Ray Mansfield – Real 80s CCM

Trilojē – Trilojē – 1984

What if I told you there was an album with Joe English on drums, Dann Huff on guitar, and Steve Camp on Keyboards you would be very interested right? Well believe it or not this is that album but don’t get too excited because this album features three pretty well unknown artists. As near as I can figure out vocalists Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel, and Joan Anderson were background vocalists for Steve Camp and Steve decided to produce an album for them. Most of the crew for this album were from Steve’s crew and I can only imagine this was all envisioned by Steve. All that said regardless of this recipe for success this was a one off album that didn’t really sell all that well. First of all the name they chose was pretty poor. I assume it was some sort of play on there being 3 members in the “band”. The album is very strongly Easy Listening and is nothing remarkable. I don’t deny they are great vocalists but the album just doesn’t have a hook to keep you listening. It is a fairly good album but nothing remarkable.

Tracklist
1 – In All Your Ways – 3:28
2 – Break Away – 3:04
3 – Lead Me To Life – 3:43
4 – Stolen Love – 3:12
5 – One Heart – 2:45
6 – Light Your Candle – 4:10
7 – Faith By Faith – 3:02
8 – Strong Love – 3:10
9 – Capture My Heart – 3:28
10 – Down The Road – 2:36

Credits
Basses – Tim Smith
Drums & Percussion – Joe English
Engineered by – Hank Newberger, Wally Grant, Peter Braden & Paul Klingberg
Executive Producer – Steve Wyer
Guitars – Dann Huff, Jeff Oliver, George Cocchini & Paul Brannon
Produced by – Steve Camp
Sax Solo – Dennis Solee
String Arrangements – John Rosasco
Synthesizers – Rhett Lawrence, John Rosasco & Steve Camp
Vocals & Vocal Arrangements by Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel & Joan Anderson

Companies, etc.
Recorded at The Gold Mine, Nashville, TN & Chicago Recording Co., Chicago, IL.
Additional Recording at Weddington Studio, North Hollywood, CA
Mixed at Chicago Recording Co., Chicago, IL.
Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc, North Hollywood, CA

Michael Card – The Beginning – 1989

The 9th studio album from Michael Card is another like the others. That’s not as negative as it sounds as this was the magic that Card did. He put out albums very consistently and every one had great tracks so his fans constantly had new material to listen to. This album was successful with 3 charting CCM hits. Jubilee made it to #1, Lift Up The Suffering Symbol to #5, and They Called Him Laughter to #15. You just can’t argue with the success Card had. Anyway not much more to say about the album, if you like Card you will like this album. If you’re not a fan of easy listening than this one isn’t for you.

Tracklist
1 – The Beginning – 5:03
2 – In The Wilderness – 3:11
3 – Jubilee – 2:42
4 – Lift Up The Suffering Symbol – 3:32
5 – The Word Is So Near – 2:17
6 – Meditation #3 Shema – 4:13
7 – God Will Provide A Lamb – 4:06
8 – They Called Him Laughter – 3:05
9 – Asleep On Holy Ground – 5:15
10 – A Face That Shone – 3:21
11 – Barocha – 2:43

Credits
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Alan Moore, Bergen White
Art Direction – Barbara Hearn
Concertmaster, Directed By [Director] – Gavyn Wright
Conductor [The Ambrosian Singers And Orchestra] – Bergen White
Design – Larry Vigon
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Barry Dixon, John Kunz
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Musician, Acoustic Guitar – Michael Card
Musician, Bass – Craig Nelson, Gary Lunn
Musician, Drum Programming – Gary Lunn
Musician, Drums, Percussion – Paul Leim
Musician, Piano – Michael Card, Phil Naish
Musician, Synthesizer – Phil Naish
Photography By [Front Cover Photography] – Merlyn Rosenberg
Photography By [Photography Of Michael Card] – Mark Tucker
Producer – Norbert Putnam
Recorded By, Mixed By – JB , Norbert Putnam, Willie Pevear
Vocals [Vocalists] – Ashley Cleveland, Bergen White, Michael Card, The Ambrosian Singers

