Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

Heartbeat – Voice To The Nation – 1986

I have to admit that here in Canada we had no idea who Heartbeat was never mind the controversy they caused. This is their 3rd album and I think by now most of the controversy had died down. They still proclaimed to be a charting pop band but really they were a backup worship band that made the majority of their money playing on other peoples albums. This album does not have a secular single release and that’s probably a good thing as it did not deserve to be on the secular charts. As for the album it is primarily a worship album with a couple pop tunes mixed in. The problem with the pop tracks is that the vocals do not fit them. We saw this several times in the 80’s as worship oriented bands tried to do a pop album and failed miserably due to vocals. This album isn’t too bad if you listen to it for what it is and that’s a worship album.

Tracklist
1 – Prelude/Voice To The Nation – 4:04
2 – Heal Our Nation – 4:42
3 – Out Of Your Great Love – 2:09
4 – Dance People Dance – 4:05
5 – Lord, Release My Mouth – 2:25
6 – Dancing In The City – 4:11
7 – Holy Fire – 4:02
8 – Jesus, I Love You – 2:15
9 – Arise – 4:52
10 – Unto You, Oh Lord/Lord Of This Land – 4:48

Credits
Bass Guitar – Pete Moore
Drums, Percussion, Producer – Ray Goudie
Engineer, Producer – Andy Kidd
Guitar, Vocals – Ian Townend
Keyboards, Vocals – Dave Bankhead
Vocals – Dorry Townend, Nancy Goudie, Trish Morgan

Dig Hay Zoose – MagentaMantaLoveTree – 1993

This is the second album from Dig Hay Zoose. They were criticized for their first album with the complaint being that it was a Red Hot Chili Peppers clone. I haven’t heard it yet so I can’t comment on that allegation. This album was better received but quite frankly I find the whole thing a little hokey. Actually it’s a lot hokey. The album has a bunch of under 1 minute tracks that are done to try to sound hip and cool. The whole album just screams “Look at us, we’re just like a secular band” Quite frankly they just tried too hard and it just doesn’t come off as entertaining to me. The album has some very well written tracks that might have been interesting but weren’t done “In the style of”. The best music evolves it’s own sound and bands are the same. When you decide how you’re going to sound before the fact it just doesn’t work for me.

Tracklist
1 – Beginning – 0:16
2 – Dancing In Concert With The Infinite – 4:42
3 – Whoompfinashun # 7 – 0:11
4 – Slatherage – 7:31
5 – Brave Strong Song – 0:08
6 – Lift – 4:58
7 – Magenta Manta Love Tree – 8:34
8 – No One Told You? – 0:10
9 – Secret – 4:40
10 – Detention 3:00 A.M. – 0:25
11 – Penalty Box – 0:32
12 – Circle Of Pain – 4:41
13 – Doubt – 5:55
14 – Diggin’ Away – 3:05
15 – Vanillanator – 0:09
16 – H8 Machine – 3:27
17 – Untitled – 0:20
18 – Black-Eyed Pea – 5:45
19 – 99¢ Smile – 0:18
20 – B.D.O.C. – 2:34
21 – Regret – 5:41
22 – Twenty-second Track – 0:49

Credits
Bass, Noises [Human Temple Block, Rca Dog-head, Sticks, Big Ol’ Drum], Backing Vocals – Bil Brown
Compiled By [Assembled By] – “Quick Draw” Doug Doyle*
Drums, Shaker, Bongos, Noises [Trashcans, Sticks, Metal Objects & Anything Else Available], Backing Vocals [Sweet ‘n Funky] – Jimmi Florez
Engineer [Additional Added Further] – Drew “No, Just Time It Out Bro” Aldridge*
Engineer [Additional Added] – “Smilin'” Bob Moon*
Engineer [Additional] – Mark “The Man” Rodriguez*
Engineer [Engineered By] – “The Well Respected” Gene Eugene*
Engineer [Pre-production Recording Engineer] – Gary “Sounds Good…” Shockey*
Executive-Producer – Gene “The Booty” Eugene, Ojo “Monkey Boots” Taylor
Guitar, Backing Vocals [Disco], Handclaps – Dave A*
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Noises [Bottle, Crazy Drum, Sticks] – Phil*
Mastered By – Big Bass Brian
Mixed By – “Geener: Master Of Keys”*
Producer [Produced By] – DigHayZoose*, Gene Eugene

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright © – Brainstorm Artists International
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Green Room
Recorded At – McCrummy Music Studio
Recorded At – New Start Studio
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Mixed At – The Green Room
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Made By – U.S. Optical Disc

Glory Fire – Decision – 1987

I can’t find anything about this band online except that their contact info was based in Montana so I have to guess they were from Montana. Anyway what we have here is an album sound that I’ve heard several times at this point. There were several bands in the 80’s that would have this pop sound with a female vocalist. I am not insulting this recipe it’s just that at this point I’ve seen it many many times. As for this album specifically it’s pretty good. In fact there’s a couple tracks here that are pretty well written. If they had got a second album deal they could have capitalized on their writing but unfortunately for them this was the only album they had.

Tracklist
1 – New Day – 3:59
2 – Heart Beat – 4:03
3 – How Long – 4:22
4 – Cross Road – 4:23
5 – Skybound – 4:23
6 – C’mon Home – 3:03
7 – Little Bit of Heaven – 3:55
8 – Jesus Is Outta Sight – 4:16
9 – Lift Your Eyes – 4:19
10 – Let Love Reign – 4:13
11 – Decision – 0:39

Credits
Bass – Clint Shaules
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Duane Nichols
Guitar – Brad Spear
Keyboards, Vocals – Lindsay Nesheim

Companies, etc.
Label – The Barn

Phil Driscoll – Make Us One- 1987

Let it never be said that Phil Driscoll was lazy. He was able to get an album out almost every year. This is his album in 1987. I think Phil and the record label were trying to produce an album that was a little more Pop than he usually does. The album cover shows a much younger Phil than his covers usually did. it should be noted that this album cover portrayed his correct age, he was 40. For some reason they usually portrayed him as much older on his record covers. As is the case with just about every album from Phil this one is fantastic. I will say it again for the record. I do not like most of the songs Phil does BUT his fantastic vocals always sell me on them anyway. This album the standouts are the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”, Cool Rain”, and the rocker for this album “Trumpet In A Heavenly Band”.

Tracklist
1 – Make Us One – 3:24
2 – I’ll Be Ridin’ With Him – 4:28
3 – I Can Feel Your Love – 4:35
4 – Wait On The Lord – 5:20
5 – Cool Rain – 4:17
6 – Trumpet In A Heavenly Band – 3:40
7 – All Around The World – 2:55
8 – Standin’ In The Shadow – 3:40
9 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 3:44
10 – The Magnificat – 7:21

Credits
Arranged By – Bill Maxwell, Jerry Cleveland, Phil Driscoll
Art Direction – McConnell Graphics
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Jean Johnson, Rose Banks, Von Faggett
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Doug Rider
Executive-Producer – Dennis Blackburn, Gregory Pope
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Lead Vocals, Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Phil Driscoll
Percussion – Alex Acuna*
Photography By – Dean Dixon
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Organ – Harlan Rogers
Producer – Bill Maxwell, Phil Driscoll
Remix – Bill Maxwell, Doug Rider, Phil Driscoll
Synthesizer – Claude Gaudette

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Mighty Horn Records
Copyright © – Mighty Horn Records

Randy Stonehill – Stonehill – 1985/2006

This is kind of a mystery release form Randy. It was only released in the U.K. in 1985. I’m only guessing there may have been contractual problem for him in the United States with his record company Myrrh but I really don’t know why. Anyway this is a great EP that I wish I had heard in 1985 but as I was from Canada I never heard it. None of the tracks was ever released in the U.S. until 2006 which I find very odd. These are great tracks that America would have loved. Luckily though Christian Discs re-released in on CD in 2006 along with 2 bonus tracks that we have included. The first bonus track is “Edge Of The World”. It is an alternative and much better version than the one on his 2002 album of the same name. There is also a live version of “I Love You” from his “Born Twice” album.

Tracklist
1 – Everything But Love – 3:24
2 – Empty Eyes – 2:57
3 – She Walked Back Into My Life – 3:57
4 – Dangerous Heart – 4:04
5 – These Lonely Days – 4:29
2006 CD release bonus tracks
6 – Edge Of The World – 4:17
7 – I Love You (Live) – 2:56

Credits
Design [Sleeve Design], Layout – Juxtaposition Ltd
Engineer [2nd Engineer] – Dan Reed
Engineer [2nd Engineers] – Rob Klein, Shantih Haast
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Britt Bacon, Mark Heard
Illustration – Eleanor Burkett
Layout [CD Re-issue Layout], Design – Jonathan Grassi
Liner Notes – Randy Stonehill
Musical Assistance [Production Assistant] – Barry “The Bear” Liss
Photography By [Sleeve Photography] – Will White
Producer [Bonus Tracks Produced By] – Bob Kilpatrick
Producer [Produced By] – Barry Miller Kaye
Remastered By [Digital Remastering And Touch Up] – Scott Dotta
Remix [Remix Engineer] – Mark Heard
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Randy Stonehill

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – ChristianDiscs
Licensed From – Street Tunes
Recorded At – Skyline Recording
Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders
Overdubbed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Remixed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Published By – Bonnie Bee Good Music
Published By – Street Tunes Ltd.
Remastered At – Retroroom Studio

Various – Back To The Rock #2 – 1983

This is the second in a series of samplers form A&S Records. This is one is a treasure trove of unreleased and barely released material. The first album in this series had more mainstream tracks but this time they went with some real obscure stuff. Below I’ve listed the tracks and the album they came from;

1 – Bill Batstone – Silver And Gold – Unreleased
2 – Spurr And McNeil – Walkin’ Again – Unreleased
3 – Apocalypse – Call On Jesus – Unreleased
4 – Michael Gonzales – Mountaintop – Mountaintop – 1983
5 – The Lifters – Living Water – The Lifters – 1983
6 – Eden – Break Out Of The Night – released on a 45 – 1983
7 – The Altar Boys – Where’s It Gonna Lead Ya – Altar Boys – 1984
8 – Sheryl Olguin – Easy Rider – Unreleased
9 – James Ledlie – Strangers – released on a 45 – 1983
10 – Danny Daniels – Flyer – Sons Of Thunder – 1982

Tracklist
1 – Bill Batstone – Silver And Gold – 3:50
2 – Spurr And McNeil – Walkin’ Again – 3:44
3 – Apocalypse – Call On Jesus – 4:32
4 – Michael Gonzales – Mountaintop – 3:58
5 – The Lifters– Living Water – 1:48
6 – Eden – Break Out Of The Night – 4:09
7 – The Altar Boys – Where’s It Gonna Lead Ya – 2:21
8 – Sheryl Olguin – Easy Rider – 3:50
9 – James Ledlie – Strangers – 3:38
10 – Danny Daniels – Flyer – 3:40

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&S Records
Copyright © – A&S Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △26182

Terry Talbot – A Time To Laugh, A Time To Sing – 1978

So this album has kind of a cute shtick to it. Side A, “A Time To Laugh”, is a selection of witty and fun moments form Terry’s concerts. Side B “A Time To Sing” is a selection of new tracks from Terry. I have heard some of Terry’s live work before and I didn’t find it particularly witty but obviously Terry has a great sense of humour and it’s great to hear it here. As for the new material there are actually a couple really good 70’s rock tracks here. Hollywood Lies absolutely kicks butt and wow I wish Terry would have perused this style of music as I much prefer it and wow, he was really good at it.

Tracklist
1 – Down To The Well – 5:04
2 – Intro – 1:07
3 – Bible Land – 4:44
4 – Lamplighter – 4:44
5 – Angels! – 4:01
6 – Sing Hallelujah! – 3:37
7 – Pleasin’ You Pleases Me – 3:04
8 – Never Let Yesterday – 3:19
9 – Hollywood Lies – 3:19
10 – Takin’ The Time – 2:15
11 – Father – 2:53

Stephanie Boosahda – I Know That I Know – 1981

This is Stephanie’s 5th album. I can only assume that her music sold well because she had seven albums. But I had never heard of her and there’ is very little info about her online. Unfortunately she passed away in 2022 at the young age of 70 years old. So her music lives on and gives a testament to her. This album is definitely more pop oriented but with a disco feel and sound. Certainly not one of my favourites but it is a good album if you like late 70’s disco infused worship music.

