Mosaics is another folk-rock sounding album from Mark, a style he settled solidly into after releasing some softer, almost country albums and a few rock albums. This blend suited his creativity well. After this album he had a five year gap before putting out another one. Mark recorded few songs that were not his own writing, so this album stands out with a version of T Bone Burnett’s “Power Of Love.” It’s a pretty close cover of the original on T Bone’s 1980 album “Truth Decay.” An interesting coincidence with the T Bone cover is the appearance of David Mansfield playing lead guitar on four of the tracks on this album. However, David is not credited on “Power of Love” despite having played with T Bone on his albums, as well as their work together in Alpha Band and on Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue. As always, Mark was able to attract top level musicians to his project. It seems like everyone wanted to work with him and the results suggest the reason why. Leslie Phillips (aka Sam Phillips) appears on backing vocals on a few tracks, Tom Howard plays keys on several tracks, and John Mehler adds his drumming to make this another all-star cast project.
Tracklist 1 – With Broken Wings – 4:23 2 – Schizophrenia – 3:48 3 – All Is Not Lost – 3:05 4 – Heart On The Line – 4:08 5 – He Plays The Game – 3:20 6 – The Golden Age – 4:08 7 – The Power Of Love – 3:42 8 – I Want You – 4:04 9 – It Will Not Be Like This Forever – 4:18 10 – Miracle – 4:58
Credits Arranged By – Mark Heard Backing Vocals – Dave de Coup-Crank (tracks: 2), Dori Howard (tracks: 10), Leslie Phillips (tracks: 1, 3, 4), Mark Heard Bass – Bill Batstone (tracks: 4) Cover [Front Cover Concept] – Tim Alderson Design, Illustration [Computer Art] – Mark Heard Drums – John Mehler (tracks: 1-6, 8, 9) Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar, Bass, Lead Vocals – Mark Heard Electronic Drums [Simmons Drums] – David McSparran (tracks: 7, 9) Engineer, Mixed By – Mark Heard Harmonica – Buddy Rufus Greene (tracks: 3, 6) Lead Guitar – David Mansfield (tracks: 2, 4, 8, 9) Organ – Barry Kaye (tracks: 9) Percussion, Electronic Drums [Simmons Drums] – Harry Stinson Photography By – Stewart Ivester Producer – Mark Heard Synthesizer – Tom Howard (tracks: 2, 3, 6)
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Word Ltd. Printed By – Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd. Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Brett Williams formed The Reach in 1984 and yo have to respect his dedication as the band didn’t get a record deal until 1992. In 1989 they had an independent release, “Under The Same Sky” using the band name The Reach. I haven’t had a chance to hear it yet but I’m looking forward to it. One of my compliments for the band is that even though they formed in the 80’s this is a purely 90’s album. It’s always great to see a band that even though they were unsigned they continued to evolve and move their music forward. David Zaffiro (Bloodgood) stepped in to produce the album and even played guitar on a few tracks. The album is very well produced and quite frankly is as good as anything that was being released in the secular market at the time. The album is a guitar oriented Pop album that is very easy to listen to and if you missed this one it’s worth a listen. The title track is good enough that it’s going in my personal regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Waterline – 4:33 2 – Faded Love – 3:58 3 – My Heart – 3:14 4 – The Other Fall Of Cambrai – 3:24 5 – God You Are – 4:00 6 – River – 4:08 7 – Giving Me Reasons – 3:33 8 – In The In Between – 3:32 9 – Manner Of Man – 3:05 10 – Not So Easy – 3:41
Credits Art Direction, Design – Dale Wéhlacz Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Marlene Cochran Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Scott Burell Creative Director – Tony Thigpen Drums – Vince Grant Engineer – David Dysart Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson Guitar – Charles Mesrole, David Zaffiro Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Brett Williams Keyboards – Mike Bell Mastered By – Denny Purcell Mixed By – Charles Mesrole, Chris Fuhrman, David Zaffiro Mixed By [Mix Assistent] – David Raneses, Eric Janko Photography – Karen Moskowitz Producer, Engineer – Charles Mesrole, David Zaffiro Sequenced By – Scott Weiss
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Copyright (c) – Star Song Recorded At – Triad Studios Overdubbed At – Extra Sensory Productions Mastered At – Georgetown Masters Mixed At – Klub Key’s
I have heard from different sources that Matthew Ward’s “Toward Eternity” is either the last Jesus Music album or the first CCM album. Released right around the turn of the decade that many define as the historical marker for the two genres. Produced and written by many that were the founder and stalwarts of the Jesus Music era (Randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy, Keith Green, Michael Omartian), but decidedly more polished, rock and pop driven than anything released previously.
