Month: August 2021

Larry Norman Featuring Alwyn Wall & Barratt Band – Larry Norman And His Friends On Tour – 1981

This live album was recorded at the Dominion Theatre In London on Dec 26th 1980. According to Larry, Cliff Richard, The Vapors, Vic Coppersmith, and several members of Eric Clapton’s band were in attendance. Alwyn Wall and the Barratt Band opened for Larry and stayed on to back Larry’s set. Larry released the album with side 1 having 5 tracks from the opening set and 4 tracks on Side 2 from Larry. Well actually the first pressing had 4 tracks but subsequent pressings actually had 6 tracks. In typical Larry form he did not redo the jacket to represent these extra tracks but instead put an insert in the album to explain. In his defense though redoing the Jacket would have cost a lot of money so I don’t fault him. I do fault his however for some of his editing choices. Some tracks are chopped off and the sound quality varies greatly from track to track. However this is all part of listening to a Larry production. The electronic release of the album includes 5 bonus tracks recorded at the Bremen Germany stop of the same tour. We have included those tracks for your listening pleasure.

Tracklist
1 – Barratt Band – The Only One – 3:43
2 – Barratt Band – Not The Way – 3:41
3 – Alwyn Wall – I’m Alright Jack (The Greed Song) – 3:55
4 – Alwyn Wall – Hold On – 3:46
5 – Alwyn Wall – Dreams On Sand – 6:05
6 – Larry Norman – I Feel Like Dying – 2:48
7 – Larry Norman – Leaving The Past Behind – 1:39
8 – Larry Norman – Why Can’t You Be Good – 4:31
9 – Larry Norman – A Note From Mr God – 3:46
10 – Larry Norman – Put Your Life Into His Hands – 3:19
11 – Larry Norman – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 5:48
Bonus Tracks
12 – Larry Norman & Friends – Swing Low Sweet Chariot – 5:01
13 – Larry Norman – Watch What You’re Doing – 7:02
14 – Larry Norman – Feeling So Bad – 4:26
15 – Larry Norman – Sweet Sweet Song Of Salvation – 5:26
16 – Barratt Band – My Father’s House – 10:01

Darrell Mansfield Featuring Greg Martin – Kentucky Blues – 2014

Darrell is joined in the studio by members of The Kentucky Headhunters and Taildragger for yet another great Blues album. I’m a little confused why Greg Martin get’s billing on the jacket and not anyone else but perhaps it’s because it highlights his guitar work. Darrell is on spot this day in the studio and his harmonica was howling. There’s not a bad track on the album but in my opinion “Hello Goodbye Boogie” is the best track. It has a great Booker T. & the M.G.’s sound and feel.

Tracklist
1 – Respect Yourself – 5:30
2 – Ain’t No Room In This House For Hell – 3:13
3 – I’m Ready – 3:07
4 – Tell The Truth – 2:54
5 – Key To The Highway – 3:11
6 – That’s How Strong My Love Is – 3:28
7 – Hello Goodbye Boogie – 4:32

Credits
Backing Vocals – Doug Phelps
Bass – Mark Hendricks
Drums, Backing Vocals – Jon McGee
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Greg Martin
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Richard Young
Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Barrick Recording Studio

Martyr – Wickenstraut – 1993

Martyr were a metal thrash band out of Van Nuys, California. They had released three demos in the 80’s but subsequently released all their material on this CD released in 1993. This is slightly confusing as they changed their name in 1988 to Betrayal and released 4 albums using that name. The members of the band over time is somewhat confusing but if I read correctly these 3 demos were all with the credited members. This album was released on a somewhat obscure Christian label in Germany called Pleitegeier Records who seemed to specialize in Heavy Metal artists. Anyway onto the album it’s a thrash metal album, I was a little surprised at the quality of the music because they did not have a record deal in the late 80’s but quite frankly they are better than many acts who did. Chances are you missed this one in the 80’s so if your a thrasher it definitely deserves a listen now.

