Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

Geoff Moore and The Distance – Greatest Hits – 1996

We normally do not upload Greatest hits albums to YouTube but in this case we made an exception. The album contains 2 new tracks and the second of this two CD collection is entirely live so it’s also new material. Disc 1 consists of material from their 4 albums on the ForeFront label. It includes two new songs, More Than Gold and Today. Disc two is parts pf a concert recorded in Rome Georgia. A video was released to coincide with this release called Roadwork and is a more complete collection of the concert mentioned previously. The live tracks are well recorded and engineered which is more difficult than you may think as live mixes are completely different than album mixes. The live recording are what makes this album worth listening to as it was a great concert.

Tracklist
1 – More Than Gold – 4:19
2 – Life Together – 4:25
3 – Evolution … Redefined – 4:27
4 – The Vow – 4:08
5 – Good To Be Alive – 4:27
6 – If You Could See What I See – 4:18
7 – Listen To Our Hearts – 4:48
8 – House Of Faith – 4:22
9 – A Friend Like U – 3:44
10 – Simple Heart – 4:56
11 – Live To Tell – 4:34
12 – Today – 3:37
13 – Evidence Of God – 4:05
14 – Evolution … Redefined – 3:22
15 – Life Together – 3:54
16 – Best Days – 3:59
17 – Good To Be Alive – 4:18
18 – Home Run – 5:18
19 – New Americans – 5:18
20 – Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music – 4:26
21 – When All Is Said And Done – 2:50

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Tom Davis, Tonya Presley
Engineer [The Live Set], Mixed By [The Live Set] – Richie Biggs
Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo
Illustration [Jupiter Boy Cover Image By] – Steven Webster
Management – Brock & Associates
Mastered By – Ken Love
Photography By [Bus Image] – Shane Johnson
Photography By [Group Photography By] – John Chiasson
Photography By [Truck Image] – Jeff Frazier
Recorded By – RM Audio

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Distributed By – Chordant Distribution Group
Distributed By – CMC Distributors
Mastered At – Mastermix
Glass Mastered At – EMI MFG.

Katsbarnea – Katsbarnea – 1990

This is the first official album from Brazil’s Katsbarnea. Most of the tracks on this album are from their demo and I have read both that they re-recorded them and that they were just remixed. I have no idea which it was. The track Extra was a huge hit in Brazil and won a prominent Brazilian music award. As I understand it Christian music was common on Brazil’s secular radio stations due to a very high level of Christianity in the population. Wouldn’t that have been nice in North America? Anyway, this would be the start of a long run for the band that is still touring today. Of course I don’t know a word of Portuguese so I can’t even comment on the lyrics but the music is fantastic. I really really enjoy their feel and sound and would have loved to have seen them live back in the 90’s. While we aim these foreign releases at our foreign fans I would actually suggest giving it a listen, it’s quite good.

Tracklist
1 – Extra – 3:46
2 – Sepulcro Caiado – 3:41
3 – Grito De Katsbarnea – 3:17
4 – Apocalipse “Now” – 4:05
5 – Viagem Da Oração – 6:03
6 – Consumo – 4:01
7 – Fumaça Arisca – 3:02
8 – Corredor 18 – 3:15
9 – Ver O Sol – 3:40
10 – Revolução – 4:20

Credits
Brother Simion – vocals, rhythmic guitar and harmonic
André Mira – solo guitar
Tchu Solomon – bass
Mauricio Domene – keyboard and music production
Paulinho Makuko – percussion and vocals on “Runner 18”
Marcelo Gasperini – drums
Alessandra Orlando – backing vocals
Cláudia Bastos – backing vocals
Sandra Simões – backing vocals
Marquinhos – saxophone
Hilquias Alves – saxophone
Márcio Fluffy – trumpet

Companies, etc.
Record Company – New Voice Gravações Eletrônicas Ltda.
Manufactured By – BMG Ariola Discos Ltda.

Charlotte – Fri – 1985

This is the first album from Charlotte that was released in the U.S. This is the Swedish version that was originally released in 1985. They went back into the studio to record the English version in 1987. The music scores are slightly different but I think it’s due to mixing and not due to rerecording them. There are 2 additional tracks on the English version and the Swedish version actually had 2 English songs. English songs on a Swedish release were not uncommon at the time. Being from Canada I had no idea about the existence of this album or even this artist. I discovered it as I was researching Frank Ådahl and discovered he sang backup on this album. Charlotte actually had several albums including many as a child with her brother Per Höglund. Charlotte’s parents are singers Lotten and Arne Höglund and were also travel evangelists with the Swedish Missionary Association in the early 1970’s. The album is a great Pop album with strong vocals and I really really like it. It’s easily as good as the female pop stuff that was on the lower end of radio playlists in 85/87. No real stand out tracks for me but a great all around album. Charlotte Höglund is currently the pastor of Immanuelskyrkan Church in Stockholm.

The English version of this album is here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XQ1vdSt8rX1lGHxqCXcJa2v

Tracklist
1 – Fri – 3:45
2 – Dansa – 3:56
3 – Vem Är Du? – 4:08
4 – Känn Ingen Oro – 3:34
5 – End Of The Book – 3:47
6 – Stjärnorna – 3:36
7 – All I Needed To Say – 3:21
8 – Vinna – Våga – 3:19
9 – Befria Mitt Folk – 5:01
10 – Konungen – 3:35

Credits
Arranged By – Peter Ljung
Backing Vocals – Björn Ström, Eva Axelsson, Frank Ådahl
Bass – Teddy Walther
Design – Camilla B.
Drums – Klas Anderhell, Per Lindvall
Engineer – Lennart Östlund, Paris Edvinsson
Guitar – Henrik Janson
Hair – Maria, KlippButiken
Illustration – Jan Sandström
Keyboards – Peter Ljung
Make-Up – Jean Pierre Barda
Photography By – Labe Allwin
Producer – Peter Ljung
Saxophone – Johan Stengård

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – EMI
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Verbum Förlag AB
Copyright © – Verbum Förlag AB
Pressed By – Audiodisc (3)
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg
Recorded At – Polar Studios

Charlotte – Free – 1987

This is the first album from Charlotte that was released in the U.S. The Swedish version was released in 1985 but it looks like they went back into the studio to do this English version in 1987. The music scores are slightly different but I think it’s due to mixing and not due to rerecording them. There are 2 additional tracks on the English version and the Swedish version actually had 2 English songs. English songs on a Swedish release were not uncommon at the time. Being from Canada I had no idea about the existence of this album or even this artist. I discovered it as I was researching Frank Ådahl and discovered he sang backup on this album. Charlotte actually had several albums including many as a child with her brother Per Höglund. Charlotte’s parents are singers Lotten and Arne Höglund and were also travel evangelists with the Swedish Missionary Association in the early 1970’s. The album is a great Pop album with strong vocals and I really really like it. It’s easily as good as the female pop stuff that was on the lower end of radio playlists in 85/87. No real stand out tracks for me but a great all around album. Charlotte Höglund is currently the pastor of Immanuelskyrkan Church in Stockholm.

The Swedish version is here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XQaZjAdoVEs-h_B1i-1WR_Z

Tracklist
1 – Free – 3:48
2 – Stand Up – 3:15
3 – Who Are You? – 4:08
4 – My Dance – 3:37
5 – Be Still – 3:33
6 – Up To The Stars – 3:41
7 – Love Is The Answer – 4:08
8 – Be A Winner – 3:18
9 – Set Them Free – 4:43
10 – The King – 3:34
11 – End Of The Book – 3:47
12 – All I Needed To Say – 3:21

Credits
Arranged By [Choir Arrangements], Conductor – L.O. Forsberg
Arranged By, Producer, Keyboards – Peter Ljung
Backing Vocals – Björn Ström, Eva Axelsson, Frank Ådahl, Håkon Iversson, Sigvard Dagsland
Bass – Teddy Walter
Design [Album Design] – Anders Bühlund
Drums – Klas Anderhell, Per Lindvall, Åke Sundqvist
Engineer – Lennart Östlund
Engineer [Assistant] – Paris Edvinsson
Engineer, Mixed By – Janne Ugand
Guitar – Henrik Jansson, Håkan Mjörnheim
Photography By – Labe Allwin
Saxophone – Erik Häusler, Johan Stengård

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Cantio Records
Copyright © – Cantio Records
Recorded At – Polar Studios
Recorded At – Atlantis Studio
Mixed At – Atlantis Studio
Pressed By – CD Plant MFG
Glass Mastered At – CDM

Jim and Kim Thomas – Run For The Reason – 1984

This album was a hint of what was to come from Jim & Kim Thomas who would go on to be a band named Say So. I don’t know if this release was a demo or a straight up EP. It was self released and produced by Jim but only one name on the credit list went on to be in Say So, Chris McHugh on Drums. The album definitely has a Say So feel and sound but it’s a little more raw and I love the sound. If you liked Say So give this a listen to see where the idea came from.

