Month: June 2023

Illustrator – Somewhere In The World – 1989

For those who didn’t know Illustrator is essentially a new and improved version of Eternity Express. This is their second and last album under this name. Well actually they did release an album in 2011 to be factual. This album is a rather typical but well done late 80’s AOR album. It is said that though uncredited Dann Huff played some of the guitar tracks but I have no way to know if this is true or just rumour. As with their other album this was a much improved version of Eternity Express and this album like their other definitely deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – New Way to Love – 3:53
2 – Dying to Meet You – 3:57
3 – Hold My Heart – 4:58
4 – Cryin’ Time – 4:44
5 – I Surrender – 4:21
6 – Help is on It’s Way – 3:40
7 – Listen – 4:00
8 – Should’A Been Love – 4:30
9 – Feels Like – 4:32
10 – Carry the Cross – 3:44

Credits
Art Direction – Loren Johnson
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Angie Alan, Cindy Cruse, David Ebensberger, Tim Miner
Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Mark Matthews
Design, Layout – Teresa Pratt
Drums, Vocals – Kirk Allen
Executive-Producer – Freddie Piro
Guitar, Vocals – Dan Gaub
Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Nathan Gaub
Keyboards, Vocals – Dawndee Gaub
Producer, Engineer – Win Kutz
Saxophone – Randy Lee

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Ocean Records
Copyright © – Ocean Records
Recorded At – Nick’s Place Recording Studio
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Eagle Mountain Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Wakefield Manufacturing – 47497

The Stand – Heartbreak Town – 1990

I really can’t find too much information on The Stand. This is their introductory album and it was the first release on Wonderland Records which was a short-lived sub-label of Word records. In places the album almost has an British Invasion sound from the early 80’s and yet in other spots has a resemblance to The Rembrandts. The album includes one of the best covers of Amazing Grace in the genre. Even though Mark Robertson was in this band he also put an album in the industrial band Under Midnight. As for the album I loved it. It is easily one of the best albums form this time period and will definitely go into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Heartbreak Town – 4:50
2 – Everyday – 4:36
3 – Every Dream – 4:25
4 – Reign Of Truth – 3:57
5 – Amazing Grace – 3:22
6 – Eyes Of Love – 3:45
7 – I’m Calling You – 4:19
8 – J146 – 5:55
9 – Heart’s Cry – 3:54
10 – Don’t Look Back – 4:34

Credits
Backing Vocals – Caesar Kalinowski, Christopher Mosher, Dave Palmer, Leah Thomas, Mark Robertson, Michelle Thompson, Tony Valenziano
Bass, Vocals – Mark Robertson
Drums, Vocals [Additional] – Dan Holter
Engineer [Second] – Christopher Mosher
Keyboards, MIDI Controller – Christopher Mosher
Lead Guitar – Paz Vega
Lead Vocals, Guitar [6 String & 9 String], Acoustic Guitar, Drum [Tambo] – Tony Valenziano
Mastered By – Eddie Schryer
Producer – Mark Robertson, Tony Valenziano
Producer, Executive-Producer, Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Wonderland Communications, Inc.
Copyright © – Wonderland Communications, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.

Crystal Lewis – Joy – 1989

This is Crystal’s second solo album. It solidified her new more worship oriented style though “Come Together” is still a pretty rockin tune and probably the best example of what Crystal can do vocally on the album. As for the rest of the album I found it a little dull. But to tell the truth I was a huge fan of her previous work so this change in style didn’t work for me personally. That said the album is excellent for this style and no one can ever argue that Crystal’s voice is one of the best in the industry.

Tracklist
1 – Leave It Up To Him – 3:13
2 – God Is Somebody – 4:17
3 – You Didn’t Have To Do It – 4:56
4 – Monday Comes – 4:13
5 – It’s Real – 3:51
6 – Come Together – 4:56
7 – Better Day – 3:53
8 – Bloodstained Pages – 3:51
9 – There’s Always Time For You – 3:32
10 – Bring Peace Today – 5:20
11 – Monday Comes (Alternative Mix) – 3:48

Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Crystal Lewis
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Debbie McClendon, Fred White, Howard McCrary, Jackie Gouche, Maxie Anderson, Phyllis St. James
Bass – Andrew Gouche, Larry “Clyde” Simpson
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Guitar – James Harrah, Marty Walsh
Guitar [Lead] – Tony Palacios
Guitar [Rhythm], Drums [Overdubs] – Brian Ray
Keyboards, Technician [Technical Support] – James Werning
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – Doug Rider
Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Crystal Lewis
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards – Gene Eugene
Producer, Arranged By, Sequenced By [Synth] – Scott V. Smith
Programmed By [Synth] – Bill Pearson, Rhett Lawrence
Saxophone – Dan Michaels
Synthesizer [Overdubs] – Michael Ruff
Vocals – Crystal Lewis

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – Frontline Records
Recorded At – “Rhett’s Place” Studio
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B