I simply call it a classic that is clearly the center of a musical paradigm shirt in CCM. Production was stellar, performances spotless and Ward’s vocals soar. This is not a solo project from 1/3 of 2nd Chapter of Acts, it is a brilliant rock album conceived and released by an utterly unique and engaging artist in his own right. These are not left-overs from his group, but rather songs that far exceed much of what his siblings were releasing at the time.
Musicians on the album included those mentioned above along with Abraham Laboriel, David Kemper, Ray Parker Jr. and many more studio pros. The album is nearly flawless and many aficionados will list it in their all time Top 10. It was also released at a time when many Christian Music buffs were cutting their teeth on the genre and this album proved to be a revelation to many. I would not be surprised to find many of the “older” readers complaining on its placement in the countdown, and I will not disagree; I understand their reasoning.
Oddly enough, even fans of hard rock love the album despite its general lack of anything leaning in that direction. Much has to do with the great songs and Keaggy’s outrageous guitar work. It is always odd that Keaggy will often lend some of his best work on projects for other artists. But ultimately it comes down to the fact that Ward possesses one of the greatest voices on the planet. Period!
The album kicks off with the funky rock number “It’s Alright” lead by Keaggy’s great guitar work. This is a fearless rock groove with a monster bass line driving the low-end. The song is built around a particular end times expectation complete with money system, beast and mark. That notwithstanding, the song is just so good. The great vocal bridge leads to Keaggy’s driving rhythm guitar work.
Limited breaks between songs leads the starter right into a great Keith green piano driven song, “Soft Spot.” The Beatlesque (Penny Lane) sound of the chorus complete with a great string arrangement softens what could have been a much heavier song, and it actually works in the artists favor given the content of the song.
The acoustic “Noah” immediately sounds like a Phil Keaggy song. And it is. Written by Keaggy, Ward recorded it and someone once mentioned that Keaggy didn’t want to record it after hearing Ward’s masterful vocals. I don’t know if it’s one of those popular urban legends as Keaggy eventually would record his own version.
A personal favorite is the rocker, “Till the Walls Come Down.” Like the lead track, the song is one of the heavier musically and features Keaggy’s awesome guitar work, especially the solo. Written by Ward, Keaggy and Green (wow, just think about that for a moment), the song is most noted for the Michael Omartian lead “killer bees.” One must listen to truly understand the bees reference.
Returning to the most pop oriented piano sound with Green’s “Better Than This,” Ward let’s the vocals go on a few bright moments when he hits some unreal notes. The song has a great hook, but the same can be said for the entire album. I can go years in between listens and still never miss a note when singing along.
What would be initially the start of side two, “Your Love Came Over Me” is great Doobie Brothers (China Grove) type riff that never quits throughout. I know it may be hard for readers today to understand just how rare it was for a “safe” artist to deliver such a rock oriented album. The industry at the time would allow for the occasional pop rock riff, but rarely an album that rocked from start to finish.
The song was written by Keith Green and a gentlemen named Todd Fishkind. Fishkind may be one of the most important songwriters and musicians from the era that no one really knows about. He was very close to Green and they wrote quite a bit together, including the classic “Your Love Broke Through.” Fishkind would also wrote a book about Keith. He was also considered quite the musician.
