Have You Heard About The World?

Rockin’ gospel with elements of ska, blues, jazz. There are some really foot-stompin’ numbers here with heavy drumming, pounding piano and organ, sax and guitar. Great for Sunday play or upbeat sets. The religious aspects are, however, not over-the-top. No FCC’s. My favorites are 1, 3, 4, 5, 8.

1. (2:55) Mid/Fast. Title track. Upbeat, gospel number with female backing vocals and hand clapping, just like you’re in church.
2. (3:36) Fast. Infectious number with backing vocals, great piano amd organ solos. Stop-start phrases.
3. (3:14) Mid/Fast. Horns make this one sound a bit like ska. Really upbeat. Vocal a bit gruff, which lends itself to the lyrics.
4. (3:54) Slow/Mid. Reflective number about the neighborhood. Dirge-like with some bluesy harmonica and march-.like drumming.
5. (4:19) Mid. Lo-fi drums inside a noir-ish soundscape. Lots going on here: blues, ska, rock, lounge, gospel. Sax, organ, guitar, drums prominent.
6. (3:25) Mid. Vocal and delivery sounding like Elvis Costello. Most typical rock number on album. Nothing flashy.
7. (6:38) Mid/Fast. Drum-heavy, foot-stompin’, gritty gospel number with backing vocals. Kazoo-sounding solo, harmonica solo.
8. (4:15) Slow. Ballad with female vocals. Really nice number with piano, slow drumming and quiet guitar solo.
9. (3:23) Mid/Fast. Oldie, poppy sound. Great drumbeat, and vocal delivery, again a bit of Elvis Costello. Strong sax solo.
10. (3:24) Fast. Ska beat with male backing vocals. Start/stop phrases. Organ, drums, hand-clapping prominent. Lyrics about the vices of hard-living.
11. (3:19) Mid. Second version of title track, featuring Laura Cantrell on vocals. Good guitar phrases.
12. (3:12) Slow/Mid. Guitar, vocal intro, leading to band and backing vocals. Simple and quiet. Great fade-out.