January 2021 – Page 2

James Vincent – Waiting For The Rain – 1978

Hot off the world renowned success of 1976’s “Space Traveler” James Vincert embrace Christianity and set a distinctly different course than the one he had previously been on. Considered one of the best jazz guitarists of his generation James Vincent would record two very directly Christian album, the first being the one in question. Because of the immense success of the previous album “Waiting for the Rain” received a very strong distribution (normally lacking for CCM artists) through his mainstream record company. Filled with some amazing jazz and rock tunes with the emphasis on jazz and Vincent’s brilliant guitar work and the Seawind horn section. Musically in the vein of George Benson or the mellower side of Earth, Wind and Fire with a soulful and rich voice and stellar guitar work. There are two strong radio songs in “What Does It Profit a Man” and “People of the World.” I remember working at KYMS radio some five to 10 years later and still playing these two songs. But really it is the more obscure and less commercial songs that make the album so amazing. Resistance is a progressive jazz piece with limited vocal and several changes throughout while the guitar in Daniel, Daniel will remind many of Keaggy’s guitar styling. How Can I Thank You is a pure delight as Vincent scats over the top of his guitar solo. Though the follow up release, Enter In, may have contained some better and more mature lyrics there is a simplicity and joy to this release that makes it such a treasure.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – What Does It Profit A Man? – 4:50
2 – Resistance – 4:52
3 – Etude #20 – 1:16
4 – Daniel, Daniel – 3:10
5 – People Of The World – 4:39
6 – How Can I Thank You Enough – 4:55
7 – Soon Comes The Son – 3:48
8 – Waiting For The Rain – 3:12
9 – The Seventh Day – 6:11
10 – Babylon Is Fallen – 3:09

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Seawind Horns
Backing Vocals – Carla Vincent (tracks: A5)
Bass – Steve Evans
Congas – Pat Murphy
Drums [Hand & Trap] – Tom Donlinger
Guitar – James Vincent
Keyboards – Ron Stockert
Marimba – Tom Donlinger
Percussion – Pat Murphy
Percussion, Congas – Carla Vincent (tracks: B5)
Producer – James Vincent
Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams
Synthesizer [Roland Guitar, Roland 5h-5] – James Vincent
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Jerry Hey
Vocals – James Vincent
Whistling – Vincent Dondelinger (tracks: B3)

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
Published By – Big Elk Music
Published By – Caleb Music
Published By – Swinghouse Music

Koinonia – Celebration – 1984

While not that well known in North America Koinonia was very very popular in Scandinavia. This concert is a testament to their popularity as it was recorded at Scandinavium in Göteborg, Sweden in front of a crowd of about 14,000 people. Now even if you’re not a fan of their Jazz Fusion style you should check out track 6 “Sno-Cone” as it is a blues jam style track, and it is very very good. Other than that the album is Jazz Fusion as I said and Koinonia are the masters of this style.

Tracklist
1 – Pilgrim’s Progression – 6:55
2 – Hidden Beauty – 4:40
3 – Agapao – 1:34
4 – Celebration – 6:25
5 – Countin’ The Cost – 6:38
6 – Sno-Cone – 5:18
7 – From You – 4:54
8 – Goodbye – Means God Be With You – 5:28
9 – All The Time – 4:17
10 – Miracle – 4:20

Credits
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Keith Grant, Win Kutz
Engineer [Assistant] – Agne Thorstensson, Lennart Nilsson, Ray Leonard, Steve Ford, Todd Van Etten
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers
Mastered By – Pounda, Steve Hall
Producer – Koinonia
Vocals – Abraham Laboriel
Woodwind – Justo Almario

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Scandinavium
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Mastered At – Future Disc
Mastered At – Tape One
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Sound City Studios
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd.

Bryn Haworth – The Gap – 1982

This was Bryn’s 5th album but only his second to be released in North America. This album was in some way facilitated by Larry Norman but I have no idea what the arrangement was between him and Star Song and I can’t find any details on it. The album did well in all markets due in part to the quality of the backup band which was introduced as the “The Eric Clapton Band”. In reality the musicians had all played with Eric Clapton, but I think it was a bit of a stretch to call them the Eric Clapton Band. That said, they are a fantastic backup band and this album is fantastic and it ranks as one of my top 10 80’s CCM albums.

