Ray Mansfield – Page 12

Undercover – Forum – 1994

I was considering saying that this album was the real end to Undercover but I’m pretty sure their fans will eviscerate me. That said I actually like this album so my statement is more historical that commentary. For this album Rob Gallas took over lead vocals from Sim Wilson who left the band. Though I read several reviews that did not like his vocals I thought they were okay. Not as good as Wilson but still pretty good. Anyway I can see that I liked this album much more than the critics. I really like the style and feel of the album. I think Rob’s vocals were a great sound for them. But the album didn’t do well and their label was in trouble so this would mark the end of an era. Yes I know there were more albums but I think this is the one that marked the end.

Tracklist
1 – Spill – 4:41
2 – The Moon And The Blue Around – 5:19
3 – Forum (Lullaby) – 7:32
4 – Symbol – 4:36
5 – Carmenita – 3:44
6 – Whoa Nelly – 4:09
7 – Pocket Full Of Money – 4:34
8 – The Overlook (Hosanna) – 3:45
9 – (Tell Me) Everything About You – 4:00
10 – Union – 4:55

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Darin Beaman
Band [Undercover], Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Gym Nicholson
Band [Undercover], Bass, Organ, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Keyboards – Ojo Taylor
Band [With], Vocals – Rob Gallas
Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Photography By – Mark Takeuchi
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Ojo Taylor
Recorded By – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WAL
Copyright © – WAL
Record Company – Word Records & Music
Recorded At – The Green Room
Mixed At – The Mixing Lab
Mixed At – Desert Moon
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Manufactured By – JVC
Published By – PU Music
Published By – My Devotion Music
Published By – Dayspring Music

Phil & John – Reunion Of The Heart/Shine Like America – 1991

Strangely in the U.S. this album was called “Reunion Of The Heart” but in the U.K. it was called “Shine Like America”. Continuing on the strange Phil & John were from the U.K. and the album was recorded in the U.K. so where did Shine Like America come into play? The U.K. release was on What? Records which was a joint label owned by Word and A&M so maybe someone at A&M came up with this idea. Well it doesn’t effect the quality of the album which of course is great because Phil & John were great artists. This album is more their easy listening pop style than their humour style. They we’re likely trying to recreate the success of Lonely Dancer but didn’t quite make it although “Reunion Of The Heart” did make it to #22 on the CCM charts.

Tracklist
1 – My Potential – 4:33
2 – Wait Patiently For Me – 4:10
3 – Reunion Of The Heart – 4:25
4 – Jennifer Jones – 4:14
5 – Fire Of Ambition – 4:16
6 – Quiet Storm – 4:43
7 – Every Little Step I Take – 4:09
8 – Don’t “Shoot Them Down” In Flames – 4:14
9 – Sweet Rose Tuesday – 4:02
10 – Shine Like America – 3:59
11 – April Rain – 3:33

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Backing Vocals – Miriam Stockley
Design – James Kessell
Executive-Producer – David Bruce
Photography By – Simon Anderson
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Engineer, Mixed By – Neil Costello
Producer, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals – Chris Eaton
Saxophone – Martin Green
Vocals – John Hartley, Phil Baggaley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Music Shed
Mixed At – The Music Shed
Edited At – The Digital Audio Co.

Code Of Ethics – Visual Paradox – 1991

This is the first album from Code Of Ethics though they have a demo put out in 1990 that we have been unable to find it. The lineup for the band on this album is as mysterious as the rest of their albums. The credits list Barry Blazs as the sole performer but history says that Eric Switzer and Mark Tanner also performed on the album. This whole issue of who was on the albums continues through the history of the band and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I believe Barry Blazs was a little difficult to work with. Anyway lets talk about the album. R.E.X. Music liked what they heard on the demo and quickly wanted to get an album out. The album has their trademark synth pop sound. That wasn’t a common sound in the Christian genre so these guys were actually a bit of a risk. Personally I think the risk was putting a 1985 sounding album in 1991 but we’re talking about the Christian genre where that was okay. Anyway get your dance shoes on and enjoy this great album.

