Barratt Band
Encyclopedia
The Barratt Band was formed in 1980 by Norman Barratt
, formerly of Gravy Train
and the Alwyn Wall Band, and in its initial stages consisted of Barratt (Guitar, Vocals), Dave Morris (Keyboards), Tim Hatwell (Bass) and Russ Caldwell (Drums). The band recorded their first album Playing in the City in 1981 at Chapel Lane Studios just outside Hereford
. The band were one of the first fully professional Christian rock
(CR) bands in the United Kingdom, all members having worked as professional musicians in mainstream rock and pop.
The band signed to the fledgling Chapel Lane label that had just been started by Rob Andrews, owner of Chapel Lane Studios. This was a bold attempt to produce CR recordings that matched professional secular standards and also raise Christian rock's profile.
The band toured the album extensively throughout the UK, Europe
and Scandinavia
on major tours supporting Larry Norman
. Barratt Band was featured on Larry Norman's 1981 live Friends on Tour album, along with Alwyn Wall
. In their own right they embarked on smaller club tours, the highlight being the 1982 Greenbelt Festival
held at Knebworth, where they headlined the closing night.
Larry Tomaso replaced Tim Hatwell on bass in 1982 and the band appeared on numerous tours and albums supporting or backing some of the top CR artists of the day from the USA and UK, including Larry Norman
, Steve Camp
, Phil Keaggy
, Jesse Dixon and Sheila Walsh
.
The band released a second album in 1984 named Voice with Dave Engel on drums.
The heavy touring and work schedules took their toll resulting in one of the band members collapsing through exhaustion while on tour in Scandinavia
towards the end of 1986.
Although the band has never officially split up, it never toured or recorded again.
Norman Barratt
Norman Barratt was a guitarist and songwriter, mostly known for his membership of the band Gravy Train and the Christian groups the Alwyn Wall Band and the Barratt Band.-Early life:...
, formerly of Gravy Train
Gravy Train (Rock Group)
Gravy Train were a progressive rock group from Lancashire, England, formed by vocalist and guitarist Norman Barratt in 1969. Together with J.D. Hughes , Lester Williams and Barry Davenport they recorded four studio albums. The first two were released on the Vertigo label, and the latter two by...
and the Alwyn Wall Band, and in its initial stages consisted of Barratt (Guitar, Vocals), Dave Morris (Keyboards), Tim Hatwell (Bass) and Russ Caldwell (Drums). The band recorded their first album Playing in the City in 1981 at Chapel Lane Studios just outside Hereford
Hereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
. The band were one of the first fully professional Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
(CR) bands in the United Kingdom, all members having worked as professional musicians in mainstream rock and pop.
The band signed to the fledgling Chapel Lane label that had just been started by Rob Andrews, owner of Chapel Lane Studios. This was a bold attempt to produce CR recordings that matched professional secular standards and also raise Christian rock's profile.
The band toured the album extensively throughout the UK, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
on major tours supporting Larry Norman
Larry Norman
Larry David Norman was an American Christian musician, singer, songwriter, record label owner, and record producer, who worked with Christian rock music...
. Barratt Band was featured on Larry Norman's 1981 live Friends on Tour album, along with Alwyn Wall
Malcolm and Alwyn
Malcolm and Alwyn were a popular British gospel beat music group in the 1970s. They played Beatles-influenced rock music with lyrics reflecting their conversion to Christianity. The duo was composed of Malcolm Wild and Alwyn Wall, who had been performing together in a band called The Zodiacs prior...
. In their own right they embarked on smaller club tours, the highlight being the 1982 Greenbelt Festival
Greenbelt festival
Greenbelt Festival is a festival of arts, faith and justice held annually in England since 1974. Greenbelt has grown from a Christian music festival with an audience of 1,500 young Christians to its current more secular festival attended by around 20,000 - Christians and non-Christians.The festival...
held at Knebworth, where they headlined the closing night.
Larry Tomaso replaced Tim Hatwell on bass in 1982 and the band appeared on numerous tours and albums supporting or backing some of the top CR artists of the day from the USA and UK, including Larry Norman
Larry Norman
Larry David Norman was an American Christian musician, singer, songwriter, record label owner, and record producer, who worked with Christian rock music...
, Steve Camp
Steve Camp
Steven J. Camp is a prominent American Dove Award and Grammy Award-nominated contemporary Christian music artist with an adult contemporary pop sound. He was very popular in the 1980s and early 1990s, where he has sold more than a million albums, who also has written or co-written 21 number one...
, Phil Keaggy
Phil Keaggy
Phil Keaggy is an American acoustic and electric guitarist and vocalist who has released more than 50 albums and contributed to many more recordings in both the contemporary Christian music and mainstream markets...
, Jesse Dixon and Sheila Walsh
Sheila Walsh
Dr. Sheila Walsh, D.Min. is a Scottish-born contemporary Christian vocalist, songwriter, evangelist, author, inspirational speaker, and talk-show host.-Biography:...
.
The band released a second album in 1984 named Voice with Dave Engel on drums.
The heavy touring and work schedules took their toll resulting in one of the band members collapsing through exhaustion while on tour in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
towards the end of 1986.
Although the band has never officially split up, it never toured or recorded again.
Discography
- Playing in the CityPlaying in the City-Side one:# "The Only One" # "Not the Way" # "Your Love" # "Playing in the CIty" # "Coming of the Man" -Side two:# "Bad Mean World"...
(Chapel Lane CLS8005, 1981, reviews) - Voice (LP) (Chapel Lane CLS8015, 1983)