Tracklist
1 – War Circus – 8:53
2 – Flesh Scenes – 2:27
3 – Get Drunk – 5:07
4 – H.M. Wickenstraut – 5:29
5 – Fall On Your Face – 3:58
6 – In The Family – 6:49
7 – Golgotha – 4:14
8 – Abdomination – 2:42
9 – If You Like This – 5:04
10 – Plead The Blood – 5:56
11 – Imminent Warfare – 2:43
12 – Impiously Deranged – 3:08
13 – True Love – 1:40
14 – K.K.K. – 2:21
15 – Bad P.R. – 1:12
16 – False Prophets – 1:38
17 – K.D.A. – 2:02
18 – No Goats – 1″11

Credits
Bass – David L. Prado Jr.
Drums, Percussion – Jeff Edwards
Lead Guitar – Eric Clausen
Rhythm Guitar – Noah Vollmer
Vocals – Tyger Falmo

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Tisch & Christo Underground Recordings
Distributed By – Pleitegeier Records

The Latinos – His Song – 1973

The Latinos started out as The Four Latinos with four members of the Velasquez family. They released 2 albums in the 60’s using that name before settling on The Latinos. This is their 6th album with all but 1 of those albums being released on their own label including this one. The band’s first album was in 1964 and the continued putting out albums well into the 80’s. Strangely they never had a CCM charting single. I suspect this is because they mainly self released their work and CCM magazine basically ignored anything not on one of the “accepted” labels. Anyway, this is a great worship oriented album from a band that really should have been as popular as The Imperials. If you are unaware of this band they certainly should be listened to.

Tracklist
1 – His Song – 4:20
2 – What A Wonderful Life – 2:03
3 – Shine My Light – 2:52
4 – Love Is Just A Passing Thing – 2:43
5 – Let’s Take A Stand For Jesus – 2:10
6 – My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) – 4:00
7 – Since I’ve Met Christ – 3:35
8 – Somebody Told Me – 2:41
9 – If God Ruled Your Heart – 3:32
10 – Give Me More Of Jesus – 3:55

Credits
Arranged By – Fred Crane
Bass – Harold Velasquez
Congas – Leroy Velasquez
Drums – Chuck Kenyon
Engineer – Phil York
Keyboards – Judy Romero
Lead Guitar – Mike Velasquez
Management – Eddie Velasquez
Producer – Eddie Velasquez
Timbales – Leroy Velasquez

Say What? – Fresh Fish – 1990

This “gem” of an album showed up in 1990 and was released on Star Song records with much mystery. As far as I can tell we still don’t know who actually did this album. They used monikers and don’t ever appear to have taken credit for it. Personally I wouldn’t have taken credit either but I do not like Rap music. Apparently the track “I Can Sing Higher” is making fun of Sandi Patti which at least shows a good sense of humour, Anyway here it is, an 80’s style Rap album in the CCM music genre.

Tracklist
1 – Fresh Fish – 4:20
2 – Back In A Big Way – 3:53
3 – Step Off (The Stage) – 3:36
4 – Say What? – 2:40
5 – Brother-Brother – 5:03
6 – I Can Sing Higher – 4:42
7 – VG Veggies – 3:32
8 – We’re Stupid – 3:00
9 – Johnny Fencerider – 4:28

Credits
Art Direction – Toni Thigpen
Design, Illustration – Tufts Design Studio
Mastered By – Brian Gardner
Performer – TMOK (tracks: A5, B3), The Dean
Producer – Mix Master Mighty White
Recorded By, Mixed By – M.M.M.W.
Vocals [Guest] – Tiny Tina (tracks: A2, A5)
Written-By – Mighty White*, The Dean

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – Queen Bee Studios
Mixed At – Queen Bee Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Copyright (c) – Ariose Music
Copyright (c) – Shepherd’s Fold Music

Bryan Duncan – Anonymous Confessions of a Lunatic Friend – 1990

To say this was a successful album would be an understatement. Bryan squeezed 3 number 1 singles off this album. “We All Need”, “Blessed Are The Tears”, and “I Love You With My Life” all made it to number 1. I was a little surprised there wasn’t a fourth single that charted lower but nope. Don’t know that there’s another album with 3 #1’s and nothing lower. “I Love You With My Life” is actually a cover (is it really a cover when you performed it in the first place) from the 1979 Sweet Comfort Band album Breakin’ The Ice. This song actually made myself ask myself what if SCB actually had kept going and gone in the direction Bryan was headed. There was such great talent in the band that I would have far preferred hearing them back Bryan. That said I don’t want to take away anything from Bryan on this album. It really was the best album of 1990.

