Daniel Amos - Shotgun Angel: 25th Anniversary Issue

Published Tuesday 16th January 2007
Daniel Amos - Shotgun Angel: 25th Anniversary Issue
Daniel Amos - Shotgun Angel: 25th Anniversary Issue

STYLE: Jesus Music
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 22237-12252
LABEL: Maranatha! Music
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 2
EXTRAS: Bonus CD (Rock & Religion Radio Show)

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I've lost count of the number of people who think this band is actually an individual! I mentioned their name to a friend recently who'd heard of them but wasn't familiar with their music and he asked, "Aren't they supposed to be the best band ever in Christian music?" I think it would be possible to make a case that this is so despite the fact that Daniel Amos have spent 30 years recording for a myriad of labels and managed to maintain an obscure profile. In the beginning the band were spawned by the Jesus music revolution that sprung out of Calvary Chapel in California and they were influenced by The Eagles and The Beatles and made cowboy-hatted country rock. 'Shotgun Angel' was their second release and creatively the band was built around the crazy ideas and songwriting of Terry Taylor and the master guitar work of Jerry Chamberlain. In the original vinyl release this album was split into two halves. On this CD re-release, that would be the first six songs here which immediately highlight Taylor's floating melodies on songs like "Praise Song", "Father's Arms" and "Days And Nights". It also points to the future since "Father's Arms" sounds like a precursor to their next album 'Horrendous Disc' where the band would ditch the country sounds for a while and rock it up a little. The craziness of songs like "Meal" and the country pastiche "Black Gold Fever" point towards some of the strange recordings Taylor would produce for Randy Stonehill, full of sound effects and weird ideas. They're completely crazy but brilliant! The title cut is the only tune not written by the band and embraces the CB radio culture of the day. The seven song sequence of the second half of the album is a concept piece interpreting the book of Revelation. With its string overture and interlocking songs, it's by far the most adventurous Christian recording of the era. From the haunting "The Whistler" to the rocking "He's Gonna Do A Number On You" and Beatley "Better", this is an absolute classic recording and simply sums up a creativity which has been the hallmark of the band throughout its history. This edition also includes a bonus disc of interviews recorded at the time of release. As this is only a limited edition release, you may have to do some serious searching to find it but it's worth the effort.
10
Mike Rimmer
16-01-2007

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Matthew in Bridgend @ 23:53 on Mar 19 2011

There is something really ripe at the core of Daniel Amos that much has been clear right from the beginning. As their second full album, Shotgun Angel is simpy lovely. There is the usual pleasant wierd mix of thoughts and musical tabs from Terry Taylor, and the production is simply wonderful. The final two tracks Sail Me Away and Posse in the Sky are gorgeous country tinged ballads of the highest order, and are two of my very favourite songs.

The plain fun of Meal is brilliant and catching. The thoughfulness of Praise Song is also another standout track. The sceond half of the album centes around Revelation, so dont expect wak flaccid ladeda stuff here. This is soul piercing highly important and informative stuff. Reminds one of just who will have the final say on the cnsumation day! This is vey probing stuff, and also very troubling if youre starting to slide in your Christian walk, for which the "advice" of this album is ample tonic. Its very rare to come across an album with the power of Shotgun Angel. this is a record now I really wish to savour. It deserves it!



Posted by Ant Longville in PLymouth @ 20:09 on Oct 11 2008

Just got very lucky and stumbled across a sealed copy of this on an obscure American Website at a ridiculously low price!! At last I don't have to depend upon the trusty old cassette copy. Still sounds great.



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