This is one of the best CCM pop albums I’ve ever heard but I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard it. Let’s start out with a bit of background. Craig Ginn was born in Churchill MB but his music career started in Winnipeg MB. The original Craig Ginn Band started in the mid 80’s with Craig’s wife, Carla, Paul Kutcher, and Sam Kennedy. They were well known in the Winnipeg Christian scene playing coffee houses, youth conventions, and church events. People from Winnipeg will probably remember them appearing frequently at The Heartline Cafe, a coffee house in the basement at Fort Garry MB church.
This version of the band however never recorded in the studio. This version came to an end when Craig moved to Alberta but this wasn’t the end of Craig’s music. I don’t know the backstory but Craig ended up in the studio with producer Roy Salmond at the same time as he was recording albums for Connie Scott and Hope Sterling, both of whom make appearances on this album. Paul from the original band also makes an appearance as well as Craig’s wife of course. From that studio appearance came this album. I do not know how many of these were recorded or distributed but other than this copy I have never heard or seen one and there is no mention of this album anywhere on the entire internet. We added it to Discogs so at least it’s there now. I do know that the lead track made it onto a sampler released by a local radio station in Edmonton AB. The album is very very good and I’m a bit baffled how this couldn’t find a label release. It is pop oriented but Craig’s vocals are fantastic and distinctive enough that I would have thought some record company would have jumped on this especially with Roy Salmond producing it. Unfortunately it didn’t so no one ever heard it. Craig did record a second Christian album which we have but I don’t have a date or any info on that album. Craig continues to make music today. He has two albums that concentrate on his indigenous background and education of indigenous issues through music.
Tracklist 1 – Easily Manipulated 2 – His Promise 3 – It Takes Heart 4 – Is There Someone? 5 – Soothe The Wounds 6 – Never Say It 7 – Real Time 8 – Everything I’ve Got 9 – Restore Me 10 – This Need 11 – Help Me See Through Your Eyes 12 – My Jesus I Love Thee
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Programmed By, Keyboards, Sequenced By, Backing Vocals, Producer – Roy Salmond Backing Vocals – Carla Ginn, Cecile Laroche, Connie Scott, Donny Hackett, Hope Sterling, Joani Bye, Paul Kutcher, Pete Wistoff Bass Guitar – Brian Newcombe, Rene Worst Drums – Daryl Bennett, Jerry Adolphe Flugelhorn, Lead Vocals – Craig Ginn Guitar – Brett Wade, Carl Strempler, Harris Van Berkel Guitar, Classical Guitar – Dane DeViller Piano – Dave Pickell Recorded By, Mixed By – Gary Tole Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Dave Slagter Saxophone – Ian Putz
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Inside Trax Studio Mixed At – Inside Trax Studio Produced At – Whitewater Productions, Vancouver, BC
I can not find very much information about R.K. Fraser. I do know this was his only Christian album though he did have 2 albums in the 70’s that I have not listened to yet. The album was on Bright Star Records which was a division of Kerygma Records, Kerry Livgren’s label. The album was also associated with the American Coalition of Traditional Values (ACTV). Fraser was a Vietnam vet serving in 1969 and 1970. This fact helps explain the rather odd album cover which makes sense once you realize he was wearing face camouflage as was done in Vietnam. The album contains a pretty good cover of John Denver’s Annie’s Song. The album is a pretty easy listening pop album that was probably more oriented at our parents than us. Anyway it’s a pretty good album and while little known those who did have it seem to have great memories of it.
Tracklist 1 – Knockin’ At Your Door 2 – In God We Trust 3 – All Roads Lead To You 4 – Galilee 5 – Heroes 6 – Cold Cold Night 7 – Annie’s Song 8 – Light Up The Sky 9 – I Wish I Was Home
Snakes in the Playground is the fifth studio album from Bride. Strangely many of the reviews for this album say “it was their breakthrough album”. I am assuming most these reviewers actually had no idea about Christian metal. Bride was well established and already revered as one of the best Metal acts of the period. That said it was a great album and I think everyone recognized that including the Dove Awards who gave it 2 nominations for “Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year” which they won for 1992 (Rattlesnake) and 1993 (Psychedelic Super Jesus). Interestingly the album featured several guest musicians, Peter Furler and John James from the Newsboys, Rick Florian from White Heart for backing vocals, Greg Martin from the Kentucky Headhunters, Rick Elias, and Derek Jan from Novella for some solo guitar spots. As for the naming of the album Dale Thompson gave us the story “We were in the beginning stages of recording, and took a break to drive to the store. A large reptile was lying beside our car sunbathing on the pavement. In my attempts to chase the snake away, I chased it under the car. To make matters worse, the effort to move the snake from under the car drove it up into the fender wells. We spent the next hour and a half trying to get the snake to come out. We sprayed it with the water hose, poked at it with a broom handle, even shook the car, but it would not come out. Finally, when we thought we would just have to let the snake have the car, it crawled out and back into the wooded area next to the studio.” If you were living on the moon in 1992 and missed this album it is a must listen.
