Author: Ray Mansfield

One of the founding cowboys of Real 80s CCM. Been listening to this stuff since 1978.

Rick Cua – Midnight Sun – 1989

This was Rick’s last real Rock & Roll album. Subsequent albums to this one too a far more easy listening sound. This however is a pretty good Rock & Roll album and personally is one of my favourite album from him. Rick was joined by his usual studio musicians including Keith Thomas whose keyboard work I always enjoy. I really hate to just classify this as “another Rick Cua” album because it’s quite good but there’s just not a lot to say about this album. Rick had making an album down to an art at this point so you knew you were going to get a great album if you bought one of his albums from this era. Probably the highlight of the album for me is Young Boy Young Girl on which he is joined by Rebecca Sparks wife of Greg Sparks on vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Streetwise – 3:45
2 – I Can I Will – 4:09
3 – Young Boy Young Girl – 4:13
4 – I’ll Be Satisfied – 4:26
5 – Dedicated – 3:33
6 – Somethin’ You Got – 3:35
7 – No Man Will Know – 3:43
8 – Plenty Of Love – 4:11
9 – Tear Down The Walls – 3:17
10 – The Lost Can Still Be Found – 3:30

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drum Programming, Percussion, Keyboards [Additional] – Tom Hemby
Arranged By – Tom Hemby
Backing Vocals – Bob Halligan Jr., Jimmy Lee, Kim Fleming, Michael Mishaw, Ron Hemby, Vickie Hampton
Drums, Percussion – Mike Mead
Engineer – Bill Deaton
Guitar – Dave Perkins
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Keith Thomas
Producer – Tom Hemby
Vocals, Bass – Rick Cua
Vocals – Rebecca Ed Sparks

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records

David Payton – I Got Wise – 1991

After Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart called it quits most of the band seemed to disappear. Guitarist David Payton however did release one solo album. It looks like this was a from scratch project as not one of his previous bandmates seemed to be involved. The album is a little scattered with pop, rock, blues, and even a country oriented song. Annoyingly all of these styles are very well done and I think David could have done a whole album in any of these styles. Unfortunately because of all the differing styles the album really doesn’t flow which is an absolute pity because there is some real talent here. Anyway this was all we got from David but it’s well worth listening to, I for one would have liked to hear some more from him.

Tracklist
1 – He Can – 3:36
2 – I Got Wise – 3:41
3 – Preacherman – 3:21
4 – Oh Where Is The Love – 3:52
5 – Where Do I Go From Here – 4:48
6 – For All That You’ve Done – 3:26
7 – Heaven Is Where I’ll Go – 2:58
8 – Great To Be Alive (Feeling) – 4:14
9 – Gospel Light – 4:40
10 – Fire And Brimstone Blues – 5:12

Novella – One Big Sky – 1991

This is the introductory album from Novella. We were first introduced to them on the 1988 Pure Metal sampler, The Axemen. I knew when I heard their track I wanted to hear more. Unfortunately we had to wait until 1991 for that album. It looks like they couldn’t come to a deal with Pure Metal as this album was on Star Song. If you were waiting for this album you weren’t disappointed. It is a solid Rock offering with just a few hints of Metal. I can’t find any info on the origins of the band so we will just have to be happy with listening to the album. My takeaway track is “Lay It On Me”, it’s on my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Do We Just Surrender – 4:37
2 – Running Home – 5:00
3 – Fire Eyes – 6:05
4 – I Need You – 5:16
5 – Whispers In The Night – 4:24
6 – Give Me Love – 4:51
7 – Lay It On Me (Intro) – 0:39
8 – Lay It On Me – 3:49
9 – Who Are We To Say – 4:04
10 – Sweet Rising Sun – 5:08
11 – Big Sky – 5:28

