April 2023 – Real 80s CCM

Michael Anderson – Michael Anderson – 1990

This is Michael’s second album and at this point in his career he was still on secular label A&M. He actually was not that vocal about being a Christian until later but famed music critic (at the time record store employee) David Lowman figured it out. You need to read David’s story about Anderson either on our website or his “https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/” Anyway this is Michael’s second album and while I loved his first one I think I love this one even more. It just has that great commercial pop sound that we all heard on the radio. Often I get sick of that pop sound but when it’s done right I just love it and Michael does it right on this album. I think we can attribute part of that great sound to production by Michael Omartian. Point of trivia is that Rob Watson (Daniel Amos) contributed a guitar track to the song “True Love”

Tracklist
1 – True Love – 5:08
2 – Could You Ever Love Me Now – 4:51
3 – The Rose And The Fire – 4:46
4 – Heaven Help The Lonely – 5:35
5 – Heartbeat From Glory (Memorial Day) – 4:41
6 – Raymond Chandler Said – 5:20
7 – Slip Away – 3:55
8 – Flame In The Fire – 4:36
9 – In The Dark Tonight – 4:24
10 – Let It Rain – 6:53

Credits
Art Direction – Chuck Beeson
Backing Vocals – Jeff Rollings (tracks: 1 to 9), Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9), Toni Anderson (4) (tracks: 1 to 9)
Band, Bass – Taras Prodaniuk (tracks: 1 to 9)
Band, Blues Harp [Harp], Horns – Jimmy Z (tracks: 1 to 9)
Band, Drums – Dave Raven* (tracks: 1 to 9)
Band, Guitar – Don Kirkpatrick (tracks: 1 to 9), Randy Mitchell (tracks: 1 to 9)
Band, Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Michael Anderson (5) (tracks: 1 to 9)
Band, Keyboards, Percussion, Other [Lunch] – Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9)
Choir [The Choir] – Alphinette Silas* (tracks: 1 to 9), Jeff Rollings (tracks: 1 to 9), Linda Tavani (tracks: 1 to 9), Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9), Steve Tavani* (tracks: 1 to 9), Toni Anderson (4)
Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Janet Hinde (tracks: 1 to 9)
Design – Rebecca Keeley
Engineer [Assistant] – Kevin Becka (tracks: 1 to 9), Mick Higgins (tracks: 1 to 9)
Mixed By [Remixed By] – Terry Christian (tracks: 10)
Musician [Additional], Bass – “Memphis” Buck Silvertone* (tracks: 1 to 9)
Musician [Additional], Guitar – Steve Lukather (tracks: 8,)
Musician [Additional], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Dean Chamberlain
Musician [Additional], Guitar, Other [Attitude (For Days)] – John Anderson (3) (tracks: 1 to 9)
Musician [Additional], Keyboards – Rob Watson (tracks: 1)
Musician [Additional], Soloist [Solo] – Michael Landau (tracks: 2)
Musician [Players], Backing Vocals – Toni Anderson (4) (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Drums – Dave Raven* (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Guitar – Josh Sklair (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jeff Rollings (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Michael Anderson (5) (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Keyboards – Michael Omartian (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Percussion – Ian Wallace (tracks: 10)
Musician [Players], Piano – Ian McLagan (tracks: 10)
Photography By – Aaron Rapoport
Producer – Michael Anderson (5) (tracks: 10), Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9)
Recorded By – Ernie Sheesley (tracks: 10)
Recorded By, Mixed By – Terry Christian (tracks: 1 to 9)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&M Records, Inc.
Copyright © – A&M Records, Inc.
Recorded At – Lighthouse Recorders
Mixed At – Lighthouse Recorders
Recorded At – Sound House, North Hollywood, CA
Recorded At – Homelands Studio
Recorded At – Master Control, Burbank
Recorded At – MCA Recording Studios

Imperials – Just Because – 1976

This is an album from the Imperials that seemed to slip under the radar. I don’t even remember this one and we listened to the Imperials back in this era. Maybe we did hear it and just ignored it as it’s pretty worship oriented. This was the last album with Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood before they went on to their own duo act. Strangely Andrus is not credited on the album but he’s rather obviously there. It’s a little hard to believe this was done in error so there’s a story there for sure. As for the album it’s pretty standard fare for an early 70’s Imperials album. Nothing really stood out on it for me but if you like the Imperials form this era this album will satisfy your ears.

