Earfull

Earfull

Originally released in 1979, Earfull is a fascinating double-LP compilation of contemporary Christian music, issued in the UK on the independent Buzz Magazine label. Spread across four sides, the collection brings together 32 tracks from a remarkably diverse group of British and American Christian artists, reflecting the breadth of the late-1970s Jesus Music and contemporary Christian music scene.

The first two sides mix Christian folk, singer-songwriter material, gospel and more contemporary pop and rock sounds. Malcolm Wild's “Love Is You,” Stewart & Kyle's “Open Boat,” Mark Williamson's “Hold On Me” and Marilyn Baker's “I Am The Way” establish an intimate, melodic side, while Gary S. Paxton's “(I'm) Anchored In The Rock Of Ages” brings a more traditional gospel influence. Len Magee, Willy Hanssen, John Pantry and Adrian Snell further demonstrate the variety of approaches represented on the compilation.

The collection also moves firmly into Christian rock and contemporary pop, with tracks such as Bill Mason Band's “Out On The Streets,” “Jesus On The Airways” by John Pantry, “He Loves You” by Faith and “Give Them All To Jesus” by Robert Newey. There is a particularly strong British presence throughout the album, making Earfull an interesting document of the UK's developing Christian music scene during the late 1970s. The track listing is confirmed as the original four-side, 32-track sequence.

The third and fourth sides broaden the picture further. Bryn Haworth's “Standing On The Rock,” Wall Bros Band's “Givin' It Up,” Face To Face's “Love Like An Ocean” and Andrus, Blackwood & Co's “You Are My Everything” sit alongside the more gospel-oriented material, while American artists including Dan Peek, Leon Patillo, Chuck Girard, Kelly Willard and The Maranatha Singers give the compilation an important US contemporary-Christian dimension.

Of particular interest to collectors is the appearance of Dan Peek, formerly of America, with “All Things Are Possible”, alongside Leon Patillo, who would become associated with pioneering Christian electronic and funk music, and Chuck Girard, a key figure in the early Jesus Music movement. The closing “Lord Be Glorified” by The Maranatha Singers provides a suitably devotional finale.

With its mixture of Christian folk, gospel, soft rock, singer-songwriter material, contemporary pop and Christian rock, Earfull offers a useful snapshot of the music being created for the rapidly developing contemporary Christian audience of the 1970s. It should appeal not only to collectors of Christian music but also to anyone interested in obscure British independent compilations, private-label recordings and the history of the Jesus Music movement.

Side A

1. Malcolm Wild – Love Is You
2. Stewart & Kyle – Open Boat
3. Mark Williamson – Hold On Me
4. Marilyn Baker – I Am The Way
5. Bill Davidson – Turn, Turn America
6. Gary S. Paxton – (I'm) Anchored In The Rock Of Ages
7. Len Magee – Dreaming Your Life Away
8. Willy Hanssen – Lost Without Your Love

Side B

1. Bill Mason Band – Out On The Streets
2. John Pantry – Jesus On The Airways
3. Faith – He Loves You
4. Robert Newey – Give Them All To Jesus
5. Robin Hawkins – The Joy Of My Salvation
6. Steve Goddard – Maybe Lady
7. Adrian Snell – Windsong
8. Barry Compton – The Rock

Side C

1. Bryn Haworth – Standing On The Rock
2. Wall Bros Band – Givin' It Up
3. Face To Face – Love Like An Ocean
4. Sharalee – What Have You Done With My Son?
5. Aleksander John – Bittersweet Song
6. Tim Sheppard – The Serf & The King
7. Meet Jesus Music – Just One Touch
8. Andrus, Blackwood & Co – You Are My Everything

Side D

1. Eric Nelson – Fairest Lord Jesus (Beautiful Saviour)
2. Dan Peek – All Things Are Possible
3. Leon Patillo – Dance Children Dance
4. Sweet Comfort Band – Got To Believe
5. Nutshell – Empty Page
6. Chuck Girard – Love Is Alive
7. Kelly Willard – Blame It On The One I Love
8. The Maranatha Singers – Lord Be Glorified