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Produced For – Mole End Productions
Recorded At – Digital Recorders
Recorded At – Abbey Road Studios
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Word Music (UK)
Published By – Whole Armor Publishing
Published By – LITA Music
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Distributed By – Pila Music
Distributed By – 3XM
Distributed By – Finngospel
Distributed By – Sephora Diffusion
Distributed By – Emmaus
Distributed By – GMI Records (3)
Distributed By – Filadelfia Forlag
Distributed By – La Sorgente Music
Distributed By – Master Music (5)
Distributed By – Grace Music (2)
Distributed By – Master-Vision-S.A.
Distributed By – Viva Music (4)
Distributed By – Kir Music
Printed By – Sleeveprint
Made By – Sleeveprint
Pressed By – CBS, Haarlem

Paul Smith – Back To Who I Am – 1989

This is Paul’s 3rd solo album after leaving the Imperials and his 5th solo album over all. While he had tons of success I think this might be his most successful album as far as chart positioning goes. The album had 4 charting singles, “Back To Who I Am”, “It’s Alright”, “Bigger Than Life”, and “Beat Of A Different Heart”, all of which singled at #2 or #3. To have 4 singles in the top 3 is absolutely stunning. He also had a great studio band for this album including Paul Brannon (Joe English Band) and Gary Lunn (White Heart). As for the album well it’s a rather light Pop album in the similar vein as the Imperials at the time. When I see an album titled “Back To Who I Am” I always wonder what the artist was thinking at the time. This was well after he left the Imperials and he had a good relationship with them so I don’t think it referred to that so I’m just left to wonder. So this is a pretty good album, not really my style but I appreciate a good album in any style.

Tracklist
1 – Back To Who I Am – 5:36
2 – Beat Of A Different Heart – 5:17
3 – Bigger Than Life – 5:31
4 – Silence Isn’t Golden Anymore – 6:08
5 – Homesick For Eden – 4:47
6 – The Lion Roars – 5:15
7 – It’s Alright – 5:21
8 – Comforter – 4:44
9 – Hunger And Thirst – 5:01
10 – So Satisfied – 4:44

Credits
Arranged By – Joe Hogue
Art Direction – Terri Short
Backing Vocals – Joe Hogue, Marabeth Jordan, Marsha Wells, Michelle Wagner, Paul Smith
Bass – Gary Lunn
Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Drums – Jonathan David Brown
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
Keyboards – Joe Hogue
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Eric Darken
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Mixed At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix
Made By – Discovery Systems

Scott Smith – Face To Face – 1984

To say I was surprised by this album is an understatement. This is a funk-jazz album which is most definitely not my preferred genre but I love this album. The production on this album is one of the best I have heard from this era which is why I think the album appeals to me so much. Scott is an all around musician but he really stands out on trumpet on this album. This is one of those odd albums where the titled artist doesn’t provide vocals. All the vocalists are guest performers and I think every one of them nailed it. Even though Scott would appear on over 100 albums this is his only personal album. This is such a great album I am amazed they didn’t try it again but I don’t know how well it sold so maybe low sales were the problem. Too bad because I for one would like more.

Tracklist
1 – Leave It Up To Him – 4:59
2 – You’re Too Late – 3:54
3 – The Vision – 4:07
4 – Face To Face – 4:58
5 – What Happened – 4:08
6 – Give Him Thanks – 3:45
7 – Set Free – 4:16
8 – The Prince Of The Dark – 4:20
9 – What You Mean To Me – 4:58

