Description

United Saints of America is the debut album by the American singer and songwriter Jim Gill, released on StarSong Records in 1977. The album was recorded and mixed by Phil York at Autumn Sound Studio in Garland, Texas; Thanksgiving weekend 1976, with Darrell A. Harris producing. Mixed by Paul Mills at Rivendell. Mastered by Lanky Linstrot and Al Perkins at A.B.C. Records in Los Angeles, California. All songs written by James Mack Gill except track A5 co-written with Mark Guest. The album features labelmates Tom Autry on various keyboards and Fletch Wiley on flute and trumpet, among others.

Trivia: Jim Gill was the second artist signed to StarSong, though United Saints of America (SSR-0002) actually was the label’s first album done from scratch. (Tom Autry’s self-titled debut album, SSR-0001, was the new label’s first release, though the album had already been recorded when Autry got signed to StarSong.)

Jim Gill is one of those unique voices in the Jesus music scene, a lazy-voiced folk, country, CCM, talking blues, rock, island pop, whatever-he’s-in-the-mood-for sort of guy that moseys half-awake through titles like «Master Charge», «From The First Bite», «Talkin’ Testimony» and «Witless Witness». The latter works in the melody from CSNY’s «Our House» (along with a few tweaked lyrics). Jim on 6 and 12-string guitars, harmonica and psaltery, assisted by several others, including Tom Autry (keyboards) and Fletch Wiley (flute, trumpet). Not quite the Christian Leon Redbone, but still the kind of humble off-kilter weirdo our lives could all stand to have a little more of. Worth owning just to hear him say “hippopotami”. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Promise Ring” – 2:36
A2. “Master Charge” – 2:55
A3. “From the First Bite” – 3:39
A4. “United Saints of America” – 3:35
A5. “Fellowship” – 3:00

Side Two
B1. “Tell Me That Story” – 2:59
B2. “Christ Hymn” – 3:27
B3. “Talkin’ Testimony” – 2:00
B4. “Witless Witness” – 3:05
B5. “Appreciation” – 3:29

Note: Jim Gill at ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/jimgill

CREDITS. Produced by Darrell A. Harris. Recorded and mixed at Autumn Sound Studio in Garland, Texas; Thanksgiving weekend 1976, engineered by Phil York. Mastered by Lanky Linstrot and Al Perkins at ABC Recording in Los Angeles. Cello and harp arranged by Fletch Wiley. Photography by Bob Thigpen. Original Art by Mundina Halbert. Art Direction by Janet Harris. All songs written by James Mack Gill except “Fellowship,” which was written by James Mack Gill in conjunction with Mark Guest. Associate Producer: Wayne Donowho.

Musicians: Jim Gill (Vocals, 6-string and 12-string Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica, Psaltry), Mark Franklin (Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Wurlitzer Electric Piano), Tom Autry (Bösendorfer Grand Piano, Univox Organizer, Univox Mini-Korg), Eddie Grady (Accordian), Fletch Wiley (Flute, Trumpet), David Williams (Harp), Mimi McShane (Cello), James E. Pritchett (Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Rickenbacker Electric 12-string Guitar, Dobro), Ernie Chapman (Bass), Paul Leim (Drums and Percussion). Additional Vocals: Candy and Susan Autry, Star Song Chorus.