Eden Records is a “home-grown” record label that began in Allen Park, Michigan, and released a total of nine albums during the 1970s and 80s. Eden artists included Doug Howell, Damascus, Shekinah and New Jerusalem. Though the company is not currently active, we are pleased to field questions from those who remember Eden fondly. Doug Howell albums are included on this site, along with his newer albums and songs.
Doug’s first (unreleased) album was on the Love’s Lights label; the second, Bluer Than It’s Ever Been, was his first “official” release, and it was on the Trinity Sound label. The Freed, Singer, Hinds’ Feet and Truth albums were all released on the Eden Records label. (See below for some reviews.)
All Doug’s albums were later assigned to Creative Measures LLC, with his 2010 album, Jimmy & Me being released on that label. Doug currently lives in Hawaiʻi and is writing/releasing singles from Hawksnest, his home studio. You can find Doug‘s music on most music streaming services including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube and others.
A Note About the Eden Albums
Most Eden recordings were produced on very small budgets, but all were labors of love and faith. Available mainly at live concerts, most of the records sold 10,000 or fewer copies—the one exception being Hinds’ Feet, which sold nearly 100,000 copies, and was mainly distributed through retail outlets. The albums are being streamed these days on a variety of music streaming services.
Doug’s songs of life and love revolve around a center of Christian faith in ways that touch everyone’s experience. Though the albums never set any sales records (except a few local ones!), they have been well worn and much loved. Friends regularly discover us online, and tell us a variety of inspiring and encouraging stories from past and present!
The Doug Howell Eden albums are now covered here in our Albums menu. Click on a title for more details, including lyrics, notes, artwork and audio links. The notes that accompanied the original album releases are all here, too, plus some more recent reflections… Want to know what others have said about some of Eden’s recordings? Check out some of the reviews below! Also be sure to check out the reviews for the Hinds’ Feet and Jimmy & Me albums.
If you’re wondering what Doug’s up to these days in Hawaiʻi, check out the Songs menu for new releases (2018–present).
Reviews
The following are general reviews people sent to Eden Records or Doug personally, and are not necessarily album- or song-specific.
NO ONE was doing this in the mid 70s! (5 out of 5 stars – July 16, 2018) – “Doug was doing something that I believe was completely unique in the 70s. I picked this LP up and listened to it over and over again ever since. As a young born-again gay believer, every song was speaking to me as if he knew just what I was going through. To this day there are two songs that really make me happy, no matter what kind of mood I am in: Keith Green’s “Your Love Broke Through” and Doug Howell’s “Life Is Like A Melody.” He also describes for me, even to this day, difficult, intangible things like he does in the title track. As I have grown as a born-again gay believer, I have played this LP and I’ve Been Freed and Singer In The King’s Service over and over again. Thanks forever Doug! [We BOTH look forward to finally seeing, in the flesh, the captain of that paddle wheel boat. That image has been permanently burned into my brain.]” —InfernusMikey on Amazon
“I had never heard of you before, Doug, and nearly didn’t come to that concert—but I did. Thanks to God! Each song has become truly precious to me. I’ve listened to your albums for the past three days (I should have them memorized soon). Each time I listen I’m more broken—and more closely drawn up to Him. —D. F., St. Paul MN
Praise the Lord!—You have no idea how much Christian music I listen to by various people and honestly, I have been inspired more and touched more deeply by yours than anyone else‘s. —Mary M., Sparta NC
I really enjoyed your concert… I must say your music always seems to have a good impact on the people here. It really turned me around and set me back the right way two years ago! Thanks for letting God speak through you. It’s really neat to think that God loves us even when we’re unlovable to anyone else… When I thought back to your concert and how things had changed after that, I really marveled at the inspiration or enthusiasm you generated…in my life. —C. C., Wyoming MI
While passing through Las Vegas on a tour, I heard a song on the Christian radio station that impressed me so much that I drove to the station to find out who it was. The DJ made me a tape of it but had no address or phone number to find its writer. So began my search for Doug Howell.
