John Francis O’Mara Forbidden Hymns
John Francis O’Mara has a new album of spiritual Forbidden Hymns that tackle hard realities head on. This is not your head in the clouds, pie in the sky brand of spirituality – this album is heavy and frank and focused on injustice, humanity, fallibility, human love and loss, and what democracy should mean. The music is superlative, produced by Ken Coomer with Kenny Vaughan, Chris Scruggs and more in the mix.
In “Walking in Babylon” there are Southern gospel style vocals at the outset that lend an earthy, grounded feel. “From Hollywood to New Orleans my eyes caught fire from all I’ve seen, angels quake in the streets orphaned by Lady Liberty” and ends with “another brother laying in a chalk outline.” The video contains footage from George Floyd protests in Philadelphia. It’s gripping.
“Lately Mary” is an ingenious plea to Mary “lately, Mary, I’ve been thinking about you,” as the rootsy rock sets up a catchy groove and the harmonies rise and fall as they follow along, and at last, the question is posed “how can I beg, steal, or borrow some hope from you?”
“Maria, I would Dance With You But My Hands Are On Fire” brings the tempo down a bit in a hearttorn folk rock lullaby, and the lament that after everyone, “I only belong to this world.”
“No One Gets Out Of Here Alive” takes a contemplative approach with acoustic guitar melodies, soft drum shuffles and ethereal harmonies: “let us hold to one another as we stumble to the light.” “Maybe” captures sorrowful endings as the gentle “wish I never cared for the moonlight in your hair or the way you look tonight, if you’re still saying ‘maybe,’ baby I’m saying goodbye.” This time it’s easy electric guitar melodies with the shuffly drums and keys.
At the core of Christianity, really, is concepts of liberation and justice. John Francis O’Mara holds tightly to this concept in songs that are raw, real, and focused on what’s both truly human and truly moral, all wrapped in kick arse musical arrangements. The songs range from driving to introspective all with rich layered instrumentation that’s never crowded. Find the music and more information here: https://johnfrancisomara.com
Forbidden Hymns was produced by Ken Coomer at Creative Workshop and Cartoon Moon Studios in Nashville; engineered by Patrick Miller; and mastered by Johnathan Pines.
Musicians on the album are John Francis O’Mara on vocals and acoustic guitar; (Cousin) Kenny Vaughan on guitars; John Lancaster on keys; Jeff Adamczyk on additional keys; Dave Roe on bass; Chris Scruggs on lap steel; and Vinchelle Woods on backing vocals. All songs written by John Francis O’Mara except ‘No One Gets Out of Here Alive,’ which was co-written by John Francis O’Mara and John Carter Cash.