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106. Warrior – Arkangel
WARRIOR (1980)
Arkangel
Featuring Kemper Crabb, Arkangel’s “Warrior” has become one of the most sought after and expensive collector’s item’s in CCM history. From the stunning album artwork to the brilliant art rock performed perfectly, there is really no doubt as to why this is such a sought after project. The artwork and the music conjure up images of Tolkein and “middle Earth,” crusades and knights in shining armor.
Primarily a moody and melodic (and dare I say worshipful), there are moments of hard and progressive rock rock. Labeled often a progressive rock masterpiece, art rock is a better label. More thoughtful and contemplative than its contemporaries, Crabb revels in the classical, meditative and majestic musical styles employed. Crabb also demonstrates a diversity of musical taste and instrumentation, with nearly 40 instruments represented on the project with Crabb responsible for playing roughly 30 of them.
On a side note, I believe fans of Daniel Amos’ “Shotgun Angel” will find quite a bit to like here. Not as country rock or Beatlesque, but there is a similarity in musical and artistic expression found here. Despite the clear artistic endeavor the album is lyrically very “Christian” and Gospel centered.
The title track would later be covered by Caedmon’s Call on their first worship album and works as an introduction to the feel and sound of the entire project. Paradox is just a great acoustic rock song, perfectly suited for its day to be a mainstream radio hit, if not the blatant Jesus content.
It should be noted here just how well produced the album is. Given that it was released on the burgeoning Star Song label with a distinctly limited budget, the album sounds fantastic. Vocals are clear, strings are ample and the instrumentation is more than just solid, but at times exquisite. Bekah Crabb adss vocals on a few songs as well.
The heaviest number is the nearly six minute “Morning Anthem.” Taking the worshipful lyrical cue from “Warrior,” Morning Anthem is a stunning rocker that calls the worshippers to dance before the Lord. heavy, harmonic and powerful. For the time it would rank amongst the “heavier” songs in CCM and one of the truly rare instances of progressive rock in the genre.
There was never a follow up to this amazing project and that is a real shame. Another journey to Middle Earth spiritually and metaphorically would have been a great delight. But alas, like most of the most progressive and artistic endeavors in CCM, it never found an audience. Though some 30 years later that limited audience is willing to part with large sums of money to discover (or rediscover) this amazing project.
11 Thru 500
Before starting the top 10 I thought some of the long time readers might appreciate, and some of the more recent inquirers would find helpful, a rundown of numbers 11 through 500.
- The 77’s All Fall Down
- Phil Keaggy Love Broke Thru
- Leslie Phillips The Turning
- Tonio K Romeo Unchained
- The Altar Boys GLM (Gut Level Music)
- David Edwards David Edwards
- Bob Bennett Matters of the Heart
- The Swirling Eddies Outdoor Elvis
- Bob Dylan Slow Train Comin’
- Amy Grant Lead Me On
- DC Talk Jesus Freak
- Love Song Love Song
- Chagall Guevara Chagall Guevara
- DeGarmo & Key Straight On
- Larry Norman In Another Land
- Rick Elias Rick Elias and the Confessions
- Rich Mullins A Liturgy, A Legacy & a Ragamuffin Band
- Daniel Amos Doppelganger
- Bruce Cockburn Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws
- The Call Reconciled
- Barry McGuire Lighten Up
- Lost Dogs Scenic Routes
- Mustard Seed Faith Sail on Sailor
- Switchfoot The Beautiful Letdown
- U2 War
- Undercover Branded
- Adam Again Dig
- Benny Hester Nobody Knows Me Like You
- The Choir Chase the Kangaroo
- Russ Taff Russ Taff
- LSU Shaded Pain
- The Front The Front
- Prodigal Electric Eye
- Caedmon’s Call 40 Acres
