Sacred Cows
Encyclopedia
Sacred Cows, subtitled "The Songs That Helped Us," is the title of an album featuring the rock band
The Swirling Eddies
, performing their own less-than-serious versions of popular CCM
hits, released in 1996 on StarSong.
The basic plan for the record was to get the Eddies into a studio to record their own versions of some of the day's top CCM hits. The disc starts off with The Eddies version of the DeGarmo & Key song "God Good, Devil Bad," which finds Camarillo singing as if he's just received a severe blow to the head. Towards the end of the song, Camarillo adds his own touches to the lyrics including the lines "Knife Sharp, Spoon Dull" and "Sun Hot, Snow Cold."
Next up on the chopping block is Amy Grant
's early 90's hit "Baby Baby." The Eddies perform the song as if they're performing it during karaoke
night at the local Ramada. Dc Talk
's "I Luv Rap Music" sounds as though it's performed by a cheesy lounge act. In order to hit the girlishly high vocals of Stryper
's "Sing A Long Song," The Eddies actually slowed the tape down and recorded the song at that speed. Then, once the tape was sped back up to the regular speed, Camarillo ends up sounding like a long lost Sweet brother on steroids.
The reaction to the album was mixed. Some fans loved it, others absolutely hated it and returned their CDs smashed into tiny pieces. Some tracks, like the Eddies cover of DC Talk's "I Luv Rap Music" found a considerable amount of radio play in various markets. Reactions from the songs original artists were generally positive. Eddie DeGarmo commented about how he knew that D&K should never have recorded "God Good, Devil Bad." Amy Grant later referenced the album jokingly in a video tribute to Terry Taylor
which was played before a Lost Dogs
concert in Chatsworth, California.
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
The Swirling Eddies
The Swirling Eddies
The Swirling Eddies are a band that began as an anonymous spinoff from the band Daniel Amos, along with new drummer David Raven.-Career:For each Swirling Eddies release, band members adopted pseudonyms for the liner notes; "Camarillo Eddy" , "Berger Roy Al" , "Gene Pool" , "Arthur Fhardy" , "Spot"...
, performing their own less-than-serious versions of popular CCM
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
hits, released in 1996 on StarSong.
The basic plan for the record was to get the Eddies into a studio to record their own versions of some of the day's top CCM hits. The disc starts off with The Eddies version of the DeGarmo & Key song "God Good, Devil Bad," which finds Camarillo singing as if he's just received a severe blow to the head. Towards the end of the song, Camarillo adds his own touches to the lyrics including the lines "Knife Sharp, Spoon Dull" and "Sun Hot, Snow Cold."
Next up on the chopping block is Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
's early 90's hit "Baby Baby." The Eddies perform the song as if they're performing it during karaoke
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
night at the local Ramada. Dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
's "I Luv Rap Music" sounds as though it's performed by a cheesy lounge act. In order to hit the girlishly high vocals of Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
's "Sing A Long Song," The Eddies actually slowed the tape down and recorded the song at that speed. Then, once the tape was sped back up to the regular speed, Camarillo ends up sounding like a long lost Sweet brother on steroids.
The reaction to the album was mixed. Some fans loved it, others absolutely hated it and returned their CDs smashed into tiny pieces. Some tracks, like the Eddies cover of DC Talk's "I Luv Rap Music" found a considerable amount of radio play in various markets. Reactions from the songs original artists were generally positive. Eddie DeGarmo commented about how he knew that D&K should never have recorded "God Good, Devil Bad." Amy Grant later referenced the album jokingly in a video tribute to Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor , is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
which was played before a Lost Dogs
Lost Dogs
Lost Dogs are an American musical supergroup formed in 1991, comprising vocalists, songwriters, and guitarists from multiple Christian alternative rock bands. Their current lineup includes Terry Scott Taylor , Michael Roe , Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong . The original lineup included Gene...
concert in Chatsworth, California.
Track listing
- "God Good, Devil Bad" (Words and music by DeGarmo and Key. Originally recorded by DeGarmo and KeyDeGarmo and KeyDeGarmo & Key was a Christian Rock group that started professionally in 1978. The primary members were Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key. Eddie played keyboards and sang background vocals , while Dana played lead guitar and did the majority of the lead vocals. Other members included Tommy Cathey on bass...
) - "Baby Baby" (Words and music by Amy Grant and Keith ThomasKeith ThomasKeith Thomas may refer to:*Keith Thomas , Australian rules footballer*Keith Thomas , Welsh historian*Keith Thomas , Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter*Keith Thomas , Saxophonist, writer and producer...
. Originally recorded by Amy GrantAmy GrantAmy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
) - "Satan, Bite the Dust" (Words by Carman, music by Keith Thomas. Originally Recorded by CarmanCarman (singer)Carmelo Domenic Licciardello known by his stage name, Carman, is a contemporary Christian music artist and evangelist.-Biography:...
