One Way: Songs of Larry Norman

Track Listings

1. U.F.O. - Geoff Moore & the Distance

2. Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation - Rebecca St. James

3. Great American Novel - Big Tent Revival

4. Why Don't You Look into Jesus - Holy Soldier

5. Shot Down - Michael Anderson

6. Righteous Rocker #3 - Audio Adrenaline

7. One Way - Serene & Pearl

8. Outlaw - Dana Key

9. Nothing Really Changes - Code of Ethics

10. Six O'Clock News - Grammatrain

11. Why Should the Devil (Have All the Good Music) - Geoff Moore & the Distance

12. Rock That Doesn't Roll - Larry Howard

13. If God Is My Father - E.T.W.

14. I Wish We'd All Been Ready - dc Talk

Tracks:

U.F.O. - Geoff Moore & the Distance
Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation - Rebecca St. James
Great American Novel - Big Tent Revival
Why Don't You Look into Jesus - Holy Soldier
Shot Down - Michael Anderson
Righteous Rocker #3 - Audio Adrenaline
One Way - Serene & Pearl
Outlaw - Dana Key
Nothing Really Changes - Code of Ethics
Six O'Clock News - Grammatrain
Why Should the Devil (Have All the Good Music) - Geoff Moore & the Distance
Rock That Doesn't Roll - Larry Howard
If God Is My Father - E.T.W.
I Wish We'd All Been Ready - dc Talk

Customer Reviews:

Hardcore Christian Songs.......2004-03-04

I have never listened to Larry Norman sing. I have, however, listened to the songs on this album. Not only is the music excellent, but the lyrics are tough, heartfelt and inspiring all at the same time. "The Great American Novel," "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus," "Six O'Clock News," "The Outlaw," and, last but not least, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" are songs that don't hammer non-Christians, but send a message to all people to look at themselves and study their hearts.

These songs must have been really scandalous in their heyday. I know a lot of Christians today who are turned off by Norman's honesty. I hear a lot of people claim that Christians shouldn't sing songs like "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus" because it is too graphic. Granted, it is graphic, but that's the beauty of this song. Many Christians think that life is always peachy and perfect, but real Christians know that isn't true. The songs herein are the kinds that "poser Christians" don't want to hear. Some of the lyrics are downright scary.

This album is a blessing to anyone who can snag a copy of it. I bought mine when it first came out and it is a true treasure to me.

Wowie Zowie, The Cat's Got Soul.......2003-09-30

Most of the people interested in this album are Larry Norman fans and couldn't find his albums online. They are in for a treat. More than a best-of album, or an honorary collection of cover songs, "One Way-Songs" serves as a lesson in how to write a rock song without losing faith. This is the good stuff, done by some good bands.

LN fans might know about bluesman Larry Howard, and have already heard a Geoff Moore cover of "Why Should the Devil." They'll know dc Talk, but the other musicians may be new to them. Michael Anderson came and went, and Dana Key fans aren't usually looking to buy Holy Soldier songs. Rebecca St. James is still out there, bigger now than when this now obscure CD first came out. Norman is often called the grandfather of Christian rock, and these are his grandchildren.

The album title "One Way-Songs" refers to Norman's famous index finger pointed skyward toward Heaven, which became a symbol of a generation of young Christians. It also refers to an ethereal song from "In Another Land," based on the same same theme.

Larry Norman's history, from his days with People! has been amazing. Remember their 1967 cover of the Zombie's tune, "I Love You (and I Don't Know What to Say)" and the satiric "What We Need Is a Lot More Jesus and a Lot Less Rock & Roll"? No one since Martin Luther has brought more contemporary music into the Church. While his days with People! aren't many, his prodigious work in the 1970s and early 1980s forged the way for each of the bands playing on this CD. That's why metal, rock and pop are all here, doing homage as best they can.

"I Wish We'd All Been Ready" is Norman's signature song, but the others are not toss-offs, but poignant in their own right. "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation" is still in many camp hymn books, sung just as it was in the height of the Jesus Movement days.

For a Larry Norman-sounding album, look elsewhere. These aren't sung in that high rock-folk nasal California/Texas Dylan style that Norman is famous for. This isn't "In Another Land," "Only Visiting This Planet" or "Something New Under The Son." The words are the same, but that's it. Find those anywhere you can, but in the meantime, check this one out. It'll hit you in a new way.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Will the Real Larry Norman Please Rock Out?.......2003-08-22

Maybe it works in a backwards sort of way if Pat Boone sings heavy metal, but if the Osmonds did a tribute to Ozzy, who wouldn't think it was ironic? The only reason I could think that artists officially tagged as "contemporary" in radio format lingo would be singing songs by some long haired rocker named Larry Norman who always says "turn it up" to the guy running the volume controls at his concerts would be because they think he's very cool and want to pay tribute to a mentor and pioneer. But no, the liner notes of this CD are noncommittal at best, and with a couple exceptions, notably Grammatrain, the versions of his songs are about 180 degrees from what you'd expect from Larry Norman.

How about we get some punk and metal bands, all fall on our knees and yell "we're not worthy!" and make a real tribute album? A million years ago a lot of people hashed Norman for playing "satanic" rock and roll. All right, if you want to think he's a devil, at least give this devil his due. Go to larrynorman.com and get the real thing, or read the interview with Larry from HM magazine online at alivingdog.com (and find out how to get HM from Amazon). As Larry said about some sleepy hymns, "I don't like none of them funeral marches; I ain't dead yet!"

Christian Rock's Roots Revisited.......2001-06-10

Larry Norman has been hailed as the godfather of contemporary christian music. His no-compromise lyrics helped revolutionize the christian music industry in the 1960's and 1970's. These songs, written during one of the most culturally turbulent times in US history, present the Christian gospel in a straight-foward, no nonsense manner.On the "One Way" album, today's top Christian artists gather to pay tribute to this living legend.

"One Way" brings together some of today's top Christian artists for a tribute to an amazing singer/songwriter whose songs have helped to shape Christian music for over 30 years.

Whether you have been listening to his music for decades, or have never heard of him before, Larry Norman's music will change your life.

Excellent.......1999-07-25

Larry Norman's songs will always be rellevant regradless of when these songs were originally recorded. It's great to hear these songs done by some of the more contemporary artist of the day. These songs are as powerful and convicting as the day the they were originally recorded. This is a must album/CD to have in ones collection.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. U.F.O. - Geoff Moore & the Distance
2. Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation - Rebecca St. James
3. Great American Novel - Big Tent Revival
4. Why Don't You Look into Jesus - Holy Soldier
5. Shot Down - Michael Anderson
6. Righteous Rocker #3 - Audio Adrenaline
7. One Way - Serene & Pearl
8. Outlaw - Dana Key
9. Nothing Really Changes - Code of Ethics
10. Six O'Clock News - Grammatrain
11. Why Should the Devil (Have All the Good Music) - Geoff Moore & the Distance
12. Rock That Doesn't Roll - Larry Howard
13. If God Is My Father - E.T.W.
14. I Wish We'd All Been Ready - dc Talk