Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

Russ Taff – A Christmas Song – 1992

This is Russ’s only Christmas album and I don’t have much to say about it. It is a collection of traditional Christmas carols with very traditional arrangements. Often these albums they lay down the music track with studio musicians then the singer comes in and does the vocals and it’s off to the stores. But credit to Russ here, he used his band for the album and the engineering/production group is his usual team. That makes me respect this album a little more though it’s still not my style. This one is for people looking for traditional songs with traditional arrangements and stand out vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 4:34
2 – Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:57
3 – The Christmas Song – 2:19
4 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – 4:01
5 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas – 4:01
6 – Let It Snow, Let It Snow – 2:39
7 – White Christmas – 3:51
8 – What Child Is This? – 2:41
9 – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – 4:07
10 – What A Wonderful World – 2:27

Credits
Bass – Byron House
Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – John Darnall
Drums, Bells [Sleigh Bells] – John Hammond
Executive-Producer – John Huie
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Piano, Vibraphone [Vibes] – Matt Rollings
Producer, Arranged By, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Recorded By, Mixed By – James Hollihan, Jr.
Recorded By [Strings Recorded By] – Lynn Fuston
Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Strings – The Nashville String Machine
Trumpet – Mike Haynes

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Produced For – Russ Taff Productions
Recorded At – Interociter Studio, Nashville, TN
Mixed At – Interociter Studio, Nashville, TN
Mastered At – Mastermix
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Various – Noel – 1995

If you do not own this album, you are truly missing out on not only one of the great Christmas albums of all time (Christian or secular) but on one of the great albums. This album was initially listed in the Top 100 before the decision to remove the seasonal albums. Years before “City of a Hill,” short lived Via Records released this brilliant acoustic collection of original and classical holiday favorites. Artists include Derri Daugherty (The Choir), Michael Pritzl (The Violet Burning), Jerry Chamberlain (DA), Kevin Smith (DC Talk), Jenny Gullen (Hoi Polloi), Brent Bourgeois, Riki Michelle (Adam Again), Julie Miller and more. Simply brilliant from first to last and years ahead of the time.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com

Tracklist
1 – Derri Daugherty & Riki Michelle & Steve Hindalong – Babe In The Straw – 3:32
2 – Michael Pritzl & Jenny Gullen – Silent Night – 3:36
3 – Jerry Chamberlain & Sharon McCall & Riki Michelle & Derri Daugherty – I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day – 2:57
4 – Kevin Smith – In The Bleak Mid-Winter – 3:15
5 – Jenny Gullen & Derri Daugherty – Bring A Torch Jeannette, Isabella – 2:52
6 – Stephen & Jenny Gullen – O Holy Night – 4:26
7 – Brian Whitman – Carol Of The Birds – 3:00
8 – Brent Bourgeois & Carolyn Arends & Derri Daugherty – What Child Is This? – 4:30
9 – Riki Michelle & Jerry Chamberlain & Sharon McCall – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – 2:53
10 – Buddy & Julie Miller – Away In A Manger – 2:57
11 – Carolyn Arends & Stephen Murray & Jenny Gullen – Angels We Have Heard On High – 4:43

Art Garfunkel & Amy Grant – The Animals’ Christmas By Jimmy Webb – 1986

This is a rather odd Christmas album. While popular in Chrisn circles due to Amy’s involvement the album actually flopped but is highly regarded by music reviewers and many describe it as one of the best Christmas albums ever. Personally I don’t fall in that group. I just don’t like the album. It does not compliment Art or Amy’s vocal style. That said I really like the concept and many of the songs are really good. The concept is that these are the stories/songs of the animals on Christmas day. The songs are well written and actually I think they are some pretty good songs. They were written by Jimmy Webb who is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. My complaint is the arrangements. I just don’t feel the whole choir and orchestra thing and I wish so much that someone else had made the production decisions for this album. However as I said the songs are excellent and many people love the arrangements and I respect their opinion. For many people this album is a Christmas staple.

