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  Sweet Comfort Band Releases New Record!!

  Website: http://www.officialsweetcomfortband.com                                     iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-waiting-is-over/id634507534
  

  Thoughts from Dawn Wisner-Johnson

  I received a text last Monday - “I’m going to the Sweet Comfort CD Release party in Riverside on Wednesday. Are you?”

  I knew Sweet Comfort was working on an album - but had no idea they were done.   My sister, Beth and I went to Kevin Thomson’s funeral in 2010 and I’ve been in contact with all of the remaining members of the band in the past few years.

  A good friend, Matt Chapman, was coming in from Nashville for the CD release party and for another reunion of one of his early Christian bands, Sonrise.  Matt asked me, “You didn’t know about this? Aren’t you in the loop anymore?”

  I admitted to Matt that I’m not in that “loop” that he spoke of.  I work in the music industry, but rarely on the “christian music” side anymore.  My friend, Adel, had an extra pass, so I was able to attend the Sweet Comfort CD release party as her “plus one”.  I’m sure glad I did!  

  Sweet C has been an integral part of my life since the 70s.  I can honestly say that the band, along with Daniel Amos - helped shape who I was musically.  I was 16 years old when I first heard both of those bands.  My family had come home from a four year missionary stint in Malaysia and we were preparing to go to the Philippines for another appointment.  I spent my junior year in the town where I was born, Riverside, Ca. which was “home” to the  Sweet Comfort Band as well. 

  When we went to the Philippines in the summer of ‘79, my brother and I had quite a few albums in hand including Chicago, Toto, Journey, Earth Wind & Fire, Commodores, Queen, Boston, Peter Frampton, James Taylor, along with Sweet Comfort’s self-titled first album and their second; Breakin’ The Ice, and Daniel Amos’ Shotgun Angel.  We lived those records!!  At that time, from what I knew, christian musicians weren’t doing records like these.  Mind you, my roots in christian music were gospel and quartet music (Andrae Crouch, and some of the early gospel quartets were some of my favorites).  

  Fast forward to Wednesday, April 17, 2013; Sweet Comfort Band’s CD release party.  As we walked into the event, I heard Bryan’s distinctive voice from a few feet away.  The next few minutes were like a family or high school reunion.  People from all eras and walks of our lives from the past four decades were there.

  I was surprised to see the stage and for the backyard type setting we were in, the sound system looked too good to be true - it was state of the art; I knew this was gonna be good.  Nobody had said that the band would actually be playing that night.  My eyes wandered back to the sound board and I knew there was probably a mini-reunion going on back there as well.   Sure enough, crowded around the board were a few sound engineers and road crew from the past; reminiscing about the good ‘ol days.  As I said hello and re-introduced myself to a few of them, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a set list.

  
  I moved in closer so that I could read it!  Love You With My Life, Somebody Loves You, Searchin’ For Love, and a few that I didn’t recognize were listed there.  When the band began to play, it was like I was transported back 30 years.  Without missing a beat, the band commanded that stage and the musicianship was better than ever.  The new songs sounded just as good as the standards. 

  Bryan Duncan’s voice floated up into the heavens as effortlessly as it always did.  Randy Thomas’ guitar riffs were equally as soothing and melodic as the lead vocal, while Rick Thomson’s steady rhythms provided a stability needed as the band took turns showcasing their years of expertise.  Keven Thomson’s sons were both onstage as well; Eli (Elijah) on bass - groovin in true Thomson style while Josh (Joshua) adding occasional ear candy with his acoustic and electric guitar talent.  What a night it was, to listen and reminisce with one of Christian music’s true pioneering bands. 

  As the album title states, “The Waiting Is Over”.  Don’t miss this album.  It is truly worth the purchase price and the “wait” since the band’s last release 29 years ago!  And if Sweet Comfort Band is anywhere near your town playing a live show, do yourself a favor and make the trek to see them.

  
  

  05/01/13