SONGS FROM THE INNER COURT

Howdy-Do music lovers. Our last review was RUMINATOR UNPLUGGED...and now we review one of my favorite albums of all time.


NOTE: If you go to the Ruminator Reading Review...you will see a review of Pat Boone's book A NEW SONG.


This album...to me...is the sonic version of the book. It is an intimate journey of one man...into the presence of God...and tends to draw you into the presence of God also.



The album came out in 1974...and was in the midst of the Jesus Movement. Pat had given Randy Stonehill and Larry Norman $2,500 to record a couple of independent "Jesus Music" records...and even formed a company called Lamb and Lion Records to be used as an outlet for Pat's Jesus music, Dogwood, DeGarmo and Key and many others. I remember going to a Christian bookstore...and purchased this album... SONGS FROM THE INNER COURT...and AWAITING YOUR REPLY by the first Christian Metal group...RESURRECTION BAND (Music To Raise The Dead). The look on the person behind the counter was priceless...as I explained my eclectic tastes in music.




Pat was a hot property...and was even on the cover of The Rolling Stone magazine...writing about his New Song experience. It's interesting that one of the people mentioned on the cover was Pat's golfing buddy Alice Cooper...who was also a Christian.



If you remember...back in the 50's...and even to this day...Pat is demonized for singing songs by Little Richard as he covered Tutti Frutti, Rip It Up, Long Tall Sally and many other artists including Fats Domino with Ain't That A Shame, Blueberry Hill. Here was milk drinking, namby pampy, white shoes and white boy singing and homogenizing black music. The fact is...many people would never hear some of the black music of the time...if it was not for squeaky clean Pat Boone. During Pat's heyday...he was up their with Elvis (a good friend)...of Pat's. Even during his heyday...Pat was a believer who made decisions based on his Christian beliefs...refused certain sponsors, did not do certain movies, which he would later compromise (see the book A NEW SONG for details of the downward spiral).


NOTE: Pat released an album called IN A METAL MOOD...big band versions of heavy metal hits. From Smoke On The Water to Crazy Train... Pat shook things up a little bit.

SONGS FROM THE INNER COURT... again was an intimate rendering of old classics and new songs of vertical worship. As Pat puts it..."Yes, coming to a private audience with a an earthly king is a thrilling frightening experience. But what about an intimate meeting with God, the Lord of Heaven and earth? In His own inner court!" According to Pat...he has sung for kings and queens and presidents...but being able to enter into the presence of God by invitation does not compare.


I heard an interview with him talking about the recording process...as they turned down the studio lights...with minimal instrumentation...an attitude of desire...and intermittent conversation with God and singing unto Him.

I recommend...to turn the lights down low...settle into your chair...maybe a cup of tea and the Bible close at hand...and enter in to His presence.

The project opens up with Just As I Am...flows into I Can Hear My Saviour Calling....songs of request with Into My Heart....declarations of submission with I Am Thine O Lord and Have Your Own Way, Lord. Other songs of praise, adoration and surrender continues and ends with the final track...A Sacrifice of Praise.

NOTE: I first heard Pat sing A Sacrifice of Praise on a Good News Television Special by the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International (FGBMFI). On the show was Kathryn Khulman, Oral Roberts, Demos Shakarian, and others with Pat singing...in English and in the Spirit as his NEW SONG...flowed in worship and adoration. It still sends chills up and down my spine...especially when I sing along.

The liner notes close out with the invitation from Pat..."come with me. Let's leave everything else behind us for a while, walk reverently into the Holy of Holies, kneel before the very throne of God, and worship the King. He welcomes us, He dies so that we could have this incredible privilege, and I will go into the Inner Court." The final Scripture verse is found in the book of
I Corinthians 14:15..."I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

I give this project 5 moo-moos.

Love and Holy Kisses

Rodney "Entering In" Boyd