This is a rather mystifying album as I can’t find any record of it anywhere. Yes she had 2 more albums that are well documented but this one not so much. I understand her next 2 albums have a more pop sound but this album is decidedly in the worship album style. I really can’t find any info on Cindy either. I find that odd as she did have 3 albums and I understand they are pretty good. So we’ll just have to let the past go and enjoy this one for what it is. While not my style, it is very good, and I look forward to listening to her next 2 albums.
Tracklist 1 – The Spirit Of the Lord is Upon Me – 5:02 2 – He Is My Defense – 5:09 3 – The Lord is So Good – 3:16 4 – All Creatures Of Our God and King – 4:05 5 – We Being Many – 3:26 6 – My Jesus I Love Thee – 4:14 7 – Now It Has Begun – 3:16 8 – My Eyes Are Open – 2:00 9 – Take My Life, and Let It Be – 4:32 10 – Instrument – 4:32 11 – How Excellent is Your Name – 4:43 12 – Behold My Servant – 7:11
This was the final studio album from the band though there would be tons more material released over the years since. This album was released in both English and Welsh but the two versions of the album were quite different other than the language. The mix between the two versions is different and there are tracks on both versions that are specific to that version. It’s no secret I’m a huge Alarm fan but this album never really grew on me but up until this week I had not heard the Welsh version. After hearing the Welsh version I wish that mix and song selection had been used for the English version. The Welsh version is just a much better version of this album. Alas this was all solved in 2000 when a new version of this album was released that included all the tracks from both albums in English and with mixes that leaned to the Welsh version. We will actually upload that rerelease version in the near future. The favourite and most disliked track is a cover of “Rockin’ In The Free World”. I really don’t like the song but I just loved the way they covered it. Mike Peters vocals are so powerful on this track it really should have been the single but for some reason the record label chose “Raw” which is one of the weakest tracks on the album in my opinion. The best track on the Welsh version is “Nadolig Llawen” (Happy Xmas (War Is Over)) which luckily was also released in English in the 2000 re-release. Apparently MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album “the result of the dreary business of fulfilling contractual obligations.” This is complete nonsense because they were under no contractual obligation to release a Welsh version and they actually recorded 15 tracks for these albums in two languages. There is no way a band does that for a “contractual obligation”. I can guarantee whoever wrote that wasn’t even aware the was a Welch version never mind listened to it.
Tracklist 1 – Y Ffordd (The Road) – 3:46 2 – Y Gwynt Sy’n Chwythu ‘Ngeiriau (The Wind Blows Away My Words) – 4:32 3 – Eiliadau Fel Hyn (Moments In Time) – 5:18 4 – Rocio Yn Ein Rhyddid (Rocking In The Free World) – 4:43 5 – Tân (Raw) – 4:33 6 – Dyfnach Na’r Dyfroedd (Hell Or High Water) – 3:48 7 – Tywys Fi Drwy’r Tywyllwch (Lead Me Through The Darkness) – 4:34 8 – Fel Mae’r Afon (Let The River Run Its Course) – 4:30 9 – Crynu Dan Fy Nhraed (Unsafe Building) – 4:38 10 – Nadolig Llawen (Happy Xmas (War Is Over)) – 3:40
Credits Backing Vocals [Llais Cefndir] – Eddie MacDonald, Nigel Twist Bass Guitar [Gitâr Fâs], Keyboards [Allweddellau] – Eddie MacDonald Booking [U.D.A./ Byd – U.S.A./World] – Barbara Skydel, Frank Barsalona, Premier Talent Booking [U.K./Ewrop – U.K./ Europe] – John Giddings, Solo-ITG Drums [Drymiau], Percussion [Offerynnau Taro] – Nigel Twist Engineer [Additional – Peiriannydd Ychwanegol] – Danny Griffith, Keith Andrew, Keith Hartley Engineer [Assistant – Peiriannydd Cynorthwyol] – Ian McFarlane Engineer [Peiriannydd] – Mark Phythian, Rob Storm Engineer [The Welsh Version – Peiriannwyd Y Fersiwn Gymraeg] – Rob Storm Harmonica – Dave Sharp, Mike Peters Keyboards [Allweddellau Ychwanegol], Backing Vocals [Additional – Llais Cefndir Ychwanegol] – Rob Storm Lead Guitar [Gitârau Blaen], Vocals [Llais] – Dave Sharp Lead Vocals [Prif Llais], Acoustic Guitar [Gitâr Acwstig] – Mike Peters Management [Administration – Gweinyddu] – Julie Peters Photography By [Ffotograffiaeth] – Peter West Producer [Cynhyrchydd] – Yr Alarm Producer [The Welsh Version – Cynhyrchydd Y Fersiwn Gymraeg] – Mike Peters, Rob Storm, Tony Elliott
This was the final studio album from the band though there would be tons more material released over the years since. This album was released in both English and Welsh but the two versions of the album were quite different other than the language. The mix between the two versions is different and there are tracks on both versions that are specific to that version. It’s no secret I’m a huge Alarm fan but this album never really grew on me but up until this week I had not heard the Welsh version. After hearing the Welsh version I wish that mix and song selection had been used for the English version. The Welsh version is just a much better version of this album. Alas this was all solved in 2000 when a new version of this album was released that included all the tracks from both albums in English and with mixes that leaned to the Welsh version. We will actually upload that rerelease version in the near future. The favourite and most disliked track is a cover of “Rockin’ In The Free World”. I really don’t like the song but I just loved the way they covered it. Mike Peters vocals are so powerful on this track it really should have been the single but for some reason the record label chose “Raw” which is one of the weakest tracks on the album in my opinion. The best track on the Welsh version is “Nadolig Llawen” (Happy Xmas (War Is Over)) which luckily was also released in English in the 2000 re-release. Apparently MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album “the result of the dreary business of fulfilling contractual obligations.” This is complete nonsense because they were under no contractual obligation to release a Welsh version and they actually recorded 15 tracks for these albums in two languages. There is no way a band does that for a “contractual obligation”. I can guarantee whoever wrote that wasn’t even aware the was a Welch version never mind listened to it.
Tracklist 1 – Raw – 4:28 2 – Rockin’ In The Free World – 3:59 3 – God Save Somebody – 4:09 4 – Moments In Time – 5:42 5 – Hell Or High Water – 3:47 6 – Lead Me Through The Darkness – 4:34 7 – The Wind Blows Away My Words – 4:32 8 – Let The River Run Its Course – 3:53 9 – Save Your Crying – 4:38 10 – Wonderful World – 5:00
Credits Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Producer – Eddie MacDonald Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Producer – Nigel Twist Engineer – Mark Phythian Engineer [Additional] – Danny Griffiths, Dave Buchanan, Keith Andrew, Keith Hartley Engineer [Assistant] – Ian McFarlane Engineer, Keyboards [Additional] – Rob Storm Lead Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals, Producer – Dave Sharp Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Producer – Mike Peters Written-By – Dave Sharp, Eddie MacDonald, Mike Peters, Neil Young, Nigel Twist
This is the second album from Wings Of Light. It’s a little more pop oriented than their first album which in turn means I liked it a little more. Again it’s a mix of covers and original material just like their first album but there are more original tracks on this one. There’s actually a pretty good cover of The Coloring Song. As I explained on their previous album this group was an offshoot of the Continental Singers with a more pop oriented sound. The album was produced by David Diggs who I’ve been studying up on recently so be ready for a few albums from him. Anyway not my style but a real good album that deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – The Home Of The Lord – 3:15 2 – Within His Joy – 3:03 3 – Imagine – 2:56 4 – In A Different Light – 3:33 5 – Resurrection Power – 3:30 6 – Stride Right – 3:39 7 – Much More – 2:53 8 – Jesus Take Me Like A Rock – 3:00 9 – The Coloring Song – 3:29 10 – I Choose To Follow You – 4:19
Credits Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jim Coile Bass – Leon Gaer Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Fred J. Heumann Design [Cover] – Thel Arthur Drums – Ed Greene Engineer, Mixed By – Billy Taylor Executive-Producer – Cam Floria Guitar – Paul Jackson, Jr. Overdubbed By [Vocals] – Christopher Banninger Producer, Arranged By [Vocals, Rhythm & Horns], Flugelhorn – Terry Winch Producer, Synthesizer, Arranged By [Rhythm & Strings], Keyboards, Percussion – David Diggs Trombone – Alan Kaplan Trumpet – Danny Ackerman Vocals, Guest, Soloist – Diane Zagnoli, Susan Bishop Vocals, Soloist – Fred Heumann, John Barbour, Nina Farley
Here’s another artist I have never heard of who had multiple albums, a dozen to be exact. As near as I can tell his albums were only released in the U.K. so I guess I wouldn’t have heard of him being a Canadian. Now full disclaimer this is not my preferred genre but that aside Len nails the style that he does. If Christian music had a John Denver this is the man. Len has am absolutely fascinating life story which I will cover in some detail when I review his first release from 1973. So while this is a pretty mellow 70’s album it is well worth a listen. If you ever stumble on Len’s life story on YouTube take the time and give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Travellin Man 2 – Water Into Wine 3 – The Star Of Christmas 4 – I Feel Your Presence Everywhere 5 – Tears Of The Lonely 6 – Jonah’s Key 7 – Who Can I Turn To? 8 – Help Me Lord 9 – Just For You 10 – Kiss The Lamb 11 – Too Late
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar – Mo Witham Backing Vocals – John Pac, Sue McClellan Bass – John Spurling* Drums – Pete Thompson Engineer – Dave Aston, Les Moir Mastered By – Dennis Blackham* Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Arranged By – Dave Anfield Plated By – Max* Producer – John Pac Tuba – Les Moir Vocals – Len Magee
I was a little surprised when I found this album as somehow I missed it in 1982. I was a huge fan of Jerusalem so this was like finding a bonus album years later. Ulf released this solo album between Jerusalem’s Warrior and Can’t Stop Us Now albums. He used a great bunch of studio musicians for this album but of course his guitar is unmistakable so it definitely has a Jerusalem sound. It fits perfectly between those 2 albums sound wise as this was a transition time for Jerusalem. The album was released in both English and Swedish on the same record companies Jerusalem was using at the time. The Swedish version actually has an extra track “Du Vill Börja Om”. I don’t know why it didn’t make the English version but not all songs are capable of being well translated so maybe it just didn’t translate well. The mix is slightly different between the 2 versions though the majority of the difference in sound you will hear on our channel are simply different qualities we have in the collection. If you missed this one in the 80’s consider it a bonus Jerusalem album though it is a little more on the mellow side.
Tracklist 1 – I Natt Så Kommer … – 6:09 2 – Jag Vill Sjunga – 4:48 3 – Är Det Försent? – 3:54 4 – Visst Är Det Sant – 3:00 5 – Du Vill Börja Om – 4:20 6 – I Dina Drömmar – 3:40 7 – Leva Som Vi Lär – 3:33 8 – Låt Mej Tala Ut – 5:29 9 – Nu Skall Jag Lita – 4:15 10 – Jag Har En Bön – 6:05
Credits Accordion – Kjell Öhman Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Glen Myerscough Arranged By – Peter Sandwall, Ulf Christiansson Backing Vocals – Eja Eriksson, Eva Berg, Inger Heinerborg, Ulf Christiansson Design – Camilla B Design [Redesign] – Camilla Christiansson Drums, Percussion – Per Lindvall Electric Bass, Electric Upright Bass – Backa Hans Eriksson Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Lasse Jonsson, Ulf Christiansson Engineer – Bo G Lundberg Lead Vocals – Ulf Christiansson Music By – Paul Parrish (tracks: 5) Photography – Anders Johansson, Jan Ivarsson Piano, Electric Piano, Organ – Peter Ljung Producer – Peter Sandwall Songwriter – Ulf Christiansson Strings – Radiosymfonikerna
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Supreme Studio Mixed At – Supreme Studio Lacquer Cut At – Cutting Room Pressed By – Grammoplast
I was a little surprised when I found this album as somehow I missed it in 1982. I was a huge fan of Jerusalem so this was like finding a bonus album years later. Ulf released this solo album between Jerusalem’s Warrior and Can’t Stop Us Now albums. He used a great bunch of studio musicians for this album but of course his guitar is unmistakable so it definitely has a Jerusalem sound. It fits perfectly between those 2 albums sound wise as this was a transition time for Jerusalem. The album was released in both English and Swedish on the same record companies Jerusalem was using at the time. The Swedish version actually has an extra track “Du Vill Börja Om”. I don’t know why it didn’t make the English version but not all songs are capable of being well translated so maybe it just didn’t translate well. The mix is slightly different between the 2 versions though the majority of the difference in sound you will hear on our channel are simply different qualities we have in the collection. If you missed this one in the 80’s consider it a bonus Jerusalem album though it is a little more on the mellow side.
Tracklist 1 – Like A Thief In The Night – 5:52 2 – I Will Sing – 4:48 3 – Is It Too Late? – 3:54 4 – In Honesty… – 5:29 5 – My Heart’s Desire – 6:05 6 – Practice What We Preach – 3:33 7 – Now I Am Trusting – 4:15 8 – Forget What Has Been – 3:00 9 – Reach For The Stars – 3:40
Credits Arranged By – Peter Sandwall, Ulf Christiansson Backing Vocals – Eja Eriksson, Eva Berg, Inger Heinerborg, Ulf Christiansson Bass, Electric Bass [Electric Upright Bass] – Backa Hans Eriksson Design – Camilla B., Michael Harris Drums, Percussion – Per Lindvall Engineer – Bo G. Lundberg Guitar – Lasse Johnsson, Ulf Christiansson Lyrics By – Andy Kidd, Ulf Christiansson Music By – Ulf Christiansson Photography By – Anders Johansson, Jan Ivarsson Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Prophet 5], Organ – Peter Ljung Producer – Peter Sandwall Saxophone – Glen Myerscough Strings – The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
There are a few versions of this album. This is the 1994 release from Solid Rock Records #SLD-027. Interestingly, there is a European version that is (mis?)labelled Footprints In The Sands but it has the same tracks as the one sold in the US via the Solid Rock Store. There is also a Dutch double CD version that has a total of 30 tracks. The double CD version has some overlap with this track listing, but some tracks, such as “God Part III” does NOT appear on the double CD. The full album title is actually “You Can’t Make Footprints In The Sands Of Time By Sitting Down” as per the CD liner notes. The liner notes include an extensive autobiography spanning the period 1970-1994.
The song by song commentary from Larry is as follows:
Lonely Boy – A song from Larry’s childhood days, reflecting his early isolation.
Hard Luck, Bad News – A humorous exaggeration of the feelings of being an outsider. Whether Job or Pilgrim in the Something New Under The Sun storyline, this song takes alienation t a sardonic extreme.
Sitting In My Kitchen – When Larry lived on his own, contemplating whether to leave Capitol and quit his band, he felt real freedom to seek a higher road and walk a deeper walk and ignore career pressures.
Nightmare #49 – Moving to Los Angeles was a new liberation from the provincial upbringing he had coped with in the ghettos and suburbs. When he sang at a club near Washington D. C. (at the corner of 34th and M) and then checked into the Edison Hotel in Manhattan on 47th and Broadway for several weeks, he felt that his street ministry had stepped up to the next level. One of his converts was Susan Perlman, a young Jewish girl who later started Jews for Jesus with Moishe Rosen. He wrote a lengthy memoir of this journey within the verses of this sly, caustic comedy of a musical diary.
God part Two – When Capital gave Larry an advance copy of the new John Lennon album, the song “God” was one of the first he listened to. “I don’t believe in Beatles, I don’t believe in God,” was how John started the song. He ended it with “I just believe in me. Yoko and me, that’s reality.” Larry wrote an answer to John’s diatribe and called it “God Part Two,” but didn’t want it to be misconstrued as an attack upon John and Yoko. Years later after U2 wrote a response called “God Part Two,” Larry decided it was alright to release his song, updated the lyrics, and re-titled it “God Part Three.”
I Hope I’ll See You In Heaven – This is a song of lost love or friendship or the separation which death brings to mortal relationships. Larry has never really revealed his personal meanings for the song. If it was written from a personal experience. It serves as a look at life from childhood to old age and the regret we often feel for words unspoken and love ungiven.
It’s Only Today That Counts – This song is from Orphans From Eden and examines the importance of living in the moment instead of lamenting the past or anticipating the possible pleasures of potential rewards and accomplishments of our futures.
I Feel Like Dying – This song was included as part of Pilgrim’s ordeal on Something New but was written at the same time when Larry was struggling with his pain and heartbreak over his marriage. No matter how closely he stayed to the storyline, it parallels his sorrow and feeling of helplessness which came after his airplane accident.
Leaving the Past Behind – This song was part of the Pilgrim story but also reflected Larry’s plan to leave Word and sign with Warner Brothers. He knew that crossing back over to the secular industry would be a positive step for his music but also realized that many might not understand why he was ending his contract with Word.
Tracklist 1 – Lonely Boy 2 – Hard Luck Bad News 3 – Sitting In My Kitchen 4 – Nightmare #49 5 – God Part III 6 – I Hope I’ll See You In Heaven 7 – It’s Only Today That Counts 8 – I Feel Like Dying 9 – Leaving The Past Behind 10 – Twelve Good Men 11 – If You Don’t Love – You’ll Fall 12 – Out Of My System 13 – Somewhere Out There 14 – Selah 15 – Let The Rain Fall Down 16 – Goodbye Farewell
This is a choral collection of Petra songs put together by Producer John Lee. Now I have to say yet again I can not figure out what the idea of this project was. The title is “Youth Choir” but it’s not really a youth choir unless your definition of “Youth” includes 30 year old people. All the vocalists are well established studio artists and some even had their own albums already. I simply don’t understand who this album was for. The implication is that it was for youth but as a youth I would never have listened to this in a million years. Okay now that I’ve said my piece it turns out I have no idea what I’m talking about. These albums, there’s a follow up album, sold very well so obviously there was a market somewhere out there and in fact this album appears here because it was requested. Is it any good? I really have no idea. I can say that it is an excellent collection of musicians and artists so it can’t be that bad. I just still have no idea why it exists.
Tracklist 1 – Doxology / Praise Ye The Lord – 3:42 2 – Why Should The Father Bother? – 3:28 3 – Never Say Die – 2:59 4 – Not Of This World – 3:46 5 – More Power To Ya – 3:27 6 – Godpleaser – 3:06 7 – Stand Up / Lift Him Up – 3:58 8 – The Coloring Song – 2:54 9 – Grave Robber – 4:18 10 – Not By Sight – 2:52 11 – Road To Zion – 3:18
Credits Arranged By – John Slick Arranged By [Additional Overdub Arrangements] – John Slick Arranged By, Producer – John Lee Art Direction – Joan Tankersley Bass – Gary Lunn, Mike Brignardello Drums – Mark Hammond Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Danny Mundhenk Executive-Producer – Dennis Worley Guitar [Guitars] – Greg Jennings Illustration – Randy Rogers, Robin Rogers Layout – Lori Cooper Lead Vocals [Solos] – Jackie Cusic, Marty McCall Percussion – Terry McMillan Piano, Synthesizer [DX7] – Dave Huntsinger, David Innis Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – John Slick Vocals – Bonnie Keen, Ellen Musick, Gary Musick, Jackie Cusic, Jan Lee, Marty McCall, Rick Gibson
This is an interesting project that I don’t really understand. Apparently Peter Jacobs wanted to “feature more pop-influenced covers of popular songs sung in churches during the 1980s and 1990s”. Quite frankly I don’t know that any of these tracks were being sung in any church anywhere. Maybe they were but I kind if doubt it. Anyway he was able to assemble a great collection of multiple labels artists to perform these “traditional” tracks along with some new content. As much as I’m confused by the project I can not deny how good it is. This is a great bunch of pop tracks and even a few rock tracks. There are a few tracks that are not covers but are brand new tracks and the production on them sounds a little rushed. I would assume they didn’t get a lot of rehearsal before recording. All that aside this album is really a display of some great vocalists and it spawned 2 more in the series so it deserves much credit for that.
Tracklist 1 – Crystal Lewis – Shine, Jesus, Shine 2 – Rick Florian – Let All The Earth 3 – Various – Praise The Name Of Jesus 4 – Rick Florian, Christi Jacobs – Our Mighty God Will Come 5 – Lisa Bevill – More Precious Than Silver 6 – Al Denson – A Heart Of Compassion 7 – Lisa Bevill, John Schlitt – The Battle Belongs To The Lord 8 – Julie Bonney – The Strength Of My Life 9 – Christi Jacobs, Carlos Martin – In Your Name 10 – Julie Bonney, Jon Randall – No More Compromise 11 – John Schlitt – We Believe 12 – Various – Blessed Be The Lord God Almighty
Companies, etc. Record Company – Frontline Music Group Distributed By – FMG Distribution
