Month: October 2022

Servant – Shallow Water – 1979

I truly believe that this album is one of the most important albums in the CCM genre. This was the introductory album from Servant and also the introductory for the Tunesmith record label. I vividly remember my first listen to this album and while there were some CCM Rock & Roll albums out already I would argue they weren’t quite what this album was with perhaps the exception of Gentle Faith. Servant formed out of a commune on Vancouver Island Canada called “Highway Missionary Society”. Several members came together to start a group called “Higher Ground” but quickly changed the name to Servant. it took a few years but the band struck a deal with startup record label Praise Industries. Somehow they got now famous producer Bob Rock to produce the album and you can strongly hear his influence. Unfortunately the deal for them would only be 2 albums as there was some dispute between the band and the label. I’m aware of several bands that had issues with Praise Industries so I think I know where the fault fell. This album is in my personal top 10 but this might just be because of the point in my life I heard it. Is t in your top 10?

Tracklist
1 – Shallow Water – 5:05
2 – Rich Man – 3:45
3 – Here Comes David – 3:34
4 – Rejoice – 4:22
5 – Jesus Star – 3:32
6 – Water Grave – 4:52
7 – Cup Of Water – 4:52
8 – Holy Roller Blues – 3:32
9 – Fly Away – 3:52

Credits
Owen Brock – Songwriter, Rhythm Guitar, Background Vocals
Sandie Brock – Songwriter, Piano, Synthesizer, Congas, Lead Vocals
Bob Brooks – Producer
Brady Carbol – Songwriter
Steve Chapman – Songwriter
David Eden – Songwriter
Pat Glover – Assistant Engineer
Joe Grier – Songwriter
Sammy Hagar – Songwriter
Bob Hardy – Percussion, Lead Vocals
David Holmes – Drums, Background Vocals
Rob Martens – Bass, Background Vocals
Bob Rock – Engineer
Bruce Wright – Songwriter, Lead Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer, Background Vocals

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Praise Records
Distributed By – Praise Records

Angie Alan – Angie Alan – 1990

Angie started out her professional career singing with the Continental Singers. She also appeared with Roby Duke and Tim Miner and her first album here was actually produced by Tim. The album was pretty successful and she did get a CCM single though it only got to #35 (Forever Mine). Personally I think the album is great. There are some mellow tracks I didn’t like so much but the upbeat stuff is great. It’s easily as good as anything Paula Abdul did. I say that because the style is similar to Paula. I’m looking forward to listening to her second album soon.

Tracklist
1 – Need Somebody – 4:00
2 – Wake Up – 4:11
3 – Whatchu Need – 3:31
4 – The Game – 4:39
5 – Today – 4:38
6 – Sunny Side – 4:34
7 – Reminders – 4:11
8 – Living Proof – 5:08
9 – With You – 4:07
10 – Forever Mine – 3:54

Credits
Angie Alan – Songwriter, Vocals
Loren Bieg – Choir Vocals
Paul Boone – Choir Vocals
Nicole Bruce – Choir Vocals
Sharon Burton – Choir Vocals
Kim Dexter – Background Vocals
David Ebensberger – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Choir Vocals
Barry Hogan – Choir Vocals
Dennis Holt – Drums
Ron Jones – Saxophone
Mike McIntyre – Choir Vocals
Tim Miner – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Songwriter, Guitars, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Background Vocals
Cindy Cruse Ratcliff – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Barbara Ross – Choir Vocals
Tommy Sims – Bass
Mark Stitts – Engineer, Guitars
Mike Stitts – Engineer, Programming, Background and Choir Vocals
Robert Till – Choir Vocals
Mike Wilson – Background and Choir Vocals
Bernard Wright – Producer, Keyboards, Programming, Background and Choir Vocals

Acappella – Conquerors – 1986

This is the second album from Acappella. It was again released on Keith Lancaster private label though Word did re-release it 1992. This album did do something very rare in that it had a CCM charting single which is very rare for a private label release. “A Cappella” made it to #29 which should be respected. By this point in the history of Acappella Keith had it developing into a ministry as opposed to just a group. As for the album, well, if you like A Cappella you’ll like the album. Am I the only one that thinks the album cover looks like a metal album?

Tracklist
1 – We Bow Down – 2:22
2 – More Than Conquerors – 2:57
3 – A Cappella – 2:36
4 – Create In Me – 2:30
5 – Everybody Praise – 2:05
6 – Army Of The Lord – 2:53
7 – Amazing Grace – 2:05
8 – Once In A Lifetime Love – 3:02
9 – We Will Glorify – 2:09
10 – John The Revelator – 2:19

Credits
Cover – John Laws
Engineer – Dan Knowles
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Photography By – John Laws
Producer – Keith Lancaster
Vocals – Rodney Britt, Keith Lancaster

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Masterfonics, Inc.