2ND CHAPTER OF ACTS - SINGER SOWER (2024 Girder Records) Christian CCM Rock Pioneers!
This is a pre-order and will not ship until the release date posted barring any delays at manufacturing. Please place a separate order for all pre-orders if you do not want your in-stock items held up. All items ordered together will ship together and can not be split up after your order is placed. All pre-order are non-refundable. No exceptions. This includes delays at manufacturing.
- Guitars and Synths by Kerry Livgren
- 3 part Harmonies from Matthew Ward, Annie Herring and Nelly Greisen
- Originally Released in 1983. Available for the first time since 1991
- 12 Page Booklet with Lyrics and photos in a jewel case
- Officially licensed from Capital Records
- Remastered Audio
- Release Date 05-03-2024
- 2024 Girder Records (GR1195)
- UPC 765105160010
Description
Since the release of their first 45s in 1972, 2nd Chapter of Acts, consisting of siblings Annie Herring, Nelly Greisen, and Matthew Ward, has been synonymous with Jesus Music. They combined earnest, high quality songwriting with tight vocal harmonies and top notch production to create music that has endured through the years. Millions of Spotify streams stand a testimony of their enduring popularity with lovers of classic CCM.
1983's Singer Sower shows the band fully embracing the aesthetic of the 80s as they transitioned to the sounds of a new decade. With its synthesizers and 80s era drum sound, Singer Sower is a time capsule for a bygone era of CCM that set out to prove that it belonged in the music landscape and deserved a seat at the table with any other pop/rock act on the scene. Available here on this fully remastered CD for its first reissue since 1991, Singer Sower is a bright spot that shouldn't be missed in an era that cannot be forgotten.
In the Midst of a New Era
Annie Herring, Matthew Ward, and Nelly Greisen came together to record Singer Sower in 1983. It would be 2nd Chapter of Acts' fourth and final studio album for Sparrow Records before the band moved to the Live Oak Records label (although Sparrow would issue instrumental versions of the band's "Hymns I and II" albums in 1989). Singer Sower is an unabashed celebration of what music in 1983 had to offer.
Synthesizers feature heavily on Singer Sower, and they set the tone for the rest of the album's sound. However, Buck Herring's production ensures that the album is able to sound like a product of its time without sounding overly dated or out of touch with a modern audience. Again, the honesty of the songwriting takes center stage for the listener. One coup for the recording process is the work of Kerry Livgren (Kansas, A.D.) on synths and on guitar. Annie Herring's songwriting always flirted with the fringes of progressive rock which makes the Livgren pairing an ideal choice for the record.
While the record is filled with great songs, there's one highlight that must be mentioned. The album closer, "Lift Me Up," is one of Herring's most beautiful lyrics laid over top of wonderful music written by Keith Green who, at the time of the album release, had only recently passed away. It's a fitting tribute to an artist and songwriter that 2nd Chapter of Acts had honored through their own renditions of his songs across their careers. It's a gorgeous melody that just hearkens back to the sorts of melodies Keith himself would write and stands as an amazing testimony to his work.
Singer Sower is an album that is not to be missed. It's not a 70s record. It's an 80s record, but it doesn't suffer for it. Instead, it revels in the sounds of the decade and celebrates the time in joyous praise. This incredible remaster lovingly presents these songs again to an audience that is sure to love what they hear.
- Room Noise
- Beware My Heart
- Ocean Liner
- Takin' The Easy Way
- No One Will Have A Secret
- Spin Your Light
- Open Up My Blind Eyes
- I'm Wastin' No More Time
- Lift Me UpRod And Staff
Vocals: Matthew Ward, Annie Herring and Nelly Greisen
Drums: Jack Kelly
Simmons Drums: Jack Kelly
Piano: Anne Herring, Michael Omartian, Si Simonson
Synthesizers: Michael Omartian, Kerry Livgren
Synth Solo: Michael Omartian
Guitar: Kerry Livgren, Matthew Ward, Dean Harrington
All Vocal Arrangements by 2nd Chapter Of Acts
Instrumental Arrangements on “Spin Your Light,”
“Lift Me Up” & “Room Noise” By Michael Omartian
Engineers John Guess & Frank Wolf
Product, Packaging, Shipping and Insurance
We strongly encourage you to purchase Insurance for your order at checkout. It will cover your entire order for lost, stolen or damaged while in transit, not just this item. Without insurance your product will not be replaced or refunded, this includes but it not limited to bent corners, creases, seam splits, cracked jewel cases, vinyl blemish or marks of any kind. If you experience a cracked case during shipment, your insurance coverage will cover the cost of a new case to be resent to you. If you prefer a new factory sealed CD be sent to you, you will need to pay to have yours shipped back. Once we receive your item, a new sealed CD will be shipped to you. Please note that Insurance doesn't cover the cost of return shipping. Insurance is $5.99 in the USA, $8.60 in Canada, and $16.99 elsewhere. It is necessary that you choose the correct coverage for your location. You will not be covered if you purchase the wrong insurance.
