Urgent Cry were a band out of Vandalia, Ohio. They released 2 demos but were never signed by a label. This is their first demo and it’s pretty good. It has a nice pop rock sound and is musically sound. Unfortunately the vocals are a bit weak. I think the vocal skills were there but Steven just needed a little guidance. This is a good example of the difference a good producer could have made. While the engineering was actually very good I think they needed a producer to pull it all together. One thing I really like that this band did was to release their demo cassette with all 4 tracks on each side. This means the cassette would last twice as long. Given the quality of these bulk cassettes I really liked it when bands did this.
Tracklist 1 – Cry In The Wilderness – 3:57 2 – Unexpected – 3:48 3 – Christ Is The Answer – 3:51 4 – No Pantomime – 4:06
Credits Darryl Gibson – Drums, acoustic guitar Kevin Landon – Bass, keyboards Bill Kuhn – Lead Guitar Steven Mikel – Lead vocals, flute
Recently David Lowman said the following, “If there was any real justice in the world of 80’s CCM, artists Jon Gibson and Tim Miner would have sold out arenas.” Upon reading that I broke out a Tim Miner album and he was right on that one so next I broke out a Jon Gibson album and he is dead on in this one also. In fact I liked this album even more than the Tim Miner album. This is Jon’s second album but his first was on a secular label so this was his first CCM offering. The album was quite popular and had a #1 single, “God Loves a Broken Heart”. In a foreshadowing of what would make him even more popular he did a quasi rap track “Ain’t It Pretty”. Not my favourite track on the album but I’m not a fan of that style. My personal pick for best track is actually “It’s True”. This is a great pop R&B album and as David said deserved to be much better known.
Tracklist 1 – Metal Machine – 4:20 2 – Ain’t It Pretty – 4:24 3 – On The Run – 4:02 4 – God Loves A Broken Heart – 4:24 5 – It’s True – 3:07 6 – Standing On The One – 4:04 7 – Are You Gonna Stay – 4:00 8 – I Love Her Anyway – 3:52 9 – Nation In Need – 3:48 10 – Dreams – 3:52
Credits Art Direction – Terry Dresbach Backing Vocals – Chrystal Blake, Felton Pilate, Jon Gibson, Phillip Ingram, The Waters Bass Guitar – Gary Jackson, Nathan Watts Creative Director – Ed McTaggart Drums – John Robinson, Jonathan Moffett, Tony Lewis Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Clifford Coulter, Tony LuFrano Executive-Producer – Sam Conti Guitar – Ben Bridges, Felton Pilate, Greg Doty, Joe Satriani, Mickey Free, Sneaky Pete, Snuffy Walden Keyboards, Drum Programming, Programmed By – Bill Wolfer, Felton Pilate, Tom Coster Lead Vocals – Jon Gibson Mastered By – Bill Cutler, George Horn Percussion – Cubby Ingram, Wayne-O-Millstein Photography By – Fredrica Drotos Producer – Felton Pilate, Jon Gibson, Tom Coster Saxophone – Larry Williams Synthesizer [Synth Bass] – Felton Pilate, Joey Gallo Written-By – Jon Gibson
Recently David Lowman said the following, “If there was any real justice in the world of 80’s CCM, artists Jon Gibson and Tim Miner would have sold out arenas.” Upon reading that I broke out this album, Tim’s second, and gave it a listen to see if I agreed and David is absolutely correct. This is a fantastic 80’s pop album. 1988 might have been a little too late for it but really Christian music was always a little behind the secular trends and this was actually a good thing in my opinion. While Tim had been writing music for others, about the time of this album is when his writing skills really took off and his songs appear on many hit albums. He also started producing at this point in his career and his skills in that capacity are excellent. If you only have time for one track I suggest “Too Casual”, it’s easily the best track on the album.
Tracklist 1 – Hey You! – 3:55 2 – I Know You Think You Know – 4:14 3 – Did I Forget To Say – 4:08 4 – Too Casual – 3:43 5 – Cover Me – 4:08 6 – Smarter Than Crack – 4:24 7 – Degeneration – 3:07 8 – You Know I Love This Feelin – 3:55 9 – Masquerade – 3:09 10 – Now (I Lay Me Down To Sleep) – 3:00
Credits Arranged By [Horn Arrangement] – Don Wallace, Tim Miner Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Angie Winans, BeBe Winans, Cindy Cruse, Cliff Jones, Debbie Winans, Debra Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Gavin Potter, Janice Archer Cruse, Janie Cruse Stone, Joe Cruse, III, John Cruse, Karen Cruse Adams, Mark Freeman, Nancy Cruse, Nicole “Bubbles” Bruce, Rob Johnson, Ronnie V., Todd Walters Backing Vocals – David Pack Backing Vocals – The Winans Bass – Tommy Sims Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmed By, Backing Vocals, Engineer, Mixed By, Producer – Tim Miner Design – Peter Nomura, Stan Evenson Design Inc. Drums – Ric Norris Engineer – Kelly Hemphill, Ron Lagerloff Engineer, Mixed By – Loyd Harris, Randy Adams Guitar – James Dillingham, Michael Gallaher, Michael Landau, Phil Keaggy Guitar, Backing Vocals – Michael Sembello Guitar, Keyboards, Engineer – Brian Tankersley Keyboards, Programmed By, Programmed By, Engineer – Rhett Lawrence Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By [Remixing] – Brian Tankersley, Don Wallace, Loyd Harris, Tim Miner Percussion – Charles Barnett Photography By – Bonnie Schiffman Photography – Mark Tucker Piano, Keyboards, Strings, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Engineer, Mixed By – Don Wallace Producer – Brian Tankersley, Don Wallace, James Everette Trombone – Keith Adkins Trumpet – Jay Saunders, Keith Jourdan, Scott Marsrow
I want to start out being clear about one thing. Bill is/was an excellent producer and in fact I believe he’s one of the best in the business. That said when it came to his own album my praise for him falls short. As you listen to this album know that the following artists all chipped in on the project, Dann Huff, Phil Keaggy, John Elefante, and David Huff. With that line up you would think that this should be an excellent album. Unfortunately it’s just an average album. Not a bad album, just a dull album. This is not the first time I’ve seen this from a producer. I can only theorize that their opinion of their own musical skills clouds the proper ability to produce a great album. That said the album does have a real high point with “Turn Your Heart Around” being an excellent duet with Crystal Lewis. Bill produced her albums so this seems like a natural pairing. So as I usually say in these situations, not a bad album, just not a great album.
Tracklist 1 – The Kindling – 4:14 2 – The Only Game In Town – 4:33 3 – Could It Be You Knew? – 4:58 4 – Turn Your Heart Around – 3:31 5 – No More Night – 4:22 6 – Heaven – 5:30 7 – Return The Favor – 3:48 8 – Lost Inside Of You – 4:32 9 – I Will Be There – 3:55 10 – Theme For A Child – 4:33 11 – Take It – 4:31 12 – Praise Medley – 5:02
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Artwork [Litho Prep] – Gershwin Graphics Backing Vocals – Allison Beech, Bill Baumgart, Bob Carlisle, John Elefante Bass – James Jamerson, John Patitucci Drums – David Huff, Pete Pfiefer Engineer – Bill Baumgart, Dave Jahnsen, Eric Kibbe, Kirt Shearer, Tim Heintz Guitar – Bob Somma, Dann Huff, Phil Keaggy Illustration [Cover] – John Dickenson Keyboards – Bill Baumgart, Tim Heintz Photography By – Michael Seeley Producer, Arranged By – Bill Baumgart Saxophone – David Koz Trumpet [Tpt] – Greg Prechel
This is Robin’s 3rd album and his first on a larger label. Robin was well known for his heavy touring schedule and I’m pretty sure this album increased that schedule. This is a great 80’s pop album but I haven’t heard his previous 2 albums yet so I don’t know if this is the style he was previously doing. The only strange this about the album is that there are 3 instrumental tracks which is rather odd for a pop album. While a lesser known album this is one that deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Titanic – 3:28 2 – God So Loved – 3:04 3 – Starting Over – 3:50 4 – Let The Truth Come Out – 4:32 5 – Lift Up Your Voices – 3:17 6 – Beatitudes – 2:55 7 – Seven Seventy-Seven – 3:15 8 – Quiet Times – 4:26 9 – Third World – 3:05
