Month: March 2019

Common Bond – Heaven Is Calling – 1986

This was the first studio album from Common Bond though there was a highly produced Demo and an EP previous.

Guest appearances on this album included Jerry Chamberlain from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Terry Taylor also from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Lost Dogs.

The album is a well produced (Doug Doyle) album with a heavy New Wave sound. This is another lost album from the 80’s that should have been far better known.

Track Listing:
1 – Matter Of Time – 4:37
2 – I’m In Control – 2:45
3 – Heaven Is Calling – 2:51
4 – Bittersweet – 3:48
5 – Yshua – 3:05
6 – My Direction – 3:50
7 – Savor My Saviour – 2:40
8 – The Dickens – 3:50
9 – For You – 2:30
10 – Imagining – 3:20

Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Durham
Backing Vocals – Bruce Swift, Jerry Chamberlain, Ken Samuels, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor
Bass Guitar – Ken Samuels
Cover – Terl Bryant
Design – Ed McTaggart
Drums – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1)
Electric Guitar – Steve Durham
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Bobby Salsedo, Doug Doyle
Guitar [Solo] – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A4, B5)
Layout – Ed McTaggart
Lead Vocals – Ken Samuels
Percussion – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1, A5)
Photography By – Craig Incardone
Producer – Doug Doyle
Written-By – Ken Samuels

Resurrection Band – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 1981

The 4th studio album from Resurrection Band picked up where Colours left off.

It continues their trademark hard rock sound utilizing new wave keyboard styling. The albums continue their social commentary with songs about materialism (Elavator Muzik), disabilities (The Chair), and divorce (Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore).

As usual Resurrection Band bucked the Christian music trends by doing their own thing.

Track Listing:
1 – Stark/Spare – 3:42
2 – Elevator Muzik – 1:55
3 – Alienated – 2:02
4 – Can’t Get You Outta My Mind – 2:52
5 – The Chair – 5:06
6 – Can’t Do It On My Own – 2:50
7 – First Degree Apathy – 3:03
8 – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 4:23
9 – The Crossing – 3:48
10 – Little Children – 2:36
11 – Lovin’ You – 3:29

Credits:
Artwork [Inside Art], Layout – Dick Randall
Bass [Fretless Bass], Synthesizer – Jim Denton
Concept By [Album Cover Concept By] – JPUSA Graphics
Cover [Outside Cover Art] – Janet Cameron
Drums – John Herrin
Engineer – Phil Bonanno
Guitar, Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Stu Heiss
Mixed By [Mix Down] – Phil Roger
Other [Lead Snoring] – Tom Cameron
Producer – Roger Heiss
Producer, Mixed By [Mix Down] – Resurrection Band
Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Vocals, Guitar [Solo], Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Glenn Kaiser

Lightforce – Mystical Thieves – 1989

In researching this album I was surprised by the polar opposite reviews I read. It was either loved or hated.

The general consensus was that this was a jumping off point for Steve Rowe who later went on to be a member of the far more popular Mortification.

My take on the album is that the mix was horrible. It feels like the engineer was trying to give the album a Hard Rock sound when in reality it was a Heavy Metal/Thrash album, leaning closer to Thrash.

I was not impressed with the vocals either but that wasn’t the fault of the mix. That said the album does have a spot in the genre so some will probably love this album.

Track Listing:
1 – Mystical Thieves – 8:05
2 – Crossfire – 4:15
3 – City Streets – 4:35
4 – Metal Missionary – 5:25
5 – Children Of Sorrow – 3:54
6 – Searching – 5:30
7 – Fast Lane – 3:52
8 – Babylon – 7:00

Credits:
Artwork [Cover] – Jan Alphic, John Alphic
Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts, Groans And Squeals] – Mark (B.B) Hamilton
Bass [Bass Grinding], Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Steve Rowe
Drums, Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Errol Willenburg
Engineer – John Bosua
Engineer [Assistant] – Andrew Horne, David Asender, Mark Donaldson
Graphics – Mike Maxwell
Guitar [Guitar Abuse], Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Murray Adams
Keyboards, Wind [Lead] – Gary Shepherd
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Steve Johnson
Management – Allan Thomas
Photography By – Colin Mann, Natalie Smith
Producer – John Bosua, Lightforce

Jeff Johnson and Sandy Simpson – Through The Door – 1982

This album was Jeff Johnson’s 4th album though album one and two had a very limited release.

It was the first album where he would team up with Sandy Simpson. It is for the main part an easy listening album with strong audio effects and synthesizer.

