like U2, Martyn Joseph, Bruce Cockburn, Johnny Cash, Brian Houston and others can all be completely open about their faith and still be respected as musicians in a way that was difficult to imagine before 1979.
One of your commenters asked about Brian Houston, wanting to know, where is he now. I am happy to report that Brian is alive and well, making wonderful and profoundly spiritual music and is regularly featured on Bob Harris's show on Radio 2 Saturday night. For furtehr details see www.brianhouston.com.
An interesting article.
Being just a few short years older than you I remember those same events but perhaps ever so slightly differently. I was always a huge music fan too and unlike you, found spiritual sustenance in music outside the 'Christian' genre. In fact I found a lot of Christian Music superficial and lacking in depth, though some of the bands you mentioned brought back great thrills to my jaded soul! I was a particular fan of Bill Mason Band (fellow scousers), FishCo/Writz (Brilliant Songwriters - Fairnie was a wonderful character). I don't think I had such high hopes as you for 'Christian Music' to break through in a big way in 79. Partly I guess I was already jaded even back then. Partly because I was finding spiritual food in music outside the ghetto. As you pointed out, new wave was already under way by then and while certainly not Christian, artistes like Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg were feeding my concern for social justice, Van Morrison and others my demand for spiritual depth.
I don't know if the current ease with which Christian Artistes can be recognised and applauded in the general music scene would have come about without your 'year zero'. Artistes like U2, Martyn Joseph, Bruce Cockburn, Johnny Cash, Brian Houston and others can all be completely open about their faith and still be respected as musicians in a way that was difficult to imagine before 1979.
One of your commenters asked about Brian Houston, wanting to know, where is he now. I am happy to report that Brian is alive and well, making wonderful and profoundly spiritual music and is regularly featured on Bob Harris's show on Radio 2 Saturday night. For furtehr details see www.brianhouston.com.
Posted by Phil Rice in Jacksonville, FL USA @ 23:07 on Mar 6 2007
A good read for those of us who grew up around Year Zero. In those days that predate the internet, I was fortunate to read about all of these Brit bands in the underground christian music publications. Alwyn Wall Band! Wow, if all of my vinyl wasn't in storage!! I can relate to the buzz and record store digging for anything. When Sheila Walsh did her first US tour I brought so many friends who thought I was completely daff. They had never heard the christian "brit" sound before and they were amazed. I just wish someone could get these classic brit albums digital so we can still enjoy them.
A good read for those of us who grew up around Year Zero. In those days that predate the internet, I was fortunate to read about all of these Brit bands in the underground christian music publications. Alwyn Wall Band! Wow, if all of my vinyl wasn't in storage!! I can relate to the buzz and record store digging for anything. When Sheila Walsh did her first US tour I brought so many friends who thought I was completely daff. They had never heard the christian "brit" sound before and they were amazed. I just wish someone could get these classic brit albums digital so we can still enjoy them.
Posted by Mike Rimmer in Birmingham @ 22:43 on Jan 27 2007
Steve Smith is right about kainos. They were pioneers of contemporary gospel music mixing gospel with the Brit-funk of the day and laid the way for groups like Paradise to take it to the next level. With Joel Edwards and basil meade in the line up they had long influence way after the group split up. Their performance at Greenbelt was another highlight and I loved it. sadly the piece was getting so lengthy that something had to go. The Greenbelt live album of the year captured their performance of "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" including the references to what was happening in Zimbabwe, a conflict that continues to this day.
Steve Smith is right about kainos. They were pioneers of contemporary gospel music mixing gospel with the Brit-funk of the day and laid the way for groups like Paradise to take it to the next level. With Joel Edwards and basil meade in the line up they had long influence way after the group split up. Their performance at Greenbelt was another highlight and I loved it. sadly the piece was getting so lengthy that something had to go. The Greenbelt live album of the year captured their performance of "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" including the references to what was happening in Zimbabwe, a conflict that continues to this day.
Posted by steve smith @ 11:33 on Jan 27 2007
Hi Mike,
What about Kainos??
Pioneering British Gospel-Funk band who were lead by Bazil Meade....They incidently appear on footage of 1979 Greenbelt festival.
Hi Mike,
What about Kainos??
Pioneering British Gospel-Funk band who were lead by Bazil Meade....They incidently appear on footage of 1979 Greenbelt festival.
Posted by Trevor in Stoke on Trent @ 20:16 on Jan 25 2007
Thanx Mike for some super memories; my Year Zero was 10 years before yours, 1969, when I was listening to Whispers of Truth (Graham Kendrick's prog/rock band - my how things change!), folk trio The Glorylanders, The Concords from Paisley, Scotland, blues outfit All Things New from Ipswich, The Four Kingsmen from Zummerzet, Gerry McClelland from Belfast, and of course, Christian Merseybeat band The Crossbeats. Those were the days!!!!
