Description

Silence is Music is the third album by the American singer and songwriter Ron Moore, originally independently released on label Airborn Records in 1975 (a custom label co-founded by Moore and Ed Kilbourne), but picked up and re-issued by Creative Sound. The album was engineered by Cecil Jones with Ron Moore producing. All songs written by Ron Moore except “Same Sweet Song”, a song written by Pat Terry and originally recorded on his self-titled debut album released in 1974.

Another homemade LP from acoustic rocker, receiving more exposure than the others by being picked up on the Creative Sound label. Whereas his Wilmore debut was folkier and guitar-dominated, the piano is prominent on Silence Is Music. Assisted by the Airborn cohorts Alan Moore and Scott Roley, Ron and crew concoct a rather gentle mix of ballads and light pop numbers for this outing. The choppy acoustic/country of «Seek His Kingdom» (recalling Neil Young’s «Heart Of Gold») and the blaring folkrock of «Don’t Scorn You Eyes» are exceptions. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

Rarely can a Christian musician finance and produce a good quality album on his own, but Ron Moore has done it on his fourth LP, “Silence Is Music.”

The theme of “Silence” is nature. The first song, «Good Morning Sunshine» starts mysteriously by portraying the sunrise. The tune goes on to correlate the Christian life to the dawn of a sunny day. The last track of the album, «Song for Nightfall» puts the listener at rest in the way, truth, and life. In between we find Moore dealing with butterflies, caterpillars, the sea, various sounds, pine trees, the wind, crickets, mountains, sunflowers, springtime, snow, the sun, the moon, and sundry lights. As you may gather, his style is very symbolic and poetic. He supplements these sensitive phrasings with appropriate instrumentation.

His sound appears to have been influenced by various members of CSN&Y, although not exclusively (a mixture of thoughtful folk with laid back rock). Moore’s soft, expressive voice handles the higher notes well; especially with double and triple tracks of vocal harmony.

The topics of the songs are drawn from personal experiences, friendships and testimony. In this respect Ron Moore is similar to Paul Clark.

Production of the LP is precise and balanced. I wish there could have been more use of Jim Jaguire’s tight drumming and Ron’s electric guitar, but those are the only “complaints.”

This album with its diverse musical and spiritual moods, could go far if it receives good exposure. (Airborn Records, 1405 Hobnail Ct., Davison, MI 48423) [Mark Hollingsworth, Harmony, Vol 1. No. 4 (1975)]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/silence-is-music/369453451)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Good Mornin’ Sunshine” – 4:20
A2. “The Father Knows Best” – 4:15
A3. “Butterfly” – 2:10
A4. “Wake Up Sleeper” – 0:25
A5. “Child Of The Kingdom” – 2:58
A6. “Silence Is Music” – 4:51

Side Two
B1. “Same Sweet Song” – 2:45
B2. “Seek The Kingdom” – 4:15
B3. “Sunflower” – 5:00
B4. “Don’t Scorn Your Eyes (Come Again)” – 3:42
B5. “Song For Nightfall” – 2:32

Note: Available at Bandcamp: https://ronmooremusic.bandcamp.com/album/silence-is-music

CREDITS. Produced by Ron Moore. Engineered by Cecil Jones. Cover Photography and Design by Kerry Moore. All songs written by Ron Moore except “Same Sweet Song” written by Pat Terry.

Musicians: Ron Moore (Vocals, Guitars, Bass on track A3, Piano – tracks: A1, A3, A5, B3), Jane Moore (Piano – tracks: A2, A3, A6, B5), Gregg Buick (Piano on track B1 and B4), John Heinrich (Pedal Steel, Dobro), Alan Moore (Bass), Jim Maguire (Drums). Harmonies: Scott and Linda Roley, Bill and Sharon Moore, Kerry Moore, Nancy Godfrey, Alan Moore.