|
Liberation Suite
Liberation Suite - 25th Anniversary Edition
2000 Suite Dreams Records
10 songs, 1 interview 44:45
By Randy Brandt
February 18, 2003
Al Menconi Ministries
Two decades before the O. C. Supertones or Five Iron Frenzy, a rock band with a horn section burst onto the Christian music scene. Liberation Suite's self-titled debut from 1975 caught my attention from the opening cymbals onLed to Roam. I'd never heard anything quite like it. The songs were flavored with blues, a touch of country, a little jazz, and plenty of rock. The horns were certainly unique, but not too many Christian bands in 1975 had Barry Bynum's raw rock guitar sound, either.Besides that, what could be cooler than a band of long-haired Texans without cowboy hats, and with two pairs of brothers (Howard and Paul Lyon, Barry and David Bynum), not to mention a drummer (Randy Hill) with my first name?
That was a long time ago, but I had fond memories of Liberation Suite, and was not surprised when their self-titled debut was named one of the top contemporary Christian albums ever. I just wished that it would come out on CD since my old vinyl was less than pristine. Happily for all fans of the early Jesus Music days, the master tapes were discovered and a digitally remastered Liberation Suite was released in 2000. I finally got a copy from Randy Hill recently and upon inserting the CD in my player was immediately transported back to my teen years. The album holds up well a quarter century after it was recorded in England by this young (teens and early 20s) but talented band that had relocated from Texas to Ireland.
Everyone in the band sang, provided unusual harmonies for a rock band, and only Phil Keaggy's Glass Harp managed to utilize the flute and electric guitar in the same songs with the success of Lib Suite tracks like Led to Roam and Run Run Lucifer. This is truly an eclectic project musically, but the lyrics consistently proclaim Jesus Christ as the sole (soul?) remedy to life's problems. That message must have come through clearly at their live shows as well--popular recording artist Benny Hester became a Christian at one of their concerts.
Bonus tracks on the CD include a British radio interview with David Bynum and Paul Lyon, and a live version of I Wanna Be With You, recorded in Sweden with a new lineup that included brothers Duane and Terry Clark (what is it about LS and brothers?) and the keyboardist from Irish rock band Fruupp, Stephen Houston (not from Texas, but qualified for LS by virtue of his last name).
This re-release is an absolute must for anyone claiming to be a Christian rock collector. If you want to hear what Christian music was like when idealistic young men poured out their hearts in the days before slick marketing campaigns and "best of" collections available at Wal-Mart, visit the Lib Suite website and order this CD today!
Liberation Suite - 25th Anniversary Edition
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
Review published in Cross Rhythms Magazine Issue 85
Originally hailing from Texas, Liberation Suite felt called by God to minister in the UK and pitched up in Belfast to live and minister there at the height of the British Jesus movement. They recorded this album during the last few weeks of 1974 with Premier Radio DJ John Pantry in the producer's chair (I'm not making this up!) and it is very much of its time. The horn section makes them sound like early '70s Chicago at times but the complex music and spiritual themes make the album pure '70s and this really is a classic Jesus Music re-release.. Standouts include the acoustic instrumental "Hearken" and the grooving "More Than A Matter". There's also a pretty cool version of Blind Faith's "Presence Of The Lord" redeeming Eric Clapton's famous drug song and using it for God. It also gives Barry Bynum the chance to shine on guitar. There's a bluesy country rock feel to "Led To Roam" which drives along as the album's opener and a bluesy pop swing that propels "Oh Lord You Know (That I Feel So Fine)" with fine results. This is classic Christian music not to be missed.
|
|
