2nd Chapter of Acts and the solo recordings of Matthew Ward and Annie Herring appreciation thread

I have noticed on the Christian Music threads that a bunch of people are fans of 2nd Chapter of Acts' music. They had a unique family harmony sound with Matthew Ward, Annie Herring, and Nelly Griesen. While Matthew and Annie have had successful solo careers, Nelly is involved with her husband's film production and distribution companies and live in Colorado but they have reunited for the "First Love" documentary several years ago and they all still sing as wonderful as ever. I will post what I can of a poll mentioning all of the 2nd Chapter of Acts albums which there are many great albums, and have the first 4 Matthew Ward solo albums and the first 4 Annie Herring solo albums with the rest of the solo catalog with "Other Matthew Ward solo albums" and "other Annie Herring solo albums" options. Their catalog is mostly owned by Universal except for "With Footnotes," "In The Volume of The Book," and "To The Bride" which is mostly a Barry McGuire album with the exception of a side and 2 songs of 2nd Chapter of Acts songs. The Roar of Love is a great concept album inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia series, With Footnotes and In The Volume of The Book are classic breakthrough albums, and they have several great albums on Sparrow. Unfortunately, the 2nd Chapter of Acts album catalog is mainly OOP on CD and CDs go for big bucks online but many of the LPs are inexpensive on Discogs, eBay, etc. Toward Eternity is also scarce on CD as well and there other scarce CDs related to this group but the vinyl is plentiful and sounds great as well. While the Live Oak label when that was around was mostly distributed by Word when it was originally released which allowed Live Oak to license With Footnotes and In The Volume of The Book for a twofer CD in 1989, etc. the material that was made for the Live Oak label based in Lindale, TX is owned by Sparrow Records/Universal. The only best of compilation of the Word owned 2nd Chapter of Acts material released is "Encores" but since that contains songs drawing only from "With Footnotes" and "In The Volume of The Book," it is better to buy the 2 albums themselves as once you like what is selected for the Encores comp, you'll love the whole albums, while the "20" and "Very Best of..." compilation CDs draw from their Sparrow owned catalog.

 

Annie Herring and Matthew Ward have both had great solo careers with their voices standing out on their own just as much as they blend perfectly within the group.

 

I like the first 5-6 albums of the group best, though all have good tracks.

 

Thanks for the poll, Brad. 2nd Chapter is my wife's favorite group. While they're a little tame for my taste (I'm more in the DA/77s/Choir camp), I always thought they were excellent at what they did. Their vocals were unmatched, and the musicians on their albums were cream of the crop. Too bad so much of their catalog is out of print on CD. I picked up a lot of them during the early days of CDs, but would still like to find Roar of Love and Toward Eternity. Thanks again.

 

Roar of Love: https://www.amazon.com/Roar-Love-Musical-Journey-Wonder/dp/B000008KJ8
Toward Eternity: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15?url=search-alias=popular&field-keywords=matthew+ward+toward+eternity&sprefix=Matthew+Ward+To,popular,194&crid=2GDSYD7SUS53

 

Matthew Ward on Wikipedia has his solo discography: Matthew Ward (singer) - Wikipedia
Annie Herring on Wikipedia has her solo discography: Annie Herring - Wikipedia

 

Together Live is the only album that has never been digitally mastered at all, not even for download. The Sparrow owned catalog is on CD-R through Mardel.com and on download and streaming sites

Search 2nd Chapter of Acts | Mardel

The first 2 albums can be bought on MP3 off of 2ndchapterofacts.com but the CD is scarce and only the Encores comp can be bought on CD-R from Mardel and on download and streaming sites. Encores | Contemporary | Music | Music & Video | Mardel

 

Enjoy HTWWW "Live" 2nd Chapter, band David with Phil Keaggy

​

 

One of the best things they were ever involved with and BTW, A Band Called David was 2nd Chapter of Acts' touring band in their heyday and even for non-fans of the acts and want a collection to start your early CCM collection, this is a must have.

