James Sundquist (and Noel Paul Stookey) - Freedom Flight (1977)

This is a real rarity that I picked up at Goodwill many years ago. At the time I wasn't able to track any information down about it, but because Noel Paul Stookey is an integral part of the recording, it finally started showing up on his discographies. I digitized this several years ago and then somehow the CD became unplayable, so I re-digitized it today.

As far as I know this is the only recording of Christian folk music recorded by Sundquist. Since then he seems to have focused on classical guitar and new age type playing. Released on Lion & Lamb Records, it was produced by Noel Paul Stookey, who also provided a few vocals and other odds and ends. Those familiar with the Jesus Music era will also recognize a few other names on the list below. Tom Howard is the most notable of these, but there is also Wendell Burton, who released a few CCM albums in the 70s and Jon Linn, who played electric guitar on a number of Larry Norman albums.

Most of the songs are originals, but there is one Randy Stonehill cover, King of Hearts. The first song is also co-arranged by Stookey. This is a nice gem from the Jesus Music era which deserves a listen.

 Credits:

• James Sundquist: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, 12 Strings Guitar, Classical Guitar, Fender Telecaster, Piano, Synthesizer
• Noel Paul Stookey: Producer, Additional Lead Vocal on tracks 1 & 5, Maracas, Airship
• Tom Howard: Piano, Synthesizer, Harpsichord, Strings & Horn Arrangement
• Emil Gigliardi: Drums, Cowbells
• Peter Johnson: Drums
• Herbie Melton: Bass
• Jay Truax: Bass
• Charlie West: Acoustic Guitar
• Phil Ayling: Oboe, Recorder
• Bruce Powell: Flute
• Glen Grab: Cello
• Dave Siebels: Oboe, Cello, Flute, Recorder Arrangement
• Kathy Smith: Back-up Vocals
• Wendell Burton: Back-up Vocals
• Rhythm Dukes: Back-up Vocals, Vocal Arrangement
• Billy Swain: Tuba
• Ralph Benton: Trombone
• Miriam Cutler: Clarinet
• Jon Linn: Electric Guitar

 Track List:

1. Even Though The Devil Hate Me - Romans 8:35, 37,38 adpt. & arr. by Noel Stookey & James Sundquist
2. To Be Happy - by Julie Long & James Sundquist
3. King Of Hearts - by Rndy Stonehill
4. What Do Ah Need? - by James Sundquist
5. Gospel Ship - Trad. adpt. & arr. by James Sundquist
6. Loving Tree - by James Sundquist
7. First Love - by James Sundquist
8. Mountain Lady - by James Sundquist
9. Twelve Gates (Rev.21) - Trad. adpt. & arr. by James Sundquist & Tom Petersen
10. Golden Harp - by James Sundquist

 Download Link: Enjoy the Music!

Tom Howard - Bamboo in Winter (OST) (1991)

Another Tom Howard recording in honor of his recent passing. This one is more in the New Age direction, and was written as a movie soundtrack. Out of print, but used copies seem to be relatively easy to find.

Track List:

1. Bamboo In Winter
2. The Visitor
3. The Meeting/Father's Nightmare
4. Ah Choi's Questions
5. China's Hidden Song
6. Village Scene
7. An Unwelcomed Guest
8. Grandma's Confrontation/Father's Nightmare Ii
9. At Grandma's Grave
10. Run To The Secret Place
11. Amazing Grace
12. Father's Confession
13. Ah Choi Confronts The Authorities/Rainfall
14. Father's Story
15. A Dangerous Gathering
16. Baptism/Battle/Run Through The Night
17. We Are Like The Bamboo/Ah Choi's Decision/Exaltation And Peace
18. Ah Choi's Mission/Father's Turning
19. Amazing Grace (Reprise)

 Download Link: Enjoy the Music!

Recordings by Tom Howard:

• Beyond the Barriers
• In the Quiet Place
• Breathe Piano Tom Howard
• Sanctuary
• Palette : A Colours Sampler
• Hymns of Jesus
• RE:fresh: You Satisfy
• Solo Piano
• Scenes From The Life of Christ
• Bamboo in Winter (The Original Soundtrack From the Film)
• Thomas Kinkade Seasons: Peace and Love
• RE:fresh - Near to the Heart of God: Quiet Songs for Quiet Times
• Piano Christmas

Tom Howard & Bill Batstone - One on One (1985)

This is Tom Howard's third recording and it is much more contemplative and laid back with some very nice songs. My favorites are "When the Curtain Fall," "Storm Moving on" and "Show Me the Shepherd." One by One can be seen as a foreshadowing of Howard's New Age instrumental sound that later became his trademark. As an added bonus Mark Heard was the engineer and mixer for the recording.

I digitized this recording from my own vinyl copy a few years ago.

 

Tracks:

1. When the Curtain Falls
2. Storm Moving On
3. Night and Day
4. Think on These Things
5. Heart of a Fool (Psalm 14)
6. Your Constant Love
7. He Took the Form of Man
8. The Best Thing
9. Show Me the Shepherd
10. And He Heard Them Sing

Credits:

• Bill Batstone: Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Guitars, Basses, DMX Programming, Vocals
• Jerry Chamberlain: Guitar Synthesizer
• Mark Heard: Engineer, Mixed
• Tom Howard: Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals
• Alex MacDougall: Percussion
• David Raven: Drum Overdubs
• Harry Stinson: Percussion

Sources: Christian Music Archive

 

Download Link: Enjoy the Music!

 

You can also download View from the Bridge.

Tom Howard - View from the Bridge (1977)

Just discovered in the news that Tom Howard, one of my favorite Christian artists from the Jesus Music Era died of a heart attack on Friday (January 29, 2010). He was one of Larry Norman's early discoveries who went on to complete several albums over the years. He is a keyboardist of considerable skill is also often creditied with nurturing the Christian New Age sound.

 

The featured album is his first, which was produced by Larry Norman on Solid Rock Records. In my opinion, this is Tom Howard's best recording and is bona fide Christian Rock of the highest caliber. This is a classic of the Jesus Music era and if you haven't listended to it, you need to do so now. The recording was digitized from my own vinyl copy of the album.

Track List: 

1. Intro
2. Come On In
3. Mansion on the Sand
4. To Learn By Living
5. We All Mean Very Well
6. One More Reason
7. She Likes to Look at Pictures
8. Blessed Are the Children
9. Marriage of Our Souls
10. All Through the Day

Credits:

• Jonathan David Brown: Engineer
• Jim Coile: Saxophone, Flute
• Tom Howard: Songwriter, Orchestrator and Conductor, Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Piano, Vocals
• Jim Johnson: Bass
• Peter Johnson: Drums, Percussion, Harmony Vocals
• Wayne Johnson: Electric Guitar, Harmony Vocals
• Max McCoy: Auxiliary Keyboards, Flugelhorn
• Larry Norman: Producer, Arranger, Acoustic Guitar, Harmony Vocals
• Randy Stonehill: Acoustic Guitar, Harmony Vocals
• Vance Tenort: Congas, Cabasa

Sources: Christian Music Archive, Ray Fowler.org

 

Download Link: Enjoy the Music!

 

Other Recordings by Tom Howard:

• Breathe Piano Tom Howard
• Scenes From The Life of Christ
• Palette : A Colours Sampler
• Beyond the Barriers
• Solo Piano
• In the Quiet Place
• The Harvest / Tom Howard / LP
• Bamboo in Winter (The Original Soundtrack From the Film)
• Hymns of Jesus
• The Hidden Passage