Listen to the Trumpet of Jesus

The final album with Russ Taff leading the Imperials is a masterpiece.

Original painting by Ron DiCanni. Buy it here.

Welcome back to Music Mondays! I’ve been enjoying the comments on previous music posts and I’d like to invite paid subscribers to post their favorite Christian or Catholic bands or songs in the comments for others to explore.

The reason I am promoting Christian music among those interested in Culture Recovery is because those trying to build or recover the culture need to be joyful and keep the Gospel on their mind, especially when working, driving, waiting, or doing any of those thousands of hidden tasks that make up a life of service to Christ. Music can do both: it can lift your spirits and keep the Lord’s Word on your mind. And if you sing it or play it in your home or at your parties, it can evangelize your family and your guests.

Given how serious Catholics in traditionalist circles are about all manner of culture recovery, I don’t understand why they don’t use this tool. I presume many of them are simply unfamiliar with the history and breadth of gospel and Christian music. Not all of it is simplistic, although popular music by its nature is repetitive. Later I’ll speak of how I think the trend towards praise and worship in CCM made most of its songs unnecessarily shallow in the name of being seeker-friendly, but that’s a post for another day.

It is true that most CCM, aside from the evangelistic songs, presumes the listener has a relationship with God, because much of CCM is meant to be exhortational, particularly self-exhortational: as David says in the Psalms,

Why so downcast, my soul?
Why do you faint within me?
Hope in God, I will praise Him yet,
my Savior and my God!
(Psalm 42:6)

This is because following Christ is hard: our emotions and thoughts don’t always align with the truths of our faith, and we need human tools to bolster them at times. In choosing the shepherd-singer David and giving his songs the power to expel demons, the Lord put a double-underline of sorts under the human tool of music. Notice that not all of David’s music was liturgical. Some of it was very personal, and some of it was clearly mean to be danced to. I would love to see more music festivals for Catholics (like the upcoming Abbeyfest) because we do need to gather together, sing, and lift our spirits. But I would also love for Catholic families to immerse their families in Christian music and teach their families to sing it, because singing is praying twice. And we need all the efficiencies we can get.

So post your favorite self-exhortation songs in the comments and enjoy this music Monday!

Today’s album is the last album featuring these four singers together: Priority. Here’s the link to the full album.

When I was young, I saw the Imperials perform some of these songs in concert. The concert was held in a high school gymnasium, where they came with a full band, including horns. Despite the fact that they were top singers with a rich history in gospel and secular music, the Imperials treated us, their audience, church folks crammed onto bleachers and folding chairs, like royalty. This clip of their number at the 1979 Grammy Awards, introduced by John Denver, gives a sense of their warmth and humor.

During the concert, they sang and joked and told stories, and sang with passion. This was while acts like Amy Grant started playing at the big venues like Philadelphia’s Civic Center, but I felt those super-produced shows lacked the intimacy of the Imperials’ shows.

From their website, it looks like the Imperials are still touring and have returned to their roots by forsaking the big theaters for church halls and who knows? Maybe even high school gymnasiums. 

1. The Trumpet of Jesus

In this opening number, the Imperials make it clear that they’re still following the Man with the Music. Russ Taff launches the song with an opening phrase interrupted by a trumpet blast, then the entire music band weighs in with an infectious beat:

I listen to the trumpet of Jesus
While the world hears a different sound.
I march to the drumbeat of God Almighty
While the others just wander around—

Piano keyboard underscores his next almost introductory words, and then the band and the other three Imperials chorus in as he goes on:

I’m a member of the Holy Ghost’s traveling band
We’re moving on up to a better Land!
I hear the voice of a supernatural Singer
like only those who know Him can!

Then the band goes into a free-wheeling fast-paced spin reminiscent of the dance breaks in Gospel songs, punctuated by more trumpets and Morales’ deep intonation “Listen to the trumpet of Jesus!”  When they finally calm down, the piano returns and Taff explains: the world around us is secularizing and thus becoming dull and pointless, and Christians might be feeling isolated and ineffective, but he’s come with a message of purpose: 

One sweet sound makes a whole world of difference
When the world seems indifferent to you.
His melody of Love calls you to be great
When marking time was all you thought you could do–

So if you’ve been playing all your days by ear,
Never knowing what your song was to be,
Then pull up a chair!
Let down your hair!
And take a few lessons from me!

This is not the time for the Church to scale back or tone down–this is the time to join the battle song! And it’s a joyful song.

A spiritual fanfare has a sound of its own:
The birth of a lasting song!
It’s been 2000 years since Jesus was born,
And still the celebration goes on–

If you feel the need to get your life in tune,
‘Cause you’re tired of the dirge every day,
Then turn yourself around, put your feet on the ground,
And hear what I have to say!

I listen to the trumpet of Jesus
While the world hears a different sound.
I march to the trumpet of God Almighty
While the others just wander around.
I’m a member of the Holy Ghost’s traveling band
We’re moving on up to a better Land!
I hear the voice of a supernatural Singer
like only those who know Him can!

