Month: May 2019

Jerusalem – Volume 2 (Volym 2) – 1980

This second effort from pioneering Swedish CCM rockers Jerusalem is just as good as the first, which is not an easy feat in the music biz. The style and tracks and tenacity are all consistent here from the first album.

Once again there were parallel version in Swedish and English for this album. The English translations were still struggling a bit on this record, which is a problem that seemed to be solved in later albums.

Similar to expressions from volume 1 like “Jesus, He is the most fantastic / that happened to my life” convey the right meaning but leave the listener with the knowledge that this is something different. It’s Swedish rock. No meaning is lost, and when you let go, it’s even a lot of fun just to run with it. Volume 2’s “Dialogue (between one person)” would probably have been titled “Soliloquy” if it were written in England, but this is some good rock’n’roll so we don’t really care.

Scroll down for the Swedish Release

Tracklist
1 – Wake Up – 5:35
2 – Rock-N-Roll! – 4:19
3 – Love Song – 3:38
4 – Gethsemane – 3:45
5 – I Depend On You, Jesus – 4:41
6 – Introduction – 8:04
7 – Dialogue (Between One Person) – 4:30
8 – By By World – 5:30
9 – A Flower – 4:11

Credits
Artwork By – Anders Buhlund
Bass – Anders Mossberg
Drums, Percussion – Klas Anderhell
Engineer – Boje Lundberg
Music By – Dan Tibell (tracks: B2)
Photography – Labe Alwlwin
Photography [Front] – Lennart Dannstedt
Piano, Organ, Synthesizer [Moog] – Dan Tibell
Producer – Swante Bengtsson
Vocals, Guitar, Written-By – Ulf Christiansson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Prim Records
Copyright (c) – Prim Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Engineered At – Supreme Studio
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Printed By – General Printing AB

Swedish Release

Tracklist
1 – Pass På – 5:35
2 – Bara Rock ‘N’ Roll – 4:19
3 – Kärlekssång – 3:38
4 – Getsemane – 3:45
5 – Jag Behöver Dej – 4:41
6 – Introduktion – 8:04
7 – Dialog – 4:30
8 – Ajöss Med Dej Värld – 5:30
9 – Jag Vill Ge Dej En Blomma – 4:15

Barnabas – Feel The Fire – 1984

This was the 4th release from Barnabas and the lineup remained the same as their previous release (Approaching Light Speed). This is also the line up that would be together until the end in 1986. This album continues their Heavy Metal / Hard Rock / Pop sound. If Barnabas wasn’t known for this sound combo I would probably be annoyed with it but by this album I was used to it. I read a few reviews of this album and was struck by how many said this was their favourite album. Personally after thinking about it I don’t even know which I would pick as my favourite. Anyway it’s another great album from Barnabas.

Tracklist
1 – Prelude – 2:20
2 – The Dream – 2:32
3 – Breathless Wonderment (The Dream Becomes Reality) – 6:48
4 – Hearts – 7:02
5 – Feel The Fire – 5:22
6 – Northern Lights – 3:45
7 – Follow You Up – 5:09
8 – Suite For The Souls Of Our Enemies (Part I – Hammer & Sickle) – 5:03

Credits
Art Direction [Art Director] – Dan Lienart
Artwork [Cover Art] – Kernie Erickson
Bass Guitar, Keyboards – Gary Mann
Drums, Percussion – Kris Klingensmith
Guitar – Brian Belew
Photography By – Randy Taylor
Producer – Tom Tucker
Producer, Arranged By – Barnabas
Vocals – Nancy Jo Mann

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Triad Studios, Des Moines
Mastered At – Future Disc

Flock 14 – Brave New World? – 1987

This was the first project of 2 by Tim McAllister the later being World Theater. This project has a completely different set of musicians than World Theater. Tim had originally signed a record deal with Blue Collar Records but they folded before an album could be released. Subsequently Tim met people at Graceland Records and this album was released. The single “Your Eyes” charted in the Top 10 on the CCM Rock Charts. It’s a pity Tim only had 2 projects as I think he had a lot of talent and I for one would have liked to hear more.