Credits
A&R [A&R Support] – Dez Dickerson
Backing Vocals – Arlene Kinsey, Darlene Haynes, Diedre James
Backing Vocals [Additional], Backing Vocals [Gang “Whoooos”] – Suzanne Pagano
Backing Vocals [Gang “Whoooos”] – Novella
Bass, Vocals – Jon Spinola
Co-producer, Mixed By [Assistant] – Jonathan Pagano
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Adam Gibson
Guitar [On Almost Every Song], Backing Vocals [Gang “Whoooos”] – Steve Paul
Illustration, Artwork [Sculpture], Artwork [Logos] – David DeVries
Keyboards – Plinky Giglio
Layout – Jeff Spencer
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Jonathan Pagano
Mastered By – Dennis Ferrante
Photography – Michael Berry
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Plinky Giglio
Vocals [Intro Vocal], Backing Vocals – Henry “Solo” Gilliam
Written-By – John Citorelli, Jonathan Pagano, Steve Paul

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Trax East
Mixed At – Trax East
Recorded At – Omega Mix Recording Studios
Mastered At – BMG Studios, NY
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Record Company – Star Song Communications
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Terry Ross Altman – Crosswalk – 1977

Here’s a self produced and released gem from 1977. The album is a mix of Jesus music and progressive rock with one of the more progressive tracks being over 10 minutes long. Interestingly Terry was able to get Greg Hough (Petra) to join him on a few tracks. Greg played the solos, on Anthem and Crosswalk, and a little bit at the end of Let God Arise but other than that the entire album is Terry. The first time I listened to this album I really got that old Petra vibe but after I was lucky enough to have a chat with Terry I decided to re-listen to the album and quite frankly it stands alone. The must hear track is “Theopsychosophy Blues” which is a great fun track and did get some limited airplay. This was all we ever got from Terry who told me he had written a second album but was called to spoken word ministry before the album got any further. Pity, I for one would have liked to have heard more from him.

Tracklist
1 – Anthem – 6:45
2 – Glory In This – 5:33
3 – Theopsychosophy Blues – 1:34
4 – Let God Arise – 6:19
5 – So Much Joy – 2:46
6 – Crosswalk – 6:11
7 – Under Your Hands (Play Me) – 11:07

Credits
Bass – John Nanos
Design – Dona Nanos
Drums – Ed Kotowski
Guitar – Greg Hough
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – Terry Ross Altman
Photography By – Henry Posner
Producer [Assistant] – Rich Riehl
Producer [Assistant], Mixed By – Gary Hedden
Saxophone – Jim Koerber
Vocals – Carla Thompson
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Claudia Porter
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer – Terry Ross Altman

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Spiritsword Music, Inc.
Mixed At – Hedden West Studios

Mylon & Broken Heart – Crank It Up – 1990

Unfortunately this is the final album for Mylon & Broken Heart. Mylon did put out one more album in 1992 but this was really the last show for them. Mylon was still recovering from his heart attack in 1989 but the band did tour in support of this album so it doesn’t look like it was a messy breakup. Instead it looks like they went out as friends. The band didn’t do much after this though guitarist David Payton did release an album in 1991 which I just got my hands on but have not listened to yet. As for this album it’s yet another excellent Rock & Roll album that we came to expect of them. In fact I think this album may have some of their best Rock tunes. If you only have time for one track I truly recommend “World Changer” which is a kicker Rock & Roll track.

Tracklist
1 – Crank It Up – 3:44
2 – Denomination Demolition – 3:18
3 – New Attitude – 3:53
4 – Letter From The Front – 4:51
5 – Give It Away – 4:27
6 – Shower The People – 4:03
7 – Dancing In The Light – 3:05
8 – Heaven – 4:06
9 – World Changer – 3:39
10 – Going Home – 4:41

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Mike McCarty
Backing Vocals – Michael Gleason
Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Bentley
Drum Programming – Scott Meeder
Drums – Ben Hewitt
Engineer – Jeff Brugger, Joe Neal, Kurt Bush, Larry Rust, Ricky Keller, Russ Fowler, Tag George
Engineer, Guitar – Sonny Lallerstedt
Engineer, Mixed By, Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Joe Hardy
Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Trent Argante
Keyboards – Oliver Wells
Keyboards, Programmed By – Cheryl Rogers
Keyboards, Vocals – Marshall Pratt
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Percussion – John Hampton
Photography By – Jimmy Collins
Producer – Joe Hardy, Scott Allen
Producer, Vocals – Mylon LeFevre
Vocals [Rock Vocal Ululation And Terpsichore] – The Techless Abandon Men’s Chorus