The words are matched by strident, danceable music that brings the best of classic gospel to the present moment, and the trumpet line is seamless. I’ve found that people find this to be an almost irresistible song: they can’t help moving to the beat. The song, again by Michael & Stormie Omartian, remains one of the top Imperial tracks, and has aged well. But the message is no less pertinent: Can you hear the trumpet of Jesus? The celebration of Christ continues. Are you going to join Him? In your own life, Who are you listening to?

2. Finish What You Started

I noticed that Taff and Murray trade off singing lead in many of these songs: Taff might sing the verses and Murray the chorus or the bridge, but the whole group chimes in on parts of every song.

Ongoing conversion is the theme in this catchy second song, whose lead is traded off between Taff and Murray. (By now I hope I’ve dispelled the notion that these singers have a one-and-done view of conversion.) It also takes a wry view of psychology when it turns into navel-gazing.

Used to spend my whole life
Trying to figure me out—
Blaming everybody but me.
Used to love to listen
To people talking about
Instant liberty.

Murray takes over singing while the rest sing background, then hands the mic back to Taff. The tradeoff continues for the rest of the song, mimicking the singer’s internal dialogue and confusion.

I just kept on trying—
But nothing really changed—
Seems like all their answers
To what I wanted to be
Never applied to me.

So when I came to Jesus,
Tired of their kind of life,
I asked Him just what to do.
He said, "We're starting over—
No more looking inside!
The answer is not in you!"
This is the beginning
Of what I want to be—
He's changing me completely—
Every day I can see—
It's Jesus working in me.

The whole group now sings together, indicating that the singer has found unity of purpose in surrendering his attempts to change to Christ:

Finish what You started in me—I like what I see!
Finish what You started in me, Lord!
’Cause I love, I love what You’re doing in me!

This nicely-executed upbeat tune captures a spiritual reality in a musical setting: It is so difficult to change yourself. I have always taken comfort in the thought that the Lord is in control of the process, even if it’s not going as fast as I (or the people around me!) would like. This is a great song-prayer I’ve used in my life before, asking God to finish my conversion and to let Him know, as the song says, I love what He’s doing in me.

3. I’d Rather Believe in You

Sung by Jim Murray, this ballad is about trusting in God and even embracing suffering while waiting for God to provide in His way. The singer is in pain, but he is at peace and surrendered. I’ve never took this song to mean that we shouldn’t seek medical attention if we need physical or psychological help. But even if our “crying time” is here, “Jesus is closer.”

Oh yes, Lord, I’d rather believe in You.
You’ve always kept your promises,
Your love has never failed. That’s why I know
I’d rather believe in You.

The singer moves on to consider the problems of the world, and concludes that the answer is still the same: we must trust in God to provide, in His way, in His time.

4. Any Good Time at All

This album is full of upbeat songs, and this is one of them, kind of funky and laid back with Jim Murray’s cowbell very much in evidence. The “Gospel Time Machine” is a offbeat concept, but it refers to how letting Christ into a situation, at any time, transforms your past, present, and future. Once Christ is in your life, when you look back over your life, you see He was there even when your didn’t realize it.

One day my highest hope
Had reached an all-time low—
I looked to fly away,
But found no way to go—

Till I met a Man
Said, "Won't you come with Me?
I'm the maker of
The Gospel Time Machine!"

He said "Any good time at all—"
He said "Any good time at all—"
I've got everything you need—
You just come to Me
Any time at all!”

Christ is offering His mercy for us and offers Himself in gracious availibility—in the Eucharist, in Adoration, in silent prayer, in a glance up to Heaven— the song rejoices in such a great God.

Well, I called His name
Just like He told me to—
"I've got this problem, Lord—
When can I talk with you?"
He said "Any good time at all—"
He said "Any good time at all—"
Speak as your heart draws near—
I will always hеar
Any time at all!”

Original artwork by Don Ripper. Buy it here.

6. Be Still, My Soul

This lovely worship song circles around the famous Bible verse, “Be still and known that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) The singer reflects on how, when troubled times crowd in, a voice inside reminds him of what to do:

I hear him say
”Be still, my soul, and know that He is God.” (He is God!)
Stand quietly: He is the Lord.
If God is for me, who can be against me? (He is God)
Be still, my soul: He is the Lord!

Teach me, Lord, to stay with You
When my emotions try to rule me!
Remind me, Lord, of who I am
And show me what You want me to be!

Sometimes our souls need this strong rebuke: be still, stand quietly and know: He is the Lord. The song reaches back to the original psalm, which reminds Jerusalem’s inhabitants not to be moved: God is a very present help in times of trouble. He is exalted in the heavens: He is exalted upon the earth.

6. There’s No Time Till You Take It

“I’m too busy to pray,” is my constant excuse, and one I’ve heard from other moms and dads and teens as well. The Imperials have a response to that:

There’s no time
Till you take it.
There’s no love
Till you make it a priority.

Till you find it,
You will never see–
You might spend your life just passing by it–

If you make God a priority in life, the main priority, you will find the time. And then you’ll find the love. Russ Taff and then Jim Murray each ask some pointed questions in this jaunty song:

When the love of God comes calling,
will you choose to make Him wait?
Will you write your songs of life alone
when you could best collaborate?

