This one’s a pretty big deal in the sense that if you search Google for “Richard H. Baker” and “The First Coming” there’s practically no information available about this album except for people who have paid $250+ for a copy when it comes up for auction. It’s also one of the few records I’ve come across lately where the buzzwords bandied about by sellers – “mysterious xian folk ” “loner” “downer” – all point in the correct direction. The religious bent is obvious. You’ve got a heavily Christian story being told here, with music recorded in the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, Pennsylvania, with a “cast” that includes Christ, St. Peter, Judas and others. And yet there are some pretty powerful tunes here, perhaps the best among them being “Prophesy”. There’s even a druggy organ drone on the first track, “The Nativity Suite” that sets the stage for what is to come. The First Coming is one of the few private press records I’ve stumbled onto recently that actually deserves a bit of hype.
Let’s forget all about that silly Janarae & Noonday record. That one’s got nothing on Richard H. Baker.
The Discogs listing does not mention the insert that comes with the LP, so I’ve included that here. Know anyone involved? Drop us a line and by all means help flush out the story of this album.
And by “us” I mean “me”. I don’t know why I always say that. It’s a one man ship over here, and I’m running out of fingers with which to plug the proverbial holes threatening to sink me.
Even in context that sounds disgusting.
Richard H. Baker
The First Coming
(RPC, 1971)
MediaFire DL Link
01. The Nativity Suite
02. Mother Mary
03. Jordan River Song
04. The Lord’s Prayer
05. Prophesy [MP3]
06. Entry Into Jerusalem
07. The Last Supper / Black Garden
08. A Song For Judas
09. St. Peter’s Confession
10. Crucifixion / Ressurection