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Producer, Music By, Lyrics By – Robin Crow Bass – Michael Rhodes Design [Cover] – Jeff Spencer Drums – David Lawbaugh Electric Guitar, Co-producer – George Cocchini Engineer – Dave Perkins, Doug Sarrett Engineer, Mixed By – Chris McCollum Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow Mastered By – Benny Quinn Mixed By – Brent King Photography By – Clark Thomas Synthesizer – Shane Keister
This was Semaja’s first album. I does not appear to have been released in North America but instead looks like it was limited to Germany, their home country. I am really surprised that an American label didn’t grab this album. This may be one of the best 70’s sound albums I have heard and I’m not talking about 70’s Jesus music, I mean straight up 70’s rock. I can’t find out much about the band but I know their second album was released in America and was pretty well received. Anyway if you love seventies rock (not Jesus music) this just might be the album for you.
Tracklist 1 – Sometimes – 4:35 2 – Hear My Cry – 4:30 3 – Jeden Tag (Jesaja 55) – 6:45 4 – This Life – 4:12 5 – Jesaja 53 – 7:35 6 – The Wind – 7:35 7 – Big Noise – 5:52
Credits Artwork – Dirk Pape Bass, Vocals – Wilfried Herrmann Design – Peter Klüger Drums – Harald Nagel Engineer – Achim Bosch Guitar, Vocals – Ulrich Plinke Keyboards – Claus Feldmann Lead Vocals – Markus Egger Lyrics By, Music By – Semaja Percussion – Klaus Hermann Producer – Manfred Wieczorke
One of the veterans of The soul Christian music scene is back with his second solo credited album. Let’s be clear however this is actually his 15th album. As I’ve commented before I was completely unaware of the whole soul gospel music scene in the 80’s. Since starting this project I have heard so many great soul albums that I suspect I would have liked in the 80’s and this would have been one of those albums. I would classify it as soul light actually and it has a far more mainstream sound. At times I would classify it as late 70’s pop. I truly believe that anyone who was a fan of the Imperials at this point in history would have also loved this album.
Tracklist 1 – Christ Has Made The Difference – 4:28 2 – He Never Let Me Down Before – 3:53 3 – I Can’t Thank Him Enough – 4:14 4 – Your Love – 4:04 5 – Love Lifted Me – 4:00 6 – You Bring The Sun Out – 4:05 7 – Nobody But You – 4:41 8 – He’s Precious To Me – 3:47 9 – More Than Anything – 4:48 10 – We Praise You – 5:03
Credits Arranged By [Vocal] – Andraé Crouch, Bili Thedford Artwork, Design – Thel Arthur Engineer [@ P. S.] – Danny Leake, Paul Sorrono Engineer [@ Pumpkin] – Gary Lorizzo* Engineer [@ Western] – Gordon Shryock Executive-Producer – Bill Cole Mixed By – Bill Maxwell, Bob Cotton Vocals, Producer, Mixed By, Arranged By [Vocal] – Jessy Dixon
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc. – 1979 Recorded At – P.S. Recording Studios Recorded At – Pumpkin Studios Recorded At – Western Recorders Mixed At – Paramount Recording Studios Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
Gabriel is Robin Lyle and Jeff Walter. I actually can’t find much info on them which I find odd as they actually had 4 albums. This particular album was self released which I also find odd as it is easily good enough to have been picked up by a label. Tim Sheppard produced the album and did a really good job. The album cover isn’t exactly indicative of the album but I will give them a break as it was self released. It had a nice late 70’s pop feel and I quite enjoyed it though it does lean to easy listening on several tracks. Anyway, if you missed this one in 1981, and I’m guessing you did, give it a listen, it’s actually a pretty good album.
Tracklist 1 – You Rescued Me – 3:45 2 – Alive For A Purpose – 3:40 3 – A Heart That’s True – 3:50 4 – All Like Sheep – 5:00 5 – Now I Can Fly – 3:20 6 – I Found A Friend – 3:40 7 – Alone Tonight – 5:00 8 – Wouldn’t It Be Wonderful – 3:55 9 – How Much Longer – 4:15
Credits Rohn Bailey – Background Vocals Bud Guin – Guitar Robin Lyle – Songwriter, Vocals Ruby Lyle – Songwriter Jerry McPherson – Guitar Bob Peeples – Engineer Jake Pittman – Associate Producer, Engineer, Bass, Background Vocals Smitty Price – Piano, Synthesizer Tim Sheppard – Producer, Engineer, Piano, Organ, Background Vocals Brad Smith – Drums, Percussion Bill Tillman – Soprano Sax, Flute Jeff Walter – Songwriter, Vocals Hank Williams – Mastered
This is Crystal’s first solo album. She had previously appeared on albums with the Lifters/Wild Blue Yonder. She was offered this album deal at only 17 years old. It’s a pretty good album though I think it’s a little heavy on the keyboards on a few tracks. That synth pop sound doesn’t really work with her voice in my opinion. The track “Breakdown” best suits her vocals in my opinion. That said her vocals are so good she overcomes some questionable music to make a pretty darn good album. Crystal was one of CCM’s greatest vocalists but never got the recognition she deserved from the industry.
Tracklist 1 – Frustrated – 3:34 2 – Precious Lord – 3:37 3 – Without You – 4:21 4 – Runnin’ – 4:34 5 – Turn Your Heart Around – 3:33 6 – Breakdown – 3:53 7 – One More Heart – 3:46 8 – Special Love – 3:57 9 – Let Them Know – 4:15 10 – Tonight – 4:06
Credits Backing Vocals – Brian Tong, Dave Jahnsen, Michael Campion, Mike Mac Lane, Paul Daldwell Drums – Pete Pfiefer Engineer [Mixing] – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Bob Somm, Terence Elliot Keyboards – Tim Heintz Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Engineer – Bill Baumgart Saxophone – Eric Marienthal Vocals – Billy Hufsey Vocals, Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis
Kalhoun is the ninth album from Daniel Amos but it was actually released under their moniker dä. The band had taken a break for 4 years while working on other projects. The album was perceived as being rather anti government in the aftermath of the Gulf War but it’s not in your face, it’s rather subtle. Strangely the track “If You Want To” was later rerecorded by the Lost Dogs for their 2004 album MUTT. The album is true to their earlier rock sound and we don’t hear much new wave sounds on the album. I think that makes this album probably the best of their 90’s work.
Tracklist 1 – Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing – 3:36 2 – If You Want To – 3:58 3 – Kalhoun – 3:20 4 – I Will Return – 4:18 5 – Tracking The Amorous Man – 3:08 6 – Virgin Falls – 4:14 7 – Gloryhound – 4:40 8 – Prayer Wheel – 3:39 9 – Note To Anna – 2:41 10 – Father Explains – 4:32 11 – Gate Of The World – 4:11
Credits Art Direction – Court Patton, Terry Taylor, Tom Gulot Bass, Guitar [Additional] – Tim Chandler Cello – Miles Tackett Design, Layout – Patton Brothers Design Drums, Percussion – Ed McTaggart Engineer – G. Eugene Film Technician [Film Imaging] – Ed McTaggart Guitar, Accordion, Organ [B-3], Violin – Greg Flesch Illustration [Illustrations] – Court Patton Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Terry Taylor Mastered By – John Matousek Mixed By – G. Eugene, Terry Taylor Other [Organ Donor] – Travis Sheets Pedal Steel Guitar – Greg Kellogg Photography – Brian K. Tong Producer – Daniel Amos, Terry Taylor Technician [Drums] – Dave Raven Trumpet – Dave Hackbarth
