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LONG WAY HOME





Step 1: Mar 1999
Step 2: Feb 2000.

  
Track List
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LORD HEAR MY PRAYER 
PATHWAYS 
SELAH MILLENYA 
RUNAWAY 
DAY OF GOD'S FAVOUR 
BEN'S SONG 
AGES OF GLORY 
SOME SAY 
JOB 23 
THIS IS MY PRAYER 
BIG WHEELS 
LONG WAY HOME

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Lyrics to Long Way Home

 
LONG WAY HOME Step 2 sleeve notes
It was about time to do a new album. CALL had been out for a year or so, and anyway CALL was a 'compilation' of songs from the period since I'd become a believer in 1988. New songs floated in the ether and I was a pal they hung out with, but we needed a lift... One arrived in the form of a generous friend, who made a gift to me of a digital recorder (thank you ***). That was when I knew the time had come to make a home for those tunes... So Long Way Home was birthed in the last days of '98. It wasn't called that, but Album X (a secret, like 'Area 51' - you know something's out there, but what is it !?) The title eventually grew out of the song that, like the album, welled up in the early spring of '99. I spent long hours closeted in the front room, slaving over a hot Roland sequencer; Mandy chipped in often with singing and tea while Mark Jago donated his guitar playing plus good keyboard equipment. We had a gig to do in Canada, and so the first cut - called Step One, was rush-released in March in time for that. Finally, here it is - the release of Long Way Home Step Two, with one completely new track, 'Job 23', plus a re-working of four other tracks, all featuring guitar-work by Tony Kelsey.

LORD HEAR MY PRAYER, I'm so loaded down with care. All I do is call on you, won't you hear my prayer? Sometimes all you can say is - 'Help!'
PATHWAYS The key has changed from the Step 1 version, and the track has been given a decided Scottish lilt by Tony Kelsey's fine guitar parts.
SELAH MILLENYA Just what was all the fuss about the millennium? God is in his heaven and you are on the earth so let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2). 
RUNAWAY Some questions are just too hot to grasp and some don't have an answer. What kind of love is it that never grows cold? that never closes the door or turns me away, or asks me to pay - for the million and one times that I turn to RUNAWAY. 
BEN'S SONG You're stronger than an earthquake, louder than the thunder, bigger than our problems.... Mandy's work looking after Ben, a severely disabled young man, inspired this song. One thing Ben responds to is music, and this was made up especially for him.
DAY OF GOD'S FAVOUR ... morning is come and the Day of God's Favour is here... It would be great if every day was like that, but the road that leads to the breath-taking view from the top passes through the dark valley first.
AGES OF GLORY Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways (Isaiah 55:8). One thing's for sure, it's going to be a very, very different order of things in the ages of glory come.
SOME SAY Some say that God doesn't live anymore, some say He did once but now they're not sure... Some say this, some say that. 'But who do you say I am?' Jesus asked. 
JOB 23 A new addition for Step 2. He knows the way that I take, and when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. - the lyric is straight out of the book of Job (chapter 23 v10) - read it for yourself. 
THIS IS MY PRAYER Teach me Lord, reach me Lord, teach me of your ways. This song previously featured on both the 'All Gods Blessings' cassette and the 'CALL' CD. I just had to do it again! 
BIG WHEELS Why don't you just Praise the Lord when you think about the good things he has done, what (else) is there to meditate upon? - when all the world's in a spin, can't hang on to anything... There is always something to thank the Lord for, and if I don't, the other fella starts putting his oar in. 
LONG WAY HOME It took the Jewish people 1,900 years to get back to being the nation of Israel, a story fixed in tragedy and the miraculous - even the dead language of Hebrew, like Christ, is now resurrected. This song and CD is dedicated to that Long Way Home, and to everyone's individual trek back to the father heart of God.
Dave, February 2000
Guitar parts by Mark Jago on SELAH MILLENYA, SOME SAY, LONG WAY HOME.
Tony Kelsey guitar: LORD HEAR MY PRAYER, PATHWAYS, RUNAWAY, AGES OF GLORY, JOB 23.
Other guitar parts by Dave. All vocals by Dave & Mandy Scott-Morgan.
Recorded in Birmingham, England using Roland VS-1680 recorder, MC50 Sequencer,
with E70, D110, JX8P modules, and Syntrillium CoolEdit software.
Words and Music: Dave Morgan. C 1989-2000, Dave Morgan Music
For latest info about music and gigs: http://www.charis.co.uk/scott-morgan
Long Way Home reviewed for Cross-Rhythms magazine by Mike Rimmer 

Most famous for a short spell in E.L.O. in the mid '80s, Mr Morgan is one of the humblest musicians I have ever met. His latest home produced album is a delightful pop album with enough honky choruses, stacked vocals and interesting musical moments to keep your attention focussed. Lyrically, these songs are touching. The psalm-like quality of the captivating "Lord Hear My Prayer" is enhanced by a distinctly ELO-style backing vocal. Other highlights include the instrumental "Pathways" which has a Celtic lilt (it reminded me of walks on the moors!). "Runaway" has a 60's feel to it whilst "Big Wheels" is a strong encouragement to praise God in the middle of a chaotic world. My two favourites are the energy of "Ben's Song" with it's marriage of acoustic rhythm guitar and dance beats which works surprisingly well. It was written for a disabled friend and acts as a reminder that God is bigger than all of our problems. And strangely, it has some crazy kazoo-like effects! Finally the rock'n'roll guitar and dance rhythms of "Selah Millenya" are an opportunity to pause and remember that as the clock ticks into a new millennium, God is still on the throne! "Long Way Home" is a lesson in how a heart for God, creative imagination, song-writing talent and a home studio can be fused together to produce a memorable album that ministers. I like this! Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms Issue 54, Dec/Jan 99/00.