Tracklist
1 – Just Because He Loves You – 4:08
2 – Jesus Came Into My Life – 2:45
3 – Love, It Comes In All Colors – 2:47
4 – Sweet Jesus – 4:10
5 – He Made My Life Come Together – 5:10
6 – He’s Coming Back – 3:23
7 – He Loves Me So – 4:09
8 – David’s Psalm – 4:17
9 – Sunny Day – 4:02
10 – Sometimes Alleluia – 3:55

Credits
Arranged By – Jack Williams
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements By] – Buddy Skipper
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – Gary S. Paxton
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Terry Blackwood
Art Direction – Bob McConnell
Bass – Jack Williams, Steve Schaffer
Design [Cover Design], Illustration – Michael Harris
Drums – Kenny Malone, Larri London
Engineer – Bob Clark
Guitar – Bobby Thompson, Steve Gibson
Keyboards – Buddy Skipper, Pig Robbins, Ron Oates, Shane Keister
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Photography [Cover Photography] – Dill Beaty
Producer – Phil Johnson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Impact Records
Copyright © – Impact Records
Recorded At – Starday Sound Studios
Recorded At – Sound Stage Studios
Remixed At – Studio By The Pond
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Chris Lizotte – Free – 1991

This is Chris’s first album. I believe his second album to be one of the best Christian albums of all time and is probably in my top 25. This album we can here Chris warming up for that album. This album has a variety of styles but his vocals are what sell this album for me. He simply is one of the best vocalists in the CCM genre. I was trying to pick a best track for you to listen to if you have limited time and wow was that a tough choice. Musically the best track is “Amy’s Song” but it’s an acoustic track and you need to hear Chris’s vocals so I settled on “Cuts Inside”. Hey who is Shawn Tubbs that plays guitar on this album? His work is fantastic and I see he had an album in 1998 so I’m off to find that one. Crystal Lewis appears on the track “I Pledge My All” and while it’s not my favourite track on the album it definitely deserves a listen as Crystal shines on it. As an aside the engineering and production of the album is fantastic and we have Chris Wimber (The Lifesavors) to thank for that.

Tracklist
1 – All That I Need Is You – 3:58
2 – Cuts Inside – 4:07
3 – I Pledge My All – 4:32
4 – You Won’t Cry Anymore – 5:24
5 – Separation – 3:51
6 – Precious Lord – 4:47
7 – Thick And Thin – 3:50
8 – Someone To Believe In – 4:01
9 – In My Quiet Place – 3:14
10 – Amy’s Song – 3:20
11 – Till I’m Gone – 4:04
12 – The Lord’s Prayer – 4:32

Credits
Chris Lizotte – Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Maxi Anderson – Background Vocals
Stephen Anderson – Engineer, Lap Steel
Vicki Bacon Anglin – Background Vocals
Karise Buhler – Background Vocals
Jeff Dykehouse – Mixed
Brian Eichler – Drums
Jamie Eichler – Background Vocals
Audra Freselli – Background Vocals
Bernie Grundman – Mastered
Jeff Harvey – Songwriter, Mandolin, Fiddle
Maria Irey – Background Vocals
Crystal Lewis – Vocals
Paul Martin – Bass
Debbie McClendon – Background Vocals
Linda McCrary – Background Vocals
Larry Meyers – Fiddle
Michael J. Pritzl – Background Vocals
Lonnie Tubbs – Drums, Percussion, Tambourine
Shawn Tubbs – Songwriter, Cello Arranger, Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Carla White – Cello Arranger, Background Vocals
Gary Williams – Background Vocals
Chris Wimber – Producer, Engineer
Randy Wright – B-3, Piano

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Vineyard Music Group
Copyright © – Vineyard Music Group
Distributed By – Frontline Distribution

Deliverance – Give It A Try – 1976

This is the second album from the German/Canadian version of Deliverance. While I am a huge fan of the 2 albums subsequent to this one I didn’t like this one as much as it is way too 70’s for me. I’m not saying it’s a bad album in fact I think it’s a great album but it just didn’t strike a chord with me. The back of the album cover features a testimonial by Joe Moscheo of The Imperials who holds the band in some very high esteem. If your a fan of the Jesus music movement then this is an album you must listen to and if you’re a fan of their later work I’d still suggest a listen but temper your expectations.

