This version of The New Gaither Vocal Band (now just called The Gaither Vocal Band) consisted of Larnelle Harris, Michael English, Gary McSpadden, and Bill Gaither. I was thinking this might be their best lineup but I think its just because this is their most pop album. As usual it did well on the CCM charts with three top 10 singles. “The Lord Of Hosts” made it to #4, “Can’t Stop Talking About Him” to #1, and “Forever” to #7. Personally I don’t really feel the album had 3 top 10 singles but we all know the CCM charts favoured this kind of acts. But I don’t want to be too critical of the album as I actually did enjoy it.
Tracklist 1 – The Lord Of Hosts – 3:20 2 – Can’t Stop Talking About Him – 4:44 3 – Look Up – 3:39 4 – Lamb Of God – 3:53 5 – Glorious Morning – 4:07 6 – One By One – 4:05 7 – Things That Last Forever – 4:13 8 – Fool For Lesser Things – 3:26 9 – Forever – 3:44 10 – I Walked Today Where Jesus Walks – 4:49
Credits Cover, Design – Jerry Joyner Executive-Producer – Ken Harding Photography By – Peter Nash Producer – Billy Smiley, Keith Thomas Recorded By, Mixed By – Jeff Balding Vocals – Larnelle Harris, Michael English, Gary McSpadden, Bill Gaither
This is another one of those mystery albums. Our version is on Canadian label New Born Records (Praise Industries Corp.). That said it was mixed in Australia and produced by Peter Beveridge and there appears to be an Australian release. With that limited info I’m guessing Nigel is actually Australian. The album has a distinctly 70’s sound and is rather mellow. But it’s pretty good if you like the style.
Tracklist 1 – Life Goes On – 5:22 2 – Rachael – 3:05 3 – Only Jesus – 3:55 4 – Seam Of Gold – 3:03 5 – Emmaus Road – 4:43 6 – Cochran Fair – 3:47 7 – Take Me Home – 4:00 8 – Still You Go On – 4:26 9 – God Still Loves You – 3:07 10 – Dance With The King – 1:34
This was the final album from Richie on Asylum Records. He had promised them that the album wouldn’t be overt Christian but instead would have Christian overtones. I think Richie held to hs agreement with Asylum but the albums just didn’t sell well so that was it for this record deal. Richie of course would continue on with Myrhh. The title track did actually get some airplay but overall the album didn’t do well. I am a little surprised at this as I think the album is pretty good and certainly as good as most secular work ut at the time. It bridges that late 70’s sound into the 80’s and does it pretty good actually. Oh well we all know Christian artists at the time struggled with secular releases.
Tracklist 01 – Oooh Child – 3:25 02 – Lonely Too Long – 3:28 03 – Island Love – 3:33 04 – Come On – 3:07 05 – I Was A Fool – 4:12 06 – I Still Have Dreams – 3:25 07 – Satisfied – 3:55 08 – Headin’ South – 3:46 09 – Oh Mary – 2:57 10 – What’s The Matter, Please? – 3:32
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Richie Furay Art Direction, Design – Ron Coro Bass – Leland Sklar Drums, Percussion – Russell Kunkel Electric Guitar – Dan Dugmore, Waddy Wachtel Keyboards – Craig Doerge Mastered By – Doug Sax Photography By – Jim Shea Producer, Recorded By – Val Garay Recorded By [Assistant] – George Ybarra, Niko Bolas
in 1989 A rep from Benson Records attended several Truth concerts. He approached the 4 male members about a new 4 member vocal group/project. This album is the first of many albums from that group. To say it worked is an understatement as the first single, “Where There Is Faith”, went to #1 for eight weeks. The second single “He Will Be There For You” made it to #4, and the third single “Couldn’t We Stand” made it to #3. I think they could have put out more singles but they really rushed out a second album. This was the start of a very successful run of 11 albums for 4Him. As for the album it has an Imperials feel but maybe with a little better production quality. Has a nice AOR pop sound and feel.
