STYLE: Roots/Acoustic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 96074-17093 LABEL: Pye 7N45178 FORMAT: 7 inch vinyl Single
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
The early '70s saw this three piece folk group become one hit wonders with this song cracking the charts in 1972. Of course these days you're more likely to hear the song in schools assemblies where generations of little ones sing its catchy chorus refrain. Parchment member, the late John Pac once told me he caught his daughter Lucy singing it around the house and quizzed her how she knew the song. Finding she sung it in assembly he enigmatically suggested she check out who wrote the song next time it appeared on the overhead projector. The folky arrangement and memorable hook are a fine piece of songwriting and the record was an early example of John Pantry's '70s production work. The band subsequently did a softer re-working (if that's possible) of this song but the single is my favourite version. After this was a surprise chart hit, there were other attempts to get early British Jesus music into the charts, most notably with the Kevin Gould single "Let's Join Together" but the magic couldn't be repeated. The B Side "Let There Be Light" featured the band's signature harmonies and its pleasant arrangement and folky sound is very much of its time.
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