Ray Mansfield – Page 103

Bloodgood – Live Volume 1 – Alive In America – 1990

Michael Bloodgood and the rest of the Bloodgood gang hit us with this excellent Live album recorded at Lincoln Auditorium In their hometown of Seattle, Washington. This album was also available in a video format and apparently it was quite the show. This is Volume 1 of a 2 part series of this concert. Michael really shines in the live environment and I think his vocals are actually better live then studio. The album is very well mixed which is usually pretty tricky on live albums but the engineer really pulled it off on this one. If you want your favorite Bloodood tunes turned up to 12 this is the album for you.

Tracklist
1 – Out Of The Darkness – 3:54
2 – Do Or Die – 2:23
3 – It’s Alright – 4:01
4 – Hey You! – 4:15
5 – Alone In Suicide – 4:06
6 – She’s Gone – 4:12
7 – Heaven On Earth – 3:43
8 – Shakin’ It – 2:49
9 – Soldier Of Peace – 3:35
10 – America – 3:50
11 – Never Be The Same – 3:45
12 – Medley – 5:50
Demon On The Run
Killing The Beast
Battle Of The Flesh
Black Snake

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Angel Kinssies, Dan Grant, David Schueller, Ed Robinson, Eric Beaver, Joyce Carlsen, Kara Murphy, Marilyn Bloodgood, Michael Bloodgood, Paul Jackson, Roger Cleven, Teri Tamas
Bass Guitar – Michael Bloodgood
Drums – Kevin Whisler
Engineer – Tom Hall
Executive Producer – Steve White
Lead Guitar – Paul Jackson
Lead Vocals – Les Carlsen
Mixed By – Tom Hall
Photography By – Karen Moskowitz
Producer – Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood
Written-By – David Zaffiro (tracks: A5 to B2, B6.1 to B6.3), James W. Taylor (tracks: B6.3), Kevin Whisler (tracks: A3), Les Carlsen (tracks: A2, A3, A4, A6, B1, B2, B4, B5), Michael Bloodgood (tracks: A1 to A4, B3 to B5, B6.4), Paul Jackson (19) (tracks: A3,B6.1)

Sheila Walsh – War Of Love – 1983

In my opinion this was the best album from Sheila. Keep in mind I am very Rock/Pop oriented. This album was much more pop than her previous work and after this album she seemed to settle into the easy listening category. As I sat down to re-listen to this album for the first time in probably 35 years I was quite surprised how poppy this album was. For some reason her easy listening albums stick out in my head but really it should have been this one. The album did spawned two singles. Mystery peaked at #19 and, Star Song made it to # 21. Really this album deserved to do better.

Tracklist
1 – Turn, Turn, Turn, – 3:59
2 – Mystery – 3:26
3 – Sunset Skies – 4:36
4 – Private Life – 3:28
5 – Yes He Lives – 4:05
6 – Fooled By A Feelin’ – 3:45
7 – Star Song – 3:40
8 – Sleepwalking – 4:01
9 – Lonely When The Lights Go On – 3:10
10 – Fighter – 5:08

Credits
Kirk Allen – Songwriter
Keith Bessey – Engineer
Terry Britten – Songwriter
Sammy Brown – Background Vocals
Vicki Brown – Background Vocals
John Clark – Guitar
Clem Clemson – Guitar
Mel Collins – Sax
David P. Cook – Songwriter
Costa Coulouris – Songwriter
Chris Eaton – Songwriter
Paul Field – Songwriter
Graham Jarvis – Drums
Mart Jenner – Guitar
Graham Kendrick – Songwriter
Scott McClung – Songwriter
Jamie Owens-Collins – Songwriter
Craig Pruess – Producer, Arrangements, Synthesizers, Brass, Percussion, Background Vocals
Cliff Richard – Producer, Background Vocals
Pete Seeger – Songwriter
Sheila Walsh – Vocals
John Woodfield – Songwriter

Phil Keaggy – What A Day – 1973

This was Keaggy’s first solo album. He had cut 3 albums with Glass Harp but left in 1972 as “…spiritually we were going different directions” Keagy said. Keaggy wrote all the songs on this album while he was still with Glass Harp and I’m just guessing but I would guess these are the songs that were rejected by the rest of that band. Phil also played all the instruments on this album, a little rare for a first album. Most record companies missed the cost savings that his would offer. Anyway the album was released and sold relatively well but not well not enough for Keaggy to be a headliner and instead he toured in support of other artists like Love Song, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Paul Clark, and Nancy Honeytree. Keaggy continues to play the title track to this day in his concerts.

Tracklist
1 – This Is What The Lord Will Do For You – 2:54
2 – King Of The Jews – 2:04
3 – Walking With Our Lord – 4:17
4 – A Time And A Place – 2:44
5 – Rejoice – 4:45
6 – What A Day – 4:50
7 – Now I Can See – 5:08
8 – Behold All Things Become New – 1:18
9 – Hallelujah – 4:41
10 – I Will Sing – 3:23

Credits
Design – Linny Cobb
Engineer, Co-producer – Gary Hedden
Photography By – Bob Combs
Producer, Written-By, Arranged By, Performer – Phil Keaggy

Companies, etc.
Pressed By – United Sound (3)
Copyright (c) – New Song Productions
Phonographic Copyright (p) – New Song Productions

The Rob Cassels Band – Off The Wall – 1984

First of all full disclosure. I count Rob as a personal friend but remember my opinions of his works preceded my friendship with him. Off the Wall was recorded in 1984 and debuted at Cornerstone in 1985. This was Rob’s 3rd album and most days I think it was his best. Other day’s I prefer Straight Shot. This album does contain my favourite song however. Off The Wall is a straight forward Rock & Roll tune that gets your attention especially when turned up to about 11. Rob tells me “Off the Wall was written from my influence of years of prison ministry and reading graffiti off the walls of the prison”. That’s one heck of an inspiration. Rob wrote all the songs on the album and continues writing and recording great music to this day.

Tracklist
1 – Escape – 3:06
2 – Off The Wall – 3:15
3 – Resurrection Power – 3:20
4 – Only Your Love – 2:48
5 – Broken Man – 4:03
6 – Countdown – 2:54
7 – I Will Never Leave You – 3:21
8 – Turning – 3:14
9 – They Don’t Understand – 3:25
10 – The Reverend Silk – 2:23

Credits
Arranged By [Special Help On Arrangements] – Steve Morse
Bass Guitar – Kent Redd
Drums, Percussion – Buster Phillips
Engineer – David Floyd
Guitar – David Hosler (2)
Photography By, Concept By – Dill Beaty
Piano, Keyboards – David Floyd, Rob Cassels
Producer – Rick Sandidge
Vocals – David Hosler, Kent Redd, Rob Cassels

Larry Norman And The Young Lions – Quiet Night – 1984

This is the only known release of “Larry Norman and The Young Lions.” The Young Lions didn’t become anything else, but I believe that this was one of the records where he used his brother Charly as one of the creative musicians. Charly toured with him on the Stop This Flight Tour, and around this time was working on a career, although we never did seem much of him on his own.

The lead-out groove on side one says (in addition to the serial number ARF-864), “Larry & Charly” and the lead-out groove on side two says The Young Lions “Quiet Night.” For all I know this might mean they were the only two musicians on the album. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Most of the songs on this record are written by Tom Howard. Larry added 2 of his own tracks on each side. (Sigrid Jane, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, and two “L’etude”).

This is one of two records where Larry focused on recording Tom’s songs. The other one is “Letter of the Law” which appears in the bARCHAEOLOGY set. Larry was producing Tom and trying to promote him, unsuccessfully. He recorded some of his songs in attempt to generate some interest and popularity for Tom’s records. Tom did have a couple of moderately successful albums but then switched to doing recordings more focused on just playing piano.

Quiet Night is often referenced as “Jamaican Import” but it was available in the US direct from Phydeaux. Perhaps it was popular in Jamaica.