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Country Road Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Recorded At – Twelve Oaks Studio
Recorded At – Southern Tracks
Recorded At – Doppler Studios
Recorded At – Southern Living At Its Finest
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Dan Peek – Electro Voice – 1986

This was Dan’s third solo album and easily his most successful. The first single “Lonely People” reached #2 on the contemporary Christian music chart. Rather oddly this was actually a cover of his song he wrote and performed with his original group, America, in 1975. The second single “Electro-Voice” also charted on the CCM Adult chart. As for the album it’s a pretty good pop album. Somehow I missed this one in the 80’s which is too bad as I think I would have really liked it.

Tracklist
1 – Electro-Voice – 4:09
2 – A New Song – 3:08
3 – Solid Ground – 2:30
4 – Not My Will – 4:00
5 – Lonely People – 2:56
6 – His Master’s Voice – 2:42
7 – I’ll Be Coming Home – 3:45
8 – Open Up Your Heart – 3:26
9 – The Rapture – 3:16
10 – All Things Work Together For Good – 3:41

Debby Boone – With My Song – 1980

This was Debby’s first foray into Christian music. As with most things she did it was very successful. She had also recorded and released a secular album the same year. For most artists this would be a lot of work but keep in mind these songs are all put together then Debby just comes in and cuts the vocal track. While not the most effort it is a recipe for success for many female artists. Speaking of success this album received a Dove Awards for Best Album by a Secular Artist and a Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance. The album was pretty dull for me but lets be clear this isn’t my style. The closing track is a bit of a surprise as it’s a Dylan cover that also came out in 1980. It’s a pretty good cover, not my style but well done.

Tracklist
1 – Sweet Adoration – 2:52
2 – If Ever – 4:32
3 – With Every Breath – 2:20
4 – With My Song – 4:38
5 – I Am Stone – 4:32
6 – Lord, I Believe – 3:17
7 – Morningstar – 4:43
8 – A New Song – 3:33
9 – A Twenty-Third Psalm – 2:48
10 – Holy Father – 3:59
11 – Sixty Second Sonata – 1:22
12 – What Can I Do For You – 2:58

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Billy Capps, Billy Walker, Don Roth, Johnny Christopher, Pete Bordaneli, Steve Kara
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Leland Sklar
Drums – Paul Leim
Electric Guitar – Billy Walker, Tim May
Harp – Cindy Reynolds
Horns – Bill Puett, Denis Solee, Dennis Good, Don Sheffield, Eberhard Roman, George Tidwell, Ricky Ricks
Oboe – Bob Taylor
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Piano – John Hobbs, Larry Muhoberac
Producer – Brown Bannister
Strings – Shelley Kurland
Synthesizer – Shane Keister

Companies, etc.
Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Erick Nelson – Picking Up The Pieces – 1980

Erick released this greatest hits package in 1980. It features his work as a solo artist as well as his work with band Good News and Michele Pillar. There is one fresh track on the album “Jesus Is Calling”. Of note on the album is his and Michelle’s cover of “LOve Hurts” that we usually identify as a Nazareth song though actually it was first releasd by the Everly Brothers. The following is the original source of the tracks;
1, 5 – Good News – Good News
2 – Various – Maranatha! 2
3, 6 – Erick Nelson – Flow River Flow
4 – The Maranatha Singers – The Praise Album
8, 9, 10 – Erick Nelson And Michele Pillar – The Misfit
11 – Various – Hosanna
Track 7 recorded for this compilation.

Tracklist
1 – Good News – Picking Up The Pieces
2 – Erick Nelson – He Lives
3 – Erick Nelson – Soldiers Of The Cross
4 – The Maranatha Singers – Set My Spirit Free
5 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – Jimmy
6 – Erick Nelson – Flow River Flow
7 – Erick Nelson – Jesus Is Calling
8 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – Martyr Song
9 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – Love Hurts/He Gave Me Love
10 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – The Misfit
11 – Erick Nelson – Fairest Lord Jesus

