Month: September 2019

Rich Mullins – Rich Mullins – 1986

Mullins started his music career while attending Cincinnati Bible College in the late 70’s forming a band called Zion (Not the heavy metal Zion). They released a demo in 1981 called “Behold The Man”. On that demo was a song “Praise to the Lord”. This is where it all took off for Mullins. Amy Grant ended up picking up the song and used it on her hit album Age To Age. As a result of Amy’s huge hit Mullins decided to start a solo career. This was his first album on his own and it was a lot more uptempo than his previous work. It was very very well received and it’s Pop sound was played heavy on Christian Radio. Unfortunately on September 19, 1997 Rich passed from this world in a automobile accident.

Tracklist
1 – A Few Good Men – 3:45
2 – A Place To Stand – 4:10
3 – Live Right – 4:34
4 – New Heart – 3:10
5 – Elijah – 4:37
6 – Nothing But A Miracle – 4:06
7 – Both Feet On The Ground – 3:41
8 – These Days – 3:35
9 – Prisoner – 3:27
10 – Save Me – 2:50

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Kent Hunter, Thomas Ryan Design
Bass – Gary Lunn
Drums – Keith Edwards
Engineer – J.B.
Engineer [Assistant] – Billy Whittington, Keith Penny, Spencer Chrislu
Executive-Producer – Brown Bannister, Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton
Guitar – Greg Jennings
Keyboards, Piano – Phil Naish
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Reed Arvin
Management – Gay Quisenberry
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Reed Arvin
Sleeve Notes – Amy Grant
Vocals – Amy Grant, Billy Crockett, Chris Harris (2), Chris Rodriguez, Mark Heimermann

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records
Copyright (c) – Reunion Records
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Riverstone Studio
Published By – Meadowgreen Music Company
Published By – Edward Grant, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Made By – Allied DT

One Bad Pig – Smash – 1989

This was the first album from One Bag Pig though there was a demo before this that was re-released in 2008. One bad Pig had a distinctive sound that was a mix of Punk and Thrash. They were a bit of a shock to the Christian music scene/ There had been a few thrash bands but not quite like this one. The band got their name from a pic of a pig wearing sunglasses. Carey Womack remarked “That’s one bad pig” and Paul Q-Pek replied, “That would be a great name for a punk band! We should form one.” The rest is history.

Tracklist
1 – Godarchy – 3:09
2 – Isaiah 6 – 2:38
3 – Let´s Be Frank – 3:38
4 – People Cry Out – 3:57
5 – Frat Rats – 2:26
6 – Smash The Guitar – 3:44
7 – Kingdom Come – 4:33
8 – Take A Flying Leap – 2:15
9 – I´m Not Getting Any Older – 4:28
10 – Looney Tune – 1:24
11 – Don´t Be Fooled – 3:19
12 – Blow And Go – 2:14

Credits
Arranged By – Billy Smiley, One Bad Pig
Artwork [“Pig” Art By] – Jamie Cervantes
Band, Bass – Streak Wheeler
Band, Drums – Philip Owens
Band, Guitar – Paul Q-Pek
Band, Lead Vocals [Lead Screamer] – Carey “Kosher” Womack
Chorus [Gang Chorus Vocals] – Chad Brock, Dale Oliver, Dave Mullen, Ric “Tubes” Florian
Concept By [Cover Concept By] – One Bad Pig
Design [Package Design], Layout – Jeff Spencer
Engineer [Engineered By] – Lee Groitzsch
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Mixed By – Billy Smiley, Lee Groitzsch
Percussion – Chris “Slick” McHugh, Mike Connell
Photography By – Weston Wolfe
Producer [Produced By] – Billy Smiley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal Records
Copyright (c) – Pure Metal Records
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution, Inc.
Recorded At – Warner Bros Nashville Music Recording Studios
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Smiling Swine Music
Published By – Place Of Refuge
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Talking Drums – Courage – 1982

I have a strange relationship with this EP. In the mid 80’s I was working as a secular DJ and some how I discovered this album. It was an import to Canada so it must have been a friend that found it. Anyway I played it fairly heavy and had no idea they were a Christian band. They were one of a few bands that early on were on the “Sticky Music” label out of Scotland. The label was started by a couple of Christian guys who didn’t really intend for it to be a Christian label. I guess it really wasn’t as it featured secular bands but apparently all of them were Christians. This EP was a great dance track album and I have fond memories of playing the lead track quite regularity. Funny it took me over 30 years to learn they were a Christian band.