Tracklist
1 – Iron And Steel
2 – Shine Your Light
3 – I Found Love
4 – Let The Master Make It Right
5 – Piano L’etude
6 – Sigrid Jane
7 – Stronger Love
8 – Farther On
9 – Come On In
10 – Drum L’etude
11 – I Don’t Wanna Lose You
12 – Jesus Is The Song Inside Of Me

The Archers – Celebrate Live – 1980

It was 1980 at the Melodyland Theatre in Anaheim CA when The Archers recorded this live album. The title track was a new song from them and was very well received. Often a easy listening band will turn it up a notch for their concerts but I have to honestly say that The Archers you hear on their studio albums was The Archers you heard at this concert. Humorously they introduce “I’m Gonna Rise” by saying “How many of you like Rock & Roll? Does anybody like Rock & Roll?” and then proceed to do something I sure wouldn’t classify as Rock & Roll even for 1980. A guitar solo does not make a song Rock & Roll guys. That said the horns did a great job on that track. Point of trivia is that the band was introduced by John Styll who was the man that started CCM magazine.

Credits
Arranged By – Bobby Cicso, Clark Gassman, Dan Cutrona, Phil Kristianson, The Archers (3)
Backing Vocals – Stephanie Reach
Bass Guitar – Tim Jaquette
Design, Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Drums – Michael Fickling
Electric Guitar – Tony Sena
Engineer – Biff Dawes
Engineer [Second] – Billy Youdelman
Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Organ [Hammond B-3], Clavinet, Keyboards [Fender Rhodes, Arp], Synthesizer – Phil Kristianson
Other [Concert Introduction] – John Styll
Percussion – Phil Bahn, Steve Archer
Photography By – Gary Null
Piano, Synthesizer, Vibraphone, Marimba – Dan Cutrona
Producer – Bill Cole (2), Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Recorded By – Filmways/Heider Recording
Saxophone, Flute – Gary Herbig
Trombone, Euphonium – Bill Reichenbach (2)
Trumpet – Charles Davis, Larry Hall
Vocals – Janice Archer Cruse, Steve Archer, Tim Archer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
Recorded At – Melodyland Theatre, Anaheim

Joe English Band – Live – 1984

In my opinion this was Joe’s best album as these are the most upbeat version of these songs in his catalog. This album was recorded through the UK from at least 6 different concerts. I actually saw this tour in Canada and I remember it being much more Rock & Roll than this. I suspect that Myrrh records actually hunted out the most mellow version of these song as they could. This brings me to my criticism of this album. I don’t know about everyone else but I like Live albums so I can hear the banter between songs. This album does not include any of that. It was produced like a regular album but with live recordings. This is not what a live album is supposed to be like in my opinion. You in no way feel the concert experience from this album. So let’s be clear, this is not really a Live album by my definition.

Tracklist
1 – To Love Is To Live – 5:08
2 – Midnight Angel Choir – 4:41
3 – Dyin’ – 3:41
4 – Rio Samba – 9:24
5 – Power Of Prayer – 4:24
6 – Let Me Praise You Again – 4:38
7 – Learn To Celebrate – 4:14
8 – Get Ready – 7:05

Credits
Bass Guitar – Tim Smith
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar, Backing Vocals – George Cocchini, Paul Brannon
Keyboards – John Lawry
Vocals, Drums, Producer – Joe English

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records Of Canada Limited

Notes
Mobile unit by Manor, London, England and Tape 1, London, England
Recorded at Colson Hall, Bristol, England; Ulster Hall, Belfast, Ireland; Wembley Arena, Wembley, England
Mixed at Great Circle Sound, Nashville, TN and Sound Emporium, Nashville, TN

Farrell & Farrell – Let The Whole World Know (Live) – 1982

Farrell and Farrell were for the main part a easy listening/light rock band but this live album offers a hint to their ability to do some Rock and Roll. Recorded live at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City this concert sounds like it was great. I normally wouldn’t normally listen to a Farrell and Farrell very many times but honestly this album is on my regular listening rotation. I actually wish I had been at this concert. Something that most would be surprised to hear me say given my penchant for Rock & Roll. So if you think Farrell and Farrell are a little to easy listening for you give this album a listen, you might be pleasantly surprised. Point of trivia about this album is that it was in part produced by Eddie DeGarmo which probably gives it the sound that I like it so much.

