Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

The Eli Band – Sunday Drivers – 1979

This is another one of those oddball Canadian bands on the Praise Label (Tunesmith, New Born etc…). It has an excellent seventies sound and would probably done pretty good but unfortunately it was stuck in the Praise records group who, well, I’ll just say weren’t always such a great friend of the bands they signed. Most tracks were written by Ron Badger who is still active in the music industry from his home in Regina Saskatchewan. Only have time for one track? “Victory Road” is the track for you. If you like the 70’s sound this is definitely one you need to listen to as I am willing to bet very few people have heard this one.

Tracklist
1 – Intro – 0:46
2 – It’s Real – 4:30
3 – Victory Road – 2:59
4 – I Gave To You – 4:29
5 – He’s Coming Back – 4:32
6 – Lord Of Lords – 4:07
7 – You’re Always Around – 5:33
8 – Whatr’e You Gonna Do? – 3:20
9 – God Bless You God – 3:35
10 – Joyful Blues – 3:35
11 – Outro – 0:35

Credits
Jim Reid – Lead Vocalist
Lori Anderson – Back-up Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Ron Badger – Guitars, Back-up Vocals
Don McAreavy – Keyboards
Brian Clark – Electric Bass
Blaine Bonner – Drums

Companies, etc.
Label – New Born Records

Randy Matthews – Eyes To The Sky – 1975

After the fiasco at The Jesus Festival in 1974 during which he was unplugged and thrown out for playing Rock & Roll he went into the studio to cut this album. He even wrote a song about the incident “Pennsylvania Song” on which he sang “you pulled the plug and drained my soul, but I know I left a ring around the tub of tradition, I saw some dance and sing” Many of us who stumbled on Randy in the 80’s problem didn’t even know he was a Rock & Roll pioneer. A quick listen to this album will reinforce this new knowledge as this is a great 70’s rock album. Seriously if you missed this one back in the day it’s a must listen to.

Tracklist
1 – It Took A Carpenter – 3:09
2 – Oh My – 3:20
3 – Paid In Full – 2:38
4 – There’s A Shadow Passing Over The Land – 3:03
5 – Wounded Warrior – 3:57
6 – Captain – 4:04
7 – Guardian Angel – 3:10
8 – Pennsylvania Song – 3:47
9 – In The Morning – 4:32
10 – Four Horsemen – 4:11

Credits
Arpa – Kim Rose
Arranged By – Kim Rose
Backing Vocals – Austin Roberts, Bergen White, Buzz Cason, Kim Rose, Randy Matthews
Bass – Joe Osborn
Cover [Painting] – J. T. Morrow
Design – Small Wonder Studio
Drums – Jerry Carrigan
Engineer – Brent Maher
Executive Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Flute – Billy Puett
Guitar – Billy Sanford, Kim Rose, Reggie Young, Steve Gibson
Keyboards – Kim Rose, Ron Oates
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Producer – Austin Roberts
Recorder – Billy Puett

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Creative Workshop

Randy Rose – Sacrificium – 1991

While Randy was still a member of Mad At The World he decided to do a solo project. He released it on Intense Records even though MATW was signed to Alarma Records at the time which is rather odd. Anyway it appears he wanted to do something a little harder than what the band was doing. As such this album has a heavier and darker feel. He has reworked “Marshmallow Land” which was previously released by MATW but the rest of the tracks are original tracks. I’m not really a fan of the darker feel of the album but that aside it is really well done. It is easily as good as anything done in the secular market at the time. As such this album falls in that category of albums I really respect but don’t choose to listen to again.

Tracklist
1 – Pain – 4:06
2 – Oppression – 3:46
3 – Fire – 4:29
4 – I Was Alive – 5:31
5 – Wicked Ways – 3:40
6 – Black Harvest – 5:31
7 – Marshmallow Land – 4:09
8 – Wall Of Hate – 3:56
9 – Death – 3:46
10 – Sacrificium – 4:42

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Ray Rose
Co-producer, Recorded By, Mixed By, Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Music By – Randy Rose
Design – Brian Godawa
Drums – Chris B, Jason Martin
Lead Guitar – Brent Gordon
Mastered By – John Matousek
Music By – Roger Rose
Performer – Ronni Martin
Photography By – Wayne Armstrong
Producer, Guitar – Roger Rose

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Soundworks West
Recorded At – MATW Studios
Record Company – Frontline Music Group

Diane Tong – Land of the Living – 1980

This is another oddball Canadian artist found on New Born Records (Sister label to Tunesmith). There are several of these one album artists on New Born and Tunesmith. The real standout on the album is Diane’s guitar and banjo work. The opening track is a toe tapper but unfortunately the album turns easy listening after that. Her vocal stylings are not my cup of tea but she is a very good vocalist and this album is a stand out if you like her vocal style.

1 – In The Land Of The Living – 4:24
2 – I’ve Seen You Smile – 4:06
3 – The Lilies – 4:52
4 – How Lovely – 2:54
5 – Dear Brother – 3:14
6 – Faith – 4:18
7 – Too Long – 2:17
8 – Heartbeat Of The Lord – 3:26
9 – Jesus Is The Lover – 4:50
10 – Morning Star – 3:48

Tom Howard – The Harvest – 1985

This album caught me way off guard. I honestly had no idea that Tom put out an instrumental piano album. I was not expecting this from him at all. That said it’s a very good album if you like Instrumental piano albums. Personally this is not my kind of album but we have uploaded it as Tom is one of our favourite artists.

Tracklist
1 – Humble Yourself (In The Sight Of The Lord) – 6:08
2 – For The Beauty Of The Earth – 5:06
3 – On Wings As Eagles – 5:10
4 – Gethsemane – 5:22
5 – A Shield About Me – 4:17
6 – Horizon Storm – 3:54
7 – Katie’s Rainbow – 3:45
8 – Morning – 6:19
9 – Seek Ye First – 4:41
10 – The Harvest: Prayer; Dance – 5:53

Credits
Art Direction – Alex MacDougall
Artwork – Kevin Short
Design, Typography – Gary De Lacy
Engineer – Wally Grant
Executive-Producer – Tom Coomes
Liner Notes – D. Ellen Harris
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Photography By – Harriet Burger
Piano, Soloist – Tom Howard
Producer – Tom Howard

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Mad Hatter Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Mastered At – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Manufactured By – Maranatha! Music
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Published By – Tom Howard Music
Published By – Maranatha! Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music

NewSong – More Than Music – 1981

If you’re a fan of the current or recent offerings from NewSong you might be surprised by this album. This was their first album but it wasn’t on a label. Instead they actually self released it. It is almost all covers so there is no way a record company would have even touched it. The band was founded at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia and I am guessing they never knew what they would become. Like I said this album is almost entirely covers and it is rather obvious they were going for that Imperials sound and feel. This album is a bit of a contrast from their later stuff but it’s nice to hear where it all started for them.

Tracklist
1 – I Will Glory In The Cross – 3:46
2 – Oh Buddah – 3:05
3 – Something Right – 2:18
4 – God’s Way – 3:41
5 – Swing Low/Swing Down Chariot – 2:41
6 – Rise Again – 3:28
7 – Questions – 3:26
8 – You Are My Everything – 3:18
9 – No Shortage – 3:10
10 – Your First Day In Heaven – 1:24

Angelica – Time Is All It Takes – 1992

Dennis Cameron is back with Drew Baca on lead vocals with Angelica’s third and last studio album. This album definitely has a different vibe than their other ones. Many reviewers say it has a funk feel but I just think it concentrates a lot more on acoustic guitar work. While I’m in the minority I actually think this might be their best work. I actually really liked this album which is rare for me of a Metal album. This album was released in the US and Canada as Angelica but it was released as a Dennis Cameron album in Japan. Considering he did all the work but lead vocals I guess I can see why but I suspect it was more likely due to some oddball legal issue.

Tracklist
1 – Gotta Get Ready – 3:55
2 – Running Wild – 4:40
3 – Second Chance – 5:03
4 – I Can Hardly Wait to See – 4:19
5 – Open Your Mind – 3:48
6 – Don’t Stop – 4:04
7 – Time is All it Takes – 3:37
8 – Carry Me – 3:56

Credits
Backing Vocals – Daniel Ysais
Guitar [Guitars], Lead Vocals – Dennis Cameron
Lead Vocals – Drew Baca
Producer – Dennis Cameron
Written-By – Dennis Cameron

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Copyright © – Intense Records
Published By – Broken Songs
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus

Phil Keaggy With Glass Harp – Song in the Air – 1977

This 1977 release from Phil Keaggy and Glass Harp is actually a compilation album of Keaggy’s work with Glass Harp in the early 70’s. Glass Harp was one of the early bands Keaggy was a member of. The album is very easy listening but does highlight Keaggy’s excellent guitar work.

Tracklist
1 – Song In The Air – 2:35
2 – Can You See Me – 6:25
3 – One Day At A Time – 3:40
4 – Song Of Hope – 4:21
5 – The Answer – 2:38
6 – David & Goliath – 2:50
7 – I’m Going Home – 2:40
8 – Do Lord – 4:22
9 – Let’s Live Together – 3:50

Credits
Design, Artwork – George Werth
Lacquer Cut By – KP
Mastered By – Ken Perry
Performer – Dan Pecchio, John Sferra, Phil Keaggy
Producer [Associate], Engineer – Bill Culhane, Dick Shapiro, Gordon Shaad, Ralph Moss, Tom Lubin
Producer [Original Recordings] – Lewis Merenstein

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – MCA Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Star Song Records
Manufactured By – Star Song Records
Published By – Archaball Publishing Inc.
Recorded At – Electric Lady Studios
Mastered At – Capitol Studios
Pressed By – Wakefield Manufacturing – 32194

Will McFarlane – Only The Heart – 1987

Will McFarlane self released his 3rd album though his previous label Refuge Records did take care of distribution. Because it was self released it was virtually guaranteed not to have a charting single. This is too bad because the album definitely had a couple tracks that could have singled. It has a bit of an Imperials sound and feel. The album is not my preferred genre but I actually quite liked the album. If you missed this one in the 80’s you should give it a listen now.

Tracklist
1 – I Can Depend On You – 3:44
2 – Can’t Go Back – 5:07
3 – Who Can Separate Us – 3:54
4 – The End Of Me – 5:44
5 – Only The Heart – 3:45
6 – Don’t Be Fooled – 5:33
7 – Come Unto Me – 5:24
8 – Blessed Jesus – 5:35

Kansas – Vinyl Confessions – 1982

The eighth studio album from Kansas was a pretty important one. Lead singer Steve Walsh wasn’t cool with the direction of the band so John Elefante was brought in to take on the role. This album also marked the departure of Robby Steinhardt who finished out the tour for the album but that was it. The album was not overtly Christian but instead touched on Christian topics. The album made it to # 15 on the US Billboard 200 chart and the single “Play the Game Tonight” made it to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. CCM Magazine even chose Vinyl Confessions as the No. 1 CCM album of 1982 which I think disappointed many Christian artists who wanted that “award” to go to a Christian album.

Tracklist
1 – Play The Game Tonight – 3:24
2 – Right Away – 4:03
3 – Fair Exchange – 4:56
4 – Chasing Shadows – 3:17
5 – Diamonds And Pearls – 4:47
6 – Face It – 4:15
7 – Windows – 3:29
8 – Borderline – 3:57
9 – Play On – 3:39
10 – Crossfire – 6:35

Credits
Alto Saxophone – Bill Bergman
Art Direction, Design, Design Concept – Tom Drennon
Backing Vocals – David Pack, Donna Williams
Baritone Saxophone – Greg Smith
Bass – Dave Hope
Bassoon – Bev Dahlke
Design [Additional], Other [Additional Art] – Andrew Barnum
Drums – Phil Ehart
Engineer – Ken Scott
Engineer [Assistant] – Brian Leshon, David Spritz, Philip Jost, Ralph Sutton
Guitar – Rich Williams
Harmonica – Warren Ham
Keyboards, Guitar – Kerry Livgren
Keyboards, Vocals – John Elefante
Management [Budd Carr] – The Carr Company
Mastered By – Stan Ricker
Photography – Glen Wexler
Producer – Kansas, Ken Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Jim Coile
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Bill Bergman
Trumpet – John Berry, Lee Thornburg
Violin, Vocals – Robby Steinhardt

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Distributed By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc.
Copyright © – Corn & Blood, Inc.
Copyright © – Don Kirshner Music, Inc.
Copyright © – Blackwood Music Publishing
Recorded At – Chateau Recorders
Mixed At – Chateau Recorders
Mastered At – Original Masteringworks
Mastered At – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Inc.
Lacquer Cut At – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Don Mills, ON
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Don Mills, ON
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging Corp. Of Canada Ltd.