REFLECTIONS FROM GERRY HOLMES
recorder & producer of the original album
Chester Schultz’s “Jesus, Still Lead On” album was recorded from August to October, 1999. It was the last Tascam 4 track album we produced in Australia under the ‘Waterhole’ label, just 2 months after ‘The Mansions’ at Malmsbury, Victoria finished up. The songs were recorded in the Schultz’s, Harwood’s and Pike’s living rooms in Adelaide.
Lots of time was gifted and recording equipment borrowed for the project. That was the case with all the albums produced by ‘The Waterhole’ label during the 1990s.
The lyrics of the songs capture such strong theology and heart. These are themes that inspired and sustained Chester, his wife Liz and their group of friends associated with Port Adelaide Uniting Church, working with the local community especially through the Cottage Kitchen; offering friendship, craft work and hospitality, supporting vulnerable people as mental health institutions closed and isolation brought new challenges.
Chester and his wife Liz always supported itinerant artists. Chester has had a unique role working with local indigenous communities as advocate, artistic mentor and historian.
For me, these songs have a unique place in the catalogue of late 20th century Aussie Christian music. Because Chester comes from a contemporary classical background, their melodic and harmonic diversity can challenge, surprise and, hopefully, delight listeners accustomed to more middle of the road songs of faith and culture.
I love the instantly recognisable sound of Chester’s sparkly home piano, so not digital, and gloriously hinting of honkytonk. The Schultz daughters brought great woodwind to the arrangements, added to by trumpet, bones, dombak, synth, hooter, guitars and stomping feet in rubber boots. The vocals were outstanding, the harmonies rich and strong, often evoking the magic of a ‘Jesus Revolution’ musical.
JESUS, STILL LEAD ON Songs 1-20
JESUS, STILL LEAD ON Songs 21-33
Click on photo above to access
"A Musical History of
CHESTER SCHULTZ".
