Description

Lead Me Home is the sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Dave Mattson, released on Myrrh Records in 1978, a division of Word. Produced and arranged by Fault Line Productions. All songs written by Dave Mattson. (Among the tracks are re-recordings of three songs from Mattson’s previous album, the self-released August Reunion.)

Most of the musicians featured on the album are connected to Solid Rock Records, like Larry Norman on background vocals, Jon Linn on lead guitar, Tom Howard on piano, and the rhythm section consisting of Dave Coy and Peter Johnson on bass and drums, respectively. (These musicians did also play on Solid Rock classics such as Randy Stonehill’s The Sky Is Falling and Larry Norman’s Something New Under The Son, as well as Norman’s Streams Of White Light Into Darkened Corners). The album track “Look To The Cross” was later featured on Larry Norman’s Sessions compilation CD, released by Solid Rock Records in 2004.

Gentle-voiced Arizona singer, guitarist and songwriter who enlisted a slew of talent from musical associates of Elton John, Don McLean, and Carly Simon for this artful acoustic rock offering. Lead Me Home has a nice outdoorsy Colorado-Rocky-Mountain-High feel that’s hard not to like with fragile vocals and sparkling 12-string vibes that bring to mind projects like Mark Heard’s Appalachian Melody and Dennis Ryder’s Let Me Take You To The Kingdom. Pastoral folkrock tunes («Look To The Cross», «Fourth Of December»), quite acoustic songs («Open My Eyes», «Texas Love Song»), soft singer/songwriter moods («Claudia’s Hour»). A few titles like «In The Air», the bluesy «Never Understand» and the country folkrocker «Jesus Lifts Me Up» add some electric rock edges. Includes assistance from Solid Rock artist John Linn (lead guitar), Tom Howard (piano, Fender Rhodes), and Larry Norman (bgvs). Deserved much better packaging and promotion that the hack-job Myrrh gave it. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Claudia’s Hour” – 2:28
A2. “Look To The Cross” – 2:45
A3. “Fourth Of December” – 4:26
A4. “Open My Eyes” – 2:03
A5. “Never Understood” – 4:15

Side Two
B1. “Texas Love Song” – 2:53
B2. “Holly Lake” – 4:22
B3. “Jesus Lifts Me Up” – 2:37
B4. “Tonight” – 2:25
B5. “In The Air” – 3:16

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records.

CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Fault Line Productions. Album design and photograph by ETC. All songs written by Dave Mattson.

Musicians: Dave Mattson (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Tom Howard (Piano, Fender Rhodes), Bill Hoppe (ARP Solina String Synthesizer), Trevor Veatch (Guitar, Mandolin Cello), Jon Linn (Lead Guitar), Dave Parlotto (Bass), Dave Coy (Bass), Peter Johnson (Drums). Background Vocals: John Joyce, Cindy Bullens, Billy Merritt, Larry Norman.

John Joyce and Cindy Bullens appear courtesy of Elton John and MCA Records. Trevor Veatch appears courtesy of Don McLean and Arista Records. Billy Merritt appears courtesy of Carly Simon and Elektra Records. Larry Norman, Jon Linn, and Tom Howard appear from Solid Rock Records with love.