John R. Mabry

New CD from John R. Mabry
Features Edgy Christian Americana

 

Hannacroix, NY – John R. Mabry, lead singer for veteran progressive rock bands Metaphor and Mind Furniture, has released his first solo CD, “I Want to be Changed.” Unlike his work in the prog scene, this collection has a down-home feel to it, influenced by neo-Americana artists such as Mumford and Sons, the Avett Brothers, and James Taylor.

 

But this isn’t your standard-brand Christian country-rock album. A progressive Christian pastor, Mabry offers up songs that welcome in “Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,” take corporations to task for poisoning the environment, picture God as a prostitute, unflinchingly address fundamentalist religious abuse, and rejoice in the company of “Fuckups and Sinners.”

 

“This is an album with no audience,” Mabry jokes. “It’s too religious for the general public, and too profane for religious people.” Still, he hopes that those who enjoy such edgy Christian artists as Bruce Cockburn, T-Bone Burnett, Mark Heard, the Indigo Girls, and Lost Dogs will give the album a listen.

 

Making this album helped keep Mabry sane during the COVID quarantine. He booked studio time once a week, just to get out of the house. After several months, he had more than an album’s worth of material ready to release.

 

“I Want to Be Changed” features veteran session players Benito Cortez on fiddle, John Hasty on drums, and Paul Olguin on bass. Fellow Mind Furniture alums Greg Miller and Jim Anderson also make an appearance. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Chris Cooper at Blue Seven Studios in Fremont, CA just before Mabry relocated to Hannacroix, NY.