Tracklist
1 – The Annunciation – 2:38
2 – The Creatures Of The Field – 2:31
3 – Just A Simple Little Tune – 2:54
4 – The Decree – 3:25
5 – Incredible Phat – 4:56
6 – The Friendly Beasts – 3:23
7 – The Song Of The Camels – 2:44
8 – Words From An Old Spanish Carol – 3:43
9 – Carol Of The Birds – 1:58
10 – The Frog – 5:15
11 – Herod – 4:20
12 – Wild Geese – 3:32

Credits
Art Direction – Christopher Austopchuk
Banjo, Acoustic Guitar – Eric Weisberg
Bass – Joe Osborn
Cello – Peter Presser
Choir – Kings College School Choir
Conductor – Carl Davis
Directed By [Choir] – Michael Jenkins
Drums – Steve Gadd
Electric Guitar – Elliott Randall
Engineer – Geoff Emerick, Jon Kelly, Roy Halee
Engineer [Assistant] – Stuart Breed
Illustration – Abby Levine
Mastered By – Greg Calbi
Orchestra – The London Symphony Orchestra
Organ – Paul Halley
Percussion – Gordon Gottlieb
Piano – Jimmy Webb
Producer – Art Garfunkel, Geoff Emerick, Jimmy Webb
Remix – Art Garfunkel, Geoff Emerick, Nicole Graham, Stuart Breed
Saxophone – George Young
Synthesizer – Rob Mounsey
Vocals – Amy Grant, Art Garfunkel
Vocals, Soloist – Declan Costello, Jonathan Jenkins, Nicholas Dykes, Stephen Bayly

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc.
Copyright © – CBS Inc.
Manufactured By – Columbia Records
Pressed By – DADC – DIDP 70178

Centerpoint Featuring Jeff Johnson – Poetry & Music For Christmas – 1990

This is Jeff’s first Christmas album. He has actually done several Christmas albums over the years. This one is spoken word of poetry by Keith Patman with a musical score written by Jeff. I’m not usually a fan of spoken poetry but I quite enjoyed this album. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age or maybe it’s just that good. The poetry is pretty good and as usual with Jeff the music score is fantastic. This might be one you may want to add to your Christmas rotation.

Tracklist
1 – O Come, O Come Immanuel – 1:18
2 – Another Mystery I Pose – 0:48
3 – A Gallery Carol – 3:00
4 – The Bondage Of Corruption – 1:40
5 – While Shepherds Watched – 5:10
6 – Snow – 3:54
7 – Lord Of Green And Red – 1:43
8 – Judah’s Lion / Carol Of The Bells – 3:43
9 – Centerpoint – 2:04
10 – Oregon Carol – 2:14
11 – Inversion – 2:52
12 – The Heavens Declare / Wexford Carol – 3:08

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Paul Chasman
Artwork By, Photography By – Kathy Hastings
Bass [Fretless] – Rick Crittenden
Flute – Brian Dunning
Percussion, Sound Designer [Ambience] – Roger Hadley
Producer, Keyboards, Music By, Arranged By, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jeff Johnson
Read By – Dallas McKennon
Written-By [Poetry By] – Keith Patman

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Ark Records
Copyright © – Sola Scriptura Songs
Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – The Ark, Camano Island, WA
Recorded At – The Ark Mobile
Mixed At – The Ark, Camano Island, WA

Asight Unseen – Circus Of Shame – 1991

Here’s everything I know about this band. They were out of Garden Grove, California, and this is the first of 3 albums they released. That’s it, that’s all I got. So let’s talk about the album. This is a fantastic album. It was released on New Breed which was a sublabel of Frontline. It was produced by Chris Wimber (The Lifesavors) and mixed by Jeff Dykehouse. These two gentlemen nailed this album. The mix is perfect and final production dead on. This may actually be one of the best produced albums I have heard in the Christian genre. The tracks vary in sound from, well, everything. There’s hint of rockabilly, and grunge but mostly the album is straight up Rock & Roll. Guest appearing on the album is Chris Lizotte with some harmonica and background vocals. Also appearing is Rob Watson on keyboards. Strangely HM Magazine rates this album as #99 on their Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of all time. I agree this is a good album, even great, but #99 of all time? No sorry it’s simply not that good but it is very good. There are definitely a few tracks going into my regular rotation especially Jimi Jones Boogie which is actually a very well written song highlighting the difference between religion and following Christ.

