Jan Groth was an artist out of Norway. In the early 70’s he was in a very successful secular band called Aunt Mary. In 1980 he released this his first Christian album. I do not believe this album was released outside of Norway so you may not have heard this one. It has a great late 70’s early 80’s rock feel to it. Don’t worry, no hint of disco and it also does not sound like the usual 70’s Jesus music. Unfortunately Jan passed away in 2014 but we have lots more of his music to hear. He released 4 more albums in the 80’s and many more over the later years.
Tracklist 1 – Peace Like A River – 4:04 2 – Count On Me – 4:18 3 – Mighty Good Friend – 3:38 4 – Let Me Feel Your Lovely Presence – 4:15 5 – Good To Know – 3:09 6 – Hear It Once Again – 4:05 7 – Friend Of Friends – 4:26 8 – Turn Around – 3:10 9 – In The Shelter Of Your Love – 4:22 10 – Thanks To Your Love – 3:04
Credits Arranged By, Conductor, Bass, Backing Vocals – Svein Gundersen Backing Vocals – Aleksandra N. Sandøy Drums, Percussion – Bruce Rasmussen Electric Guitar – Bjørn Christiansen Engineer – Alf Emil Eik, Andy Kidd Keyboards – Geir Langslet Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By, Backing Vocals – Jan Groth
Real punk rock. Joey “Ojo” Taylor’s (Undercover) little brother went by the name of Pat Nobody with a band called Nobody Special whose debut release was called entitled Nobody Special and was produced by older brother Ojo. There is something about the name Taylor and Christian Music that just screams quality – Ojo, Steve, Terry Scott and Pat! Nepotism and redundancy aside, this album just plain kicked ass! Fast, hard, heavy and one of the finest punk deliveries in Christian Music. Ironically Pat formed the band, Nobody Special, right after the album was released by Frontline records. The original “band” that recorded the project along with Pat included Ojo Taylor (Undercover), Gene Eugene (Adam Again), Chris Birgandi (The Lifters) and others from the OC Christian music “cool scene.” I remember seeing the band Immortal Youth a few times playing around the LA and OC Christian punk scene in the early 80’s with bands like Undercover and the Lifesavors and remembering that I thought they were really cool. I did not find out until many years later that Pat was in that band as well. They (he) would only record two albums and that is a true loss to the industry that could have used many more.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Sliding Backwards – 2:22 2 – That Feelin’ – 1:45 3 – Come Around – 1:22 4 – I Was – 2:14 5 – Dissertation – 1:02 6 – We Are Confident – 1:26 7 – People Who – 1:48 8 – Killin’ Time – 2:19 9 – Burnt – 3:09 10 – I Wonder – 1:48 11 – Numb – 0:56 12 – Get Off The Air – 2:21 13 – Ain’t That Hard – 3:57 14 – Separation – 1:29 15 – Deeper Things – 1:39
Credits Artwork [Insert Lettering, Illustrations] – John Russey Bass, Keyboards – Turner Burn Drums – Emil Harvey Edited By – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Dickey Moe Guitar, Vocals – Pat Nobody Mastered By – John Matousek Photography By – Brian Ray Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Joey Taylor Written-By – Pat Nobody
I can’t really find any info on The Heart Beats. They were a pretty good girl group of what I assume is 3 sisters. Well at least they all had the same last name so that’s my guess. This was the only album from them so I guess there’s not much more to the story. The album is good fun and actually has 5 pretty good covers. I think my favourite was Higher and Higher originally done by Jackie Wilson. Though my favourite cover of this song in the one in Ghostbusters 2. Rounding out the covers are, Everlasting Love (Robert Knight), When I Need You (Leo Sayer), Chapel Of Love (The Dixie Cups), and Jesus Is The Answer (Andrae Crouch). There may be other covers but those are the ones I recognized. All in all a fun album with a great 80’s girl group sound.
