One Way: Songs of Larry Norman

These songs must have been really scandalous in their heyday. I know a lot of Christians today who are turned off by Norman's honesty. I hear a lot of people claim that Christians shouldn't sing songs like "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus" because it is too graphic. Granted, it is graphic, but that's the beauty of this song. Many Christians think that life is always peachy and perfect, but real Christians know that isn't true. The songs herein are the kinds that "poser Christians" don't want to hear. Some of the lyrics are downright scary.

This album is a blessing to anyone who can snag a copy of it. I bought mine when it first came out and it is a true treasure to me.

LN fans might know about bluesman Larry Howard, and have already heard a Geoff Moore cover of "Why Should the Devil." They'll know dc Talk, but the other musicians may be new to them. Michael Anderson came and went, and Dana Key fans aren't usually looking to buy Holy Soldier songs. Rebecca St. James is still out there, bigger now than when this now obscure CD first came out. Norman is often called the grandfather of Christian rock, and these are his grandchildren.

The album title "One Way-Songs" refers to Norman's famous index finger pointed skyward toward Heaven, which became a symbol of a generation of young Christians. It also refers to an ethereal song from "In Another Land," based on the same same theme.

Larry Norman's history, from his days with People! has been amazing. Remember their 1967 cover of the Zombie's tune, "I Love You (and I Don't Know What to Say)" and the satiric "What We Need Is a Lot More Jesus and a Lot Less Rock & Roll"? No one since Martin Luther has brought more contemporary music into the Church. While his days with People! aren't many, his prodigious work in the 1970s and early 1980s forged the way for each of the bands playing on this CD. That's why metal, rock and pop are all here, doing homage as best they can.

"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" is Norman's signature song, but the others are not toss-offs, but poignant in their own right. "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation" is still in many camp hymn books, sung just as it was in the height of the Jesus Movement days.

For a Larry Norman-sounding album, look elsewhere. These aren't sung in that high rock-folk nasal California/Texas Dylan style that Norman is famous for. This isn't "In Another Land," "Only Visiting This Planet" or "Something New Under The Son." The words are the same, but that's it. Find those anywhere you can, but in the meantime, check this one out. It'll hit you in a new way.

Anthony Trendl

How about we get some punk and metal bands, all fall on our knees and yell "we're not worthy!" and make a real tribute album? A million years ago a lot of people hashed Norman for playing "satanic" rock and roll. All right, if you want to think he's a devil, at least give this devil his due. Go to larrynorman.com and get the real thing, or read the interview with Larry from HM magazine online at alivingdog.com (and find out how to get HM from Amazon). As Larry said about some sleepy hymns, "I don't like none of them funeral marches; I ain't dead yet!"

"One Way" brings together some of today's top Christian artists for a tribute to an amazing singer/songwriter whose songs have helped to shape Christian music for over 30 years.

Whether you have been listening to his music for decades, or have never heard of him before, Larry Norman's music will change your life.