Marjoe Gortner ‎– "Bad But Not Evil" (Chelsea Records ‎– CHE-1005) 1972

Being a native of the dark industrial wastelands of the Midlands in the worlds first industrial economy of Great Britain, Country Rock and Americana did not sit comfortably in my understanding.Living in the birthplace of Doom Metal,Black Sabbath is our country music,It took me decades to listen to Country Rock stuff such as Bob Dylan,Neil Young,The Byrds and that singer-songwriter awfulness. At the same time I can get lost in the romance of the American Road Movie.
Marjoe Gortner was once the 'worlds Youngest Evangelist Preacher' between the ages of 4 to 8, and earned hundreds of thousands of Dollar for his parents, before he became an actor,and during his career revival in 1972 recorded an album of rather good Americana country tinged balladry.Under the aupices of Tom Scott, the writer of the marvelously funky theme to 'Starsky and Hutch'.....did i tell you I had a pint with Huggy Bear in a pub in mt hometown of Leicester back in the nineties.....he said 'I Like to meet the people'!?
Marjoe was a celebrity,like Huggy Bear, after a documentary following his revived Evangelist career.So, he had to try and cash in.Especially as he came out as an Atheist and revealed he only preached 'God's Word' for the Cash.....and I don't mean Johnny Cash. either.
Looking at the images on the cover,he just seems to be the perfect manifestation of the mid western bigot, but now we know otherwise, I kinda like this album a lot. I've played it three times so far,which is a rarity for me in these dark days. I may play those religious period Bob Dylan albums next....whats happening to me?

Tracklist:
A1 Hoe-Bus 5:05
A2 The Ballad Of Spider John 4:30
A3 Lo And Behold! 4:05
A4 Wind Up 5:35
A5 I'm A Man 3:37
B1 Collection Box 4:25
B2 Glory Glory Hallelujah 3:40
B3 I Shall Be Released 3:10
B4 Faith Healing Remedy (Jesus Is Your Friend) 4:17

DOWNLOAD a good but not too bad country rock album HERE!

Marjoe Gortner ‎– "Worlds Youngest Evangelist" (Marjoe Gortner self-released ‎– MG 1001) 1972

Marjoe Gortner ,the worlds youngest preacher, began harming brains and ears at the ripe old age of 4??
He first gained public attention during the late 1940s when his parents arranged for him at age four to be ordained as a preacher, due to his extraordinary speaking ability. He was the youngest known in that position. As a young man, he preached on the revival circuit and brought celebrity to the revival movement.
He became a celebrity again during the 1970s when he starred in Marjoe (1972), a behind-the-scenes documentary about the lucrative business of Pentecostal preaching. This won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Film. And is now noted as one of the most vehement criticisms of Pentecostal preaching west of the Pecos.
The best thing about Marjoe was that he admitted to being an Atheist, and he only did the preaching for the money.Not that that stopped him getting any bookings however!?A lot of such admissions were revealed in the documentary film.
The fact that a four year old can extol the virtues of christianity to an adoring audience of desperate 'adult' americans shows the intellectual depth that this nonsense requires to quickly build up a following of willing cash donators. Its just another confidence trick that too many humans are only too enthusiastic to be suckered into;but at least they know they're gonna live forever? Until they die that is.
Fuck Me! Will someone tell this kid to SHUT UP!!!!!?

Tracklist:

A1 To This End Was I Born (Age 4)
A2 You'd Better Get Ready (Age 4)
A3 Now Is The Hour (Age 4)
A4 The Great Judgement Morning (Age 6)
A5 Jesus Came (Age 4)
B1 I'll Carry The Torch (Age 6)
B2 It's In My Heart (Age 6)
B3 Lovers Lane (Age 6)
B4 Hell With The Lid Off (Age 8)
B5 Gods Blockade (Age 8)
B6 I Love That Man Of Galilee (Age 8)

DOWNLOAD the wisdom from a four year old's mind HERE!