Tracklist 1 – Everlasting Love – 3:44 2 – Higher And Higher – 2:54 3 – When I Need You – 3:57 4 – He’s The Greatest – 2:55 5 – Chapel Of Love – 4:02 6 – Risen Lord – 3:31 7 – Heaven – 2:48 8 – Joining – 4:17 9 – The Superman – 3:39 10 – Jesus Is the Answer – 3:08
Credits Bass – Dennis Davilio Drums – David Prater, Terry Silverlight (tracks: A1, A3) Drums [High Hat] – Rob Cali (tracks: B3) Guitar – Tony Davilio Keyboards – George Small Producer, Arranged By – Joey Powers Vocals – Angela Bass, Kathleen Bass, Patsy Bass
This is a sampler from Light Records. The album features the following artists and song as well as what album they originally appeared on;
1 – David Edwards – Diamond’s Lullaby – Dreams, Tales & Lullabies 2 – Karen Voegtlin – Into Your Hands – He’s My Leader 3 – Dan Burgess – Fill My Life – Fill My Life 4 – Larry Bryant – The Artist – The Artist 5 – Dino – Holy, Holy, Holy – Just Piano… Praise II 6 – The Winans – Tomorrow – Tomorrow 7 – Ralph Carmichael – A Quiet Place – I Looked For Love 8 – Dan Burgess – When We See Him – Dan Burgess With Songs You’ll Want To Sing 9 – Andraé Crouch – My Tribute – Andrae Crouch 10 – Rob Frazier – He Is All You Need – Cut It Away
Tracklist 1 – David Edwards – Diamond’s Lullaby – 5:01 2 – Karen Voegtlin – Into Your Hands – 4:26 3 – Dan Burgess – Fill My Life – 3:23 4 – Larry Bryant – The Artist – 4:03 5 – Dino – Holy, Holy, Holy – 3:29 6 – The Winans – Tomorrow – 4:12 7 – Ralph Carmichael – A Quiet Place – 2:50 8 – Dan Burgess – When We See Him – 3:45 9 – Andraé Crouch – My Tribute – 6:00 10 – Rob Frazier – He Is All You Need – 4:12
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc. Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
This is Eternal Ryte’s one and only on label album. They were yet another band out of the late 80’s California metal scene. They are known for doing the circuit of Secular bars that was considered trendy for Christian Metal bands at the end of the 80’s. As for the album it’s a pretty good metal album but is a little over produced in my opinion but you can still hear the skills of the band. Bobby Smith’s guitar stands out to me and also I found the writing to be a step up from most metal bands of the era. Unfortunately when Pure Metal was sold to Star Song Eternal Ryte is one of the bands that was released so we have to enjoy this album as other than their demo’s it is all we would get. Unfortunately the album is a little difficult to come by these days so it demands a bit of a premium.
Tracklist 1 – Tightrope Dancer – 3:53 2 – Requiem – 4:37 3 – Someone To Love – 4:42 4 – Say Hello – 4:20 5 – The Killer – 4:48 6 – Surrender – 3:07 7 – On The Line – 4:02 8 – You And Me – 3:42 9 – The King – 5:02 10 – No More Lies 5:15
Credits Bass, Vocals – Fred Gustafsson Percussion – Scott “Smash!” Earnest Written-By, Guitar – Bobby Smith (27) Written-By, Lead Vocals – Phil St. Vincent
Recently this album wandered into our studio and I was quite surprised by it. I was surprised because it a local guy from my home city of Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. I have never seen this album, I have never heard this album, and I have never heard of this performer. It was recorded about 5 blocks from where I currently live. Now the style of the album is decidedly AOR so I probably wouldn’t have listened to it much I definitely would have had it in my collection to support a local artist. One would have also thought I might have seen him in concert opening for bands. But no I never heard of him. Danny lives in my home city today and is still involved in the ministry. He had several albums after this one but they were released in Germany where Danny lived for several years. This however is his only 80’s CCM album.