 
 
Review by AlanHeath
LONG WAY HOME Step 1 - April 1999
Those fans who have been eagerly awaiting Dave's new release, which follows the excellent CALL album in 1997 will not be disappointed. LONG WAY HOME is a Christian album, and whilst this type of music may not be everyone's cup of tea, make no mistake , this album is jam packed with superb songs which are finely crafted by this under rated songsmith. Dave's lyrics are an inspiration for us all, and if only we could all take time out to listen to the message conveyed here, maybe the world would be a more tolerant and peaceful planet. 

 LORD HEAR MY PRAYER   This humble and beautiful track is a perfect opening for this fine album and sets the general tone. Starting with a beautiful lush lyric followed by a beautiful yet simple chord with Dave's voice marrying things together. The message from the song is simple "When You Hear Me Call, Won't you smile on me once more. I'm so loaded down with care. I know you can hear me where I am". 
PATHWAYS   A nice and easy piano intro merges into an orchestral keyboard, which sounds like a Mark Knopler song waiting for the great man's guitar to break through. This instrumental is enchantingly very simple, and is no less effective for that. With a few plays you simply can't get the tune out of your head. Would be great to hear this tune on a film sound track. 
SELAH MILLENYA Mandy joins forces with Dave on this track. "God is in his heaven, you are on the earth". Leads into some pleasant harmonies between the two which are very Beatle'ish at times whilst still portraying the Christian message.
RUNAWAY  Notwithstanding the title, Dave's voice occasionally sounds like Del Shannon here at times. Some of the lyrics are so compelling "If you call on him just admit the state you are in, the promise is clear, it's written in here, he wants you to know he will never let go." 
THE DAY OF GOD'S FAVOUR  One of the best tracks on the album, and another track which is beautiful in it's simplicity (not easy to achieve). Music and lyrics gel in a perfect harmony, the message once more builds into an overwelming Christian anthem which is difficult to ignore. 
BEN'S SONG  The first few chords has shades of 'Ballroom Dancing' by Paul McCartney, but quickly fades away. An uptempo and endearing track with an optimistic message, and a bouncy feelgood factor for everyone. "The lord is greater that anything" which is a strong message. The chorus line "Lord you are my everything, everything I need, you gave me a song to sing and a love for all eternity". Powerful and compelling. 
AGES OF GLORY  Elephants stampeding on the intro! Followed by upbeat drum sound, leading into a much slower and easy going tune where Dave's voice sounds at times Lennon'ish and washes beautifully over you before grabbing you and not letting your emotions loose. 
SOME SAY  On a personel level, I consider this is the best track from a purely listening point of view. Very commercial sounding track with many shades and aspects of an 'Earthrise' song. Dave's vocals have never sounded better than on this track. A nice and easy intro flows smoothly into Dave's vocals. The message, as on all tracks is an equally compelling one. If people can find time to listen to Dave's lyrics it will give a lot of food for thought. Superb arrangements throughout. 
THIS IS MY PRAYER  A reworking of the song that was included on Dave's previous album CALL. I found it difficult initially to know why this track had been re-recorded as the original track was so good. But on listening to the new recording, and then the old track back to back, they both stand up in their own right, but in my opinion the new recording is an improvement. A beautiful and longer intro into the vocals than the original recording, with Dave's sympathetic vocals perfectly marrying together to form the perfect Christian message, "Teach me Lord, reach me lord, teach me of your ways." Simply a joy to listen to. 
BIG WHEELS  For ELO fans this is not a cover version of the bands track of the same name from the 'Out Of The Blue' album! Don't be disappointed though. There is a beautiful and haunting piano which leads the way into a track of pure magic. How can anyone ignore such fine lyrics as "Up and down the avenue the devil is loose, he knows the number on your door, he's got permission to start cooking your goose if you don't start praising the lord". Simply wonderful and totally optimistic message. 
LONG WAY HOME  The title track is a fine and moving anthem which like Ages Of Glory - see's Dave's voice at times very John Lennon'ish from John's 'Double Fantasy' album. A wonderful and appropriate track to end the album with some excellent and crisp guitar work throughout. Long Way Home is both for Christians and non-Christians alike and can be enjoyed whether you get into the lyrics or not. The album is lyrically spot on for todays fast and demanding world. These finely crafted and well sung songs are well produced and don't miss a trick, it's time Dave Morgan's standing was properly acknowledged and given the credit his musical talent deserves.

Alan Heath - Editor 'King Of The Universe - The ELO and related artists fanzine. 

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      17 March 2001 © Scott-Morgan