A fun 50’s themed project here from Jeff. Like most of his work this was self released and really there’s no way a record label would have touched this album anyway as many of the tracks sound very very familiar musically. That said I love all things 50’s so I love this album. It’s not Lifters level good but it is good nonetheless. I notice that the drummer is Jeff Olson. I don’t now if this is the same Jeff Olson from Trouble but if it is this is quite the style change for him. Rex Delong is on piano. He was in a great 60’s group called The Rumblers so he brings some authenticity to the project. Anyway as I said this is just a fun album that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is real easy to listen to.
Tracklist 1 – Jesus (Rocked My Soul) – 1:58 2 – Praise The Lord Tonite – 2:48 3 – Jesus The Lord – 4:16 4 – Everybody – 1:50 5 – Jesus, My Savior, My Lord – 3:37 6 – Jesus Is The Rock – 2:55 7 – I Got Saved – 2:11 8 – Jesus, You’re So Wonderful – 3:43 9 – I’m In Love – 2:16 10 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:12
Credits Jeff Fenholt – Vocals, Producer, Arrangement Larry Hernandez – Guitar Rex Delong – Piano Robert Nance – Upright Bass Jeff Olson – Drums Rick Balentine – Synthesizer, Producer, Arrangement Glen Meyercough – Sax
Companies, etc. Published By – Messiah Music Published By – Heartwarming Music Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia Recorded at – Asaph Recording Studio
Magdallan’s “Big Bang” is the audio definition of an album that was hurt by too many delays in its release. Delayed well over a year (maybe two?), the album would have been the best album in its genre in 1989, but two or so years later and the whole music world changed. but even taking that into consideration, when one considers the album exclusively on its merit it cannot be denied as truly great work. The title may also be a track on the album, but it is also an adequate description of the totality of the album. It is BIG. Really, really big! Production is over the top with literally hundred of vocals layered on top of another and blazing guitar solos that are simply unmatched in CCM. I had lunch one day with Ken Tamplin and he spent the entire time talking about Hal Lindsey and the soon coming end of the world. I was really into the topic at the time and was fascinated. My ideology has shifted drastically in the past 25 years, but even though the album comes across like a track for the Pre-Trib Rapture theory, I cannot deny the unequaled quality of the album. The theme is so interwoven throughout the project that it becomes inescapable. the lead track is called “End of the Ages” and the content lyrically should be clear without any discussion. But what shines here though is some thoroughly enjoyable late 80’s guitar god, over-the-top solos. Though Tamplin was the lead vocalist for the project and primary songwriter, it should be noticed that the band really belongs to Lanny Cordolla. The famed House of Lords guitarist enlisted the help of his former band mates to round out the rest of the band. The high level of musicianship sets the record a[part from the rest of its contemporaries. This is shown in the diversity of arrangements and some of the greatest drumming on any arena rock album. Other stand outs include the title track, Radio Bikini (about the American nuclear bomb testing around WW2) and the ballad Wounded Heart. Despite a Dove Award nomination, the album never met sales projections though it was the best selling album for Intense Records (Frontline) of all time. Radio wouldn’t touch the ballads and the musical direction of rock radio had gone toward grunge and alternative.
Tracklist 1 – End Of The Ages – 6:12 2 – Radio Bikini – 4:41 3 – Shake – 3:50 4 – Wounded Hearts – 5:34 5 – Love To The Rescue – 5:07 6 – Old Hard Line – 4:31 7 – Dome Of The Rock – 4:47 8 – Big Bang – 4:51 9 – House Of Dreams – 4:17 10 – Cry Just A Little – 4:57 11 – Heartbreak Woman – 4:08 12 – This 1’s 4U – 2:46 13 – End Of The Ages (Reprise) – 0:34
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass, Acoustic Bass – Brian Bromberg Co-producer, Engineer [Mixing], Engineer [Tracking] – Mick Guzouski Cover [Painting “The Last Judgement”] – Michelangelo Buonarroti Design – Brian Godawa Drums – Ken Mary Engineer [Second] – Eric Rudd, Pat Woehl Engineer [Tracking] – Kim Bullard Engineer [Tracking], Engineer [Second] – Gil Morales, Kevin Becka Keyboards – Kim Bullard Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Ken Tamplin Management – Mike Slarve, Nicki Slarve Orchestrated By – Roger Mielke Producer, Written-By – Ken Tamplin, Lanny Cordola Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Sitar, Banjo, Mandolin – Lanny Cordola
Considering how relatively famous this lady is I can’t find anything about how ro where she got into music. Unfortunately it seems like every bio on her starts out when she met and subsequently married writer producer Scott V. Smith. Many of her bio’s don’t even mention this 1985 album. As this isn’t my genre of choice maybe this album was unknown and I just don’t know about it. That said I have listened to this album and it is fantastic for this style of soul. Strangely I keep hearing her style referred to as urban contemporary gospel. I’m not too sure what that is but I guess this is an example of it. To me it’s just a great soul R&B album. Like I say most people don’t even mention this album so maybe you haven’t heard it so here it is. If this is your genre, this is your kind of album. I guarantee it.
Tracklist 1 – Keeper Of My Heart – 4:18 2 – I Can Hardly Wait – 3:04 3 – When I Get In His Presence – 5:44 4 – Hiding In His Love – 4:09 5 – Worship The King – 4:02 6 – No No Doubts – 3:18 7 – I’m Free – 5:07 8 – I’d Rather Be Walking With You – 5:18 9 – When You’ve Got Nothing Left But Love – 6:08
Credits Arrangments – Harvey Lyon, Scott V. Smith, Howard McCrary Backing Vocals – Debbie McClendon, Howard Smith, Marietta Waters, Edythe Lyon, Gene Miller, Harvey Lyon Bass – Leon Gaer Choir – Bart Smith, Debbie McClendon, Edythe Lyon, Gene Miller, Harvey Lyon, Howard Smith, Julie DeSilva, Marietta Waters, Myrna Rochelle, Rene McClendon, Rod McNeil, Wilma Gibbs Drums – Bill Maxwell Drum Programming – Scott V. Smith Engineer – Chris Desmond, Christomer Banninger, Todd Van Etten, Win Kutz Executive-Producer – Mike Murdock Flugelhorn – Charles Davis, Larry Hall Graphic Design – Rhonda Jesson Guest Vocals – Howard Smith Guitar – Dean Parks, James Harrah, Jonathan DuBose Keyboards – Harlan Rogers Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Christopher Banninger Percussion – Willie Ornelas, Bill Maxwell Photography By – Harry Langdon Producer – Scott V. Smith Synthesizer – Michael Ruff, Scott V. Smith Synthesizer Programming – Bill Pearson, Scott V. Smith, Rhett Lawrence, Harvey Lyon Technician – Mike Wanbsgans Trombone – Andy Martin Trumpet – Charles Davis, Larry Hall Woodwind – Kim Hutchcroft Written-By – Debbie McClendon, Harvey Lyon, Scott V. Smith, Howard McCrary, Mike Murdock
This is Steve’s third studio album and this one really started to set the Christian music market in Australia on fire. I am still entirely bewildered at why he wasn’t promoted more in the North America. This album did get a North American release but R.E.X. Music struggled with non heavy metal releases on their Storyville label. I am sure with proper promotion this guy would have been huge. The quality of songwriting is very very good and I feel his folksy sound would have been very well received though I do admit he has a strong Australian twang that hasn’t traditionally done well in the American market. To this day Australia has their own country music that does very well at home but not in America. Anyway onto the album. I feel his songwriting had really matured at this point. These songs aren’t just simple choruses and basic verses, instead these are real story telling songs. The score is much more basic but it should be for this style. So if you missed this one due to geography give it a listen now, it’s great.