Tracklist
1 – One Way – 4:10
2 – Through Your Eyes – 5:01
3 – I Need Your Love – 2:54
4 – Heaven Help Me – 4:18
5 – Greater Love – 5:36
6 – Hold Me – 4:39
7 – Breaking Down – 3:49
8 – Taking You Down – 4:18
9 – Visual Paradox – 3:45
10 – Being With You – 4:02

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Jeff Spencer
Engineer – Danny Drak
Engineer [Assistant] – Ben Debiase, Ed Marx
Executive-Producer – Doug Mann
Mixed By – Jeff Alford
Mixed By [Mix Consultant] – Rick Brainer
Performer [Code Of Ethics Is] – Barry Blazs
Producer, Written-By – Barry Blazs, Gerald Josef
Remix – John Jaszcz

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Distributed By – Starsong Communications
Recorded At – Bethesda Christian Cathedral Studio
Mixed At – Mangum Alford Studios
Remixed At – Studio A, Dearborn Heights, MI
Designed At – Sudden Images Studio
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Copyright © – Starstruck Music

Out Of Darkness – Out Of Darkness – 1970

Out Of Darkness is without a doubt one of the OG Jesus Music bands. Unfortunately they were not initially released in North America so I’m not to sure how many of us from this side of the pond would have heard of them. They were together from 1968 to 1974 and recorded 2 albums. This one was released in 1970 and the second one wasn’t released until 1993 when Plankton Records got heir paws on the live recording. Bruce Duncan and Tim Anderson had previously worked on Pauline Filby’s 1969 album “Show Me A Rainbow” so yes we’re talking about the OG of Christian music here. This album has more of a progressive rock sound than most 70’s Jesus Music and quite frankly stands out from the crowd because of it. If you’re a fan of 70’s music you will love this one.

Tracklist
1 – Us – 0:54
2 – Thank You Lord – 3:14
3 – On Solid Rock – 4:00
4 – Wings Of The Morning – 3:29
5 – Moses – 2:46
6 – Lemonade And Peanuts – 2:40
7 – Closing In On Me – 4:10
8 – Who Is To Blame – 3:16
9 – Hustle Bustle – 2:25
10 – Dreamaway – Stevie’s Song – 3:13
11 – There You See A Stranger – 3:47
12 – Homeland – 5:17
13 – Light – 3:55

Credits
Bass – Bruce Duncan
Bass, Percussion, Piano – Carl Grant
Drums, Percussion – Tim Anderson
Guitar, Vocals, Written-By – Wray Powell

Keith Green – I Only Want To See You There – 1983

This was the first album released after Keith’s untimely death. It is a compilation album but includes a few previously unreleased live cuts which is why we are uploading it to YouTube. We generally don’t upload compilation albums unless they have some bonus material such as this one does. The album was also released with a booklet insert which you can see on our web-page. It is full of industry people relating their Keith Green stories.

Tracklist
1 – Introduction – 2:00
2 – My Eyes Are Dry – 3:08
3 – Trials Turned To Gold – 3:29
4 – O Lord, You’re Beautiful – 4:37
5 – You Are The One – 2:39
6 – Song To My Parents (I Only Want To See You There) – 4:15
7 – Until That Final Day – 4:37
8 – If You Love The Lord – 7:20
9 – Pledge My Head To Heaven – 3:00
10 – Draw Me – 4:35
11 – Stained Glass – 2:49
12 – Altar Call – 4:20

Credits
Art Direction – Stan Evenson Design
Coordinator [Cover Coordination] – B. Charlyne Hinesley
Engineer [Assembly and remixes] – Winn Kutz
Illustration – James Henry
Liner Notes – Billy Ray Hearn
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer, Liner Notes – Bill Maxwell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Recorded At – Olympic Studios
Engineered At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Published By – Ears To Hear Music
Published By – April Music Inc.

Geoff Moore & The Distance – Evolution – 1993

Geoff and the band had songwriting down to an art by the time they released this their 5th studio album. This is a great Pop Rock album and they really did nail this sound. The only downside to the album is that it’s a little ballad heavy but that’s what made it a very successful album. Six out of the ten tracks singled on the CCM charts with “Live To Tell”, “If You Could See What I See”, and “Heart To God, Hand To Man” making it into the top 10. The album was also nominated for the Best Rock Gospel Album Grammy but lost out to dc Talk, Free at Last which was a far poorer album but whatever. I think the album is best remembered for it’s opening evolution themed track which is a great little pop tune that actually made it to #20 on the CCM charts.

