Norman Barratt - Later Career

Later Career

Following the break-up of the Barratt Band, Norman set out on innumerable tours and recording sessions in both Europe and the United States, for artists such as Jessy Dixon, Steve Camp, Sheila Walsh, Phil Keaggy, Steve Taylor, Debbie Boone, Cliff Richard and Barry McGuire.

In 1984, he and Dave Morris, the Barratt Band's keyboard player, released an album called Rock for all Ages, but Barratt had become disillusioned with the CCM industry and made a conscious decision to wind down his involvement with it. He concentrated on playing in the worship band at his local church, and on sessions work for artists such as Paul Young and Andy Pratt. He also produced albums for bands such as Triumph, a Glasgow-based band, and Creed, a German heavy metal band.

In 1988, Kingsway records asked Barratt to record another Christian album, and the result was Barratt that came out in 1989. Although the album sold well in the U.S., it was short-lived in the UK after a warehouse fire in Carlisle destroyed stock, and along with the rest of the Kingsway catalogue it was sold to America.

In the late 1980s, Barratt became aware of problems with his eyesight, caused by developing cataracts in both eyes, and he was forced to reduce his workload considerably. During this lay-off period he says that he received a prophecy and a calling from God to start a new music production company. He therefore created Daval Music Limited, and put a recording studio together. He then produced further recordings by Alwyn Wall, the Jessy Dixon Roots Blues album, and helped to develop new Christian artists such as Sally Williamson and Jan Wall. He wrote and recorded a 35th anniversary Gravy Train reunion album and recorded songs for new Barratt Band and Alwyn Wall Band albums.