I’ll start off by explaining what this is. It is taken from the original acetate recording/mix for the 80-f album. This is the version that was produced by Tony Mansfield (no relation) and ultimately rejected by CBS records. CBS had the band go to Germany with ex-Fly’s drummer Peter King, to re-record the album. It was remixed and reproduced by Reinhold Mack. Three songs were killed (Another World / Operator / Satellite In Orbit) and three new songs were added (Wild West Show / Why Can’t We Be Friends / Joanne). I am guessing that some of you are intentionally reading this review just to hear me lose my mind and I will not disappoint. Exactly what the suits at CBS were thinking completely mystifies me. I mean had they even listened to the 2 Cars albums that had come out at this point and were dominating the charts. ATF were exactly as good if not better than The Cars and this mix was exactly that sound that was dominating the charts. Furthermore what was wrong with Nick Brotherwood’s drumming? The drum track on this album is dead on and absolutely perfect. Tony nailed this mix and we had a 3 or 4 single album here. In the end we are blessed that this version leaked and we want to thank friend of the channel Randy Layton (Alternative Records) for getting us a copy of what was probably going to be one of the top albums of 1980. Instead CBS dumbed it down and destroyed it. SIGH
Tracklist 1 – Starlight – 4:24 2 – High Fashion – 3:18 3 – Another World – 3:36 4 – Can You face It? – 3:20 5 – Operator – 3:45 6 – Love Will Always Make You Cry – 4:00 7 – 1980-F – 2:37 8 – Satellite In Orbit – 3:18 9 – Who’s Gonna Love You – 4:21 10 – Billy, Billy – 4:30
Credits Bass, Lead Vocals – Andy Piercy Drums – Nick Brotherwood Keyboards – Peter Memory Banks Lead Guitar – John Russell Producer, Engineer – Tony Mansfield
Well for some reason we waited 5 years before even scheduling an Andraé Crouch album. Kind of silly when you think about it as he really was one of the most important artists of the period. I didn’t really know which album to pick but I kept reading how great this album was so it is the one I chose. Now if you have been following me you know that again this is not my chosen genre to listen to but wow did Andraé ever nail this concert or should I say concerts as it was recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon, London and at Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. I understand why there is high praise for this album as it really is very good. Note that I have carved up the album very differently than it was originally chopped up so as to have a greater flow. Listening to a YouTube album with 30 second tracks just doesn’t work.
Tracklist 1 – Perfect Peace – 4:23 2 – I Surrender All – 4:20 3 – You Don’t Have To Jump No Pews – 4:08 4 – Take A Little Time – 6:28 5 – Tell Them – 3:37 6 – If I Was A Tree (The Highest Praise) – 5:09 7 – Hallelujah – 2:16 8 – Revive Us Again – 2:06 9 – Power In The Blood – 5:30 10 – I Just Want To Know You – 5:04 11 – Just Like He Said He Would – 6:14 12 – I’ll Keep On Loving You Lord – 4:26 13 – You Gave To Me – 3:49 14 – Oh Taste And See – 1:28 15 – Praise God, Praise God – 2:46 16 – This Is Another Day – 6:12 17 – Praise God Reprise 3:02 18 – Well Done – 5:46 19 – My Tribute – 6:00
Credits Bass – James Felix Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Robin Black Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Jimmie Davis Illustration [Album Illustration] – Robert August Keyboards – Andraé Crouch, Harlan Rogers, Mike Escalante Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Andraé*, Bill Maxwell, Gordon Shryock, Richie Schmitt Photography By – Danny Dunn, Paul Slaughter Producer – Andraé Crouch, Bill Maxwell Saxophone – Glenn Myerscough Tambourine – Sandra Crouch Trumpet – Allen Gregory Typography [Lettering], Design – Don Zubalsky Vocals – Andraé Crouch, Bea Carr, Danniebelle Hall, James Felix, Perry Morgan, Sandra Crouch
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Hammersmith Odeon Recorded At – Free Trade Hall Published By – Heart Warming Music Co.
I’m not entirely positive but I believe this is the first album from Danny and Paul Janz. It is possible there was an earlier one as the church they attended did have their own record company so they may be earlier work. This album however is the first album they did that was released in both Germany and Canada. I also found a reference that it was released in the United States but I am unable to confirm this. Anyway the album was released in Germany first with 8 German language tracks and 3 English tracks. Each version has 2 tracks that aren’t shared between the 2 versions. There are also some differences in the mix between the two. The English version was released by Image VII and Word and it sounds like they reworked the mix on most of the mutual tracks. As for the album it has a seventies folk sound and wasn’t really much of a hint of what was to come from the brothers.