Tracklist
1 – Courage
2 – Parasuicide
3 – Descartes Lives
4 – Lost In The 20th Century

Credits
Bass – Stewart McEwan
Congas – Malcolm ‘Hyper’ Duffin
Design [Graphics By] – Carol, Mairi
Drums [Talking Drums] – Derek Clark
Engineer – Ian McCreadie
Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Maracas [A Mean Maracca] – Dot Irvine
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Charlie Irvine
Lead Vocals, Typography [Letraset], Percussion – Carol Moore
Producer – Steve Butler
Songwriter [Songs By] – Charlie, Dot

Trytan – Celestial Messenger – 1987

Trytan were often referred to as the Christian Rush. This was their first album and apparently was just a straight remix of one of their Demos. Surprisingly it turned out very well. While the album was missing some dynamic range the mix is really good. It handles the excellent guitar work of Lary Dean as well as the outstanding drumming of Scotty Blackman very well. While the vocals are very “Rush” like I find the music to be it’s own animal and I like it. This is actually the 2000 CD re-release that included 3 bonus tracks. Point of trivia is that Trytan was apparently an acronym for “To Reach Youth Through the Almighty Nazarene”.

Tracklist
1 – Gettin’ Ready – 3:44
2 – Don’t Turn Away – 4:08
3 – Mr. Electric – 5:14
4 – It’s War – 5:19
5 – Rip Van Winkle – 4:22
6 – Chains – 4:47
7 – Nowhere To Run – 4:57
8 – Genesis – 7:07
Bonus tracks
9 – In Her Eyes
10 – The Grinch
11 – To Be Free

Credits
Bass – Steve Robinson
Drums – Scotty Blackman
Guitar – Lary Dean
Keyboards – Steve Robinson
Lead Vocals – Lary Dean
Vocals – Scotty Blackman, Steve Robinson

Pete Carlson – Dreamer’s Dream – 1982

Pete had a few albums in the 70’s but this was really the album that made him known. It is a decidedly easy listening album sometimes referred to as AOR. Again this is not really my style of music but I appreciate music when it’s well done regardless of the style and this album is well done. Dayspring/Word must have sunk some real money into this project as the Credits list is huge. Interesting person on the credit list is guitarist Dann Huff from White Heart.

Tracklist
1 – Let Him Hold Your Heart – 3:35
2 – Run Inside – 3:29
3 – Dreamer’s Dream – 3:44
4 – The Love Of God – 3:28
5 – Warm Fire In A Cold World – 4:15
6 – Take Me Away – 3:37
7 – Lead Me In Your Love – 3:07
8 – What A Friend – 3:48
9 – Lord Of The Universe – 2:21
10 – Thanksong – 3:21

Credits
Pete Carlson – vocals, guitars
Keith Thomas – backing vocals, keyboards, producer
Dann Huff – guitars
Brent Rowan – guitars
Jon Goin – guitars
Bob Wray – bass
Mark Hammond – drums, percussion
Farrell Morris – percussion
Terry McMillan – percussion
Dennis Solee – sax
John Darnall – string arrangement
Terry Townsend – flugelhorn
John Catchings – cellos
Martha Wiggins – cellos
Dan Furth – violas
Kristi Wilkinson – violas
Conni McCollister – violins
Pauli Ewing – violins
Paul Tobias – violins
Lee Joiner – violins
Phylis Hiltz – violins
Larry Lasson – violins
Mark Feldman – violins
Karla Worley – backing vocals
Dennis Worley – backing vocals
Melodie Tunney – backing vocals
John Lee – backing vocals
Jan Lee – backing vocals
Don Hart – vocal arrangement

Fighter – The Waiting – 1991

This was the introductory album from Fighter. Fighter was a new group of musicians from Iowa including husband and wife, Amy and Jim Wolter. Billy Heller, Mark Pence, and Sean Murphy rounded out the lineup. The album has trade off vocals from Amy and Sean and it works well. It’s a good Rock & Roll album that has more of a mid eighties sound than a early nineties sound. Fighter did very well on the independent Christian Rock charts in fact they may have been one of the highest charting introductory bands of the time. If you like your Rock with an arena feel you’ll love this album.

Tracklist
1 – Look Me In The Eye
2 – Wishful Thinking
3 – Shadows
4 – Face To Face
5 – Star One
6 – Do What You Want
7 – Running The Race
8 – Nice Guy
9 – The Waiting
10 – Radio Man
11 – Stop Look Listen

Credits
Backing Vocals – Amy Wolter, Billy Heller, Jim Wolter, Mark Pence, Sean Murphy (17)
Backing Vocals [Gang Vocals] – Amy* (tracks: 2, 8), Bill* (tracks: 2, 8), Caesar Salad* (tracks: 2, 8), Jim* (tracks: 2, 8), Sean* (tracks: 2, 8)
Bass – Jim Wolter
Drums – Sean Murphy
Engineer – John Thomson, Tom Tatman
Guitar – Billy Heller
Keyboards – Mark Pence
Lead Vocals – Amy Wolter, Sean Murphy
Photography By – Michael Wilson
Producer – Caesar

