This is the second release from Daniel Amos who were a favorite among Christian Contemporary Country groups. This record featured a song by Bill Sprouse, Jr of The Road Home (whom Ed McTaggart drummed for previously until the untimely death of Bill) called Shotgun Angel, a song about a trucker finding Jesus on his CB radio. The song ended up being the title of the album.
Terry Taylor and Company crafted some enjoyable country songs for this record in the vein of early Eagles or some boom-chicka-boom sounds, like the song Black Gold Fever. I would have loved to have heard Johnny Cash cover that tune. This was side one and it was full of clever and humorous lyrics plus a worship song, these gold nuggets laid in the grooves on this 1977 Maranatha! Music release.
Side two is a different story but it’s a good one. Daniel Amos fans from the first album must have raised a few eyebrows when they flipped Shotgun Angel on the turntable. It was as if The SGT. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band got together at The Hotel California and made a rock opera about Revelations. Starting side two with orchestration and spooky nuances, the music and lyrics brought you face to face with the end of the world. Rockin’ songs like He’s Gonna Do a Number on You and Better, warn you about the Anti-Christ while you crank up your stereo. The story closes with Sail Me Away and Posse in The Sky bringing visions of Christ’s Return just how Hal Lindsay would have loved it back then.
I make it sound like this album is a little disjointed in this review, and the two sides are different but it works as a whole artistic piece. It actually allows you an introduction to the new DA to come (which turns out that was a long time coming).
Shotgun Angel was produced well by Jonathon David Brown, and the Band became a classic among Jesus Freaks. There is not a bad apple on the album and both sides are equally cherished for me. This was a very important album at the time. Christian music was starting to grow and gain popularity and I am sure there was a lot of excitement generated by this brilliant team of musicians and song writers. These legends were really pushing the envelope and would eventually be one of the first Christian groups to venture into new wave in the early eighties.
So get in your 18 wheeler, get on your CB radio and tell everyone out there they will not be disappointed with this treasure… Oh Ya! the album cover is totally cool too! (I hope you can find it, stay away from the 25th Anniversary Re-Issue)
-MP
Track List
Side 1
- “Days And Nights” (Taylor/Chamberlain)
- “Black Gold Fever” (Taylor)
- “Praise Song” (Taylor)
- “Father’s Arms” (Taylor)
- “Meal” (Taylor)
- “Shotgun Angel (Bill Sprouse, Jr)
Side 2
- “Finale: Bereshith Overture” (Stipech/Taylor/Cook)
- “Lady Goodbye” (Taylor/Chamberlain/Cook)
- “The Whistler” (Taylor/Chamberlain/Cook)
- “He’s Gonna Do A Number On You” (Cook)
- “Better” (Taylor/Chamberlain/Cook)
- “Sail Me Away” (Taylor/Chamberlain)
- “Posse In The Sky” (Taylor)
Personnel
- Terry Scott Taylor: rhythm guitars, vocals
- Jerry Chamberlain: lead guitar, vocals
- Mark Cook: keyboards, vocals
- Marty Dieckmeyer: bass, backing vocals
- Ed McTaggart: drums, backing vocals
Jesus Rock Legends 