In 1990 two Christian music legends, Glenn Kaiser
(Resurrection Band/Rez) and Darrell Mansfield joined together to release
TRIMMED & BURNIN’ (Ocean/GRRR Records).
Kaiser writes in the liner notes: “Blues speaks to hurts, struggles, and
desires in a powerful, emotionally passionate way. In a time when the world is so full of
turmoil, I am of the opinion that true Christians must learn to do the
same. Jesus did and does and He is
ultimately my reason for living and singing”.
Kaiser sings, plays guitar, dobro, dulcimer, and a bit of harmonica
(harp). Mansfield sings, claps, stomps,
and plays harmonica. Rob Glickman plays
dobro and guitar.
First up is one of three Rev. Gary Davis compositions
(1896-1972), ‘Great Change Since I’ve Been Born’. Glenn sings and plays guitar on this spirited
song of testimony: “Lies that I used to would tell, I don’t tell no more
(2X).../People that I used to would hate, Lord, I don’t hate no more.../Been a
great change, Lord, since I been born.../A new song been sung since I’ve been
born”. ‘Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and
Burnin’’ is one of five Blind Willie Johnson compositions (1897-1945). It’s a song of encouragement: “Brother, don’t
get weary/Sister don’t get weary/Ever don’t get weary/For the work is almost
done”. ‘Shaky Ground’ is one of six
penned by Glenn Kaiser. Curt Bley plays
upright bass. It speaks of how we can be
deceived: “I thought I’d been livin’ in the light of day/I thought I’d been
redeemed/I prayed my prayers but I went my way/Livin’ just like I’d
been/Standin’, standin’ on shaky ground”.
Darrell takes the lead on ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’, a song
about taking responsibility: “Well, nobody’s fault but mine/Nobody’s fault but
mine/If I don’t read my soul be lost/Nobody’s fault but mine/I have a Bible in
my home (2X)/If I don’t read my soul be lost/Nobody’s fault but mine
(2X)”. The song has a definite
twang! ‘Go Tell Pharaoh’ is a fast paced
number that draws from Exodus: “Go tell Pharaoh let my people go! (2X)/ I am
the God of the Israelites, that I’ll surely show/Power in the water, power in
the sky (2X)/Woe to those in Egypt/That’s the apple of my eye!” ‘You Got to Move’ has simplistic lyrics: “You
may be high, you may be low/You may be rich, child/You may be poor/But when the
Lord gets ready/You gotta move”.
‘In the Light of the Morning Star’ anticipates heaven with
joy: “The moon comes down/Shinin’ on the earth/It’s a wonderful thing to
behold/But someday I know we have been foretold/We will walk on streets of
gold”. ‘Celestial Shore’ is a nice
ballad on the same topic: “It won’t be long, but it’s for sure/Soon I’ll be walkin’
through that special door/There’ll be no more cryin’, fightin’, or war/When we
gather together on that celestial shore/When we all come together (3X)/On that
celestial shore”. ‘Jesus is Comin’ Soon’
is upbeat musically and has bold lyrics: “God is warnin’ the nation/Warned us
in every way/Turn away from the evil/Seek the Lord and pray/We been told/God
has warned us/Jesus a comin’ soon”.
‘God Don’t Never Change’ speaks of His faithfulness: “God in
creation/God when Adam fell/God way up in heaven/God way down in hell/He’s
God/God don’t never change/Always will be God”.
‘What You Did’ reminds us of the importance of our actions/deeds: “What
you did for the least you did for Me/What you did for the least (3X)/You did
for Me/You ask/When was this?/How could this be?/What you did for the
least/Child, you did it to Me”. Glenn
and Darrell share vocal duties on ‘I Belong to the Band’, while Glenn plays
guitar, and Darrell harp. It is
cheerful: “When I get to heaven gonna sit right down/Ask my Lord for my starry
crown/I belong to the band, hallelu/Hallelu! Hallelujah!/I belong to the
band/Hallelu (2X)”.
Rob Glickman plays the 12-String Slide Guitar on ‘You Got to
Die’, which offers frank advice: “Sinner man, you just as well to get ready,
you gotta die (2X)/Well, it may be today or tomorrow/Well, you can’t tell a
minute or hour”. ‘Cornerstone’ offers an
acapella invitation: “He is the Cornerstone (3X)/Come under Him, the
cornerstone/Come unto Him, the cornerstone/Come unto Him, the living
stone/Rejected by men, the cornerstone/But chosen by God, Precious Stone”. Last up is ‘We Shall See the King’ which
offers hope: “There’s a blessed time/It’s comin’, comin’ soon/Maybe even mornin’ night or noon/The wedding of the
bride united with the groom/We shall see the King when He comes”.
TRIMMED & BURNIN’ is one of the finest CCM albums ever
put out! Both Kaiser and Mansfield are
talented musicians and have raspy, seasoned voices. This is a raw, stripped down, rootsy,
passionate album of both fast and slow selections. The most common topic is anticipating the
joys and glory of Heaven and being with God-no more troubles in sight! The second most common theme is how Christ
changes our lives and the importance of having a personal relationship with Him
and living for Him. A third theme is the
coming judgment. I’m rating TRIMMED AND
BURNIN’ (49 min, 50 sec) a perfect 100%.
For more info reach out to the artists on Facebook.