Celebrating Chapel

Buzz Magazine Review : Chapel Lane artists at Royal Albert Hall on 6th February 1981

As a showcase of Chapel Lane Production’s talent, February’s concert jamboree at the Royal Albert Hall succeeded in style.  The whole evening had the flavour of an old-fashioned revival meeting.  Positive spiritual statements from the stage received loud applause to the point where, as some people were to observe later, it became tedious.

The staple musical diet of the evening was good ol’ rhythm and blues spiced with the white soul music of the Mark Williamson Band and new wave exuberance from the artists given best stage and light show of the evening, namely Sheila Walsh.  Honourable mentions must also go to Bryn Haworth for the sheer joy of his short set, and to Liberation Suite for Listen with it’s beautiful synthesised bass introduction.  Novelty of the night award goes to Alwyn Wall and the Norman Barrett Band for their impersonation of Status Quo.  What next?  Headbangers for Heaven!

Finally we were treated to a visitation from the Granddaddy of gospel rock, better known to the ordinary punter in the pews as Larry Norman.  His skill is marrying unique lyrics to the West Coast rock format, coupled with an inimitable stage manner.  The elements of challenge, encouragement and outright teasing were well received and the masses happily danced in the aisles or wherever there was room.  Some of his remarks were, however, out of order, especially his references to Iran and Afghanistan.  These, along with Alwyn Wall’s warnings about Russia, gave the second half of the evening the true blue atmosphere of a Young Conservative recruiting drive.  As an audience we must evaluate what Larry Norman says and not accept it merely because he said it.  Larry deserves our respect, not idolatry.

The evening ended with a spirited rendition of We’re All One from all the musicians, with back-up vocals from a 6000 strong choir.  Keep right on to the end of the Lane.

Dave Roberts

Buzz Magazine

April 1981