Tracklist 1 – Wer Zeigt Mir Den Weg – 2:57 2 – Alleine Schaff Ich’s Nicht – 2:13 3 – Du Bist Mein – 2:43 4 – He’s Always There – 2:32 5 – Kann Jemand Helfen – 3:13 6 – Jesus Liebt Mich – 2:41 7 – Salvation Song – 3:39 8 – Ein Tag Geht Zu Ende – 3:55 9 – Ein Guter Freund – 2:49 10 – Du Bist Schlau – 3:09 11 – Day By Day – 2:35
Credits Bass, Guitar – Wayne Quiring Coordinator – Margitta Paul, Nils Kjellström Drums – Mike Starr Engineer, Photography By – John Dueck Graphic Design – Helmut Mono Keyboards – Paul Janz Producer – Paul Janz
I’m not entirely positive but I believe this is the first album from Danny and Paul Janz. It is possible there was an earlier one as the church they attended did have their own record company so they may be earlier work. This album however is the first album they did that was released in both Germany and Canada. I also found a reference that it was released in the United States but I am unable to confirm this. Anyway the album was released in Germany first with 8 German language tracks and 3 English tracks. Each version has 2 tracks that aren’t shared between the 2 versions. There are also some differences in the mix between the two. The English version was released by Image VII and Word and it sounds like they reworked the mix on most of the mutual tracks. As for the album it has a seventies folk sound and wasn’t really much of a hint of what was to come from the brothers.
Tracklist 1 – Who Can Show The Way – 2:56 2 – Summer’s Gone – 3:50 3 – Books And Calendars – 2:12 4 – Questions – 3:13 5 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:20 6 – Salvation Song – 3:39 7 – Give Me Love – 2:41 8 – Don’t Walk Away – 2:45 9 – Teach Me – 2:13 10 – Day By Day – 2:34 11 – He’s Always There – 2:32
Credits Arranged By, Vocals, Soloist, Composed By – Daniel Janz Composed By, Piano, Vocals, Soloist – Paul Janz Coordinator – Margitta Paul, Nils Kjellström Cover, Design – Helmut Mono Drums – Mike Starr Engineer, Photography By – John Dueck Guitar, Vocals, Composed By, Soloist, Bass – Wayne Quiring
James was a member of supergroup Psalm 150. Of course that supergroup only had one album so to keep the numbers similar this is James only album also. But that said James’s fingerprints are all over the CCM industry. After Psalm 150 he played on several Andrae Crouch albums as well as a studio musician on several other albums. In fact he was very busy throughout the 70’s. He has also written many hit’s for artists and is still working in the industry as recently as 2019 at the age of 68. James really is one of the unsung hero’s of the CCM industry. As for this album it’s a great soul album and very well produced. To be honest I’m very surprised this was his only album as he obviously has a ton of talent.
Tracklist 1 – I Really Love You – 4:05 2 – That’s What It Takes – 3:41 3 – White As Snow – 5:10 4 – Open Up – 4:18 5 – He Is Coming Back Again – 4:15 6 – The Light Of His Love – 5:17 7 – I Don’t Want Much – 4:43 8 – I’ve Been Runnin’ Too Long – 5:10 9 – He’s All That – 3:56 10 – Let’s Reach Out – 3:52
Credits Backing Vocals – Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Kristle Murden, Linda McCrary Bass, Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Arranged By – James Felix Drums, Producer, Arranged By – Bill Maxwell Organ – Mike Escalante Percussion – Alex Acuña Piano, Arranged By – Lou Pardini Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione Synthesizer – Larry Williams Trumpet – Allen Gregory, Fletch Wiley
Companies, etc. Record Company – Lexicon Music, Inc.
