Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – The Misfit – 1979

As the world of “Jesus Music” was progressing into what is now known as CCM, there were several very good albums and some brilliant artists making music that was clearly in both genres and served as bridges and building blocks to this new industry. But there were not many “game changers” that forced the music world to consider the genre valid and worthy of consideration. Most great albums lacked quality production, originality or authenticity. The Misfit was a game changer. Completely original and just as good as anything in the pop music world at the time. Most “concept” albums suffer from content over quality and are often filled with songs that are forced to push the story forward and do not stand on their own as original compositions. The Misfit was a concept album that just happened to be filled 13 brilliant individual songs that have stood the test of time. This is not a concept album in the same way as something from The Who where it is a rock opera with a singular storyline weaving throughout each song. Rather, The Misfit is a concept album where a common thread of concept of being an “outside” or outcast weaves its way throughout each and every song. The different topics range from faith, love, loss, doubt and more, but all with a singular focus as coming from the outside looking in. Erick Nelson at this point had a very good and lengthy Jesus Music career going as both a solo artists and as members of popular bands like Good News. Michele Pillar was an up and coming and much talked about new female vocalist on the precipice of a wonderful career in the 1980’s. Her sweet and smooth Karen Carpenter (ballads) or Kiki Dee (pop) like voice matched Nelson’s more soulful and, at times, rocky voice perfectly and the blend just worked. It shocked many at the time that this would be their only album together. Nelson has said of himself that one his greatest strengths is his ability to surround himself with amazing musicians and performers. Though no slouch on the piano himself, he most certainly surrounded himself with the very best on this project. Guest musicians include Hadley Hockensmith, Dean parks, John Wickham, Jonathan David Brown, Alex MacDougall, Keith Edwards, Kelly Willard, Stan Endicott, Denny Correll and a host of others!

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

Tracklist
1 – The Misfit – 3:35
2 – Carry Me Along – 3:30
3 – Stand – 3:58
4 – Sail On – 2:35
5 – Can’t Find My Way Home – 3:22
6 – The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress – 1:56
7 – He’s Asleep – 3:20
8 – Hurting People – 3:42
9 – Take Me To The Light – 4:00
10 – First Prayer – 3:08
11 – Love Hurts – 2:47
12 – He Gave Me Love – 2:54
13 – Martyr Song – 3:40

Credits
Jonathan David Brown – Synthesizer
Alf Clausen – Orchestration
Darrel Cook – Bass
Denny Correll – Background Vocals
Tim Correll – Background Vocals
Keith Edwards – Drums, Percussion
Stan Endicott – Orchestration
Hadley Hockensmith – Bass, Guitars
Phil Kristianson – B3 Organ
Alex MacDougall – Percussion
George Marinelli, Jr. – Electric Guitar
Erick Nelson – Piano, Wurlitzer, Vocals
Dean Parks – Electric Guitar
Michele Pillar – Vocals
David Storrs – Electric Guitar
John Wickham – Electric Guitar
Kelly Willard – Rhodes

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music

Crumbächer – Tame The Volcano – 1988

I was very excited to listen to this album as I had not heard it before and wow was I surprised. Surprised being a synonym for disappointed in this case. On their/his previous album “Thunder Beach” we had a hint of what was coming but I wasn’t prepared for this album. Quite frankly it’s just another AOR album. Albums like this were a dime a dozen and it is hard to believe this even was Crumbächer. There are only a few tracks where we get to hear the synth genius that made Stephen Crumbächer famous. Instead most the tracks are run of the mill worship tracks. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Now if I had never heard of Stephen Crumbächer I would likely have said this was a pretty good AOR album. Stephen’s voice is strong and even a little surprisingly good. I don’t think I ever gave him credit for the quality of his vocals. It even had 2 CCM singles with “Rainy Season” making it to #15 and “Waiting For You” to #13. While I was unhappy with the album it is not a bad album. It is quite good in its own right, just not what I expected or wanted.