About a year later, I found Doug and recorded one of his [songs] on my third album, still not having met him personally. A week ago I had the pleasure of finally meeting who I feel is one of the most unique and talented songwriters I’ve come across in a long time. I look forward to hearing not only Doug’s [already written songs] over and over on his records but all the new songs he’ll be blessed with in the future. —Chris Christian, recording artist and producer
You’d think he was another Michael Omartian. He plays keyboards drums, synthesizer, sings the lead and background vocals, engineers some of it, and he writes—oh, how he writes. The beauty of [Doug Howell’s music] is its honesty. Besides describing the joy of being a Christian, it relates the pain. Doug dares to tell how he looks to God in the midst of trials. The pain for a friend who turns his back on God (and you), pain for someone you know who has gone after the gold that cannot glitter, the pain of wanting to do something for God more than something of God; it’s all expressed… —Harmony Magazine
I’ve just finished listening to your records and reading about each song. If there have ever been songs I identify with, it is most, if not all of these you have written. I see my heart thoughts in these songs and have been moved deeply. I too am a singer and many times I have wished to share my heart with others in song… —T. A., Minneapolis MN
It was excellent! I was a little apprehensive about how students [from a State school] would respond to Doug….They loved him! The room Doug was performing in was full…and it was even fuller after intermission than it was before. The audience just didn’t want to let him go. He received a standing ovation and was called back for three encores—something that has never happened here for as long as anyone can remember. —J. R., Platteville WI
There’s a saying that goes ‘Music is love in search of a word,’ but God’s music has found its words in you. —E. K.
Thank you for all the times when I was sad, lonely, depressed, feeling guilty and worthless, when you sang to me through your records and ministered to me. —B. D., Tulsa OK
‘People can’t fly—but sometimes they do. Doug Howell will melt your heart.’ That was the advertising on the poster that drew me to the Doug Howell coffeehouse and after spending two hours flying with Doug and his music, I realized that the poster was right and I left my heart in the South Commons, melted into a little puddle under my chair. Doug Howell was not an act; he was a real person who came out, sat down at the piano and poured out his soul, beliefs and emotions through his words and music. —K. B., The Exponent, Platteville, WI
Thank you so much for the concert you gave… I have never been to a concert like that before. It seemed as though I was constantly praying during it because I was so stirred. I could relate to a lot of the things you said and to many of the lyrics of your music because they are so down-to-earth. I really want to encouarge you in your ministry… —C. B., Roseville MN
I am the nighttime jock at [a radio station in Indiana.] I have been meaning to write you for some time and tell you how much I enjoy hearing your music. I really appreciated your good lyrics in particular. I have been discouraged a little bit because too much Christian music is surfacy these days (at least in my opinion). I guess my favorite song is “Jesus Never Fails.” What a straight-forward message that is so true… —J. P., Niles MI
“Stars” (as in people) are so hard to reach and identify with and love. Sure they shine a lot, but… No, I like you the way you are. So earthy and loving. I saw you in Painsville, Ohio. The minute you started talking—even before—it just struck me that you have so much love. —V. J., Ashtabula OH
[Love’s Lights album review] This early collaboration with female singer Berti Hosford has Howell’s trademark optimistic pop and ballads sound, typically piano-centered, backed by rhythm section, electric guitar, organ and homemade brass, woodwinds and strings. Highly mellow stuff, but contains some of Doug’s best songs, including “Substitution,” “Your Love” and the bittersweet “Why Not Happy?” Covers of the hymns “Wonderful Words Of Life” and “Just As I Am.” Berti has a warm glowing voice that gets plenty of turns in the spotlight. —Ken Scott, the Archivist
Singer/songwriter Doug Howell [has] reminded some critics of Michael Omartian, recording fairly mellow, keyboard-based ’70s albums on which he did most of the [parts] and played around with some synthesizers. What is most noteworthy—especially for the time period—is that he wrote songs that departed from the standard ‘I’m so happy in Jesus’ vein and dealt with harsher realities of Christian living. This is most evident on Bluer Than It’s Ever Been. The title track recalls Elton John’s ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ musically, but portrays the need for Christians to stand firm in the face of trials that cause them to second-guess their commitments. Harmony magazine reassured its readers that Howell was not ‘backslidden.’ The artist, in their words, evinces uncommon honesty in describing ‘the joy of being a Christian’ as well as ‘the pain.’ —Mark Allan Powell, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music
“Doug has been a friend since we met when he was with the Good News Circle. I have always admired his piano playing and his singing (especially his arrangement of my “Simple Song” which is wonderful.) He strives for excellence as a Christian, a musician, a writer and a performer—which is exciting. But the best thing about Doug’s music and ministry is the quality of tenderness which comes from a very personal relationship wth the Lord. He continues to be a blessing and an inspiration.” —Honeytree, Christian recording artist and songsmith, the First Lady of contemporary Christian music