A Liturgy, A Legacy and a Ragamuffin Band is the seventh studio album by Christian singer -songwriter Rich Mullins, released on October 26, 1993 by Reunion Records.
This album was well received and critically acclaimed. CCM Magazine placed the album in third place in their 2001 book The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. A Liturgy, A Legacy and a Ragamuffin Band is an example of a concept album, as stated in the liner notes by Mullins and album producer Reed Arvin:
"Cuts 2–6 of this album loosely follow the pattern of a liturgy - a tool used for collective worship. In it there is proclamation, praise, confession of sin, affirmation of faith and celebration of grace."
"Cuts 7–12 is a consideration of our "secular" heritage (the legacy), issues and ideas that play themselves out in the history of our country." The first track "Here in America" serves as an introduction to the album. Mullins also covers folk rock singer -songwriter Mark Heard's track "How to Grow Up Big and Strong" as a tribute to Heard who passed away in 1992.
Mullins also introduced A Ragamuffin Band whose name was inspired by the Christian book The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. The band consisted of Nashville musicians including Mullins' friend David "Beaker" Strasser, Rick Elias,
Jimmy Abegg, Billy Crockett, Phil Maderia and Aaron Strong among others.
The album's lead single "Hold Me Jesus" was ranked at number 35 in CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. In 1994, the song was nominated in two categories for Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 25th GMA Dove Awards. A Liturgy, A Legacy and a Ragamuffin Band climbed to number 6 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Mullins released a companion video on VHS called Rich Mullins - Pursuit of a Legacy in 1994. It's filmed documentary style and on location in Ireland; Bogota, Columbia; New York City; the flint hills of Kansas; and Wichita, Kansas. Directed by fellow CCM musician and film maker Steve Taylor. Four music videos were made for "Here in America," "The Color Green," "Hold Me Jesus" and "Creed."
Track listing
All songs were written by Rich Mullins, except where noted.
1. Here in America -3:56
The Liturgy:
2. 52:10 -3:42
3. The Color Green -5:39
4. Hold Me Jesus -3:03
5. Creed (Rich Mullins, David "Beaker" Strasser) -5:21
6. Peace (A Communion Blessing from St. Joseph's Square) (Rich Mullins, David "Beaker" Strasser) -5:21
The Legacy:
7. 78 Eatonwood Green (instrumental) (Rich Mullins, David "Beaker" Strasser)
-2:20
8. Hard -3:49
9. I'll Carry On (Rich Mullins, David "Beaker" Strasser) -3:51
10. You Gotta Get Up (Christmas Song) -2:36
11. How to Grow Up Big and Strong (Mark Heard) -5:27
12. Land of My Sojourn (Rich Mullins, David "Beaker" Strasser) -4:04
Radio singles
1993 "Hold Me Jesus" -#1 Christian AC
1993 -1994"You Gotta Get Up (Christmas Song)" -#37 Christian AC
1994 "Here in America" -#4 Christian AC
1994 "Creed" -#9 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1994 "Hard" -#21 Christian CHR, #10 Christian AC
1994 -1995 "Peace" -#7 Christian AC
1995 "I'll Carry On" -#33 Christian AC
Previous release: The World As Best As Remember It, Volume Two (1992)
Next release: Brother's Keeper (1995)
Watch the music videos from A Liturgy, A Legacy and a Ragamuffin Band here:
Comments