- Andy McCarroll & Moral Support Zionic Bonds
- Stryper To Hell With the Devil
- Daniel Amos Horrendous Disc
- Kerry Livgren Seeds of Change
- Burlap to Cashmere Anybody Out There
- Paul Clark Hand to the Plow
- Sweet Comfort Band Hearts of Fire
- Vigilantes of Love Jugular
- Michael Omartian Adam Again
- The Violet Burning Strength
- Sixpence None the Richer Sixpence None the Richer
- Ideola Tribal Opera
- Daniel Amos Shotgun Angel
- Charlie Peacock The Secret of Time
- After the Fire CBS Recordings
- Jerusalem Warrior
- The Alarm Declaration
- T-Bone Burnett Trap Door
- Michael Anderson Sound Alarm
- Tonio K Notes from the Lost Civilization
- Steve Taylor I Predict 1990
- Gospel Gangstas Gang Affiliated
- Mute Math Mute Math
- Alice Cooper The Last Temptation of Alice Cooper
- Edin Adahl Alibi
- Jars of Clay Jars of Clay
- Vector Mannequin Virtue
- Bruce Cockburn Humans
- Phil Keaggy Sunday’s Child
- Lifesavers Kiss of Life
- Matthew Ward Toward Eternity
- The Prayer Chain Shawl
- Daniel Amos Darn Floor, Big Bite
- Randy Stonehill Between the Glory and the Flame
- Mark Heard Satellite Sky
- The Innocence Mission The Innocence Mission
- Julie Miller Meet Julie Miller
- Bebo Norman Ten Thousand days
- Benny Hester Benny Hester
- 2nd Chapter of Acts/Phil Keaggy How the West Was One
- Andrae Crouch & the Disciples This Is Another Day
- Mat Kearney Nothing Left to Lose
- Sweet Comfort Band Cutting Edge
- Gentle Faith Gentle Faith
- Charlie Peacock Love Life
- Erick Nelson & Michelle Pillar The Misfit
- The 77’s Pray Naked
- Children of the Day Come to the Water
- The Choir Circle Slide
- Roby Duke Not the Same
- Johnny Lang Turn Around
- Ishmael United If You Can’t Shout Saved, You’ll Have to…
- Malcolm and Alwyn Fools Wisdom
- Undercover Forum
- Michael W Smith The Big Picture
- John Mehler Bow and Arrow
- MxPx Life in General
- Chuck Girard Chuck Girard
- Jennifer Knapp Kansas
- Sam Phillips The Indescribable Wow
- Darrell Mansfield Higher Power
- Arkangel Warrior
- Kerry Livgren/AD Timeline
- Various Artists At the Foot of the Cross
- Neal Morse Testimony
- Steve Scott Love In the Western World
- Randy Stonehill Return to Paradise
- Steve Camp Fire and Ice
- Petra More Power To Ya
- Scaterd Few Sin Disease
- Pat Terry Humanity Gangsters
- Stavesacre Friction
- Hothouse Flowers People
- John Fischer Dark Horse
- The Imperials Priority
- Rich Mullins Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth
- LYRIX Songs From the Earth
- Jon Gibson Body and Soul
- 2nd Chapter of Acts With Footnotes
- POD Satellite
- Iona The Book of Kells
- Rick Elias Ten Stories
- T-Bone Burnett Truth Decay
- Pierce Pettis Chase the Buffalo
- Margaret Becker Immigrants Daughter
- Lone Justice Shelter
- DC Talk Free at Last
- Dashboard Confessional Alter the Ending
- Syn A Matter of Time
- Resurrection Band Awaiting Your Reply
- King’s X Faith, Hope, Love
- Plank Eye The One and Only
- Amy Grant Age to Age
- Adam Again 10 Songs
- Various Artists Orphans of God – Mark Heard Tribute
- Toby Mac Diverse City
- Daniel Amos Mr. Beuchner’s Dream
- Vigilantes of Love Audible Sigh
- Lifesavers Us Kids
- Poor Old Lu Mindsize
- The Violent Femmes Hallowed Ground
- Kansas Vinyl Confessions
- Kemper Crabb The Vigil
- U2 Achtung Baby
- Crystal Lewis The Bride
- Whitecross Whitecross
- Newsboys Going Public
- Barry McGuire Seeds
- Lost Dogs Little Red Riding Hood
- Mark Heard Second Hand
- Waterboys Pagan Place
- Various Artists City on a Hill
- Avion Avion
- David Meece Are You Ready
- Flyleaf Flyleaf
- White Heart Redemption
- Fleming and John Delusions of Grandeur
- Tourniquet Psycho Surgery
- Jennifer Knapp Lay It Down
- Vigilantes of Love Killing Floor
- Randy Stonehill Equator
- Margaret Becker Never For Nothing
- Magdallan Big Bang
- Deliverance Weapons of Our Warfare
- Aunt Bettys Aunt Bettys
- Terry Taylor Knowledge and innocence
- David Mullen Revival
- Jacob’s Trouble Knock Breathe Shine
- Van Morrison Avalon Sunset
- Russ Taff Medals
- Daughtry Daughtry
- Servant Rockin’ Revival
- Petra Never Say Die
- The Imperials One More Song for You
- Ashley Cleveland Big Town
- David Edwards Get the Picture
- Phil Keaggy Ph’lip Side
- Cliff Richard Now You See, Now You Don’t
- Keith Green No Compromise
- Charlie Peacock Charlie Peacock
- Derek Webb She Must and Shall Go Free
- Resurrection Band Lament
- FM Static What Are You Waiting For
- Over the Rhine Eve
- Take 6 Take 6
- Living Sacrifice Reborn
- 4-4-1 Mourning Into Dancing
- 2nd Chapter of Acts Mansion Builder
- Phil Keaggy Crimson & Blue
- Neal Morse Lifeline
- Newsboys Love Liberty Disco
- Creed Human Clay
- The Throes All the Flowers
- White Heart Don’t Wait for the Movie
- Plumb candycoatedwaterdrops
- Various Artists Brow Beat
- Audio Adrenaline Underdog
- Prodigal Just Like Real Life
- Steve Taylor Squint
- Fireworks Shatter the Darkness
- Lecrae Rebel
- Bryan Duncan Have Yourself Committed
- Jon Gibson Jesus Love Ya
- Bloodgood Detonation
- Jimmy Hotz Beyond the Crystal Sea
- Jeff Johnson Icons
- DeGarmo and Key This Time Thru
- House of Heroes Suburbia
- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Beat the devil’s tattoo
- The Rocket Summer Do You Feel
- Third Day Third Day
- Russ Taff The Way Home
- Glass Harp Glass Harp
- Daniel Band On Rock
- In 3D No Glasses Needed
- Bob Dylan Infidels
- Amy Grant Behind The Eyes
- Vengeance Rising Human Sacrifice
- Bill Mason Band No Sham
- Michael W Smith The Michael W Smith Project
- Twila Paris The Warrior is a Child
- Larry Norman So Long Ago the Garden
- Michael Omartian White Horse
- The All Saved Freak Band My Poor Generation
- Benny Hester Benny From Here
- Sheila Walsh Future Eyes
- Ark The Angels Come
- Randy Matthews Son of Dust
- U2 October
- The 77’s Sticks and Stones
- Bourgeois Tagg Bourgeois Tagg
- Robert Vaughn & the Shadows Love and War
- Mad at the World Flowers in the Rain
- Sweet Comfort band Sweet Comfort Band
- MC Hammer Hammer, Please Don’t Hurt ‘Em
- Oden Fong Come for the Children
- World Party Private Revolution
- Caedmon’s Call Caedmon’s Call
- Tom Howard Danger in Loving You
- Sufjan Stevens Illinoise
- Adam Again Homeboys
- Stavesacre Speakeasy
- Edin Adahl X-Factor
- Julie Miller Blue Pony
- Out of the Grey Out of the Grey
- Wayne Watson Watercolour ponies
- Larry Norman Something New Under the Son
- Mark Heard Ashes and Light
- The Swirling Eddies Zoom Daddy
- Shai Linne Atonement
- Midnight Oil Dust and Deisel
- Denny Correll Standing in the Light
- Robin Lane & the Chartbusters Imitation Life
- TobyMac Tonight
- Bruce Cockburn Stealing Fire
- Barnabas Hear the Light
- Undercover Balance of Power
- The Silencers A Letter From St. Paul
- Dave Kelly Crowning of a Simple Man
- Bride Snakes in the Playground
- Giantkiller Valley of Decision
- Precious Death Southpaw
- Ginny Owens Without Condition
- Mortal Lusis
- The Crucified Pillars of Humanity
- Atomic Opera Gospel Cola
- Earthsuit Kaleidoscope
- Galactic Cowboys Galactic Cowboys
- The Call Let the Day Begin
- Daniel Amos Fearful Symmetry
- Five Iron Frenzy Upbeats and Beatdowns
- Vigilantes of Love Driving the Nails
- The Alarm Strength
- Saviour Machine Saviour Machine I
- Owl City Ocean Eyes
- The Winans The Return
- Kyle Henderson More Than the Look of Love
- The Archers Fresh Surrender
- Fred Field and Friends Fred Field and Friends
- Plank Eye Commonwealth
- Mortification Scrolls of the Megilloth
- Steve Taylor On the Fritz
- Brainchild Mindwarp
- 16 Horsepower Secret South
- Larry Norman So Long Ago the Garden
- Charlie Peacock Everything That’s On My Mind
- Starflyer 59 Silver
- Saving Jane Girl Next Door
- Stryper Soldiers Under Command
- Bob Bennett Songs From Bright Avenue
- Paramore Brand New Eyes
- Mason Profitt I Had a dream
- Glad Beyond a Star
- Holy Soldier Holy Soldier
- Jacob’s Trouble Jacob’s Trouble
- Kerry Livgren/AD Art of the State
- Leon Patillo The Sky’s the Limit
