Liberation Suite 25th Anniversary Edition
Liberation Suite
Liberation Suite - 25th Anniversary Edition
2000 Suite Dreams Records
10 songs, 1 interview 44:45
Review 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.
Liberation Suite
Liberation Suite - 25th Anniversary Edition
2000 Suite Dreams Records
10 songs, 1 interview 44:45
Review 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.
Stride For Stride
Special Limited Edition
Stride For Stride
Liberation Suite
Chapel Lane
Imported by Star Song
(CLS 8002) Review by Karen Marie Platt
What do you do if you’ve got this really great Christian rock band from San Marcos, Texas and nobody in U.S. Christendom thinks the market is ready for you? Well, first you work in a “tent” ministry and then you head for England where you find all kinds of work waiting for you and you have an opportunity to reach out to all kinds of people -- like Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and audiences at the Royal Albert Hall. Then you sign with this new English label called Chapel Lane and make an album. Of course somebody mixes back the music and files the rough edges off the rock when you’re out of the studio, figuring no one in the U.S. will distribute it otherwise. And then you come back to L.A. with your LP under your arms and everybody thinks you are an English band. In fact, no matter how many people you tell about your southwestern origins, they just don’t listen. So you finally decide to move back to Texas. The nearby Christian record company, Star Song, finally decides to distribute your new album. (By this time, a whole year has passed since you recorded it, but, luckily, you were far enough ahead of the U.S. Christian music scene that it really doesn’t matter. And besides, you have a sound all your own.)
Anyway, Barry Bynum has this wonderful voice and writes these beautiful songs. And Jim Hazel can play lead guitar. And Howard Lyon also has a great voice and plays, get this, rock trombone. And Randy Hill does beat dem drums. And Fred Perez (who decided to stay in L.A.) plays an Ampegpatch 2000 bass guitar synthesizer and sings. Sometimes they all sound a little like Chicago or Boston or New Orleans or Kansas, but maybe that’s just because they’re from Texas via Los Angeles via London. Anyway, they believe in the Lord and play majestic rock.
-Karen Marie Platt
Liberation Suite
Stride For Stride
Star Song/Benson
Campus Life
March, 1982
Originally a Texas band, these old friends have been playing the U.K., and this import album has the British feel. Though harder in concert, for this light rock album, Liberation has muted the brass and de-emphasized the hard intrumental edge. But the lead singer has a raspy seasoned voice that adds spice to the catchy tunes; among them: “Lay Your Sadness Down,” “How Do I Get To You,” “You Are Worthy.”
Special Limited Edition
Stride For Stride
Liberation Suite
Chapel Lane
Imported by Star Song
(CLS 8002) Review by Karen Marie Platt
What do you do if you’ve got this really great Christian rock band from San Marcos, Texas and nobody in U.S. Christendom thinks the market is ready for you? Well, first you work in a “tent” ministry and then you head for England where you find all kinds of work waiting for you and you have an opportunity to reach out to all kinds of people -- like Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and audiences at the Royal Albert Hall. Then you sign with this new English label called Chapel Lane and make an album. Of course somebody mixes back the music and files the rough edges off the rock when you’re out of the studio, figuring no one in the U.S. will distribute it otherwise. And then you come back to L.A. with your LP under your arms and everybody thinks you are an English band. In fact, no matter how many people you tell about your southwestern origins, they just don’t listen. So you finally decide to move back to Texas. The nearby Christian record company, Star Song, finally decides to distribute your new album. (By this time, a whole year has passed since you recorded it, but, luckily, you were far enough ahead of the U.S. Christian music scene that it really doesn’t matter. And besides, you have a sound all your own.)
Anyway, Barry Bynum has this wonderful voice and writes these beautiful songs. And Jim Hazel can play lead guitar. And Howard Lyon also has a great voice and plays, get this, rock trombone. And Randy Hill does beat dem drums. And Fred Perez (who decided to stay in L.A.) plays an Ampegpatch 2000 bass guitar synthesizer and sings. Sometimes they all sound a little like Chicago or Boston or New Orleans or Kansas, but maybe that’s just because they’re from Texas via Los Angeles via London. Anyway, they believe in the Lord and play majestic rock.
