Month: May 2020

Hank Laake Band – Life and Death – 1983

This 1983 release from The Hanke Laake Band definitely had a Hard rock edge. Though I’ve seen the comparisons to Def Leopard I don’t quite agree. The vocals do get a Def Leopard sound in production, but the music itself is far more rock and roll than heavy metal. Hanke Laake was from Iowa, but he chose to record and release his albums through Tunesmith Records from BC Canada. Hanke Laake was the lead singer and drummer which wasn’t that common. Point of trivia is that Hanke Laake has since converted to Judaism and moved to Israel. He no longer performs music.

Track Listing:
1 – Time To Rock – Written-By – Hank Laake, Terry Fitzsimmons – 4:05
2 – What’s Wrong With Me – Written-By – Hank Laake – 3:45
3 – Sin’s A Losing Game – Written-By – Dan Brown , Hank Laake – 4:12
4 – Life And Death – Written-By – Hank Laake – 3:55
5 – Don’t Walk Away – Written-By – Hank Laake, Terry Fitzsimmons – 4:15
6 – Celebrate – Written-By – Hank Laake – 3:42
7 – We Are Free – Written-By – Dan Brown, Hank Laake – 3:48
8 – I’m In You – Written-By – Hank Laake – 4:42
9 – For Free – Written-By – Hank Laake, Terry Fitzsimmons – 4:25
10 – New Freedom – Written-By – Hank Laake, M. Donner – 3:53

Credits:
Bass – Dean Stokka
Cover – Mason Bros. Studio
Drums – Hank Laake
Guitar – Dan Brown, Terry Fitzsimmons
Lead Vocals – Hank Laake
Photography – Mason Bros. Studio
Producer – Hank Laake, Josef Laake
Vocals – Dean Stokka, Terry Fitzsimmons

Sammy Hall – Dream Sessions – 1985

At this point in his career Sammy was comfortable with releasing albums on his own label. He must have been getting fairly good distribution as he chose to take this path with his career. Lots of others tried to go this route with relatively little success. This is a good easy listening album. It is well produced and the quality of tracks is top notch. That said I think Sammy was a little stuck in the 70’s still as this album has a 70’s feel. It’s a good feel, but it was a little outdated.

Tracklist
01 – Dream Session – 2:59
02 – Take Me Back – 3:52
03 – Mary Ann – 3:43
04 – I Feel A Hurt Coming On –
05 – Why – 3:20
06 – Am I Right – 4:03
07 – See You At The Top – 3:14
08 – Cryin’ In The Rain – 3:31
09 – Let’s Get Together – 2:29
10 – The American Trilogy – 5:16

Seraiah – Soldiers Of Jehovah – 1988

Formed in 1985 this was the first demo from Seraiah. They had 2 successful albums after this but quite frankly this little 4 song demo was some of their best work in my opinion. The songs have a little more raw a feel than their future albums but that is quite typical of a demo. In this case that raw sound really works. I absolutely love the track “Known In Hell” and it is disappointing that it never made it’s way onto one of their albums. In fact it’s a pity none of these track made it onto an album because they are all great tunes. As I’ve said in other Metal reviews this is not my preferred style of music but I really liked this demo and full suggest you give it a lesson.

Tracklist
1 – Rock Without Sin – 3:28
2 – Known In Hell – 4:11
3 – Never Have To Say Goodbye Again – 3:38
4 – The Light – 3:36

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael McClung
Drums – Kyle Dietz
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Quinton Gibson
Lead Vocals – David J. McClung

Lightforce – Battlezone – 1987

This was the first full album release from Lightforce but it was self released. I’m not really sure where the line is between a demo and a self released album but anyway I digress. Originally this was released on cassette only but a vinyl version appeared in 2019 courtesy of Soundmass records. It was also included in a 2003 compilation entitled 1986 To 1989. This album has a pretty raw feel which I believe was entirely intentionally. Though this is an early version of Mortification the Lightforce had their own sound and it is a little more commercial. While metal is not one of my preferred styles of music I quite liked the track “Reigning With The King”, I think it cold have been a pretty popular track if it had wider distribution.

Tracklist
1 – Choose To Win – 4:31
2 – Evil Desires – 2:54
3 – Reigning With The King – 5:40
4 – Eyes of Destruction – 5:42
5 – I Won’t Conform – 2:41
6 – The Day Is Near – 2:34
7 – Battlezone – 2:44
8 – Fast Lane – 3:52

Credits
Bass – Steve Rowe
Cover, Layout, Design – Scott Waters
Drums – Errol Willenberg
Guitar – Cameron Hall
Vocals, Keyboards – Steve Johnson

The Archers – Fresh Surrender – 1977

This really was the album that put The Archers on the map. Billy Masters and Nancy Short were out and Janice was finally officially in though she had been with the band on tour for quite awhile at this point. The album took a far more upbeat style that was very well received as was Janice. I’m pretty sure that hair sold a few albums in the male listener market. (Hand Up) The studio was filled with A list musicians and the the quality reflects that. The album had an astounding seven charting singles and was nominated for A Dove award but lost out to Dallas Holm and Praise. Really? OH those were some pretty terrifying times for the Gospel Music Association. Anyway give it a listen, if you’re a Jesus Music fan you’ll like it.

Tracklist
1 – I Need You – 3:33
2 – Fresh Surrender – 3:55
3 – With Every Breath I Take – 4:28
4 – Water Into Wine – 3:16
5 – Give Him Praise – 4:48
6 – I’m Gonna Rise – 3:12
7 – Change – 3:31
8 – Sanctified Life – 3:33
9 – Make Me An Instrument – 4:41
10 – You Know The Future – 4:23

Credits
Arranged By [Instrumental] – Larry Muhoberac, The Archers
Arranged By [Vocals] – The Archers
Bass – David Hungate, Reinie Press, Wilton Felder
Concertmaster – James Getzoff
Drums – Dennis Holt, Jim Keltner, Mike Baird, Paul Leim
Engineer – Billy Taylor, Dennis Drake, John Guess, Larry Emerine, Steve Maslow, Wally Duguid
Guitar – Ben Benay, Dean Parks, Fred Tackett, Lee Ritenour, Tony Sena
Keyboards – Larry Muhoberac, Phil Kristianson
Lead Vocals – Janice Archer, Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Orchestrated By – Larry Muhoberac
Strings – James Getzoff

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Benson Pub. Co.
Published By – Libris Music
Recorded At – Western Recorders
Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Devonshire Studios
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering

Phil Keaggy – Love Broke Thru – 1976

This is Phil’s second solo album. It is still very revered to this day partly because of the track “Love Broke Thru”. The track was actually written by Keith Green and Randy Stonehill for Keith Green. Strangely Keith Green wanted Keaggy to release it before he did and so it was. The track “Time” features Keaggy’s innovative guitar technique of “violin-like swelling” which I can honestly say I don’t like but it is very well liked by actual musicians which I am not. The track “As The Ruin Falls” is actually an arrangement of he C.S. Lewis poem of the same name. Guest appearances include Michael Omartian on keyboards, Annie Herring (2nd Chapter Of Acts), Matthew Ward, and Mylon LeFevre doing some background vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Love Broke Thru – 3:30
2 – Take Me Closer – 4:57
3 – As The Ruin Falls – 4:31
4 – Wild Horse – 4:16
5 – Disappointment – 2:39
6 – Time – 6:47
7 – Portrait – 2:03
8 – Just The Same – 3:43
9 – Things I Will Do – 3:14
10 – Abraham – 3:32

Credits
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Michael Omartian
Backing Vocals – Annie Herring, Matthew Ward, Mylon LeFevre
Bass – Leland Sklar
Contractor [String Contractor] – George Poole
Design – Linny Cobb
Drums – Jim Gordon
Engineer, Producer – Buck Herring
Executive Producer – Scott Ross
Flute – Don Menza
Guitar [All Guitars] – Phil Keaggy
Horns – Bill Baker, Marshall Cyr
Keyboards [Aarpvark] – Michael Omartian
Percussion – Herring, Hopper, Keaggy*
Photography [Back Cover, Label And Sleeve Photography] – Peter K. Hopper
Photography [Cover Photography] – Ted Len
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Organ – Larry Knetchel*

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – New Song Productions
Copyright (c) – New Song Productions

Adam Again – Ten Songs by Adam Again – 1988

The second album from Adam Again is a huge step up from their first. I am not saying the first album wasn’t good because it was. It is just that this album had a huge improvement in production quality and Gene was really developing his style whatever you want to label that style as. This album at times has a funk feel, sometimes a fusion feel and at times I hear R.E.M. While that description might lead you to believe the album is all over the place it isn’t. The album has a consistent feel and is very well assembled. The surprise on the album is a cover of the Bill Withers 1971 song “Ain’t No Sunshine” which is done perfectly. All in all I love this album though I will be honest I didn’t care for The Tenth Song. This was also their first album on Broken Records which I have read was actually owned by Gene and Ojo Taylor.

Tracklist
1 – Tree House – 6:53
2 – Beat Peculiar – 8:23
3 – Who Can Hold Us – 4:29
4 – Babylon – 1:45
5 – I’ve Seen Dominoes – 6:16
6 – Trouble With Lies – 5:16
7 – Ain’t No Sunshine – 2:38
8 – Eyes Wide Open – 5:52
9 – Every Word I Say – 5:46
10 – The Tenth Song – 5:47

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Norman Fog
Engineer [Occasional Engineering (Dave’s Not Here)] – Gene, Glenn Holland, Greg, Riki*
Guest [With], Percussion [All Percussions] – Nathan Alford, Jr.
Guest [With], Saxophone [All Saxophones] – Dan Michaels
Guest [With], Vocals – Archie Robinson (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Arveal Johnson (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Lanette Elkles (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Larry Simpson (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Laura Smith (9) (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9)
Mixed By – Dave, Gene
Performer [Played And Sung By] – Gene Eugene, Greg Lawless, Paul Valadez, Riki Michele
Photography By [Photos] – Brian Ray
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Gene Eugene
Recorded By – Dave Hackbarth

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright (c) – Brainstorm Artists International
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Neverland
Published By – Chenka, Chenka Music
Published By – Interior Music
Made By – Discovery Systems

Servant – Rockin’ Revival – 1981

Servant turned it up a notch for their second album, Rockin Revival. Bob Rock returned to engineer the second album and gave it a much more refined sound. The album bounced around with a few different styles, but they all came together and were placed in a logical order on the album. The album finished off with what I believe would have been the single, “I’m Gonna Live”. That said my favourite track is “Suburban Josephine, a fun 50’s feeling track. Point of trivia is that the song, Jealousies, was a cover of an Eddie Money song and he is credited. This is such a good album it easily slides into a high position in my top 50 albums.

Tracklist
1 – Babylon – 4:03
2 – Rockin Reival – 4:18
3 – Isolated – 4:13
4 – Heidleburg Blues – 3:00
5 – Listen – 3:00
6 – Jealousies – 3:47
7 – Suburban Josephine – 3:53
8 – Ad Man – 3:33
9 – I’m Gonna Live – 5:33

Credits
Bass – Rob Martens
Engineer – Bob Rock
Engineer [Assistant] – Mike Fraser
Lead Guitar – Bruce Wright
Lead Vocals – Bob Hardy, Sandie Brock
Organ [Hammond] – Matt Spransy
Percussion – Bob Hardy, Sandie Brock
Piano – Matt Spransy
Producer – Bob Brooks
Rhythm Guitar – Owen Brock
Synthesizer [Polymoog, Prophet 5, Oberheim Synthesisers] – Matt Spransy
Vocals – Owen Brock, Rob Martens

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Praise Industries Corp.

Liberation Suite – Stride for Stride – 1981

In 1981 Liberation Suite moved back to the United States. They carried with them a freshly recorded album from the UK Even though they were actually an American band they had been labelled as a European band. As a result they actually had a difficult time finding a label for this album. This is strange as Chapel Lane had released it in the UK. Finally they got Star Song to bite thankfully or we would have missed out on this album. This album has a bit of a Sweet Comfort Band sound to me but it is their own sound and I think perhaps the similarity was simply the changing sound of the period.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XSYAzAQX5PhOOm0IYF4r8o8

Tracklist
1 – Lay Your Sadness Down – 4:41
2 – Stride For Stride – 5:00
3 – Listen – 2:10
4 – How Do I Get To You – 3:59
5 – Heal The Broken Hearted – 4:19
6 – Somehow I´m Changing – 2:35
7 – All I Wanna Do – 4:25
8 – You Are Worthy – 6:03
9 – Where My Home Is – 4:37
10 – Song Of Heaven – 2:30

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Phil Thomson
Bass Guitar – Fred Perez
Drums – Randy Hill
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Guitar – Barry Bynum, Jim Hazel
Keyboards – Barry Bynum, Jim Hazel
Lead Vocals – Barry Bynum, Howard Lyon
Photography By – Norbert Neetz, Phil Thomson
Producer – Roger Hand
Trombone – Howard Lyon
Vocals – Fred Perez, Jim Hazel, Randy Hill

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Star Song Records
Produced For – Chapel Lane Productions
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – StraightWay Music
Published By – StraightWay Music
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios

The Electrics – Livin’ it Up When I Die – 1998

The 5th album from The Electrics turns it up a bit. Their eclectic mix of Rock and Celtic sound is just what the doctor ordered in 1998 and at this point the band had perfected their sound. It was refreshing to find a sound like the Pogues with a far more positive message. Guest stars on the album include Big Country’s Stuart Adamson playing guitar to “Rolling Home”, and Phil Keaggy playing guitar on “Face”, a rather rock song that doesn’t really fit with the album but is a great tune.

Tracklist
1 – Party Goin’ On Upstairs – 3:49
2 – Rolling Home – 3:17
3 – Come Back Down – 3:47
4 – Livin’ It Up When I Die – 2:51
5 – Yer Man McCann Can – 4:03
6 – Piping Hot – 2:52
7 – Till I’m Old – 3:06
8 – Hey Paddy – 3:33
9 – Have A Jar On Me – 2:25
10 – Raggle Taggle Gypsy – 2:46
11 – Face – 2:39
12 – Outakes Medley – 3:05

Credits
Jim Devlin – Composer, Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
The Electrics – Primary Artist
Matt Huesmann – Mastering
Wade Jaynes – Mixing
Phil Keaggy – Guest Artist, Guitar (Electric)
David Lyon – Composer
Phil Madeira – Accordion, Composer, Engineer, Photography, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Julie Miller – Guest Artist
Mark Robertson – Vocals (Background)
Antoine Silverman – Fiddle
Frank Tate – Executive Producer