Tracklist
1 – Give It A Try – 5:37
2 – Why Cant They Realize? – 2:32
3 – Judgement – 3:18
4 – I Got You – 2:50
5 – How Can I Know? – 2:25
6 – Ive Often Wondered – 2:52
7 – Who Are You? – 4:56
8 – Im Going Away – 3:54
9 – Memories In F # Minor – 9:42

Credits
Paul Janz
Herb Rempel
Vern Giesbrecht
Paul Barnard
Ken Janz
Danny Janz

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited

Ipso Facto – Ipso Facto – 1983

You are probably aware of the group One Truth but you may not be aware of them when they changed their name to Ipso Facto. I was kind of wondering why they would use a different name for this EP but I think it’s because they wanted to do an album with an 80’s Pop sound without having their previous sound hung around their necks. But I’m left bewildered at why they self produced and released this EP and couldn’t find a label to release it. These guys were established musicians in the industry and should have had no problem with finding someone to release this album. They were previously with Greentree Records and while this album wasn’t the style of album Greentree were releasing at that point in the 80’s but they were owned by Benson who had all sorts of labels that could have released this album. Oh well anyway you should give this EP a quick listen, it has a solid 80’s sound and the track “Michael” will be going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Michael – 5:20
2 – Who Will You Blame – 4:50
3 – Heartmaker – 3:37
4 – Multiple Choice – 5:56

Credits
Bass – Glen Holmen
Bass, Vocals – Andrew Osbrink
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – William Dragoo
Guitar, Vocals – David John Etzen
Keyboards – Smitty Price
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Randall Butler
Piano, Vocals – Terry Butler

Guardian – Miracle Mile – 1993

This is Guardian’s 3rd studio album and apparently most of their fans think this is their best album. Personally I don’t listen to them enough to make that judgment but I can say that this is indeed a very good album. It has a 90 Rock sound that isn’t ugly grungy but instead a Rock sound that hearken
back to the 80’s but is solidly in the 90’s. The band had settled into the lineup they would best become known for and the guys had it all together for this trip to the Elefante studios in Los Alamitos California. The Elefante brothers also produced the album and it’s probably some of their best work. Interestingly Tom Howard came into the studio to arrange the strings and contributed some strings. Seems kind of strange to see Tom involved with an album like this but great musicians go wherever they are needed.

Tracklist
1 – Dr. Jones & The Kings Of Rhythm – 5:13
2 – Shoeshine Johnny – 4:16
3 – Long Way Home – 4:31
4 – I Found Love – 5:24
5 – Sweet Mystery – 3:58
6 – Let It Roll – 4:11
7 – Mr. Do Wrong – 5:05
8 – Curiosity Killed The Cat – 4:28
9 – Sister Wisdom – 4:12
10 – The Captain – 4:19
11 – You & I – 4:06
12 – Do You Know What Love Is – 7:27
13 – Untitled – 2:07

Credits
Arranged By, Directed By [Strings] – Tom Howard
Art Direction, Design – David Bach
Artwork By [Art Production] – Joe Potter
Drums, Vocals – Karl Ney
Guitar, Vocals – Tony Palacios
Lead Vocals – Jamie Rowe
Bass, Vocals – David Bach
Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante
Management – The Whitmore Company
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Dino Elefante
Mixed By [Assisted] – Doug Beiden
Mixed By [Extra Special Thanks To The Master Of Sonic Illusion…] – Gil Griffith
Accordion – Glen Hirami
Backing Vocals – Brandon Starr, Jameeca LaFleur, JoJo Beiden, Olivia McClurkin
Bass – J.R. McNeely
Drums – Jamie Wollam
Horns – The Fabulous Martin Brothers
Percussion – Ian Sabreti
Piano, Organ – John Elefante
Strings – The Orange County Wire Choir
Photography By – Neil Zlozower
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pakaderm Records
Copyright © – Pakaderm Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Communications Ltd.
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Produced At – Pakaderm Studios
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – Straggletoons Music

Bryan Duncan – Slow Revival – 1994

Slow Revival is the seventh album from Bryan Duncan. This one made it to #5 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian chart and had 3 #1 CCM chart hits. “Traces Of Heaven”, “Things Are Gonna Change”, and “United We Stand”. “Don’t Look Away” also made it to #3. 4 top 10 singles on one album is quite the achievement. It was also nominated in the Best Contemporary Album category at the 26th GMA Dove Awards but bizarrely lost out to Take 6. Having listened to both albums now I have no idea how the Dove’s came to that conclusion but whatever. Brian followed up the album with a tour and several people have written that this may have been his best tour.

