I ran across a post the other day — apologies for not linking it — on Threads, otherwise known as Facebook’s poor effort to combat X’s omnipresence. The writer was kvetching about how, for many people, the December holidays are naught but painful reminders of loved ones no longer with us. Therefore, there should be maximum leeway provided for their emotions.
A fair point … to a point. Certainly, we are to consider others’ feelings during the holidays. This duly noted, the level of selfishness demonstrated by declaring how since you aren’t having a good time, no one should is quite over the top.
This comes to mind when noting that Terry Scott Taylor, a rarity among musical artists in that he is heralded as a living legend and genuinely deserves the title due to his work as leader of seminal contemporary Christian ensemble Daniel Amos, among other endeavors (Lost Dogs, Swirling Eddies), has recently rereleased his 1986 solo album “Knowledge & Innocence” along with his solo album from the following year “A Briefing for the Ascent.” Both albums have been scarce commodities for decades, having last been briefly made available in 1993. They are outstanding, accomplished works speaking to heart, mind, and soul about the sharply divided yet inexorably intertwined threads of magic and loss that occupy every believer’s heart when a loved one, be it family or friend, who shared the common bond of faith in Jesus leaves this earth for their eternal home.
Taylor was highly prolific during the 1980s, releasing five Daniel Amos albums, two Swirling Eddies discs, and the two abovementioned solo albums. With Daniel Amos, he greatly expanded the boundaries of what could be accomplished artistically within the realm of Christian rock, melding influences as diverse as trebly new wave, Bakersfield country, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys pop into a seamless whole. Swirling Eddies was more of the same, with a lyrical bent toward sarcastically puncturing the silliness that permeated elements of the American evangelical movement in its TV overblown evangelist days. Taylor’s solo work was calmer musically, its synthesizer and lush vocal harmony washes making for a near-pastoral backing of his lyrical muse.
Both “Knowledge & Innocence” and “A Briefing for the Ascent” are thematically centered on the loss of a loved one who was a fellow believer. “Knowledge & Innocence” is more diverse in its subject matter, while “A Briefing for the Ascent” is a pure concept album from start to finish.
“Knowledge & Innocence” addresses the double whammy of Taylor and his wife suffering a miscarriage around the time that Taylor’s beloved grandfather passed away. The songs reflect this time of trial, acknowledging the pain yet rejoicing in the newly entered eternal life.
“A Briefing for the Ascent” was dedicated to Taylor’s grandmother, who passed away in late 1986. The title track is stunning on all fronts.
Close your eyes
And rest secure
Your soul is safe
Your body sure
He that loves you
Is He that keeps
The One that guards you
Never slumbers, never sleepsTake the greatest care
To hold onto your vision
Climb the golden stair
To the courts of Heaven
It will seem so sudden
But you will laugh as you run
You will wash in the river
You will shine in the Son
The album concludes with the well-known melody from Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” combined with hymn-styled lyrics to make a heart-touching finale.
Going Home Going Home
I am going home
Quiet like some still day
I am going homeJesus calls me home
Jesus calls me home
Jesus calls me
I will follow
Jesus calls me homeGoing Home Going Home
I am going home
Quiet like some still day
Jesus calls me home
For those among us who feel the pain of the empty chair at the family table, Terry Scott Taylor’s “Knowledge & Innocence” and “A Briefing for the Ascent” are welcome reminders that as we sit through the night of tears, there will be joy in that great and glorious Morning. The truism states that if it was good then, it’s good now. These albums were good when first released nearly forty years ago, and time has only enhanced their quality.
The double CD is available on Taylor’s Bandcamp page.
