December 2018 – Real 80s CCM

Force 3 – Warrior Of Light – 1988

in 1988 the Guitarist of the band 100% Proof, Charlie Wilson, recorded an album with a new band, Force 3 and this is their first and only album.

It had a sound that was reminiscent of 100% Proof but Wilson allowed himself more latitude on his guitar work. The album suffered from poor production and the mix is questionable also.

That said, this album should fill the listening needs of any late 80’s metal head as the songs are well written and there are several excellent guitar solos.

Track Listing:
1 – Heartbeat – 3:04
2 – Trouble On The Streets – 2:45
3 – Wondering – 2:52
4 – Golgotha (He Is Risen) – 6:03
5 – See The Light – 2:55
6 – Miracles – 4:50
7 – Don’t Give Up – 2:54
8 – Warrior Of Light – 5:30

Credits:
Bass – G.B. Bennett
Drums – Andy Jackson
Executive Producer – Peter Gavin Morkel
Guitar – Charlie Wilson
Illustration, Design Concept – Peter Geissler
Producer, Engineer – Armand John Petri
Vocals – Andy Jackson, Charlie Wilson

Kerry Livgren AD – Time Line – 1984

This was the 2nd album from Kerry Livgren after he and Dave Hope left Kansas.

While Kansas headed into obscurity Kerry Livgren’s Christian music career was just starting to take off. While most of the band members had connections to Kansas the album really doesn’t have much of a Kansas sound.

It has almost a funkier sound and features a brass section. Livgren wanted to have the band perform under the name AD, but the record label insisted he attach his name to the album making for a rather odd name for the band.

Track Listing:
1 – Time Line 4:04
2 – Tonight 4:53
3 – Make Or Break It 3:49
4 – Take Us To The Water 4:28
5 – Beyond The Pale 3:33
6 – New Age Blues 3:54
7 – Slow Motion Suicide 4:46
8 – High On A Hill 3:52
9 – Life Undercover 3:27
10 – Welcome To The War 4:11

Credits:
Art Direction – Ken Marcellino
and, Bass Guitar – Dave Hope
Band, Drums, Percussion – Dennis Holt
Band, Guitar [Guitars], Keyboards, Programmed By [DMX Prog.], Bass – Kerry Livgren
Band, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion – Michael Gleason
Band, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Woodwind [Woodwinds], Harmonica – Warren Ham
Concept By [Front Concept] – Ken Marcellino, Kerry Livgren, Mark Ferjulian, Rick Griffin
Engineer [Assisted By] – Davy Moire (tracks: 10), Michael Gleason
Executive-Producer – Budd Carr, Ken Marcellino, Mark Ferjulian
Illustration [Front Cover], Design [Logo] – Rick Griffin
Management – Ken Marcellino, Mark Ferjulian
Mastered By – Glen Meadows
Photography By [Back Cover] – Mark Tucker
Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By] – Kerry Livgren

Servant – World Of Sand – 1982

This is the first album Servant released on Roof Top Records following some dispute with their previous label Tunesmith.

This album was very well produced so it appeared the switch was a good idea. The album has a few odd tracks though. Jungle music, a personal favourite, is an oddly disjointed song with animal sounds and narration.

Sudden death is a song about a tragic accident that happened to members of their communities. It is best described as an 8:20 rock opera.

There are actually 2 bonus releases on this album, Tree Planter Stomp, and Cog in the Wheel. Depending on your copy they may have come on a seperate 7″ album or incorporated into the original album.

Track Listing:
1 – Two Masters – 5:20
2 – New Revolution – 2:25
3 – Long Hard Fight – 3:32
4 – Jungle Music – 6:00
5 – Cog In The Wheel – 4:41
6 – Wall Of Love – 3:39
7 – Cheap Talk – 3:08
8 – Sudden Death – 8:10
9 – Come Jesus Come – 3:34
10 – Tree Planter Stomp – 2:52

Credits:
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Rob Martens (2)
Drums, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – David Holmes (18)
Engineer – Thom Roy
Engineer [Assistant] – John Jenkinson
Keyboards – Matt Spransy
Lead Guitar – Bruce Wright
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Bob Hardy (2), Sandie Brock
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer – Jim Palosaari, Servant (2)
Producer [With Help From], Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals – Owen Brock

Vector – Mannequin Virtue – 1983

This was the introductory album from Vector.

The band was packed with talent including Charlie Peacock, who would go on to a solo career as well as producing many albums. He was only on this release from Vector and wrote some of the songs on this album.

The rest of the band were famous in their own rights, including members of The 77’s. The album is very heavily new wave with influences from Genesis to Bowie.