Tracklist
1 – Sunday Go To Meetin’ – 4:23
2 – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Now – 4:05
3 – Leave Your Light On (Hopeless Moon) – 4:28
4 – We All Need – 3:27
5 – Lunatic Friend – 4:24
6 – All Is Forgiven – 4:21
7 – Puttin’ In The Good Word – 4:23
8 – Walkin’ – 4:12
9 – Mr. Bailey’s Daughter – 4:03
10 – Blessed Are The Tears – 4:30
11 – I Love You With My Life – 4:40

Credits
Bass – John Pierce, Nathan East
Brass – Dan Higgins, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Larry Williams
Composed By – Bryan Duncan
Drums – Jeff Porcaro
Executive-Producer – Tom Willett
Guitar – Dan Lee, Michael Hodges, Tim Pierce
Keyboards – Alan Pasqua, Jerry Peters, John Van Tongeren, Michael Omartian, Peter Wolf, Randy Kerber
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Csaba Petocz, Jeremy Smith
Percussion – Dan Posthuma, Jeff Porcaro, Rafael Pidilla*, Sandra Crouch
Producer – Dan Posthuma
Saxophone [Solo] – Dave Boruff

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Mastered At – Future Disc

Reverend Dan Smith – Just Keep Goin’ On – 1992

On November 16th, 1994 Reverend Dan Smith died. He was 84 years old. To most of the world, including the world of CCM, the passing went by without much of an acknowledgement. But for 80 of his 84 years, Smith was a blues crooning, harmonica blasting, Gospel/folk, street preaching treasure. I challenge people to try to listen to this amazing album with being moved emotionally or spiritually. His life was filled with difficulties, trials and pain. Born in Alabama under Jim Crow laws he faced racism, depression and financial hardship. He struggled to educate himself while living the life of southern sharecroppers. He eventually landed a decent paying job the 1940’s, but was blinded in an industrial accident. All the while he played, sand and preached anywhere and everywhere. He even joined Pete Seeger in the fight to clean up the Hudson River. But despite all that, it is hard not to feel, sense, experience the sheer joy he expresses in every note. His love for his Savior is so obvious it drips from every note. His harmonica playing was very influential in the 60’s folk and blues world. The album being discussed here was recorded intermittently at his home as he was in poor health. The album was produced by Buddy Miller and features Miller’s wife and CCM icon, Julie Miller along with Victoria Williams and Bryan Duncan. Almost 30 years after it’s unheralded release and over 25 years since Smith’s death this masterpiece reminds us not only of a great musician, preacher, singer, but hopefully reminds of a long and treasured tradition of this truly American musical expression. If you do not own this amazing album…just find it!

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

Tracklist
1 – God’s Radar – 3:23
2 – Just Keep Goin’ On – 2:48
3 – Introduction – 0:59
4 – I’ve Never Been To Seminary, But I’ve Been To Calvary – 4:38
5 – I Walk By Faith – 3:24
6 – To Another Room – 4:51
7 – Dan Speaks – 0:15
8 – It Takes God To Build A Home – 3:37
9 – When Your Time Comes To Die – 2:52
10 – Jesus Knows My Name – 4:06
11 – This Is The Lord’s House – 3:14
12 – Down Through The Years (Testimony) – 8:47

Credits
Acoustic Bass – Denny Croy
Acoustic Guitar – George Ward
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass – Buddy Miller
Backing Vocals – Dexter Dickerson, Julie Miller, King Cotton, Mark Heard, Victoria Williams, Willie Greene Jr.
Dobro, Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo – Dennis Caplinger
Drums – Scott Babcock
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Organ [Hammond], Piano – John Andrew Schreiner
Percussion – Steve Hindalong
Producer – John Flynn
Producer, Mixed By – Buddy Miller
Resonator Guitar – Michael Hackanson-Stacy
Vocals [Duet] – Bryan Duncan
Vocals, Harmonica – Rev. Dan J. Smith
Written-By – Rev. Dan J. Smith