Artwork and credits courtesy of Christian tape underground

Tracklist
1 – Run for the Reason
2 – Break Through
3 – Somehow
4 – Made A Change
5 – Straight From The Heart
6 – Christmas This Year

Credits
Jim Thomas – Lead vocals, background vocals
Kim Thomas – Lead vocals, background vocals
John Harrelson – Guitars
Curtis Dowd, Jr. – Synthesizers, piano, Rhodes
Randy Cantor – Synthesizers
Glenn Barratt – Rhodes, percussion, background vocals
Jack Faulkner – Bass
Jim Salamone – Drums, Linn drum
Chris McHugh – Drums

Companies, etc.
Published By – JKT Music Publication

Birtles & Goble – The Last Romance – 1980

This is an album that I had no idea existed until someone brought it to my attention a few weeks ago. This album is Beeb Birtles (Gerard Bertelkamp) and Graeham Goble who were from Little River Band. In 1980 they approached the Manager of Little River Band Glenn Wheatley if they could do an album as a duo using songs they had written that had not been chosen for LRB to do. Apparently the idea caught and the guys went into the studio with a combination of studio musicians and other LRB members. Several of the chosen tracks were of a religious nature and that’s why this ended up on our channel. The album was released by Capitol records but apparently had little or no promotion. The theory goes that Capitol did not want the duo to split from LRB and as such never promotes the album. I can attest to this as my family were huge LRB fans but I have never heard of this album. The album is fantastic. It has a LRB sound in places but other tracks have a more independent sound from the guys. All the tracks were written by the duo with the exception of “He Gives Us All His Love” which was written by Randy Newman. So here is a lost classic that you should hear.

Tracklist
1 – Lonely Lives – 3:31
2 – Last Romance – 3:02
3 – I’m Coming Home – 3:50
4 – I Didn’t Stand A Chance – 3:07
5 – He Gives Us All His Love – 4:56
6 – The Netherlands – 5:02
7 – Into My Life – 5:39
8 – You’ll Never Change Your Mind – 4:07
9 – How I Feel Tonight – 3:25
10 – Whales – 3:57

Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – Rick Formosa
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Graeme Lyall
Bass – Barry Sullivan, Clive Harrison, George McArdle, Joe Creighton, Michael Clarke
Clavinet, Piano, Synthesizer – Mal Logan
Design – Ian McCausland
Drums – Jerry Kroon
Drums, Percussion – Derek Pellicci, Mark Kennedy
Engineer – Brown Bannister, Ross Cockle
Engineer [Additional] – Ian McKenzie, Jim Barton*, Roger Savage
Flute – Don Burrows
Guitar [Electric Rhythm], Guitar [Lead] – David Briggs
Keyboards – Steve Nathan
Lacquer Cut By – Wally Traugott
Photography By – Derek Hughes
Piano [Acoustic], Keyboards, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Peter Jones
Producer – Beeb Birtles, Ern Rose, Graham Goble
Saxophone – Bill Harrower
Synthesizer [Oberheim] – Alan Zavod
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Beeb Birtles, Graham Goble

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Capitol Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Capitol Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – Capitol Records, Inc.
Recorded At – AAV
Recorded At – Goldmine Studio, Brentwood, TN
Recorded At – T.C.S. Studios
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles

Petra – Unseen Power – 1991

Petra was still going strong in 1991 with this their thirteenth studio album. They turned up the Rock and Roll sound on this one and this album has a far more Arena Rock sound than their previous work due in no small part to the production of the Elefante brothers. It is said that Bob Hartman was dragged to this sound by the Elefante brothers but apparently he was happy with the final sound. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1992 and the Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song “Destiny” in 1993. I would never have thought they could have won the Dove award but they did. While “Destiny” won the Dove award I actually prefer “Secret Weapon” which has a great arena rock sound which may have been a little late in 1991 but it’s a great rock anthem. Again Arena Rock is not my preferred genre but this is a great album and I still enjoy listening to it.

Tracklist
1 – Destiny – 4:31
2 – Who’s On The Lord’s Side – 3:53
3 – Ready, Willing And Able – 4:14
4 – Hand On My Heart – 4:26
5 – I Need To Hear From You – 4:04
6 – Dance – 3:45
7 – Secret Weapon – 4:01
8 – Sight Unseen – 3:57
9 – Hey World – 3:51
10 – In The Likeness Of You – 4:51

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Arranged By – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante, John Lawry
Art Direction – Ed Goble, Loren Balman, Patrick Pollei
Backing Vocals [Addtional Background Vocals] – Alfie Silas, Alfred McCrary, Doug Beiden, Howard McCrary, Jamie Rowe, Olivia McClurkin, Perry Morgan, Rob Rock, Ron Gollner, Rose Stone, Sara Tennison, Tony Palacios
Bass – Ronny Cates
Coordinator [Art Production Coordinator] – Amy Linde
Design – Michael Goldenberg, Patrick Pollei, Steve Fryer
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards – John Lawry
Management – Management-Moress-Nanas-Golden
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Niel Kernon
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely
Other [Hair] – Helena Occhipinti
Other [Make-Up] – Margaret Kimura
Other [Stylit] – Keiki Mingus
Photography By [Band And Individual Photography] – Jeff Katz
Photography By [Cover Concept Photography] – Neill Whitlock
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Vocals – John Schlitt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.

