Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

The Steven Prince Band – You Can Fly – 1989

I don’t really know much about Steven Prince but I do know he was an artist is Australia. This year he re-released this 1989 album with new and improved audio. It is very sad that we didn’t get to hear more about these Australian artists in North America. For some reason the music industry chose not to share them with us. This actually continues to this day as there are several country stars in Australia that don’t get released in America. Anyway Steven re-released this album this year and it’s lucky for us because it deserved a chance to be listened to again. It is a little conceptual in places and is without a doubt has the closest track to Pink Floyd in “Forrest Fear”. Overall a fantastic album.

Tracklist
1 – Keep On Trying – 4:06
2 – Hurting Me – 5:03
3 – A Friend Beside You – 6:50
4 – Looking Out From Circles – 4:43
5 – Invader-Crusader – 4:18
6 – You Can Fly – 5:00
7 – Wintertime – 5:53
8 – Forest Fear – 5:59
9 – Lifetime – 7:12
10 – Old Timer – 4:39
11 – The Next Plateau – 3:58

Santa Fe – Moon Circles – 1996

Dipping well into the 90’s here but this is an 80’s artist. Phillip Sandifer is joined by his brother Michael for this one off album in 1996. Though it’s a 90’s album it really maintains Phillip’s 80’s sound. I’m not a huge fan of Phillip as he doesn’t really do my style of music but this album is actually pretty good. It is fairly mellow but has a nice flow to it and is a good example of how to structure an album so you can listen to the whole thing. The album was well received with 2 top singles, “Love Speaks Louder” and “Wider Sky”.

Tracklist
1 – Wider Sky – 5:08
2 – Moon Circles – 5:31
3 – Soul Need – 5:31
4 – Wanting The Things You Get – 5:15
5 – Looking For A War – 4:38
6 – Imperfect Vision – 5:18
7 – Love Speaks Louder – 4:34
8 – There Is A Place – 4:40
9 – Circle Of Love – 4:59
10 – The Sun Goes Down Too Fast – 4:40

Crystavox – Crystavox – 1990

Formed in 1989 in San Diego, California Crystavox was quick into the studio to get this album out to us. Now keep in mind I’m not the biggest fan of Metal but this is an album I can listen to. Now it’s probably due to the commercial feel but this really is a good album and is probably one of my favourite metal albums. Of particular note is “It’s All Right (To Rock N’ Roll)”. There are so many bands that have done a song exactly along these lines but this is probably one of the best. It comes off as a real song and doesn’t have a cliché feel to it at all. It’s a great Rock & Roll track and made it right into my regular rotation. Given the quality of this album I can’t wait to hear their next one.

Tracklist
1 – Sacrifice – 3:49
2 – Power Games – 4:22
3 – Wear It Out – 2:41
4 – Turn It On – 4:15
5 – Home Again – 4:53
6 – All The Way – 4:07
7 – It’s All Right – 4:13
8 – All Around The World – 3:18
9 – Never Give In – 4:15
10 – Tough Boys – 4:27

Credits
Bass Guitar – Leo Correla
Drums – Fred Helm
Keyboards – Loren Holmquist
Lead Guitar – Tony Lopez
Rhythm Guitar – Loren Holmquist
Vocals – Adam Lee Kemp

John Michael Talbot – Songs For Worship Volume II – 1985

I assume John’s Songs For Worship Volume I sold pretty well so they did a Songs For Worship Volume II. Of course as the first one was actually name Volume I they probably had plans for this one all along. There isn’t really too much I can say about this album because it’s just a collection of worship songs and as such there really isn’t any stand out tracks. That’s not a bad thing for a worship album so it’s not a criticism. I suspect the album was met with a bit of a yawn however as it didn’t even garner a CCM single. Oh well this is a great Sunday worship album if you like that kind of thing.