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Wonderland
Copyright (c) – Wonderland
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Disctronics USA – 114100
Recorded At – Catamount Recording
Mixed At – Catamount Recording
Published By – Big Rage! Productions

Morgan Cryar – Fuel On The Fire – 1986

Morgan Cryar’s fourth album turned it up the Rock and Roll knob another notch. The top single was “Pray in the USA. This song was an anthem at the time and spoke out at the problem of removing prayer from Schools. Strangely the song did not chart on the CCM charts but it just wasn’t mellow enough. Several other songs did single on the CCM charts. All in all this is a very very good album and Pray in the USA in particular filled a empty space in Christian music due to it’s Springsteenish sound.

Tracklist
1 – Pray In The USA
2 – I’m Not Alone
3 – Underneath Your Feet
4 – I Gotta Know
5 – I Need The Rock
6 – Break The Chain
7 – Sibling Rivalry
8 – Under The Rug
9 – Strength Of The Weak
10 – Hideaway

Credits
Bass – Doug Pinnick
Drums – John Andrew Schreiner
Guitar – Ty Tabor
Producer – Roy Salmond
Vocals – Morgan Cryar

The Front – The Front – 1983

The Front was Larry Williams and Bob Wilson from Seawind, Dann Huff from White Heart, and was fronted by Tommy Funderburk. This was the only album produced by The Front but really they should have done more. The album is a period correct Pop album with strong engineering/production which was appropriate for the time. All in all it’s a pretty good album with several songs that should have got airplay. Point of trivia about the album is that it was the first CCM album to come out on CD.

Tracklist
1 – It’s Hard To Take – 4:44
2 – Holy Light – 4:31
3 – All Under Him – 4:23
4 – King Of Glory – 4:50
5 – The Promise – 4:20
6 – Silent Night – 4:44
7 – Tonight – 4:27
8 – How Long – 4:09

Credits
Backing Vocals – Andraé Crouch (tracks: B2), Kristle Edwards (tracks: B2), Linda McCrary (tracks: B2), Phyllis St. James (tracks: B2), Tata Vega (tracks: A4, B2), Tom Kelly (tracks: A2, A4)
Bass – Dennis Bellfield
Bass, Guitar – Kevin Clark
Drum Programming [Simmons] – Ron Wikso
Drums, Keyboards [Additional], Producer – Bob Wilson
Engineer – Kevin Clark
Engineer [Addtional] – Jim Griffith
Engineer [Assistant] – Connie Hill, Drew Bennett, Michael Ross
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards – Larry Williams
Lead Vocals, Producer – Tommy Funderburk
Photography By – Robert Peak

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.

The Servant Band – The Sounds of Praises – 1980

This is not Servant (Oregon/Vancouver) nor is it Servant (Chicago). This is Servant Band from Asheville, North Carolina. This was their only release and I struggles to find out anything about the band. It is a 1980 release but doesn’t have that left over Jesus Music band sound. It has a heavy edge on several tracks and an easy listening sound on some. It’s actually a very good album and it’s a pity this was it from them. I can’t help but to wonder if they went on to produce other music using a different name due to the Servant name conflict. If you know anything more about them feel free to let me know.

Tracklist
1 – Sound of Praises – 5:45
2 – On the Horizon – 3:48
3 – The Mime – 5:09
4 – What A Difference Mercy Makes – 3:03
5 – Household of Fear – 3:18
6 – Strength to My Soul – 5:28
7 – Turn Back – 6:18
8 – The Visitation – 4:19
9 – Just Praise His Name – 1:17

Limit – When The Clock Strikes – 1988

Limit was another excellent band out of Sweden. This was their only release though apparently they did release a single in 1983 using the name Reflex. A few of the tracks have a Hard Rock sound but mostly the album has a Pop sound. It is very well produced which is surprising as it was producer Mårten Eriksson first album. There was such a great sound coming out of Sweden in the 80’s and this album is example of it.

Tracklist
1 – When The Clock Strikes
2 – Lifeforce
3 – Honestly
4 – There Is Power
5 – Over And Under
6 – King Of Love
7 – You Are Called
8 – Come
9 – Marching Out
10 – Passion Sea
11 – Divine Wind

Credits
Backing Vocals – Helena Sehlberg, Urban Johansson
Drums, Backing Vocals – Peter Olsson
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Trazan Nordström
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Anders Svedberg
Photography – Leif Wikberg
Producer, Engineer, Bass, Vocals – Mårten Eriksson

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Samsound Musikstudio
Mixed At – Samsound Musikstudio
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg