Linda Rich's first lp on the Chicago based IVR label from 1969 is an amazingly beautiful set of original xian folk-pop. Outstanding sparse production, excellent songwriting, and Linda's understated, yet confident vocals make this a record that reaches way beyond any kind of novelty factor often used to "handicap" Christian records. In fact, like many of the best Xian records, there are not constant knock-you-over-the-head Jesus saves type lyrics – rather, her songs are very personal and introspective. All tracks are either totally acoustic, or very lightly and tastefully orchestrated in a style somewhat reminiscent of an early Leonard Cohen album. Apparently she has two other lp's on IVR that I'm anxious to hear.
Filed under: Folk, Singer / Songwriter, Xian / Religious
I found an old tape that I kept in good condition and have been able to convert the music to CD. I have the words to “There’s More to Living Than I Know So Far” but not to the second album, “Patterns”. If someone could please email them to me, I’d appreciate it. I don’t think that I have the third album. I used to play & sing her first two albums. Linda left a huge impression on many of us. Thank you
i know it has been almost a yr since my last post but i have had MANY concerns in my life which caused this beyond my control. i am sorry i have not yet posted/converted to cd’s her three albums however am in process of purchasing needed equipment and it if all goes well should happen by end of this yr. again i apologize for not posting earlier but a heart attack, surgery, family deaths and job changes all got in the way. hopefully things are stablizing now. i WILL post ASAP when the copies are made. thank you for all your posts and emails and God Bless. j rich
I had “Patterns” and “There’s more….” years ago and fortunately, I was able to find all 3 seperately on Ebay. The last one, “Apple Tree” appears to be more rare. Her voice is of course beautiful but there’s a bit of a drop off quality IMHO)wise in the songs or perhaps being recorded in 1974-75 the folk thing was long over. Still it’s worth listening to of course. I just bought a vinyl-to-mp3 turn table and “Patterns” was one of the first ones that I converted. Unfortunately while the recording is acceptable it’s not as perfectly clean as I wanted.
Did you record/convert the songs into mp3 using a mic.? ‘Cause I hear the sound of moving the mic. or something before the first song (i.e. There’s more…). Could you plug the output of your system directly into the computer? Just wondering.
Huh?
I believe Linda came to Bear Trap Bible Camp in Colorado when I attended as a teenager back in the late 60s. I love her music – I would love to aquire the CDs if you ever make copies, please let me know. Thanks.
I’d like a copy of those CDs too, James. When you have them ready, post us a message along with the cost and I’ll order one from you.
Thanks!
Jim
Missouri
First heard Linda Rich in college in 1969 or so. Would love to purchase those CD’s when they’re available. Will be praying for blessings on both Linda and James.
All who are interested….Be sure and check out “Lord of Reality: Christian Songs for Today’s Youth”–an old Tyndale songbook (1971) that has about a dozen Linda Rich songs in it, with simple parts and guitar chords. There were 4 used ones for sale on Amazon, last I checked.
Linda Rich had a major impact on me spiritually and musically, even as a little girl. I read your posts with deep sadness, James, and hope you find information on Linda’s whereabouts soon. Please sign me up for the CDs too, if they come about.
cd being loaded to computer and hope to have ready for sharing very soon. albums-all three are now in cdformat.
Some 36 years ago when I first listened to Linda’s There’s More To Living….in my friend’s home, we were so impressed by her songs and words. We were in the same youth fellowship and we used her songs Man of Galilee, Come Unto Me, and the main theme song There’s More as our fellowship singspiration songs. They were so greatand awesome. I happen to check this website and have this wonderful chance to listen to all the songs that were missed over the years. Thanks Waxidermy.
It’s fun to see other peoples comments about growing up listening to Linda. My Uncle was an editor for Intervarsity Press and we received two of the albumns as Christmas gifts from his family. I listened to them all the time and sang some of the songs in church as special music.
I have a songbook that has a lot of Linda’s songs in it, with piano, words and guitar chords. It is called Lord of Reality: Christian Songs for Today’s Youth. It is compiled by Carol M. Dettoni and published in 1973 by Tyndale House Publishers. Includes: Come Unto Me, Tomorrow’s Mountain, Meditation, God Is Holy, Foam and Sand, He Shall be Called, Song Without Words,Sunlight Shadow, Man of Galilee, Things, and Walking with Jesus. Maybe it’s still available somewhere.
I have enjoyed communicating with so many different people all over the world who have requested a copy of Linda’s “There’s More to Living…” CD. I think I am now caught up on requests for copies as I just got several ready to mail. I can’t think of anything better to share with the world. I listened to the CD again tonight as I checked them on the way to my son’s guitar lesson. Linda’s music continues to move me every time I hear it. What a difference she has made to so many of us. I am looking forward to getting copies of the other two. I have never heard either of them and know that I am missing out!
I was in high school in Manila, a very young boy just learning how play guitar, when I first heard this album. It was gift to my older sister from a suitor. There’s More to Living was the first song I learned. Almost 40 years later, I’m still playing it. I haven’t forgotten the chords. I haven’t forgotten the lyrics. Linda has a great influence in my music.
Apple Tree got me through my adolescence in the late 80′s early 90′s. My parents had the album. I would sing the lyrics pages from start to finish. Her meditative melodies and poetic verses brought me closer to God.
Looking forward to learning these old but new songs and sharing with my children. Thank you Linda for your gift and hcrink for setting this up.
I ordered the Lord of Reality song book from Amazon. It smelled like it had been in someone’s basement for a long time. I don’t care – it’s awesome to have some of Linda’s music. Also, I checked with Intervarsity to see if I could order any of Linda’s music on CD from them. They said they cannot do that any longer because the rights have expired and they cannot reach Linda to get permission to copy anything. Renee sent me “There’s More to Living” and I love listening to it. I’m hoping James will be able to share the other 2 albums. Thanks!
