This is the second studio album from The 2nd Chapter of acts who after this would simplify their name to just 2nd Chapter of Acts. Myrrh records was happy to have them back as their first album sold well. Phil Keaggy joins the best lineup of the band on guitar again and you can start to hear his skill level. Point of trivia about this album is that Michael Been (The Call) played Bass on some tracks. As for the album it’s a pretty easy listening album with strong 70’s vibes but if you want to hear Keaggy attack a Rock track listen to “Yahweh” which is not easy listening.
Tracklist 1 – Start Every Day With A Smile – 0:54 2 – Yahweh – 3:07 3 – Something Tells Me – 3:29 4 – The Grey Song – 1:56 5 – Now That I Belong To You – 4:04 6 – Ps. 63 – 1:51 7 – Prince Song – 2:51 8 – Morning Comes When You Call – 3:10 9 – Borrowed Time – 2:30 10 – Last Day Of My Life – 3:08 11 – Hey, Whatcha’ Say – 3:20 12 – Keep On Shinin’ – 3:13 13 – I Can’t Get Near You – 2:18
Credits Michael Been – Bass Jesse Cosio – Songwriter Emery Gordy – Bass Jay Graydon – Guitars Nelly Greisen – Songwriter, Vocals Annie Herring – Songwriter, Piano, Percussion, Vocals Buck Herring – Producer, Engineer David Hungate – Bass Phil Keaggy – Guitars and Guitar Solos David Kemper – Drums Michael Omartian – Arranger, Piano, Organ, Aarpvark, Percussion Larry Rolando – Guitars Richard Souther – Songwriter Danny Timms – Organ Matthew Ward – Songwriter, Vocals
So I’ll straight up admit I never hears of John before this album made its way across my desktop. He’s actually fairly well known and has a great history with music. In the 60’s he was in a fantastic obscure secular 60’s band called Peter & The Wolves (Not the recent Canadian version). I went back and listened to his work back them and it’s great. Later in the 80’s he was with a band called Fresh Air that had one album that I am feverishly looking for. Anyway this appears to have been his first Christian album and it is great. It has an early 70’s feel and a late 60’s feel on a few tracks. So if you missed this one back in the day give it a listen, it’s pretty darn good.
Tracklist 1 – Strong Love – 3:31 2 – Empty Handed – 3:17 3 – He Will Take Great Care – 3:12 4 – Will I Ever Get Over This – 3:18 5 – Reigning In My Heart – 3:53 6 – Behold I Stand At The Door And Knock – 2:35 7 – Slip Off Your Shoes – 3:22 8 – God Is Moving On – 3:25 9 – Sweat Healer – 3:57 10 – Priceless – 3:24
Credits Backing Vocals – Elizabeth Kaufmann, Gwen Murray Bass – Paul Cobbold Design [sleeve] – Chris Bourne Drums – Mike Wade Engineer – Andy Kidd, Dave Aston Guitar – Mo Witham Saxophone, Flute – Robert McKay Vocals, Keyboards, Producer, Written-By – John Pantry
This was Michael’s “crossover” album. Man I hate that term but unfortunately it is appropriate for this album as it actually had very solid mainstream success. The single “Place in This World” peaked at #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. What actually makes this even more impressive is that it did it on a Christian label. Often when a Christian artists had success on the mainstream charts it’s partially because a secular label co-released the album, but not this time, Michael earned the ranking fair and square. As for the album it’s probably some of his best work and while a little over produced it’s a solid album with several very good tracks. Personally I think the title track is the single but it would not have done as well on radio.
