New Rain: The Story of Jesus in Song (1977)
Whereas most Christian folk albums are of the coffeehouse or singer-songwriter variety, New Rain: The Story Of Jesus In Song is one of the very few to explore the more progressive hippie grassroots style you’re accustomed to finding on labels like Rounder, Philo and Flying Fish. This is an exceptional recording, brimming with an authenticity that is very rare in Christian music. The one time I saw it offered in a catalog it was likened to the folk-psych group Bermuda Triangle. As with other Persephone projects (A Stranger Named Peace and Rolled Away), the main person responsible for the music is Stephen C Rose. Here he’s joined by Alice Spatz, Irene Vassos, Lois Rose and Larry Spatz. As the title suggests they portray the life of Jesus through a series of songs: ‘My Soul’, ‘Generations: The Lines Are Ended!’, ‘Ballad Of Herod’, ‘Devil’s Song’, ‘The Touch Of His Hand’, ‘Pharisee Blues’, and others, all presented minus any narration. Natural harmonies and earthy rustic vibes are carried by such styles as old American folk, acoustic blues, bluegrass, Hebrew folk, and skiffle, with instruments like mandolin, banjo, violin, viola, Irish harp, recorder, bells, percussion, bass and of course guitar. Numerous moods are portrayed: exultant and festive, weeping and mournful, intensely fragile, upbeat and humorous, haunting and mysterious. These guys are the real thing. (Ken Scott - Archivist)