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – James Harrah
Background Vocals – Alfie Silas, Carvin Winans, Debbie McClendon, Edith Lyons, Howard McCrary, Howard Smith, Ivory Stone, Linda McCrary, Ronald Winans, Shari Larson
Bass – Abraham Laboriel Sr, Leon Gaer
Drums – Bill Maxwell, Lynn Coulter, Willie Ornelas
Drums (programming) – Scott V Smith
Guitar James Harrah, Snuffy Walden
Keyboards – Kevin Bassinson, Michael Ruff, Scott V Smith
Percussion – Alex Acuna, Bill Maxwell, Lynn Coulter
Programming – Rhett Lawrence
Sax – Eric Marienthal
Synthesizer – Rhett Lawrence
Trombone – Alan Kaplan, Andy Martin
Trumpet – Charles Davis, Larry Hall, Scott Smith
Vocals – Benjamin Winans, Howard Smith, Marvin Winans, Michael Ruff, Stephen Tavani, Vonda Shepard
Woodwinds – Kim Hutchcroft

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Libris Music

Divine Right – Powerchange – 1988

This is the second self released album from Kevin Brandow recording as Divine Right. Again he played all of the instruments and recorded it himself. He had Dave Hoffis help him with the mix and while the mix is good the final production is not that great. We have done our best to make it a little better quality but there’s only so much you can do with a 30 some year old cassette. As for the album I think it’s better than his first album showing some maturity in his guitar playing and if I had to pick a favourite track I would go for the title track as it has the most commercially viable sound. Kevin would go on to do a stint with Petra so his skills were recognized in the industry but for some reason he couldn’t get together with a record company for his own work. Really too bad because I would have liked to hear a polished commercial album from him. There is one odd thing about this album in that the final track, that is just a series of guitar solos, did not appear on all copies of the cassette. I don’t know if this was a technical error or something intentional but it’s interesting.

Tracklist
1 – White Hammer
2 – All I’ve Got
3 – Powerchange
4 – The Force Within
5 – Love Won Another
6 – Too Hot To Touch
7 – Lumen Naturale
8 – On My Way
9 – The Pearl
10 – Holy Smokes

Credits
Instruments and vocals – Kevin Brandow
Vocals on “Love Won Another” – Dave Hoffis
Producer – Kevin Brandow, Dave Hoffis
Recorded and mixed – Dave Hoffis, Kevin Brandow,
Cover design – Mike Bennet

Trace Balin – Here And Now – 1989

As Trace’s first album started to hit the charts Dayspring got her back in the studio ASAP. They could tell the first album was going to take off so they wanted a second album out there as quick as possible. This album proved she wasn’t a one album wonder as this one also hit the charts. It had 3 top 20 singles with “Well Done” making it to #10, “Never Let It Be Said” to #19, and “Eye Of The Hurricane” to #8. Not quite as successful as her debut but nothing to sneeze at. The album is very similar and I’m relatively sure the record company chose the songs from their library but Trace did get some cowriting credits this album. That said the songs were solid pop choices and it’s another great album if you enjoy female pop. Funny that history would hold Trace out as a great blues singer but at this point in her career it was all pop all the time. That said I am listening to her albums in order so maybe I’ll start to hear a transition in the next two albums.

Tracklist
1 – Here And Now – 3:50
2 – Well Done – 4:55
3 – If I Don’t Have Love – 4:11
4 – Eye Of The Hurricane – 3:47
5 – Never Let It Be Said – 4:31
6 – When The Well Runs Dry – 5:15
7 – Jesus At The Heart – 3:54
8 – Just Between You And Me – 3:50
9 – All Hail The Power – 4:44
10 – Why Me – 3:33

Credits
Arranged By – Carl Marsh
Art Direction [Cover Coordination] – Amy Linde
Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz, Greg Hall, Michael Sandifer, Trace Balin
Bass Guitar – Gary Lunn
Design – McConnell Graphics
Drums, Drum Programming – Jonathan David Brown
Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
Keyboards [Fairlight 3] – Carl Marsh
Management – Richard Painter
Mastered By – Ken Love
Percussion – Eric Darken
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – DADC – DIDX-007094
Recorded At – Johnny DB’s Basement
Mixed At – Johnny DB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix

Rachel Rachel – Way To My Heart – 1991

I didn’t listen to this album back in the 90’s so when I saw them referred to as a rock band I was interested to hear it. Are they a rock band? Well they have some rock oriented tracks but I would be very hesitant to call them a rock band. Often these female “rock” bands are tossed together by record companies but not in this case. I wouldn’t say they were an organic band but they were a true girl band. The band came to be when bass player Jennifer York moved to California with the intent of forming a girl band. She found all the members except a drummer and produced a demo and started the “looking for a label” process. Billy Smiley heard the demo and worked with the band to get this first album out. At this point they found their drummer and the album was cut. As I said the album was marketed as a rock album and yes there are a few rock tracks but much of it is rather typical of female vocalists of the era. This is not however a real criticism because I thin it’s a pretty good album but I would have liked to have heard a little more edge. My suspicion is that the record company had them turn it down a couple notches. I did see a live clip from them in 1994 and it was definitely turned up a couple notches and had a real Heart feel. Anyway the album has a fun cover of “Carry On Wayward Son”, which also has a music video and I kind of like it. The rest of the album is hit and miss but I really liked “David’s Dance” also.

Tracklist
1 – There Ain’t Enough Love – 3:54
2 – Carry On Wayward Son – 4:41
3 – Outside Looking In – 3:31
4 – In The River – 5:15
5 – Something Of You – 4:32
6 – The Way To My Heart – 4:18
7 – Long Lost Love – 4:45
8 – I Will Stand By You – 4:45
9 – David’s Dance (The Shim Sham) – 3:46
10 – Papa Can You Hear Me? – 5:16
11 – Rain On Me – 5:40

Credits
Art Direction – Amy Linde, Bill Brunt
Bass – Jennifer York
Drums, Percussion – Jenny Sparks
Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Brynn Beltran
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Heli Sterner
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Cheryl Jewel
Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Edited By [Editing By] – Carlos Grier
Engineer [2nd Engineer, Bennett House] – Shawn McLean
Engineer [2nd Engineer, Mama Jo’s] – Chris Morris
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Mixed By – Jeff Balding, Lee Groitzsch
Photography By – Aaron Rapoport
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Billy Smiley
Recorded By [Overdubs Recorded By] – Lee Groitzsch
Recorded By [Tracks Recorded By] – Ronnie Brookshire
Synthesizer [Fairlight Keyboard Sequencing] – Carl Marsh
Technician [Drum Tech] – Chris McHugh
Technician [Guitar Tech] – Brian Wooten

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Overdubbed At – Midtown Tone & Volume
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – OmniSound Studios
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
Published By – Beings From The Sky Music Inc.
Published By – Otherwise Publishing
Published By – Almo Music Corp.
Published By – Word Music (2)
Published By – EMI Blackwood Music Inc.
Published By – Don Kirshner Music, Inc.
Published By – Britt-N-Brenn Music
Published By – Little Dude Music
Published By – Keeling & Co.
Published By – Lorimar Music Bee Corp.
Published By – Crazy Eights
Published By – Tall Hair Music
Pressed By – Denon Digital Industries

Various – White Metal Invasion – 1989

This is a great metal sampler from E & E Records which is in some way connected with the band Armada. Nice selection of lesser known metal bands here including 2 previously unreleased tracks. We’ve compiled a tracklist of the origin of the tracks;

