Customer Reviews

I've Got a Reason

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have waited so many years for this album to be released. I listened to this album for years and never realized it was a Christian themed album. I just loved Richie Furay's music in all its incarnations. This music is as strong as any he released with Poco, Souther Hillman & Furay, or Buffalo Springfield, and I listen to all of them all the time. After SHF broke up, Richie Furay, Chris Hillman, and J.D. Souther all came out with solo albums. They were ALL quite strong albums and all worth having in one's library. Hillman and Souther's albums have been available for years, but not Furay. I can only imagine that his christianity pigeonholed him. Now my collection is complete, and, song for song this is the strongest of the three solo albums by the aforementioned legends. Thank you.

I must have wore out two copies of this record on vinyl back in my high school days, and pretty much have not heard it since then. So I was curious to see if it would stand the test of time, and to my great delight it has! This was Richie's first solo album (after two with the Souther Hillman Furay band) and it pretty much came and went in the stores. I think he had more success with subsequent albums (also reissued). I have always felt that of his solo recordings this was the strongest, lyrically, musically, and in terms of production value. And unfortunately I think the reason it did so poorly had more to do with the subject matter of his songs than anything else. Richie had recently become a Christian and was exploring the implications his newfound faith on this record. Don't get the wrong idea, this is not a "CCM" album. In fact, compared to the "Jesus Music" of the day, Richie's lyrics are downright obtuse. Nevertheless, the dividing line was pretty clear at that time and this record got labeled as "christian music" and just did not get played.
In terms of the reissue, the dissapointment is that there are no bonus tracks (somebody must have some tapes somewhere!), nor are there any additional liner notes. However, the transfer is clean and crisp and all the info that was on the original release is there, including lyrics.

If you are a Poco or Buffalo Springfield fan you will love this album! The music is very melodic and Richie was at the top of his vocal form when this was recorded. If you have heard that this is a "Christian" album and are generally put off by that, don't be in this case. True, it is a Christian album and features former band members of LoveSong, but the lyrics are poetic in nature and not at all "in your face". On the other hand, if you like Christian music this is a must have for your collection. Production values far exceed the norm for the genre'.

When this came out, practically everyone who heard it would have given the record a five. It's merely perfect, from the Rick Griffin lettering on the cover, to the production, to the band. Why four stars then? It's only nine songs. Once you hear these nine songs you may think it is a five. I leave it to you. You can hear some Buffalo Springfield, some POCO, some Souther-Hillman Furay here, but the joy of these three "solo" albums, new to CD, is that while the band changes, the song, in a sense, remains the same. Furay has good chemistry with his musical mates in all three recordings. One of the high points on "Dance a Little Light" is the cover of "This Magic Moment", which oft' runs through my head. Dance a Little Light This album is a return to the good old days of great country rock. Laid back, confident, warm like the sun. 'Nuff said. Give a listen.

The Richie Furay Band / I've got a reason: This is Richie's `Jesus Rock' album and it is good but not very powerful in either its lyrics or its performance. My problem is not with his faith (as I am a believer in the Resurrected Jesus) but with his halfhearted attempt to sing about it. In wanting to be one of the `Jesus movement' singers, but not wanting to offend his secular listeners, he ends up pleasing very few of either. I have friends that love this album, but I am not one of them.
Three Stars

This is easily my favorite Furay solo LP...er CD.
As a fan of all his earlier work w/ Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Souther Hillman & Furay. This solo effort stands out. Okay, those earlier recordings deserved 5 stars and really are of a higher grade.
But, I also gave this a 5 star too, because each and every song is worthy. Among the best Alt. Country/Cosmic American LP's of the 70's.
Richie is so versatile here. He's more rock & roll than country here you tend to forget where his roots are. Each song flows into each other, it's almost a concept LP/CD. It's more SHF Band hints than anything else.

If you can only afford one solo effort by Richie, this is the one!

Was I ever surprised to see that this treasure has been re-released! Richie Furay is probably one of the most under appreciated pioneers in rock music. He was a founding member Buffalo Springfield and Poco. He helped create what is now known as the "California sound", or country rock, which influenced such bands as the Eagles. I've Got a Reason exemplifies the very best of the country rock style of play. Richie matches the best Christian musicians (including Jay Truax, Steve Cropper, Michael Omartian, Al Perkins, Al McDougall, and Tom Stipe) with his solid songwriting ability and creates one of the very best Christian albums ever! Every song is great. Every song has meaning! If you are a collector of Christian music, you must have this CD for your collection. I've waited years to find it on CD and I was not disappointed when it finally got my hands on it again. Don't miss your chance to get a copy.