Tracklist 1 – Couldn’t We Stand – 4:01 2 – Stay Forever – 4:06 3 – When I Need You Most – 3:56 4 – Do Right – 3:57 5 – He Will Be There For You – 4:38 6 – Where There Is Faith – 4:56 7 – Living Water, Bread Of Life – 3:54 8 – Life Goes On – 3:38 9 – When I Am Gone – 4:18
Credits David Angell – Strings Mark Baldwin – Rhythm Guitar George Binkley III – Strings Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer Jonathan David Brown – Producer, Mixed Paula Carpenter – Songwriter Andy Chrisman – Vocals Dave Clark – Songwriter David Davidson – Strings Paul Davis – Songwriter Dennis Dearing – Guitar Solos Donna Douglas – Songwriter Connie Ellisor – Strings Lynn Fuston – Engineer Randy Garmon – Assistant Engineer Jim Grosjean – Strings Mark Hammond – Drums Brian Hardin – Engineer Chris Harris – Producer Mark Harris – Songwriter, Vocals Mark Heimermann – Producer, Keyboards, Bass David Huntsinger – Keyboards Andy Ivey – Executive Producer Don Koch – Producer, Songwriter, Rhythm Arrangements, Keyboards Anthony Lamarchina – Strings Ken Love – Mastered Gary Lunn – Bass, Drum Programming Ted Madsen – Strings Marty Magehee – Vocals Carl Marsh – Arrangements, Keyboards David Martin – Songwriter Russell Mauldin – String Arrangements Jerry McPherson – Guitars Dennis Molchan – Strings David Murphy – Engineer Steve Pinkston – Engineer Billy Simon – Songwriter Pam Sixfin – Strings Billy Smiley – Songwriter Marvin Steinberg – Drums Kirk Sullivan – Vocals Mark Tanner – Strings Chris Teal – Strings Kristen Wilkinson – Strings
Well we have kind of an interesting album from Randy here. The first 7 tracks are all original new tracks and the second 7 are live acoustic cuts from Randy’s concerts. The intro track “Didn’t It Rain” sounds like Randy’s interpretation of the famous song of the same name by Sister Rosetta Tharpe to me. The track “Old Clothes” was co-written by David Edwards and you can definitely hear the David influence. Oddly “Giovanni Audiori” is given co-writing credits on “Faithful”. This is a pseudonym for Mark Heard who is also credited on the rest of the album using his real name. To round out the Solid Rock people Tom Howard also helped out on the album. The live tracks are acoustic tracks that Randy of course kills it on. His sense of humour really is second to none in the industry. I never got a chance to see Randy in concert and that’s something I strongly regret. The whole album is worth owning just to hear the 11 plus minute live version of “Shut De Do” which is an example of Randy’s comedic brilliance.
Tracklist 1 – Faithful – 3:24 2 – Didn’t It Rain – 6:11 3 – Born To Love – 4:27 4 – Breath Of God – 2:59 5 – The History In Your Eyes – 4:31 6 – Can Hell Burn Hot Enough 4:07 7 – Old Clothes – 4:03 8 – Keep Me Runnin’ – 5:49 9 – Turning Thirty – 4:39 10 – Ramada Inn – 4:00 11 – Shut De Do – 11:35 12 – Hymn – 4:33 13 – Good News – 8:00 14 – I’ll Remember You – 3:43
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Art Direction – Hipke, Inc. Art Direction [Associate Art Director] – Roz Roos Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain, Pam Dwinell, Randy Stonehill, Sharon McCall Bass – Bill Batstone, Mark Heard Bass [Acoustic] – David Miner Bass [Fretless] – Bill Batstone Drums – David Raven Electric Guitar – Mark Heard Engineer [Second Engineer] – Brian Soucy Executive-Producer – Ray Ware, Tom Willett Keyboards – Mark Heard Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Mark Heard Percussion – Brad Dutz Photography – David Roth Piano – Ken Medema (tracks: 7) Producer – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Recorded By – Mark Heard Strings, Arranged By – Tom Howard (tracks: 7) Synthesizer – Tom Howard (tracks: 1,4) Vocals – Randy Stonehill Written-By – Randy Stonehill (tracks: except 1, 7)
I figured I would introduce this album by quoting Mylons statement about the album. “FROM 1980 TO 1990 “BROKEN HEART” AND I RELEASED 10 ALBUMS, SOLD A MILLION RECORDS, AND TRAVELLED A MILLION MILES WORLDWIDE LEADING OVER 180.000 IN DECISIONS FOR CHRIST. BUT IN 1991. THE ORIGINAL MINISTRY VISION THAT GOD GAVE US HAD BEEN COMPLETED. AT THAT POINT OUR LIVES HAD BECOME OUT OF BALANCE BECAUSE WE WERE SPENDING MORE TIME MAKING HIM KNOWN THAN KNOWING HIM. SO WE TOOK A YEAR TO SEEK GOD AND COMMIT TO KNOWING HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES. I NEEDED TO HEAR HIS VOICE CLEARLY AND NEEDED TO RECEIVE MY INSTRUCTIONS. I NEEDED A FRESH VISION AND DIRECTION FROM THE LORD, AND AS I GOT QUIET, GOD MET WITH ME IN AN INCREDIBLE NEW WAY. THE RESULTS OF THAT SABBATICAL ARE THESE 11 SONGS WE CALL FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE. THIS ALBUM IS THE REFLECTION OF THE CHANGES GOD MADE IN ME, MY FAMILY, AND MY BAND BY THE PROMISES AND PROVISIONS IN HIS WORD. THESE SONGS SIMPLY TESTIFY TO GOD’S POWER, LOVE, AND FAITHFULNESS TO US. PRAISE GOD FOR THE VICTORY WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS. HE IS LORD! I FEEL LIKE A NEW MAN AND I THANK GOD FOR THIS NEW DIRECTION, NEW FRIENDS. NEW MUSIC, AND HIS FRESH NEW ANOINTING. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR. LOVE, MYLON”