Tracklist 1 – Go West Young Man – 4:00 2 – Love Crusade – 4:23 3 – Place In This World – 4:01 4 – For You – 4:08 5 – How Long Will Be Too Long – 4:35 6 – Seed To Sow – 6:13 7 – Cross My Heart – 4:35 8 – Emily – 4:17 9 – Agnus Dei – 5:08 10 – 1990~ – 1:39
Credits A&R – Don Donahue, Richard Headen Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The African Children’s Choir] – Michael W. Smith Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The American Boychoir] – Ronn Huff Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Chris McDonald Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – Ronn Huff Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, Deb Rhodes Artwork By [Styling] – Mary Jane Starke Choir [The African Children’s Choir] – “Moses” Benjamin Walusimbi, Alex Ndahura, Alpha Bugembe, Angelina Tushemereirwe, Barbara Kayaga, Bernett Kwesigomo, Edward Kizito, Eliphaz Isiko, Faruk Luyinda, Harriett Nalugo, Hope Namatovu, Isack Kalule, Israel Musoke, Jackie Nayiga, James Ndyanabo, Jane Babirye, Joseph Serwada, Josephine Nakato, Margaret Ndagire, Monika Muyodi, Niima Asiimwe, Rebecca Namuju, Sarah Nakayiza, Timothy Kabogere Choir [The American Boychoir] – Aaron Cassidy, Benjamin Eley, Cameron Kruger, Charles Evans, Christopher Korenjak, David Listenberger, Evan Burris, Evan Weber, Kenneth Votapka, Lance Wiliford, Mitch Beeler, Nathan Wadley, Richard Lee, Scott Couper Co-producer – Bryan Lenox Concertmaster, Contractor – Carl Gorodetzky Conductor [The African Children’s Choir Director] – Gertrude Kafeero Conductor [The American Boychoir] – James H. Litton Design – B. Middleworth Edited By – Nick Palladino Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Dave Murphy, Don Martin, Pasquale DelVillagio, Pat Hutchinson, Patrick Kelly Engineer [Engineered By] – Bill Deaton, Billy Whittington, Brent King, Bret Teegarden, Bryan Lenox Executive-Producer [Executive Producers] – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings Featuring – The African Children’s Choir, The American Boychoir, The Nashville String Machine Management [Exclusive Management And Direction] – Blanton \ Harrell, Inc. Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – Humberto Gatica Mixed By [Assisted By] – Alejandro Rodriguez, David Parker Other [MWS Personal Assistant] – Elizabeth Leighton Jones Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer [MWS Vocals Produced By] – Wayne Kirkpatrick Producer [Produced By] – Michael W. Smith Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Bryan Lenox, MWS, Mike Lawler, Tommy Sims, Trace Scarborough Recorded By [Strings] – Brett King Recorded By [The American Boychoir] – Rick Rowe Soloist – Nathan Wadley
This is David’s 10th album and his first with Star Song/Sparrow and that’s the reason I dislike this excellent album. Okay let me explain. It is obvious that Star Song threw a TON of money at this album. The production list is like something from a mainstream platinum album. So what’s the problem you ask. The album is way way over produced. I mean there are some great tracks on this album. “When I Was Seventeen” is an excellent track with an excellent guitar track BUT it is just too smooth. It needs to be rough with a Bryan Adams feel not the smooth calculated and way over mixed version we get. Another example of what’s wrong with this album is that David, one of the best pianists in the world, only plays keyboards on 2 tracks. What? The album instead chooses to center around his vocals which quite frankly are secondary to his keyboard skills. Okay but is it a good album? Yes it’s a very good album and there are some timeless tracks but I just wish it was a little more raw.
Tracklist 1 – Prelude (Instrumental) – 0:34 2 – When I Was Seventeen – 4:26 3 – Learning To Trust – 4:59 4 – To Know Him – 3:48 5 – To The Glory Of God – 4:01 6 – The Man With The Nail Scars – 4:47 7 – Interlude In B Minor (Instrumental) – 0:55 8 – This Time – 4:43 9 – When All Colors Turn To Love – 4:11 10 – Somebody’s Calling Your Name – 5:05 11 – The Rest Of My Life – 3:56
Credits Backing Vocals – Chris Eaton, Chris Rodriguez, Donna McElroy, Gordon Kennedy, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Vickie Hampton, Wayne Kirkpatrick Bass – Jimmie Lee Sloas, Mike Brignardello, Tommy Sims Bass [Programming] – Shane Keister Design – Janice Watson Director Of Photography – Joan Tankersley Drum Programming – Shane Keister Drums – Chris McHugh, Paul Leim Engineer – Jeff Balding Engineer [Assistant] – Byron House, Carry Summers, Jeff Borders, Roy Gamble, Shawn McLean, Steve Bishir Engineer [Overdubs] – Brown Bannister Guitar – Gordon Kennedy, Jerry McPherson, Tom Hemby, Wayne Scott Farley Keyboards – David Meece, Phil Naish, Shane Keister, Tommy Dorsey Keyboards [Additional] – David Meece Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Billy Whittington, Jeff Balding, Nick Fromme Mixed By [Assistant] – John David Parker Percussion – Chris McHugh, Paul Leim, Terry McMillan Photography By – Eika Aoshima Producer – Brown Bannister, Shane Keister Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Richard Headen Tom Tom, Cymbal – Chris McHugh
This is the first album that The Archers recorded with Impact Records. They did re-release their first album with Impact but Impact were not involved with that album other than that. Impact had Bob MacKenzie step in and do the production for the album. They all obviously meshed together well as the album had 2 number one hits, “Little Flowers” and “Jesus, He Is The Son Of God”. This is the album that really introduced The Archers to the world but strangely they couldn’t follow it up with Impact as they switched over to Light Records after this album. Anyway if your an Archers fan this is the one that actually started it all even though it wasn’t their first album.