 

Great poll. I voted for their first 2, groundbreaking albums, as well as Toward Eternity. Of course, being a big Keaggy fan, I voted for one of the greatest live albums of all time, Christian or otherwise, in "How the West was One". Essential listening for any music fan.

I also selected "Other Matthew Ward albums", as I enjoy"Point of View", released on Benson in 1992. It was his last "rock" album, and thankfully he broke away from the 80s production values enough that I still enjoy it today. I also have "The Matthew Ward Collection", also released by Benson in 1992, which had the new track "My Little Ones". I remember hearing it on the radio that year while riding the in the car with my dad and liking it. It has extra special meaning for me now, as I have 4 "little ones" of my own.

 

The Benson catalog, BTW, is owned by Sony now (save for DeGarmo & Key's catalog, fully owned by Forefront/Universal and Sandi Patti's Impact/Benson catalog, owned by Word/Curb and other exceptions), so in a way, Matthew Ward has catalog owned by Word/Curb (Word/Curb is distributed by Warner Bros.), Sparrow/Universal and also Sony/Provident/Brentwood Music which are the 3 major Christian label groups.

 

Thanks Brad for great Threads on many CCM artists and music news!

 

You're welcome and the threads are a success because they shy away from religious arguments, etc. The CCM artists I choose to spotlight often are threads devoted to the classics that so many people grew up on and 2nd Chapter of Acts is one of those acts that has appealed to multiple generations.

 

Christian music is all I listened to in the 1970's ...... up to 1978. In 1978 it became commercial with more emphasis on professional production than message. The 1970's Maranatha label stands out as the label carrying the true identity of 'Jesus Music'. With the exception of bands like the Second Chapter of Acts, everyone else was late to the party and commercial. I am currently inventorying the 500+ Christian lps I own and it makes me ill to catalog anything in the 1980's. Christian music became the junior varsity for talent, promising air time and audience for artists that could not break into the mainstream. We didn't only lose our message when Christianity became mainstream, but we lost our music.

 

Like all bands, the Second Chapter of Acts was greater as a whole than in their parts. Their solo outings are lacking.

 

Thanks for the links, Brad. Prices at Amazon are out of my range, but it makes my ongoing hunt at the thrifts and other stores that much more worthwhile.

 

Links to Amazon are proof if something has been released though.

 

The Roar of Love on Mardel CD-R: Roar of Love | Contemporary | Music | Music & Video | Mardel

There is no Mardel CD-R of Toward Eternity

It is better to look at thrift stores in hopes to find them rather than CD-R on Demand

 

"How The West Was Won" is one of the greatest live albums ever!

The 16-minute "Rejoice" with Phil Keaggy embodying the electric guitar is breathtaking.

 

Yes. At least we know it's out there. Prices have really shot up over the last few years.

 

To the Bride and How the West Was One are 2 of the best live albums in the genre. In addition to great music by Barry McGuire and Phil Keaggy, they both show what a dynamic live group the 2nd Chapter of Acts could be. The little spoken bits between the songs are also very insightful. I also checked The Roar of Love because I'm a big fan of C.S. Lewis and of concept albums.

 

Check out the prices for the With Footnotes/In The Volume of The Book twofer on Discogs and Amazon:
2nd Chapter Of Acts - With Footnotes / In The Volume Of The Book
https://www.amazon.com/Footnotes-Book-2nd-Chapter-Acts/dp/B000ABKB26/

There are copies of the CD on eBay: 2nd Chapter of Acts /With Footnotes / In the Volume of the Book [Collector's CD. | eBay

 

So far, How The West Was One is in the lead. As far as studio albums, With Footnotes and In The Volume of the Book are in the lead.

 

I am amazed by this double album even today, there is no concert album which showcases Phil Keaggy the guitarist Live better!

 

I agree. It is an album that is for all music fans, not just the CCM market.