The opening track is a vocal story telling piece that is very well done. It was also the first album for his best known song Someday Sunday which he would go on to rework and re release throughout further albums.

Track Listing:
1 – The First Sleep – 2:21
2 – Through The Door – 4:10
3 – The Golden Key – 5:09
4 – The Morning Glory – 3:59
5 – Chan Fang-Sheng (Sailing Homeward) – 5:06
6 – Stuck On Mars – 3:21
7 – The Jupiter Effect – 6:07
8 – Someday, Sunday – 3:34
9 – The Last Sleep – 4:04
10 – Winding Road – 6:31

Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Sandy Simpson
Artwork – David Hastings (2), Kathy Hastings
Autoharp – Sandy Simpson
Backing Vocals – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Effects [Sound Effects] – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Electric Guitar – Sandy Simpson
Electric Piano – Jeff Johnson
Harpsichord – Jeff Johnson
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Percussion [Seasonal] – Sandy Simpson
Piano [Acoustic] – Jeff Johnson
Synthesizer – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson

Larry Norman – Upon This Rock – 1969

This was Larry’s first album after leaving “People”. This album was initially released on Capitol Records but Capitol said it didn’t reach sales objectives and Larry was dropped by them.

Larry immediately negotiated a distribution deal with Benson Records who put the album in Christian book stores and sales picked up.

The folk/rock sound of the album was fairly well received by the Christian music listener and this album is generally regarded as the first Christian rock album as opposed to the Jesus Music of the day.

The album was denounced by evangelists Bob Larson, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jerry Falwell all of which continued the diatribe that rock music was of the devil. Whether you like the album or not it has to be agreed that it started a new movement in Christian music.

The digital download version contains 3 bonus tracks.

Track Listing (Digital Version):
1 – You Can’t Take Away The Lord – 2:11
2 – I Don’t Believe In Miracles – 3:11
3 – Moses In The Wilderness – 3:13
4 – Walking Backwards Down The Stairs – 2:45
5 – Ha Ha World – 3:25
6 – Sweet Sweet Song Of Salvation – 3:53
7 – Forget Your Hexagram – 2:23
8 – The Last Supper – 3:14
9 – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 3:15
10 – Nothing Really Changes – 3:18
11 – Postlude – 2:14
12 – You Can’t Take Away the Lord (Demo – Bonus Track) – 2:08
13 – Sweet Song of Salvation (Live – Bonus Track) – 5:23
14 – Nothing Really Changes (Demo – Bonus Track) – 2:32

Track Listing (Vinyl version – Canada):
1 – You Can’t Take Away The Lord – 2:11
2 – I Don’t Believe In Miracles – 3:11
3 – Moses In The Wilderness – 3:13
4 – Walking Backwards Down The Stairs – 2:45
5 – Ha Ha World – 3:25
6 – Sweet Sweet Song Of Salvation – 3:53
7 – Forget Your Hexagram – 2:23
8 – The Last Supper – 3:14
9 – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 3:15
10 – Nothing Really Changes – 3:18
11 – Postlude – 2:14

Credits:
Arranged By – Tony Harris
Concept By [Conceived By], Written-By, Performer, Mixed By – Larry Norman
Design [Album Design] – David Coleman
Producer – Hal Yoergler

Servant – Caught In The Act of Loving Him – 1983

This was the 4th studio album from Servant and their first on their own short lived label, Roof Top records.

This album continued their progression as a great 80’s CCM Rock & Roll band. The songwriting was excellent and Sandie Brock’s voice was developing to a more Fleetwood Mac sound.

Many reviewers say she was sounding like Steve Nicks on this album by I don’t actually agree. Sandie’s voice is very distinctive and stands on it’s own.

Over all the album adds a little more electronics but holds steady as a great Rock & Roll album.

Track Listing:
1 – Burning Bridges – 3:57
2 – Thank God – 4:33
3 – Fall Out – 4:30
4 – Now Is The Time – 2:56
5 – Holding On To You – 3:58
6 – Heart To Heart – 3:13
7 – Gauges – 3:02
8 – Something Right For You – 3:24
9 – Tied Down – 3:58
10 – Can’t Go Back – 3:08

Credits:
Artwork – Rob Jaffe
Bass – Rob Martens
Drums – David Holmes
Keyboards – Matt Spransy
Lead Guitar – Bruce Wright
Photography By – Christopher Briscoe
Producer – Jonathan David Brown
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Owen Brock
Vocals – Bob Hardy, Sandie Brock

Alwyn Wall – Invisible Warfare – 1982

This was the first album from Alwyn Wall though he had released an album in 1977 under the name “The Alwyn Wall Band”.