After living the previous decade as the overtly sexual queen of disco Donna Summer entered the 80s experimenting with a few different musical styles and appeared to have lost herself in the wandering. With return to her roots with more of an 80-‘s pop/rock edge, a ferocious vocal delivery and a new born again spirit Donna Summer released one of the biggest albums in her lengthy career entitled “She Works Hard for the Money.” My little Christian bookstore was probably the second store in the country to carry it after I saw it being sold at Maranatha Village. I grabbed a copy immediately, both out of fascination and also to see if it was something I could convince my bosses to carry. Once you get past the often misunderstood innuendo of the opening cut’s title and realized that it actually is a powerful, woman endorsing tribute the rest of the album was an easy fit. “He’s a Rebel” is clearly a testimonial song about her new found faith in the “rebel” Jesus Christ and has a decidedly more rock edge and clearly influenced by producer Michael Omartian. “Unconditional Love” featured popular reggae sensation “Musical Youth.” The song would later receive a punk remodel when covered by Christian punk/rock band the Altar Boys. Another mainstay in Christian Music circles, Matthew Ward (2nd Chapter of Acts) does a duet on “Love Has a Mind of It’s Own” and, as a result, received some pretty good reception of Christian radio. Summer would continue to add more Gospel tinged lyrics to future releases but would not match the success or create such an overall realized album of Christian content.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – She Works Hard For The Money – 5:19 2 – Stop, Look And Listen – 5:46 3 – He’s A Rebel – 4:22 4 – Woman – 4:19 5 – Unconditional Love – 4:41 6 – Love Has A Mind Of Its Own – 4:16 7 – Tokyo – 4:25 8 – People, People – 4:38 9 – I Do Believe (I Fell In Love) – 4:34
Credits Art Direction, Design – Chris Whorf Backing Vocals – Dara Lynn Bernard, Mary E. Bernard, Matthew Ward, Roberta Kelly Bass – Nathan East Concertmaster – Assa Drori Congas – Lenny Castro Coordinator [Production] – Yvonne Garcia Drum Programming [Simmons] – John Gilston Drums – Mike Baird Engineer [Assistant] – Larry Fergusson, Ross Pallone Horns – Charlie Loper*, Chuck Findley, Dick Hyde, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey Liner Notes – Donna Mastered By [A&M] – Bernie Grundman Mastered By [Future Disc] – Steve Hall Photography By – Harry Langdon Piano, Synthesizer – Michael Omartian Producer, Arranged By – Michael Omartian Programmed By [Synthesizers] – Michael Boddicker Recorded By, Mixed By – John Guess
I know I’m going to get some hate for this review but it’s my opinion and I welcome yours. I’m not really too sure what Carman was trying to achieve with this album. We have spoken tracks, conceptual tracks, theatrical tracks, a rap track, and a couple just regular song tracks. Quite frankly Carman could have done an album of nursery rhymes and it would have singled on the CCM charts. Actually I’m not so sure he didn’t do that. Anyway I truly believe that Carman was trying a little of everything in his quest to appeal to youth but the simple fact is that he was liked by our parents not us. At least that was what was happening in my circle. Carman also released a VHS of himself performing the album and I’ve seen bits and pieces of it and quite frankly it’s just bizarre. On a positive note the album did have 3 singles on the CCM charts and also won the Dove award for the Long Form Music Video of the Year for the aforementioned VHS release. Anyway that’s my take on this very bizarre album.
Tracklist 1 – God’s Got An Army – 4:24 2 – I Got The Joy – 4:30 3 – A Witch’s Invitation – 6:45 4 – Get Your Business Straight With God – 3:58 5 – This Blood – 5:29 6 – Saved, Delivered And Healed – 5:40 7 – Jesus Is The Light – 4:53 8 – The Resurrection Rap – 4:05 9 – Shine Through Me – 4:34 10 – Revival In The Land – 6:30
Credits Carman – Songwriter, Vocals Susan Ashton – Background Vocals Kym Barger – Gang Vocals Shirley Bereal – Background Vocals Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer Curt Butler – Gang Vocals Jacquetta Carr – Background Vocals Steve Charles – Assistant Engineer Christ Church Choir – Choir Vocals Tina Clark – Background Vocals Dan Cleary – Executive Producer Ashley Cleveland – Background Vocals Ed Crippen – Platoon Vocals Eric Darken – Percussion Willie Davis – Choir Director, Hammond B-3, Gang Vocals Wendell DePrang – Platoon Vocals John Destito – Gang Vocals Barry Dixon – Assistant Engineer Mark Douthit – Saxophone Dave Ecrement – Platoon Vocals David Felty – Platoon Vocals Kim Fleming – Background Vocals Nick Froome – Engineer Roy Gamble – Assistant Engineer Steve Gannon – Platoon Vocals Landy Gardner – Choir Director and Conductor Andrae Hammond – Gang Vocals Mark Hammond – Drums, Percussion Programming Vicki Hampton – Background Vocals Chris Harris – Background Vocals Mike Haynes – Trumpets Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals Tom Hemby – Guitars Higher Dimensions Sanctuary Choir – Choir Vocals Sgt. Penny Hollenbeck – Platoon Vocals Ron Huff – Orchestra Conductor Bobby Jones – Gang Vocals Dan Keen – Platoon Vocals Brent King – Engineer Pamela Lee – Background Vocals Paul Leim – Drums Stephen L. Lyman – Gang Vocals David McCune – Platoon Vocals Chris McDonald – Horn Arranger, Trombone Donna McElroy – Background Vocals Shawn McLean – Assistant Engineer Jerry McPherson – Guitars James Michael – Bass Marvin Moore – Gang Vocals Todd Moore – Production Assistance, Assistant Engineer, Platoon Vocals Farrell Morris – Percussion Dave Murphy – Assistant Engineer Phil Naish – Producer, Arranger, Keyboards Nashville String Machine – Strings Gary Paczosa – Assistant Engineer Carlton Pearson – Guest Vocals Monica Pearson – Background Vocals Mary Ann Peterson – Background Vocals Denny Purcell – Mastered John Ricroft – Platoon Vocals Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals Maurice Carlton Scott – Gang Vocals Jimmie Lee Sloas – Bass Carry Summers – Assistant Engineer Brian Tankersley – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Programming Keith Thomas – Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Synthesizers, Synclavier and Drum Programming, Percussion George Tidwell – Trumpets Jo-Nathan Watkins – Gang Vocals Bill Whittington – Engineer, Mixed Daire Winston – Assistant Engineer Don Wyrtzen – Choir and Strings Arranger
I’ll be honest that I had long lost interest in CCM by 1993 so I had never heard this album before processing it for upload to YouTube. I read some reviews and most of them sort of had a ho hum attitude towards the album. I on the other hand quite enjoyed the album. I hear a few tracks that have some of that old early 80’s feel but yes most of them were highly mixed tracks that they were doing in this era. Strangely the entire album music wise was apparently written by Bass player Roy Montroy. That definitely gives the album a different feel but there’s nothing wrong with this album. On their next album their would be quite a turn but this album is a solid piece of work.