Tracklist
1 – Evolution…Redefined – 4:27
2 – I Can See Clearly Now – 3:52
3 – Life Together – 4:25
4 – Live To Tell – 4:34
5 – If You Could See What I See – 4:18
6 – Godgottaholdonme – 4:24
7 – That’s When I’ll Know I’m Home – 4:24
8 – Heart To God, Hand To Man – 5:22
9 – Why Should The Devil (Have All The Good Music) – 4:26
10 – When All Is Said And Done – 2:56

Credits
Backing Vocals – Chris Hogue, Joe Hogue, Lisa Glasgow, Mark Heimermann, Micah Wilshire, Michael Black, Pam Mark Hall, Raymond Weaver
Bass – Gary Mullett
Choir – Barry Blaze, Becky Naish, Cindy Morgan, Danny O’Lannerghty, Geof Barkley, Kim Chandler, Pam Mark Hall, Rebecca Smallbone, Renay Presley, Scot Kifer
Coordinator [Producer’s Assistant] – Chris Hogue, Paul Salveson
Coordinator [Production] – Bridgett Evans O’Lannerghty
Design [Art Design] – Anderson Thomas Design, Inc.
Drums, Programmed By – Greg Herrington
Engineer – Paul Salveson
Engineer [Additional] – Greg Parker, Keith Compton
Engineer [Second] – Dave Dillbeck, Greg Parker, Patrick Kelly, Todd Robbins
Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo
Guitar – Roscoe Meek
Keyboards, Vocals – Geof Barkley
Lead Vocals – Geoff Moore
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Mixed By – John Jaszcz
Musician – Dan Huff, George Cocchini, Jackie Street, Jerry McPherson, Jimmy A., Joe Hogue, Micah Wilshire, Phil Naish
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Joe Hogue, Phil Naish
Recorded By, Mixed By – Ronnie Brookshire
Voice [Teacher] – Mark Lowry

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Distributed By – Star Song Communications
Distributed By – Christian Marketing International
Produced For – Naishing Teeth Productions
Published By – Starstruck Music
Published By – Little Dude Music
Published By – Dovan Music
Published By – Careers-BMG Music Publishing
Published By – Sparrow Song
Published By – Peach Hill Songs
Published By – Pam Mark Hall
Published By – Glenwood Music Corp.
Published By – Strawbed Music
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – BMG Songs, Inc.
Recorded At – Studio At Mole End
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Quad Studios
Recorded At – Sound Revolutions
Recorded At – Recording Arts
Mixed At – Studio At Mole End
Mixed At – 16th Avenue Sound
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus

Various – The Strait Tapes – Volume I

This is a rather odd one. The Strait Tapes were a series of at least 3 cassettes published by Strait which was the Greenbelt Newspaper that came out Bi Monthly in the 80’s. How they got the rights to these songs is completely baffling but they did and they put out these great cassettes. This is the first one of this series. It is a mix of stuff we know and stuff we don’t. No one is too sure what year this cassette came out as the tracks themselves are from all over but the best guess is 1985. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did. There are some really rare unreleased tracks here a couple B sides so this is a real special compilation. I look forward to finding the next 2 cassettes in this series.

Larry Norman – If You Don’t Love the Lord (1986 Rehearsal 4 Reality/different version)
Robin Lane – Hard Cover (1984 Heart Connection EP)
Steve Turner – I Looked Down (1982 - City Without Love)
Philip Bailey – The Wonders of His Love (1984 The Wonders Of His Love)
Jump the Nile – Innocence Abroad (unreleased, band only had one 7")
Ring of Fire – Brave Men Cry (unreleased, no info on band)
Bruce Cockburn – In the Falling Dark (1976 In the Falling Dark)
Maria Muldaur – There's Going To Be The Devil To Pay (1983 Sweet and Slow)
Randy Stonehill – Everything But Love (1985 Stonehill EP)
Press Any Key – Whisper On The Wind (1987 - Whisper On The Wind, different mix)
Garth Hewitt – Red Hot and Cooking (1982 B-side of The Hungry Wind single)
Interface – Memories (1984 Released as an A side single)

Tracklist
1 – Larry Norman – If You Don’t Love the Lord
2 – Robin Lane – Hard Cover
3 – Steve Turner – I Looked Down
4 – Philip Bailey – The Wonders of His Love
5 – Jump the Nile – Innocence Abroad
6 – Ring of Fire – Brave Men Cry
7 – Bruce Cockburn – In the Falling Dark
8 – Maria Muldaur – There’s Going To Be The Devil To Pay
9 – Randy Stonehill – Everything But Love
10 – Press Any Key – Whisper On The Wind
11 – Garth Hewitt – Red Hot and Cooking
12 – Interface – Memories

Daniel Amos – BibleLand – 1994

At this point Daniel Amos had album writing down to a science. Wikipedia states “The album is unusual for its loud, distorted noise pop sound, atypical of the band’s other recordings.” Really? All I hear is a typical DA album. I don’t hear any sound I haven’t heard from them before. Maybe I’m wrong though as I have a much more simple view of music and don’t get into small nuances like whomever wrote that Wikipedia entry. Anyway it’s a great album and while I may disagree with the message of the title track I don’t have to agree with Terry Taylor on everything.

Tracklist
1 – Broken Ladders To Glory – 4:05
2 – Bibleland – 2:56
3 – Theo’s Logic – 3:21
4 – Low Crawls And High Times – 3:41
5 – Bakersfield – 6:20
6 – Out In The Cold – 5:03
7 – The Bubble Bursts – 4:16
8 – Pete And Repeat – 4:11
9 – Constance Of The Universe – 4:09
10 – I’ll Get Over It – 4:39
11 – She’s Working Here – 4:16
12 – Stone Away – 4:48

Credits
Art Direction, Design, Photography By, Computer [Digital Chicanery, etc.] – Court Patton, Tom Gulotta
Bass – Tim Chandler
Drums – Ed McTaggart
Engineer [Engineered By] – Gene Eugene, Terry Taylor
Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor
Film Technician [Scanning, Color Proofing & Film Output] – Ed McTaggart
Guitar – Greg Flesch, Jerry Chamberlain
Illustration – Douglas TenNapel
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Photography By [Band Photo] – Trisha Kluck
Producer [Produced By] – Terry Taylor
Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WAL
Copyright © – WAL
Produced For – Stunt Productions
Recorded At – The Green Room
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Mixed At – The Green Room
Mastered At – Digital Brothers
Published By – Twitchen Vibes Music
Published By – B-1 Music
Published By – Chenka, Chenka Music
Published By – Word Music
Manufactured By – JVC

Holy Soldier – Promise Man – 1995

While Metal is not my preferred music style I have grown to like it a little more and I was looking forward to hearing some good anthem rock from Holy Soldier on this album. Holy cow was I in for a surprise. Eric Wayne is back on vocals and some how the band decided it was a good idea to completely change their style. They decided to turn their back on all their fans and do a grunge album. To be clear while I struggle with liking Metal sometimes I don’t struggle with grunge at all. I hate it, period. I just wonder how all the Holy Soldier diehards reacted to getting a completely different style album. I also believe this was the downfall of the band. Yes they had one more album after this but it was a self release because I kind of doubt any record company wanted anything to do with them. I am a little surprised that Eddie Degarmo was an Executive Producer for the album. I strongly respect Ed but he should have known that completely changing styles was not a good idea. Okay lets mover onto the album. As much as I dislike grunge this is a well done album. They actually nailed the sound and did a good job of it. The one exception is the cover of Larry’s “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus” which is just horrible. So were you a Holy Soldier fan? Did you like the new sound?

Tracklist
1 – Promise Man – 4:35
2 – Mumbo Jumbo – 4:33
3 – My World – 4:02
4 – Rust – 5:45
5 – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus – 4:05
6 – Break It Down – 3:55
7 – Cover Me – 4:33
8 – Grind – 3:14
9 – Love Conquers All – 5:13
10 – Sand – 4:29

Credits
Bass – Andy Robbins
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Scott Soderstrom
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin – Michael Cutting
Engineer – Doug Beiden
Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Sean McLean
Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Eddie Degarmo
Mastered By – Ken Love
Producer – David Zaffiro
Vocals – Eric Wayne
Written By – Andy Robbins, David Zaffiro, Eric Wayne, Michael Cutting, Scott Soderstrom

Companies, etc.
Marketed By – Alliance Music
Distributed By – Alliance Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.

Jamboree – Melt Down – 1985

Before there was Hoi Polloi there was Jamboree which was a version of the band without Jenny. Otherwise looks identical with future Hoi Polloi producer Dave Steunebrink standing in on guitar. Only one of these tracks would get the Jenny treatment, Spin Me showed up in 1993 as the title track of the same name album. The rest of the tracks were lost to time which is a pity because these tracks are really good. In fact as a whole I preferred this sound than their Hoi Polli sound but I was heavily into this style of Alternative New Wave in the 80’s and their sound with Jenny not so much. Anyway this self released EP was only around in New Zealand so you probably never heard it but here it is.

Tracklist
1 – Melt Down – 3:47
2 – A Familiar Quietness – 3:35
3 – Cold – 3:57
4 – Out Of Season – 4:47
5 – Spin Me – 4:41

Credits
Bass – Andrew Horst
Drums – Jozsef Fityus
Guitar – Dave Steunebrink
Guitar, Keyboards – David Ball
Producer, Engineer – Phil Yule
Vocals – Brent Tasker

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Mascot Studios