Credits
Artwork, Design – Neal Buchanan
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Bill Batstone, Darrell Cook, Erick Nelson, Henry Davis, John Belles
Cover, Photography By – Gary Null
Drums – Bill Maxwell, David Diggs, John Mehler, John Raines, Keith Edwards, Mike Fickling
Electric Piano – Erick Nelson
Engineer – Bill Taylor, Buddy King, Chris Taylor, Dan Willard, Jonathan Brown, Marc Piscitelli
Guitar – Craig Stevens, Hadley Hockensmith, John Wickham, Randy Mitchell
Piano – Erick Nelson, Harlan Rogers
Producer – Erick Nelson, Good News, Harlan Rogers, Jonathan Brown, Lenny Roberts, Peter Jacobs, Tom Stipe, Tom Coomes
Vocals – Erick Nelson

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Recorded At – Larrabee Sound Studios
Recorded At – Maranatha! Studio
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Remixed At – Maranatha! Studio
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Erick Nelson
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Published By – Maranatha Music
Published By – House Of Bryant Publishing

Two Hearts – Stand Your Ground – 1992

Two Hearts are the husband and wife team of Michael Hodge and Carrie McDowell. Michael was a very talented studio musician and Carrie had released an album on Motown records in 1987 and actually had a top 40 hit with “Uh Uh, No, No Casual Sex”. Carrie next showed up in 1989 on a Maranatha! Music sampler with a fantastic cover version of Randy Stonehill’s “Shut De Do” which was the song that started my hunt to learn more about her. This is a solid pop album and Carrie handles most the vocal work and Michael mainly handles the guitar work but does supply some vocals. Definitely well worth a listen if you missed it back in the 90’s.

Tracklist
1 – Hold On Me – 4:03
2 – Celebrate New Life – 3:54
3 – Stand Your Ground – 4:06
4 – Holy Fire – 3:38
5 – Miracles – 3:33
6 – Promise Me Tonight – 4:40
7 – Are You Ready? – 3:29
8 – Heaven Help Me – 3:40
9 – Teach Me How – 3:25
10 – Heaven Help Me (Instrumental Mix) – 2:23

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson
Backing Vocals – Carrie Hodge, Cris Willis, Guy Penrod, Michael Hodge, Robert Street, Vicky Hampton, Yvonne Hodges
Bass, Drums, Keyboards – Brian Tankersley
Creative Director – Toni Thigpen
Design – L. Franke
Executive-Producer – Jeff Moseley
Guitar, Vocals – Michael Hodge
Keyboards [Additional] – Bo Cooper, Don Koch, John Andrew Schreiner, Michael James, Paul Mills, Phil Kristianson
Lead Vocals – Carrie Hodge
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Brian Tankersley
Recorded By, Mixed By – Brian Tankersley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Designed At – Jackson Design
Produced For – GBT Music
Recorded At – GBT Studio
Recorded At – Quad Recording Studios
Recorded At – Reflections Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Allies Recording Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Mastered At – Mastermix

Fletch Wiley – Nightwatch – 1981

I knew Fletch better as a producer than a performer. In fact I had no idea he had even released any albums until I stumbled on this one. While I absolutely love his work as a producer I’m not so excited with his performer role. It’s not that this album is bad it’s just that it’s not that good. I have seen this quite a few times when a producer tries to release their own album. That said the album is a little more easy listening than the cover would imply though the trumpet should have gave it away. The album has covers of both “Are You Ready?” by Pacific Gas & Electric and People Get Ready by The Impressions/Curtis Mayfield. Both covers are okay but nothing special. Of course after Darrell Mansfield covered People Get Ready all other covers pale in comparison.

Tracklist
1 – Fiesta – 6:30
2 – Are You Ready – 3:53
3 – Started Right – 4:01
4 – I Am That I Am – 3:51
5 – Nightwatch – 6:14
6 – People Get Ready – 4:30
7 – Joy Dance – 4:31
8 – On My Way Home – 5:53

Credits
Backing Vocals – Andrae Crouch, Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, The McCrary’s
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Brian Tankersley
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Flute, Clavinet – Fletch Wiley
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry McPherson
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, Larry Muhoberac
Mastered By – Greg Calbi
Mixed By – Brian Tankersley, Fletch Wiley
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Producer, Arranged By – Fletch Wiley
Synthesizer – Paul Mills

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Star Song Records
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records