Tracklist
1 – More Than Enough – 3:37
2 – You Knew Just What I Needed – 2:56
3 – I Know That I Know – 2:19
4 – Lord, I Give It To You – 3:25
5 – You Know Me Better Than I Know Myself – 2:55
6 – Give A Little Bit Of Your Love – 3:17
7 – Where Would I Be Without You? – 3:13
8 – There Is A Way – 5:11
9 – Highway To Heaven – 4:36
10 – The Best Is Yet To Come – 3:05

Credits
Alex Acuna – Percussion
Steve Archer – Background Vocals
Stephanie Boosahda – Songwriter, Arrangements, Piano, Vocals
Wayne Boosahda – Producer
Jonathan David Brown – Producer, Engineer, Remix, Mixed
Marji Clark – Songwriter
Denny Correll – Background Vocals
Tim Correll – Background Vocals
Mike Demus – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Keith Edwards – Drums
Stan Endicott – String Arrangements, Conducting
Bob Farrell – Songwriter
Jon Goin – Electric Guitar
Thurman Green – Horns
Bernie Grundman – Mastered
Hadley Hockensmith – Electric Guitar
Sheri Huffman – Background Vocals
Don Juntnen – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Alex MacDougall – Percussion
Beau MacDougall – Electric Guitar
Michael James Murphy – Songwriter
Norman Neeley – Assistant Engineer
Jay Patton – Sax
Bobby Price – Songwriter
Anne Ramhorst – Songwriter
Ralf Rickert – Horns
Harlan Rogers – Arrangements, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Organ, Synthesizers
Kenny Sarkey – Assistant Engineer
Bob Shepherd – Horns
Lisa Silver – Background Vocals
Stan Endicott – Strings
David Stearman – Songwriter
Steve Tavaglione – Sax
Gary Tedder – Songwriter
Dianne Tidwell – Background Vocals
Jerry Wilson – Bass
Steve Wright – Drums

Seraiah – Seraiah – 1992

This is the second and final, kind of, album from Seraiah but I have still been unable to find out much about this band. Their previous album was a metal classic but this album leans a little more hard rock on several tracks. Personally I really liked this album and I’m not a heavy metal kind of guy. But I do love a good hard rock album however and several tracks here fit that bill. As I said this was their last album kind of as several members went on to form the band Kid Promise and released an album with them. I’m looking forward to hearing that one soon.

Tracklist
1 – No More Lies – 4:04
2 – Angry Young Boy – 3:21
3 – When It Rains – 4:25
4 – Love Has No Bounds – 4:11
5 – Fever – 4:06
6 – New Kind Of Voodoo – 4:07
7 – Song And Dance – 3:44
8 – Whatever Happened To Your Love – 3:24
9 – Bullseye – 3:51
10 – Time For A Change – 4:30

Credits
Art Direction – Dawn Allen, Toni Thigpen
Bass, Backing Vocals – Tracy Ferrie
Design, Layout – Diane Painter
Drums, Percussion – Kyle Dietz
Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Quinton Gibson
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Bradley Beckey
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Steve Griffith
Product Manager – Jackie Patillo

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Mastermix

Various – The Strait Tapes – Volume II – 1985

This is the second of a series of tapes that were published by Strait which was the Greenbelt Newspaper that came out Bi Monthly in the 80’s. This is the second in the series released in 1985. While there are a few less rare tracks this volume it makes up for it with quantity. 18 tracks is pretty darn good for a compilation cassette. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did. This compilation was also released in Australia but with some modifications. Missing were Sheila Walsh – Send Me, Phil and John – The Wasted Years, and Steve Scott – Sound of Waves. Added was a great track from Idea – Take Us. Strangely the cover for the Australian version actually showed that the Walsh and Phil and John track were on the cassette but they were not.

1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero (Alien Brain 1985)
2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age (Victims of the Age 1982)
3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent (Vox Humana 1984)
4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me (Don’t Hide Your Heart 1985)
5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason (Love Beyond Reason 1985)
6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones (from Visions 1985)
7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel (from Quiet Night 1984)
8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City (from The Fat Band 7-inch 1983)
9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves (12” mix)
(Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us (previously unreleased)
10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone (Obsessions EP 2011)
11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass (Lie Down in the Grass 1985)
12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years (extended remixed version from Count Me Out 1983)
13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back (previously unreleased)
14 – Pieces – Robot System (Face 2 Face 1985)
15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got (Dancing with Danger 1984)
16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take (The Front 1985)
17 – Avalon – Flags (not The Aussie Avalon, released on 7″ in 1984)
18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills (Rock of Offense 1984)

Tracklist
1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero – 4:12
2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age – 3:13
3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent – 3:00
4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me – 3:30
5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason – 5:33
6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones – 3:03
7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel – 4:07
8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City – 2:47
9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves – 4:26
(Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us – 3:08
10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone – 4:18
11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass – 3:26
12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years – 2:58
13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back – 3:50
14 – Pieces – Robot System – 3:44
15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got – 3:51
16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take – 3:22
17 – Avalon – Flags – 4:22
18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills – 3:38