) - "Not For Me" (Words by Kim Boyce, music by Jimmy Lee Sloas. Originally recorded by Kim Boyce)
- "I Luv Rap Music" (Words and music by Toby McKeehanToby McKeehanToby McKeehan , better known by his stage name TobyMac , is a Christian recording artist, music producer, hip-hop/pop artist, singer-songwriter, and author....
and Jackie Gore. Originally recorded by Dc TalkDc TalkDC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
) - "Convertibles" (Words and music by Mark GersmehlMark GersmehlMark “Gersh” Gersmehl is a Christian musician who is best known as one of the founding members of the Christian rock group White Heart. He and guitarist Billy Smiley were the only two original members of the band to stay with White Heart from its conception in 1982 through its disbandment in 1998...
, Billy SmileyBilly SmileyBilly Smiley is a music producer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for being one of the core members of the Christian rock band White Heart. He was the bands' guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter since 1982....
and Gordon KennedyGordon Kennedy (musician)Gordon Kennedy is a multi Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer, world-class guitarist and visionary at the forefront of Nashville’s music community....
. Originally recorded by White HeartWhite HeartWhite Heart, also listed as Whiteheart, was a Contemporary Christian Music pop-rock band which formed in 1982. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually-changing cast...
) - "I Use the J Word" (Words and music by DeGarmo and Key. Originally recorded by DeGarmo and KeyDeGarmo and KeyDeGarmo & Key was a Christian Rock group that started professionally in 1978. The primary members were Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key. Eddie played keyboards and sang background vocals , while Dana played lead guitar and did the majority of the lead vocals. Other members included Tommy Cathey on bass...
) - "Alcatraz" (Words and music by Jeff Silvey and Billy Simon. Originally recorded by Al DensonAl DensonAlbert Wray Denson , more commonly known as Al Denson, is a contemporary Christian music artist and a Christian radio and television show host.-Biography:...
) - "Big House" (Words and music by Mark Stuart, Barry Blair, Will McGinnis and Bob Herdman. Originally recorded by Audio AdrenalineAudio AdrenalineAudio Adrenaline was a Christian rock band that formed in the late 1980s at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. During the band's 17-year existence, they were awarded two Grammy awards, multiple Dove Awards and they released 17 number one singles. They were regular performers at the...
) - "Sing Along Song" (Words and music by Michael SweetMichael SweetMichael Sweet is a singer from Whittier, California, United States. Sweet is best known as co-founder, writer and frontman of the Christian glam metal band Stryper. He was also one of the two lead vocalists and one of three guitarists for Boston until August 2011.-Youth:He began his musical career...
. Originally recorded by StryperStryperStryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
)
Personnel
- Camarillo EddyTerry Scott TaylorTerry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...
on guitars and vocals. - Gene PoolGreg FleschGreg Flesch is a guitarist and musician, best known for his work with the rock bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies .Flesch joined D.A...
on lead guitars, keyboards. - Arthur FhardyRob WatsonRobert D. Watson is a keyboard player, producer and composer best known for his work with the rock bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies...
on keyboards. - SpotJerry ChamberlainJerry Chamberlain , is a United States singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer, best known for his work with the rock bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies ....
on guitars. - Berger Roy AlTim ChandlerTim Chandler is a bass guitar player, best known for his work with the rock bands Daniel Amos, The Swirling Eddies and The Choir....
on bass guitar. - Prickly DiscoGene EugeneGene "Eugene" Andrusco was a Canadian born actor, record producer, engineer, composer and musician. Andrusco was best known as the leader of the funk/rock band Adam Again, a member of The Swirling Eddies and as a founding member of the roots music supergroup Lost Dogs.-Acting:Andrusco was a child...
on guitars, backing vocals and additional keyboards. - Hort Elvison on drums.
Additional musicians
- Mike Roe on his special, great big guitar.
- Miss Smelt Roe (no relation) for her guest vocals on "Baby, Baby."
- Alex's Evil Twin Eddy: Fish Tambourinist, Slide Whistlist and the Happy Coconuts.
- Spud Puddle, Plankeye and Disco Saint Boy: Fake Audience.
- Mr Nick Deletchi lends his velvet voice to "I Luv Rap Music," recorded live at the Ramada Motor Lodge in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
- The Swirling Eddies are pampered (literally) and managed by the infamous Mort Allen Jr.
- The Eddies would especially like to thank Ruth BuzziRuth BuzziRuth Ann Buzzi is an American comedienne and actress of theatre, film, and television. She is especially known for her performances on the comedy-variety show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1968 to 1973.-Early life:...
Production notes
- Executive Producers: Alex MacDougallAlex MacDougallAlex MacDougall is an American record producer, and percussionist. MacDougall is best known for being a member of the Christian rock band Daniel Amos in the late 1970s in addition to his production and recording session credits...
and Mark Nicholas. - Mixed by Prickly Disco at the Green Room.
- Recorded by Prickly Disco with Camarillo Eddy.