After leaving Bash ‘n The Code Greg and Rebecca Sparks toured and recorded with Russ Taff and then in 1989 they went into the studio and recorded this fantastic pop rock album. This is another one of those albums that didn’t get the recognition it deserved. I was trying to pic my favourite track but it’s pretty tough. I guess I’ll have to go with U Tell Me but really there’s several tracks here that appeal to me. I absolutely love I Need Your Love and I think I’ve heard it before I heard this album. Did someone cover this because I know I have heard it before but I also know I have never heard this album before a few weeks ago. Anyway give this one a listen it’s a great album.
Tracklist 1 – Rock Your World – 3:34 2 – U Tell Me – 4:11 3 – I Need Your Love – 5:09 4 – One Small Voice – 3:39 5 – Angels Of Mercy – 4:09 6 – Rest – 3:10 7 – (Through) Hell And High H2O – 3:35 8 – Jesus Is Merciful – 0:18 9 – Somebody’s Reaching – 4:25 10 – Day Like Today – 3:41 11 – High Tower – 5:54
In 1983 we got our one and only gospel album from Johnny Rivers. Unfortunately I’m going to sound pretty negative about Johnny but hear me out. At this point Johnny’s last 3 albums did not do well and he was without a record contract. So he suddenly got saved and signed a deal with the very short lived CBS Records religious label Priority Records. I’m not saying his sudden Christianity was fake, I’m just saying it had some odd timing but we’ve seen this with secular artists before. The record deal turned out to be a 1 record deal as CBS shut down the label as they had no idea how to function in the Christian genre. Johnny would have to form his own record label after this as his time with the big labels was done. Now that said let’s talk about the album. It is fantastic. Johnny is a phenomenal talent and he really nailed this album. I know I sounded negative but let’s not take anything away from Johnny’s talent. The album is almost entirely cover tunes some better known than others. I really enjoyed this album but I was brought up in Johnny Rivers house so I might be a little biased.
Tracklist 1 – Nowhere Else To Go – 3:02 2 – A Change Is Gonna Come – 2:46 3 – Turning Point – 4:16 4 – Reach Out, I’ll Be There – 3:15 5 – Stand By Me – 4:27 6 – Believe In Me – 4:01 7 – Shelter In Time Of Storm – 3:52 8 – An Uncloudy Day – 4:04 9 – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – 3:21 10 – New Meaning – 3:44 11 – Live It From Day To Day – 3:32 12 – Golden Sun, Silver Moon – 3:40
Credits Artwork [The Lion Of Judah By] – Christi Rivers Backing Vocals [The Waters Family] – Julia Waters, Luther Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters Co-producer [Assisted By] – Joey Paige, Michael Canfield Design [Original Album Design By] – Jeffery Fey Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Michael Ross Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Wally Grant Graphics [Reprographics By] – Mimeo Limited Liner Notes – John O’Regan Mixed By – Allen Sides Mixed By [Assisted By] – David Edgerton Percussion – Alex Acuna Photography By [Back Cover Photo By] – Sam Emerson Photography By [Front Cover Photo By] – Martin Producer – Johnny Rivers Remastered By – Andrew Thompson
In my quest to find the first Christian rock album I have run into one problem. The definition of rock of course evolved over the years. Today’s album was certainly rock when it was released but if you heard it in 1970 you may not have considered it rock. But anyway let’s talk about the band. It was founded in 1942 by Barney Parks who had formerly sung with the Dixie Hummingbirds. The band had several different members over the years until their last album in 2008. they had over 30 albums which is a pretty respectful number. This is their first album and has a great 50’s feel that I love. Is it the first? Well it is definitely one of the first. Oh and a sign of the times piece of trivia when this album was released in France it was titled “Negro Spirituals”. Try that nowadays.
Tracklist 1 – The Blood Of Jesus – 2:47 2 – It Is No Secret – 2:08 3 – Morning Train – 2:21 4 – Jesus Is Going – 2:27 5 – I Want To Go – 2:21 6 – What Would You Give – 2:35 7 – Savior Don’t Pass Me By – 2:07 8 – Standing At The Judgement – 3:17 9 – Live So God Can Use You – 2:38 10 – Burying Ground – 2:31 11 – To The End – 2:40
This is the second and last album for Dance House Children though the brothers would go on to work on other projects together. The album continues the dance club sound that really didn’t have that much of a market but the people who liked that style loved this album. I was pretty heavily into the secular dance club scene at the time and I will admit that this album measures right up there with any secular release of the period. My only real criticism for the album is the ugly album cover. I really wish Michael Knott would have stepped in and said no to it. As for the brothers Jason would go on to form Starflyer 59 and Ronnie would form Joy Electric which are both excellent projects by their own right. To say these brothers had great talent would be an under statement.
Tracklist 1 – Once Upon Your Lips – 4:58 2 – The Locket Maker – 4:24 3 – Old And True – 3:45 4 – Eve Leaf – 3:05 5 – Autumn Comes But Once, Dear – 4:19 6 – Homespun Is Happy – 4:19 7 – Simon Sister – 3:31 8 – Keepsake Melody – 3:54 9 – A Lull In The Fairest Maple – 4:43 10 – Uncle Art – 4:02 11 – A Cottage Song – 4:40 12 – Oleanders (Our Happy Place) – 4:02 13 – Sea Breeze – 3:25 14 – Merry – 3:49 15 – Wisteria Time – 4:47
Credits Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart Design Concept [Cover Art Concept] – Jason Martin, Ronnie Martin Design [Cover Logo By] – Ronnie Martin Engineer – Christopher Colbert, Dave Hackbarth, Greg Kemble Keyboards, Sampler [Samples] – Jason Martin Mastered By – Doug Doyle Mixed By – Christopher Colbert Photography By – Rob Powell Producer – Dance House Children Vocals, Keyboards, Sampler [Samples], Programmed By [Rhythm Programming] – Ronnie Martin Written-By – Ronnie Martin, Jason Martin
This is Lanny’s first solo album after a pretty extensive time as an axe for hire. This is rather an odd album for the Christian genre in that it’s more centered on Lanny’s Jazz guitar skills with a conceptual feel. I’m actually quite surprised that Frontline took a chance with this style of album as I just can’t see the market for this album at the time. There is one more traditional “Song” on the album, “Shadows Over My Heart”, and it is fantastic. Other than that track this album really isn’t for me but I still enjoyed listening to it due to Lanny’s excellent guitar skills. The fact that it’s not for me however should mean nothing because if you like a hint of Jazz in your Rock & Roll you will definitely like this one.
Tracklist 1 – Intro (A New Beginning) – 1:19 2 – Behold This Dreamer Cometh – 1:28 3 – Angry Candy – 6:50 4 – Looney Tunes – 1:08 5 – Ish Kabibill – 0:16 6 – When Shiloh Comes – 3:26 7 – Birenbau – 0:19 8 – Farbage Valves – 1:22 9 – Mariage Of Figaro (Sort Of) – 5:46 10 – Slappy White – 2:28 11 – Zulu Jam – 0:43 12 – Shadows Over My Heart – 4:34 13 – Neesh Taps – 0:44 14 – Jalapeno Man – 1:58 15 – Django – 0:45 16 – Hungry Hallow – 2:25 17 – Plymouth Rock – 5:54 18 – Sadako – 1:59 19 – Jabberwocky (The Shadow Gang) – 5:28 20 – Vindaloo – 4:09 21 – Fripp – 0:40 22 – Summertime – 3:18 23 – Echo Boy – 5:11 24 – Groom Lake – 0:40 25 – All The Things You Are – 6:47 26 – Amazing Grace – 1:33
Credits Acoustic Bass – Brian Bromberg Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass – Brian Bromberg, Jeff Berlin Design – Joe Potter Drum – Aldstadt Brothers, John Stamos Nigerian Drum Corps. Drums – Ken Mary, Mahatma Duffy Guitar – Joe Diorio Mastered By – Brian Gardner Percussion – Scott Breadman Photography – David Dobson, Robert Mattheu Producer, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Drum Machine – Lanny Cordola Recorded By, Engineer – Roger Mielke Recorded By, Engineer, Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen Sampler – Dave Jahnsen Sarangi – Ken Jara Scratches – D.J. Kaos Shaker, Talking Drum – Scott Breadman Tabla – Leonice Shinneman Timbales – Scott Breadman Vocals – James Christian Voice – Roger Mieke
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mixing Lab B Engineered At – Mixing Lab B Recorded At – Micro Note Recording Studio Engineered At – Micro Note Recording Studio Mixed At – Mixing Lab A Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering Glass Mastered At – Nimbus
Here we go again with another great Australian artist that didn’t make it to us in North America. “Roma” is Roma Waterman and this is her first album. It was released on micro label Triune Music which was best known for releasing the Steve Grace album Children Of The Western World. They hit a homerun with that one and this one should have been a homerun too. As near as I can find it sold relatively well but wasn’t a must buy in Australia. Roma had been working as a back up singer on a lot of Christian artist tours in Australia. I believe they self funded this album. I actually think they did a great job on this album my only nitpick is a little of the production is off. As an example the track “The Letter” was a song with huge potential but the arrangement is just wrong. It’s still an excellent song but just needed a little more oomph. That said I’m sure the album had limited funds and quite frankly knowing this makes the album even more of an achievement. As for the album it is a great pop album and I wish we had got a chance to buy it in North America.
Tracklist 1 – Give My Love To You – 3:20 2 – Change Your World – 3:42 3 – By The Faith – 3:54 4 – And I – 5:01 5 – Does It Really Matter – 5:14 6 – Look Up – 3:26 7 – Fly – 4:47 8 – People Change – 3:06 9 – Rain On Me – 3:16 10 – The Letter – 6:02
Credits Executive Producer – Ted Waterman Mixed By – Carl Laurens, David Carr, John Bosua Producer, Arranged By – Carl Laurens
Companies, etc. Made By – Disctronics B Recorded At – Fortress Productions Mixed At – TLC Studios, Melbourne
This is an album I was waiting to hear for years. It was never released in North America and is almost impossible to find over here but a friend of the channel did find a copy and was kind enough to share it with us. I am a big fan of these guys so I was very excited to hear an album they called” Rock For All Ages”. Unfortunately this album would be better described as “Rock for the aged” Actually that’s not even true because I’m getting pretty aged and I love Rock & Roll. Unfortunately this album is not Rock & Roll. My initial listening was straight up disappointment. Norman and Dave have done some great Rock & Roll over the years BUT this is a easy listening album that is barely on the fringes of Rock. But wait all is not lost. Once I got over the disappointment and listening to the album a third time it stated to grow on me. By the fourth time through I really liked it though it still isn’t my preferred style. So if this one disappoints you the first time through be sure to give is a few more tries and maybe like me you’ll come to appreciate it.
Tracklist 1 – Jerusalem 2 – I Will Serve You 3 – Evensong 4 – Lord We Thank You 5 – Jacqueline Louise 6 – Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring 7 – On My Way Home 8 – Tribute 9 – Winds O’er The Sea
Credits Engineer – Derek Murray Guitar, Vocals – Norman Barratt Keyboards – Dave Morris Producer – Dave Morris, Derek Murray, Norman Barratt Written-By – Dave Morris, Norman Barratt
Here’s a great 5 man band out of Spokane WA. This is their first of two albums. It was Originally self released but was picked up by Praise records for their New Born label. The band has a great 70’s sound that leaned more Light Rock but the track Devil’s Friend was a real rocker. Not really much else I can tell you about them as they are a rather obscure band that I didn’t hear of back in the day even though they were on a label we followed closely. My best guess is that the label didn’t do much distribution on the album.
Tracklist 1 – Long Long Way 2 – How Long 3 – Pretty Lady 4 – One Nighter 5 – Good Samaritan 6 – Pearly Gates 7 – Devil’s Friend 8 – Walkin’ In Darkness 9 – Comin’ Home 10 – Soul’s Desire 11 – Heirborn
Credits Rob Neuschwander – Drums, Vocals, Percussion Dave Wold – Fender Rhodes, Piano, A.R.P., Vocals Ben Mayo – Fender Bass, Vocals Michael Lehnen – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, A.R.P., Percussion Dick Ellis – Engineer, Mixdown Mike Dwyer – Mixdown
Companies, etc. Recorded and Mixed at – Sounds Unlimited Studios Mastered at – KM Records Burbank, California
Lisa had started her music career in Nashville working the studio circuit but did not get any album credits. She then started working with the Lowell Lundstrom ministry. In 1991 she self released this, her first album. I don’t know if the Lundstroms financed it and I don’t even know who is on it or produced it. In fact I know very little about it so it’s one we just have to listen to see what it’s like and it’s pretty good. The production is pretty good but it’s a pretty easy listening album so if you are Rock oriented this one probably isn’t for you. Lisa would go on to have a lengthy music career with several albums and appearances. She is still releasing music and you can check it out on her website. https://www.lisadaggs.net/
Tracklist 1 – Who Are You 2 – Your Love Stays With Me 3 – We Exalt You 4 – He Really Cares About You 5 – You’ve Never Given Up On Me 6 – Nobody Loves Me Like You 7 – Pickin’ Up The Pieces 8 – Rest In Me 9 – Purify Us Lord 10 – Until Day Four
Including this album on our channel is a little bit of a stretch. We are adding it to provide context of where Bonnie Bramlett came from. She was actually had a very successful secular career in “Delaney & Bonnie” which was her and her husband Delaney. This album is one they released of entirely gospel songs so I thought it might be a good fit for the channel. This album actually reached number 13 on the Hot 100 from July 14 to 24, 1971, and was Billboard’s number 67 single of 1971. The band and their marriage ended in 1972 in part, according to Bonnie, due to drug use. Bonnie then had a solo career spanning 4 albums before her Christian release in 1981. I found the following story about Bonnie on Wikipedia and thought it would be fun to share. “While on tour with Stills in 1979, Bramlett punched Elvis Costello in the face at a hotel bar in Columbus, Ohio, after Costello referred to James Brown as a “jive-ass nier” and Ray Charles a “blind, ignorant nier.” Bramlett having brought his remarks to the attention of the press, Costello apologized at a press conference in New York City a few days later, stating he had been drunk and had been trying to be obnoxious in order to bring the conversation to a swift conclusion. According to Costello, “it became necessary for me to outrage these people with about the most obnoxious and offensive remarks that I could muster.”
Tracklist 1 – Where The Soul Never Dies – 3:25 2 – Will The Circle Be Unbroken – 2:42 3 – Rock Of Ages – 2:15 4 – Long Road Ahead – 3:25 5 – Faded Love – 4:03 6 – Talkin’ About Jesus – 6:40 7 – Come On In My Kitchen – 2:43 8 – Don’t Deceive Me – 3:53 9 – Never Ending Song Of Love – 3:20 10 – Sing My Way Home – 4:07 11 – Going Down The Road Feeling Bad – 5:10 12 – Lonesome & Long Way From Home – 4:00
Credits Alto Vocals – Iva Bramlett Engineer – Bruce Botnick, Lewis Peters, Richard Moore Musician – Eddie James, Jim Keltner Musician, Vocals – Ben Benay, Bobby Whitlock, Bonnie Bramlett, Carl Radle, Dave Mason, Delaney Bramlett, Duane Allman, Gram Parsons, Jay York, John Hartford, Kenny Gradney, Leon Russell, Sandy Konikoff Photography By, Design [Album Design] – Barry Feinstein, Tom Wilkes Photography, Design – Camouflage Productions Producer, Arranged By – Delaney Bramlett
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Of Canada, Ltd. Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Of Canada, Ltd. Published By – Delbon Published By – Cotillion Published By – Metric Published By – Hill & Range Published By – Noma Published By – Nice Songs Published By – Tideland Published By – Skyhill Produced For – Delbon Productions Printed By – Ever Reddy Lacquer Cut At – RCA Studios, Toronto