Tracklist
1 – Once More (With Feeling) – 4:26
2 – Speechless – 3:51
3 – Waiting For You – 3:58
4 – Release Me – 4:27
5 – Reckless Boys & Bad, Bad Girls – 4:55
6 – Tame The Volcano – 4:17
7 – Lava Rock – 2:46
8 – Rainy Season – 3:58
9 – Somebody’s Arms – 3:58
10 – Every Now And Then – 5:06
11 – Once More (For The Band) – 4:24

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Christopher Duke
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Christopher Duke, Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Jimmy Wisner, Stephen Crumbächer
Bass – Tim Chandler
Design – Ed McTaggart
Drums – Jimmy Wisner
Electric Guitar – Christopher Duke
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Engineer [Second] – Beth Wisner, Eric Kibbe
Illustration – Marilee T. Niehaus
Keyboards – Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Stephen Crumbächer, Tim Heintz
Lead Vocals – Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Stephen Crumbächer
Music By – Christopher Duke (tracks: 4,7,9,10), Stephen Crumbächer (tracks: 1 to 11)
Percussion – Kurt Rasmussen
Photography – R. Michael Seeley
Piano [Acoustic] – Stephen Crumbächer
Producer – Bill Baumgart, Stephen Crumbächer
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Words By – Stephen Crumbächer (tracks: 1 to 11)

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Asylomar

20/20 Blind – Never Far – 1994

This was the one and only album we got from 20/20 Blind but what an album it is. It was released on Intersound records who were actually better known for mainstream country acts. I don’t know how good Intersound was at distribution but I’m guessing not very good as the band talked Benson into distributing the album. Other than the band was from Houston TX I can’t really find too much about them. Guitarist Doug Middleton was in the 80’s band Straightaway but the rest of the members don’t appear to have recorded before this project. After this project several members went on to form the band Atticus Finch the next year. As for the album it’s an excellent hard rock album with a strong guitar track and well worth a listen as their sound is more late 80’s than 1994.

Tracklist
1 – Wash – 3:23
2 – Soul Song – 3:20
3 – Love Keeps Reaching – 4:03
4 – I Am Blind – 3:50
5 – Do I – 3:39
6 – Easier Way – 3:28
7 – Never Far – 2:51
8 – Show Each Other Love – 3:34
9 – Only Hope – 3:33
10 – Sleepyland – 3:27

Credits
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Charles Powell, Phil Beck
Bass, Backing Vocals – Schon Alkire
Drums, Backing Vocals – Chris Laurents
Engineer [Second Engineer] – Joseph L. Mangiameli
Executive-Producer – Charles Gates
Graphic Design – Ken Wells
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Doug Middleton, Mike McNeely
Keyboards [Additional], Sequenced By [Sequencing By] – Phil Beck
Lead Vocals – Wallace B. Chase
Photography By – Arthur Garcia, David Smith
Producer [Produced By] – Brian Garcia (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 10)
Recorded By, Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Brian Garcia

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intersound Inc.
Copyright (c) – Intersound Inc.
Manufactured By – Intersound Inc.
Distributed By – Intersound Inc.
Recorded At – The 4th Creation Recording Studio
Mixed At – The 4th Creation Recording Studio
Published By – Intercede
Published By – Ariose Music
Made By – Disctronics USA – 122999

XT – XT – 1992

XT was a project / partnership between Leviticus guitarist Bjorn Stigsson and Motherlode vocalist Sonny Larsson. I was just introduced to Motherlode last week so when I read about their XT project I couldn’t wait to hear it. Larsson had contributed vocals to Stiggson’s solo project “Together With Friends” in 1987 and they must have meshed as they came back together years later after their respective bands shut down. While they were known for their Metal leaning work in the past this album with a little more hard rock with some keyboard influences. I think I preferred their work with their original bands there is nothing wrong with this album and it is well worth a listen. Stigsson and Larsson went on to release 2 more albums in the 90’s and got back together in 2017 & 2019 for two new albums. I’m looking forward to giving them a listen soon.

Tracklist
1 – Toccata – 0:36
2 – Looking For Love – 2:35
3 – The Rock Is My Life – 3:36
4 – All Your Love – 3:57
5 – Open Your Heart – 4:08
6 – I’m In Heaven – 2:53
7 – Theme Of Händel – 0:59
8 – Everything Is Possible – 3:13
9 – Call Your Name – 2:53
10 – Down The Street – 3:08
11 – White Knight – 3:37
12 – Standing For Jesus Christ – 4:03
13 – Voices In Heaven – 1:45

Credits
Bass – Håkan Andersson
Cover – Anders Bühlund
Drums – Michael Ulfsgard
Guitar, Keyboards, Arranged By, Programmed By, Producer – Björn Stigsson
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Producer – Sonny Larsson
Mixed By – Magnus “MBee” Berggren*
Mixed By, Engineer – Niklas Windahl
Mixed By, Engineer, Bass – P-O Larsson
Photography By – Torleif Svensson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Viva Records AB
Copyright (c) – Viva Records AB
Made By – Zero Corporation
Recorded At – Eagle One Studios
Recorded At – Pol Music Studios
Recorded At – Studio Box-Room