Tracklist
1 – Taste And See – 2:31
2 – Lord, Every Nation On Earth Shall Adore You – 4:13
3 – Jesus Prayer – 2:44
4 – Lord Have Mercy – 1:46
5 – Glory To God – 3:06
6 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 2:35
7 – The Spirit Of The Lord – 3:18
8 – Father, I Put My Life In Your Hands – 3:47
9 – Lamb Of God – 2:23
10 – I Am The Ressurection – 4:18
11 – Let Us Sing To The Lord – 2:51

Credits
Design [Lyric Sheet Design] – Steve Cox
Engineer [Orchestra Recorded And Mixed] – Mike Ross-Trevor
Engineer [Solos And Guitar] – Ron Capone
Engineer [Vocals] – Bill Cobb
Photography By [Cover] – Edd Anthony
Producer, Arranged By, Orchestrated By, Conductor – Phil Perkins
Producer, Written By, Guitar, Vocals – John Michael Talbot
Vocals – Bekah Crabb, Carole Butler, Craig Smith, Ed Koharchick, Irene Davis, Jeanne Mitchell, Jo McGinty, John Peter Slauson, Kemper Crabb, Ken Pennell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – Word Music (UK)
Distributed By – Word Records

Petra – Never Say Die – 1981

This is the fourth album for Petra. It marked a pretty substantial shake up in the band. First we had the departure of Rob Frazier then Mark Kelly and John Slick joined the band. This album also marked Greg X. Volz’s taking on full time vocal duties. I assume all these changes were as a result of the poor showing of the previous album “Washes Whiter Than”. Personally I think this was the best lineup the band had. The album was more Rock oriented than their previous work and most pf the 70’s sound is gone. “The Coloring Song” was a huge success reaching #1 and is commonly heard in worship services to this day. That said it is not representative of what is actually a Rock album. I read that the band toured in support of Servant for this album but I distinctly remember them being the main act when I saw them in 1981 but I can’t remember who the opening act was. Point of trivia, the album cover was the first with Petra’s signature flying guitar.

Tracklist
1 – The Coloring Song – 2:52
2 – Chameleon – 5:47
3 – Angel Of Light – 4:21
4 – Killing My Old Man – 3:46
5 – Without Him We Can Do Nothing – 3:26
6 – Never Say Die – 3:42
7 – I Can Be Friends With You – 4:12
8 – For Annie – 4:24
9 – Father Of Lights – 3:02
10 – Praise Ye The Lord – 3:18

Credits
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – Jonathan David Brown, Petra
Bass, Backing Vocals – Mark Kelly
Drums, Percussion – Keith Edwards
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Illustration – Randy Rogers
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – John Slick
Layout – Mary Ann Smith
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Photography By [Sleeve] – Diane McLaughlin
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Trombone – Joe Miller
Trumpet – Bob Welborn

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Overdubbed At – Martinsound, Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited

Rick Cua – You’re My Road – 1985

This is the third album from Rick and his first with Sparrow records. We get a hint of bad things to come from Ric as he transitioned to a more Easy Listening sound. I’m not saying Easy Listening is bad, I’m just saying if you were a fan of Rick’s at this point you probably weren’t a fan of his later work. That said there are still some great Rock & Roll tunes on this album. Probably the best track on the album is “Don’t Say Suicide” as it was a bit of a touchy subject and I’ll be honest I loved songs that talked to their listeners. Maybe just maybe this song prevented a self deletion. Relatively unknown guitarist Jock Guthrie does a great job on the track. I also quite liked the title track as it had a more of a early 80’s rock feel. anyway this is a good Pop Rock album with some good guitar work. Definitely a must listen to from the era.

Tracklist
1 – Don’t Say Suicide – 3:30
2 – You’re My Road – 3:54
3 – One Child In Pain – 3:40
4 – We Are The Chosen – 3:51
5 – You’ve Only Got One Life – 3:40
6 – House Calls – 3:14
7 – Runaway – 3:33
8 – We Are Yours – 3:22
9 – The Old Man – 4:12
10 – Cant’ Stop – 3:07

Credits
Jeff Balding – Engineer
Niles Borop – Songwriter
Barbara Catanzaro – Background Vocals
Lisa Cates – Percussion
Buz Cua – Guitar
Diane Cua – Songwriter
Rick Cua – Producer, Songwriter, Bass, Vocals
Ron DeRollo – Guitar
David Dix – Drums
Rob Frazier – Background Vocals
Jock Guthrie – Guitar, Background Vocals
Bob Halligan, Jr. – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Background Vocals
Jim Horn – Saxophone
Richard Langford – Background Vocals
Dwight Liles – Songwriter
Chris McCollum – Engineer
Mike Mead – Drums, Background Vocals
Dino Pastin – Synthesizer Programming
Janna Pastin – Background Vocals
Dave Perkins – Songwriter, Engineer, Guitar, Background Vocals
Brett Perry – Assistant Engineer
Sam Tritico – Synthesizer Programming
Wendy Waldman – Duet (We Are Yours)
Peter York – Guitar

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Koo-Ah Productions
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Oak Hill Assembly

Kathy Troccoli – Stubborn Love – 1982

This is the album that started it all for Kathy and for Reunion Records. But lets start a few years earlier. Kathy grew up Catholic but became born again in 1978. She had been working in the music industry struggling to get noticed. Kathy got her break in 1980 when she opened for Glad at her own church. Ed Nalle from Glad took note of her voice and approached her about cutting a demo with his band. Ed shopped that demo to Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell who reportedly were thinking of starting a new record label. This album became the first album on that label, Reunion Records. The release was a smashing success and the album is reportedly the best-selling debut album by a CCM female artist. That said the album only had one charting single with “Stubborn Love” peaking at #2. In my opinion “You’re All I Need To Get By”, a cover of a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrellduet hit, was the best track on the album. But this was 1982 and no way were the CCM chart people going to allow a secular cover to chart. The whole album is great for this genre of CCM music and is easily as good as anything Amy Grant was doing at the time. You probably heard this one in the 80’s so today’s a great day to listen to it again for the memories.

Tracklist
1 – You’re All I Need To Get By – 4:02
2 – Hand In Hand – 3:40
3 – All I Must Do – 3:47
4 – It’s The Small Things – 3:20
5 – Lord I Need You Now – 4:03
6 – There’s Still Time – 3:42
7 – Once In A Lifetime Love – 4:44
8 – Stubborn Love – 4:29
9 – It’s Your Love – 4:22
10 – Love Of My Life – 3:57

Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – Alan Moore
Bass – Craig Nelson, Mike Brignardello
Design [Album] – Dennis Hill
Drums – Keith Edwards
Engineer – Gene Eichelberger
Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Mike Blanton
Guitar – Dann Huff, Jon Goin
Harp – Cindy Reynolds
Keyboards – Gerrit Wilson, Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister
Liner Notes – Brown Bannister
Mastered By [Runout Etch] – Hank Williams
Overdubbed By – Bob Clark
Percussion – Mark Morris
Photography By [Back] – Mark Pleasant, Wade Jaynes
Photography By [Front] – Mike Borum
Producer – Brown Bannister
Saxophone – Dennis Solee
Synthesizer – Shane Keister
Vocals – Denny Henson, Diana Dewitt, Donna McElroy, Greg Guidry, Kim Flemming, Sandy Guidry

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Recorded At – Pinebrook Recording Studio
Overdubbed At – House of David
Mastered At – Woodland Studios
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – 25656
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Published By – Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Published By – Meadowgreen Music, Inc.
Published By – Handrail Music
Published By – Lifesong Music Press
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Word Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records

Paradise – World’s Midnight – 1982

This was the 2nd album from Paradise and they dialed the funk back a bit for this one. That said don’t worry there’s enough funk here for everyone. Originally recorded for Ebony Records in the U.K. (Paradise is a U.K. band) it was picked up ion North America by Onyx International Records. Apparently it sold well but it’s relatively difficult to find these days and I just say a NOS version for sale for $350 U.S. YIKES!!! I mean it’s a good album but it’s not $350 good. If you really need a copy I’m happy to let you know that it was reissued in the U.K. on CD in 2013. Anyway we don’t post many funk albums but sometimes one slips through the cracks when I particularly like it.

Tracklist
1 – World’s Midnight – 4:58
2 – Here And Now – 3:16
3 – Never Will Turn Back – 3:42
4 – Your Love – 3:34
5 – Something Wonderful – 4:05
6 – Stop And Think – 5:15
7 – Life Assurance – 3:25
8 – Success – 3:11
9 – I’m Going Away – 4:03
10 – Quiet Times – 4:07

Sacred Warrior – Wicked Generation – 1990

This is the third album from Sacred Warrior and perhaps their strangest. Not strange in musical style as it’s pretty well your standard late 80’s metal album but instead it’s the structure and message of the album that’s different. The songs follow a story of child abuse from the eyes of the abused. The tracks are structured to tell a story of abuse until both the abused and the abuser come to God in the end. I’ll give them and their label, Intense Records, credit. This is a touchy issue today never mind in 1990 so it was a pretty gutsy idea. That said the album should be listened to in the proper order of the tracks. The band obviously worked on this whole concept very hard but I feel they may not have worked as hard on the music. There isn’t really a standout track and they all kind of meld together. Then again that might be a good thing as it causes you to concentrate a little harder on the message.

Tracklist
1 – No Happy Endings – 5:09
2 – Little Secrets – 6:18
3 – Standing Free – 5:00
4 – Are You Ready – 3:05
5 – Minister By Night – 3:35
6 – Miss Linda – 4:51
7 – In The Night – 5:58
8 – Warriors – 3:13
9 – Wicked Generation – 4:44
10 – War Torn Hero – 4:57

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Steve Watkins
Drums – Tony Velazquez
Engineer [ADD] – Steve Weeder
Engineer, Mixed By – Harry Witz
Guitar – Bruce Swift
Keyboards – Rick Macias
Layout – Joe Potter
Photography By – Basement Art Inc.
Producer – Jim Homan
Vocals – Ray Parra
Vocals [Additional] – Alysha Villareal, Bruce Swift, Jim Homan, Kristi Pollock, Rey Parra, Steve Watkins, Steve Weeder
Written-By – Bruce Swift, Rey Parra, Rick Macias, Steve Watkins, Tony Velasquez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records (10)
Copyright © – Intense Records (10)
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – River North Studios
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Wendy & Mary – Battle Of The Heart – 1985

This was the fourth and final album from Wendy and Mary who were Mary Rice Hopkins and Wendy Hofheimer. Well actually at the time of this album Wendy was going by Wendy Talbot as she was married to their producer and well known CCM artist Terry Talbot. That said sometime in 1985 Wendy divorced Terry and actually married Don Francisco. You just know there’s a great gossip story there. Anyway I’m just speculating but as they broke up as a duo right around this time I can’t help but to think it was a factor. That said they did get back together in 1995 to record together again. As for Mary she went on to write several children’s songs and books. Both apparently attempted solo careers but neither were very successful with the only album produced by Wendy in 2001. I will admit I had never heard of these ladies in the 80’s but I am now fascinated by the whole drama of their undoing. I bet it’s a great story.

Tracklist
1 – Battle Of The Heart – 3:31
2 – Around The Walls – 3:19
3 – No Other Name – 2:36
4 – I Am My Beloved’s – 2:58
5 – In Your Footsteps – 2:58
6 – Lullaby For Grown-Ups – 2:40
7 – If I Could Love You Better – 3:36
8 – You Are My Righteousness – 2:52
9 – Sword And Shield – 3:43
10 – He Who Dwells – 3:43
11 – Sing Alleluia – 2:15

Credits
Arranged By, Synthesizer, Programmed By [Synthesizers] – Denny Bouchard
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Design [Album Jacket] – Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Drums – Billy Maxwell
Mastered By – Herb Melton, Steve Hall
Photography By – Edward Alfano
Producer, Arranged By [Additional], Engineer [Additional] – Terry Talbot
Programmed By [Fairlight] – Rhett Lawrence
Recorded By, Remix – Ron Capone
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By [Additional] – Mary Hopkins (2), Wendy Talbot

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – Birdwing Music
Recorded At – Westwind Studio
Remixed At – Westwind Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc