2000 Great Songs #1502: Great Change Since I've Been Born

I recently reiterated my great fondness for obscure and forgotten early 70s rock, and here's another one. Stoneground weren't quite as far down the rabbit hole of obscurities, founded by Sal Valentino, previously of San Francisco pop (and later folk and Americana) band The Beau Brummels. As Stoneground, he recorded three albums with a revolving cast of musicians (at times up to 10 members in the band, kind of a proto-Arcade Fire, I guess). They were what one might consider an early jam band; like other acts emanating from the mid-60s Bay Area scene, they blended rock with folk, R&B, gospel, and whatever else was handy.

And while they had plenty of solid originals, I really love their take on "Great Change Since I've Been Born," from 1971's eponymous debut. The song was an old traditional gospel number, popularized by the Reverend Gary Davis, who first recorded it in the 1930s (as "The Great Change In Me") and re-recorded it in 1960. Stoneground give it a more sweeping, anthemic sound, helmed by one of the band's four women vocalists (not sure which one). It's a striking updating of traditional folk and gospel into a post-60s roots-rock style, and a fine spiritual piece for those of us who don't consider ourselves spiritual.

Gary Davis's 1960 version:

Glenn Kaiser version:

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