Tracklist 1 – Hallowed Be – 3:00 2 – Halleluia – 3:20 3 – Water Of Life – 1:20 4 – Love That Is Pure – 2:27 5 – You Know What To Do – 4:38 6 – You’re The One – 3:30 7 – Oh For A Thousand Tongues To Sing – 2:24 8 – Willing Now To Die – 2:54 9 – Oh Sacred Head – 3:04 10 – Yo Te Amo (I Love You) – 3:32 11 – We Stand United – 5:17
Produced by Gary Brenner Lead vocals : Danny Plett Keyboards : Danny Plett, Gary Brenner Electric Guitar : Randy Hiebert Acoustic Guitar : Ari Lahdekorpi Bass Guitar : Paul Kelly Drums : Greg Black Percussion : Glen Matthews Background vocals : Danny Plett, Steve Bell, Dodi Bell, Paul Kelly, Angela Kelman Recorded & Mixed at Century 21 Recording Studios, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Engineered by Ralph Watts
By this point 2nd Chapter Of Acts was all done with studio work so Ward could concentrate on his solo career. Annie Herring from 2nd Chapter however does join Ward on the album. The album continues his more upbeat style and really several tracks on this album could easily be classified as Pop. The album had 3 singles. Far Behind made it to #10, Perfect Union to #3, and You Alone to #21. All in all a pretty successful album though it seems to get lost sometimes as his previous album, Armed & Dangerous, made quite a splash but this one didn’t seem as good of an album.
Tracklist 1 – Then I Realized – 4:32 2 – Racing For The Goal – 4:21 3 – You Alone – 3:42 4 – Show Them – 3:53 5 – Heart – 3:25 6 – So Many Are Lookin’ – 3:10 7 – Time Will Tell – 4:25 8 – Far Behind – 3:30 9 – Perfect Union – 4:38 10 – Fade To White – 4:26
Credits Arranged By [Musical Arrangements] – John Andrew Schreiner Art Direction, Design – Bradley Grose Backing Vocals – Annie Herring, Interdenominational Youth Choir Of Nachodoches, Kelly Willard (tracks: 5), Nelly Greisen Bass – Leon Gaer Classical Guitar – Frank Kimlico Drums – Mike Baird Engineer [Engineered By] – Greg Hunt Guitar – Michael Thompson Keyboards – John Andrew Schreiner Lyrics By – Matthew Ward Mastered By – Doug Saax Music By – Jim Tenneboe (tracks: 5, 6), John Andrew Schreiner (tracks: 1 to 10), Matthew Ward (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 10) Other [Make Up] – Ken Gonzales Photography By – Aaron Rapoport Photography By [Assistant] – Tracy Lamonica Producer [Produced By] – John Andrew Schreiner Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Gary Leach, John Andrew Schreiner
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Live Oak Records Copyright (c) – Live Oak Records Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Rosewood Studio Mixed At – Rosewood Studio Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Published By – Megin’s College Fund Music Published By – JAS Music Published By – MIDI Mouse Music
San Francisco Bay Area’s Gideon’s Army got their start ministering in the prison system both juvenile and adult throughout California. After many years they finally put out this album in 1982. The album was released on Santa Ana’s Calvary Chapel’s own label “Asaph Records”. This was the second album on the label and as such was not well promoted or known outside of the local California area. Later this label would actually get much better known but in 1982 it was barely known. The band have a strong Late 70’s Southern Rock sound that I think was rather unique for the CCM market. One of the other strange things about the album is the length of some of the songs. There are 4 tracks over the 5 minute mark which was a little more common in the mid 70’s. Because of this the album is limited to only 8 tracks. This album is very unique and you should give it a listen if not just for the historical sound of it.