1 – Divine Right – All I Got – From 1988 independent release “Powerchange”
2 – Chariot – Truth – From the 1987 release “Step Into Light”
3 – Emerald – Battle Ground – Unreleased until the 2022 release “Demo 1984”
4 – Xalt – The Cross – From the 1988 release “Dark War”
5 – 7th Angel – I Will See You In Heaven – From 1988 independent release “7th Angel”
6 – Armada – Suicide – From the 1988 release “Black & White”
7 – Seraiah – C’mon Get Up! – Unreleased elsewhere
8 – Full Armor – White Knights – From 1988 independent release “4-Song E.P.”
9 – Soldier – Louder Than Hell – From 1988 independent release “Babylon”
10 – Taker – Look Into His Eyes – Unreleased until the 2014 release “It Is Finished”
11 – Angelica – Follow Me, Follow Him – Unreleased elsewhere
12 – Apostle – I Am Persuaded – From 1988 independent release “Hymns”

Heather & Kirsten – Betcha Didn’t Know – 1990

Sisters Heather & Kirsten Ostrom actually started out their music career by singing the national anthem at sports events. I can honestly say that this is probably the only CCM group that got their start that way. In 1985, they recorded a Christmas tape called “Christmas Joy” which caught the attention of artist/producer Roby Duke. Yes we looked for a copy with no luck. Anyway eventually Arcade records came calling and Roby Duke produced a track for a Arcade Records Sampler. It was well received so they headed back into the studio to record the rest of this album. Unfortunately this would be their only album and while Heather moved on to other things in life but Kirsten continued her career in music as Kirsten Wenlock and is still in the business today. As for the album it’s a dance pop album that is probably a little over produced but that was the style on almost all Pop Dance albums of the period. Not really my style but it’s a fun listen that many will like and I’m pretty sure they would have had more albums if Arcade Records hadn’t have been shut down.

Tracklist
1 – Move – 3:37
2 – Evidence – 3:38
3 – Faith Hope Love Dance – 3:50
4 – Shock 2 U – 4:30
5 – So What – 3:35
6 – Some Sweet Boy – 2:41
7 – Pourin’ Rain – 4:05
8 – The Other Side – 3:46
9 – Betcha Didn’t Know – 4:37
10 – If I Were To Say – 4:20

The Nelons – In One Accord – 1985

This is the first album after Rex changed the name of the band from The Rex Nelon Singers to The Nelons. This was a pretty good idea as the band was struggling to attract younger fans with their previous name but this name made it “okay” for the younger fans to buy their albums. That said the album cover was a bad choice. While the font and design has hip and new the picture of the members on the front screamed 1977. Anyway that aside let’s talk about the album. This one is pretty good, probably the best one I’ve heard from the though I haven’t listened to them all yet. It touches on the southern gospel style without over doing it. I’d actually say they quite nailed the right balance. The opening track could have made it on a mixed tape for me. Pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – God’s Way Up – 2:38
2 – Alleluia To The Lamb – 4:42
3 – We Shall Overcome – 2:25
4 – There Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down – 4:07
5 – What In The World (Are You Waiting For?) – 2:35
6 – God Bless The U.S.A. – 3:12
7 – The Sweetest Song – 3:36
8 – If Jesus Is There – 2:09
9 – I Love Him – 3:03
10 – Don’t Give Up – 2:45

Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bergen White, Lari Goss
Art Direction – Jackson Design
Bass – Jack Williams, Mike Brignardello
Drums – Clay Caire, Clyde Brooks, Hayward Bishop, James Stroud
Engineer [Additional] – Joe Funderburk, Joe Scaife, Lee Peterzell
Engineer, Mixed By [Digitally] – Rick McCollister
Guitar – Brent Rowan, Joe Huffman, Pete Bordonali
Harmonica – Terry McMillan
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Dean Dixon
Piano – Bobby Ogdin, Dave Huntsinger, Gary Prim, Shane Keister
Producer – Ken Harding
Steel Guitar – Sonny Garrish
Strings – The A Strings
Vocals – Karen Peck, Kelly Nelon Clark, Jerry Thompson, Todd Nelon, Rex Nelon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Published By – Word Music
Recorded At – Woodland Studios
Recorded At – Creative Workshop
Recorded At – The Music Mill, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Soundshop Recording Studios
Recorded At – Knob Hill Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – △26891