Larry Norman - Starstorm

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Back in the late 70s for the Australian market, it was decided that a compilation album would be a good way of introducing a new audience to some classic Larry tracks. This much bootlegged album (known to Larry fans simply as the Australian album) finally sees it onto CD after more than 20 years. Originally I had a bootleg cassette of this and infuriatingly someone taped a song over "I Don't Wanna Lose You" so until I spent a fortune buying the rare vinyl album of this a while back, I'd only ever heard the last 40 seconds of the song! Most of this is stuff off 'Only Visiting This Planet' and 'So Long Ago The Garden'. However, the Larryphile (and when it comes to Cross Rhythms reviewers, you'll know that's me and a Scotsman named Douglas!) will recognise that "Fly Fly Fly" has totally different lyrics and Larry doing his best Van Morrison impression! "Righteous Rocker" is the original mix of an up tempo version that has appeared elsewhere but not as well produced as it is here. Of course, there are two absolute Norman classics that aren't available anywhere else. The definitive version of "If God Is My Father" was originally intended for 'So Long Ago The Garden" but was cut by the record label. Although partially mixed inferior versions have appeared here and there and a band called The Salvation Airforce cut a version using this very backing track back in the 70s, it finally makes it onto CD. The song features a great washof hundreds of Larry's perform­ing backing vocals which, though one of his favourite production tricks, has never been bettered. Just a beautiful song. And then there's the definitive pop version of "I Don't Want To Lose You" which again has appeared elsewhere but never sounding as good as this. If you're a fan of the great blonde Normanski, this is one album that's a must for these definitive.