- Bruce Hibbard Never Turnin’ Back
- Evanescence Fallen
- MxPx Teenage Politics
- Allies Allies
- The Predators Social Decay
- Skillet Comatose
- Kenny Marks Right Where You Are
- The 77s Ping Pong Over the Abyss
- Resurrection Band Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore
- The Waterboys This Is The Sea
- Sacred Warrior Obsessions
- Evie Mirror
- Third Day Time
- Robin Lane & The Chartbusters Robin Lane & the Chartbusters
- Darrell Mansfield Get Ready
- John Michael & Terry Talbot The Painter
- Annie Herring Through a Child’s Eyes
- Phil Keaggy Town to Town
- Mute Math Armistice
- Youth Choir Voices in Shadows
- Michael Card Legacy
- Underoath They’re Only Chasing Safety
- Bruce Cockburn In the Falling Dark
- Guardian Fire and Love
- Bethlehem Bethlehem
- First Strike First Strike
- Semaja No Burning Out
- Third Day Third Day (Tunesmith)
- Idle Cure Idle Cure
- Shawn Groves Invitation to Eavesdrop
- Kim Hill Talk About Life
- Dave Perkins The Innocence
- North Bound North Bound
- Simple Minds New Gold Dream
- What If What If
- Servant World of Sand
- Dan Peek All Things Are Possible
- Relient K mmhmm
- Elim Hall Things Break
- The Alpha Band Spark in the Dark
- 5 O’clock People The Nothing Venture
- Shout It Won’t Be Long
- Randy Stonehill Thirst
- Daniel Amos Vox Humana
- Adam Again Perfecta
- Michael Roe The Boat Ashore
- Mark Heard Stop the Dominos
- Andy Pratt Fun in the First World
- Altar Boys Against the Grain
- Parable Illustrations
- Veil of Ashes Pain
- Mr. Mister Welcome to the Real World
- Kevin Max The Blood
- The Elms Big Surprise
- Various Artists Streams
- Dion I Put Away My Idols
- DeGarmo & Key Mission of Mercy
- Alwyn Wall Band The Prize
- Los Lobos By The Light of the Moon
- Mylon LeFevere/Broken Heart Sheep in Wolves Clothing
- The Echoing Green Defend Your Joy
- Steve Archer Through His Eyes of Love
- Good News Good News
- Grits Art of Translation
- Havalina Rail Co Havalina Rail Co
- The Way Can It Be
- Starflyer 59 Leave Here a Stranger
- The English band What You Need
- Ernie and Debbie Rettino More Than Friends
- Dig Hay Zoose Magenta Manta Love Tree
- Farrell and Farrell Choices
- Steve Curtis Chapman Beauty Will Rise
- Leslie Phillips Beyond Saturday Night
- 12 Stones 12 Stones
- Barnabas Approaching Light Speed
- Michael Knott Rocket and a Bomb
- POD Fundamental Elements of Southtown
- Dead Artist Syndrome Prints of Darkness
- Kaja Crazy People’s Right to Speak
- Julie Miller Invisible Girl
- Stronghold Fortress Rock
- Nichole Nordeman Woven and Spun
- Barren Cross Atomic Arena
- Sarah Laughing Sun and Moon
- James Vincent Waiting for the Rain
- Pat Terry Film at Eleven
- Bob Bennett First Things First
- Crumbacher-Duke World’s Away
- Crystal Lewis Beauty For Ashes
- Donna Summer She Works Hard for the Money
- JC Power Outlet Forgiven
- Vince Ebo Love is the Better Way
- In 3D Barrage
- T-Bone Burnett Proof Through the Night
- Scott Wesley Brown I’m Not Religious
- Judson Spence Judson Spence
- Curious Fools Curious Fools
- Two Pound Planet Songs From the Hydrogen Jukebox
- PFR Great Lengths
- Walk on Water WOW
- Prodigal Prodigal
- OC Supertones The Adventures of the OC Supertones
- Tim Miner A True Story
- John Fowler & Harpoon Live
- Chris Taylor Worthless Pursuit of Things on the Earth
- Parchment Shamblejam
- Keith Green So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt
- Collective Soul Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid
- Mylon LeFevere Mylon
- The Choir Wide Eyed Wonder
- Paul Clark Good to Be Home
- Dime Store Prophets Love is Against the Grain
- KJ – 52 It’s Pronounced Five Two
- Rick Cua Koo-Ah
- Ed Raetzloff Drivin’ Wheels
- Randy Matthews Now Do You Understand
- Kim Boyce Kim Boyce
- Isaac Air Freight Fun in the Son
- Steve Soles Walk By Love
- Jamie Owens-Collins Growing Pains
- Tommy Coomes Love Is the Key
- Quickflight Decent Beat
- Pilgrim Outlets Do You Know Him
