Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

Modest Attraction – Modest Christmas – 1994

Modest Attraction are Simeon Liljegren and Christian Liljegren from Borderline, Mick Nordström from Jerusalem, and Stephan Mohlin. They had a demo and an album before this “Christmas” EP. Normally we don’t post 90’s bands but we couldn’t resist this Christmas album. The first 2 tracks are Christmas songs. One of them an original and one a cover of a legendary Larry Norman song. The last 2 tracks I am assuming were a gift to their fans.

Tracklist
1 – Modest Christmas – 3:15
2 – Christmas Time – 5:02
3 – Feed Your Fire (Live) – 4:11
4 – Give You My Song (Live) – 8:03

Credits
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Simeon Liljegren
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Drums, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Mick Nordström
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Guitar [All Guitars], Backing Vocals – Stephan Mohlin
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Lead Vocals – Christian Liljegren
Co-producer – The Rest Of The Band
Engineer [Assisted By] – Olle Kristensson, Stephan Mohlin
Engineer [Engineered By] – Mick Nordström
Mastered By – Mick Nordström, Peter Dahl
Organ, Bass – Niklas Jonsson
Producer [Produced By] – Mick Nordström

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Viva Records AB
Copyright (c) – Viva Records AB
Recorded At – Stable Hill Studios
Mixed At – Stable Hill Studios
Mastered At – Cutting Room
Pressed By – CD-Linja OY
Published By – Cantio Music
Published By – Glenwood Music Corp.
Published By – Straw Bed Publ Co
Published By – New Generation

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Soldier – Babylon – 1988

Soldier formed in 1986 in the Bay area of California. They very quickly went into the studio and recorded their first demo “Louder Than Hell”. This is their second demo recorded in 1988. Soldier was very well received in the California CCM Metal scene. They had a cult following that stuck with them for years though the band broke up in 1988. Copies of their demo’s were next to impossible to find but Millenium Eight Records stepped up in 2002 and released both demo’s together on one CD (These tracks are from this CD). The CD must have sold well as Roxx Records released an anthology from Soldier in 2018. It includes almost everything, if not everything the band ever recorded.

Tracklist
1 – Babylon
2 – Louder Than Hell
3 – Deadly Weapon
4 – One Of A Kind
5 – Priceless Heart
6 – Where Have All The Children Gone
7 – King Of The City
8 – Borderline
9 – Angel
10 – First Time
11 – Promises

Credits
Drums – Al Whalen
Bass – Marc Allen
Guitars – Rick Hunter Martinez
Vocals – Jimmy Arceneaux

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Amy Grant – A Christmas Album – 1983

Amy Grant did a few Christmas albums in the past, this one is from 1983.

Tracklist
1 – Tennessee Christmas – 4:33
2 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – 2:54
3 – Preiset Dem Konig! – 1:37
4 – Emmanuel – 2:52
5 – Little Town – 2:45
6 – Christmas Hymn – 2:38
7 – Love Has Come – 4:05
8 – Sleigh Ride – 3:34
9 – The Christmas Song – 3:46
10 – Heirlooms – 3:47
11 – A Mighty Fortress/Angels We Have Heard On High – 5:01