Tracklist
1 – The Gap – 4:54
2 – Egypt – 3:59
3 – I Can Do Things – 2:51
4 – New World Coming – 3:02
5 – It Would Have Been Me – 4:21
6 – Power Of The Holy Spirit – 2:51
7 – More Of You – 3:51
8 – New Jerusalem – 5:19
9 – No Time – 2:39
10 – Send Down The Rain – 4:53

Credits
Bass, Mandocello – Dave Markee
Design [Sleeve] – Phil Thomson
Drums – Henry Spinetti
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Keyboards – Chris Stainton
Percussion – Bruce Rowland
Producer – Bryn Haworth, Dave Markee
Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Harp [Harpolek] – Bryn Haworth

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Distributed By – Word

Idle Cure – Tough Love – 1988

The second release from Idle Cure doubled down on their first album. Hard rock rifts and vocals return to give us another great hard rock album. This album featured improved lyrics and slightly better vocals, likely due to improved engineering. In fact I would say the entire album had improved engineering. The album did not include original guitarist Chuck King, who had left to co-form the band Shout. It appears that David Huff (White Heart) providing the drumming for the album and the drumming on the album is very good. It nails that Arena Rock sound from the 80’s.

Tracklist
1 – Just Believe It – 3:49
2 – Barter Mercy – 4:18
3 – Frontline – 4:06
4 – So Many Faces – 3:36
5 – Hungry Hearts – 4:02
6 – One For The Money – 3:30
7 – How Long – 3:55
8 – Runnin’ – 4:01
9 – Draw The Line – 3:19

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Band [Idle Cure Is], Guitar [Guitars] – Mark Ambrose
Band [Idle Cure Is], Keyboards – Pete Lomakin
Band [Idle Cure Is], Vocals – Steve Shannon
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Tim Heintz
Design Concept [Cover Concept By] – Idle Cure
Engineer [Engineered By] – Dave Jahnsen
Musician [Additional Musicians], Backing Vocals – Bill Baumgart, Bob Carlisle
Musician [Additional Musicians], Drums – David Huff*
Musician [Additional Musicians], Keyboards – Tim Heintz
Musician [Additional Musicians], Lead Guitar – Tim Pierce
Musician [Additional Musicians], Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Photography By – Michael Seeley
Photography By [Back Cover Photo By] – Eddie Huff
Producer [Produced By] – Bill Baumgart

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Dino – Just Piano … Praise – 1979

Dino Kartsonakis returns with his album for 1979. Not much more than that to say. Dino’s piano work is among the best and his ability to put together medleys is spectacular. This album is just Dino and his piano with two 15 minute tracks.

Tracklist
Side 1 Medley: O Come Let Us Adore Him / We Have Come Into This House / He’s The Savior Of My Soul / Oh How I Love Jesus / I Love To Tell The Story / There’s Something About That Name / His Name Is Wonderful / My Jesus, I Love Thee / Jesus Is All The World To Me / All Day Song / To God Be The Glory / O That Will Be Glory For Me / Amazing Grace

Side 2 Medley: How Great Thou Art / Great Is They Faithfulness / Let’s Just Praise The Lord / Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow / I Came To Praise The Lord / ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus / Heavenly Father I Appreciate You / Pass It On / I’d Rather Have Jesus / The Love Of God / No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus / Alleluia / Oh, How He Loves You And Me / Victory In Jesus / O Come Let Us Adore Him

Credits
Dino – Piano, Primary Artist, Vocals
Jackie Jones – Layout Design

Forerunner – (a.k.a) – 1984

This album is kind of an odd one. This is actually The Joe English Band minus Joe English, well kind of. Considering Joe played drums on 4 of the 9 tracks I think this is best described as The Joe English Band without Joe on vocals. Vocal duties were taken over by John Lawry. The album distinctly sounds like other Joe English work and there’s no mistaking who’s playing here. I’ll be honest the album just strikes me as a little off. I can’t decide if I don’t like John’s vocals or if it just sounds wrong to hear this music without Joe singing. I have argued it both ways with myself and I am leaning that John’s vocals are just a little weak. That said there is nothing wrong with this album and if you like Joe you are probably going to like this album.