Tracklist
1 – Your Eyes – 4:07
2 – Upside Down – 4:19
3 – Come Away – 4:57
4 – Big Boys – 4:19
5 – Panic – 2:48
6 – 10,000 Years – 3:34
7 – Watch Her – 4:19
8 – Disposable People – 4:00
9 – Anxious – 3:54

Credits
Band [Flock 14 Is], Bass [String Bass] – Evan (18)
Band [Flock 14 Is], Drums – Bryan DeHart
Band [Flock 14 Is], Keyboards, Bass [Key Bass] – Dennis Childers (2)
Band [Flock 14 Is], Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programming – Tim McAllister*
Design [Album Cover Design] – Thomas Wolfe
Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski
Photography By [Front Cover Silhouette Photo] – Don Anderson (17)
Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By] – Timothy McAllister (2)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Graceland
Copyright (c) – Graceland
Manufactured By – Graceland, Inc.
Distributed By – Graceland, Inc.
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus
Recorded At – The Sound Shop, Portland, OR
Recorded At – Parallel Strategy, Cincinnati

Various – Rock of the Ages – Rock & Roll From The Third Dimension – 1983

This sampler is relatively unremarkable in that all the songs on it were very well known. The only thing that stood out about the release was that the album cover was 3D and the album came with 3D glasses so you could enjoy it.

Tracklist
1 – Leslie Phillips – Put Your Heart In Me (Beyond Saturday Night) – 4:00
2 – Randy Stonehill – The Glory And The Flame (Between The Glory And The Flame ) – 3:10
3 – Imperials – How Can You Live (Stand By The Power) – 3:46
4 – Maria Muldaur – Keep My Eyes On You (There Is A Love) – 4:01
5 – Kenny Marks – He’ll Finish What He Started (Follow Him) – 3:11
6 – Amy Grant – Too Late (Never Alone) – 3:15
7 – White Heart – You’re The One (White Heart) – 3:56
8 – David Edwards – Anything But Love (Get The Picture) – 3:34
9 – Dion – I Put Away My Idols ( I Put Away My Idols) – 3:08

Leviticus – I Shall Conquer – 1985


This was the first album from Swedish Metal band Leviticus. It was originally released in Sweden in Swedish in 1983. The band redid the album in English for a European and North American Release. Leviticus played the Greenbelt festival in England in 1984, and 1985 in support of this album. This album has a bit of a symphonic feel that disappeared in the bands later releases. The engineering on this album was not the best in my opinion as it appeared the producer/engineer were going for the “wall of sound” feel which never works well on a Metal album again in my opinion. The album was re-released in 2000 on CD with bonus material.

Tracklist
1 – I Shall Conquer
2 – Let Me Fight
3 – He’s My Life
4 – Doubt
5 – Action More Than Words
6 – All Is Calm
7 – Day By Day
8 – Strive Forwards
9 – Psalm 23

Credits
Bass – Håkan Andersson
Drums – Kjell Andersson
Guitar – Björn Stigsson
Lead Vocals – Håkan Andersson
Percussion – Kjell Andersson
Vocals – Björn Stigsson

Michael Omartian – Adam Again – 1976

Adam Again is a solid example of 1970s pop with an overall easy listening approach reminiscent of 1970s radio. There are some sounds reminiscent of James Taylor and Billy Joel. This album has a smooth sound that foreshadows the polish he brought to artists like Christopher Cross.

Michael may be more famous for his work producing albums for stars like Christopher Cross, Michael Bolton, Whitney Houston, Rod Stewart, Donna Summer, Billy Joel, Jerry Garcia, John Lennon, Steely Dan, Shania Twain, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Quincy Jones, Tim McGraw, and a lot of others..

Michael Omartian had a few solo albums through the 70s and 80s as well as some with his wife billed as “Michael & Stormie Omartian.”

From Michael’s website bio:
Michael Omartian has contributed his talents to over 350,000,000 albums and CD’s sold worldwide as a producer, composer, arranger, artist or musician. He is the first record producer to chart #1 hits in three consecutive decades. With seventeen Grammy nominations including Producer of the Year, Album of the Year and Gospel Album of the Year, Omartian is a multiple Grammy Award winner. Additionally, Michael has been recognized by The Recording Academy (NARAS) as Keyboard Musician of the Year and is a Yamaha sponsored artist.

Topical for the 1970s, “Whatchersign” warns against the cultural obsession with the zodiac. “Annie The Poet” is a strong storytelling piece that would have fit very well on a Billy Joel album. “Alive and Well” is a high energy song reminding us that Satan is alive and well and offering us everything we think we want.