Keith Thomas – Instrumental Appetite – 1983

I was quite surprised when I first listened to this album. I have heard Thomas’s follow up album to this one and quite liked it’s synth heavy pop sound. This album has nothing in common with that album. This is an instrumental jazz album and quite frankly I don’t like it. I don’t deny that there is a ton of talent here but this album is not what CCM was looking for at the time. I can’t find any info on how well it sold so I’m guessing not well. As I said there is no shortage of talent here but to put out an album for a niche part of a niche market just seems odd to me. Thomas was one of the best studio musicians of the time and must have had tons of contacts in the industry but chose to do a jazz album instead of something a little more trendy. That said if you do like instrumental jazz you’ll love this one and it’s probably the best instrumental jazz album of the era, not that it had much competition in this category.

Tracklist
1 – Road To Paradise – 3:32
2 – I Can’t Believe It’s True – 2:24
3 – Midnight Celebration – 4:15
4 – Made To Love You – 3:18
5 – Livin’ Without Your Love – 3:09
6 – The Heartmender – 3:45
7 – Changes – 5:43
8 – One More Song For You – 3:40

Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – John Darnall
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt
Bass – Bob Wray
Drums, Percussion – Mark Hammond
Engineer [Recording] – Jeff Balding
Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph
Flugelhorn – Terry Townson
Guitar [Acoustic], Electric Guitar – Jon Goin
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Mixed By – Bill Schnee
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Photography By – Mike Borum
Producer, Arranged By, Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Prophet V, Oberheim], Electric Piano – Keith Thomas
Strings – The Kris Wilkinson Strings
Woodwind – Mark Douthit

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.

Kenny Marks – Attitude – 1985

This was Kenny Mark’s third album and was kind of a breakthrough album. Mark’s first two albums received very little airplay as the lyrics and style went a little to far for Christian radio. However this album got heavy radio play in part due to it being better material and also in part to Christian radio was finally growing up and allowing more upbeat pop songs. The album produced 3 singles. Soul Reviver spent 9 weeks on the charts peaking at #35. Heroes was on the charts for 17 weeks peaking at #27 and Friends made it to #21 and was on the charts for 8 weeks. However the best song on the album “The Party’s Over” received no airplay as the JPM count was too low (Jesus Per Minute). Anyway, it’s a great Pop album and the music video for The Party’s Over was excellent.

1 – Life After High School – 3:57
2 – Attitude – 2:53
3 – It Doesn’t Hurt That Much – 4:51
4 – Heroes – 4:28
5 – It’s A Good Thing – 3:33
6 – The Party’s Over – 4:27
7 – Heart Trouble – 4:28
8 – Soul Reviver – 4:33
9 – Friends – 3:40

Credits
Art Direction – Keith Hunter (2), Thomas Ryan Design
Concept By [Cover Concept] – Pamela Marks
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Willie Pevear
Engineer [Assistant] – Alan Henry, Chris Hammond
Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph
Producer – Bubba Smith (2)
Recorded By, Mixed By – David Schober

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Bullet Recording
Mixed At – Bullet Recording
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – △27138

Gideon’s Army – Warrior Of Love – 1986

The second album from Gideon’s Army heard them stray from their 70’s influenced sound to a very pop oriented hard rock sound. I was actually surprised at their new sound. The first album was pretty good but nothing special but this album does have something special. Admittedly this is a very commercial sound but wow is it well done. This album would have fit in perfectly with the commercial radio Metal/Rock sound of the era. I’m actually kind of surprised I had never heard of these guy’s back in the 80’s. This album they switched over to A&R Records who were essentially a all in one place to record, produce, and press an album. I don’t believe they had any distribution deals for this album so I don’t know how widely it was heard. Luckily it was re-released in 2013 by Retroactive Records. I am assuming most of you missed this one in 1986 so today’s the day you should listen to it so you don’t miss out.

Tracklist
1 – Moment By Moment – 3:33
2 – It’s Your Love – 4:20
3 – Warriors Of Love – 4:26
4 – No Fun – 3:44
5 – I Know Someone – 4:18
6 – Runaway – 4:19
7 – I Know You Could See – 3:33
8 – Video – 4:55
9 – Backsliding Brother – 4:27
10 – Face To Face – 4:01

Credits
Jerry Anderson – Drums, Vocals
Dave Angeles – Lead Guitar
Ron Davis – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Producer
Mark Greves – Bass, Blues Harp, Vocals
Joseph Linn – Percussion
Tom Long – Synthesizer
Doug Naruo – Piano, Hammond B-3, Percussion, Arp String, Oberheim, Sequential
Nor Sivad – Effects

