Reviewed by Paul Poulton

Nice slice of 1977. This album helped pave the way for the Alwyn Wall Band to tour the UK and the US; produced by the talented Triumvirate team who weaved colour and texture into the songs. The band must have hit a lot of towns that year, and the crowds kept coming. Last week I saw a very rare film of one of their concerts in California, the audience sat in rapt attention as this fine combo did their thing. They would have gone on to far greater things in the US had Alwyn been able to secure his visa, which alas, he did not. This project was the second step in Alwyn's musical journey, the crowd-pulling duo Malcolm and Alwyn came first, Malcolm left to pastor a church in Florida, where he is today, but Alwyn formed his band. The first thing that hits me on listening to these songs again is the high quality of songwriting. Alwyn is a writer who conveys important themes while being well-able to keep the tune and arrangement aesthetically satisfying. A British writer drawing on the rich seams of Lennon and McCartney and other sixties writers who have always held a fascination with American audiences. "Fly Me" is a classic song, well crafted both lyrically and melodically, Norman Barratt's excellent major scale guitar phrases add the icing, which is the second thing I noticed about listening to this album again: Norman is such a fine player, the undisputed UK champion of guitar licks of Christian music albums in the 70's & 80's. Norman is of course still playing today but his focus is mainly in the studio. Alwyn too, is still playing and from what I've seen lately is still as hot as ever. The great myth that you can only play meaningful rock 'n' roll when you are young has proved to be untrue time and time again. The Prize is not only an excellent reminder of his formative years but stands up today as good music from a band who played their instruments, before the 80's when all things electronic started to affect music with sequenced drum and keyboard parts. Most people acknowledge the 70's was an important time for music, it was also a special time for music written by Christians, God was saying something to the popular culture of the day, this re-mastered CD is part of that message.
9 Sqaures
Paul Poulton

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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