-Karen Marie Platt
Liberation Suite
Stride For Stride
Star Song/Benson
Campus Life
March, 1982
Originally a Texas band, these old friends have been playing the U.K., and this import album has the British feel. Though harder in concert, for this light rock album, Liberation has muted the brass and de-emphasized the hard intrumental edge. But the lead singer has a raspy seasoned voice that adds spice to the catchy tunes; among them: “Lay Your Sadness Down,” “How Do I Get To You,” “You Are Worthy.”
Water and Blood
Cross Rhythms Magazine - UK
Reviewed by Trevor Raggatt
In the early '70s a bunch of Jesus Freaks from Texas put together a band to provide backing for their church choir. However, before long they felt called to move to the UK and minister through their music on the streets of Belfast. Thus they became unlikely leading lights of the British Jesus music scene. Only their third album, 'Water And Blood' was recorded relatively late in the band's career at the end of the '80s. Rumour has it the band were dissatisfied with the sound of the original release but the re-mastered CD shows that it has gracefully stood the test of time and sonically it's an impressive reissue. The fact that the band arrangements revolve around classic guitar rock sounds, keeping keyboards largely restricted to Hammond means that there are no dated synth sounds to peg the album at a particular moment in time. Some of Barry Bynum's guitar work is reminiscent of late '80s rockers like Gary Moore but none the worse for that. Tracks like album opener "Talk To You" could have been written at any time over the last 30 years by the likes of Gerry Rafferty while "Crystal Tears", "Raging Light" and "All Things New" recalls the rock/pop of Boston, Kansas or Petra with their harmony vocals and layered guitars. Overall 'Water And Blood' may be something of a period piece but it still shows Jesus music in its rockier form.
Cross Rhythms Magazine - UK
Reviewed by Trevor Raggatt
In the early '70s a bunch of Jesus Freaks from Texas put together a band to provide backing for their church choir. However, before long they felt called to move to the UK and minister through their music on the streets of Belfast. Thus they became unlikely leading lights of the British Jesus music scene. Only their third album, 'Water And Blood' was recorded relatively late in the band's career at the end of the '80s. Rumour has it the band were dissatisfied with the sound of the original release but the re-mastered CD shows that it has gracefully stood the test of time and sonically it's an impressive reissue. The fact that the band arrangements revolve around classic guitar rock sounds, keeping keyboards largely restricted to Hammond means that there are no dated synth sounds to peg the album at a particular moment in time. Some of Barry Bynum's guitar work is reminiscent of late '80s rockers like Gary Moore but none the worse for that. Tracks like album opener "Talk To You" could have been written at any time over the last 30 years by the likes of Gerry Rafferty while "Crystal Tears", "Raging Light" and "All Things New" recalls the rock/pop of Boston, Kansas or Petra with their harmony vocals and layered guitars. Overall 'Water And Blood' may be something of a period piece but it still shows Jesus music in its rockier form.
Fight For the Light
Liberation Suite
Fight For The Light
2002 Suite Dreams Records
(14 songs, 66:16)
Review By Randy Brandt/Al Menconi Ministries (March 18, 2003)
Liberation Suite faithfully releases an album every decade. Their self-titled debut came out in 1975, followed by Stride for Stride in 1981, Water and Blood in 1992, and Fight For The Light in 2002. Randy Hill (drums, vocals, lyrics) and Howard Lyon (trombone, vocals) were founding members. Jim Hazel (guitars) joined the band on Stride for Stride, James "Doc" Yager (keyboards) came aboard for Water and Blood, and FFTL is the first album for Matt Sutherland (bass, vocals).