Michael Anderson – Sound Alarm – 1988

Sometime around 1987 I was working at a very large and popular christian Bookstore in Southern California when a copy of Billboard Magazine came across my desk. Along the bottom of the front page was an ad for an artist on A&M Records. The slogan on the ad was something like, “There’s Nothing Funny About the End of the World.” I was intrigued. I immediately called my local one-stop mainstream distributor and asked about the project. He hadn’t heard about but did make a couple calls for me. It would be released a few weeks later, but he did call the next day and said he got an advanced copy of the album for my to review before ordering. I drove over right away and put the CD in my car. The content seemed “Christian” to me but i had no real proof the artist was a Christian. Songs were about faith and the title track mentioned Babylon and Armageddon. I ordered some for the store despite the “hell” word being present and not receiving any confirmation about the faith of the artist. It sold well. In fact, it sold extremely well. My staff loved it and pushed and I don’t think a customer came in that didn’t hear something about it one way or the other. It charted in CCM Magazine just because of our sales alone. About a month later i received a phone call. On the other end of the line was a man with a very low voice and calm demeanor. He introduced himself as Michael Anderson and asked why in the world was i selling his record at a Christian Bookstore. I was a bit stunned and taken aback. “Don’t get me wrong,” he said, “I just wanted to know how you knew I was a Christian?” As I found out later his manager told him the album charted in CCM Magazine and that was because of the sales from one store. He tracked down the store and called. That started a friendship that would last for several years. My wife and I would travel to Hollywood regularly to hang out with Michael and his wife. In fact, we were invited by Michael his wife’s birthday party at an amazing gourmet Japanese restaurant in Bel Air and were seated at a table with Michael and Stormie Omartian. Michael’s debut project on A&M Records is a powerful, straight ahead Americana rock and roll in the same vein as the best from John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen but with a more blues and country influenced sound. Anderson’s voice will huff, puff, spit, scream and squeal with an edge that pierces as it communicates with passion few have reviled. On higher notes he is known to have his voice crack in trademark fashion. But on the mellower tunes he can bring it down to soft, almost Barry White-like smooth growl. Anderson would record two releases for the mainstream market on A&M and then two projects for the Christian market on Forefront. He made his way there after I gave a copy of this album to Eddie DeGarmo at a Benson records sales conference.

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

Tracklist
1 – Sound Alarm – 5:31
2 – I Know That You Can Stand – 5:14
3 – I Need You – 4:51
4 – Until You Loved Me – 3:49
5 – Sanctuary – 5:43
6 – Little Bit O’ Love – 4:24
7 – Memphis Radio – 4:47
8 – Soweto Soul – 4:03
9 – Shine A Light – 4:49
10 – Time To Go Home – 5:10

Credits
Backing Vocals – Toni Anderson
Bass, Backing Vocals – Buck Silvertone
Drums – Chad Cromwell
Guitar – Josh Sklair
Harmonica – Jimmy Z
Producer, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Terry Manning
Vocals, Guitar – Michael Anderson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&M Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – A&M Records, Inc.
Distributed By – PolyGram
Made By – PolyGram
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Recorded At – Alpha Sound
Mixed At – Ardent Studios
Mixed At – Alpha Sound
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Published By – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Published By – Cadillac Pink Music

ArkAngel – Warrior – 1980

Featuring Kemper Crabb, Arkangel’s “Warrior” has become one of the most sought after and expensive collector’s item’s in CCM history. From the stunning album artwork to the brilliant art rock performed perfectly, there is really no doubt as to why this is such a sought after project. The artwork and the music conjure up images of Tolkein and “middle Earth,” crusades and knights in shining armor. Primarily a moody and melodic (and dare I say worshipful), there are moments of hard and progressive rock rock. Labeled often a progressive rock masterpiece, art rock is a better label. More thoughtful and contemplative than its contemporaries, Crabb revels in the classical, meditative and majestic musical styles employed. Crabb also demonstrates a diversity of musical taste and instrumentation, with nearly 40 instruments represented on the project with Crabb responsible for playing roughly 30 of them. On a side note, I believe fans of Daniel Amos’ “Shotgun Angel” will find quite a bit to like here. Not as country rock or Beatlesque, but there is a similarity in musical and artistic expression found here. Despite the clear artistic endeavor the album is lyrically very “Christian” and Gospel centered. The title track would later be covered by Caedmon’s Call on their first worship album and works as an introduction to the feel and sound of the entire project. Paradox is just a great acoustic rock song, perfectly suited for its day to be a mainstream radio hit, if not the blatant Jesus content. It should be noted here just how well produced the album is. Given that it was released on the burgeoning Star Song label with a distinctly limited budget, the album sounds fantastic. Vocals are clear, strings are ample and the instrumentation is more than just solid, but at times exquisite. Bekah Crabb adds vocals on a few songs as well. The heaviest number is the nearly six minute “Morning Anthem.” Taking the worshipful lyrical cue from “Warrior,” Morning Anthem is a stunning rocker that calls the worshippers to dance before the Lord. heavy, harmonic and powerful. For the time it would rank amongst the “heavier” songs in CCM and one of the truly rare instances of progressive rock in the genre. There was never a follow up to this amazing project and that is a real shame. Another journey to Middle Earth spiritually and metaphorically would have been a great delight. But alas, like most of the most progressive and artistic endeavors in CCM, it never found an audience. Though some 30 years later that limited audience is willing to part with large sums of money to discover (or rediscover) this amazing project.

