The Jesus People Concert
October 8, 2021
Biola University

Reviewed By Dan MacIntosh

A nostalgic journey down Jesus music memory lane was held not at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood or Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, two foundational SoCal sparkplugs for the explosive Jesus people movement in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but on the non-descript Metzger Lawn at established Christian college, Biola University. This approximately two-and-a-half-hour concert was but one part of the Ablaze Conference, which explored the Jesus People Movement and featured speakers, like Greg Laurie and Cheryl Broderson (Chuck Smith’s daughter,) among others. After all the talk, an evening of pioneering pop and rock music succeeded in doing 50 years later, what it so memorably accomplished a half a century ago, which was to speak straight to hearts with the love of Jesus.

 

Love Song headlined this bill by opening with a medley of fan favorites, including “Changes” and “Little Country Church,” before closing with full versions of “Feel the Love,” then “Welcome Back.” Fronted by Chuck Girard, and to a lesser degree, Tommy Coomes, Love Song filled this October night air with vocal harmonies that would make Brian Wilson smile. Although Love Song was gentler than other Jesus music bands, like Resurrection Band at the time, the mere sight of a drumkit in some churches those days amounted to blasphemy (or worse). This longhaired rock & roll band was revolutionary at its inception in 1970. The fact that this group also wrote stellar songs, only makes its place in history all the more monumental. Tonight’s set asserted once again that one of Christian music’s first was also one of its best.

 

Before Love Song brought the night to an end, trio 2^nd Chapter of Acts revived their distinctive sibling vocal harmonies once again. Matthew Ward humbly introduced “Easter Song” as a fan favorite. But he was wrong. “Easter Song” is so much more than that. It’s a modern-day classic hymn, and easily one of the very best examples of contemporary Christian music. It’s still sung around the world at Easter sunrise services today, and deservedly so. Technically, this was not a full 2^nd Chapter of Acts reunion, as primary songwriter, Annie Herring, is retired from performing and did not appear. Christine Miller capably stood in for Herring, joined by original members, Nelly Greisen and Matthew Ward. At one point Ward announced that he and Greisen hadn’t sung together in 22 years. This made the night an event, more than a mere concert. This act, named after the arrival of the Holy Spirit, had many in the audience worshiping with hands raised during “Mansion Builder,” and nodding in agreement to “Which Way the Wind Blows.”

Although the still longhaired Honeytree joked about not being included in the recent film The Jesus Music, she more than proved how much she deserved to be remembered with a short, but timelessly effective trio of songs. She opened with the ‘high on Jesus’ “Rattle Me, Shake Me,” and proceeded to smile broadly while singing and playing her Joni Mitchell-esque folk songs. Of that memorable Jesus People time, Honeytree said, “The fact that the Lord decided hippies should get saved and become radical Gospel preachers shows that He has a sense of humor! Suddenly conservative churches felt like they had been invaded by creatures from outer space! But those churches who passed the test and were able to love and disciple these young believers were blessed beyond their imagination.”

 

The Salt Company beautifully recreated a Jesus music rendition of the ‘60s folk revival with its acoustic set. These musicians from the Salt Company Coffee House at Hollywood First Presbyterian, where Keith Green, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, and countless others cut their teeth, were preceded by another SCC coffee house performer, Dennis Agajanian. Agajanian’s set was highlighted by a passionate performance of Larry Norman’s “UFO,” which found the speedy acoustic guitarist soloing with melodic bits from Wings’ “Live and Let Die.”

 

The night ended with an all-artist choir singing of Andrae Crouch’s “Soon and Very Soon,” which functioned as a church benediction. It also closed the concert on a forward-looking note. As one of Agajanian’s songs put it, these former hippies have never stopped “workin’ on a building” for their Lord. More than a backward trip down memory lane, these precious musicians aimed to take this audience higher– all the way to heaven. Tonight’s show sure felt like it got us within striking reach of that glory.

• Dan MacIntosh

 

(True Tunes’ John J. Thompson, who was a featured historian and commentator on The Jesus Music film, will be in San Diego CA on Tues, Oct 26, and in Newport Beach CA on Wednesday, Oct 27 at 7pm to discuss The Jesus Movement, Jesus Music, and how Christian music evolved over the last fifty years – (the Newport Beach event will include a panel of artists including The Altar Boys’ Mike Stand, The Prayer Chain’s Tim Taber and others.) These are free events (donations will be accepted) in advance of a special screening of Electric Jesus on 10/28. For more information click HERE.)

Read JJT’s reflections on Jesus Music Rediscovered

Jesus Music fans should also check out our recent conversation about Jesus Music Movies on the True Tunes Podcast with Andy Erwin and Chris White as well as previous episodes with Phil Keaggy, Larry Norman, Natalie Bergman and others.