GOLDEN AVATAR - A Change of Heart

Tracklist 

A1 World Beyond The Sky         3:25

A2 Questions Questions

         Bass – Steve Pinkston      3:45

A3 Bhagavad-Gita

        Guitar – John Goux           5:30

A4 Seers Of The Truth              5:35

A5 You're Not That Body           3:40

B1 A Change Of Heart              3:00

B2 Swetadwip                          8:15

B3 Oh Govinda                        4:42

B4 Time For Going Home         6:30

 

Credits

Arranged By – David Stout

Artwork [Illustration] – Carl Ramsey (2), William Garland

Artwork [Sleeve Illustration] – Jaya Ram Das

Backing Vocals – Alvin Marsden, Barry Goldsman, Kevin Yee, Madonna Slavin, Michelle Pearlman

Bass – Carl Lange

Congas – Bob Conti

Design – Pacific Eye & Ear

Drums, Percussion – Drew Lawrence

Flute – David Stout, Garry Abbott, Hush Preston, Jerry Peterson

Guitar, Lead Vocals – Michael Cassidy

Harp – Marilyn Berger

Music By, Words By – Michael Cassidy

Organ, Synthesizer – Barry Goldsman

Piano – Cal Bezzemer, David Stout

Producer – Carl Lange

Recorded By – Carl Lange

Saxophone [Soprano] – Jerry Peterson

Strings – Donna Paul (2), Gina Kronstadt, Joan Murakiani, Kihae Kim, Lisa Adams, Pam Thompkins*, Steven Lance, Tom Tally, Ulysses Roseman, Jr.

Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2), David Stout

Trumpet – David Grover, Harry Kim, Kurt Sletten

Vibraphone – Rod Rozzelle

 

Released 1976

 

Golden Avatar biography
GOLDEN AVATAR is a Jazz Rock/ Fusion band from the United States with a very large ensemble of artists featuring on their debut album "A Change of Heart" 1976. The artists featured include founder of the band and visionary Michael Cassidy on lead vocals, guitar, Carl Bezzemer & David Stout on piano, Barry Goldsman on organ, synthesizer, Carl Lange & Steve Pinkston on bass, and Drew Lawrence on drums & percussion. Other artists complete the large musicianship gathering including Bob Conti on congas, John Goux on electric guitar, Jerry Peterson on Soprano saxophone, Rod Rozzelle on vibes, Marilyn Berger on harp, Garry Abbott, Hush Preston, David Stout & Jerry Petterson on flutes, David Stout & Bill Rechenbach on trombone, Harry Kim, David Grover & Kurt Sletten on trumpets, Gina Kronstadt, Steven Lance, Pam Thompkins, Lisa Adams, Joan Murakiani, Ulysses Roseman Jr., Tom Tally, Donna Paul & Kihae Kim on strings, and finally Madonna Slavin, Kevin Yee, Barry Goldsman, Micelle Pearlman & Alvin Marsden on background vocals.

The Hindu visionary Michael Cassidy writes all the lyrics and the music that ranges from diverse style such as big band jazz, symphonic, folk, funk and disco. The presence of orchestrated instruments such as brass and strings is a key feature. The lyrics have Spiritual weight and are sung with solid harmonies.

"Pastimes" followed in 1978 with the same extensive lineup. The album features a brand of symphonic rock on 'Visions', and an Indian-ballad 'There is a Light', with oboe, sitar and tabla. There is even Gospel flavours on 'Is it Worth the Price you Pay?' and flute dominated folk on 'Lover of the Lord'.

Cassidy's lyrics are a sardonic exploration of modernity and social decline, with a Gospel edge. GOLDEN AVATAR may remind one of BREAD, mainly due to Cassidy's soundalike voice David Gates, and also the music is reminiscent of the sounds of THE MOODY BLUES or CAT STEVENS.

---AtomicCrimsonRush (Scott Tuffnell)---