297. Beyond a Star – Glad
BEYOND A STAR (1980)
Glad
Glad was, for a time, one of the most influential and important groups in Christian Music. An incredibly high standard of quality, interesting and creative arrangements and some of, if not the best, harmonies in CCM history.
After their debut showed a much more “progressive” rock and jazz influence, Beyond a star would carry their original form into the 1980’s with more pop and the introduction of the a capella vocal style they would later by primarily known for.
Though less progressive than their debut the album still contain several classic influences such as the Yes sounding “Away” and a touch of the 2nd Chapter of acts on “Sing a New Song.” “Iron Sharpens Iron” has a Steely Dan or Alan Parsons Project feel.
The opening track, “The Reason” would introduce the a capella vocal style that would end of being the trademark for the band through much the 1980’s. In fact, their biggest selling album would be the firs “A Capella Project,” going gold and beyond. This would not have been possible without the perfect combination of voices the band possessed.
Many members are still actively involved in music, most notable Bob Kauflin, who is spearheading a great modern worship label based on more doctrinally solid lyrical content than what is found in most of today’s worship music.
CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time 
I remember when I first picked up my copy of this cassette at a Christian Book Store while I was away at College. I loved two immediately: AWAY & LONELY LOVE. Away was haunting and LL was more pop, but both were catchy. You would listen and it would get stuck in your head. Eventually Beyond A Star (title track) would do the same.
But the whole album was a classic and it took me a long time to reacquire an old copy. I will not let this one go.
It wasn’t too much longer Glad would not be important to me but this album ( asn the two that followed) would stay with me to the current day.
Just talked to Bob Kauflin two weekends ago and brought up this inclusion on the list. He had seen it and was thrilled though surprised (pleasantly) by which album was chosen. Man, what a great guy!
I am a huge fan of the worship music Bob is doing now with Sovereign Grace. Curious which one he thought should be included.
I don’t think he believed ANY of their albums would be included. He was just pleasantly surprised. My guess is that he and Nalle believe that the popularity of the acappella albums would have put one of those on a best of list.
I’ll have to give this a listen sometime.. my listenings of Glad started with “No Less Than All” and “Captured in Time and Space”..
This is one of the first Christan cassettes I bought. I loved it. Have been looking online for it – even just to hear song clips to refresh my memory – can’t find it anywhere except for file sharing sites. Nothing on youtube or amazon except for a couple of songs.