Tracklist 1 – Liberty Road – 4:42 2 – Song For America – 4:52 3 – Droughtland Rain – 4:34 4 – Living For Love – 3:47 5 – Texas – 3:36 6 – Burning Town – 4:02 7 – Somebody – 4:05 8 – Things That Really Matter – 4:04 9 – Crazy Road Of Life – 3:32 10 – Waiting For You – 3:35 11 – Long Live Your Dreams – 4:16
Credits Accordion – Jen Anderson Acoustic Guitar – Phil Butson, Steve Grace Arranged By [Vocals Arrangements] – Rose Bygrave Backing Vocals – Andy Sorenson, Chris Butson, Dee Shannon, Jay McNeil, Kathy Johnston, Kerrie Simpson, Marcia Howard, Phil Butson, Rod Davies, Rose Bygrave, Shane Howard, Steve Grace Bass – Steve Hadley Drums – Peter Luscombe Electric Guitar – Jeffrey Burstin, Phil Butson Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Kaj Dahlstrom Fiddle – Jen Anderson Guitar – Tommy Emmanuel Guitar [Wah Wah Guitar] – Phil Butson Harmonica – Steve Grace Keyboards – Chong Lim Mandolin – Jeffrey Burstin Mastered By – Don Bartley Mixed By – Doug Brady Music By – Phil Butson, Steve Grace Organ [Hammond] – James Black Piano – James Black, Jen Anderson Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Phil Butson Resonator Guitar [Dobro] – Tommy Emmanuel Saxophone – Joe Camilleri, Rob Burke Slide Guitar – Joe Camilleri Violin – Jen Anderson Words By – Steve Grace Words By, Music By – Tim Hill
Companies, etc. Mixed At – Metropolis Audio Mixed At – Sing Sing Studios Mastered At – EMI Studios 301
I am sure as I type this that I am going to regret placing this album “too low” and even more I will probably regret admitting that Second Hand is actually one of my personal least favorite Mark Heard albums. That being said I also understand what a tremendous record it is despite my personal likings. Perhaps its that the album is a bit more “folky” than others and less rock oriented that sways my opinion. But one thing I do know, that it is not about the songs. In fact, when these same songs are performed by others with different arrangements they become personal favorites. When Pierce Pettis (who I totally made a mistake not including) did “Nod Over Coffee” I was instantly in love with the song. Same with the cover of Lonely Moon. There are some songs though that no one can touch Heard’s version: The first is “Worry Too Much.” What an amazing performance by heard here and is a personal favorite from the album. “I Just Wanna Get Warm” is another highlight with great mandolin and violin work. But one must remember that even a “least favorite” Mark Heard album is still better and more enjoyable than 95% of the rest of the music I own!
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Nod Over Coffee – 4:38 2 – Lonely Moon – 4:54 3 – Worry Too Much – 4:13 4 – Look Over Your Shoulder – 3:29 5 – She Don’t Have A Clue – 3:47 6 – Talking In Circles – 4:05 7 – Love Is Not The Only Thing – 4:58 8 – I Just Wanna Get Warm – 3:53 9 – Another Good Lie – 5:39 10 – All Too Soon – 3:57 11 – It’s Not Your Fault – 3:23 12 – I’m Looking Through You – 3:40 13 – What Kind Of Friend – 2:42 14 – The Ways Of Men – 5:07
Credits Acoustic Bass [Acoustic Bass Guitar], Electric Bass – Bill Batstone Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Organ [Hammond], Vocals, Accordion, Mandolin, Harmonica – Mark Heard Artwork – Mark Heard Backing Vocals – Pam Dwinell-Miner Chapman Stick – Fergus Jemison Marsh Double Bass [Stand-up], Electric Bass – Glen Holmen Drums – David Raven, Steve Hindalong Engineer [Second] – Buddy Miller, Joel Russell Executive-Producer – Chuck Long Fiddle – Doug Atwell Mastered By – Eddy Schreyer Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro – Greg Liesz Percussion – David Baker Photography By – Joel Russell Producer [Associate] – Dan Russell Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Mark Heard Written-By – Lennon-McCartney, Mark Heard, Steve Padgett
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders Recorded At – Neverland Mastered At – Future Disc
This album has an interesting history. The album was released by a “band” that was heavily associated with a music ministry known as Gospel Workshop for Children that essentially put out children’s music. This album is partly oriented to children as partly at an adult audience. Not really the best album idea which is probably why it was self released and not on a label. Okay now onto why this album is pretty famous. The track “Dear Mr. Jesus” is a child (Sharon Batts) singing a song all about child abuse. This song ended up getting played in 1987 around Christmas time on Tampa radio station WRBQ-FM. It took off from there and reached all the way to #61 on the Hot 100 in January 1988. This all occurred at the time of the story of Elizabeth “Lisa” Steinberg, a 6-year-old New York girl beaten to death by her adoptive father Joel Steinberg in November 1987, became national news. The original release of the album had very limited numbers but several re-releases have occurred so people could get their hands on a copy. The band was smart enough to keep control of the song through all this and I hope they did well from it’s fame. Now my critique of the album. The adult oriented tracks are pretty good and “Lil’ Rebel” went right into my regular rotation. Like I said the album doesn’t make a whole lotta sense to me but I’m overly critical of this sometimes. If for no other reason this album should be listened to for it’s historical value.