When the Lord of All comes knocking
will you shut the door?
When He asks for you, will you respond or just ignore
His presence, much too busy to answer?

Then the entire band returns to the chorus, reminding us, “There’s no time till you take it.” Again, it’s a good question to ask yourself: how much longer will you wait to surrender more to God? To serve Him? To spend more time with Him? As Catholics, are our priorities in order? If we are experiencing frustration, ask ourselves: Is He our priority?

7. Pieces

Having sung backup for so much of the album, Dave Will takes the lead in what became another classic Imperials song. This has always struck me as such a man’s song. Men have a gift for compartmentalization, which is helpful if you have a difficult job but can be devastating if you lose control, as the singer has: his life has shattered, several times:

Pieces, pieces—
So many pieces to my life—
Scattered all around,
And some of them are gone,
And I know that I can't ever
Put them back together again…

In a vision, like a daydream,
That filters through your mind,
I saw Jesus coming closer,
Holding all my hopes combined.
Hе spoke with great compassion
As He put onе hand on me—
And in His other hand He held
What I could never see…

He said, "Pieces, pieces—
I've got all the pieces to your life.
In My hands I hold the pieces,
Of every single day,
I can put them all together,
so they’ll never fall away,
I can put them all together,
And there'll never be another one who can."

This shows again the difference that Christ brings to a man’s life. He gives him the unity and purpose that so often eludes him. Christ makes it all worth it.

8. Into My Life

Another great mic handoff song by Taff and Murray, this one starts and ends with a throbbing bass line and keyboard slashes. Again, the heavy electric guitar bursts communicates the frustration of a selfish life.

I was making my own way,
Chasing my rainbows,
When Jesus surprised me and said
"There's more than you know—"
I was a long time searching
For truth deep in my heart—
I gave it all I had—
It only made me sad—
I felt the need to change—
And I'm so glad that You came into my life!
Into my life—

Then in a complete change of tone, Murray’s tenor soars over a soothing keyboard—

Jesus came to me,
Jesus came to me, Jesus came to me with love
And He showed me the way
To live for each day
with each other—

Then the drumbeat returns as the story continues. I love this song for its night-and-day changeover, and as I found out this summer, there’s nothing better to listen to when hacking clods of clay in the garden.

Digital artwork available from MiniMac here.

9. Seek Ye First

This ninth and final track of the album has always fascinated me. It’s simple musically, but the abrupt changes of tone and singer keep it interesting. I used to think all four singers took the lead in turns, but a careful listen leads me to believe it’s only (or mainly) Murray and Taff. Echoing Taff’s opening declaration on track one, Murray sings out the first line:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
And His righteousness,
And all of these things will be added unto you…

The song, written by Stormie and Michael Omaritain, almost takes the form of lectio divina: it’s as if like a reflection on that single verse turned over and over in the singer’s heart produced this unusual song. After a meditative piano introduction, Taff begins to sing, almost questioning himself as to whether he is truly seeking the kingdom—

Never could I be content with my own life
If it's not pleasing You—
Who takes my dreams in His hand
When the day is done?
Oh, You're the One!

Either Will or Murray cuts back in with a liquid tenor:

I'm in paradise
If I'm walking next to You!
You sent hope for life from above
And call in love—

Next, it’s either Taff and Will, or all four singing in a perfect blend:

What does it mean to inherit the whole world
If it doesn't come from You?
All of the riches I want can be found in Your heart—
You had it there right from the start—

And again Murray sings the Scripture verse, much as a reader returns to the Scripture to chew on it once again:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
And His righteousness,
And all of these things will be added unto you…

Again, the music queries, questions, then picks up, becoming strong and strident, as a prayer of praise wells up in the heart of the singer (Taff at his best):

For You are my God,
first concern of my day!
Let me die to desire
that comes not from You!
I long to be certain
I've followed Your ways
And have served You well
when the day is through!

This is a prayer from the heart, the prayer of a servant most anxious to become perfect as his Heavenly Father is perfect, but without becoming sinfully worried:

I know that tomorrow
will care for itself,
But my efforts to know You
will never be done—
In all of these things,
may my heart be made pure!
Let my life be a light
whose time has come!

And around and around the song goes, until the whole group unites with Murray in the original Scripture, now an exhortation to the audience, each singer taking one line:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness—
And all these things shall be added unto you—
All of these things shall be added unto you—
All of these things shall be added unto you!

And then, almost as though they can’t help themselves, the group sings the bridge again, until the song fades away…

I don’t know much about music, but this song’s creative chewing and digesting the needlepoint-familiar Scripture of Matthew 6:33 continues to inspire me. All in all, it’s a fantastic ending to a great album, containing several signature songs for the Imperials.

Taff left the group for a solo career soon after this album, and although the other three continued on in various combinations, these four singers were never to record again, which makes this album a bit of a finale. I’ll do a few more songs from this group next week, but this is nearly the end of my meditations on the Imperials.

I’m looking forward to covering other singers in the coming weeks. And again, please feel free to share your own favorite songs if you’re a paid subscriber. If you’re not, please consider it, to join the conversation!

Blessings to your Labor Day Monday.