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

Tracklist
1 – Pange Lingua Certaminis – 0:43
2 – Warrior / March Of The Ents – 4:22
3 – Dwelling Place – 4:32
4 – Paradox (Disciple’s Song) – 3:19
5 – Realization – 2:56
6 – Praises In The Old Tongue – 1:21
7 – Greater Love – 3:16
8 – Ex Nihilo – 2:00
9 – Morning’s Anthem – 5:46
10 – Elohim Considers Antedeluvia – 1:44
11 – The Nephilim Disembodied – 0:39
12 – Ark – 4:29
13 – Beastia Ex Machina – 0:39
14 – To A Sleeping Infidel – 3:22
15 – Morning’s Anthem Reprise – 0:22

Credits
Richard Conine – Keyboards, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Background Vocals
Bekah Crabb – Autoharp, Vocals
Kemper Crabb – Producer, Songwriter, Guitar, Lute, Recorder, Drums, Percussion, Kalimba, Dulcimer, Bass, Vocals
Philip Dorflinger – Ent Voices
Jimmy Hotz – Producer, Engineer
David Marshall – Producer, Arrangements, Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Michael Miller – Ent Voices
Paul Mills – Engineer
Randy M. Sanchez – Drums
Brian Tankersley – Bass, Background Vocals
Andy White – Bagpipes
Steve Young – Violin, Keyboards

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Joyeuse Garde Recordings
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Mixed At – Rivendell Sound Recorders

Rick Cua – Times Ten – 1995

This was Rick’s first album after the formation of his new label “United Christian Alliance”. Well technically he did release a compilation album first but I generally don’t classify compilation albums the same. Unfortunately the label didn’t appear to have been a success having only ever signed one artist, Morgan Cryar, and only to a one album deal. I am assuming Rick was seeing the decline of the CCM market and thought he could step in and help but alas the industry was in a decline that was not within artists reach to fix. Rick also produced this album and did a real good job. If the industry hadn’t been tailing off I think he could have done some real good production work. The album itself is pretty good but suffered from lack of distribution. I hadn’t heard any of Rick’s later work and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a good pop rock album and had the industry been healthier it likely would have had a few singles. “Build A Bridge” definitely would have been a fan favorite and a top 40 single.

Tracklist
1 – Italo Americano – 4:17
2 – Never Give Up – 4:07
3 – High Country – 3:57
4 – Slow Salin’ – 4:32
5 – Build A Bridge – 3:26
6 – Brothers & Sisters – 3:52
7 – Whenever I – 2:59
8 – Can’t Come Down – 3:28
9 – I Know You’ll Be There – 4:08
10 – Bull By The Horns – 4:05
11 – Italo Americano (Reprise) – 0:49

Credits
Leonard Ahlstrom – Songwriter
Larry Arlotta – Piano
Mike Caputy – Drums
Chris Carmichael – Violin, Cello
George Cocchini – Guitars
Rick Cua – Producer, Songwriter, Bass, Vocals
Tony DeCrescenzo – Translation
Bob Halligan, Jr. – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Robert White Johnson – Background Vocals
Andreas Krause – Technical Assistance
Tom Lane – Acoustic Guitar
Randy Leroy – Mastered
Russ Long – Engineer, Mixed
Phil Madeira – B3
Will McFarlane – Guitars
Terry McMillan – Harmonica
Mike Mead – Drums
Dino Pastin – Accordion
Dave Perkins – Engineer, Guitars
Emedin Rivera – Percussion
Pino Squillace – Translation

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Salt Incorporated Music, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Salt Incorporated Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Dave’s Garden Of Eden
Recorded At – The Carport
Mixed At – The Carport
Mastered At – Final Stage Mastering