Truth of Truths

Truth of Truths - a Contemporary Rock Opera
Studio album by Assorted
Released	1971
Recorded	1971
Genre	Contemporary Christian music, rock opera
Length	1:27:96
Label	Oak Records
Producer	Ray Ruff

Truth of Truths - a Contemporary Rock Opera is a 1971 two-disc Christian rock album which was largely conceived by promoter/producer Ray Ruff. The album is arranged as a rock opera based on significant events in the Christian Bible, with the first two sides pertaining to the Old Testament and two to the New Testament. The album has a black cover with a white title and a gold Star of David and Cross. It comes with a 17-page booklet with lyrics and biblical references for each of the songs.

The double LP was substantially co-written with former Them bassist Alan Henderson, and with Val Stöecklein, formerly of The Blue Things (whose most famous song "Orange Rooftops Of Your Mind" is re-recorded here with new lyrics as "John the Baptist").^[1] Both bands had been managed by Ray Ruff. Donnie Brooks plays Christ.^[2] Actor Jim Backus plays the spoken voice of God.

Track listing

1. "The Overture" (Ernie Freeman/Ray Ruff) – 4:29
2. "Creation", Genesis 1 & 2 (Alan Henderson & Dick Hieronymus) – 3:06
3. "The Fall", Genesis 3 (Alan Henderson & Dick Hieronymus) – 4:52
4. "Forty Days and Forty Nights", Genesis 6-8 (Don the Great) – 4:13
5. "Tower of Babel", Genesis 11 (Don the Great) – 2:12
6. "God Called on to Abraham", Genesis 12 & 17 (Don the Great) - 3:04
7. "Sodom and Gomorrah Were the Cities of Sin", Genesis 19 (Don the Great) – 3:13
8. "Joseph, Beloved Son of Israel", Genesis 37-45 (Alan Henderson) – 3:10
9. "Let My People Go", Exodus 1-15, 32 (Kay & Helen Lewis) – 4:05
10. "The Ten Commandments", Exodus 20 (Val Stöecklein) – 2:45
11. "Song of the Children of Israel (Exodus)", Exodus 15 (Val Stöecklein) – 2:42
12. "David to Bathsheba", 2 Samuel 11 & 12 (Val Stöecklein)– 3:02
13. "Turn Back to God", Jeremiah 2-5 (Kay & Helen Lewis) – 3:12
14. "Prophecies of the Coming Messiah", Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7; 53:3-7; Micah 5:2; Jeremiah 31:15; Deuteronomy 16:10; 27:12; 41:9; 68:18 (Alan Henderson) – 3:23
15. "My Life is in Your Hands", Luke 46-58 (Ray Ruff & Alan Henderson) – 2:50
16. "John the Baptist", John 19-37 (Ray Ruff & Alan Henderson) – 2:34
17. "He's the Light of the World", Matthew 5,6; 3 John (Kay & Helen Lewis) – 3:53
18. "Hosanna", Matthew 21 (Ray Ruff & Alan Henderson) – 2:20
19. "The Last Supper", Matthew 26:1-35; 1 John 13 (Val Stöecklein) – 4:45
20. "I am What I Say I am", Matthew 26:36-56 (Don the Great) – 2:20
21. "The Trial", Matthew 26:57 - 27:31 (Kay & Helen Lewis) – 5:12
22. "The Road", Luke 23:26-33 (Kay & Helen Lewis) – 2:42
23. "The Cross", Luke 23:34-49 (Kay & Helen Lewis) – 5:50
24. "Jesus of Nazareth", John 20:19-29 (Ray Ruffin & Don Great) – 1:36
25. "Resurrection", John 20:11-18 (Val Stöecklein) – 4:45
26. "He Will Come Again", Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-16 (Lord Schoonmaker & Roger Lanoue) – 2:50
27. "The Prophecies of the Coming of the End of the World", John 20:11-18 (Ray Ruff & Alan Henderson) – 6:13

• Ray Ruff is credited with writing God parts.

Personnel

• Ray Ruff: Producer
• Rev. Raymond Harrison: Research
• Ernie Freedman: Arrangement
• Dick Hieronymus: Arrangement
• Jim Backus: the voice of God
• Donnie Brooks: Lead Vocals
• Dick & Sandy St. John: Lead Vocals
• John and Mike Mancha: Lead Vocals
• Lise Miller: Lead Vocals
• Patti Sterling: Lead Vocals
• Dave Rene: Lead Vocals
• Ben Short: Lead Vocals
• Pat Liston of the Friends and Brothers: Lead Vocals
• Lloyd Schoonmaker: Lead Vocals
• Don the Great: Lead Vocals
• Doug Gibbs: Lead Vocals
• Val Stöecklein: Lead Vocals
• Background Vocals: Sonny Craver, Scott Thompson, Roberta Watson, Patrice Holloway, Andrea Albin, Janie Mickens Lovett, Doris Thompson, Karen Bourne, Judi Brown, Joanne Willis, Karen Ditto, Jessie Richardson, John and Herb.
• Musicians: Bill Kurasch, Sid Sharp, Christine Walevska, Hal Blaine, John Guerrin, Larry Carlton, Dennis Budimir, Reinie Press, Larry Muhoberak, Gary Coleman, Joe Oshborn, John Raines, Art Zungolo, Ralff Schaeffer, Ray Kelly, Harry Hyams, Sam Boghossian, Paul Hubinon, Tony Terran, Ed Stanley, Julie Jacob, Bill Fritz, Sinclair Lott, George Price, Robert Enevoldsen, Lou McCreary, Dick Hyde, Joseph DiFiore, Henry Ferber, Tibor Zelig, Arthur Maebe, William Hinshaw, Jerry Cole, Ray Pohlman.

References

1. McAlester, Keven (2004-12-29). "The Story of Val Stoecklein's Grey Life". citypaper.com. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
2. Spencer, Leigh (March 6, 2007). "Donnie Brooks: Singer of 'Mission Bell'", The Independent, p. 32.