The Keyhole
Sweet Jesus (Praise Records FF 1008, 1974)
It's hard to think of a group that defines 1970's Christian folk as much as this one, which morphed into The Fisherfolk. The group was a ministry of the Church of the Redeemer, a Charismatic Episcopal church near the Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. Their style, heavy on acoutical guitar and light on percussion, can be very banal, but in this case it is lightened by good compositions and some variety in performance, espeically with the haunting "Hey Soul" (which found its way into our retreats and Masses.)
The album cover informs us of the following:
In 1969 the Keyhole began as the resident singing group of a Houston coffee house. The songs of this album reflect the many changes in personnel and musical style which the group as experienced since then. They were first widely presented in the fall of 1973 while the Keyhole was touring with the renewal outreach of The Fishermen, Inc. In its desire to share the Lord's life, the Keyhole has expanded its ministry into media of the dance, poetry, and drama, as well as song.
They certainly cast a giant shadow over those of us who lived in Southeast Texas. In the end the Fisherfolk took their leave from the Lone Star State, and are still active, but alas they don't use this album for bait any more.
The Performers:
- Gwyneth Arnold
- Ed Baggett (Guitars)
- Francine Baggett
- Holly Carnahan
- Jeff Cothran (Piano)
- David Farra (Saxophone)
- Ruth Gordon
- Jan Gundelfinger
- Grace Krag (Flute)
- Brian Howard (Guitars, Electric Bass)
- Marty Pearsall
- Ricky Roberts (Guitars)
- Oressa Wise (Guitars, Electric Bass, Xylophone)
The songs:
- Let Us Give Thanks
- What Could Be Better
- Come Unto Me
- I Heard The Voice of Jesus
- Capernaum Comes Alive
- Jesus Is A-Drivin' Out Satan
- Christ Is Risen
- Sweet Jesus
- Hey Soul
- I Will Sing, I Will Sing
- Song Of Repentance
- O How Amiable
- Allelujah Today