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Dean Parks (tracks: A1)
Acoustic Guitar, Steel Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gary Chapman (tracks: A1)
Backing Vocals – Amy Grant (tracks: A1), Bill Champlin (tracks: A4, B1), Carmen Twillie (tracks: A4, B1), David Page (2) (tracks: A5), Debbie Hall (tracks: B2), Edie Lehman* (tracks: B2), Richard Page (tracks: A5), Sandy Hall* (tracks: B2), Steve George (tracks: A5), Tamara Champlin (tracks: A4, B1)
Bass – Mike Brignardello (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1 to B4)
Bells [Sleigh] – Paul Leim (tracks: A5, B2)
Choir – Hollywood Presbyterian Choir (tracks: A2, A6, B5)
Concertmaster – Gavyn Wright (tracks: A1, A5, A6, B1 to B5)
Directed By – Fred Bock (tracks: A2, A6, B5)
Drums – Paul Leim (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B3, B4)
Guitar – John Goin* (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1 to B4)
Horn – The Martyn Ford Orchestra (tracks: A2), Tom McAninch (tracks: A5, A6, B5)
Horns – The Nashville Contemporary Brass Quintet (tracks: A5, A6, B5)
Keyboards – Shane Keister (tracks: A1 to A5, B2)
Percussion – Farrell Morris (tracks: B1 to B3), Lenny Castro (tracks: A4), Victor Feldman (tracks: A2, A5, A6)
Percussion [Wood Blocks] – Paul Leim (tracks: B2)
Piano – Michael W. Smith (tracks: A2, A5, A6), Shane Keister (tracks: B1, B3, B4)
Producer – Brown Bannister
Shaker – Victor Feldman (tracks: A1)
Strings – The Martyn Ford Orchestra (tracks: A1, A2, A5, A6, B1 to B5)
Synthesizer – Michael W. Smith (tracks: A4, B1, B2)
Vocoder – Michael W. Smith (tracks: B4)
Woodwind – The Martyn Ford Orchestra (tracks: A2, A6, B4)

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Sweet Comfort Band – Sweet Comfort – 1977

Sweet Comfort Band started out in 1973 and Maranatha! Records gave them their first recoird deal in 1977. The album was more Rock oriented than most of the Jesus Music of the time period. The Thomson brothers along with Bryan Duncan and Randy Thomas were on to a good thing. Even if you’re only familiar with their later work you’ll hear the same quartet song back here where it all started. The Maranatha! deal only lasted for this album (they fled the Rock & Roll CCM scene in terror) but Light Records stepped in for the next album. Again this is the one where it all started and it started well.

Tracklist
1 – It’s So Fine (Soul Tune Boogie) – 2:58
2 – Ryan’s Song – 4:05
3 – Childish Things – 2:42
4 – Let It Go – 2:26
5 – Your Life – 2:24
6 – Somebody Loves You – 2:56
7 – His Name Is Whispered – 3:11
8 – God’s Got A Plan – 3:08
9 – Get Ready – 3:01
10 – When I Was Alone – 3:37

Credits
Art Direction – Neal Buchanan
Bass – Kevin Thomson
Design [Album Design] – Greg Laurie
Drums – Rick Thomson
Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig, Jonathan David Brown
Graphics – Greg Laurie
Graphics [Logo] – Rick Griffin
Guitar – Randy Thomas
Horns, Arranged By – Glen Myerscough
Keyboards – Bryan Duncan
Organ – Martie Echito (tracks: A5, B1)
Percussion – Alex MacDougal (tracks: A2, B1, B4)
Photography By – Ray Westbrook
Producer – Jonathan David Brown, Tommy Coomes
Tenor Saxophone – Glen Myerscough
Trombone – Thurman Green
Trumpet – Allen Gregory
Violin – Bruce Hoag (tracks: B5)
Vocals – Bryan Duncan, Randy Thomas, Rick Thomson

Companies, etc.
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music

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Checo Tohomaso – Keep In Touch – 1985

Checo Tohomaso was a studio and touring musician for several R&B stars throughout the 70’s and 80’s. He has worked with the likes of Marvin Gaye, The Commodores, and Lionel Ritchie. He was in the band “Nova” who had a successful non gospel album in 1980. In 1985 Checo decided to release his own gospel album. Chico performed all the instruments on the album making it truly a solo effort. The album was well received and in his travels after putting out the album he ended up in Vancouver Canada for Expo 86. He continues his ministry in Vancouver Canada doing both music teaching as well as preaching the gospel.

Tracklist
1 – Come On Children,Let’s Praise The Lord – 3:35
2 – Magnify The Lord – 3:56
3 – If You Ask Anything – 3:46
4 – Love,Joy,Peace,Kindness – 2:40
5 – Keep In Touch – 4:50
6 – True Love – 3:58
7 – Sing Hallelujah,Praise The Lord – 3:02
8 – Psalm 121 – 4:21
9 – Don’t Let The Devil Rip You Off – 3:50
10 – Thank You Jesus,I’m Free – 3:00

Credits
Bass – Checo Tohomaso
Co-producer – Robert Benson
Engineer – Robert Benson
Lead Vocals – Checo Tohomaso
Percussion – Checo Tohomaso
Photography – Rob D’Estrubé
Piano – Checo Tohomaso
Producer – Checo Tohomaso
Synth – Checo Tohomaso

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The Awakening – Sanctified – 1987

The Awakening were a group of lads from southern Ontario Canada. They came together in 84/85 and started doing some recording. In 1986 they set out to record a demo album later entitled “Two Worlds”. It was recorded in 16 tracks which was rare for a demo of that period by some unknown Canadian Christian band. The whole album was produced for $14,000. The boys went out and supported the album playing gigs where and when they could selling the demo album along the way. In early 1987 Reunion Records contacted the band with an interest in signing them. After a successful signing the band recorded two alternative tracks for the album but the other tracks were all just remixed from their demo. I believe that attests to the quality of that demo. This album is the result of all that work and it is an excellent New Wave/Pop album. This is another one I missed in the 80’s which is a pity because it is so good.

Tracklist
1 – You Can’t Hide – 4:06
2 – All You Need To Know – 3:33
3 – My Only Hope – 2:49
4 – Two Worlds – 5:04
5 – Distant Light – 4:09
6 – Turn Them Away – 3:28
7 – Fireside – 5:16
8 – The Only Way – 4:33
9 – The Forest – 5:32

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Heather Brown
Bass – Allan Powell
Co-producer – Glenn Koehler
Drums, Vocals – Mike Powell
Engineer – Andrew Horrocks, Lloyd Walker
Executive Producer – Dan Harrell, Jeff Moseley, Michael Blanton
Guitar, Vocals – Andrew Horrocks
Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Ian Tanner
Photography By – Deborah Samuel
Producer, Engineer – Richard J. Hutt

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Inner Lite – Rockin’ The Faith – 1986

This demo appears to be all we got from Inner Lite and I don’t really know much about them. It’s a standard heavy metal album with the quality of the band being pretty good. The production quality isn’t the best but that could be because of the source being a cassette. None of the band (or producer) went on to do anything more that I can find so this will go down as one of those late 80’s Heavy Metal projects that didn’t take off.

Tracklist
1 – Live Eternally
2 – Open Your Eyes
3 – Rockin’ The Faith
4 – Perfect Love

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Dan “Z-Man” Castro
Drums – Chris Powers (7)
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Nick Powers (3), Shiro Nobunaga
Lead Vocals – Billy Birkholz
Producer – Randy W. Brewer

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Stryken – First Strike – 1987

Stryken appeared in 1986 with a self released 12″ of Rock on/Surprise. They followed this up with this self released album in 1987. The band were originally called Stryker but changed their name for reasons unknown. The band was Dale Streiker (vocals, lead guitar), Stephen Strieker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Knight (drums), and Ezekiel Vade (bass guitar) though these names were all apparently stage names. In 2006 the album was released on CD by Girder records with “Surprise” as a bonus track. In 2009 Girder Records in conjunction with Retroactive Records released a CD Collectors Edition with 10 bonus tracks. Personally I liked these bonus tracks more than I liked the original album. The original album was a decidedly heavy metal affair but the bonus tracks had a far more commercial metal sound. In 1987 the band was detained by police at a Mötley Crüe concert in San Antonio, Texas for causing a disturbance. Apparently they went to the front of the stage with a large wooden cross while clad in full body armor attempting to spread an evangelical message. They were released without charge. The lead singer of the band (Stephen Hopkins) went on to be a Pastor in Texas and fathered 16 children.

