line up 1: (1970-71)

- Don Hill (RIP) -- vocals, guitar

- Bob Kuban And The In-Men (Don Hill)

- South (Don Hill)

Genre: Christian

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Sweet Revival Featuring Don Hill

Company: SSS International

Catalog: SSS-16
Year: 1970

Country/State: St. Louis, Missouri

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 5587

Price: $40.00

In the interest of full disclosure, this one should be categorized as a Christian album, however it was a Christian album with a real blue-eyed soul/rock base which may make it of interest to folks who normally cringe at the thought of the genre.  Whatever you do, ignore anything that describes the album in terms of psych.  The most psychedelic thing here was the album's bland cover art and difficult-to-read calligraphy

At least to me this is another mystery group. Lead singer/guitarist Don Hill was seemingly a late-inning member of Bob Kuban and The In-Men.  When that band ended, under the name "South" Hill collaborated with producer/songwriter Fred Burch to record a one-shot 45 for Shelby S Singleton Jr.'s Silver Fox label.  Who knows why, but the playing order was flip flopped when the single was released on the Spanish market:

- 1969's "Barefoot In the Woods" b/w "A Girl Like You" (Silver Fox catalog number SF #7)

- 1969's "A Girl Like You" b/w "Barefoot In the Woods" (Exit catalog number 2530B)

Hill subsequently reappeared as a member of the St. Louis-based "Sweet Revival". At one point Sweet Revival was a seven piece outfit featuring a line-up of Hill, bassist Ralph Fellin, keyboardist Jeff Hunter, guitarist David Olmstead, bassist  Bill Selmeyer, singer John Tindell, drummer Larry Vandiver and percussionist Raffi Yakubian.  Bass player Charlie Wilson and percussionist Chuck Wilson appeared in subsequent band line-ups.

Based on the album cover (which lacked any biographical information), by the time Sweet Revival was signed to a recording contact with Singleton's SSS International, they were down to a trio, though Hill  was the only member identified.  Produced by Fred Burch, 1970's  "Sweet Revival Featuring Don Hill" featured a collection of ten tracks that shared a common "Jesus Music" theme.  True, exemplified by songs like "Reach Out, Give A Little Love" and "" not every one of these tracks was in-your-face non-secular, though even those songs shared a socially relevant message.  Still, tracks like "Sidewalk Christian", "Will the Real Jesus Stand Up", "Joseph and Mary" and "This Holy Night" made it clear this set had a religious message.  The good news was most of these songs spread a message of joy, rather than threats of eternal damnation.  Assuming Hill was responsible for the majority of lead vocals, his voice ranged from thin and whiney (the single "Sidewalk Christian") to enjoyable Felix Cavaliere-styled blue-eyed soul ("Swing Out Sweet Mary").  Horns and shrill female backing singers didn't really help all that much, but occasional dollops of fuzz guitar ("Mr. Soul Saving Man") were appreciated.  I'll also point out that if you didn't focus too much on the lyrics, the results were marginally better.

Horns and shrill female backing singers didn't really help all that much, but occasional dollops of fuzz guitar ("Mr. Soul Saving Man") were appreciated.  For most folks this album won't have much appeal, but anyone who has a copy of Ken Scott's "Archivist: Vintage Vinyl Jesus Music 1965 - 1980" is liable to find it engaging.  Let me note the album was very short clocking in under twenty-five minutes.

"Sweet Revival" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Sidewalk Christian (Fred Burch - Willie Young) - 4:10 rating: ** stars

To my ears Hill's voice was lightweight and not particularly memorable.  When combined with a shrill, preachy lyric, a bland, forgettable melody punctuated by horns and needless female backing vocalists, this made for a weird choice as a single. The best thing here was a brief Hill fuzz guitar solo.  Imagine a third tier Delaney and Bonnie Gospel-tinged track.

- 1970's "Sidewalk Christian" b/w "Mr. Soul Saving Man" (SSS catalog number SSS-827)

2.) Mr. Soul Saving Man (Will Young) - 3:45 rating: **** stars

Opening up sounding like something out of the James Brown catalog, the vocals were far stronger on "Mr. Soul Saving Man".  Nice fuzz guitar on this one.  The song was featured on the soundtrack for the weird 2022 John Cage film "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent".   It also appeared as the "B" side to their debut "Sidewalk Christian" 45.

3.) Joseph and Mary (Fred Burch - Willie Young) - 3:55 rating: *** stars

The keyboard powered ballad "Joseph and Mary" sported a pretty melody, but lyrically their update of the Nativity was just plain odd.  Once again the lead vocal was fragile with shrill backing vocals.  The combined effect made for a distinctively early-'70s "Jesus Music" vibe.  I'll give it an extra star for being so quirky.

4.) Swing Out Sweet Mary (Eddie Carter - Don Hill) - 3:30 rating: *** stars

A swinging blue-eyed soul tune, "Swing Out Sweet Mary" reminded me of what Felix Cavaliere and the Young Rascals might have sounded like had they recorded in Memphis.  The song benefited from being one of the few songs without blatantly religious lyrics.  

5.) Reach Out, Give A Little Love (Don Hill) - 2:35 rating: *** stars

The guitar opening was one of the album's best sections.  Once again Hill's blue-eyed soul delivered recalled prime Rascals. The track also benefited from a secular lyric. 

(side 2)
1.) Simon Zealots/Hosanna (Andrew Lloyd Webber - Timothy Rice) - 4:40 rating: ** stars

A cover of a "Jesus Christ Superstar" tune (originally sung by Ian Gilliam), this version of "Simon Zealots" was set to a bouncy, horn-powered blue-eyed soul arrangement, but remained instantly recognizable.  If you liked the original, the cover won't bother you.

2.) Sister Carolina (Fred Burch - Howard Dinning - Don Hill) - 2:57 rating: *** stars

Featuring some nice, Spanish-tinged acoustic guitar, "Sister Carolina" was a breezy, beach-music styled ballad.  It actually sounded like a mash-up of a Sir Douglas Quintet tune and The Rascals.  Another seemingly secular tune until you hit the lyrics about taking vows and the nunnery ...

3.) This Holy Night (Fred Burch - Don Hill) - 3:35 rating: * star

Cocktail lounge Gospel?  I'm certain their sentiments were sincere, but the heavily orchestrated ballad was dreadful.

4.) Will the Real Jesus Stand Up (Don Hill - Willie Young) - 3:20 rating: **** stars

Imagine a bubblegum entity like The Archies reframed as a Christian act ...  Complete with some tasty fuzz lead guitar and treated background vocals "Will the Real Jesus Stand Up" was easily the album's best performance.  Jeannie C. Riley covered the song on her 1971 "Jeannie" LP.  The song was also released as a promotional 45:

- 1971's "Will the Real Jesus Stand Up" stereo  b/w "Will the Real Jesus Stand Up" mono (SSS International catalog number SSS-814)

5.) Sweet Revival (Will Young) - 3:10 rating: **** stars

You weren't going to mistake Hill for Otis Redding, but employing a lower, tougher register this performance was one of his best efforts.  The horn-powered title track certainly reflected a clear Stax influence.  Not sure why producer Burch continued to think those shrill female backing vocals were a good thing.

© Scott R. Blackerby July 2025