Tracklist
1 – Jesus Is Saviour – 3:39
2 – Faith Walk – 4:04
3 – Hard Times – 3:47
4 – Victory – 3:57
5 – Nowhere To Run – 2:55
6 – River Of Life – 4:41
7 – Hold On – 3:15
8 – Words Of The Wise – 4:00
9 – Albola (A Little Bit Of L.A.) – 3:42

Credits
Lisa Bevill – Choir and Background Vocals
Brenda Brannon – Choir Vocals
Paul Brannon – Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Jay C. Coble, Jr. – Trumpet
George Cocchini – Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Tom Douglas – Songwriter
James Isaac Elliott – Songwriter
Phil Elliott – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Joe English – Drums
Mike Feller – Drums
Tom Flora – Background Vocals
Mark Helstein – Choir Vocals
Angie Innis – Choir Vocals
John Lawry – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals
Sam Levine – Saxophone
Fred Lewis – Songwriter
Chris McCollum – Engineer
Doug Moffet – Saxophone
Ray Nenow – Executive Producer
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Roddy Smith – Songwriter
Tim Smith – Producer, Songwriter, Bass
Dave Spear – Choir Vocals
Lisa Tucker – Choir Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered
Ned Wimmer – Choir Vocals

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Published By – Raybren Music
Published By – Quietlane Music
Published By – Prairie Moon Music
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Mastered At – Mastermix

Randy Stonehill – Get Me Out Of Hollywood – 1973/1999

This album is often referred to as Randy’s lost album. Recorded in the UK in 1973 Randy had either 10 or 20 copies pressed depending on which story you read. It then sat lost until 1999 when Larry Norman got the rights to it and rereleased it on CD along with an extra track. What we have here is a pretty typical Randy album. Mainly he plays his acoustic guitar and as is to be expected from Randy several of the tracks have a strong humour element. The tracks are not directly CCM and apparently Randy was trying to put together a collection for the secular market. I actually think it could have done well in the early 70’s in the U.K. but I guess it just never got a pressing deal with a label. If you are a fan of Randy’s quirky fun side this album is definitely for you.

Tracklist
1 – Get Me Out Of Hollywood – 2:52
2 – Back To California – 3:54
3 – Lately Mary – 2:06
4 – Jamey’s Blues – 3:36
5 – Puppet Strings – 4:26
6 – Strange Youth – 3:45
7 – Strangest Feeling – 2:56
8 – East Coast Lady – 3:09
9 – One Man’s Blues – 2:53
10 – Vegetables – 2:45
11 – Blind Minstrel – 3:24

Credits
Arranged By [Brass Arranged By] – Roger Ball
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By] – Del Newman
Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Jon Miller, Rod Edwards, Roger Hand
Bass Guitar – Bruce Lynch
Drums – Chris Karan, Clem Cattini (tracks: 2, 5)
Electric Guitar – Bob Wilson
Engineer – Bill Price
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Gareth Edwards
Graphics, Photography By, Layout, Liner Notes – Larry Norman
Harmony Vocals [Harmonies] – Rod Edwards, Roger Hand
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Rod Edwards
Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Randy Stonehill
Pedal Steel Guitar – B.J. Cole
Percussion – Ray Cooper, Tony Carr (tracks: 2)
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Randy Stonehill

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Triumvirate, Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Solid Rock Records
Distributed By – Solid Rock Records
Record Company – Solid Rock Productions, Inc.
Recorded At – Air Studios