“Hold On” follows and sounds like something off pop radio at the time. If not for Ward’s distinctive vocals I would swear it could have been a single off of Chicago 13. In fact, it would have been the best song off of Chicago 13.
The borderline “world music” influenced “Angels Unaware” is the only truly dated song from the project. The lyrics about guardian angels at times are silly (something about the “honkin’ flu”) but no more silly than what Amy Grant would record nearly a decade later.
The hiccup of “Angels Unaware” is immediately forgotten with the stunning and emotionally driving ballad, “Summer Snow.” The simple song of faith and God’s timing is exclusively driven by piano and strings. Tom Keene’s great string arrangement supports Green’s beautiful playing. Matthew shows the range both vocally and emotionally here. It ranks amongst the true classic from the era.
The “much too short” album closes with an Anne Herring tune, “The Vineyard.” It is all but an instrumental, as the only vocals are “ooh’s” playing the part of strings on top of Tom Keene’s beautiful piano work. It is a contemplative ending to an utterly brilliant and timeless classic album.
Whether it ended one or era or started another is not of consequence and the debate shall continue. What is of consequence is how truly revelatory and ground breaking the album was and how, over 30 years later, it is still a brilliant masterpiece by a wonderful artist.
Track Listing: 1 – It’s All Right – 2:34 2 – Soft Spot – 3:42 3 – Noah’s Song – 3:56 4 – Till The Walls Fall Down – 2:29 5 – Gotta Do Better Than This – 3:23 6 – Your Love Came Over Me – 4:07 7 – Hold On – 3:10 8 – Angels Unaware – 2:26 9 – Summer Snow – 3:36 10 – The Vineyard – 2:18
Credits: Scotty Edwards – Bass Todd Fishkind – Songwriter Jay Graydon – Guitars Keith Green – Songwriter, Piano Melody Green – Songwriter Annie Herring – Songwriter Buck Herring – Producer, Engineer, Songwriter Phil Keaggy – Songwriter, Guitars Tom Keene – String Arranger, Piano David Kemper – Drums Abraham Laboriel – Bass Michael Omartian – Horn Arranger, Songwriter, Synthesizer, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Percussion Ray Parker, Jr. – Guitars Matthew Ward – Songwriter, Vocal Arranger, Vocals
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc. Recorded At – Buckskin Studio Recorded At – Sunwest Recording Studios
In 1986 Randy woke up his recording sessions and brought us back to a sound he was always good at. Randy can create a rock concert just by showing up, and for the Wild Frontier, he showed up. Side 1 starts off with a slough of tracks that are almost Springsteen-esque but since we remember Randy’s roots from Welcome To Paradise in 1976, we know he was always capable of this. The Wild Frontier is in some ways a triumphant return. Side 2 is a little more of Randy’s personal style, but still much edgier than the two albums that he released before this one. DA’s Jerry Chamberlain provides guitar for this album, and a most of the other musicians are his familiar band-mates. Rick Cua plays bass on some tracks, as does Dave Perkins, who also produced the album. Tom Howard is on keys as usual, as well as Rob Watson.
