Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

By 1983 and this, their seventh album, David Huff and his band were already hardened road dogs with 20 years of live experience under their belts. 'Riders In The Sky' was certainly an eclectic collection of songs from the humorous country of "I'm A Fanatic" to the ministry balladry of "Look At The People" and the pop soul of "Please Don't Give Up On Me". And yet somehow the whole thing holds together even though at times it feels like different bands have shown up for the recording sessions! Standouts for me include the live favourite "King Of The Jews" and the opening rocker "Jesus Is The Only Superstar" which betrays their Southern rock roots. The white funky reggae of "Humanistic Wisdom" with its great brass lines and pointed but funny lyrics is the kind of song Randy Stonehill used to do so well which laughed at some of the things the world takes too seriously! Across the whole canon of David & The Giants' work, this is definitely a highlight.

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