The band fittingly has dubbed their sound "Texas Rhythm and Roll," a funky blend of rock, blues, and gospel with hints of jazz and honky tonk, overlaid with seasoned harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. Fight For The Light offers up over an hour of music, starting with a remake of Oh Lord You Know (That I Feel So Fine) from their first album. This version has more of a Jerry Lee Lewis feel, thanks to "Doc" Yager's honky tonk piano sound, but the guitars are still prominent. If this doesn't get your foot tapping and your head bobbing, you may already be dead!
The title track is next, offering a "down home" live feel with a running commentary by vocalist Jim Hazel as band members showcase their bass, trombone, and organ skills. FFTL continues with numerous tasty instrumental solos, but never ignoring the lyrics. There's even some humor, as To Serve Mankind takes a tongue-in-cheek look at our culture's fascination with extra-terrestrials. Besides Fight For The Light and the bluesy arrangement of the traditional Were You There, Randy Hill wrote the rest of the lyrics. He reflects over the years in One Word:
Time rushes by / And I feel out of place / I'm dreaming of the day / We'll meet face to face / Oh God of my youth / Be the Lord of my life / And tear down this veil / That's been clouding my eyes
That honest struggle is countered by the ever-present hope found in Liberation Suite's music, as Tried and True proclaims:
Death holds no fear for me / It's life in disguise / Like waking from a dream / Into a world that never dies
Fight For The Light is for anyone who likes Texas blues, honky-tonk, a little jazz flavor, good guitars, and quality lyrics. If you're an old-timer who heard Liberation Suite back in the day, check out what they're doing now. If you've never heard of them before, this record is a great place to discover a band that offers more substance than most, thanks to their many years of seeking to serve the Lord with their gifts.
Phantom Tollbooth
Review by Mike Rimmer
Texas band Liberation Suite cut their teeth in the mid seventies on mission work and solid Christian ministry over here in the UK. Working in Ireland at the worst time of "the troubles" the band always were an outfit who liked to ensure the message was at the front of everything they did. Their self titled debut album in 1975 became a classic piece of CCM, recorded in London. It would be six years before they ventured back into a studio for a follow up, again recorded in the UK. Over the years the line up has changed but the message hasn't. They haven't exactly flooded the market with Lib Suite releases but have managed to maintain a fan base interested in what they do. Having re-released a 25th anniversary version of their debut, it's nice to get a set of new songs from the current line up.
Musically, there isn't anything new here but the band seem to be having a great time rocking out on "Oh Lord You Know" which gallops along in a fifties rock'n'roll vein. And the band aren't afraid to turn everything up to eleven for some heavy blues rock on "Don't Forget Love"! Overall though this is within the blues rock genre, there's enough variety to keep things interesting.
Upbeat stuff like "Little Bit of Heaven" and "Babes & Fools" is solidly presented as the band demonstrate their chops when it comes to mastering a variety of blues styles. Highlights for me include the funky vibe to "Fight For the Light" which visits the truth of the need for us to be masters of our own thinking before the enemy tries to deceive us.
"Angel of Light" chills things out a little bit, slowing the pace but not for long because there is some blistering guitar to be enjoyed on "To Serve Mankind" as the band get down to a blues funk workout. There's even a Gospel tinged version of "Were You There" bringing their own slant to the traditional spiritual.
Overall, like Glenn Kaiser, it seems totally appropriate for one of Christendom's pioneering rock bands to still be making music more than a quarter of a century later and for them to join the myriad of rockers who have embraced the blues as an effective communication of their creativity. And it's also reassuring to find this bunch of rockers still passionately communicating their faith.
Welcome back Liberation Suite!
Mike Rimmer 9/14/2002
The Phantom Tollbooth
Liberation Suite
Fight For The Light
2002 Suite Dreams Records
(14 songs, 66:16)
Review By Randy Brandt/Al Menconi Ministries (March 18, 2003)
Liberation Suite faithfully releases an album every decade. Their self-titled debut came out in 1975, followed by Stride for Stride in 1981, Water and Blood in 1992, and Fight For The Light in 2002. Randy Hill (drums, vocals, lyrics) and Howard Lyon (trombone, vocals) were founding members. Jim Hazel (guitars) joined the band on Stride for Stride, James "Doc" Yager (keyboards) came aboard for Water and Blood, and FFTL is the first album for Matt Sutherland (bass, vocals).