Title
1 – All You Need
2 – Let the Whole World Know
3 – After All Those Years
4 – Boundless Love
5 – Make Me Ready
6 – No Need
7 – Homesick Soldier
8 – You Keep Me Holdin’ On
9 – Jailhouse Rock
10 – Let the Whole World Know (Reprise)

Credits
Member Role
Leonard Ahlstrom Songwriter, Electric Guitar, Background Vocals
Brown Bannister Songwriter
John T. Benson Songwriter
Dan Brock Producer
Eddie DeGarmo Producer
Mike Demus Songwriter, Electric Guitar, Piano, Prophet V
Nancy Demus Bass, Background Vocals
Bob Farrell Producer, Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar, OBX, Percussion, Lead Vocals
Jayne Farrell Lead Vocals
Scott Hutsel Rhodes Piano, Arp Axe, Arp Pro, Arp Omni, Moog, Soloist
Alice Keister Songwriter
Shane Keister Songwriter
Bill Landers Songwriter
Dennis Louwen Songwriter
Tim Sheppard Songwriter
Lynn Williams Drums

Twila Paris – Kingdom Seekers – 1985

This was Twila’s fourth album and her first with Star Song. Twila had made a name for herself as far as female vocalists were concerned. Her previous albums had 7 charting singles but this album dominated the charts after it’s release. It had 5 singles with songs peaking at #1, #2, #10, #20, and #32. The lead single, Runner, made it to #1 and was at that position for 9 weeks. It also sat on the charts for 26 weeks, yes 6 months. This has to be one of the most successful CCM albums of all time. I don’t have any stats in front of me but wow, this was an impressive album. The albums had a few different covers, the first and most common was a picture of a golden path to a castle. Subsequent ones featured Twila’a picture. The first was ugly in my opinion and here’s a hint to any aspiring record companies. Put the pretty girl on the cover!!! This is a tried and true method to improve sales. One small piece of trivia on the album is that Twila’s little sister, Starla Paris, sang backup on Runner.

Tracklist
1 – Runner – 4:02
2 – Center Of Your Will – 4:33
3 – Tellin’ The Truth – 4:12
4 – Language Of Disciples – 3:40
5 – Lamb Of God – 4:04
6 – The Child Inside You – 4:04
7 – Breaking My Heart – 3:19
8 – It All Goes Back – 3:51
9 – Release Of The Spirit – 2:10
10 – He Is Exalted – 3:37
11 – Faithful Men – 3:24

Credits
Arranged By – Carl Marsh
Backing Vocals – Starla Paris
Bass Guitar – Leon Gaer
Drums – Keith Edwards
Electric Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards – Carl Marsh
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Jonathan David Brown
Songwriter, Backing Vocals – Twila Paris
Synthesizer – Rhett Lawrence

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – StraightWay Music
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – 27059

Isaac Air Freight – In The Air – On The Air – 1979

Presented without any theological commentary, as usual. These albums were a lot of fun to listen to, and hearing the jokes again, and the great comedic performances is a great trip down memory lane.Still fun to listen to now.

Tracklist
1 – Celebrity Cornered – 3:21
2 – P-R-A-Y-E-R – 0:56
3 – Battle Of Invisible Empires – Front Desk Angel – 5:52
4 – Battle Of Invisible Empires – Demon’s Dilemma – 4:34
5 – Lucifer Son Shield – 1:39
6 – The Day After Tomorrow Show – 7:45
7 – The Test – 1:09
8 – Limited Offer – 1:10
9 – The Saving Game – 6:54
10 – Editorial Reply – 2:28
11 – Return Of Christ – 2:25
12 – Prodigal Joe – 13:12

Credits
Art Direction – Neal Buchanan
Engineer – Chris Taylor
Engineer [Assistant] – Thom Roy
Executive-Producer – Tom Coomes
Illustration, Graphics [Logo] – Tim Barela
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Chris Taylor
Musician – Darrel Cook, Gabriel Katona, Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry Chamberlain, Keith Edwards, Phil Kristianson
Performer – Dan Rupple, Dave Toole, Mitch Teemley
Photography By [Back Cover] – David J. Pavol
Photography By [Insert] – Tom Obbema
Producer – Dan Rupple, Dave Toole
Producer [Music] – Tom Coomes
Vocals – Bruce Hibbard, Erick Nelson, John Fowler, Lisa Wickham, Mitch Teemley, Tom Coomes
Voice [Additional] – Bob Bennett, Cathy Toole, Harold Taylor, Jim Coye, John Fowler, Larry Watt, Peggy Rupple, The Wheezer Cheesers, Tom Stipe, Wally Grant

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
Recorded At – Maranatha! Studio
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios