Month: April 2020

Sheila Walsh – Shadowlands – 1986

This was Sheila’s 7th album and her first after fleeing Sparrow Records for Myrrh Records. She definitely upped her Pop sound for this album and it’s actually a great album. The record company may have changed but the different tracks for the UK vs US releases continued. The UK version contained “I Hope And I Pray” instead of “Christian”. That said both tracks were included on the CD release and we are using that CD release. I have never understood why this occurred so frequently on her albums compared to others. The album was very well received receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance by a Female but unfortunately Sandi Patti won the category with an easy listening album, no surprise there. The album spawned 4 singles with “Christian” doing the best peaking at #4. Reading through the comments I noticed that Mark Williamson from the Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix sang some background vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Sand in the Hand – 3:43
2 – Ship of Love – 3:59
3 – Keeper of the Key – 3:49
4 – The Hungry Night – 4:13
5 – Valley of Tears – 4:35
6 – Christian – 4:17
7 – Big Boy Now – 4:48
8 – Last Word in Love – 4:13
9 – What Do You Know (That I Don’t) – 5:29
10 – Never Give It Up – 4:05
11 – I Hope and I Pray – 3:46

Credits
Barry Blue – Producer
Simon Brenner – Songwriter
Matthew Cang – Guitar, Bass
Mel Collins – Saxophone
Lance Demers – Songwriter
Gavin Harrison – Drums
Sheelagh Lippell – Songwriter
London Community – Gospel Choir
Annie McCaig – Background Vocals
Jon Moss – Songwriter
Lynn Arthur Nichols – Executive Producer
Richard Osborne – Producer, Arrangements, Programming, Guitars
Mick Parker – Keyboards
Don Snow – Background Vocals
Alvin Stardust – Duet Vocal
Jon Sweet – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements
Rod Trott – Songwriter
Sheila Walsh – Vocals
Mark Williamson – Background Vocals

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Swot Productions
Recorded At – Swot Studios
Mixed At – Swot Studios
Recorded At – Aosis Studios
Mixed At – Aosis Studios
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.

Ishmael – The Charge Of The Light Brigade – 1975

I know you’ve always said I wish Ishmael United did an album with After The Fire. OK no one ever actually said that but here it is anyway. This is a fantastic album. It has that quirky Ishmael sound a lot of us would grow to love. You probably never heard of this album but there’s a reason. As explained by Ken Scott (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition)…

“Probably one of the most controversial Ishmael albums and banned from a large chain of Christian bookshops due to the song content. The lyrics graphically announced of the dangers of occult, the stupidity of preaching to seagulls and the problems of Church unity. Oh yes, and the first and last album that is likely to contain a song called ‘I am just a Charismatic’. The Ishmael ‘dry humour’ which was added to help lighten some of the subject matter proved to be very unfunny to the less jovial Christians of the day.”

Well that explains that. Low and behold it has a Rock & Roll song., “Sixth Virgin” which id a style we never heard from Ishmael or ATF for that matter. Personally my favourite track is the ballad “Spiritual Stagnation” which was years ahead in it’s styling, remember it was 1975.

Tracklist
1 – Charge Of The Light Brigade – 3:40
2 – Spiritual Stagnation – 4:21
3 – Mission To Seagulls – 3:21
4 – Simon And The Gypsy – 3:12
5 – I Am Just A Charismatic – 2:50
6 – Laodecean Church – 3:18
7 – Christian Straitjacket – 3:18
8 – Sixth Virgin – 3:32
9 – King Of Glory – 5:10
10 – Amen And Praise De Lord – 5:20

Credits
Design – Dave Gillard (2), Geoff Gillard
Songwriter – Ian (alias Ishmael)
Band – After The Fire

Companies, etc.
Published By – Thankyou Music – 1975
Published By – Word (Uk) Ltd. – 1975
Pressed By – Tranco Limited
Designed At – Gillard Bros Graphics

Petra – Back to the Street – 1986

This was the 8th studio album from Petra and the first with lead singer John Schlitt who replaced Greg X. Volz. It was also the first album produced by the Elefante brothers as the bands previous producer Jonathan David Brown left the band with Greg X. Volz. By the time the band had found John Schlitt most of the music had already been recorded so it was a relatively simple process to get the album done. Back to the Street was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Performance by a Gospel Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus but did not win. It was won by Larnelle Harris & Sandi Patti for “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”. Personally Petra should have won this Grammy but even by 1986 the industry had a difficult time recognizing it’s rock element. John Schlitt’s vocals gave this album a more Rock feel but it still sat squarely in the Pop category for me.

Tracklist
1 – Back To The Street – 4:12
2 – You Are I Am – 3:08
3 – Shakin’ The House – 4:28
4 – King’s Ransom – 4:18
5 – Whole World – 4:50
6 – Another Crossroad – 3:50
7 – Run For Cover – 3:15
8 – Fool’s Gold – 4:48
9 – Altar Ego – 4:43
10 – Thankful Heart – 3:17

Credits
Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Art Direction – Bill Brunt, Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – John Elefante, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Mark Kelly
Bass – Mark Kelly
Concept By – Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Cover [Cover Design] – Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Guitar [Guitars] – Bob Hartman
Illustration – Randy Rogers
Keyboards – John Lawry
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – John Elefante
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Photography By – Bill Brunt, Ron Keith, Scott Bonner
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Programmed By [Fairlight Programming] – John Lawry

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios

Sweet Comfort Band – Hearts of Fire! – 1981

Hearts of Fire is the 4th studio releases from Sweet Comfort Band and the start of a new direction. While their previous release “Hold on Tight” had been met by many reviewers with a yawn Hearts of Fire was very well received. Vocals were pretty well taken over by Bryan Duncan who had a much better Rock & Roll voice than Randy Thomas. The album was more upbeat and had a more “80’s” feel and it was also a bit more cutting edge due to plenty of lyrics to a broader group of issues, something relatively rare for albums of this period. This album was a personal; favourite of mine in 1981 and I remember many hours cruising in cars listening to “Isabel”.

Tracklist
1 – Isabel – 4:08
2 – You Can Make It – 2:44
3 – They Just Go On – 3:34
4 – The Road – 3:49
5 – Feel Like Singin’ – 3:32
6 – Now Or Never – 3:33
7 – Can You Help Me? – 3:50
8 – Contender – 3:10
9 – Just Like Me – 2:47
10 – You Need A Reason – 3:16

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Bob Bennett
Bass [Alembic] – Kevin Thomson
Concertmaster, Violin [Solo] – Doug Cameron
Design, Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Drums, Vocals – Rick Thomson
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Randy Thomas
Engineer [Assistant] – Bobby Gerber, Chip Orlando, Mike Wambsgangs
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Photography By [Inner Sleeve] – Alan Bergman
Piano, Keyboards [Prophet 5], Vocals – Bryan Duncan
Producer, Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano [Rhodes], Keyboards [Prophet 5], Organ [Hammond], Percussion, Handclaps, Arranged By [String & Horn] – David Diggs
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Saxophone, Flute – David Boruff
Saxophone, Flute, Tenor Saxophone [Solos] – Jim Coile
Trombone – Alan Kaplan
Trumpet – Larry Hall, Ollie Mitchell

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Sound Labs, Hollywood
Recorded At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Farrell & Farrell – Manifesto – 1986

I’ll be honest about this album. I didn’t listen to it in the 80’s so this week was the first time I heard it. It’s actually quite good. I thought Farrell and Farrell were essentially an easy listening team but this album is in fact is a pop album. This was also their last album on Star Song before moving over to Dayspring (Word). Anyway I don’t know much about what the Farrell’s were up to in this period as little is actually written about them. Interestingly David Robbins provided some vocals on the album but was better known as a lead singer for Mastedon and X-Sinner. What was he doing on a pop album?

Tracklist
1 – Launch Window – 4:25
2 – Captain Video – 3:35
3 – Manifesto – 3:50
4 – The Possible Dream – 4:29
5 – Fair Companion – 3:35
6 – Corazon (Loving Heart) – 3:28
7 – First Love – 4:09
8 – Hidden Agenda – 4:07
9 – Hearts And Minds – 3:30
10 – People All Over The World – 5:27

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Dave Rogers
Bass – Jimmie Lee Sloas
Contractor – Nat Peck
Drums – Chad Cromwell
Engineer – Bill Whittington, Daniel Johnson, Danny Johnson, Dick Lewzey, John Hampton, Michael D. Clute, Pat Taylor, Steve Price
Executive Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Ron W. Griffin
Keyboards, Guitar – Michael Demus
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Niko Lyras
Orchestra – The London Studio Orchestra
Producer, Arranged By, Mixed By, Programmed By, Keyboards, Vocals – Carl Marsh
Producer, Vocals – Bob Farrell
Vocals – David Robbins, Jayne Farrell, Ron Hemby

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Ardent Recordings, Inc.
Recorded At – Sounds Unreel Studios
Recorded At – CTS Studios
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Stage III
Recorded At – Cotton Row Recording Studio
Mixed At – Cotton Row Recording Studio

Dubiel – Demo 1 – 1986

Dubiel was formed by Mary DuBiel in Connecticut who later changed their name to DuBeel. They were an excellent Hard Rock band with killer female lead vocals. People who saw the band live have fond memories of the drummer who apparently used baseball bats and his head for crashing symbols. Makes me wish I had seen them. It’s rather obvious that the band didn’t didn’t get a record deal as their JPM count was way too low. Pity really as they were a great band and their was definitely room for their style of Rock & Roll. There is a second demo as Dubiel and 2 as DuBeel. If you like your Rock hard with very strong female vocals you need to hear this demo.

Tracklist
1 – On And On – 3:22
2 – Show Me The Way – 3:13
3 – Ever Forever – 3:15
4 – Stay – 4:17
5 – Step Into The Light – 3:38

Credits
Arranged By – Cannata, DuBiel
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Jim Christian
Bass, Vocals – Chris “CJ” Thom
Cover, Artwork – Al Silva
Drums, Other [Concussion] – Thomas Mark
Engineer – Bill Burke, Jeff Cannata, Joe Mendyk
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Cummings
Keyboards – Carol Coty
Lighting Director – Joe Paradise
Producer – Jeff Cannata
Technician [Sound], Effects [Additional Digital] – Robert “Grover” Washington
Technician [Stage] – Jeff McCabe
Vocals – Mary DuBiel

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Audio West
Mastered At – Masterdisk

Leviticus – Knights Of Heaven – 1989

This was the last album from Leviticus (there was a 2000’s reboot album) as the band separated after the support tour. This album turned more to a commercial sound perfected by the Elefante brothers. In fact I would say that some of the tracks on this album would fall in the Hard Rock category rather than metal. The album sold well and many thought it was their best work.

Tracklist
1 – Born Again – 3:38
2 – The World Goes ‘Round – 4:16
3 – Isn’t It Love – 4:32
4 – Oh, Lord – 4:51
5 – Feel So Good – 2:20
6 – Strong Love – 3:38
7 – Messiah – 3:55
8 – Over The Hills – 3:55
9 – For Once In My Life – 4:07
10 – Love On Fire – 3:40

Credits
Backing Vocals [Additional Musician] – David Amato
Bass, Backing Vocals – Niklas Frannklin
Design [Cover] – Donna Del Sesto
Design [Cover], Executive-Producer – David Del Sesto
Drums, Percussion – Kjell Andersson
Engineer – Bosse Reimer, Mike Mierau
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons
Executive-Producer – Magnus Erikson
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Bjorn Stigsson
Illustration – Robert Fisher
Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Peo Pettersson
Mixed By [Using Eventide H3000B] – Gil Griffith
Producer – Dino, John Elefante

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Royal Music Productions
Copyright (c) – Royal Music Productions
Distributed By – Refuge Music Group
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution
Recorded At – Royal Music Studio
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Overdubbed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Pressed By – Denon Digital Industries

Deniece Williams – So Glad I Know – 1986

This was Deniece’s first purely gospel release on a purely gospel label (Sparrow). She was still under contract with Columbia records at the time so those would have been some interesting negotiations. That said she was such a strong performer at the time she could probably get anything she wanted. While researching this album I found that the mainstream reviewers bashed it pretty hard. I can only guess this was a gospel album backlash as the alum was very good and did great. It got to No. 8 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Female Grammy. The duet with Sandi Patty “They Say” actually won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus. The single “I Surrender All” won the Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female. Ummm that’s a pretty darn successful album in my opinion. As for the album it has a Pop/Soul sound and if our familiar with Deniece Williams’s secular work you’ll recognize this albums sound.

Tracklist
1 – Just In Time – 3:49
2 – Wings Of An Eagle – 4:58
3 – My Soul Desire – 4:14
4 – They Say – 5:20
5 – Straight Ahead – 4:10
6 – So Glad I Know – 4:05
7 – I Surrender All – 4:13
8 – If We Are The Light – 3:44
9 – What You Do For Me – 3:57

Credits
Artwork, Design – Peter Nomura
Engineer – Frank Wolf
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Alan R. Hirshberg, John Bolt, Lars Nefzger, Mitch Gibson, Steve Ford
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Photography By [And Make-up] – Marc Raboy
Producer – Brad Westering
Remix – Frank Wolf
Remix [Assistance] – Steve Ford
Vocals – Deniece Williams, Sandi Patty, Paul Jackson, Jr.

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Gateway Music House, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Gateway Music House, Inc.
Pressed By – Nimbus, Virginia

Ephraim – Ephraim – 1979

Ephraim were a 5 piece band out of Minnesota and this sums up everything I know about them. This was their only album and none of its members ever appeared to go on and do anything recorded. So let’s move on to the album. It’s great!!! As far as format goes it is your typical Jesus music album but very well done. It has the usual assortment of Rock, Country, Bluegrass and a funk tune mixed in for good measure. Quite frankly it’s so well done I am amazed I have never heard of these guys. The album appears to have been a very limited release so I guess that’s the reason but surely someone at the big CCM labels heard this album. Anyway if you’re a fan of early Daniel Amos I think you’ll love this album. Oh and the cover is excellent!!!

Tracklist
1 – Long Hard Ride
2 – Round Like A Donut
3 – He Loves Me
4 – Closed On Sunday
5 – He’s the One
6 – Night Life
7 – The River Song
8 – The Lone Ranger
9 – Breakdown
10 – Psalm 117

Credits
Bass – Dean Nelson
Drums, Percussion – Rick Naylor
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Percussion, Twelve-String Guitar – John “Woody” Manias
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar – Daren John Hastings
Piano, Synthesizer, Organ, Harmonica, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Tim Oberg

Look Up – Look Up – 1986

In 1986 Mylon & Broken Heart released a “crossover” album using the Moniker Look Up on Columbia Records. Personally this is my favourite album from them. While the album isn’t overtly Christian it does contain a remixed version “Peace Begins Within” from the We Believe album and a cover of DeGarmo and Key’s “Love is All You Need”. The cover version by the way is just excellent. I’m a little confused as to why this was done as by 86 we already knew this crossover stuff didn’t really work. Now even more confusing is the list of guests on this album. Dana Key, Dave Perkins, Ed DeGarmo, Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Kerry Livgren, and Philip Bailey. That’s quite the lineup of Christian artists for a secular album. The last strange thing is that the album was produced by Dana Key, Ed DeGarmo, and Joe Hardy. But hey it worked, great album.

Tracklist
1 – It’s Alright With Me – 3:52
2 – Love Is All You Need – 3:15
3 – Peace Begins Within – 4:01
4 – San Francisco – 4:08
5 – I Wish I Hadn’t – 2:31
6 – The Gunfighter – 3:37
7 – Heart Of Iron – 4:19
8 – Saturday Night – 3:51
9 – Got To Get Used To It – 3:05

Credits
Band [Look Up Is], Bass, Vocals – Kenny Bentley
Band [Look Up Is], Drums [Digital Drums], Percussion – Ben Hewitt
Band [Look Up Is], Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Michael Tyrell, Scott Allen
Band [Look Up Is], Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Vocals – Paul Joseph
Band [Look Up Is], Vocals, Guitar [Guitars] – Mylon LeFevre
Engineer [Engineered By] – Joe Hardy
Guest [Special Guests] – The Bar-Kays, Dana Key, Dave Perkins, Ed DeGarmo, Jimi Jamison, Kerry Livgren, Philip Bailey
Legal [Legal Representation] – Joel A. Katz
Mixed By – Joe Hardy
Photography By – Jimmy Collins
Producer [Produced By] – Dana Key (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B4), Ed DeGarmo* (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B4), Joe Hardy (tracks: All), Mylon LeFevre (tracks: All)

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Manufactured By – CBS Records
Manufactured By – CBS Inc.
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA
Distributed By – CBS Records
Distributed By – CBS Inc.
Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.