Tracklist 1 – Rattlesnake – 4:34 2 – Would You Die For Me – 3:35 3 – Psychedelic Super Jesus – 4:18 4 – Fallout – 4:03 5 – Saltriver Shuffle – 0:38 6 – Dust Through A Fan – 3:08 7 – I Miss The Rain – 3:52 8 – Don’t Use Me – 4:01 9 – Picture Perfect – 4:21 10 – Love, Money – 3:48 11 – Some Things Never Change – 4:09 12 – Goodbye – 5:20
Credits Art Direction – Toni Thigpen Bass – Rik Foley Design, Layout – Tufts Design Studio Drums – Jerry McBroom Edited By [Digital Editing] – Alan Douches Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson Guitar, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Viola – Troy Thompson Illustration – Todd Tufts Mastered By – Denny Purcell Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer – Salvatore Giglio Recorded By, Mixed By – Salvatore Giglio Vocals, Backing Vocals, Tambourine, Shaker – Dale Thompson
This is the first album from The Wall Brothers. It was initially self released as a self titled album but it looks like Greentree Records picked it up the following year and released it with a new cover and title. I still can find anything out about these guys. I have discovered that before this album they were known as The Chancellors and had a couple albums with the Lefevre family. I can’t find either of those two albums but they look like they were more praise oriented. As for the album I really liked the opening track but it should never have been chosen as an opening track. The rest of the album is a little dull but if you like 70’s Jesus music you might like it. When I say dull I mean, typical. It is a typical 70’s light rock Jesus music album but not a bad one.
Tracklist 1 – Two Hands – 3:45 2 – Walk In The Sunshine – 2:42 3 – Jesus (He Is The Son Of God) – 4:55 4 – Jesus Got Ahold Of My Life – 4:10 5 – More (Than You’ll Ever Know) – 4:04 6 – Which Way The Wind Blows – 4:59 7 – Follow The Man With The Music – 3:18 8 – Praise The Lord, He Never Changes – 3:48 9 – Didn’t He? – 5:12 10 – If My People Pray – 3:39
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Greg Wall Arranged By, Keyboards – Lari Goss Art Direction – Bob McConnell Bass – Roni Goss Cover – Michael Harris Drums, Percussion – Buster Phillips Electric Guitar – Kenny Mims Photography – Dill Beaty Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – James Goss Steel Guitar – Glynn Andrews
Companies, etc. Recorded At – The Sound Pit Mixed At – The Sound Pit Mastered At – Masterfonics
We have about 100 or 200 albums in reserve for this project. This is one of those albums that I have NO idea why or how we have it. I see it was on Fortress/Refuge Records so my best guess is that I grabbed it because of that. Of course the next step is for me to actually listen to the album and I have no idea why I chose it but I did. This is a one album group out of the U.S. or South Africa. I’m not really too sure as I’ve seen it both ways. The album was recorded and mixed in South Africa, we do know that. They have this Jazz Fusion Progressive Rock thing going on and to be clear this is NOT my style of music. In fact I really dislike this style. That said this is a spectacular album that I should really dislike but I loved it. Now let me tell you about the band. They might be from South Africa. That’s it, that’s all I could find. This is their only album and I can’t find that any of the band members were involved in any other Christian projects. I’ll be honest wasn’t even sure this was a Christian project as it’s instrumental and the song titles aren’t very descriptive but the Thank you on the back cover settled that issue for me, it is. Anyway if you like your Rock Progressive and with a bit of Jazz Fusion this is a MUST listen.
Youth alive is actually Youth Alive NSW out of Australia. It is an organization formed in 1986 to minister to kids and this is a recording of one of their concerts. The organization is still active today and is still ministering to kids across Australia, a cause I love. So we have a fun little live concert here. Don’t expect anything rising to Dove awards level but it’s a fun album and the band is tight. No one in the band had a stand out name for me other than John Waller from Avion on drums. Was great to see him involved with the group. A few other members appeared on Hillsong albums. Anyway a simple but fun live album that I enjoyed listening to.