The band fittingly has dubbed their sound "Texas Rhythm and Roll," a funky blend of rock, blues, and gospel with hints of jazz and honky tonk, overlaid with seasoned harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. Fight For The Light offers up over an hour of music, starting with a remake of Oh Lord You Know (That I Feel So Fine) from their first album. This version has more of a Jerry Lee Lewis feel, thanks to "Doc" Yager's honky tonk piano sound, but the guitars are still prominent. If this doesn't get your foot tapping and your head bobbing, you may already be dead!
The title track is next, offering a "down home" live feel with a running commentary by vocalist Jim Hazel as band members showcase their bass, trombone, and organ skills. FFTL continues with numerous tasty instrumental solos, but never ignoring the lyrics. There's even some humor, as To Serve Mankind takes a tongue-in-cheek look at our culture's fascination with extra-terrestrials. Besides Fight For The Light and the bluesy arrangement of the traditional Were You There, Randy Hill wrote the rest of the lyrics. He reflects over the years in One Word:
Time rushes by / And I feel out of place / I'm dreaming of the day / We'll meet face to face / Oh God of my youth / Be the Lord of my life / And tear down this veil / That's been clouding my eyes
That honest struggle is countered by the ever-present hope found in Liberation Suite's music, as Tried and True proclaims:
Death holds no fear for me / It's life in disguise / Like waking from a dream / Into a world that never dies
Fight For The Light is for anyone who likes Texas blues, honky-tonk, a little jazz flavor, good guitars, and quality lyrics. If you're an old-timer who heard Liberation Suite back in the day, check out what they're doing now. If you've never heard of them before, this record is a great place to discover a band that offers more substance than most, thanks to their many years of seeking to serve the Lord with their gifts.
Phantom Tollbooth
Review by Mike Rimmer
Texas band Liberation Suite cut their teeth in the mid seventies on mission work and solid Christian ministry over here in the UK. Working in Ireland at the worst time of "the troubles" the band always were an outfit who liked to ensure the message was at the front of everything they did. Their self titled debut album in 1975 became a classic piece of CCM, recorded in London. It would be six years before they ventured back into a studio for a follow up, again recorded in the UK. Over the years the line up has changed but the message hasn't. They haven't exactly flooded the market with Lib Suite releases but have managed to maintain a fan base interested in what they do. Having re-released a 25th anniversary version of their debut, it's nice to get a set of new songs from the current line up.
Musically, there isn't anything new here but the band seem to be having a great time rocking out on "Oh Lord You Know" which gallops along in a fifties rock'n'roll vein. And the band aren't afraid to turn everything up to eleven for some heavy blues rock on "Don't Forget Love"! Overall though this is within the blues rock genre, there's enough variety to keep things interesting.
Upbeat stuff like "Little Bit of Heaven" and "Babes & Fools" is solidly presented as the band demonstrate their chops when it comes to mastering a variety of blues styles. Highlights for me include the funky vibe to "Fight For the Light" which visits the truth of the need for us to be masters of our own thinking before the enemy tries to deceive us.
"Angel of Light" chills things out a little bit, slowing the pace but not for long because there is some blistering guitar to be enjoyed on "To Serve Mankind" as the band get down to a blues funk workout. There's even a Gospel tinged version of "Were You There" bringing their own slant to the traditional spiritual.
Overall, like Glenn Kaiser, it seems totally appropriate for one of Christendom's pioneering rock bands to still be making music more than a quarter of a century later and for them to join the myriad of rockers who have embraced the blues as an effective communication of their creativity. And it's also reassuring to find this bunch of rockers still passionately communicating their faith.
Welcome back Liberation Suite!
Mike Rimmer 9/14/2002
The Phantom Tollbooth