Tracklist
1 – Road To Bonoa
2 – The Purging
3 – The Gimmick
4 – Feel Fire
5 – Psychic Babylon
6 – Back Door
7 – Circus Of Shame
8 – Jimi Jones Boogie
9 – Raucous
10 – Electric Angel Blues
11 – Screamin’ For Glory
12 – God’s Ways

Credits
Artwork By [Dove Logo] – Dan Newmire
Bass – John Oliveira
Bongos – Shawn Tubbs
Design – Bob Payne
Drums, Cymbal, Percussion [Gadgets] – Bert Sanchez
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Longridge
Guitar, Vocals [Yelling], Slide Guitar [Pick Slides], Words By – Derek Bell
Harmonica, Backing Vocals – Chris Lizotte
Keyboards – Rob Watson
Lead Vocals, Whistle, Words By – Jason Lohrke
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Jeff Dykehouse
Music By – ASight Unseen
Painting [Cover] – Trevor Lohrke
Producer, Engineer – Chris Wimber
Slide Guitar [Pick Slide] – Glen Schroder
Trombone [T-Bone] – Mike Johnson
Trumpet – Frank Lendejas
Vocals – Alexandria, GeeGee, Stacey Berardino

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Vineyard Ministries International
Copyright © – Vineyard Ministries International
Distributed By – Frontline Distribution
Recorded At – Vineyard Studios
Mixed At – Vineyard Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc

Ascension – Follow The Path – 1986

This is a band out of Illinois that I can’t find much information on. In fact I can’t really find any. I checked with Christian Tape Underground (https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com)and not much info there either. As a result we’ll just discuss the album. I’ll start out by saying I really like this album. If I had a criticism for the album it’s that there is not a flow in the sound of the album. We’ve got some hard rock tracks, some alternative leaning tracks, and even some rock tracks with a new wave feel. Personally I love the variation and it works great for me. The reason I bring it up is because this was a demo and generally on demos you wanted to present your style a little more clearly. Then again I never worked at a record company so what do I know. If your preferred genre is Hard Rock this is definitely a must listen.

Tracklist
1 – Follow The Path – 3:40
2 – Tempted – 3:45
3 – The Lesson – 3:48
4 – What’s Mine – 4:29
5 – Tribulation Man – 4:43
6 – Proverbs 1:7 – 2:08
7 – Wisdom – 4:56
8 – Immortality – 4:30

Credits
Bass – Greg Smith
Drums, Percussion – Mike Kondourajian
Keyboards, Vocals – Glen Smith
Lead Guitar – Steve Stripling
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Gary Smith
Mixed By – Glen Smith, Greg Smith, Harry Heath
Producer, Recorded By – Gary Manuel
Recorded By – Dave Kingland, Tom McLaughlin

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Barnburner Studio

Dion – Kingdom In The Streets – 1985

This was Dion’s 5th Christian album and is actually my personal favourite. While Put Away My Idols was his big Christian album I actually think this is a better album. The Pop tracks are simple and fun which was actually Dion’s strength. It’s what made him big in 60’s and I’m glad he carried it through to most of his Christian albums. The album did have 2 CCM charting singles, “Still In The Spirit” made it to #5 and “He’s In You” made it to #24 so it was moderately successful but I think it should have done better. I am going to be a bit critical of Dion now however. I can’t see one artist on this album that was from the Christian music industry. All of the studio musicians are mainstream musicians. I’m not saying none of them were Christian because I never judge who is or isn’t a Christian but none of them were ever involved in the Christian music scene. Many people argue that Dion was jumping on the Christian bandwagon while it was hot, and he was not. I do understand their opinion because Dion just didn’t seem to be a part of the community. Strange bit of trivia about the album. Track 5 is called “Only God Can Change A Heart” an the jacket but is called “Only God Can Make A Change” on the label. Proofreading was a optional thing in the record industry. Anyway that aside I really enjoy this album and you should give it a listen if you enjoy the pop style.

