Sunday 28 December 2008

BARRATT BAND - PLAYING IN THE CITY-1981
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(9-TRACKS)
1-THE ONLY ONE
2-NOT THE WAY
3-YOUR LOVE
4-PLAYING IN THE CITY
5-COMING OF THE MAN
6-BAND MEAN WORLD
7-MY SPIRIT'S FREE
8-VOICE IN THE NIGHT
9-NEVER SEEN YOUR FACE
BARRATT BAND-VOICES-1983
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(8-TRACKS)
1-DESCENDER
2-STEREO
3-COMPUTER FAILURE
4-LOUD SILENCE
5-PLAY MY GUITAR
6-EXIT THROUGH EXIT
7-BEING ALIVE
8-THE VOICE
BARRATT BAND-PAYING IN THE CITY-1981

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(9-TRACKS)
1-THE ONLY ONE
2-NOT THE WAY
3-YOUR LOVE
4-PLAYING IN THE CITY
5-COMING OF THE MAN
6-BAD NEAN WOLRD
7-MY SPIRIT'S FREE
8-VOICE IN THE NIGHT
9-NEVER SEEN YOUR FACE
CREDIT:1981 Chapel Lane
Norman Barratt - Guitars,Vocals
Tim Hatwell - Bass
Russell Caldwell - Drums
Dave Morris - Keyboards.
NORMAN BARRATT-BARRATT-1991

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(8-TRACKS)
1-THE LAST NIGHT
2-I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
3-I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES
4-NOW I KNOW
5-AUTOMATIC LIFE
6-STILL WANTING
7-WHEN THE NIGHT COMES
8-SING A NEW SONG
CREDITS:
John Barratt: Assistant EngineerNorman Barratt: Producer, Songwriter, Engineer, Mixed, Guitars, Vocals
Steve Boyce-Buckley: Producer, Engineer, Keyboards
Damon Gough: Assistant Engineer
Bob Little: Assistant Engineer
Mark Olly: Percussion
Queen Bees: Background Vocals.
A British guitar player and singer.Norman Barratt is a big name in the genesis of UK contemporary Christian music. Barratt joined up with the Alwyn Wall Band for a short while before birthing a new group Barratt Band in 1980. Three albums followed during the '80s: the highly regarded ('Playing In The City',) ('Voice')( and 'Rock For All Ages'). Disillusioned with the CCM industry, Barratt then concentrated on playing in his church worship band and studio session work (playing on albums for various artists like Paul Young, Sad Cafe, and the Mike Rutherford Band to name a few) before Nigel Coultman of Kingsway persuaded Norman to produce another Christian album. 'Barratt' came forth in 1989 but because of a warehouse fire the album had a short life in the UK and was sold on to the US. Why it should re-appear in 2007 is thanks to the tireless efforts of Jesus Music's Alan Gibson. Of course, even with one re-recorded track in 2005, the re-mastered album cannot disguise that it is very '80s. But the quality is here with great guitar work from Norman, powerful lyrics and vibrant energy. Listening keenly to the refrain "Who is right?" on the politically aware song "The Last Night" one could not help thinking we're still asking the same question. With the "ancient and modern" versions of "I Know Where You Are" you get a searching classic centred on God's omniscience. Maybe the album is one just for Barratt completists, but all who enjoy '80s rock should investigate.In the prog era, guitarist Norman Barratt was revered amongst British players for his work with rock band Gravy Train who released a number of albums on the Vertigo label. After getting saved he played with the Alwyn Wall band in the late '70s before forming the Barratt Band in 1981 and recording this landmark album. Produced by Vic Coppersmith who was working with The Jam at the time, what is most surprising here is the way in which keyboards play as much of a role in the overall sound as Barratt's guitar and gritty vocals. Recorded for the fledgling Chapel Lane record label whose studios allowed the label's artists to invest more time in production, the results were stunning at the time. 25 years on, they're still stunning as this album stands the test of time. Musically it's quite a mixture from the short sharp new wave influenced "The Only One", "Coming Of The Man" and "Bad Mean World" which all pound along in stripped down fashion. Barratt once told me that the gentle "Your Love" was simply a vehicle for an extended guitar solo where Barratt's virtuosity is certainly demonstrated. "Not The Way" and "Playing In the City" both exploit his skill with the talk box, the latter is probably still my favourite track on the album. The album closes in almost prog fashion with two songs that are designed to be heard together. "Voice In The Night" and "Never Seen Your Face" are epic songs that look at the crucifixion and beyond but it's the musical power of the tracks which really impresses. In the early '80s they were a live staple, gigging all over the place and these last two songs were the climactic moment in the gigs. Normant Barratt recorded further albums but none were as impacting and stunning as this. Still powerful after all these years and now this absolute classic is released!Featuring guitar virtuoso Norman Barratt this synth-driven album was originally released in 198(http://www.davalmusic.co.uk/)

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