Tracklist
1 – Ain’t You Glad – 2:52
2 – No Matter What Shape You’re In – 3:16
3 – See This House – 3:53
4 – Whachersign – 3:30
5 – Annie The Poet – 3:58
6 – Telos Suite (Prelude) – 1:31
7 – Telos Suite (Alive And Well) – 4:44
8 – Telos Suite (Adam Again) – 4:59
9 – Telos Suite (Here He Comes) – 6:00

Credits
Alto Saxophone [Solo] – Ernie Watts (tracks: A3)
Backing Vocals – Ann White, Carolyn Willis
Bass – David Hungate (tracks: B2, B3), Lee Sklar (tracks: A5), Scott Edwards (2) (tracks: A2, A4), Wilton Felder (tracks: A1, B4)
Concertmaster – Sid Sharp & The “L.A. Super Strings”
Drums – David Kemper (tracks: A1, A5, B2 to B4), Ed Greene (2) (tracks: A2, A4), Michael Omartian (tracks: A3)
Engineer – Tommy Vicari
Guitar – Dean Parks (tracks: A1, A2, B4), Larry Carlton (tracks: B3), Lee Rittenaur (tracks: A2, A4, B2, B4), Richard Bennett (tracks: B2, B3)
Guitar [Solo] – Larry Carlton (tracks: B4)
Horns – David Duke, Don Menza, Ernie Watts, Paul Hubenon, Vince DeRosa
Lyrics By, Backing Vocals – Stormie Omartian
Percussion – Victor Feldman (tracks: B2, B3)
Photography By – Harry Langdon
Producer, Arranged By, Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Music By – Michael Omartian
Synthesizer – Michael Omartian (tracks: A3, B1)
Trumpet [Solo] – Paul Hubenon (tracks: B2)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Sound Labs, Hollywood
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Published By – American Broadcasting Music, Inc.
Published By – Holicanthus Music
Published By – Landers-Roberts Music
Published By – April Music Inc.

Notes: released also under the title “Onward”

Liberation Suite – Liberation Suite – 1975

This album was the worlds introduction to Liberation Suite. Originally from Texas they actually moved to the United Kingdom after signing with Myrrh Records. This album, was released in 1975 and their careers took off. In support of this album they toured with Malcolm and Alwyn, Barry McGuire, and Jamie Owens. I remember first hearing this album in the early 80s and was surprised by the Rock and Roll sound on some tracks. Though the band was known as a Jesus Music band they actually leaned to Rock & Roll on several tracks on this album. The thing that stands out on this album to me is the use of a horns section. At times you would swear your listening to the “Tower of Power” but nope it’s just the guys in the band. This album may be my favourite use of a horn section in CCM music.

Tracklist
1 – Led To Roam – 2:48
2 – Run, Run, Lucifer – 4:43
3 – My Lord Is A Remedy – 3:06
4 – Oh Lord, You Know (That I Feel So Fine) – 4:07
5 – Reachin’ For The Sky – 4:18
6 – More Than A Matter – 3:58
7 – Presence Of The Lord – 4:21
8 – Hearken – 5:52
9 – I Wanna Be With You – 3:59

Credits
Bass Guitar, Alto Saxophone, Vocals – David Bynum
Coordinator [Album Co-ordination] – Miles McKee
Design [Cover Design] – David Casey (3)
Drums, Congas, Vocals, Cover [Cover Concept] – Randy Hill
Engineer [Engineered By] – Gerry Kitchingham
Guitar [Guitars], Keyboards, Synthesizer [Moog And String Synthesizers], Vocals – Barry Bynum
Instrumentation By, Arranged By – Liberation Suite
Photography By – John Leigh (2)
Producer [Produced By] – John Pantry
Trombone, Harmonica, Vocals – Howard Lyon
Trumpet, Flute, French Horn, Vocals – Paul Lyon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word Music (UK)
Copyright (c) – Word Music (UK)
Recorded At – R.G. Jones Studios
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd.
Made By – Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd.

Brent Lamb – One Man – 1986

Brent Lamb was an accomplished song writer before he started his singing career. This album was a follow up to his Tug Of War album. This album has a very strong tech feel but maintains a Rock & Roll base. If I had to describe it I would say it’s Sweet Comfort Band on steroids. All in all it’s a pretty good album and makes me want to hear more from him.

