Okay, we’re all flush with delight over the election returns this past Tuesday. Let’s not forget the fundamentals of life. Cephas Hour is back! Great music, for all of you. The following artists are:
• 2nd Chapter of Acts — 2nd Chapter of Acts was one of the pioneer groups in contemporary Christian music. The three siblings — Annie Herring, Nelly Ward-Greisen, and Matthew Ward — created vocal harmonies that made Crosby Stills & Nash sound amateurish, with Herring’s near avant-garde piano-based rock/pop tunes providing the perfect platform for the trio’s unique sound.
• Andy Pratt — If you were listening to the radio in 1973, you doubtless heard this song a few times:
“Avenging Annie” was Andy Pratt’s creation. Pratt was, and is (he still writes and records, playing the occasional concert), the thinking person’s pop/rocker, an adventuresome tunesmith with no inclination to play it safe for the sake of commercial acceptance. The song included in this week’s show, “Burn Up In The Fire,” is from his 1982 EP Fun In The First World, which was his first recording after becoming a Christian.
• DeGarmo & Key — Led by Eddie DeGarmo on keyboards and Dana Key on guitar and vocals, DeGarmo & Key’s career was in three stages. In the 1970s the band was a progressive rock group that started out as an arena band. They then moved to pop/rock during the 1980s. Then, in the 1980s they reinvented themselves as arena rock bands. This vein lasted until the band decided it was over in mid-1990s. The first Christian rock band ever nominated for a Grammy, alongside Petra, DeGarmo & Key made it okay to listen to rock’n’roll in church. At least, in a few.
• Fireworks — Ahead of their time, Fireworks was a late 1970s/early 1980s rock band formed around songwriter/singer/keyboardist Marty McCall’s powerful vocals. McCall eventually left the rock’n’roll behind in favor of vocal harmony soft pop when he started First Call.
• Gold Frankincense & Myrrh — Hope you’re sitting down for this one.
Gold Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM for short) is a three-woman metal band from Florida. English sisters have a strong presence onstage and in studio. Their soaring riffs, uncompromising lyrics and raw vocals are about the dark side of life as well as the hope that life is renewed through Christ. The song “Bones,” dealing with abusive relationships, is from their most recent album, Taking Over. This band has a lot more to offer.
• Petra — Detailed in an earlier post, Petra was one of the first and most influential Christian rock bands. This show’s song, “Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows,” is from their 1982 album More Power To Ya.
• Phil Keaggy — The master’s musician, Keaggy was first noticed in the early 1970s as guitarist in the adventuresome rock trio Glass Harp. Keaggy is a six-string liquidfire master on many studio and live recordings.
• Prodigal — 1980s synth-rock with an edge, Prodigal was too good for their own good. Superb both musically and lyrically, the band made three albums that have become mandatory members of every Christian classic rock fan’s collection.
• Rachel Wilhelm — Highlighted in an earlier post, the wonderful Ms. Wilhelm is a musical balm for the soul, either grieving or glorifying.
• Shelly Moore — Also highlighted in an earlier post, the sublime Ms. Moore is a worship music treasure.
• Sweet Comfort Band — If there is ever a Mount Rushmore of contemporary Christian music, Sweet Comfort Band deserves a prominent location. The blue-eyed, soul/rock band emerged from Santa Ana’s Maranatha Music/Calvary Chapel hotbed of the late 1970s and recorded many albums. They also blazed an impressive trail of high-quality music.
• Terry Scott Taylor — A taste of the master’s new solo album This Beautiful Mystery. When the album becomes available, a complete review will be forthcoming.
• The Choir — You know how great this band is. Here’s further proof.
• Veil of Ashes — A few weeks ago, when Veil of Ashes leader Sean Doty passed away, some openly wondered why his death was worthy of a eulogy on RedState. You will hear the reason.
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