Tracklist 1 – God Didn’t Give Me A Spirit Of Fear 2 – The Gates Of Hell Shall Not Prevail 3 – King Of Kings 4 – God Has Not Given Us 5 – Rise Up 6 – Speaking [Pat Mesiti] 7 – I Delight In The Lord 8 – Holy Holy Holy Lord (Hosanna) 9 – Open Worship [Spontaneous] 10 – The Spirit Is Falling 11 – Speaking 12 – Blessed Be The Lord My Rock 13 – He’s My Roof Top 14 – We Will Not Bow To The World 15 – Jesus Is The Rock (And He Rolls My Blues Away) 16 – This Joy That I Have 17 – Amen 18 – Youth Alive
Credits Artwork – Damien Lange Bass – Ian Fisher Brass – Cathy Byrne, Paul Stiles, Ray Price Coordinator – Jonathon De Jong, Peter Laughton Drums – John Waller Engineer [Concert Sound] – John McConnell Guitar – Chris Falson Keyboards – Brian Shirtliffe MC [Worship Enthusiast] – Pat Mesiti Percussion – Peter Kelly Producer, Piano – Geoff Bullock Recorded By – Wyn Wynyard Vocals – Chris McKinnon, David Reidy, Gerard Keehan, Lucy Fisher, Ruth Grant
Companies, etc. Record Company – Refuge Music Group Distributed By – Spectra Distribution Mixed At – Albert Studios Recorded At – Hordern Pavilion
I think I’m safe to say that this was Petra’s most successful 90’s album. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album and the Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year. Personally I struggle with Petra’s 90’s albums. They are very well done and I’m not being critical of their talent but I think I am so stuck in the 80’s I don’t appreciate their 90’s work. They stepped away from the Elefante brothers as producers for this album and went with Brown Bannister and you can tell. The album is much more mellow than their previous few and well quite frankly, just dull in spots. I respect Bannister but he was well known for leaving too many out right boring songs on an album. That said the album was hugely successful so what do I know. If you drifted away from Petra in the 90’s and missed this one I would suggest giving it a listen, I think it deserves that but I wouldn’t get excited based on the hype. I simply don’t think it’s that level of an album.
Tracklist 1 – Midnight Oil – 3:17 2 – Good News – 4:29 3 – Strong Convictions – 3:53 4 – He’s Been In My Shoes – 4:22 5 – Praying Man – 4:25 6 – Underneath The Blood – 3:30 7 – Sleeping Giant – 5:28 8 – Believer In Deed – 4:06 9 – Marks Of The Cross – 4:35 10 – Just Reach Out – 4:28
Credits A&R – Lynn Keesecker Art Direction – Diana Barnes Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Chris Eddy, Dale Thompson, Gordon Kennedy, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Joe Pizzulo, Judson Spence, Michael Black, Nanette Britt, Robert White Johnson, Ron Hemby, Tommy Funderburk, Vicki Carrico Bass – Ronny Cates Design – Gabrielle Raumberger Drums – Louie Weaver Engineer [Additional] – Steve Bishir Engineer [Assistant] – Martin Woodlee, Rory Romano, Wayne Mehl Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Balding Guitar – Bob Hartman Keyboards – John Lawry Lead Vocals – John Schlitt Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By [Assisted] – Greg Parker, Jeff Demorris, Pete Martinez Photography By – Michael Llewellyn Producer, Engineer [Additional] – Brown Bannister Production Manager [Coordinator] – Tracy Sterling Typography – Dylan Tran
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – U.S. Optical Disc Produced For – RBI Productions Recorded At – Power Station Recorded At – The Dugout Recorded At – Ocean Way Recording Mixed At – Ocean Way Recording Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Soles is well known as a member of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review. Us in the Christian music scene probably know him best as a member of The Alpha Band. When the Alpha Band broke up in 1979 Stephen started a solo career. This album is the first of two solo albums from him. I’ll be honest when I sat down to listen to this one I wasn’t very excited about listening to it. The opening track “Touch The Power” really sucked me in and got me excited. I would say the album is evenly split between up tempo and low tempo tracks. I actually really liked this album and I didn’t expect to. Fellow Alpha Band member David Mansfield provides electric guitar for the album and if you want to hear his skills and hear the best track on the album listen to “Shake The Dust”. It has a great 70’s Dylan feel. Anyway this is a definite must hear. If your likes lean very early 80’s I’m pretty sure this one will enter your regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Touch The Power – 2:34 2 – The Healer – 3:50 3 – Lead Me To Water – 3:21 4 – The Witness – 3:49 5 – The Promise – 3:59 6 – Shake The Dust – 3:07 7 – Can I Get An Amen – 2:33 8 – Heartbroke And Happy – 5:23 9 – I Found A Love – 2:58 10 – If You Believe – 2:14
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Steven Soles Backing Vocals – Jude Johnstone, Wendy Matthews Bass Guitar – Jerry Scheff Drums – Ron Tutt Guitar, Violin, Dobro – David Mansfield Percussion, Handclaps – Geoffrey Hales, Jude Johnstone, Larry Hirsch, Ray Vaughn, Wendy Matthews Photography By – Ray Vaughn Producer – Steven Soles Recorded By, Engineer, Mixed By – Larry Hirsch
To say this is a legendary sampler is an understatement. It was 1987 and metal was really catching so Regency put this sampler out. They lured you in with Barren Cross and then fed you some of California’s best Metal bands. Many of these tracks weren’t even released elsewhere for 20 more years. Also included on the album was the unreleased band Hero that people loved. I have detailed below where you can find these songs outside of this sampler. If you had this one in 80’s you know how special it was.