Tracklist
1 – Crush The Head Of Satan
2 – One Way
3 – The Answer
4 – State Of Emergency
5 – First Strike
6 – Rock On
7 – The Young Men Have A Vision
8 – Riot
2006 CD Bonus Track
9 – Surprise
2009 Collectors Edition Bonus Tracks
10 – Blitzkrieg
11 – Look Away
12 – I’m Alright
13 – Need Your Love
14 – Circus Man
15 – Right Of Way
16 – Cross The Line
17 – Played
18 – It’s Over

Credits
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ezekiel Vade
Drums [Thunder Drums], Backing Vocals – Joey Knight
Engineer – Kevin Myers
Producer – Stryken
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Stephen Streiker
Vocals, Lead Guitar – Dale Streiker

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Third Coast Sound
Recorded At – Studio West, Austin, TX.
Recorded At – Studio D, Austin
Mixed At – Studio D, Austin

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2nd Chapter of Acts – Hymns – 1986

In 1986 2nd Chapter of Acts did something a little different for CCM at the time. They released an album of hymns. The hymns were updated so we could enjoy the harmonies of the band. The album was well received and in fact well enough that a second album of hymns was released in 1988. The hymns were updated enough to include more modern instruments but not enough to change the basic structures of them. It sounds strange to say but this was actually a little daring to do in CCM music at the time but it all worked out and actually turned out to be a great idea.

Tracklist
1 – All Creatures Of Our God And King – 2:58
2 – My Jesus I Love Thee – 4:52
3 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness – 4:04
4 – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – 2:40
5 – Crown Him With Many Crowns – 3:46
6 – Take My Life And Let It Be (Nottingham) – 1:45
7 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 5:33
8 – Fairest Lord Jesus – 3:47
9 – O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus – 4:08
10 – How Great Thou Art – 5:22
11 – He Has Formed Me – 1:39

Credits
Arranged By [Instrumental Arrangements] – John Andrew Schreiner
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – 2nd Chapter Of Acts
Art Direction, Concept By [Cover Concept] – Buddy Owens
Artwork [Back Cover] – Marty Justice
Artwork [Calligraphy] – Michael Stevens
Bass – Lee Jones
Design – Bradley Grose
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Greg Hunt
Guitar – Will McFarland (tracks: B2)
Keyboards – Schreiner*
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By [Altered Polaroid Photographs By] – Michael Going
Producer, Engineer – Buck Herring

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Live Oak Records
Copyright (c) – Live Oak Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Made By – Discovery Systems
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Mixed At – Easter Song Studios

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Bryn Haworth – Sunny Side of the Street – 1975

This is the second solo album from Bryn. He and his wife became Christians in 1974 and his subsequent albums reflected that in some way. This album was on a secular labels so it is not all in Christian content but there are Christian songs on the album. I had never heard any of Bryn’s work before “The Gap” so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the sound I had heard that I liked so much was present here on his earlier work. This is a great album and I think if you like “The Gap” you’ll love this earlier work of his.

Tracklist
1 – Good Job – 5:00
2 – Pick Me Up – 3:22
3 – Darlin’ Cory – 3:22
4 – Dance – 3:02
5 – Peace Of Mind – 2:55
6 – Give All You’ve Got To Give – 5:10
7 – Heaven Knows – 5:28
8 – The Sunny Side Of The Street – 2:30
9 – Used – 5:17
10 – Thank The Lord – 4:45

Credits
Bryn Haworth – Guitars, Vocals
Bruce Rowland – Drums
Alan Spenner – Bass
Chris Stainton – Piano, Organ
Dave Pegg – Bass
Dave Mattacks – Drums
Pete Wingfield – Piano
Pat Donaldson – Bass
Terry Stannard – Drums
Dave Swarbrick – Fiddle
Alan Munde – Banjo
Jimmy Mullen – Guitar
Tony O’malley – Piano

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