A member of Malcolm & Alwyn in the 70’s this was really his second solo project. Albums were relatively rare from Alwyn but when they did come out they were good.

His albums had far less filler songs and I find it difficult to pick singles given the quality of the songs. You can’t really say this album sounds like anything. Instead Alwyn offers a style all his own.

This album was produced and engineered by Larry Norman and was probably the best job he ever did in those roles as most agree these roles were not his strong point.

Track Listing:
1 – Doctor, Doctor 5:15
2 – On Your Marks (Are You Ready?) 4:09
3 – Let The Light Come 4:43
4 – Hold On 4:24
5 – Someday 4:52
6 – I’m Alright Jack (The Greed Song) 3:16
7 – (You’ve Got To Be) Doers 3:42
8 – Greatest Show On Earth 4:08
9 – Jesus I Love You 1:42C

Credits:
Backing Vocals, Engineer – Mark Williamson
Bass – Tim Hatwell
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Engineer – Tim Jacquette
Guitar – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Producer, Backing Vocals, Engineer – Larry Norman
Vocals, Guitar – Alwyn Wall

Lex Rex – Beat The Heat – 1990

This is the one and only album from Lex Rex. It’s a good Heavy Metal album though a few tracks are just good old Rock & Roll.

The name is quite unique and is Latin for “God’s law is King”. Bass player Curt Walsh went on to tour with Clay Walker and Tony Vines now makes very high quality custom guitars.

Other than that there’s not a lot to say about the album other than it’s pretty darn good.

Track Listing:
1 – Blown Away – 4:34
2 – Beat The Heat – 3:29
3 – A Broken Heart – 4:48
4 – My Lord – 3:25
5 – I Kill Devils – 4:17
6 – Blood Of Love – 4:02
7 – Crying In The Night – 5:27
8 – Absolute Perfection – 3:24
9 – Sledgehammer – 4:00
10 – Daddy – 4:00

Credits:
Bass – Curt Walsh
Drums – Tony Vines (2)
Guitar – Tom Brock (3)
Producer – Lex Rex
Vocals – Harv Prichard
Written-By – Harv Prichard (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), Tom Brock (3) (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10)

John Michael Talbot – Hiding Place – 1990

Hiding Place was John’s first album in 1990. He was quite busy that year releasing 4 albums.

This album follows the same style of personal meditation as his previous albums. This album is somewhat repetitive in that manner but most listeners were happy with the new musical scores.

Despite John’s Roman Catholic faith his albums are well received by Christians of all faiths as evidenced by this album rising to 19th on the Contemporary Christian music charts.

Track Listing:
1 – The Hiding Place – 3:33
2 – Confession – 4:22
3 – I Will Lift Up My Eyes – 3:58
4 – Unless The Lord Build The House – 3:59
5 – Psalm 27 – 3:27
6 – Christ As A Light – 1:56
7 – Anima Christi – 3:23
8 – Surrender – 2:55
9 – My Vows To The Lord – 3:46
10 – There’s A Time – 4:20

Credits:
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Design – Brenda Whitehill
Engineer – Gil Morales
Guitar, Vocals – John Michael Talbot
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Orchestrated By – Phil Perkins
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Recorded By, Mixed By – Bernie Kirsh
Written-By – John Michael Talbot

Eternity Express – (self titled) – 1979

I must admit I knew nothing about Eternity Express before writing this review.

The album here is your typical late Jesus Music offering bridging into 80’s easy listening. It’s well produced and engineered and the band is pretty good at what they do.

But here’s the story on the band. The brother of evangelist Ken Gaub, Mike, joined up with Nathan and Dan Gaub to form a support band for Ken’s ministry. They had some erratic album releases and members came and went over the years.

In 2012 Dan Gaub appears to have committed suicide as he was being investigated by the FBI for securities fraud. It’s been alleged that he robbed investors of approximately 40 million dollars.

The band changed names in the late 80’s to “Illustrator” and released two albums under that name.

Track Listing:
1 – Reservation
2 – Turn Your Life Around
3 – Dream World
4 – Happy New Year
5 – Always There
6 – End Of The Line
7 – Shame
8 – Lost Love
9 – Stop Your Runnin’
10 – Never Alone
11 – Gotcha By My Side

Credits:
Nathan Gaub – Vocal, Bass
Mike Gaub – Vocal, Drums
Dan Gaub – Guitar & Arranging