Honeytree


Honeytree Superior 1973
 Only God
 Clean Before My Lord
 I Don't Have To Worry
Honeytree was one of the most popular female singers of the early Jesus movement. Beginning as a hippie coffeehouse folksinger, Nancy Henigbaum (her last name in German means 'honey-tree") became a Christian in the early 70's and hooked up With Calvary Temple in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Although her current music is now fully integrated into 'Christian radio', her early works displayed a beautiful Judy Collins simplicity. Her self-titled custom debut (originally released on the custom Superior label before more widespread distribution on Myrrh) contains several of her best songs: 'Clean Before My Lord', 'I Don't Have To Worry', and 'Treasures', the latter of which has been sung at many a wedding (including my own). The music here ranges from simple folk to mellow rock with small band backing. KS


Phil Keaggy & Honeytree

The Way I Feel Myrrh 1974
 Precious Memories
 Honeytree
 Heaven's Gonna Be A Blast
Mellow orchestral arrangements dominate The Way I Feel and work quite well especially when combined with some beautiful cello and classical guitar. High-class easy listening yet retains the essential folk ingredient. Includes a pair of Phil Keaggy tunes 'Precious Promises' and 'I Believe In Heaven'.

Evergreen Myrrh 1975
 Evergreen
 Lovely Jesus
 Rattle Me Shake Me


The Melodies In Me Myrrh 1978
 The Broadmoor Song
 Making Melody In My Heart
 One Sweet Word
In my opinion these are two of Jesus music's most classic albums. Honeytree's songwriting, diversity, and knack for writing a catchy tune are all at their peak here. Evergreen has the honor of being the first album of ccm I was exposed to, so naturally it has a special place in my heart. But biases aside, this really is an exceptional lp. Having explored folk and acoustic MOR on her first two albums, Miss Tree now successfully captures that middle-ground rock sound that along with the works of 2nd Chapter of Acts, Love Song, Phil Keaggy, et all came to be a style of its own simply known as "Jesus music." Phil Keaggy's electric guitar presence is a boon, giving warmth and atmosphere to the gentle cuts, while growling away on the rocky ones. Many classics here: 'Searchlight', 'It's Only Right', the novelty 'Rattle Me Shake Me', as well as the Keaggy- penned '(Lovely Jesus) Here I Am' and Larry Norman's 'I Am A Servant'. The Melodies In Me begins to shed the hippie image a smidgen, opening with a 40's-style slow jazz crooner complete with swingin' brass section. More fine music, more jazz and classical influences this time. Mellower all around but equally good. KS


Me And My Old Guitar Myrrh 1977
This one's a live concert, side 1 having a small band backing, doing fairly straight-forward renditions of tunes from her first four lps. Flip side has stripped-down solo acoustic versions of 'Broadmoor Song', 'Up To The Mountains', and 'I Am A Servant', with a special appearance by Honeytree's 'Fiddle-Playin' Mama'. Simple all around with a few raps tossed in. KS


Maranatha Marathon Myrrh 1979
 Maranatha Marathon
 The Pilgrim
There's a rather beautiful full-blown orchestral interpretation of 'Psalm 57' midway through side two. As for the rest of the lp, let's just say it pales next to her earlier stuff and is pretty much absorbed into the adult contemporary format. I still like it but the newcomer should check out the earlier lps first. KS