It was just what secular radio was looking for at the time, but alas, it would be relegated to Christian radio only which happened to far too many quality bands of the time.

Track Listing:
1 – Mannequin Virtue – 2:44
2 – Substitute – 2:32
3 – Running From The Light – 3:25
4 – Lost Without Love – 3:16
5 – The Shore – 3:50
6 – The Hunger And The Thirst – 3:48
7 – Desperately – 3:45
8 – All Around The World – 3:25
9 – Only To Fail Again – 3:21
10 – I Love Them All – 3:50

Credits:
Coordinator [Executive Coordinator] – Jan Eric Volz
Design – Jim Abegg, Mark Swanson
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Jim Abegg, Michelle Abegg, Steve Griffith
Drums [Drum Kit] – Aaron Smith
Engineer [Assistant] – Steve Griffith
Engineer [Engineered By] – Daryl Zachman
Executive-Producer – Mary Neely
Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Jim Abegg
Illustration – Mark Swanson
Lead Vocals, Bass, Backing Vocals – Steve Griffith
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – Larry Hirsch
Photography By – Jim Abegg, Sandi Robinson
Producer [Produced By] – Steven Soles
Synthesizer [Memorymoog], Backing Vocals – Charlie Peacock

The Swirling Eddies – Let’s Spin – 1988

This was the debut album from The Swirling Eddies.

Who were the Swirling Eddies? Well, when this album was released it was a secret and a contest asked listeners to identify the band members. It was eventually revealed that it was the Daniel Amos band reincarnated, but with a different drummer. This album is a fun loving rock, pop album with a slight taste of alternative sounds.

Track Listing:
1 – Let’s Spin!
2 – Catch That Angel
3 – The Unsuccessful Dutch Missionary
4 – The Big Guns
5 – Rodeo Drive
6 – Ed Takes A Vacation (a suite)
7 – Snowball
8 – I’ve Got An Idea
9 – Don’t Ask Me How I Feel
10 – Ed Again
11 – What A World, What A World

Credits:
Art Direction, Design – Jeb McSwaggert
Backing Vocals, Voice [Speaks] – Jany Macklebee (tracks: 7)
Band [The Swirling Eddies Are], Bass Guitar – Berger Roy Al
Band [The Swirling Eddies Are], Drums [Real Live Drums], Percussion – Hort Elvision*
Band [The Swirling Eddies Are], Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Spot (5)
Band [The Swirling Eddies Are], Electric Guitar, Keyboards – Gene Pool (3)
Band [The Swirling Eddies Are], Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Arthur Fhardi*
Band [The Swirling Eddies Are], Vocals [All Vocals], Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Camarillo Eddy
Concept By [Cover Concept By] – Camarillo Eddy, Jeb McSwaggert
Directed By [Horns] – Buckeye Jazzbo
Engineer [Engineered By] – Sir Douglas Jr.
Horn – Buckeye Jazzbo
Horns – The Horns O’Plenty
Mixed By – Camarillo Eddy, Sir Douglas Jr.
Photography By – R. Michael Seeley*
Producer [Produced By] – Camarillo Eddy

White Heart – (self titled) – 1982

This was White Heart’s introductory album. Formed in 1982 by two members of Bill Gaither’s group they decidedly recorded and performed a more upbeat style of music.

This album could not really be described as anything even vaguely close to Rock and Roll but it does have a pop feel but is still pretty easy listening. It did, however lay the groundwork for what would become a very well liked CCM band.

Track Listing:
1 – Hold On – 3:37
2 – You’re The One – 3:56
3 – Listen To The Lonely – 3:47
4 – He’s Returning – 4:23
5 – Carry On – 3:56
6 – Guiding Light – 3:40
7 – Everyday – 4:08
8 – Nothing Can Take This Love – 3:40
9 – Black Is White – 3:14
10 – Go Down Nineveh – 4:30

Credits:
Bass – Gary Lunn
Drums, Percussion – David Huff*
Executive Producer – Chris Christian
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dann Huff
Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Billy Smiley
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Steve Green (3)
Mixed By – Chris Christian, Jeff Balding
Producer – Billy Smiley, Dann Huff
Recorded By – Jeff Balding

CIA – (self titled) EP – 1984

In 1984 on a sampler from record label MRC (Ministry Resource Center) there was a track from a band called CIA. For almost all of us this was our entire exposure to the band as we never saw an album from them.

However, there actually was a demo/EP release from them and this is it. It is very rare and was actually only released on cassette. They were a new wave band that fit well in the MRC family that included Altar Boys and Undercover.