Tracklist 1 – The Wild Frontier – 4:12 2 – Here Come The Big Guitars – 3:45 3 – The Dying Breed – 4:21 4 – Words On The Wind – 5:47 5 – What’s My Line – 3:13 6 – What Do You Want From Life – 3:54 7 – Get Together – 3:54 8 – Defender – 3:05 9 – Evangeline – 5:45 10 – Hope Of Glory – 4:55
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Dave Perkins, Randy Stonehill Arranged By [Brass Arrangement] – Tom Howard Art Direction [Cover Art Direction], Design – Roland Young Backing Vocals – Chris Harris (2), Dave Perkins, Gary Chapman, Jerry Chamberlain, Peter Case, Peter Noone, Tonio K. Bass Guitar – Dave Perkins, Rick Cua Contractor [Horn Contractor] – John Lunden Drums – Mike Mead Electric Guitar – Dave Perkins, Jerry Chamberlain, Jerry McPherson, Randy Stonehill Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Malcolm Harper Engineer [Engineered By] – Dave Perkins, Dave Schober Engineer [Second Engineers] – Bob Salcedo, Casey McMackin, Dan Garcia, Gene Ford, Jon Ingoldsby, Matt Freeman Executive-Producer – Ray Ware Keyboards – Reese “Mr. B-3” Wynans Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Dave Perkins, David Schober, Randy Stonehill Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Dave Perkins, Keith Edwards Photography By [Cover Photography] – Howard Rosenberg Producer [Produced By] – Dave Perkins Programmed By [Programmer] – Peter Robb Synthesizer – Dave Perkins, Rob Watson, Tom Howard Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Music Grinder Studios Recorded At – The Reelsound Truck Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Recorded At – Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Pressed By – DADC – DIDX-010665 Published By – Stonehillian Music Published By – Word Music Published By – Undone Tunes Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
I have no idea how I found this band. They were a Christian band out of Norway that released 3 albums. I couldn’t really find much info on them but my Norwegian is a little rusty so If I actually spoke it there’s probably lots of info out there on them. The album has a progressive sound especially for 1980. In my opinion they were ahead of their time and there are tracks on here that could have been released in the mid 80’s. A few tracks have nice rock riffs while others lean more techno keyboard. There is one track in English which I easily would have listened to in 1980. It probably would have been on my regular rotation back then. I also love the voice of the female vocalist and feel she could have been quite successful in the English market. So if you don’t mind listening to Norwegian give this one a listen and if you don’t like music in other languages at least listen to track #8.
Tracklist 1 – Alpha – 3:21 2 – Fundament – 2:30 3 – Mannen I Gata – 4:06 4 – Det Du Har Gjort – 1:58 5 – Selvransakelse – 4:26 6 – Tømmermann – 3:55 7 – Reell Frelse – 3:36 8 – Now That I’ve Found (Your Love) – 3:31 9 – Du Er – 3:19 10 – Veibok – 3:22 11 – Gråt Maria – 4:45 12 – Omega – 2:40
Credits Arranged By, Producer, Engineer – Andy Kidd Composed By, Arranged By – Kainos Drums, Percussion, Other [Laserkanoner] – Jari Sempill Electric Bass, Vocals – Karl Brunvoll Flute, Saxophone, Vocals, Artwork [Cover Reprodusert Etter Malerier Av] – Arne Nøst Guitar – Øystein Eikeland Keyboards, Vocals – Petter Mortensen Lyrics By – Andy Kidd, Hilde Bergfjord, Jo Nesbø, Karl Brunvoll, Odd Kjetil Rangnes Vocals – Ingunn Kanestrøm, Marit Nøst
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Cross Studio Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Records A/S Copyright (c) – CBS Records A/S
Ex Bloodgood guitarist David Zaffiro is back wit his second solo album. I think he and Frontline were able to build on the first album and I feel this album is even better produced. Though David is best known for being a Metal guitarist this album leans more Rock than Metal though there is always a hint of David’s Metal past. Some do classify this album as Metal but it leans more Rock to me. What really surprised me about this album was David’s keyboard skills. Several tracks have a opening keyboard riff that set the feel for the track and that said there is strong keyboards on this album but it works with it’s Rock sound. This album is an excellent display of David’s musical skills and how diverse they are.
