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Welcome to Paradise is the title of an album by Randy Stonehill, released in 1976, on Solid Rock Records. The album was produced by [intlink id="519" type="page"]Larry Norman[/intlink], with Andy Johns (The Who, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin) doing the engineering. Stonehill, with producer Mark Heard, titled his 1989 album, Return to Paradise, a reference to the title of this record. This album was listed at #13 in the 2001 book, CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music.

Released: 1976
Recorded: Solid Rock Recording Studios, Mama Jo’s, Sunset Sound.
Length: 42:30
Label: Solid Rock
Producer: Larry Norman

Track listing

All songs written by Randy Stonehill.

Side One: Paradise Lost (sorrow and sadness….)

1. “King of Hearts” – 4:53
2. “Keep Me Runnin’” – 5:57
3. “The Winner (High Card)” – 3:43
4. “[intlink id="1011" type="post"]Lung Cancer[/intlink]” – 3:31
5. “Puppet Strings” – 4:25

Side Two: Paradise Regained (….turn into gladness)

1. “First Prayer” – 3:08
2. “I’ve Got News for You” – 3:49
3. “Song for Sarah” – 3:28
4. “Christmas Song for All Year ‘Round” – 3:56
5. “Good News” – 3:18

*Download at Welcome to Paradise – Randy Stonehill

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Personnel

Randy Stonehill: acoustic guitars, vocals.
Larry Norman: electric guitar, piano, harmonies.
Jon Linn: lead guitar.
Mark Walker: drums.
The Mighty T-Bone: bass.
Anthony Harris: charts and baton.

Production notes

Produced and Arranged by Larry Norman. A Solid Rock Studios Production.
Engineered by Andy Johns
Co-Engineered by Tom Trefethen.
Pre-Production recording at Solid Rock Recording Studios, 16trk/24trk at Mama Jo’s And Sunset Sound.
Mastered At Artisan
Larry Norman: photography and album design.
Joe Taylor: lettering.

Released: 1976
Length: 50:58
Label: Solid Rock Records
Producer: Larry Norman

A different version of the song “I Love You” was first recorded by Randy Stonehill on the now-rare album Born Twice, which was produced by Larry Norman back in 1969. That album credits Stonehill as the writer of the song. Norman’s version completely changes all the verses, retaining only the first line of the first verse of Stonehill’s original composition.

“Righteous Rocker #3″ is a reprise of a song which originally appeared on [intlink id="972" type="post"]Only Visiting This Planet[/intlink].

The album also contains a souped-up version of “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus,” another song which made its first appearance on Only Visiting This Planet. In the later version the controversial second verse from the original (“Gonorrhea on Valentine’s Day / You’re still looking for the perfect lay,” etc.) is conspicuously absent.

“I Am A Servant” was recorded and popularized as a Christian pop ballad by Christian singer Honeytree.

On the liner notes to the LP “Dudley Moore” is credited as a piano player, while on the CD re-issue he is listed as guest pianist on the song “The Son Began To Rain”.

“Song For A Small Circle Of Friends” was a piece written for Norman’s famous friends in the music industry. The song includes allusions to Randy Stonehill, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney.

Track Listing

Original LP release

Side 1

1. “The Rock That Doesn’t Roll”
2. “I Love You” (Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill)
3. “UFO”
4. “I’ve Searched All Around”
5. “Righteous Rocker #3″
6. “Deja Vu (If God Is My Father / Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus)”
7. “I Am A Servant”

Side 2

1. “The Sun Began To Rain”
2. “Shot Down”
3. “Six, Sixty, Six”
4. “Diamonds”
5. “One Way”
6. “Song For A Small Circle Of Friends”
7. “Hymn To The Last Generation”

Extra tracks on CD releases

1. “Looking For The Footprints”
2. “Dreams On A Grey Afternoon”
3. “Six Sixty Six” (alternate take)
4. “Strong Love, Strange Peace”
5. “Dear Malcolm, Dear Alwyn”
6. “Joyful Delta Day”
7. “I Don’t Believe In Miracles”