Tracklist
1 – One Man
2 – Destination Home
3 – The Seasons Of My Soul
4 – A Dime A Dozen
5 – Ambush
6 – Line Of Fire
7 – I Love You Anyway
8 – Crazy Mad Man
9 – Tell My Why
10 – All That I Can Be

Credits
Arranged By, Producer – Phil Naish
Backing Vocals – Brent Lamb, Gary Pigg, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drum Programming [Machine] – Gary Lunn
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Guitar – John Goin
Guitar [Additional And Solos] – Dann Huff
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Programmed By [Synthesizers] – Jeff Balding, Phil Naish

World Theatre – World Theatre – 1989

This was the one and only album from World Theatre. The lead vocalist and apparent leader of the band Tim McAllister was also in a band called Flock 14 who released an album in 1987 with a similar sound and feel. That sound is solidly New Wave. I hate to do this but you should be hearing The Cure in most of their work. This is an album I didn’t listen to until this year (2019) and I’m sad I missed it when it came out.

Tracklist
1 – If I Stumble – 4:34
2 – This Talk – 3:53
3 – Gently Down (Last Thursday) – 3:48
4 – Water Spill – 3:29
5 – Dream It’s Safe – 4:52
6 – Monday – 4:22
7 – 10 Tears – 4:14
8 – Takes So Long – 3:24
9 – Pain, Desire, Faith – 5:14

Credits
Guitar – Gary Egger, Jim Abegg
Lap Steel Guitar, Vocals – Paul Stewart
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Piano, Bass Guitar, Keyboards – Linford Detweiler
Producer – Tim McAllister
Snare, Hihat, Bass, Cymbal, Tom Tom – Bill Bullock
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Bass – Tim McAllister

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution

Various – Adventures in the Land of Big Beats & Happy Feets – 1989

This has to be the worst sampler in the history of Christian music. It’s not the songs that are bad, they are great songs from great artists. It’s what they did with them that is the problem. Let me explain. This album is constructed as follows. The opening, ending, and all odd number songs are studio dance beats attributed to non existent bands. All of the even songs are well known songs by well known artists BUT they have been “remixed and extended”. Now first of all this album came out in 1989 and the secular music scene was done with cheesy two bit extended dance tracks. But for whatever reason Word Records chose at this late time to jump on a bandwagon that had already left the building. So here we go. Every song we have heard of before on this album is an “extended remix”. I use the term “extended remix” term loosely as these are without a doubt the worst remixes I have ever heard. So what we have here is the business idea of re releasing the same content over and over again only this time they pretended to dress it up as something new. What a disaster. OK listen to the album once and forget about it, that’s what I did.

Tracklist
1 – Rakim D. & The Garden Beats – Prologue – 2:03
2 – Imperials – Fallin’ – 4:18
3 – Bunny Whop And The Hip Hop – Baow Baow Baow – 1:06
4 – Philip Bailey – Thank You – 5:29
5 – Randy McNally & The Road Dogz – Rappin’ Detail – 1:12
6 – Amy Grant – Wise Up – 6:28
7 – Billy B. & The Beez Nees – No Bout Adoubt It – 1:11
8 – Steve Taylor – Svengali – 5:46
9 – Billy B. & The Beez Nees – Doutout – 0:57
10 – Kim Boyce – I Just Want To Celebrate – 5:16
11 – The Nerf Wilson Ensemble – Tee Vee Whiz – 0:51
12 – Ideola – Jericho – 4:28
13 – The Nerf Wilson Ensemble – Gee Tee Vee – 1:12
14 – Russ Taff – I’ve Come Too Far – 5:39
15 – Snappo Schultz – BBBBBeatitudinal – 1:16
16 – Sheila Walsh – Ship Of Love – 7:00
17 – Snappo Schultz – BBBBBeatitudinal – Part II – 1:01
18 – Randy Stonehill Cold Rock The Groove – 4:35
19 – Rakim D. & The Garden Beats – Epilogue – 0:42

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Bradley Grose
Compilation Producer – Leon Mulczk
Coordinator [Cover] – Laurie Fink (2)
Executive-Producer – Tom Willett
Music By [Link Music By] – Lee Cahuenga (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19)
Remix [Re-mixes], Edited By [Edits] – Lee Cahuenga
Written-By [Links Written By], Producer [Links Produced By] – Linx, Inc. (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19)

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.