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Release Date: August 16, 2005 Label: Troubadour for the Lord Related Sites: · Official Site Grade: A

I'll admit the whimsically titled Monk Rock caught my attention, but actually spinning this disc became a real revelation. This forty-eighth (yes, you read that right) album by Catholic music legend John Michael Talbot is the result of his desire to "dig out my old electric guitars and learn to play pretty well again." He's been living the monastic lifestyle at the Little Portion Hermitage near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, with the lay community called the Brothers and Sisters of Charity that he founded in 1982. He originally found fame, along with his brother Terry, in the late 1960's and early 1970's in the country rock band Mason Proffit. In fact, it was through the process of helping his brother get the old band back together that led Talbot to "take an electrifying message and put it to electrifying music that has something for all ages."

The CD comes with a 16-page booklet that includes lyrics to all the songs. That's pretty standard fare. What sets this apart are extensive liner notes by Talbot, including detailed comments on each individual song. In his introductory remarks, he recounts how this project came together and how he "went to some ancient sacred texts from the western Catholic Christian tradition" for lyrical inspiration. He "also used some straight forward and simple Jesus lyrics reminiscent of the early days of the Jesus Movement from which modern CCM was birthed, and from which I was ministerially birthed as well. I liked the freshness of going more to the roots, and not trying to camouflage the Christian message through implied lyrics alone."

Evidence of this intent can be seen right off the bat with the first track, "One Body in Christ" ("One faith, one baptism/One God and Father of all/One body in Christ, one"... nothing ambiguous there!). Musically, it's an ambitious opener, with nifty slide guitar action from guest Jerry McPherson, and tempo-changes straight off the Moody Blues playbook. If it sounds like an anthem, that's because it was originally written at the request of Talbot's bishop for a Little Rock Eucharistic Congress. He even interjects a Spanish chorus ("un cuerpo en Cristo"). The next tune, "Spread the Good News," is "dedicated to John Paul II, who faithfully preached the gospel of life and to rise up and follow Jesus" and features an uplifting chorus, complete with old-fashioned hand-clapping.

Make no mistake -- the "rock" you'll find here is fully country-rock in the vein of Poco, the Eagles or early Pure Prairie League. Talbot stacks his vocals to replicate a full choir sound, and the harmonies are exquisite, particularly on the beautiful "Requiem". He supplies some banjo picking ("Te Deum") and flute and recorder elements as well ("Sanctus"). The rousing ditty "Jesus Prayer Swing" features some sweet triple-guitar interaction with Talbot, McPherson, and Phil Keaggy, with a great turbo-charged riff of an ending. Highlights of this tune and "Gloria" also include the seemingly long lost art of the guitar solo. The tempo of the album is mixed up nicely, with the syncopated Reggae beat of "Credo" sharing time with the serene "Kyrie", and the blending of blues and chant on "Agnus Dei".

Don't let the Latin titles scare you off. Catholics in particular will recognize parts of the Mass in "Te Deum" ("Holy, holy Lord, God of power and might/Heaven and earth are full of your glory..."), "Agnus Dei" ("Lamb of God..."), "Kyrie" ("Lord have mercy..."), "Sanctus" ("Holy, holy, holy..."), and "Credo" (the Apostles' Creed). The album comes to a satisfying conclusion with "Come Home Little Children," and invitation to "come home to the Father who loves you." Or, as Talbot notes "this is a 'welcome home' song to all who have been away from the Lord, be it for a day, or a lifetime."

This is a thoroughly enjoyable album from beginning to end, and an engaging time warp to '70's country rock with modern production techniques brought to bear. It reminds me of Don Francisco's High Praise with its uncomplicated message, and fits in perfectly alongside Talbot's pair of projects featuring favorite hymns, Table of Plenty and City of God, the latter of which serves as a kind of foretaste to the amped-up sound you'll find here. Plus, the image of the robed monk slinging a Telecaster on the back cover is pretty cool.