I almost forgot. Sunlight Shadow is on You Tube. I don’t know who posted it, but its there.
I learned to play guitar while listening to Linda’s albums at Mizzou in the mid 70′s. I went to the Philippines as a missionary and recorded (singing & playing) them all for the benefit of my fellow missionaries. Her lyrical style and heartfelt cries to the Lord resonated with me. Linda gave me voice! May her memory be eternal!
I would purchase the re-releases of her albums with joy!
‘Patterns’ and ‘More to living’ availible on CD from Korea.
I see both CD’s on ebay for $16 ea.
Seller states “500 COPY LIMITED EDITION”
I listened to Linda’s music in 1976 in London.
A Greek friend had it.
Our favorite song was “Do you ever wonder”.
Her music was a great blessing and inspiration to a Greek and Dutch girl working in a mission hospital in the east end of London.
Thank you,Linda.
In 1969 while I was a student in Chicago Linda Rich was a guest artist during a Bible study I attended at the LaSalle Street Church. I was moved by the songs and lyrics. I copied down as much as could remember. I spoke with her at the end of the class. She filled in the blanks for me and I used several of her songs for years. I was impressed by her gentle, Christ-like spirit and her passion for sharing her faith.
I’m looking for Linda’s Christmas song which included the words,”while shepherds watched their flock.” It used to air on the radio. Anyone able to help me find it?
I introduced Linda’s songs to my youth group in the early 70s. They still remember the words. We are interested in getting CDs of her albums. What an impact they had on us.
Beth, the words,”while shepherds watched their flock.” are from her second album, “Patterns”. I had a tape of it that I had gotten from a roomate in college (1971), and totally wore it out. I have recently acquired the record, itself, but have not yet transferred it to digital media. I’m still praing that James will be let us know that his “original tapes” to CDs are available. Let me know if you want the lyrics, I can type them out for you. tonypodraza@gmail.com
I have just received a CD from a mail order house. It is a copy of “Patterns”. Both “Patterns” and “There’s More To Living” are available through Amazon dot com. The copy that I received has a note from James Rich on the lyric sheets as well as a note on the back cover that the CD was liscensed by James Rich, so it looks as though James transferred the tapes to CD format as he posted, here, in January, but had the CDs burned by some one else. I have not yet seen “Apple Tree” but am anxious to to so.
Thank you, James, so much for all of your efforts. tonypodraza@gmail.com
I am so dissapointed that amazon is out of stock already. If anyone is following this series of posts and can request more, please do so. I will keep checking on amazon. Thanks.
there are cds available on EBAY. Alternatively, I can be contacted for more information.
tonypodraza@gmail.com
Hi hcrink,
Yesterday during sermon, the pastor shared with us this particular song by Linda Rich “Man of Galilee”
Like that song. Could I link it to the MP3 in this page? would like to share it with the others.
Fine with me.
Thanks
To Joy, who wrote on 6/19/08 had lyrics– Hi, If you still have Song Sheet Lyrics and Guitar Chords from the albums of Linda Rich – Could I get copies from you? Donna
Whatever happened to James? Did you ever make contact with your sister?? My family and I have enjoyed her music for years. It’s been fun to listen to her music again.
Lyrics:
http://rapidshare.com/files/377098857/LR69-Lyrics.pdf
I first heard Linda Rich at a student missions conference in Urbana, IL around 1970. I have her first two albums among my things somewhere. I was trying to remember the lyrics to “Song without Words” when I came across your website. It was a pleasure to listen to her singing again. Thanks a for a peaceful interlude on a lovely fall day.
Someone asked for the works of the song “He Shall be called” from the Patterns LP (1970). Here they are. I have the chords if anyone is interested. Write to jandrews@marnet.org
While shepherds watched their flocks
In a land that’s far away,
Angels sing praise to God on a day like today
A babe is born in Bethlehem.
He shall be called Counselor
for he shall understand
An aching heart and silent cries,
the loneliness of man.
He shall be called Prince of Peace
for he shall end all wars,
And bleeding hearts and bleeding lands
shall end and be no more.
He shall be called Wonderful
and Wonderful shall be his name,
And he will reign within the hearts of men
and take all their guilt and pain.
He shall be called The Everlasting Father
for men are children all
But some are sons and some are slaves
and few men will hear his call.
He shall be called The Mighty God
by even those who don’t believe,
King of Kings, Lord of Lords,
doubts will end, and all shall see.
While shepherds watched their flocks
In a land that’s far away,
Angels sing praise to God on a day like today
A babe is born in Bethlehem.
I have “Apple Tree” and “There’s More to Living Than I Know So Far” LP albums in their original, slightly worn, jackets. Since I converted and cleaned these into digital format years ago I no longer need these lightly used records. They are available to anyone that will promise to preserve them. Since I am overly concerned with shipping damage, it would be just great if someone wanted these that live or travel near Dallas, Texas.
James Rich, my sincere thanks to you for your efforts during a time when struggles ran through your life. If you would care to listen to Tennessee Ernie Ford’s song “Others” you will hear how I feel about you and Linda, assuming her words came from her heart. NOBODY can touch my heart with song like she has.
Finally, if anyone can supply for me a good mp3 copy (or most any other format) of “God is Holy” from her “Patterns” album it would complete my collection of all 3 of her albums. An email attachment would be great. mike@rtgtexas.com
I have learned to sing “Clouds Above” and “Man of Galilee” in my teens and those songs have left great impression in my life. I did not the writer was Linda until I lay my hand on her record when I was in university in the 70s and have recently converted in CD and have been listening to it. It is good to know many are still appreciating her songs