Description

A live album by Joe English Band simply entitled Live was released on Myrrh Records in 1984, a division of Word. The album was recorded on various locations in England and Ireland (Colson Hall and Wembley Arena in England, and Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland), and was produced by Joe English and Forerunner, a.k.a. Joe English Band. The band features John Lawry on keyboards (later a member of Petra), George Cocchini and Paul Brannon on guitars, and Tim Smith on bass, as well as Joe English on drums and lead vocals. (The band – under the name Forerunner – actually released their own album on Refuge Records in 1984 entitled a.k.a..)

Appropriately enough, Joe English kicks off ‘Joe English Live’ with «To Love Is to Live», the first song on his 1980 debut Christian album, ‘Lights in the World‘.

Less appropriate are two other songs from ‘Lights’ – the simplistic «Midnight Angel Choir» and the curiously titled, upbeat «Dyin’» – that follow. Both songs are somewhat weak in lyrical content, essentially repeating Christian cliches and truisms. They’re not patently false or offensive – they’ve just been said thousands of times. Then again, if Joe English and Forerunner are deliberately addressing their music primarily to new believers, little is lost.

«Rio Samba», which closes the first side, starts with a kick, and John Lawry plays a good piano solo. It is courageous of English and his label to offer so many lengthy cuts on this album (the shortest is 3:24). At 9:24 though, the samba becomes tiresome and indulgent.

‘Joe English Live’ shifts styles a bit on the second side. Forerunner’s guitarist George Cocchini and Paul Brannon chime in on «Power of Prayer» with Top 40 style harmonies. The subsequent «Let Me Praise You Again» and «Learn to Celebrate» are the most interesting musically. They seem the most relaxed and the most authentic, although there are numerous exhortations to clap to the music on «Learn to Celebrate».

If you’ve liked English’s music since 1980, ‘Joe English Live’ is worth purchasing. It’s polished pop music espousing pop Christian theology. [Doug LeBlanc, CCM, September 1984]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “To Love Is To Live”
A2. “Midnight Angel Choir”
A3. “Dyin'”
A4. “Rio Samba”

Side Two
B1. “Power Of Prayer”
B2. “Let Me Praise You Again”
B3. “Learn To Celebrate”
B4. “Get Ready”

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