They really should have had more success, but the music industry is a strange world where sometimes we don’t get to hear the best.

Track Listing:
1 – Your Eyes
2 – Reaching Out
3 – I Don’t Choose the World
4 – I Want to Dance
5 – Don’t Turn Away
6 – In God We Trust

Credits:
Lead vocals – Rob Hall
Bass guitar – Bob Wohler
Lead guitar – Larry Worley
Drums – James Mohline
Synthesizer – Hans Van Tatenhoue

Stryper – To Hell With The Devil – 1986

To Hell with the Devil was the 3rd studio album from Stryper.

It was the first Christian metal album to achieve platinum status, which means sales of one million copies. 3 Videos were produced for the album and they played heavily on MTV.

The highest ranking single was “Honestly” and it peaked at #23 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart.

A piece of trivia, the album went through 2 bass players before a session musician (Brad Cobb) finished doing the album. He however he did not join the band.

Tracklist
1 – Abyss (To Hell With The Devil) – 1:21
2 – To Hell With The Devil – 4:08
3 – Calling On You – 3:59
4 – Free – 3:44
5 – Honestly – 4:10
6 – The Way – 3:37
7 – Sing-Along Song – 4:21
8 – Holding On – 4:16
9 – Rockin’ The World – 3:30
10 – All Of Me – 3:11
11 – More Than A Man – 4:35

Credits
Arranged By – Michael Sweet, Stephan Galfas
Art Direction – Brian Ayuso
Bass – Brad Cobb
Co-producer – Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, Robert Sweet, Stephan Galfas
Concept By [Cover] – Robert Sweet
Design – Brian Ayuso
Engineer – Dan Nebenzal, Stephan Galfas
Keyboards – John Van Tongeren
Mastered By – Eddy Schreyer
Photography By – Anna Maria Di Santo*, Anne Revenge, Neil Zlozower
Written-By – Michael Sweet (tracks: A1 to A5, B1 to B5), Robert Sweet (tracks: A2, A4)

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Enigma Records (3)
Recorded At – Master Control, Burbank
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Distributed By – Capitol Records, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Enigma Entertainment Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Enigma Entertainment Corporation

Randy Stonehill – Paradise Sky – 2008

During filming of David Di Sabatino’s Larry Norman documentary, “Fallen Angel” the producers wanted to use various Randy Stonehill songs. This was a problem however, as the rights to those recordings were still owned by Larry Norman’s record labels who needless to say weren’t interested in working with the producers.

Randy however owned the rights to the songs so it was decided to send him back into the studio to rerecord the songs they wanted to use. The result is this album which includes songs from Randy’s first few albums.

The songs are very well produced and this album is an enjoyable visit back to the early days of Randy Stonehill.

Tracklist
1 – Keep Me Runnin’ – 4:57
2 – One True Love – 4:27
3 – King Of Hearts – 4:34
4 – Norman’s Kitchen – 4:11
5 – I’ve Got News For You – 4:30
6 – Even The Best Of Friends – 4:23
7 – The Winner – 3:38
8 – Counterfeit King – 5:34
9 – Trouble Coming – 4:34
10 – First Prayer – 3:20
11 – Good News – 4:10

Credits:
Design [Art Design] – Joe Redmond, Lara Kulczycki
Engineer [Engineered By] – Mike Pachelli
Executive-Producer – Ray Ware
Liner Notes – David Di Sabatino, Randy Stonehill
Photography By [Back Cover Photo] – Susan Uston
Photography By [Cover & Digipak Inset Photo] – Wayne Armstrong
Photography By [Insert Photos] – CCM Magazine*, Duane Pederson, Jerry Hauser, Leonard Stonehill, Pamela Newman, Pauline Stonehill, Hollywood Free Paper*, Randy Stonehill
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Mike Pachelli, Randy Stonehill

MxPx – Punk Rawk Christmas – 2009

MxPx released this album in 2009. Apparently the single had been previously released and fans requested a Christmas album.

Track Listing:
1 – Punk Rawk Christmas
2 – Christmas Day
3 – Christmas Only Comes Once a Year
4 – Coming Home For Christmas
5 – You’re the Only One I Miss (This Christmas)
6 – Christmas Party
7 – Christmas Night of the Living Dead
8 – So This Is Christmas
9 – It’s Christmas and I’m Sick
10 – 2005
11 – Late Great Snowball Fight of 2006
12 – Gimme Christmas
13 – Another Song About Christmas
14 – Auld Lang Syne

Personnel:
Mike Herrera – bass guitar, lead vocals
Tom Wisniewski – guitar, backing vocals
Yuri Ruley – drums, percussion