THE JOYSTRINGS/O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (from "Well Seasoned")
Still lots developing in the Christmas music world. But this is one I've been waiting for though, blast it all, it's only a digital import at the moment and may only be an import CD when all is said and done.
Does anyone here not know the story of The Joystrings...the hippest Salvation Army Band the planet has ever known and likely the first ever Christian rock band? Back in the 60s when folk and R&B and rock were all coming together in new and exciting ways, the Salvation Army had an idea. Perhaps they could reach more people with their message of salvation if the people could better relate to the music. It was just an idea, at first, dropped to the British press by one General Frederick Coutts. But the press went to town with it and the General could either look a fool or actually create such a group. As it happened, there was a young woman among their ranks, Captain Joy Webb, known to possess a wonderful voice and adept at most any style. Next, they sought out cadets who had come to the Army with their instruments (electric guitars and such) in hand. A photo shoot was hastily arranged. But that then led to television requests and so an actual band of cadets had to be quickly put together around Captain Webb. In their brief time together, they rehearsed a few songs that had been written by Captain Webb.
An EMI executive was watching their television debut and he liked what he saw and heard. He signed the group to a recording contract and, by mid-February 1964, a single bearing the name Joystrings hit the streets. The Salvation Army was both intrigued by their rapid rise to pop culture prominence, but also somewhat embarrassed. Internally, the name "Joystrings" was not permitted; the group was referred to as "The International Training College Rhythm Group". The Joystrings were a huge smash, though. Teenagers packed theaters to see them. When they played The Blue Angel in Germany, even Marlene Dietrich could not believe the beyond capacity crowd and their excitement. It was actually remarkable that the Army even allowed such a performance as they were already regretting their creation. Though the Army wanted to pull the plug on the Joystrings as early as 1965, the group's popularity made that virtually impossible until 1969.
During their reign, the Joystrings recorded a number of Christmas songs. For many of us, though, their finest hour (so to speak) was the 1966 album "Well Seasoned"--the only Joystrings album to be released in the United States. Only one half of the album was Christmas, but it was on that album that the Joystrings showed their psychedelic side with their legendary covers of "We Three Kings" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", the latter performed to the music of "House Of The Rising Sun".
It has taken a long, long time to get these wonderful Christmas recordings released on CD, but finally here they are--remastered and restored to their full glory glory hallelujah! "Christmas Collection" will be available on CD very soon (even if only as an import) and is currently available as a digital download from the sp&s store, an offshoot of the UK's 7 Digital (if they'll let any of us yanks take the plunge). If nothing else, I'll be watching for it on eBay. (My thanks to my pal Ernie for the rip of "Little Town" above. His web site is amazing. You should spend lots of time there.)
Does anyone here not know the story of The Joystrings...the hippest Salvation Army Band the planet has ever known and likely the first ever Christian rock band? Back in the 60s when folk and R&B and rock were all coming together in new and exciting ways, the Salvation Army had an idea. Perhaps they could reach more people with their message of salvation if the people could better relate to the music. It was just an idea, at first, dropped to the British press by one General Frederick Coutts. But the press went to town with it and the General could either look a fool or actually create such a group. As it happened, there was a young woman among their ranks, Captain Joy Webb, known to possess a wonderful voice and adept at most any style. Next, they sought out cadets who had come to the Army with their instruments (electric guitars and such) in hand. A photo shoot was hastily arranged. But that then led to television requests and so an actual band of cadets had to be quickly put together around Captain Webb. In their brief time together, they rehearsed a few songs that had been written by Captain Webb.
An EMI executive was watching their television debut and he liked what he saw and heard. He signed the group to a recording contract and, by mid-February 1964, a single bearing the name Joystrings hit the streets. The Salvation Army was both intrigued by their rapid rise to pop culture prominence, but also somewhat embarrassed. Internally, the name "Joystrings" was not permitted; the group was referred to as "The International Training College Rhythm Group". The Joystrings were a huge smash, though. Teenagers packed theaters to see them. When they played The Blue Angel in Germany, even Marlene Dietrich could not believe the beyond capacity crowd and their excitement. It was actually remarkable that the Army even allowed such a performance as they were already regretting their creation. Though the Army wanted to pull the plug on the Joystrings as early as 1965, the group's popularity made that virtually impossible until 1969.
During their reign, the Joystrings recorded a number of Christmas songs. For many of us, though, their finest hour (so to speak) was the 1966 album "Well Seasoned"--the only Joystrings album to be released in the United States. Only one half of the album was Christmas, but it was on that album that the Joystrings showed their psychedelic side with their legendary covers of "We Three Kings" and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", the latter performed to the music of "House Of The Rising Sun".
It has taken a long, long time to get these wonderful Christmas recordings released on CD, but finally here they are--remastered and restored to their full glory glory hallelujah! "Christmas Collection" will be available on CD very soon (even if only as an import) and is currently available as a digital download from the sp&s store, an offshoot of the UK's 7 Digital (if they'll let any of us yanks take the plunge). If nothing else, I'll be watching for it on eBay. (My thanks to my pal Ernie for the rip of "Little Town" above. His web site is amazing. You should spend lots of time there.)
1. Hurry Shepherds
2. A Starry Night
3. This Little Boy
4. Hush, Hush, Hush
5. The Little King Jesus
6. Just Be Grateful
7. Silent Night, Holy Night
8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Such A Tiny Child
11. The Holly And The Ivy
12. Czech Rocking Carol
13. Mary's Boy Child
14. The Only One
15. Carol Of The Bagpipers
16. What Dreams
17. Away In A Manger
18. Winter's Coming On
19. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
20. Once In Royal David's City ARTIST SITE
21. Rise Up Shepherd And Follow FACEBOOK
22. Dance Of The Shepherds SP&S DIGITAL STORE (UK)
23. Christmas Can Be Everyday For You AMAZON UK
2. A Starry Night
3. This Little Boy
4. Hush, Hush, Hush
5. The Little King Jesus
6. Just Be Grateful
7. Silent Night, Holy Night
8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Such A Tiny Child
11. The Holly And The Ivy
12. Czech Rocking Carol
13. Mary's Boy Child
14. The Only One
15. Carol Of The Bagpipers
16. What Dreams
17. Away In A Manger
18. Winter's Coming On
19. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
20. Once In Royal David's City ARTIST SITE
21. Rise Up Shepherd And Follow FACEBOOK
22. Dance Of The Shepherds SP&S DIGITAL STORE (UK)
23. Christmas Can Be Everyday For You AMAZON UK
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