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JFH Music Review



The 77s
Holy Ghost Building



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 45 minutes, 40 seconds
Street Date: June 26, 2008


The Seventy Sevens (also known as The 77's) were the first alternative Christian band to be picked up by a mainstream label, Island Records (also home to U2), back in 1987. Over 20 years later, this band is still full of surprises and brilliance. 77's have made a commitment to a unique project this time around. The listener will be placed into a time warp, as the tone of this album will cover the late 60s, 70s, and even 80s.

The album kicks off with some rhythm and blues along with a little rock thrown in for good measure. 77's have actually enhanced the pace of some of these songs in contrast to their originals. "Working on a Building," originally performed by Bill Monroe, and "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" are songs that will echo memories of Credence Clearwater. "Stranger Won't You Change Your Sinful Ways" (Steve Scott) is done with a style similar to Tom Petty. "I'll Remember You, Love, in My Prayers" is originally performed by Alison Kraus on the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, and the Rolling Stones would be proud of 77's version as it is much like their technique found in the early 70s such as "Gimme Shelter."

The album is full of inspirational and thought-provoking content as evidenced in songs like "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul" (Marty Stuart), "Brother how far, from the saviour today/ Risking your soul, for the things that he gave/ Oh if today, God should call you away/ What would you give, in exchange for your soul." Next, 77's provide a rendition of Elvis' "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again," and this version is done quite well in capturing the moment when this song was originally released as Mike Roe sings the song quite confidently with the background vocals of all the "Ba-da-Ba-das." "City of Refuge" provides some heavy guitar work that is reminiscent of some the punk bands of the late 70s and early 80s while at the same time; the 77's introduce some blues into the mix. The album closes with the only original song, "A Lifetime Without You." What separates this song from the rest of the album, other than being original, is that this is a style typically found in ballads from the band's other albums, such as "Drowning with No Land in Sight" and "Sticks and Stones."

Holy Ghost Building consists of 10 cover songs that are given unique treatments from lead singer Michael Roe, bassist Mark Harmon, and percussionist Bruce Spencer. Even though most of the songs were originally written by mainstream artists, the lyrical content is very effective in for our walk with God. The style chosen for this album makes it a rare experience among most of the praise and worship projects being released today. Although I prefer the classic sound of the 77's found in their earlier releases, this is a unique album in its own right.

- Review date: 9/14/08, written by Wayne Myatt



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. Record Label: Lo-Fidelity Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 45 minutes, 40 seconds
. Street Date: June 26, 2008
. Buy It: 77s.com

  1. I'm Working on a Building
  2. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning
  3. Stranger Won't You Change Your Sinful Ways
  4. I'll Remember You, Love, in My Prayers
  5. You're Gonna Be Sorry
  6. What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul
  7. He's a Mighty Good Leader
  8. When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
  9. Everybody Ought to Pray Sometime
  10. I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge
  11. A Lifetime Without You
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
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This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
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Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
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Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
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SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
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Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
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SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
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darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
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The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
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