.
"Truth be told, Jesus music was best served weird and
the All-Saved Freak Band had this down to a science. It
was surprisingly good-part folk, part garage, part
psychedelic, part blues and part who-knows-what."[Rachel Khong, Yale Herald 10/04]
Declining offers of interest from RCA and
Columbia in an effort to maintain control of the
band's direction and music,
ASFB satisfied every definition of "indie"
music production. Money for recording was tight
due to the financial demands of the
communal farm where the band lived leaving
little time for studio experimentation
or end-
less attempts at recording perfection. If some
of the tracks seem somewhat amateurish or
hurried it's because they likely were. The
band's efforts to provide opportunity for every
member is reflected in the wide range of musical
styles they employed. While music critics are
most harsh on anything resembling "country"
music, the band proved strongest on
straight-ahead rockers with blues underpinnings,
the "bread and butter" of every session.
“We hung our harps upon
the willows…saying…how shall we sing the Lord’s
song in a strange land.” [Ps. 137:2-4]
"Here's a welcome
collating of the best performances from one of
America's greatest hippie Christian bands. While
bands like Petra and Resurrection Band spent the
'70s perfecting a heavy rock'n'roll, ASFB
ploughed a blusier furrow with ace blues
guitarist Glenn Schwartz exemplifying his
renowned skills. This 14 track CD brings
together tracks from their four albums and,
while the bluesy thing is going on, the band's
music is not easily pigeon holed.
One joy is the fact
that they wrote songs that were simple in their
message. These are songs to get people to think
about the Gospel, an art that seems to be
missing in modern Christian music. These
recordings are very much of their time so they
are a little ragged around the edges production
wise but the band certainly fulfilled their
ambition to create music that would stop people
in their tracks and make them respond to the
Gospel."
"The totally essential Jesus rock
album featuring some baroque chamber folk with
harpsichord, strings, piano and woodwinds, some
otherworldly smoky dream psych and some
stripped-down electric boogie blues. This was an
odd congregation that collectively created an
atmosphere representing the best in what was
once Jesus rock."
[Bob Felberg, New
Creation Radio, WVOF and
co-author of The Archivist]
"This
is a tough band to figure out. With some of the
best Christian 70s rock by anyone anywhere their
music is stunningly powerful with a dark,
creeping psychrock menace achieved via
songwriting and guitar/organ arrangements that
spell big league all the way. If "For
Christians, Elves & Lovers" is the mellower side
of ASFB, "Brainwashed" is the flip side of the
coin. This album is non-stop sizzling stuff with
plenty of heavy organ, harmonica and, of course,
Glenn Schwartz's searing guitar fireworks. This
is an incredible album folks. So much variety
here, too - it never gets boring." [Ken
Scott, Archivist - Vintage Vinyl Jesus Music][Read
the rare
review of Brainwashed
from Harmony
Magazine - Sept, 1976]
"Somewhat
unexpected move from the mainstream rockers as
they go on a British folk-rock bender here,
complete with sparse guitar arrangements, some
tasteful chamber music orchestration and female
vocal harmonies. Whereas a lot of orchestration
tends to convert decent tunes into elevator
fodder, here the strings, harp and piano add a
tasteful classical edge. Good progressive
folk-rock from the States is hard to come by.
Wish that other works were even half as creative
as this."
[Ken Scott, Archivist - Vintage
Vinyl Jesus Music]
"Though
arguably not as strong as other recordings, this
curio of Jesus Movement music holds up as a time
capsule of youthful stridency and refreshing
musical sophistication. Packaging and recording
quality are a little raw but should hold appeal
for those who experienced the movement first
hand."
[Jamie Lee Rake,
CBA Marketplace]
[Read a rare
review of 'Elves'
from Harmony
Magazine/May, 76]
"Man,
these guys were just so good! Wailing away one
minute - folk mood, jazz lightness the next.
Seems impossible on paper, but with ASFB it
works. Showing maturity in sound and lyric, all
tracks are standouts. All their albums are
treasures with layers of interest both musically
and lyrically." [Bob
Felberg, New Creation Radio, WVOF and
co-author of The
Archivist]
I recorded these songs about 20 years ago in a room
about the size of a clothes closet using one mic and
a cheap cassette recorder. I don't really see myself
as a performer...I just like to write songs. Since
opening my heart to the life and truth of Jesus
Christ back in the early 70s, my life has taken many
turns. Psalm 199:105 says that God's word lights
your feet on the path. I've walked on the path and
enjoyed immeasurable joy. I've walked off the path
to become roommate to sorrow.
"There is a pathway chosen...There is a light made
clear from above." Walk in the light. Jesus died
that you may live in fellowship with the Father and
each other through the Holy Spirit. Leave your old
life behind and show your belief by letting the Word
create in you a NEW life. He IS real! Enjoy an inner
peace known only to those that belong to Him.
If anyone is
encouraged by these tracks, then I am a happy
camper. Thanks to all those who have encouraged me.
Be blessed.