Tracklist
1 – Still In The Spirit – 3:35
2 – Crazy Too (Fallen In Love) – 3:32
3 – He Hears Them All – 3:48
4 – He’s In You – 3:40
5 – Only God Can Change A Heart – 2:55
6 – Daddy Says – 2:50
7 – Come To The Cross – 3:43
8 – You Can Do All Things (Through Christ) – 4:23
9 – I’ve Come Too Far – 3:21
10 – You Only Go ‘Round Once – 4:02

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Dion DiMucci
Art Direction, Design – Jeffery Fey
Backing Vocals – Chuck Kirkpatrick, Doug Shawe, Johnny Sambataro, Kitty Woodson, Pamela Sessody, Paul Pettitt
Bass – Phil Chen
Electric Guitar – John Sambataro, Leslie West, Rick Hitchcock
Engineer [Assistant] – Jim Sessody, Stan Lambert, Ted Stein, Teresa Verplanck
Management [Artist Direction] – Zachary Glickman Artist Management
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Percussion – Joe Galdo
Photography By – Bill Tuohy
Producer – Dion DiMucci
Producer, Engineer – Eric Schilling
Producer, Keyboards, Organ, Synthesizer – Paul Harris
Saxophone, Soloist – Ed Calle
Synthesizer – Larry Dermer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Salt Productions, Inc.
Designed At – Art Hotel
Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios
Mixed At – New River Studios
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – Δ26746

Shirley Caesar – Live … In Chicago – 1988

This may be one of the best Soul Gospel albums of the 80’s. As I have said before I didn’t listen to this style of music in the 80’s which is a real pity. I know I would have loved this album. Now to be clear Pastor Shirley is the star of this album but special praise should go out to Joe Neil. Joe did the primary mix for the concert and final mix for the album. You may have heard of Sam’s Tape Truck which was used for recording live concerts and Joe was responsible for Sam’s Tape Truck. The mix for a live concert is not the same mix that usually makes it onto an album. While I never heard the concert mix I can tell that Joe laid down a fantastic mix for the album. I would argue that this is one of the best mixed live albums I have heard. Anyway let’s talk about the album. This album was one of the top Soul gospel albums of the time. It made it to #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums charts and the single “Hold My Mule” made it to #1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart. It won the Dove award for Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year and was nominated for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female. As it stands today this is my favourite Live Soul album and I suspect it’ll be there for quite awhile.

Tracklist
1 – Never – 7:16
2 – His Blood – 6:16
3 – Feel The Spirit – 4:31
4 – Things Are Going To Get Better – 4:32
5 – Hold My Mule – 8:41
6 – Born Again – 5:02
7 – Yes Lord, Yes – 3:54
8 – Peace In The Midst Of The Storm – 4:51

Credits
Al Willis – Guitar
Albertina Walker – Guest Artist, Performer, Primary Artist
Ann Caesar-Price – Vocals (Background)
Bubba Smith – Agogo, Anvil, Bells, Producer, Tambourine
Darius Brooks – Composer, Piano, Synthesizer
Denis Solee – Sax (Tenor)
Doug Moffet – Sax (Baritone)
Hank Williams – Mastering
Jay Rabbitt – Engineer
Jim Whitmer – Photography
Joe Neil – Engineer, Mixing
Kevin Brunson – Drums
Larry Goode – Engineer
Lloyd Barry – Horn Arrangements, Trumpet
Loris Holland – Composer
Lynn Keesecker – Composer, Executive Producer
Michael E. Mathis – Composer, Organ, Piano, Vocals (Background)
Mike Haynes – Trumpet
Oliver Wells – Synthesizer
Pastor Donald Alford – Composer
Rev. Milton Brunson – Guest Artist
Richard Gibbs – Organ, Piano
Robert Butler – Executive Producer
Sam Levine – Sax (Baritone)
Sanchez Harley – Horn Arrangements
Shirley Caesar – Composer, Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals
Steve Adams – Composer
Steve Huff – Bass
Tyrone Block – Vocals (Background)