Tracklist 1 – Light – 6:17 2 – Dream – 4:28 3 – Lift Your Heart – 4:33 4 – What Is Love – 7:12 5 – Better Days – 6:35 6 – On The Move – 3:39 7 – New Man – 6:32 8 – Can You Still Turn Away? – 4:41
Credits Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Rob Carey Backing Vocals – Ron Davis Drums, Lead Vocals – Jerry Anderson Lead Guitar – Dave Angeles Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Mike Banke Lead Vocals, Bass – Mark Greves Organ, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Doug Naruo Percussion – Tom Long Trumpet – Jim Gabel, Rob Brockman
Throughout this exploration of the greatest music in Christian Music history, much has been said about the shame that it is one of CCM’s great realities: great bands don’t sell and disappear much too quickly. The greatest (worst?) example of this axiom if the band Prodigal. The great crime of CCM is that this amazing band only made three unbelievably impressive albums and then… …nothing! Their swan song was the impressive “Just Like real Life,” an album filled with so much great music and original concepts that any description will really not do it any justice. Ranging from hard “new wave” to American rock and roll there are ten fantastic tracks here. Production quality is through the roof fantastic for what was, I am sure, a minuscule budget. The vocals are as diverse as the music as three different lead vocalist shared the duties. the most notable is Loyd Boldman and his HUGE voice. Boldman always seemed to tackle the big rock numbers and so is often recognized as the lead vocalist though that is really not the case. It should be noted that quite often his songs are the most memorable. This is the case here. Future Now starts with a musical introduction that always reminds me of the soundtrack to movie St. Elmo’s Fire, especially the primary song, “Man in Motion.” “Safety in Numbers” starts off with a great guitar lick the harkens to Daniel Amos’ “I Love You #19.” Throughout the entire record great riffs and monster walls of sound permeate every song. What is truly impressive about the band, though, is their lyrical content. Not content to recite the normal CCM diatribes, Prodigal placed themselves directly into the songs and transparently admit their failings along with those around them. A constant theme is the alienation of the modern world and need for honest and actual relationships. Both with God and with one another.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Future Now – 3:55 2 – Push And Shove – 3:00 3 – Safety In Numbers – 2:52 4 – Answering Machine – 3:57 5 – Under The Gun – 3:47 6 – Jump Cut (Just Like Real Life) – 3:14 7 – Incommunicado – 2:50 8 – Next Big Thing – 2:44 9 – Burn It Up – 3:16 10 – The Big Sleep – 3:16 11 – Just Make Up Your Mind – 3:13
Credits Loyd Boldman – keyboards and vocals Rick Fields – guitars and vocals Mike Wilson – bass Dave Workman – drums and vocals Executive Producer – Jon Phelps Produced and Engineered by Gary Platt Arranged by Prodigal and Gary Platt Synthesizer Programming – Wes Boatman Synth Solo on “Push And Shove” – Wes Boatman Recorded at – Fifth Floor Studios, Cincinnati, OH, Boatman’s Ranch, New Richmond, OH, Starke Lake Studios, Ocoee, FL Assistant Engineer – Carol Burkart Assistant Engineer / Concert Sound – Steve Moller
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Copyright (c) – Heartland Records Company Phonographic Copyright (p) – Heartland Records Company Mastered At – Criteria Recording Studios Pressed By – Hub-Servall Record Mfg. Corp.
The Last Adam were a 70’s Rock band out of Clearwater, FL. This is one of those odd albums that was released on The Salvation Army’s own label. I couldn’t find out much about the band but at the time other than they did play in the church. Must have been some rocking going on there at the end of the 70’s. As for the album it has a very late 70’s rock feel and was probably on the edge of being outdated in 1980. Be careful not confuse the band with the 90’s band “Last Adam”. This album would have been right at home on the Tunesmith label but the church got to them first.
Tracklist 1 – Receive It – 5:12 2 – Resist The Devil – 3:48 3 – Any Old Music – 4:00 4 – Psalm 113 – 5:13 5 – Washed In The Blood – 3:40 6 – Dance Cloud – 5:52 7 – Letter To The Devil – 3:02 8 – More Much More – 3:54 9 – Trips – 3:51 10 – Remember That Name – 4:53
Credits Rick Tarquine – Guitar Buddy Fetz – Drums Patt Wadenpfuhl – Lead Vocals Ken Wadenpfuhl – Brass Fred Smith Jr. – Guitar Debbie Steitz – Keyboards