Well there it is, now we know why this album exists. First lets talk about the positives of this album. It had 4 singles on the CCM charts, “Invincible Love” went to #1, “Closer Than A Friend” also made it to #1, “Give Thanks” made it to #6, and “Faithful” made it to #29. That’s actually pretty good. Any album with 2 #1 singles is a huge success. Now the downside. If you look at the album cover that indicates where were headed with this album. It is certainly not the Mylon that we were more accustomed to but instead a pretty AOR oriented album. Strangely it was also the end of his albums until 2003. Mylon however stayed very active. To quote Wikipedia “LeFevre increasingly turned to preaching and teaching as his vocation. He and his wife Christi minister in about 75 churches a year. He has also spoken at motorcycle rallies, NASCAR owner/driver chapel services, NFL and NBA chapel services, and in Russia, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico.” Bottom line this is a pretty mellow album for Mylon but if you want to hear a little of the Mylon we all loved check out “Callin’ Down Fire” which is easily the best track on the album.
Tracklist 1 – Invincible Love – 5:05 2 – The Name Of The Lord – 4:12 3 – Holy Is The Lord – 3:37 4 – The Power Of Love – 3:40 5 – Don’t Say It’s Over – 4:10 6 – Give Thanks – 3:58 7 – Closer Than A Friend – 4:59 8 – Humble Yourself – 3:55 9 – Masterpeace – 4:47 10 – Callin’ Down Fire – 4:08 11 – Faithful – 4:59
Credits Bass – Anthony Sallee, Joe Hardy Bass, Vocals – Paul Chapman Creative Director – Toni Thigpen Design, Layout – Jackson Design Drums – Ben Hewitt, Liberty DeVitto Drums, Vocals – Tony Miller Edited By [Digital], Mixed By [Mixing Coordination] – Leland Bennett Engineer – Dave Wagner, Scott Allen Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Sal Oliveri, Skip Benicky Executive-Producer – Jeff Moseley, Stan Moser Guitar – Joe Hardy, Steven Curtis Chapman Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle – Ricky Skaggs Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Skip Benicky Keyboards, Vocals – Sal Oliveri Liner Notes – Mylon LeFevre Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Win Kutz Percussion – Carlos Jorge Photography By [Photo Of Mylon LeFevre] – Russ Harrington Producer – Mylon LeFevre, Scott Allen Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Ben Hewitt, Cheryl Rogers, Joe Hardy, Joey Holder, Larry Rust, Rick Crow, Sal Oliveri, Scott Allen Saxophone – Todd Nystrom Vocals – 4Him, Carman, Dez Dickerson, Kenneth Bentley, Larry Rust, Michael English, Michael Gleason, Michael W. Smith, Ricky Skaggs, Steven Curtis Chapman
Things To Come is the debut album from Sydney band In The Silence. It was the first Australian album in a long time to be released by Word Australia. When asked what the band name means, John Dickson replied: ‘In The Silence was a little phrase we worked out because we’re really into the Second Coming….It’s a theme we’re really excited about. A lot of our songs are about the times we are in. While we never get up on stage and say He will be coming back on the third of March, we do believe it is biblical to preach Christ in the light of His return. We see the times we are in as the calm before the storm. We are in the silence.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988) The band got their break at Australian Christian music festival JAM ’88. Winners of the JAM ’88 talent quest, the band were recipients of the first prize – recording time at Melbourne’s Timbertop Studio. Things To Come was the result of this recording time. The band’s musical style has been described as ‘guitar-based urban rock, a la U2’. Music reviewer Kirsten Hill states: ‘There is a passionate intensity to all their music. John’s vocals are emotional, breathy pleas, vaguely reminiscent of Bono. In fact, the band at times can sound like a very young U2…But they refuse to join the ranks of the U2 clones – they do cite other influences and do have a sound uniquely their own.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988) Music reviewer, promoter and musician Martin Fawkes mentions these ‘other influences’ as ‘bands like Echo and The Bunnymen, The Cure and other ‘alternative’ musics.’ (p.37, On being, April 1988) The album opens with the explosive ‘City Walk’. The band even dabbles in some blues on the track ‘Steamboat’. The album’s final track ‘Why’d You Never Tell Me?’ appeared on the band’s previous 7-track cassette-only release ‘It’s Only Time’. (Does anyone have this? Would LOVE to hear it!) Kirsten Hill says the song ‘echoes the thoughts of non-Christians as they meet up with their Christian friends on Judgment Day. It is a sober reminder of responsibility.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988)
Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger
Tracklist 1 – City Walk – 3:55 2 – Waiting Here – 4:17 3 – If Only You – 3:34 4 – Like I’m Home – 4:45 5 – Easter Song – 5:27 6 – In The Silence – 2:22 7 – Storm Inside – 3:09 8 – Steam Boat – 3:35 9 – Help Help – 3:39 10 – Very Long Time – 2:47 11 – Why’d You Never Tell Me – 5:31
Credits Bass – Angus McLeay Drums – Jacques Zeelie Engineer – Peter Maclean Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Todd Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ben Shaw Lead Vocals – John Dickson Mixed By – In The Silence, Phil Lake Producer – David Gilmour, In The Silence
A good friend, Micheal Anderson, whose album will appear later on this list was having a birthday party for his wife at a wonderful gourmet Chinese restaurant in Beverly Hills. I was seated at a table with my wife and the wonderful Hal Fishman, the late famed local news anchor in Southern California. Seated to my right, though, was a man I had admired my entire music listening life. I have met countless “famous” people over the years and seldom found my self starstruck. That night I was as I was seated next to Michael Omartian. Michael Omartian is easily the most renowned, decorated and successful individual in Christian music. Most of that as a producer in mainstream music for everyone from Michael McDonald and Christopher Cross to Donna Summer and Rod Stewart. Grammys, Doves and Billboard awards cover the portions of the wall not occupied Gold and Platinum albums. He, along with Quincy Jones, produced the most successful single in history, We are the World. In 1974 Omartian released his first solo album on ABC/Dunhill and later that year on Word’s Myrrh label. I was easily the finest produced album the Christian music world had seen at the time. Leaps and bounds above its contemporaries, White Horse is a majestic and stellar album that easily has earned its “classic” status. The album was also one of the most progressive musically any artist had released. Fusing jazz, funk gospel and progressive rock sounds very “current” for the time with some of the finest musicians in the world, White Horse was a revelation and a game changer like nothing the industry had ever seen. Am added plus is that the album is also filled with wonderful songs, both lyrically creative and musically stunning. Omartian collected a line-up of supporting musicians second to none. Larry Carlton, David Hungate, David Kemper, Dean Parks and a host of others lent their talents to this amazing project, Omartian’s voice has touches of Peter Gabriel and Neil Young and he weaves through musical genres as diverse as those he has produced. Touched of Genesis, Yes, Kansas combine with pop, gospel and jazz fusion. Lyrically the album did not reflect the simplistic evangelical approach which was the norm for the time. perhaps the mainstream release did not limit Omartian’s content and his wife, Stormie, provided the bulk of the lyrics. The lead track, Jeremiah, walks through the themes of the minor prophets and relates them both to the historical setting and modern application. The Steely Dan like groove of “Fat City” shows off Omartians stellar keyboard work and an amazing brass section. The title track is a seven minute epic masterpiece. Starting slow and building into an amazing instrumental section driven by Omartian’s keyboard work and Larry Carlton and Dean Park guitar work. The industry had never seen anything like it and it would be quite some time for the rest of the industry to catch up.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Jeremiah – 4:37 2 – Fat City – 3:09 3 – The Orphan – 2:01 4 – Silver Fish – 2:34 5 – Add Up The Wonders – 5:19 6 – Take Me Down – 3:39 7 – Right From The Start – 2:30 8 – The Rest Is Up To You – 2:47 9 – White Horse – 7:06
Credits Backing Vocals – Ann White, Carolyn Willis, Patti Henderson, Stormie Omartian Cover [Album Cover Artwork By], Artwork [Album Cover Artwork By] – Dave Jarvis Cover [Album Cover Concept By] – James Fitzgerald Guitar – Dean Parks, Larry Carlton Lyrics By – Stormie Omartian Management [Personal Management] – James Fitzgerald Enterprises, Inc. Music By – Michael Omartian Photography By – Harry Langdon Producer, Arranged By – Michael Omartian Tenor Saxophone – Don Menza, Jackie Kelso Trumpet, French Horn – Paul Hubinon Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion – Michael Omartian
This is the second album from Good News. Their first album was ranked # 364 on David Lowman’s CCM’s 500 Best Albums Of All Time but this album seems to have sort of been forgotten about. This in part is because it simply isn’t as good as their first album. That’s not to say it’s bad, it’s just not as good. Sometimes an album just meshes and that would describe their first album. The band essentially stayed the same except for Erick Nelson who was doing a solo project at the time. The album basically picks up where the last one left off but is just missing a little something. It was re-released in 2011 on CD but strangely it was not remastered instead it was just a copy of the album put on the CD, crackles, pops and all.
Tracklist 1 – Wait For The Day – 3:06 2 – Run To The End Of The Highway – 2:48 3 – Lord, We Feel Your Presence – 2:07 4 – Ride Along Rider – 3:00 5 – Everybody’s Talkin’ ‘Bout Love – 2:50 6 – Singing Our Song – 2:48 7 – The Catch – 4:38 8 – You Sure Have Been Good To Me – 3:37 9 – Beside You – 2:57
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Bob Carlisle, David Diggs Bass – Bill Batstone, Dave Coy Drums – Art Rodriguez, David Diggs Electric Guitar, Arranged By, Orchestrated By, Engineer – David Diggs Engineer – Billy Taylor, Jim Neil Keyboards – Dave Siebels, Dave Wallace, David Diggs, Keith Green Percussion – Alex MacDougall Producer – David Diggs Saxophone – David Luell, Tom Saviano Strings – Glenn Grab Section Synthesizer – Dave Siebels, Dave White Trumpet – Ron King Vocals – Bill Batstone, Bob Carlisle, David Diggs, Diane Diggs, Kathy Segal, Yvonne Lewis Woodwind – Al Peña, Leo W. Potts
Companies, etc. Produced For – Instant Joy Productions Published By – Sonrise Mercantile Company Recorded At – Mama Jo’s Recorded At – Instant Joy Productions
The previous Imperials album to this one, “Side By Side”, was one of the Imperials least popular albums as it was just a little too Worship oriented. The Imperials returned with this album of far more pop oriented songs. Obviously they were going after a more youthful audience. The album succeeds relatively well in that regard with a few songs I would almost classify as pop, especially the first three tracks. After that the album dissolves into a normal Imperials album. Two of those first three tracks actually singled. “Let The Wind Blow” made it to #1 and “In The Promised Land” peaked at #3 on the charts. Also charting were “Jericho” at #12 and “Taking the Time” at #27. The people in charge should have noticed the success of this pop sound but alas on most albums we were only treated to one of two songs that had that sound. My final thoughts on this release is that it is probably one of their best albums from a youthful perspective. That said it never made it’s way into our collections at the time so maybe I’m completely wrong.
Tracklist
1 – In The Promised Land – 4:18
2 – Bread Of Life – 3:53
3 – Let The Wind Blow – 5:03
4 – Jericho – 4:54
5 – The Deeper Meaning – 4:08
6 – Sing For Joy – 3:31
7 – Today – 3:43
8 – Taking The Time – 3:56
9 – Miracles – 4:17
10 – Not To Us, O Lord – 4:18
Credits
Arranged By – Brown Bannister, Imperials
Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey
Art Direction – Kent Hunter, Thomas Ryan Design
Bass – Mike Brignardello, Nathan East
CGI Artist – Daniel Buehler
Design – Kent Hunter, Thomas Ryan Design
Drums – Paul Leim
Electric Piano, Synthesizer – John Schriner, Michael W. Smith, Robbie Buchanan, Shane Keister
Engineer, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Executive-Producer – Dan Harrel, Michael Blanton
Guitar – Dann Huff
Horns – Berwyn Linton, William F. Reichenbach, Charles B. Findley, Doug Dana, Gary E. Grant, Jerry Hey, Lawrence L. Williams
Keyboards, Piano – Bill Purse, Keith Thomas, Michael W. Smith
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Photography By – Mark Tucker (7)
Producer – Brown Bannister
Programmed By [Fairlight] – Rhett Lawrence
Companies, etc. Record Company – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Santa Barbara Sound Design Recorded At – Bullet Recording Recorded At – The Bennett House Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Recorded At – Mama Jo’s Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
