Description

Songs for the Flock is the fourth album by the American Messianic folk-rock duo Lamb (Joel Chernoff and Rick “Levi” Coghill), independently released on their own Messianic Records in 1978, and re-issued on Sparrow Records in 1981. The album was recorded by Jesse James, Skip Plant, and Jack Schell at Future Gold Studios in Philadelphia and King’s Place in New Providence, Pennsylvania; with band member Rick “Levi” Coghill producing and arranging. Mixed by Coghill and Skip Plant. All songs written by band member Joel Chernoff. (“Songs for the Flock was conceived, composed, produced, directed, arranged, performed and mixed by Lamb.)

Lamb consists of Joel Chernoff (composer, all vocals, 6 string and 12 string acoustic guitars) and Rick “Levi” Coghill (producer, arranger, 6 string, 12 string, high string acoustic guitars, banjo, electric guitars, multiple special effects (no synthesizers), percussion and rhythm effects). The album also features Bob Kauflin on keyboards, Don Nalle and Larry McHugh on bass, and Brad Currie on drums (everyone of Glad fame, except McHugh).

Slightly different sound for their fourth release, with denser arrangements and keyboards playing a more dominant role (piano in particular). I’ve always enjoyed their brisk-moving numbers the best, and Songs For The Flock opens with four of them in a row: «He Is Coming», «In The Morning», «I Love The Lord» and «Bai-ya-mim». Side two’s «Sh’ma» contains some of the loudest electric guitar we’ve heard from the boys in a while. All four of the Messianic albums were later reissued on the Sparrow label. The duo’s subsequent studio albums took more of a pop direction. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/songs-for-the-flock/460826053)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “He Is Coming” – 1:30
A2. “In The Morning” – 1:30
A3. “I Love The Lord” – 2:40
A4. “Bai-Ya-Mim” – 1:50
A5. “As The Mountains” – 3:15
A6. “How I Praise You” – 3:19

Side Two
B1. “Sh’Ma” – 2:24
B2. “Break Forth In Joy” – 3:10
B3. “V’Sha-Fach’Ti” – 3:20
B4. “I Will Talk To My Brothers” – 2:15
B5. “Sing Hallelujah” – 4:30

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Messianic Records. Re-issued on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records in 1981.