Tracklist 1 – Heart’s Desire – 3:50 2 – If Your Love Grows Cold – 3:22 3 – Numbers – 2:31 4 – Sunrise – 4:02 5 – Dead To The World – 4:23 6 – Reach Of Love – 6:04 7 – Land Of Stolen Breath – 4:07 8 – Mannequin’s Dream – 1:30 9 – Empty Hearts – 3:17 10 – Thought I’d Never Love Again – 4:09 11 – White Lies – 3:58 12 – On My Dyin’ Bed – 4:55 13 – Heart’s Desire (Reprise) – 1:03
Credits Bass, Keyboards – Roy Montroy Drums – John Herrin Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Stu Heiss Engineer – Ed Bialach, Roy Montroy Engineer, Mixed By – Roger Heiss Mastered By – Steve hall Producer – REZ Producer, Mixed By – Tom Cameron Vocals, Backing Vocals – Wendi Kaiser Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica – Glenn Kaiser
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Tone Zone Recording Mixed At – Tone Zone Recording Mastered At – Future Disc
The band here is actually Writz but they had to do a name change for their U.S. release due to a conflicting band name. Now everything after this is up for debate as I’ve read a few different stories of how this album came to be. Apparently some time in 1981 Bev Sage and Steve Fairnie joined up with David Hewson to form the Techno Twins. Apparently this album had been recorded but not mixed or even accepted by the record company. There’s some back biting and accusations involved but I’m not going to repeat them. Simply enough I will explain it as, it’s Rock & Roll. Anyway apparently Steve Rowles had possession of the album and it found it’s way on to the internet. I tend to believe that this is a pre-production mix as it just has that feel. Anyway if you liked Writz then this should be a treat for you. I really liked it but it does suffer from a poor mix but who cares, it’s bonus music.
I really can’t find much about Donn. This was his first album but he had to have done some work before this. His singing style is very similar to Andraé Crouch and he would have fit in perfectly with that group of singers but I can’t find any record of him working with them. So that leaves us with this his first album and what a great album it is. Soul is not really my preferred genre but even I can appreciate how great this album is. The album contains the song “A Shield About Me” which has been covered many times but probably the most significant a cover by Tom Howard in 1985. Something rather odd is that we were searching for this album and we found several copies. They were all in horrible condition. I suspect that is was a poor pressing as that’s a little too coincidental.
Tracklist 1 – Live Wires – 3:57 2 – God’s Love (Is What The World Needs) – 4:04 3 – Not Now Doesn’t Mean Never – 4:17 4 – Walking With My Father – 4:32 5 – Oh My Livin’ Brother – 5:14 6 – Soul’d Out – 3:13 7 – A Shield About Me – 2:19 8 – Can’t Make It Without You, Lord – 4:34 9 – You Got Me Through – 4:22 10 – Soul’d Out – Reprise – 1:23
Credits Alto Saxophone – Dave Boruff Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Carol Rogers, Denise Hunt, Donn Thomas, Elicesia Wright, Lillian Tynes, Steve Hunt Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Garry Whitlock, Harry Langdon Design, Layout – Dennis Hill Engineer [2nd] [Davlen] – Ernie Sheesley, Jeff Borgeson, Steve Crimmel Flute – Dave Boruff, Jim Coile Lead Vocals – Donn Thomas Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Bill Bottrell Photography By – Harry Langdon Producer, Arranged By – David Diggs Recorded By – Christopher Banninger Strings – Doug Cameron String Section Tenor Saxophone – Gary Herbig, Jim Coile Trombone – Alan Kaplan, Bill Reichenbach Trumpet – Charles Davis, Danny Ackerman, Jerry Hey, Terry Winch