Tracklist 1 – Through His Eyes – 4:23 2 – Holding Fast – 4:07 3 – He’s Lying To Ya – 3:45 4 – In Scarlet Storm – 4:14 5 – I Wait Alone – 3:55 6 – Let It Go – 4:38 7 – Blue Ice – 4:22 8 – The Song – 3:40 9 – I Give This Life To You – 4:12
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Backing Vocals [Background Singers] – Eric Beaver Backing Vocals [Background Singers], Drums – Joe Pollastrini Engineer – Charles Meserole, Dave Van Liew Illustration – Jeff Foster Layout – Joe Potter Lead Vocals – Eric Beaver, Joe Pollastrini Mastered By – John Matousek Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen Producer [Additional Vocal Production], Engineer, Backing Vocals [Background Singers] – Doug Beiden Producer, Engineer, Backing Vocals [Background Singers], Bass, Keyboards – Maverick Gibson Producer, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Engineer, Bass, Keyboards – David Zaffiro Vocals [Argument Singers] – Eric Beaver, Lary Melby Written-By – Charles Meserole, David Zaffiro, Maverick Gibson
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records Copyright (c) – Intense Records Produced For – Zaffiro Productions Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia Recorded At – Full Voice Audio Recorded At – Neverland Studios Mixed At – Mixing Lab A Mastered At – Soundworks West Published By – Broken Songs
Michelle came to prominence with her duet album with Erick Nelson “The Misfit” in 1979. It was well received and is considered a classic to this day. This is her debut album as a solo artist. This album was very well received and had 2 CCM chart singles including “Walk Across Heaven” which made it to #4, and More Than Just A Man that made it to #11. The album is solidly Easy Listening and on a couple tracks eases into AOR but for the main part it’s a nice comfortable listen. If you missed it in the 80’s give it a listen now.
Tracklist 1 – Walk Across Heaven – 4:03 2 – You Were There All Along – 3:30 3 – More Than Just A Man – 3:30 4 – You’ve Known Me All My Life – 3:15 5 – Free From The Night – 3:20 6 – Rock Of Love – 3:15 7 – The Things I Hope For You – 3:17 8 – In Nazareth There’s A Carpenter – 4:18 9 – You – 3:37 10 – I Can Do It All By Myself – 4:20
Credits 12-String Acoustic Guitar – Jerry Wallce Acoustic Guitar – Jerry Wallce, Will McFarlane Arranged By [Horns] – Harrison Calloway Arranged By [Strings] – Jerry Wallace Art Direction – Stan Evenson Backing Vocals – Cindy Richardson, Jerry Wallace, Lenny Le Blanc, Michele Pillar, Robert Byrne, Will McFarlane Bass – Butch Ledford Bells – Jerry Wallace Concertmaster [Strings] – Earl Spielman Coordinator [Cover Coordinator] – B. Charlyne Hinesley Drums – Owen Hale Electric Guitar – Will McFarlane Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Jerry Wallce Engineer – Steve Moore Engineer [Assistant] – Keith Compton Executive-Producer – Billy Ray Hearn Guitar – Jerry Wallce, Will McFarlane Guitar, Soloist – Will McFarlane Harmony Vocals – Jerry Wallace, Lenny LeBlanc Horns [The Muscle Shoals Horns] – Charles Rose, Harrison Calloway, Harvey Thompson, Ronnie Eade Keyboards – Jerry Wallce Oboe – Beth Smith Organ – Clayton Ivey Percussion – Mickey Buckins Photography By [Cover] – Mark Hanauer Piano – Jerry Wallce, Lenny Le Blanc, Steve Nathan Piano [Acoustic] – Steve Nathan Producer – J.L. Wallace, Lonnie Ledford Saxophone, Soloist – Harvey Thompson Strings – Earl Spielman, Jo Ann Cruthirds, Kristin Wilkinson, Martha Wiggins, Paul Tobias, Pauli Ewing Synthesizer – Jerry Wallace Synthesizer [Prophet] – Steve Nathan Vocoder – Michele Pillar
Companies, etc. Recorded At – East Avalon Recorders Mixed At – East Avalon Recorders Mastered At – Masterfonics Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc. Published By – Hall-Clement Publications Published By – Muscle Shoals Sounds Publishing Co., Inc. Published By – Birdwing Music Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Canada’s Daniel Band continue their Hard Rock sound on this 1986 release. One thing I like about Daniel Band is their consistency. There is a flow from album to album without any of them getting boring. That’s not an easy thing to do but I think they mastered it. This album is another Rock & Roll masterpiece. It dances on the edge of Heavy Metal but stay’s on the Hard Rock side. As I understand it this album did not sell that well which quite surprises me as to me it feels like one of their better albums but I guess other saw and heard it differently. Luckily this album was rereleased in 2012 by Retroactive Records and they included a fantastic bonus track. It’s a cover of Darrell Mansfield’s “That’s All Right” and it is done right. I have no idea when it was recorded as I can’t find any info on it but it’s there and it’s great and we have included it here. So as I so often say, if you missed this one in the 80’s give it a chance now, you won’t be disappointed.