Tracklist
1 – A Heavenly Light – 4:28
2 – United We Stand – 4:13
3 – Don’t Look Away – 4:32
4 – Your Love, My Saving Grace – 5:17
5 – Traces Of Heaven – 4:53
6 – My House – 4:17
7 – Lonely Tonight – 4:33
8 – Things Are Gonna Change – 5:43
9 – Wheels Of A Good Thing – 3:35
10 – Safe Harbor – 5:08

Credits
Arranged By – Michael Omartian, Peter Wolf, Robbie Buchanan
Arranged By [Strings] – John Darnall
Art Direction – Diana Barnes
Backing Vocals – Ann Bailey, Carol Perry, Dan Posthuma, Darrell Brown, David Pack, Lori Perry, Sharon Perry, Shawn Murphy, Tony Gillis
Bass – Cedric Lee, John Peano, Neil Stubenhaus
Co-producer – Michael Omartian
Design – Franke Design Company
Drums, Percussion – Carlos Vega, Curt Bisquera, Eric Darken, John Robinson, Steve Latanation
Engineer – Mike Mierau
Engineer [Additional] – Aaron Swihart, Anthony Thomas, Bert Stevens, Bryan Davis, Dan Garcia, Doug Bieden, Doug Sarrett, Paul Erickson, Ross Pallone, S. Husky Hoskulds, Terry Christian
Executive-Producer – Ray Ware
Guest, Vocals – Anointed
Guitar – Dann Huff, Gary Chapman
Keyboards [Additional] – Alan Pasqua, Randy Lee
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Mixed By – Bill Schnee
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Alan Pasqua
Photography By – F. Scott Schafer
Producer – Dan Posthuma
Saxophone – David Lhebo
Strings – The Nashville String Machine
Technician – Eric Slaughter
Trombone – Dennis Good

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Myrrh
Copyright © – Myrrh
Manufactured By – Word Records & Music
Distributed By – Word Records & Music
Manufactured By – Nelson Word
Distributed By – Nelson Word
Manufactured By – Nelson/Word, UK
Distributed By – Nelson/Word, UK
Manufactured By – JVC
Recorded At – Embassy Studios, Simi Valley, CA
Recorded At – Tejas Recorders
Recorded At – Bunny Hop Studios
Recorded At – The Shelter Studio
Recorded At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Studio 3319
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Quad Studios
Recorded At – Pack’s Place
Mixed At – Bill Schnee Studios
Mastered At – Gateway Mastering
Glass Mastered At – JVC

Bruce Carroll – The Great Exchange – 1990

I have to say that this is a bit of a confusing album. It has some country tracks, a rock tracks and some AOR tracks. Now normally this would doom an album as changing styles on an album is not good for sales normally. But in this case it just works. This is a great album and I just loved it. Even with the differing styles they are so well done that I don’t care. The album is well produced and the order of the tracks makes the transition from style to style enjoyable. The album had 4 CCM top 10 singles which must make it one of the best CCM albums historically. “Who Will Be Jesus” made it to #1, “The Great Exchange” #2, “Living In The Pages” #5, and “Elm Street” made it to #9. “Average Joe”, my favourite track, also sneaked into the top 40 at #38. Also “Who Will Be Jesus” won The Dove award for “Inspirational recorded song of the year”. Now that’s a successful album.

Tracklist
1 – Living In The Pages – 4:34
2 – Lay It On Down – 2:47
3 – Elm Street – 4:08
4 – Who Will Be Jesus – 3:51
5 – Average Joe – 4:07
6 – The Great Exchange – 3:51
7 – Wake The Dead – 3:05
8 – I Can’t Love Without You – 2:55
9 – Moment Of Truth – 4:47
10 – You Never Know – 3:16

Credits
Bruce Carroll – Vocals
Eddie Bayers – Drums
Michael Black – Background Vocals
Sam Bush – Mandolin, Background Vocals
John Cowan – Bass, Background Vocals
Eric Darken – Percussion, Tambourine
Bela Fleck – Banjo
Pat Flynn – Acoustic Guitar
Kenny Greenberg – Guitars
Buddy Greene – Harmonica
Chris Harris – Background Vocals
David Hungate – Bass
Phil Keaggy – Electric Guitar Solo
Brent King – Mixed
Wayne Kirkpatrick – Background Vocals
Bruce Koblish – String Arranger
Paul Leim – Drums, Percussion
Dwight Liles – Songwriter
Phil Madeira – B-3 Organ
Kenny Malone – Drums
John Mays – Executive Producer
Jerry McPherson – Guitars
Duncan Mullins – Bass
Phil Naish – Keyboards
Nashville String Machine – Strings
Mark O’Connor – Fiddle
Don Potter – Guitars
Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals
Brent Rowan – Guitars
Bubba Smith – Producer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Quad Studios
Overdubbed At – Quad Studios
Overdubbed At – Nightingale Studio
Overdubbed At – Stargem Studios
Mixed At – Digital Recorders
Mastered At – Mastermix