Tracklist 1 – Barren Cross – Deadlock – On 1988 album “Atomic Arena 2 – Guardian – Marching On – Unreleased until 2009 on “First Watch” re-release as a bonus track 3 – Neon Cross – I Need Your Love – Unreleased until 2001 on “Neon Cross” re-release as a bonus track 4 – Hero – I Surrender – Unreleased Band 5 – Deliverance – A Space Called You – Unreleased until 2008 on “Deliverance” re-release as a bonus track 6 – Mastedon – Wasn’t It Love – Unreleased until 2009 on “It’s A Jungle Out There” re-release as a bonus track 7 – Guardian – Spiritual Warfare – Unreleased until 2009 on “First Watch” re-release as a bonus track 8 – Deliverance – Attack – Unreleased until 2008 on “Deliverance” re-release as a bonus track 9 – Hero – Sing It Out – Unreleased Band 10 – Neon Cross – Son Of God – Unreleased until 2001 on “Neon Cross” re-release as a bonus track
Tracklist 1 – Barren Cross – Deadlock – 4:33 2 – Guardian – Marching On – 3:38 3 – Neon Cross – I Need Your Love – 3:08 4 – Hero – I Surrender – 3:47 5 – Deliverance – A Space Called You – 3:51 6 – Mastedon – Wasn’t It Love – 4:42 7 – Guardian – Spiritual Warfare – 4:13 8 – Deliverance – Attack – 3:44 9 – Hero – Sing It Out – 3:02 10 – Neon Cross – Son Of God – 4:15
Credits Executive-Producer – David Malme, John Moore Illustration – Helane Freeman Lacquer Cut By – Eddy Schreyer Producer, Engineer – Bob Beeman, The Pakaderm Company
The sweet-natured half-smile, kind eyes and one-way finger nearly obscured by the head and face of hair on the cover does not serve as indication as to what laid within the grooves of this album. This is not sweet, syrupy, pabulum CCM with songs of encouragement for your “tough days.” Though the Jeremiah in rags pointing at God’s people with the Word as a sword would be the experience of the following album, “No Compromise,” there still is the ever-present call for repentance and holy living. But also noticeable are songs obviously written at a time just after conversion focusing on those beginning moments of love and joy. This debut album would not only showcase Green’s songwriting and vocal acumen, but would also be the most piano focused release. There are times that the listener feels like Green is sitting in his living room playing their piano and performing just for them. The central focus of the piano in the instrumentation and mic puts one of Green’s finest skills front and center. The reason for this is that the album was recorded almost completely live in the studio with very limited overdubbing, just limited to strings and backing vocals. This “live” feel was probably as much for budget as for the listener’s experience, but for this record it works. The focus throughout remains the voice, the piano, the songs. The album starts with “You Put This Love In My Heart,” a Elton John type piano driven pop song reflecting on God’s undying love and intrusive offer of love and grace.
Cause your love has released me From all that’s in my past And I know I can believe you When you say I’ll never be forsaken Your love is gonna last
There’s so much more I should say If I could just find a way You put this love in my heart
A continuing theme of God’s faithfulness amidst our sin is the focus of the ballad “I Can’t Believe It!” which introduces an endearing and lasting (though short lived due to his death) ballad form. The Elton John quality here is often where Green is at his finest. “Because of You” handles the same topic but in a decidedly more upbeat fashion. Where the former is more introspective the latter deals with how the change in one’s life impacts those around them.
Now people just can’t believe, that my life used to be Something that no one had any use for I’d stay at home each night, never shine the light And i thank you, it will never be like before
It’s because of you People point at me and say i like what that boys got And because of you I confess i don’t have a lot But what i have is because of you
Now people smile at me and ask me what it is That makes them want to be just like i am So i just point to you and tell them, yes it’s true I’m no special one, i’m just one man
It’s because of you
The more upbeat songs tend to showcase Green’s amazing piano work in a rock format and this song may be his finest work on the album using this style. His rollicking piano form owes much to the Jerry Lee Lewis revivalistic R&B. One song from the album that remained a radio standard for many years to follow is “When I Hear the Praises the Start.” This song of God’s undying love for His bride is sung from the point of view of Jesus calling out to His Church.
My child, My child, why are you weeping You will not have to wait forever That day and that hour is in My keeping The day I’ll bring you into Heaven
For when I hear the praises start My child, I want to rain upon you Blessing that will fill your heart I see no stain upon you Because you are My child and you know me To me you’re only holy Nothing that you’ve done remains Only what you do in Me
Honky-tonk piano highlights “He’ll Take Care of the Rest,” a song that continues the theme of God’s persevering work for His people. using Moses and Noah as Biblical examples of God’s faithfulness. This song shows Green’s more playful and humorous side that would be nearly completely absent on “No Compromise” and return on “Egypt.” The classic “Your Love Broke Through” follows. There is an interesting story regarding the song. Green had written the song a few years earlier with Randy Stonehill but graciously allowed Phil Keaggy to record the song and release it before himself. That is simply unheard of not only today, but ever. And with all due respect to Stonehill, Keaggy and others, this is the definitive version. The first of Green’s “trilogy” of songs about the Devil follows with “No One Believes In Me Anymore.” Again here Green displays his lighter and more humorous side. Honky-tonk piano again drives this song about the limited belief on the Devil, both in and out of the Church. The point is the deceptive nature of God’s enemy, his greatest deception being that of getting people to no longer believe in him. The song works as a musical version of CS Lewis’ classic book, “The Screwtape Letters.”
Oh, my job keeps getting easier As day slips into day The magazines, the newspapers Print every word I say This world is just my spinning top It’s all like child’s play You know, I dream that it would never stop But I know it’s not that way Still my work goes on and on Always stronger than before I’m gonna make it dark before the dawn Since no one believes in me anymore!
Well, I used to have to sneak around But now they just open their doors
Green’s most passionate performance is reserved for “Song to My Parents,” a plea to his family to find the love that God has for them. As one whose entire family are believers I can only imagine how heart breaking this experience must be for people. “Trials Turned to Gold” deals with the common struggle all Christians face when coming against difficult times and trying to understand God’s plan amidst the trials.
The view from here is nothing near To what it is for You I tried to see Your plan for me But I only acted like I knew
Oh Lord forgive the times I tried to read your mind Cause you said if I’d be still Then I would hear your voice
The album closes with Green’s version of the 2nd Chapter of Acts classic “Easter Song.” This song in unique on the album as it is the only song not written or co-written by Green and one of the few times he covered a song on any album in his career. It should be noted that Green does add a verse not in the original. Green’s voice, though, is brighter and stronger on this song than just about any other in his career. This remains one of the two or three greatest songs of the Jesus Music era and Green’s version is a worthy one and the perfect way to finish this amazing and timeless classic record. Green’s impact on Christian music and ministry cannot be understated. There have been three tribute albums made by various artist including one by rock and alternative label, Tooth and Nail nearly 20 years after his death. His impact was so great that a collection of artist there were in diapers when he dies were moved and motivate enough to lend themselves to covering his amazing music.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – You Put This Love In My Heart – 3:29 2 – I Can’t Believe It! – 3:37 3 – Because Of You – 3:32 4 – When I Hear The Praises Start – 4:23 5 – He’ll Take Care Of The Rest – 3:59 6 – Your Love Broke Through – 3:26 7 – No One Believes In Me Anymore (Satan’s Lament) – 3:20 8 – Song To My Parents (I Only Want To See You There) – 4:00 9 – Trails Turned To Gold – 3:25 10 – The Easter Song – 3:55
Credits Accordion – Kenny Kotwitz Arranged By [Strings] – Harlan Rogers Backing Vocals – Danniebelle Hall, James “Arky” Felix, Keith Green Bass – Todd Fishkind Concertmaster – George Poole Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Al Perkins, Gordon Shryock, Larry Emerine, Wally Duguid Engineer [Mixing] – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green, Tom Trefethen Guitar – Dean Parks, Gary Denton, Mike Deasy Organ – Harlan Rogers Photography – Gary Heely Piano, Acoustic Guitar – Keith Green Producer – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green