- Don Francisco Forgiven
- T-Bone The Hoodlum’s Testimony
- First Call Undivided
- Wish for Eden Pet the Fish
- Michael Been On the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough
- Sweet Comfort Band Breakin the Ice
- Bob Dylan Saved
- Squad 5-0 What I Believe
- Jeff Johnson Fallen Splendor
- Sometime Sunday Stone
- Jimmy A Secrets
- Chris Eaton The Vision
- Carson Cole and RU4 Mainstreet
- Toby Mac Momentum
- Common Band Anger Into Passion
- LSU Grace Shaker
- Creed My Own Prison
- Thousand Foot Krutch Phenomenon
- Beau MacDougall This Side of Heaven
- David and the Giants David and the Giants
- Poor Old Lu Sin
- Lewis McVay Coming Attractions
- Jan Krist Decapitated Society
- Vector Please Stand By
- Mike Stand Do I Stand Alone
- Crumbacher Incandescent
- Imitators Once and For All
- Jeremy Camp Stay
- Scott Blackwell Walk on the Wildside
- Hawk Nelson Smile, It’s the End of the World
- Black Eyed Sceva Way Before the Flood
- Mad at the World MATW
- D-Boy The Lyrical Strength of One Street Poet
- Hokus Pick Snappy
- Rick Altizer Blue Plate Special
- Waterdeep Everyone’s Beautiful
- Silverwind A Song In the Air
- Steve Taylor I Want to Be a Clone
- Gary Chapman Sincerely Yours
- The Kry You
- Honeytree Evergreen
- Idle Lovell Idle Lovell
- Lights The Listening
- Jars of Clay Good Monsters
- Fireworks Sightseeing at Night
- Kathy Trocoli Stubborn Love
- Mike Warnke Hey Doc
- The Lifters The Lifters/That What Love’s About
- The Mercy Seat The Mercy Seat
- Karen Lafferty Bird in a Golden Sky
- Nobody Special Nobody Special
- Neal Morse ?
- Morgan Cryar Keep No Secrets
- Servant Light Maneuvers
- Jon Gibson Change of Heart
- Kansas Audio Visions
- Maranatha Singers Praise 1
- Paul Clark Songs for the Savior 1 & 2
- Mark Heard Eye of the Storm
- Mark Farner Just Another Injustice
- Randall Waller Midnight Fire
- Lifesavers Dreamlife
- Lone Justice Lone Justice
- Seven Day Jesus Hunger
- Sheila Walsh War of Love
- Undercover God Rules
- Vision Vision
- Various Artists The Everlasting Living Jesus Music Concert
- Petra Back to the Street
- PID The Chosen Ones
- Steve Camp Shake Me to Wake me
- Infinity Plus Three Setting Yesterday Free
- Stryper Yellow and Black Attack
- Paul Q Pek Touch the Ground
- Weber and the Buzztones Weber and the Buzztones
- Malcolm and the Mirrors Red Alert
147. The Vigil – Kemper Crabb
THE VIGIL (1982)
Kemper Crabb
Kemper Crabb’s own biography states that he may have been born 700 years too late. That is nor more correct than on his classic Celtic/progressive/folk rock classic, The Vigil. Inspired by the Crusades and the music from nearly that same era, The Vigil is a masterpiece that is admittedly not for everyone.
He has played with Caedmon’s Call and Atomic Opera. He fronted the amazing Progressive Rock band, Arkangel (reviewed later) and has a list of credits a mile long. He is also an ordained minister in the Reformed Episcopal Church and lectures on a diverse selection of theological and sociological subjects.
How truly magnificent is this work? Consider that every review on Amazon is 5 stars and that sealed original copies can go for as much as $200 without a problem of finding a buyer. The combination of worshipful baroque, Celtic hymns, classical instrumentals and brilliantly conceived and crafted lyrics make this beyond anything resembling an AYSO.
Litanies and liturgies are not the normal fair for Christian rockers and many may stumble through upon first listening. But as these brilliant works swirl and envelope an initial appreciation may soon become an obsession. Crabb’s stunningly beautiful rendition of “Be Thou My Vision” is utterly captivating. “The Danse” would later appear on the first Caedmon’s Call worship album.
In a truly paradoxical result, the placement of this album will probably cause some to wonder “what in the world is this?” and others to question how it is not in the Top 10.
CCM's 500 Best Albums Of All Time 