Exodus – The Turning Point – 1984

The band Exodus started out in 1981 in Oak Ridge TN at a summer camp when Dennis Willard and John Hughes came together to form a band . There were quite a few members over the years but Dennis and John were the steadfast members. The band played the usual local circuit of youth groups and summer camps. Soon they struck a one record deal with Morada Records and headed into Big Mama Recording Studio to record this little known gem. The band supported the album by opening for Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart, David Meece, Andrus Blackwood and Co. and others. But alas real life caught up to the band so they made their way into the workforce. Tim Fischer and Dave Williams both went on to work for the Department of Energy at the infamous Oak Rudge facility and Jeff Stooksbury went on to be an EMT and firefighter. John Hughes, Dennis Willard and David Williams continue to make music on their record label entitled “Boardroom Records” and have released a few singles over the years. Point of trivia of the band is that an early member Chris Latham was formerly married to Trisha Yearwood. Brushes with greatness. As for the album it is fantastic. I definitely get a Reo Speedwagon feel but with a little less polish which just makes it better and the track, “The Turning Point” is definitely going into my regular rotation. Chances are you missed this one back in the day so give it a listen today, you won’t be disappointed. If you did hear it back in the day you might notice a bit of a different sound for our version as I will admit we have polished it up a bit as the copy we received was fairly hollow.

Tracklist
1 – Greater – 4:00
2 – Every Time – 2:53
3 – Same Old Sign – 2:35
4 – Praise To The Father – 4:19
5 – Here I Am – 4:22
6 – The Turning Point – 3:06
7 – Man With The Key – 3:30
8 – Promised Land – 2:42
9 – Light To The Right – 3:47
10 – You’re The One – 3:27

Credits
Bass, Keyboards, Vocals – Jeff Stooksbury
Drums, Percussion – Tim Fischer
Keyboards, Vocals – John Hughes
Lead Guitar, Vocals – David Williams
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Willard

Sparks – Through Flood & Fire – 1990

This is the second offering from Greg and Rebecca as “Sparks” and what an offering it was. This is the second of two album deal with Reunion Records but I’m going to get straight to the point now. This is such a great album I’m so sad I didn’t hear it is 1990. The song writing is fantastic and Greg’s acoustic guitar work really turned my ears. I don’t really need to say anything more about Rebecca’s vocals as they speak for themselves. It is a little strange to me that they left Joshua’s Song to the final track as in my opinion it’s the best track on the album. Maybe it’s the reward for listening to the while album but personally that would have been the lead track for me. That said the album is structured to get better and better as you listen so maybe that was the strategy. There are definitely a couple tracks here going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love – 1:08
2 – I Can’t Dance – 3:46
3 – Leaving A Legacy – 4:43
4 – Whisper Your Love – 3:57
5 – The World – 4:10
6 – Jesus Rescues Me – 4:49
7 – Work For Love – 4:32
8 – You Can Count On Me – 4:28
9 – I Would Die (For You) – 4:31
10 – Things Will Be Different – 4:25
11 – Joshua’s Song – 4:18

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals – Greg Sparks
Bass – Tommy Sims
Drums – Mike Radowski
Electric Guitar – James Hollihan
Percussion, Lead Vocals – Rebecca Ed Sparks

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Glass Mastered At – DADC
Pressed By – DADC

Found Free – Specially Purchased Individually Wrapped – 1982

This was the last gasp for Found Free. They had a one record deal with Greentree but this album appears to have been self released. I’m a little unsure who was in the band at this point and the liner notes are a little fuzzy. We do know that Greg Sparks and Rebecca Ed were there, but I don’t believe they were married yet and also Keith Lancaster. These 3 would go on to form Bash-n-The Code so I’ve seen it said that this version of Found Free was an early version of Bash. I can’t tell you much more about the history of this album so lets turn to the music. The album is very well produced has a great funk/soul sound. The album is heavy on the harmonies which it hurts it a little in my opinion because there isn’t a stand out vocalist. The album would have been better if they had just let Rebecca sing. Anyway I quite like the album though I don’t think there’s anything here to go in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – It’s So Good – 4:15
2 – Hope – 4:21
3 – Front Lines – 3:59
4 – I Need You Lord – 4:00
5 – Just Like a Child – 3:43
6 – Individually Wrapped – 4:12
7 – Don’t We Need To Know – 4:44
8 – Hold On To Me – 3:21
9 – Sing Solo – 3:25
10 – Miracles – 3:25
11 – It’s So Good (Reprise) – 0:54

Credits
Band – Greg Sparks
Band – Rebecca Ed
Band – Keith Lancaster
Art Direction, Cover – Randy Rogers
Engineer – David Starobin, Glen Barrett, Travis Turk