Kentucky Faith "Fool's Gold" (Sonrise Music/Mark Recordings, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Twyla Morrison)
A mix of old bluegrass standards and religiously-oriented material... Maybe not the greatest pickers ever, but lively amateurs with a nice, spirited vibe. Despite the Appalachian band name, this was a Southern California band, led by singer-guitarist Ken Munds, who was later recruited to become Brush Arbor's lead singer. On this early outing, there was additional assistance from steel player J. D. Maness and flatpicker Dennis Agajanian, who at the time mostly identified as a bluegrasser. A nice slice of SoCal bluegrass-twang and Christian music history.
Dennis Agajanian "Come To The Rock" (Hallelujah Records, 1972) (LP)
This solo set was recorded live at the Denver Lutheran Youth Congress, in April, 1972. The album includes gospel standards such as "Somebody Touched Me" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," as well as more contemporary material. There are a couple of tunes from the Dillards, a version of Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down" and two originals by Agajanian, including "Country Boy." The title track, "Come To The Rock," was written by Ken Munds, one of Agajanian's Brush Arbor contemporaries. There are also a few songs that spotlight Agajanian's flatpicking skills, including a flashy version of "Malaguena" which closes the album out. (Note: This album was also (previously?) released as a no-art edition (or test pressing) under the title Listen To The Sound Of Dennis Agajanian, with the same track listing in the same order.)
The Agajanians "The Agajanians" (Band 'N' Vocal Mobile Recording Services, 19--?) (LP)
This ultra-indie Southern California custom pressing apparently had no cover art, though an insert pamphlet was enclosed in the plain-white jacket, probably meant to be distributed at their live shows. Presumably one of the family members was his brother Danny, who also played on some of Agajanian's early albums, though I don't know who the other musicians were -- maybe some of his friends from the Rice Kryspies family band? Most of the tracks are bluegrass chestnuts, tunes like "Dueling Banjos," "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," and "Rueben James," though there's also a nod towards the coffeehouse folk scene, with a version of John Denver's "Jet Plane." I'm not sure when this came out, but it looks like a transitional recording from when Dennis Agajanian was moving out of he shadow of the Brush Arbor country-gospel band and starting up his solo career, and a cover of "Half Breed" suggests this was from around 1974. My guess is this was made to have when the group performed at the Billy Graham Crusade, starting that year. Anyone know for sure?
Dennis Agajanian "Nashville Country" (House Of Hits, 1975) (LP)
(Produced by Dennis Agajanian & Jack Skinner)
On this mainly secular album, Agajanian's joined by his brother Danny playing mandolin, banjo and fiddle, and West Coast stalwart Jack Skinner on bass. They cover the Dillards, Reno & Smiley, and a slew of gospel material as well. Nice stuff!
Dennis Agajanian "Dennis The Christian" (Elyhu Records, 1979) (LP)
Highlighting the connections between the evangelical country artist on the West Coast, this album was released on an album from Portland, Oregon, though Agajanian and his band were headquartered down in El Cajon, California, near San Diego. The musicians on this album include Dennis Agajanian (guitar and vocals), his brother Danny Agajanian (banjo and mandolin), Thomas Kenney (steel guitar), Randy Russo (piano), Steve Russo (drums), and Jerry Trice on bass.
Dennis Agajanian "Rebel To The Wrong" (Light Records, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Gary Limpic)
This is what I would consider an uneasy mix of roots and religious music... There's no question that Agajanian has mastery of his bluegrass licks -- and perhaps to a lesser extent, of his country chops -- but the intrusion of bombastic, melodramatic Contemporary Christian motifs really overwhelms the music. Also, his lyrics seem pretty artless and indulgent to me -- emotive and heartfelt, sure, but also far-flung and unedited, badly in need of an outside touch to help pare them down. I'm sure there's an enthusiastic audience for these songs somewhere, it's just not me.
Dennis Agajanian "Where Are The Heroes?" (Sparrow Records, 1984) (LP)
(Produced by Terry Talbot)
A religiously-themed spiritual album. Pretty much setting aside his bluegrass roots, Agajanian still picks some acoustic guitar on here, but relies more heavily on the standard-issue tinkly-toned '80s keyboard sound of the Contemporary Christian genre. The album was produced by Terry Talbot of the Talbot Brothers (and the Mason Proffit country-rock band) who also plays guitar and sings harmony. One thing I'm curious about here: is the Julie Miller who's listed as a background singer the same gal who was married to Americana star Buddy Miller and who recorded several albums both solo and as a duo? Inquiring minds want to know.
Dennis Agajanian "Friendly Fire" (Word Nashville Records, 1986) (LP)
(Produced by Andy Tolbird & Lee Peterzell)
A fairly artless, heavy-handed set of would-be gospel anthems... Agajanian's voice sounds leaden and blunt, as do the rock-flavored arrangements, with thudding accompaniment featuring Brent Rowan on guitar, drummer Eddie Bayers, bassist Michael Rhodes and Barry Beckett on keyboards. Although Agajanian sadly sets his bluegrass roots aside, there is some mandolin picking by Nashville session pro Mark Casstevens, and an acoustic guitar rendition of the "Hallelujah Chorus" that rounds off Side One. Mostly, though, this album falls flat with a particular low point being the scoldy, abstinence-only number, "Love For Pleasure," which scowls fiercely at a girl who "gives love for pleasure and pleasure for love," but who of course is revealed as a fallen woman, once it comes time for a man to settle down and find someone pure enough to marry. (Needless to say, there's no reciprocal criticism of men who also engage in premarital sex, just a patriarchal admonition to not fall for feminine wiles... Really, Mr. Agajanian? That's really where you wanna go with your musical ministry?) Anyway, politics aside, musically speaking this is just a drab little album. Might be invigorating for the true believer who feels "there's a dying world outside," but for the rest of us -- country fans in particular -- it's kinda snoozy.
Dennis Agajanian "Just As I Am" (Asaph Records, 1990)
Dennis Agajanian "Out Of The Wilderness" (Asaph Records, 1992)
Dennis Agajanian "There Is A Road" (Asaph Records, 1993)
Dennis Agajanian "Best Picks" (The Agency, 1994)
Dennis Agajanian "Pure Acoustic Bluegrass" (Asaph Records, 1998)
Dennis Agajanian "Outlaw" (Asaph Records, 1998)
Dennis Agajanian "Best Picks Take Two" (Asaph Records, 1999)
Dennis Agajanian "Acoustically Sound" (Asaph Records, 2001)
Dennis Agajanian "Men, Machines And The Moment" (House Of Hits)
Flatpicking guitarist Dennis Agajanian was originally part of Southern California's 1960s bluegrass scene, taking occasional dips into more folkie and country type stuff. Notably, he was in the orbit of the country-rock gospel band, Brush Arbor, and played in earlier bands with some of its members. Later in his career, Agajanian began to specialize in country-flavored gospel material, though he became pulled more towards pop-inflected Contemporary Christian music, as well as a more fundamentalist, politically-driven social stance. Here's a quick look at his work...
