History:

Dwight And Tim were a gospel duo based out of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. Dwight Shirey and Tom Diehl were both members of the same church and formed a musical duo to spread their gospel message. During live performances, Dwight played predominantly piano while Tom Diehl played bass. The duo eventually became proficient enough to record a full length album in 1975. Their “He’s Alive Again” was recorded at Helffrich Recording Labs in Allentown (the same studio that recorded the likes of The Young Ideas, Probe 10, and Sandstone and did engineering for The Muffins). The album features mostly traditional gospel vocals, but a few folk and folk rock original cuts snuck their way into the group’s repertoire. It’s unclear what ever happened to the duo, but since they were a bit older when they made this album chances are they have passed. The album’s lineup, which strays from their usual performances, is listed below:

Dwight Shirey: Vocals, Piano*, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Trumpet', Trombone'

Tim Diehl: Vocals, Bass Guitar, Drums, Percussion

Accompanied By:

Jeff Duffield: Piano, Mellotron, Harpsichord

Doyle Hopkins: Trumpet (1)

*is uncredited on album, though it is almost certain he played on his own tracks

'is credited as "Brass"

Review:

He's Alive Again (1975, Not On Label)

Rating: 3/10

After a passing, this gospel album comforted me as a young lad. This is the classic example of what collectors (not me) refer to as a “real people” record. 

“Lord Fill Me” (written by the duo together) and their stab at “I Wish You Could Know Him” are similar in instrumentation and messages, but the latter is a bit of a downer with some heavy string mellotron. Both are fine, with a particularly good vocal on “Lord Fill Me”. “Seasons” is a great standout folk track. Nice mellotron and shimmering 12-string acoustic guitar on that one. Two other tracks are middle of the road, those being “Time To Time” and “Welcome Home Children”. Rest is really really bad gospel. Bonus points for the cool cover, which is one of my all time favorites, and the use of mellotron and 12-string.