Tracklist 1 – Only Child – 2:48 2 – Lil’ Rebel – 4:38 3 – Dear Mr. Jesus – 3:59 4 – Little Lambs – 2:50 5 – Jesus On My Side – 3:23 6 – Champion – 3:35 7 – Jesus I Heard You Had A Big House – 2:59 8 – Jesus Hears – 3:11 9 – God’s Little People – 3:34 10 – I’ll Never Stop – 4:20
Credits Drums – Gene Glover, Gregg Bissonette Bass – Bruce Lett Piano – Bert Ligan Guitar – Richard Klender, Larry Rolando, B. James Lowery Banjo & Steel Guitar -Brian Thomas Percussion – Gene Glover, Richard Klender, Bruce Lett Disc Mastering – Wally Teaugott String Arrangements – Dana Charles, Kevin B. Cleary
Walter started his music career as a member of a family band fronted by his brother Edwin. The family band was the house band for the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ. They actually had a major hit with their cover of “Oh Happy Day” in 1969. Walter Hawkins left the Edwin Hawkins Singers in the early 1970s to establish the Love Center Church and choir in Oakland, California. He also had great success with this arrangement releasing several albums. This is the first of that series of albums though it is actually his second solo album as he had a previous release without the choir. Also appearing on the album is his wife Tramaine Hawkins who was very successful Gospel singer on her own. One of the stranger things about this album is that Walter continued calling most of his albums “Love Alive” just adding a release number. I guess his thinking was don’t mess with a successful thing. This particular album was re-released several times over the years which is a testament to its popularity. I was not a follower of this genre in the 80’s but I wish I had been as the soul side of CCM had some great music and fantastic artists such as Walter Hawkins. Unfortunately Walter passed away in 2010 at the young age of 61 from cancer.
Tracklist 1 – Follow Me – 3:56 2 – Dear Jesus, I Love You – 4:03 3 – I Love The Lord – 6:17 4 – Changed – 8:01 5 – Changed (Reprise) – 2:23 6 – I Won’t Be Satisfied – 4:45 7 – God Is – 7:06 8 – I’m Not The Same – 4:11 9 – Goin’ Up Yonder – 9:40
Credits Arranged By – Walter Hawkins Cover [Design] – Thel A. Eichmann Drums – Joel Smith Engineer – Phil Edwards Liner Notes – Andraé Crouch Organ – Danny Hawkins Photography By [Cover] – Tina Farley Piano – Edwin Hawkins Producer – Walter Hawkins
It was very difficult to decide exactly which of the first two Lost Dogs projects would be ranked higher on this list as both are incredible projects. Ultimately it came down to the fact that the debut had “Breathe Deep,” which amongst the Top 10 greatest CCM songs ever. But this album should not be missed by anyone that…well…just anyone! No Ship Coming In opens up the album and should have earned the band a charting single. But it was 1993 and CCM radio was too busy with Point of Grace and Carman. The acoustic melody and tight harmonies are just fantastic. Inspired by the best of the Beach Boys vocally the songs is a sing-a-long fest. It would literally expand beyond the normal limitations of these reviews to discuss every great song the album. But Imagine That, You Satisfy, Dunce Cap and Jimmy are just stand outs. The latter featuring a subdued and touching vocal by Gene Eugene. “Jesus Loves You, Brian Wilson” is just a true treasure. The follow up to “Breathe Deep” is the wonderful “Pray Where You Are,” though one does get the sense that it is really “Breathe Deep: Part Two.” But when a song is that great you can’t blame them for trying. The song itself is great and stands as one of the best the group has ever recorded.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – No Ship Coming In – 3:56 2 – Imagine That – 4:04 3 – You Satisfy – 4:06 4 – Bad Indigestion – 3:25 5 – Dunce Cap – 3:47 6 – Jesus Loves You, Brian Wilson – 3:16 7 – Precious Memories – 3:10 8 – Rocky Mountain Mines – 4:12 9 – Jimmy – 2:50 10 – Eleanor, It’s Raining Now – 6:17 11 – Free At Last – 4:59 12 – Red, White And Blue – 2:45 13 – I’m A Loser – 2:51 14 – No Room For Us – 4:11 15 – Pray Where You Are – 3:46 16 – (no audio) – 0:11 17 – (no audio) – 0:11 18 – (no audio) – 0:11 19 – (no audio) – 0:11 20 – (no audio) – 0:11 21 – (no audio) – 0:11 22 – On The Good Ship Lollipop – 1:07
Credits Art Direction, Design, Photography By – Anna Cardenas Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain Dobro, Pedal Steel Guitar, Banjo – Greg Kellogg Drums, Percussion – Burleigh Drummond Guitar, Vocals – Terry Taylor Guitar, Vocals, Bass – Derri Daugherty Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Harmonica – Mike Roe Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Piano – Gene Eugene Bass – Tim Chandler Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor Layout [Additional], Producer [Additional Production] – Ed McTaggart Mastered By – Steve Hall Producer [Produced By] – Derri Daugherty, Gene Eugene, Mike Roe, Terry Taylor Recorded By – Gene Eugene Recorded By [With] – David Hackbarth, The Dogs, Mark Rodriguez
Here’s the third album from Roby and he still couldn’t get a good album cover. If viewed strictly by his album covers you would have no idea Roby did Rock/Pop. Anyway this is album is a little more pop than his previous two but I still quite like it. The only single from the album was “Can’t Let You Go” which only made it to #20 on the CCM charts. I truly feel that Roby was horribly underrated and I really wish I had heard him back in the 80’s but those album covers definitely prevented me from buying his albums.
Tracklist 1 – I Know You, Mister – 3:28 2 – I’ve Come Too Far – 4:08 3 – This Is Not A Game – 4:27 4 – Runaway (Say So) – 4:44 5 – Another Night – 3:51 6 – I’ll Survive – 4:01 7 – Talk To Me – 4:10 8 – Can’t Let You Go – 4:05 9 – It’s Up To You – 4:24 10 – Here For You – 4:25
Credits Bass – John Patitucci Guitar – Dann Huff Guitar – Michael Thompson Guitar – Steve Farris Keyboards – Roby Duke Keyboards – Eric Persing Programming – Eric Persing Sax – Bob Sheppard Cymbal – Bob Wilson Tom Tom – Bob Wilson Background Vocals – Carmen Twillie, Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters Vocals – Roby Duke
Another successful album for Andrus And Blackwood who dropped the “& Co.” for this album. Of course the big hit was “Soldier Of The Light” which made it to #1. This was followed up by “The Captain & Me” which made it to #4. Strangely I entirely missed this one back in the day. I don’t know how I could have missed it, the album cover alone should have peaked my interest. Speaking of the cover how did the record company not see the WKRP look alike situation going on when the T.V. show was at it’s peak. Unless they wanted the look alike feature. Still a very strange album cover to me because of that. Anyway this is a great album though not really my style.
Tracklist 1 – Soldier Of The Light – 4:06 2 – The Well Will Never Run Dry – 4:58 3 – God Made Man – 4:58 4 – Close To You – 3:50 5 – I Still Do – 3:15 6 – The Other Side – 4:57 7 – Walk On Water – 4:27 8 – Give It All – 3:36 9 – The Captain & Me – 3:53 10 – You Are – 3:25
Credits Sherman Andrus – Vocals David Baroni – Songwriter Terry Blackwood – Vocals Russ Bracher – 2nd Engineer Kenny Buttrey – Drums Bob Clark – Engineer Bobby Cotton – Engineer Dave Coy – Bass Steve Gibson – Guitar Jon Goin – Guitar Randy Goodrum – Keyboards Joe Hayden – Recorded (Assisted) Jerry Hey – Horn Arrangements Bruce Hibbard – Songwriter Hadley Hockensmith – Guitar David Huff – Songwriter Phil Johnson – Producer, Songwriter Alice Keister – Songwriter Shane Keister – Songwriter, Keyboards, Synthesizer Bass Brent King – Engineer Abraham Laboriel – Bass Larrie Londin – Drums Ronnie Meek – Songwriter Farrell Morris – Percussion Joe Osborn – Bass Warren Peterson – Engineer Smitty Price – Engineer, Horn Arrangements, Keyboards, Synthesizer John Raines – Drums Steve Schaffer – Bass Seawind – Horns Tim Sheppard – Songwriter Denis Solee – Saxophone Ken Suesov – Engineer, Mixed Randy Thompson – Songwriter Hank Williams – Mastered Jack Williams – Bass