Tracklist 1 – Keep Singin’ That Love Song – 2:50 2 – Truth, Peace And Joy – 3:21 3 – He Washed My Sins Away – 2:34 4 – Children – 3:11 5 – Jesus (He Is The Son Of God) – 3:00 6 – Thank You, Lord Jesus – 3:51 7 – Little Flowers – 4:16 8 – Soul Down – 3:00 9 – He Loves You – 2:42 10 – There Is A Light – 3:38
Credits Don Aldridge – Songwriter Steve Archer – Vocals Tim Archer – Vocals The Archers – Vocal Arrangements Andrae Crouch – Songwriter Stu Evans – Engineer Jon Ferrin – Songwriter Toby Foster – Remix Engineer, Mastered Lee Hazen – Remix Engineer Phil Johnson – Songwriter Danny Lee – Songwriter Bob MacKenzie – Producer Billy Masters – Songwriter, Vocals Nancye Short – Songwriter, Vocals Bob Sisco – Vocal and Instrumental Arrangements
This album is often called the 3 album from Halo but it is not. Scott Springer is indeed joined by Halo drummer Mike Graham but the rest of the band is absent. Furthermore I don’t feel it has the same sound as Halo. It is much more AOR oriented. As with the Halo albums this one is produed by the Elefante brothers and as usual the production is top notch and as is common on their albums they pitched in on instruments and song writing. Personally I preferred the Halo albums but this album stands strong on it’s own. This album will go down as one of the poorest album covers of 1993 as it almost insinuates this is a swing album or something The cover was done by David Bach (Guardian) and I’ve seen his other work and it all seemed good, but I feel he missed on this one.
Tracklist 1 – Anytime – 3:55 2 – Hello Forever – 4:31 3 – Behold The Lamb – 4:40 4 – Psycho Babble – 4:05 5 – The Victory – 4:29 6 – His Name Is Jesus – 4:56 7 – Stand Up – 4:14 8 – On My Knees – 4:17 9 – Promises – 4:39 10 – Wounded Soldier – 4:10
Credits Art Direction, Design – David Bach Backing Vocals – Dave Amato, Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, John Elefante, Sarah Tennison, Scott Springer Bass – E.L. McNeely, Jack Mack, John Pierce Drums – David Raven, Mike Graham Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante Guitar – Dino Elefante, E.L. McNeely, Glenn Pearce Keyboards – John Andrew Schreiner, John Elefante Mastered By – Chris Bellman Mixed By – Neil Kernon Photography By – Ben Pearson Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante Written-By – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, John Elefante, Mike Graham, Scott Springer
This album was presented to me as a metal album but quite frankly after listening to it about 3 ties I just don’t get a metal feeling from it. Instead what I’m hearing is a great southern Rock album. There are some ZZ Top feelings and quite frankly some Rez feelings. Bottom line what we have here is a fantastic bluesy hard Rock album that deserved a much larger audience. My only complaint is that the production is not the best. I read the album was produced on a tight budget and you can tell. The talent of the band is very high so it still balances out that this is a great album and a must have in your CCM collection.
Tracklist 1 – We Are The Saints – 3:03 2 – Saint’s Boogie – 3:53 3 – Code Name: Jesus – 3:23 4 – One In One-Hundred – 6:06 5 – Don’t Knock The Rock – 4:01 6 – Talkin’ bout Love – 5:26 7 – Jehovah Jirah – 3:26 8 – Prisoner Of Love – 2:59
Credits Backing Vocals – Kathy Jameson, Maureen Kelly Bass Guitar – Ken Kane Cover – Ken Roberts Drums – John Tinker Engineer – James Saad Keyboards – Ralph Clayton Lead Guitar – Steve Olsen Photography By – Glenn Emery Brim Producer – Ken Roberts Vocals – Steve Olsen
We don’t often publish 70’s bands with no connection to the 80’s but this band is an exception due to how good it is. If you have one of the original copies of this album your pretty lucky as it is said that it only had 200 copies pressed and it sells in excess of $1000. That is a very small pressing and I wonder why a record label didn’t grab this release and give it a full release given the quality of it. I can only guess is that it just simply never crossed anyone’s desk. This is probably the best 70’s album I have ever heard. These guys were good, very good. Strangely none of them ever went on to do anything else. This completely mystifies me. Anyway it had several re-releases in the 90’s forward and a CD release in 1999 included 3 bonus tracks which we have included. Thanks to David Lowman for letting me know about this excellent album.
Tracklist 1 – Sanc-Divided – 3:51 2 – Come Out Of Her – 4:56 3 – Eye Of The Hurricane – 8:56 4 – Sons Come To Birth – 5:27 5 – This Bird (Sky High) – 8:11 CD Bonus Tracks 6 – Prisms – 4:23 7 – Dawning Light – 4:40 8 – Intercessor’s Blues – 3:55
Credits Bass – Vic Hemme Engineer [Recording] – Frank Kejmar Guitar – Bob Meinel, Don Swanson Percussion – Curt Swanson Photography By – John Stanchfield Producer – Fraction Vocals, Concept By, Design – Jim Beach
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Modern Album, Burbank Recorded At – Whitney Recording Studios
Paul Smith of course is best known for being in the Imperials. He did go on to a solo career after the Imperials but this little known album came before he joined the Imperials. When I say little known it’s because this album does not appear to have been on a label. It appears Paul self released this album so I am assuming no one ever heard of it. Strangely it appears to be highly collectable with copies fetching $300. I have listened to the album and there is nothing here that is deserving of that price tag but it is a good album if you like that 70’s easy listening style.
Tracklist 1 – Yes, I Know – 4:37 2 – Singin’ Through The Rain – 3:17 3 – Before I Knew – 4:27 4 – Child Of The Father – 3:32 5 – One More Day – 5:44 6 – Now I See The Man – 3:09 7 – Lonely People Serenade – 6:07 8 – Let There Still Be Love – 3:48 9 – Always – 4:23
Credits Arranged By – Robert Sterling Backing Vocals – Suite Lady Backing Vocals [Suite Lady] – Cindy Vaughn, Denise Griffith, Gail Quillan, Jean Seal, Jean Secliffe Bass – Andy Rae Design – Nancy Perry Drums, Percussion – Robert Sterling Engineer – Bob Sullivan Guitar – Bob Thomas Keyboards, Synthesizer – Shane Keister Liner Notes – Charles F. Brown Mixed By [Assistant] – Charles F. Brown Photography By – Tim Henry Producer – Robert Sterling Saxophone – Greg Bashara Trombone – Anne Broaddus, David Carter Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Mark Nally
Companies, etc. Published By – Glorysound Publishing Published By – Home Sweet Home Publishing Published By – John T. Benson Publishing Published By – PostScript Music Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders Recorded At – Sunset-Burnet Studios
X-Sinner was formed in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop in Orange County California. It also appears to have been the first album released on the Elefante brothers label Pakaderm Records. I can’t think of a better intro album for a new label. X-Sinner’s comparison to AC DC is rather obvious but they are more than that I would argue. I can definitely hear some original ideas and they didn’t just copy AC DC as often accused. To say the album was well received is an understatement as they were named the favourite new band of 1989 by the readers of HM Magazine. If the intro track doesn’t hook you then there’s something wrong with you. My only complaint about the band is that I wish they would have some out earlier in the 80’s but you can’t really blame the band for that. The album is perfectly produced by the Elefante brothers and is one of my personal favourite CCM albums of all time.
Tracklist 1 – Medicine – 3:22 2 – Steppin’ On Toes – 3:28 3 – Hearts On Fire – 4:13 4 – No Way In – 3:43 5 – Get It – 4:18 6 – Accountable – 4:13 7 – Walking Evil – 4:48 8 – Lift Him Up – 3:13 9 – Kick ‘Em Out – 3:17 10 – Livin’ On The Edge – 4:07
Credits Art Direction – Terry Degraff Band [X-Sinner Is], Bass – Rob Kniep Band [X-Sinner Is], Drums – Michael Buckner Band [X-Sinner Is], Guitar – Greg Bishop Band [X-Sinner Is], Vocals – David Robbins Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau Graphics [Title] – Noah’s Art Layout – John Shaffer Mastered By – Doug Sax Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals – Dino Elefante Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals, Keyboards – John Elefante Musician [Additional], Drums – David Raven Photography By [Cover] – Jodi Summer Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante Written-By – Robbins* (tracks: 1 to 9), Bishop* (tracks: 1 to 9)