Thanx Mike for some super memories; my Year Zero was 10 years before yours, 1969, when I was listening to Whispers of Truth (Graham Kendrick's prog/rock band - my how things change!), folk trio The Glorylanders, The Concords from Paisley, Scotland, blues outfit All Things New from Ipswich, The Four Kingsmen from Zummerzet, Gerry McClelland from Belfast, and of course, Christian Merseybeat band The Crossbeats. Those were the days!!!!
Posted by Keith Dixon in East London @ 14:15 on Jan 23 2007
Mike - the memories! I was (and still am) a massive music fan. Like you, I agree that vinyl packaging is best! I became a Christian in 1980 in Hartlepool (not far from you!). Your description of Christian bookshops of the time was spot on. My local store was called "Christiana" and the first two albums I bought were Larry Norman's 'Upon This Rock' and Bryn Haworth's 'The Gap' (his first album for Chapel Lane). These were quickly followed by two other Chapel Lane albums - The Barrett Band's 'Playing in the City' and (the totally brilliant) Mark Williamson Band's 'Midnight Diamond'. We managed to see MWB several times, most notably at Durham University were they were supported by Liberation Suite. Times have definately changed!!!!!
When I get home from work some LPs will be getting their first airing for some time!
Mike - the memories! I was (and still am) a massive music fan. Like you, I agree that vinyl packaging is best! I became a Christian in 1980 in Hartlepool (not far from you!). Your description of Christian bookshops of the time was spot on. My local store was called "Christiana" and the first two albums I bought were Larry Norman's 'Upon This Rock' and Bryn Haworth's 'The Gap' (his first album for Chapel Lane). These were quickly followed by two other Chapel Lane albums - The Barrett Band's 'Playing in the City' and (the totally brilliant) Mark Williamson Band's 'Midnight Diamond'. We managed to see MWB several times, most notably at Durham University were they were supported by Liberation Suite. Times have definately changed!!!!!
When I get home from work some LPs will be getting their first airing for some time!
Posted by Mark in Kendal, Cumbria @ 00:23 on Jan 23 2007
Those were the days my friend. After I became a Christian in 82 I started noticing bands playing coffee bars in church halls around Belfast at the weekends. Brian Houston's Communique were the best of the bunch. Where is he now...any ideas?
Anyway, after popping into the Faith Mission shop in Belfast and purchasing 'Between Heaven n Hell' by Rez I became aware of the Word Record Club...vinyl through the mail. You could choose 2 records (either tape or record) from a heady list of about 5! I chose Amy Grant's Unguarded and something by Sheila Walsh (sorry Sheila, can't remember what you had out then)...sadly, the postman decided to make sure they went through the letterbox by folding them in two! Never got to listen to my introductory offer from the record club. Scarred for life, or maybe just scared for life. Peace
Those were the days my friend. After I became a Christian in 82 I started noticing bands playing coffee bars in church halls around Belfast at the weekends. Brian Houston's Communique were the best of the bunch. Where is he now...any ideas?
Anyway, after popping into the Faith Mission shop in Belfast and purchasing 'Between Heaven n Hell' by Rez I became aware of the Word Record Club...vinyl through the mail. You could choose 2 records (either tape or record) from a heady list of about 5! I chose Amy Grant's Unguarded and something by Sheila Walsh (sorry Sheila, can't remember what you had out then)...sadly, the postman decided to make sure they went through the letterbox by folding them in two! Never got to listen to my introductory offer from the record club. Scarred for life, or maybe just scared for life. Peace
Posted by Allan Clare in Bristol, UK. @ 12:10 on Jan 22 2007
Thanks a lot, Mike, for an interesting article. It brought back memories of MY first ever christian album purchase way back in 1992. It was 'Cresta Run' by someone called Graham Kendrick (who I had never heard of) and I bought it as the line up of musicians included bass/drums/guitar, etc. 'That'll do' I thought, seeing the 99p price.
It's a great album. Kendrick does Dire Straits!
Regards,
Allan.
Thanks a lot, Mike, for an interesting article. It brought back memories of MY first ever christian album purchase way back in 1992. It was 'Cresta Run' by someone called Graham Kendrick (who I had never heard of) and I bought it as the line up of musicians included bass/drums/guitar, etc. 'That'll do' I thought, seeing the 99p price.
It's a great album. Kendrick does Dire Straits!
Regards,
Allan.
The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.
Like yourself music plays a great part in my life, so does my pation for Jesus, our sound track and year zero vary from where we started, to discover the reserecton band, and see the alarm play at the 85 greenbelt I think, with randy stonehill transfixing as all with his late night show. The hope that something big would transpire.wanting to bring Jesus to are friends in an exceptable way. I bought the slow train album on your recomendation years ago and thought it terrible, but still regularly play the raw but brilliant 100% proof debut (who I here you say) Each generation needs their own music to find Jesus to I share much of your experience but just with slightly different bands. Good article God bless