GLASS HARP
It was June, 1968, when I left my family in California to come back to my hometown. Youngstown, Ohio. Dad, Mom, my sister and I had lived in southern California for only six months. During that time, I had uritten letters to my old friend and music companion, John Sferra. We had known each other since eighth grade.
We had aluays worked in separate groups, and now it was time to join together to share our hopes, dreams and goals.
John and I went through many disappointments and frustrations. We had dreamed of a full on nine piece group like Michael Bloomfield had once put together. We searched... and out "supergroup" ended up three piece.
We had found a bass player named Steve. He moved on after a while. Then there was a second bassist named John. We
'moved him on" in order to have Dan Pecchio joln us. John and I were convinced that Dan was our man, and we became the Glass Harp that you now hear on this record.
From 1969 to 1972, we occasionally toured in different parts of the country. But for the most part, we performed in the Ohio area We developed our sound in a club called JB's in Kent, Ohio, playing as often as four times a week Our early repertoire consisted of material by many of our favorite artists. In time, we began writing our own songs.
My greatest ambition was to "make it", and we all worked hard at It. As a three plece group, Dan and John provided a strong. innovative rythm foundation, while I maintained the melody and chords. We did a lot of sweating in that club We had fun improvising and making up songs on the spot; we discovered that people enjoyed us; our following grew. We became a little more successful, and were invited to perform second billing with some of the great artists -Traffic, Bloomfield, Chicago and Yes, to name a few It was thrilling. yet i began uncovering an emptiness usthin me. What was 11?
In February of 1970, a series of events occurred which etemally affected me. The loss of a loved one, a feeling of brokeness and emptiness set me about searching for something. Someone. I found Him; more corredly, He found me I discovered within me a destre to know my Maker, and to be at peace with Him. I discovered The Answer, and He is Jesus- believe me. He made something beautiful out of my life. From that point on, I wanted to live for Him-to sing and play for Him.
God is love- Love is the song. and the music still goes on. He is my song-He is Eternal! There is a hope-"through Him there is a peace we can share", for He Himself is our Peace.
My Lord is with me always", and He'll be with you. "I took Jesus as my Savior-you take Him t00
Dan, John and I have shared many things together, and today we fondly raspect each other, and desire the best for each other's lives.
This album is a collection of songs which portrays the heart of a young man who has found his First Love.
SONG IN THE AIR
The cover art for this album was created by George Werth, and is the first major attempt in record album art to portray a Gospel theme in the mode of surrealism.
Surrealism, by such powerful exponents as Dali, has too long. with many other art forms, often communicated only the negative and demonic
Because of its use of detached images, surrealism lends itself easily to the chaotic. It presents an ausome challenge to the artist who would use it to communicate with form and order (1 Corinthians 14.40).
The focal point of Wenth's "Song in The Alt" is the New Song itself (Psalm 144.9 & Revelation 59 10), as signified by the jubilant. singing mouth, and pearls (Matthew 13:45-46) in descent towards the terrestrial plain, the habitation of man The Song is then received through the senses of man... the eyes, ears and hands (1 John 1:1), and man is regenerated As the Song takes its course in man, fruit is bor: the fruit of repentance (Matthew 38), as well as all the fruit of the Spirit love. joy peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self control (Galatians 522-23).
The final remaining symbol is the pair of wings, signifying not only the all encompassing love of the Creator for His creation (Psalm 91.4), but also the promised reward for those who place all their faith and trust in the living God (Isaiah 4031).
Our thanks to George for enhancing this album with an interpretation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ via the means of surrealistic art.
The Publishers