Tracklist 1 – Bethel – 3:06 2 – Rise Up – 3:51 3 – Don’t Walk Away – 3:49 4 – Paradise – 4:05 5 – Fight Back – 4:34 6 – Call His Name – 3:37 7 – Rock You – 4:08 8 – My Children – 5:32 9 – Right Heart – 3:50 10 – That’s Alright – 3:19
Credits Matt DelDuca – Drums Bill Findlay – Songwriter, Rhythm Guitar, Strings, Synthesizer, Background Vocals Raymond Howell – Songwriter Dan McCabe – Songwriter, Bass and Fretless Bass, Vocal Harmonies, Lead Vocals Tony Rossi – Songwriter, String Arranger, Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Electric 12 String, Acoustic Guitar, Lead and Background Vocals
Companies, etc. Record Company – Refuge Music Group Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Throughout the history of CCM many artists made their way over from secular music to Christian Music. Barry McGuire, Joe English, Bonnie Bramlett and a host of others. But few ever reached the critical mass success as former Santana lead vocalist, Leon Patillo. Patillo got his start in the late 60’s as the focal point of the funk band, Creation. He would later work with Martha & the Vandellas as well as with George Clinton’s Funkadelic. His greatest success would come during an eight year stint with guitar god, Santana. Patillo would leave Santana in 1981 to begin a Christian music solo career. Each of his first three studio album would contain a few CCM classic, but were never stellar projects from beginning ’til end until the release of “The Sky’s the Limit.” Earlier releases would contain monster hits like Dance Children Dance, Flesh of My Flesh and Cornerstone, but here Patillo sparkles from beginning to end. The album contains several top hits including J.E.S.U.S., the title track, “I’ve Heard the Thunder, Love Calling and his second hugely popular wedding song, Security. Several of the more upbeat tunes were often “re-mixed” into extended dances versions that were immensely popular at the time. No Christian roller skate night was ever complete without the extended version of J.E.S.U.S.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – I’ve Heard The Thunder – 4:04 2 – Security – 4:04 3 – Life Is What You Make It – 3:57 4 – Come To Receive – 3:28 5 – J.E.S.U.S. – 3:58 6 – Love Calling – 4:30 7 – Fear Not – 4:07 8 – Sing Unto The Lord – 4:25 9 – The Sky’s The Limit – :43 10 – Small Still Voice – 4:27
Credits Art Direction – Dennis Hill Backing Vocals – Donn Thomas, Elisecia Wright, LaVoughn Thomas, Linda Evans Concept By [Album Cover] – Jackie Patillo Engineer [Assistant] – Biff Vincent Photography By, Concept By [Album Cover] – Alan Bergman Producer, Composed By, Drums, Bass, Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Obx-a, Emulator, Dx7, Lynn Drum, Dmx, Simmons], Programmed By [Synthesizers], Lead Vocals – Leon Patillo Producer, Programmed By [Synthesizer], Engineer, Mixed By – Skip Konte
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Front Page Recorders Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
