THE KEYHOLE (PRE-FISHERFOLK) - THE WAY IN - RARE STILL SEALED LP - ARCHIVIST

$

25

This listing is for a rare factory sealed copy of The Keyhole - "The Way In" LP.

About the artist:

"The Way In," a Coffeehouse ministry near Allen's Landing, Houston, involves 58 young men and women commited to communicating their faith with freedom, boldness, and gentleness. God is love and that makes a difference in daily life. These young people have given themselves to love one another with a pure heart, fervently. In so doing, they have found Jesus - "The Way In."

Album review:

Keyhole was part of a coffeehouse ministry in Houston Texas called The Way In. Armed with guitars, bass, banjo, and tambourine, they’re just the kind of folk ensemble you’d expect to see heading up a youth worship service (which is probably exactly what they did at Houston’s Church Of The Redeemer). The music is certainly straightforward, often sung in unison and devoid of instrumental solos – a format that would probably be pretty bland were it not for their proficient playing, nice voices, and good harmonization, all of which make you want to join in. They do renditions of songs by Ray Repp, Peter Scholtes, Carey Landry, Paul Quinlan, some spirituals, but mostly their own compositions. Room In The In is somewhat different from the others. Described as “Christmas Folk Art music”, it is a deeply moody and solemn work with greater emphasis on composer and lead singer Mimi Armstrong’s somewhat operatic voice. By the time of Sweet Jesus they had matured considerably. The group eventually evolved into The Fisherfolk.  

(The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition)

Album review:

It’s hard to think of a group that defines 1970?s Christian folk/coffee-house music as much as this one, which morphed into The Fisherfolk. The group had its start in 1969 as the resident singing group of The Way In, a Christian coffee-house in the Allen Landing area of Houston, Texas. The Way In was, in turn, a ministry of the Church of the Redeemer, a Charismatic Episcopal church near the Gulf Freeway.

Their style was heavy on acoustical guitar and light on percussion, which quickly became de rigueur for Christian coffee-house groups. The style was certainly replicated in churches and coffee-houses in the region, as I found out while living there in the mid-1970?s. It can even be seen across the pond in the UK in groups such as Achor and The Alethians.

Eventually the Fisherfolk took their leave from the Lone Star State, and are still active, but alas they don’t use these albums for bait any more. Unfortunately the Church of the Redeemer, unable to maintain the building (with its famous “Christ of the Workingman” mural above the altar,) was forced to close in 2011.

Review by Don Warrington, March 2, 2011

This LP is on the "GIA" record label.

Record # M/S-129

Song list

Side 1

1. Like The Wind

2. To Be Redeemed

3. What A Great Thing It Is

4. Ho Everyone That Thirsteth

5. If I Had All The World's Money

6. The Spirit Is A-movin'

7. I Am The Resurrection And The Life

Side 2

1. They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

2. My Lover And My Master

3. I Will Arise

4. Ye Were Sometimes Darkness

5. Bless Thou The Lord O My Soul

6. My Beloved

7. My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord