Don’t know much about this band except that Steve Patrick of Holy Soldier was the lead on this project. Strangely he is credited as Steve O’Donnell and there is a Sean O’Donnell credited also. None of the rest of the names in the band seem to have done anything else so this little gem will remain a mystery. I was researching Steve Patrick and was happy to see he’s still making music. His most recent album is country and is actually pretty darn good.
Tracklist 1 – Kill ‘Em With Love – 5:47 2 – Hell On Wheels – 6:17 3 – Emerald Stare – 4:31 4 – Revelation – 2:30 5 – Grave Beneath The Willow – 5:59
Credits Bass, Keyboards – Kelly McDonald Drums – David McNinch Keyboards, Lead Guitar – Sean O’Donnell Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Steve O’Donnell
Joshua Paharia formed the band Joshua in 1983. Later the same year he became a Christian and the band suddenly made lyrical changes to reflect this. This is their first album and it’s pretty darn good. It straddles the hinge of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock and does it well. Strangely the album was a huge success in Japan with “November Is Going Away” making it to #1 on some Japan chart. The album was released in 1984 with 2 bonus tracks in Japan. Those bonus tracks were included in subsequent releases of the album through the years and they have also been included here.
Tracklist 1 – Falling Again – 4:19 2 – November Is Going Away – 4:57 3 – Sweet ‘Lil Hurricane – 3:11 4 – A Song For Lisa – 4:20 5 – Let’s Breakaway – 4:47 6 – Broken Dream – 3:01 7 – Flying High – 4:17 8 – Portrait Of A Woman – 4:25
This was Evie’s album for 1981. She generally put out an album every year which unfortunately, in my opinion, diluted the quality of her albums. This album was pretty well received and some even called it innovative though honestly I don’t hear anything different than her earlier albums. The album had one single on the CCM charts. “How I Love You Lord” made it to #9 with a very strong 27 weeks on the chart. A quick skim through the studio musicians doesn’t reveal any interesting names except for Al Perkins who I think was on every studio musician album in the 80’s.
Tracklist 1 – How I Love You Lord – 3:45 2 – Bind Us Together – 3:20 3 – The Cross Where Jesus Gave His Life – 3:40 4 – Be Still – 4:10 5 – I Love My Jesus – 3:30 6 – Unfailing Love – 5:50 7 – A Picture Of You – 3:50 8 – All The Glory – 3:30 9 – You Gave A Song – 3:10 10 – The Lord’s Prayer – 3:40
Credits Arranged By [String Arrangements], Conductor – Stan Endicott Backing Vocals – Evie Bass – Darrel Cook Design [Cover Design] – Finn Tornquist Drums – Keith Edwards Engineer – Chris Taylor Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Keyboards – Harlan Rogers (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A5, B2 To B5) Keyboards [Extras], Guitar [Extras], Mandolin [Extras], Synthesizer [Extras], Producer, Arranged By, Backing Vocals – Pelle Karlsson Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Kelly Willard (tracks: A4) Photography By – Allwil, Dannsted Steel Guitar – Al Perkins
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Produced For – White Field Music Recorded At – Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Whitefield Studios Manufactured By – Prim
Personally I kind of find this album to be another Barry filler album. I’m not saying the man wasn’t talented but he did put out a few albums that were just sort of there. This is one of those albums in my opinion. That said the track “Communion Song” is definitely a classic worship song that you will even hear today. The track that stands out to me is “Chubby, Chubby” which is a fun song about Christians being fat. It stands out to me because I hate fat shaming (especially when hidden as humour) now and I hated it then. As someone who as a kid (right around 1977) had to hear people make fun of my overweight mother I don’t see the humour in it. Sorry Barry but you struck out on this one.
Tracklist 1 – There Is A Peace – 3:04 2 – Sometime, Someplace – 3:19 3 – Beatitudes – 3:35 4 – Ol’ Branch – 3:11 5 – Chubby, Chubby – 3:26 6 – Communion Song – 3:48 7 – My Lord – 2:34 8 – Good Ole Gospel Feelin’ – 3:04 9 – Light Of The World – 4:13 10 – Don’t Thank Me – 2:41
Credits Arranged By [Strings] – Jimmy Owens Art Direction – Robert Lockart Bass – Leland Sklar Drums – David Kemper Engineer – Larry Emerine, Randy Cox Guitar, Guitar [Dobro], Mandolin – Mike Deasy Percussion – Fred Petry Photography By – Gary Heery Piano – Richard Souther Producer – Billy Ray Hearn Remix – Larry Emerine Vocals – Bili Thedford, Janny Grine, Katherine Ward, Matthew Ward, Mike Deasy, Shirley Matthew’s Singers, The, Terry Oerlich, Terry Talbot
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Quad Teck Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles Mixed At – Studio 55, Los Angeles Distributed By – Word Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
The metal decade gave us a lot of gems and Barnabas is one of them. This is the band’s second album, much more refined than their first. From day one the band showed potential, and with this release the production quality shot up dramatically. Nancy Jo Mann’s solid vocals shout out over some hard marching guitar riffs and a tight band. Even on “If Love Brings Love” with a piano part that would be Layla’s little cousin, the driving guitars won’t let you forget where you are and what decade this is.
This is the 2000 remaster by Rev Hillstrom at Creation Station Studios, Robinsdale, Minnesota. It includes a bonus track “All Alone” which was originally recorded for this album but record company politics kept it off the album at the time.
Tracklist 1 – No Freedom – 4:37 2 – Stormclouds – 4:43 3 – If Love Brings Love – 4:12 4 – Waiting For The Aliens – 6:21 5 – Warrior – 4:01 6 – Never Felt Better – 3:26 7 – Subterfuge – 5:59 8 – Crucifixion – 5:52 9 – All Alone – 5:45
Credits Bass, Keyboards – Gary Mann Cover [Cover Art] – Kernie Erickson Drums, Percussion – Kris Klingensmith Engineer – Tom Tucker Engineer [Additional Technical Assistance] – John Hurst Guitar – Brian Belew Photography By – Dennis Mabie Producer – Barnabas, Tom Tucker Vocals – Nancy Jo Mann Remaster- Rev Hillstrom
Back in the days of working for KYMS I used to run the board for a pre-recorded “rock” show called The Ground Floor. The show changed names to “The Edge” and was hosted by Gord Driver who was an engineer and music producer. At some point Driver decide to start a record company. The label was short lived but did preoduce a few really good releases. There was a great jazz band called Razz, a powerful alternative/punk band called Modern Mission and the most successful, a new wave keyboard driven band called The Imitators. There only full length album, Once and For All, showed a great deal of promise but was never followed up as the band moved to New Jersey, fell into financial hardship and disbanded. Driven by a keyboard centered similar to the Psychedelic Furs, Flock of Seagulls and a touch of Duran Duran type vocals. Fans of the Christian Band 4-4-1 would find something to like here as well. Nothing too heavy, though some controversy was stirred up over the lyrics to one song that discussed Christian Youth caught in sexual sin. Realizing early on that they were “preaching to the choir” they placed the lyrical focus on encouraging a Godly lifestyle amongst the Christian Youth they were performing for on a regular basis. So lyrical content swirled around issues youth group kids could relate to.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Within You – 3:27 2 – Idols – 3:57 3 – Got To Feel The Fire – 3:17 4 – I’ll Keep Holding On – 3:13 5 – Children Of The Lie – 4:21 6 – Sometimes (I Think I’m Never Gonna Make It) – 3:27 7 – Get A Little Bit Closer – 3:57 8 – The Writing’s On The Wall – 3:17 9 – Once And For All – 3:13
Credits Bass – Robert Villegas Design [Cover Design], Layout – Ed McTaggart Design Concept [Cover Concept] – The Imitators Drum Programming [Linn Drum] – Dave Spurr (tracks: B3) Drums – Richard Cabrera Engineer, Mixed By – Gord Driver Guitar – David Price Keyboards, Vocals – Philip Mason Mastered By – Steve Hall Performer [Imitators Is] – Barry Edge, David Price, Philip Mason, Richard Cabrera, Robert Villegas Photography By – Alex MacDougall Producer – Gord Driver, The Imitators Vocals, Guitar – Barry Edge
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Lexicon Mixed At – Asaph Recording Mastered At – Future Disc Phonographic Copyright (p) – Exile Records Copyright (c) – Exile Records
So what does a band do when their songwriter leaves the band to go back to school? They put out an album of covers, problem solved. OK I’m not sure that’s exactly why they put out this album but that is the official timeline leading up to it. The album contains cover versions of songs both from secular and Christian music. I’m not really too sure what the point of the album was but I suspect they were just having a bit of fun. I can only imagine the nightmare this album was as far as licensing goes. Anyway it’s a fun album filled with punked up versions of mainly 80’s songs (but not all) that is fun to listen to but I wouldn’t take it too seriously.
Tracklist 1 – I Love Rock And Roll – 2:53 2 – Earth Angel – 2:10 3 – True Faith – 4:12 4 – Just What I Needed – 2:43 5 – Friends – 3:37 6 – Acquiesce – 3:25 7 – I See Red – 3:51 8 – Walking On Sunshine – 3:25 9 – The Guitar Song – 3:57 10 – Hey Nonny Nonny – 3:11 11 – On The Road Again – 2:04 12 – Where Is My Mind? – 3:36 13 – Burnin’ Love – 3:15 14 – The Invisible Man – 2:09 15 – Untitled (Hidden Track) – 1:30
Credits Bass – Christian Ergueta Drums – Adam Neubauer Executive-Producer – Brandon Ebel Guitar – Jamie Tolosa Mastered By – Brian Gardner Producer – Ghoti Hook Producer, Engineer – Kevin 131 Vocals, Guitar – Joel Timothy Bell
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Tooth & Nail Records Copyright (c) – Tooth & Nail Records
This was the first studio album from Guardian though they did have a demo using the name Fusion and another using the name Gardian. They inked the deal for this album in 1985 with Enigma Records but the wheels of production and release moved very slowly. The album was to be produced by Oz Fox from Stryper and he wasn’t immediately available. Recording did finish in 1988 but then for some reason it didn’t get released until 1989. Quite frankly Enigma really screwed this one up. By the time this album came out they should have been on their follow up album and another tour but the screw ups over at Enigma cost themselves and the band a lot of success and the resulting money. To top this all off Enigma did a short run of the album making it difficult for people to get their hands on. This was a great metal album and if it had been properly promoted, pressed, and distributed it might have been one of the biggest Christian Metal releases. I’m not even going to bother telling you about the album, give it a listen, I know you will be impressed. Another annoying thing Enigma did was to put 2 extra tracks on the CD release. This idea wasn’t’ unique to Enigma, lots of others did it but it was a dumb idea.
Tracklist 1 – I’ll Never Leave You – 4:32 2 – Mystery Man – 4:07 3 – Livin’ For The Promise – 4:09 4 – Miracle – 4:56 5 – Saints Battalion – 3:47 6 – Kingdom Of Rock – 3:25 7 – The Good Life – 4:41 8 – One Of A Kind – 3:33 9 – World Without Love – 3:56 10 – Rock In Victory – 3:50 —CD Bonus Tracks— 11 – Hyperdrive – 4:17 12 – Marching On – 3:55
Credits Art Direction, Design – Dean Van Eimeren Backing Vocals [Additional Backing Vocals] – Oz Fox Bass – David Bach (2) Drums – Rikk Hart Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Allen Isaacs, Gene Eugene, Jeff Simmons Engineer [Assistent Engineer], Coordinator [Studio Coordination] – Dave Hackbarth, Dino Elefante Engineer, Mixed By – Dan Nebenzal Keyboards – Brent Jeffers Lead Guitar – Tony Palacios Lead Vocals, Guitar – Paul Cawley Mastered By – Eddy Schreyer Mixed By, Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Mike Mierau Photography By – Steve Cooper Producer, Mixed By – Oz Fox Vocals – David Bach, Tony Palacios
Companies, etc. Record Company – The Benson Company, Inc. Made By – Discovery Systems
This is the fourth album from the Archer brothers and their first on Light Records. Things We Deeply Feel is the last album to feature female vocalist Nancye Short who sings lead on “It Wouldn’t Be Enough”. This song put The Archers on the map as it became a #1 on the Adult contemporary charts. The album also spawned a few other singles but “It Wouldn’t Be Enough” was the money track. Light records spent a lot of money on the studio band and also an embossed album cover that must have cost a fortune at the time. The album also contains the most countrified song they ever did, “You Are My Inspiration”. While this was a very successful album and Nancye was an excellent vocalist I prefer their albums once sister Janice joined the band.
Tracklist 1 – Music (He Brings A New Song) – 3:35 2 – Giver Of Life – 3:27 3 – Sit Yourself Down – 2:54 4 – Lord, You’ve Been Good To Me – 2:47 5 – It Wouldn’t Be Enough – 3:59 6 – I’m With Jesus – 3:15 7 – Brand New Day – 3:31 8 – You Are My Inspiration – 2:58 9 – If You Can’t Believe In Love (You Don’t Believe In Anything At All) – 3:17 10 – It’s Love To Me – 3:01 11 – Praise Him – 2:52
Credits Arranged By [Rhythm Charts] – Bobby Sisco Arranged By [Strings/Brass] – Clark Gassman Bass – Leland Sklar Drums – Ed Green, Hal Blaine Engineer – Jerry Barnes Fiddle [Electric] – Harold Hensley Guitar – Ben Benay, Dan Ferguson, Jay Graydon, Lee Ritenour Keyboards – David Paich Liner Notes – Ralph Carmichael Percussion – Allan Estes Performer [Uncredited] – Billy Masters Producer – Bill Cole Steel Guitar – Red Rhodes Synthesizer [Moog] – Clark Gassman Vocals [Uncredited] – Nancye Short, Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc. Recorded At – Western Recorders
This is the first of two albums by Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet. The second one is the one most people know about but this is where it started. Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet were one one of the first bands signed to the new Myrrh records. Most of the early Myrhh bands leaned to the easy listening style but these guys were a straight up Rock & Roll band. The album has the standard seventies Jesus Music album structure. Some great rock tunes, a couple ballads, and the mandatory country song, but these guys did it well. Here’s the real trivia about this album. Playing harmonica was Dave Edwards who would later become known to us as David Edwards the New Wave CCM pioneer.
Tracklist 1 – Suddenly – 3:35 2 – Back Home – 4:08 3 – Long Time Comin’ – 3:50 4 – Love Song – 4:03 5 – Denominations – 2:43 6 – Nick Of Time – 2:19 7 – Don’t Shine It On – 4:10 8 – Lord It’s In Your Hands – 3:55 9 – Satisfied – 4:50 10 – Real Peace – 4:35
Credits Bass Guitar – Greg Prough Drums, Percussion – Rick Frye Engineer – Paul Elmore Fiddle – Richie Yenoukian Harmonica – Dave Edwards Keyboards – Steve Kennedy Lead Guitar – John Pantano Lead Vocals – Ron Salsbury Photography By [Cover Photo] – Eric Skipsey Producer – Billy Ray Hearn Rhythm Guitar – Ron Salsbury Trombone – Bid Wallace Vocals – Greg Prough, John Pantano
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. – 1972 Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles