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church
Published By – Simply Darius, Word Music, Snowfox Music, Jamdo Jamdo Music, Lors-chez Music, Don-Glo Music, Manna Music, Inc., Steve Adams Music
Mixed At – Doppler Studios
Mastered At – Master Mix
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Recorded By – Sam’s Tape Truck

Children Of The Consuming Fire – Come Home Phlubber – 1993

This is the 2nd and final album from Children Of The Consuming Fire. I still can not find out much about this great band so let’s just talk about the album. Personally I love this album but I don’t get a 1993 feel from the album. It would have fit much better in the mid to late 80’s but it doesn’t really matter to me because I prefer the 80’s era of music anyway. One of the things that stands out on this album for me is that so many tracks have a proper catchy intro. This is a technique that helps your mind recognize a track right away and is such good writing. “Swim” has a great Bass intro and essentially set’s up the bass to be the lead instrument for the song. This is not a common thing to do because it usually doesn’t work but it sure does work on this track. My favourite track is “One Small Step” which has a great 80’s alternative feel with great U2 feeling guitar track. All in all this is a great album and there’s a few tracks here that are going in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Come Home Phlubber – 2:58
2 – Swim, Swim, Swim – 3:31
3 – Hold This Child – 3:51
4 – Father Take Me – 2:48
5 – One Small Step – 3:13
6 – Say You Will – 4:26
7 – Taste And See – 3:52
8 – I See – 2:34
9 – Modern Pharisee – 3:36
10 – I Don’t Know Why – 3:56
11 – Love Like You Do – 3:31
12 – Phlubber’s Prayer – 3:24
13 – Bonus Track – 3:50

Credits
Backing Vocals – Andreana Arganda, Eddie Arizmendi, Jon Bestwick, Tim Curiel
Bass Guitar – Marc Rivera
Crew – Gabriel Aguirrie
Drums – Tim Curiel
Effects [Gun Shot] – John Wyrosdick
Finger Snaps – Andreana Arganda, Gabriel Aguirrie, Larry Hampton
Guitar – Eddie Arizmendi, Jon Bestwick
Keyboards – John Wyrosdick
Lead Vocals – Marc Rivera
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Tim Curiel
Performer [The Children Are] – Skeddie Arizmendi, Jon Bestwick, Marc Rivera, Tim Curiel
Photography By – Albert D. Gonzales
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Chris Wimber
Sampler [Disco Drum Samples] – Chris Wimber
Sounds [Live Sound] – Danny McDonnell

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Vineyard Studios
Mixed At – Vineyard Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc

Barratt Band – Playin’ in the City – 1981

This is one of my personal favourites from the 80’s and easily resides in my top 100. It was released as Playing In The City in the U.K. and Playin’ in the City in North America. It also had 2 different album covers with the North American one coming in as the clear winner. The Strat will usually win. The Barratt Band was basically The Alwyn Wall band without Alwyn with Norman on vocals instead but with a more mainstream sound. There’s a bit of an After The Fire feel and they did have a connection as Bass player Tim Hatwell had been in the band Narnia with John Russell and Peter Banks. I also read somewhere that Tim did some work with ATF but I have not confirmed that with Peter Banks yet. Anyway these guys meshed really really well and the opening track sets the tone for a great rock pop album. If you missed this one in the day you need to give it a listen, you won’t be sorry.

Tracklist
1 – The Only One – 3:18
2 – Not The Way – 4:50
3 – Your Love – 5:40
4 – Playing In The City – 4:15
5 – Coming Of The Man – 1:55
6 – Bad Mean World – 2:37
7 – My Spirit’s Free – 4:15
8 – Voice In The Night – 6:54
9 – Never Seen Your Face – 6:30

Credits
Bass Guitar – Tim Hatwell
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Guitar – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Walter Bollard
Producer – Vic Coppersmith, Norman Barratt
Vocals – Norman Barratt
Written-By – Norman Barratt, Tim Hatwell

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Refuge Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Mastered At – Masterfonics