Lone Justice – Lone Justice – 1985

Is their a more powerful or intense female vocalist in the world than Lone Justice’s Maria McKee. If there is I have never heard her. Once the opening question, “Should I go North?” is belted out at full velocity this amazing record never loses ferocity and passion. All this is wrapped up in cowpunk like country rock the defies comparison. The first single “Ways to Be Wicked” penned by Tom Petty was sorely misunderstood by many in Christian market that ventured out and bought the project based on reviews in many Christian Music publications. But one cut from the album, the finale, “You Are the Light” found its way onto many Christian Rock radio shows as well as Orange County’s famous KYMS. The beautiful country tinged ballad is a stunning and memorable tune reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Stark, stunning and instantly emotional and authentic. They would follow this with the more commercial and “Christian” sounding album, “Shelter,” that will be discussed later.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – East Of Eden – 2:36
2 – After The Flood – 3:38
3 – Ways To Be Wicked – 3:26
4 – Don’t Toss Us Away – 4:19
5 – Working Late – 2:44
6 – Sweet, Sweet Baby (I’m Falling) – 4:10
7 – Pass It On – 3:38
8 – Wait ‘Til We Get Home – 3:17
9 – Soap, Soup And Salvation – 4:01
10 – You Are The Light – 3:59

Credits
Art Direction – Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff, Paula Greif
Bass – Marvin Etzioni
Design – Jeri McManus
Drums – Don Heffington
Engineer – Shelly Yakus
Guitar – Ryan Hedgecock
Management – Carlyne Majer
Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen
Mixed By – David Thoener (tracks: B4), Don Smith (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3), Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B5), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3)
Photography By – Deborah Turbeville
Piano, Organ – Benmont Tench
Producer – Jimmy Iovine
Production Manager [Coordinator] – Janet Weber
Recorded By – Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B2), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A3, B3), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1, A2, A5, B5), Thom Panunzio (tracks: B4)
Vocals – Maria McKee

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.
Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.
Recorded At – Power Station
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – Amigo Studios
Recorded At – Rumbo Recorders
Overdubbed At – Sunset Sound
Overdubbed At – The Village Recorder
Overdubbed At – Amigo Studios
Overdubbed At – Rumbo Recorders
Overdubbed At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Mastered At – Precision Lacquer
Mixed At – The Village Recorder
Mixed At – Rumbo Recorders
Mixed At – Sound City Studios

20/20 Vision – In The Town/In The City – 1982

I was completely unable to find out any information on this 5 piece band out of the U.K. They self produced and released this album in 1982 and it appears they have a few fans out there as I actually had a request for it on our YouTube channel. None of the band appear to have gone on to do anything else except for keyboardist Steve Preston who did appear on a 1992 Rob Newey album. The album is mainly rock ballads which is a bit different as most albums have 1 or 2 Rock ballads but this album has several. The track “The Dealer” shows some real talent from these guys with some smokin guitar work.

Tracklist
1 – In The Town/In The City – 2:43
2 – Come Praise – 4:45
3 – The Darkest Night – 3:20
4 – Galilee – 4:26
5 – He´s Alive – 3:12
6 – The Dealer – 4:05
7 – Jehovah – 3:45
8 – Living´s Easy – 4:00
9 – I Thank You Lord – 5:12

Credits
Bass – David Lewis
Drums, Backing Vocals, Concept By [Cover] – Andrew Shortman
Guitar – Gerwin Howley
Keyboards – Steve Preston
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Denvyl Lewis
Mixed By – Mike Newbourn
Producer, Mixed By – 20/20 Vision

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – ICC Studios
Copyright (c) – Daybreak Music Ltd

100% Proof – New Way of Livin’ – 1980

100% Proof were a band from Stockport, Manchester that formed in 1978 under the name “Thin Ice”. The band was having some success touring the local area and they went into the studio to record this EP, financed out of their own pocket, to sell at their concerts. It’s actually a 7 inch recorded at 33 1/3 which is relatively rare. This EP has a slightly more punk sound than the Rock & Roll sound they would be better known for on future releases. While I really enjoy their sound on their two commercial releases I really love this sound and wish we could have got more. The quality of the EP was an issue but I have cleaned it up as best as I could. I love early band releases like this and this one is no exception.

Tracklist
1 – New Way Of Livin’ – 4:58
2 – Lookin In – 2:22
3 – What’s The Cost – 5:04
4 – Resurrection – 3:49

Credits
Bass – Steve Harrison
Drums – Phil Wright
Engineer [Sound Engineering] – Ray Buckley
Guitar, Vocals – Charlie Wilson
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Steve Wright
Photography By – Dave Owen
Producer – 100% Proof, Ray Buckley
Sleeve – Pete Smith

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Pluto Studios
Label – Smile