Description

The Courts of the King, sub-titled The Worship Music of Ted Sandquist, is a multi-artist album featuring performances by Phil Keaggy, Nedra Ross, Ted Sandquist, and Love Inn Company, released on New Song Records in 1977 (through the Jubilation Group distribution arm of Myrrh Records, a division of Word). Re-issued by Myrrh Records the same year featuring new cover artwork. The album was recorded by Alex Perialas at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios in Ithaca, New York; with Peter K. Hopper producing. Mixed at Hedden West Studios. Arranged by Phil Keaggy. Featuring the Phil Keaggy Band (Keaggy, Lynn Nichols, Phil Madeira, Dan Cunningham and Terry Andersen) who did record their sole album Emerging around the same time.

Back in the day when the contemporary Christian music industry was in its infancy, “Love Inn” – a small community in upstate New York – produced this recording of worship music born out of real relationships with each other and with God.

TED SANDQUIST – The Courts Of The King – New Song NS-003 – Producer: Peter K. Hopper – List: 6.98

This is an album of worship music written by Ted Sandquist and performed by Phil Keaggy, Nedra Ross, Sandquist and Love Inn Company. Chronologically, the songs are an invitation to enter “The Courts Of The King.” Individually there are some standouts that will be worn out on the gospel airwaves. «My Sun And My Shield» speaks of a highway to heaven that runs through the heart. On «Redwood Tree» Sandquist shares lead with Nedra Ross, whose solos are the vocal highlights of the album. «All That I Can Do» is a song of surrender, but the record may not yield its spot on the gospel charts for a long time. [Cash Box Gospel Reviews, CashBox, Vol. XXXIX – No. 50 / April 29, 1978]

Now this is interesting. For somebody weaned on the late 20th century-to-present day worship material available via the global Christian music industry this digitally re-mastered re-issue of a 1977 Jesus music album makes fascinating listening. Its most striking elements are the emphasis on melody (“Obviously,” I sense Sandquist would probably say, “this is music after all”), the straightforwardness and accessibility of the lyrics and the musicality of the orchestrations. This is praise and worship without pretension, where the Word does the work. Sandquist has had a long association with Phil Keaggy, and the latter contributes one song and co-writes another in this 14-track and 53 minute collection. Other guests contributing their vocal talents are Nedra Ross (one-time member of Phil Spector hitmakers The Ronettes) and the Love Inn Company. But this recording is primarily about Sandquist and his ability to set God’s Word to music in an engaging and illuminating way. The album takes the listener on a wonderful journey through a myriad of different rhythms, textures and musical colours, with harmonies (all exquisite) added when it is right to do so and omitted when it is not. And all solidly based on Scripture to boot. Sandquist is a performer in his own right as well as writer and while he is not heard to the fore on this CD what he has done here is pen a collection of songs from the heart for the heart. This is the fourth re-issue of ‘Courts’ (as it is known, apparently!), and my guess is there will be more, because great songs (which is what these are) endure. [David Holland, Cross Rhythms, December 2008]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-courts-of-the-king-30th-anniversary-edition/1786256305)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “O Come Let Us Worship” – 3:40
A2. “At The Mention Of Your Name” – 4:30
A3. “Your Steadfast Love” – 2:46
A4. “Lion Of Judah” – 4:52
A5. “Love Of My Lord / Redwood Tree” – 5:50

Side Two
B1. “Come To The Courts Of The King” – 3:30
B2. “Come To Me” – 3:58
B3. “My Sun And My Shield” – 2:43
B4. “Selah” – 1:26
B5. “Waiting For The Lord” – 2:28
B6. “Prayer For The Kingdom” – 2:55
B7. “All That I Can Do” – 4:42

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by NewSong Records. Re-issued on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records featuring new cover artwork. (According to the March/April 1976 issue of Harmony, Word had signed agreement with New Song Productions to distribute the label under Word’s Jubilation Group. New Song granted distribution rights to Keaggy’s What A Day as well as future releases by Keaggy and Ted Sandquist.) A remastered edition was re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records’ sub-label Born Twice Records in 2011, entitled The Courts Of The King – 30th Anniversary Edition. The album was remastered by Peter Hopper, the original producer. Featuring two bonus tracks, “God How I Love You” and “I Wait For You”; the first track from Phil Keaggy’s The Master and The Musician sessions previously not released, and the second a new track recorded by Phil Keaggy and Ted Sandquist.

CREDITS. Arranged by Phil Keaggy and produced by Peter K. Hopper. Strings arranged by Bob Schiff (tracks: A4, B3). Recorded at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios. Mixed at Hedden West Studios. Mastered at Discwerks.

Musicians (The Phil Keaggy Band): Phil Keaggy (Acoustic Guitar, Twelve-String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Autoharp, Lute, Dulcimer, Percussion, Tambourine), Lynn Nichols (Acoustic Guitar), Phil Madeira (Piano, Keyboards), Dan Cunningham (Bass), Terry Andersen (Drums, Percussion, Timpani). Additional musicians: Julie Reeve (Flute), Peter Hopper (Percussion). Lead vocals by: Mary Hamilton, Nedra Ross, Nina Lee Hopper, Ted Sandquist, Phil Keaggy, Terry Andersen, Phil Madeira. Vocals by Love Inn Company.