- Barratt Band
The Barratt Band was formed in 1980 by
Norman Barratt , formerly of Gravy Train and theAlwyn Wall Band , and in its initial stages consisted of Barratt (Guitar, Vocals), Dave Morris (Keyboards), Tim Hatwell (Bass) and Russ Caldwell (Drums). The band recorded their first album "Playing in the City" in 1981 atChapel Lane Studios just outsideHereford . The band were one of the first fully professionalChristian rock (CR) bands in the United Kingdom, all members having worked as professionalmusicians in mainstream rock and pop.The band signed to the fledgling
Chapel Lane label that had just been started by Rob Andrews, owner ofChapel Lane Studios . This was a bold attempt to produce CR recordings that matched professional secular standards and also raise its profile."Playing in the City" was voted 'Album of the Year' in Buzz Magazine, the leading magazine of the CR scene in the
UK and has become one of the all time favourite CR albums.Fact|date=October 2007The band toured the album extensively throughout the UK,
Europe andScandinavia on major tours supportingLarry Norman and on smaller club tours in their own right, the highlight being the 1982Greenbelt Festival held at Knebworth, where they headlined the closing night.Larry Tomaso replaced Tim Hatwell on bass in 1982 and the band appeared on numerous tours and albums supporting or backing some of the top CR artists of the day from the USA and UK, including
Larry Norman ,Steve Camp ,Phil Keaggy ,Jesse Dixon andSheila Walsh .The band released a second album in 1984 named "Voice" with Dave Engel on drums.
The heavy touring and work schedules took their toll resulting in one of the band members collapsing through exhaustion while on tour in
Scandinavia towards the end of 1986.Although the band has never officially split up, it never toured or recorded again.
Discography
* "
Playing in the City " (1981, Chapel Lane, CLS8005)
* "Voice (LP) " (1983, Chapel Lane, CLS8015)External links
* [http://davalmusic.co.uk/norman_barratt.htm for more detail and update]
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