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Made By – JVC

Leon Patillo ‎– Live Experience – 1983 – Full Album

Leon recorded this album in 82 or 83 while on tour to support his “I’ll Never Stop Lovin’ You” release. It includes most of his big hits up to this point along with renditions of Amazing Grace and This Is The Day. Strangely Leon played the entire concert by himself using backing tracks of Bass and Drums recorded by himself earlier. I found this rather odd and was wondering if it was a tad egotistical but I decided in the end that it was simply a money decision. Normally of course you’d have to pay a support band for the tour as well as their expenses. Doing every thing yourself avoids this splitting and additional costs. Pretty smart financial move but I would think it would have hurt the live experience. If it did you can not tell from the recording. The fans are quite into the concert and it does sound like it was a great show.

Tracklist
1 – Born Again – 5:04
2 – Flesh Of My Flesh – 3:02
3 – Dance Children Dance – 6:46
4 – Amazing Grace – 1:55
5 – Don’t Give In – 4:36
6 – Star Of The Morning – 4:02
7 – Cornerstone – 4:05
8 – Visions (Talk) – 8:00
9 – We Must Believe – 6:17
10 – This Is The Day – 4:46
11 – Go – 5:15

Credits
Design, Layout – Dennis Hill
Engineer – Skip Konte
Engineer [Assistant] – Biff Vincent
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Roger Hanlon
Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Bass, Drums – Leon Patillo
Producer – Leon Patillo, Skip Konte
Programmed By [Horns, Strings, Percussion] – Leon Patillo
Vocals – Leon Patillo

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Mixed At – Front Page Studio, Costa Mesa, CA
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △26047

Daniel Amos – Live at Calvary Chapel (1​-​28​-​78)

In 2021 Daniel Amos released a recording of themselves live at Calvary Chapel in 1978. It features songs from their first two albums as well as Horrendous Disc which was already recorded but unreleased by Larry. It has 2 tracks, Happily Married Man, and Ain’t Gonna Fight It, that were not released until 1990 on a CD re-issue of their self titled album as bonus tracks. The sound quality is excellent and it’s an excellent opportunity for us to travel back in time to hear a band that would become one of the premiere CCM bands of all time.

Tracklist
1 – Hound Of Heaven – 4:52
2 – Abidin’ – 03:14
3 – Meal – 3:51
4 – Horrendous Disc – 3:29
5 – On The Line – 5:51
6 – Happily Married Man – 4:13
7 – Days & Nights – 2:25
8 – Ain’t Gonna Fight It – 4:54
9 – Posse In The Sky – 4:52
10 – Skeptic’s Song – 3:00
11 – Walking On The Water 7:03

Credits
Terry Scott Taylor- Lead Vocals- guitar
Jerry Chamberlain- Guitar, vocals
Ed McTaggart- Drums
Mark Cook- Keys, vocals
Marty Dieckmeyer- Bass
Mastered by Bruce Neher

Redeemer – The Light Is Struck And The Darkness Splits! – 1990

This is one of the odder releases I’ve stumbled across while researching Christian Metal music. This album was only released in Australia though it was reissued in Greece in 2020. Even though it was released in 1990 it was only issued on Vinyl with only 1000 copies printed. The album is a self release gatefold with the lyrics on the inside. I was told they were a thrash band so I prepared myself for that horror when I sat down to listen to the album. Instead I found a project as opposed to an album with several of the tracks having a progressive feel. At best I would describe the thrash tracks as thrash lite. It is actually quite a bearable album and I admit that there are a couple really good tracks here. Remember I detest thrash so this is saying a lot. I was also delighted to hear a female vocalist on a “thrash” album. This is a fascinating project and I congratulate the band on a job well done. Again not my style but really this is a pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – The Light Is Struck – 2:29
2 – Heavy And Loud – 4:37
3 – Sinner – 4:07
4 – Transmuter – 4:24
5 – Magician – 5:18
6 – Metallic Frenzy – 6:53
7 – Apocalypse Riders – 5:07
8 – Burn In Hell – 5:36
9 – The Darkness Splits – 0:39

Credits
Mick Johnson – Bass
Scott Cooper – Drums
Adam Johnson – Guitars
Craig Vine – Guitars
Cindy Greenwood – Vocals