Nicole – Don’t Let Me Go – 1991

There’s not much info on Nicole’s early life but this was her first album. While Nicole became very well known in and about 2000 she was little known at the time of her first album. The album has a great soul feel and while it leans easy listening it’s pretty darn good. I’ve been listening to a fair amount of Easy Listening albums lately and this one ranks pretty high among them. Cindy and Janie Cruse provided backing vocals on a couple tracks that Cindy actually wrote. Tim Miner assisted with engineering and production and I must say that the production of the album is excellent.

Tracklist
1 – On My Way Up – 4:32
2 – Mighty Groove – 3:45
3 – I Need To Know – 3:58
4 – I’ll Be Right There – 2:49
5 – My Everything – 4:11
6 – Don’t Let Me Go – 4:08
7 – Love Is Enough – 3:37
8 – All My Days – 4:31
9 – Oh Jesus Loves Me – 3:15
10 – Somewhere – 1:52

Credits
Angie Alan – Vocals (Background)
Margaret Bell – Vocals (Background)
Darren Bruce – Cymbals
Nicole Bruce – Vocals (Background)
Kim Bryant – Vocals (Background)
Paula Bryant – Vocals (Background)
Mark Cassimatis – Engineer
Cindy Cruse – Vocals (Background)
Janie Cruse – Vocals (Background)
Keith Davenport – Keyboards
David Ebensberger – Engineer, Keyboards, Mixing, Producer, Programming, Vocals (Background)
Michelle Ford – Vocals (Background)
Ron Jones – Saxophone
Knightlight Studios – Engineer, Producer
Win Kutz – Mixing
MC Ge Gee – Rap
Ed McTaggart – Art Direction
Craig Miles – Vocals (Background)
Tim Miner – Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Mixing, Percussion, Producer, Programming, Vocals (Background)
Nicole C. Mullen – Vocals
Gregory O’Quin – Keyboards, Programming
Craig Penrod – Engineer
Karen Penrod – Vocals (Background)
Joe Potter – Layout Design
Kim Sipus – Vocals (Background)
Mark Stitts – Engineer, Vocals (Background)
Washington – Rap
Brenda Welcome – Vocals (Background)
Mike “Hitman” Wilson – Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
John Wirtz – Engineer, Keyboards, Mixing, Percussion, Producer, Programming, Vocals (Background)

Terri Gibbs – Turnaround – 1987

You might know Terri Gibb better due to her top Pop hit “Somebody’s Knockin'”. She had a pretty good secular Pop/Country career but when it started to fail she decided to do Gospel music. I’m not saying anything negative but this is a trend we saw in the 80’s and admittedly it gave several artists a second run. She had a 3 album run in the Christian music industry and this is the first of those albums. Terri was a great artist so I was expecting a good album. I was not disappointed and while it is an Easy Listening album I quite liked it. I’ve been on a bit of a run lately with Easy Listening albums I quite like but I hope my taste in music isn’t changing because generally this isn’t my preferred genre.

Tracklist
1 – You Can Say It To Him – 3:32
2 – I Can See Heaven – 3:04
3 – Gettin’ Ready – 3:22
4 – Driving Nails – 3:44
5 – Turn Around – 4:22
6 – Run To You – 3:49
7 – What About Him – 4:22
8 – Have You Made Your Reservation – 4:18
9 – Already There – 3:16
10 – Merciful Lord – 3:25

Credits
Eddie Bayers – Drums
George Binkley III – Strings
Jonathan David Brown – Engineer
David Davidson – Strings
Connie Ellisor – Strings
Michael English – Background Vocals
Terri Gibbs – Vocals
Carl Gorodetzky – Strings
Richard Grosjean – Strings
Ron Hemby – Background Vocals
Jim Horn – Saxophone
Danny Johnston – Assistant Engineer
Ted Madsen – Strings
Carl Marsh – Fairlight
Bob Mason – Strings
Gary McSpadden – Producer
Laura Molyneaux – Strings
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Brent Rowan – Guitars
Gene Sisk – Keyboards
Elisabeth Small – Strings
Wendy Suits – Background Vocals
Dianne Tidwell – Background Vocals
Alan Umstead – Strings
D. Bergen White – Producer, Background Vocals
Bill Whittington – Assistant Engineer
Kristen Wilkinson – Strings
Hank Williams – Mastered
John C. Williams – Bass