Ray Mansfield – Page 125

Rage of Angels – Rage of Angels – 1989

This was the one and only album from Rage of Angels and if you have the vinyl version it’s actually quite collectible. This was another late 80’s glam metal band but they were a notch up from some of the metal bands of the time. I am always surprised by the metal bands that come out of nowhere, put out an excellent album and then disappear again. Reportedly the band broke up before the album even came out which is too bad as I really feel they were very good. Two members of the band, John Fowler and Frank Di Costanzo went on to form Steelheart. The other members didn’t appear again on an album and unfortunately drummer John Fowler passed away in 2008. If you like your metal albums you will like this one and if your only a fan of hard rock give it a chance too, you might like it. I did.

Tracklist
1 – Leave You Or Forsake You – 2:52
2 – Reason To Rock – 3:53
3 – It’s Not Late For Love – 4:31
4 – Somebody’s Watching You – 3:53
5 – Hooked On A Good Thing – 4:17
6 – Do You Still Believe In Love – 4:16
7 – Rock For The Rock – 4:39
8 – Are You Ready For Thunder – 4:09
9 – Don’t Give Up – 4:08

Credits
Arranged By – Rage Of Angels
Bass – Dale Glifort
Co-producer [Assisted By] – Rage Of Angels
Design, Layout – Jeff Spencer
Drums – John Fowler
Engineer – Bil Burke, Gary Fulton, Joe Mendek, Paul Krueger
Guitar – Frank DiCostanzo, Greg Kurtzman
Keyboards – Chris Ainsley (tracks: 7)
Lead Vocals – Dan Mariano
Mixed By – Doug Mann, Paul Krueger
Producer – Doug Mann

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Regency Music (2)
Copyright (c) – Regency Music (2)
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution, Inc.
Recorded At – Audio West
Recorded At – Morningstar Studios
Mixed At – Morningstar Studios
Mastered At – Capitol Studios
Designed At – Sudden Images Studio
Manufactured By – U.S. Optical Disc

Amy Grant – Never Alone – 1980

This was the third album from Amy and while it didn’t sell as well as “Never Alone” personally I believe it was a better album. The album only had one charting single. “Look What Has Happened To Me” made it to #3 on the CCM adult charts and was on the charts for 32 weeks which is very impressive. At this point in here career she was having an on again off again relationship with Gary Chapman who wrote several tracks on this album. This album also gave us the song “Too Late” which is the only song from her that I dared play in my car as it was the closest song she would ever do that was close to Rock & Roll. To tell the truth I always quite liked “Too Late” which given my musical interest is really saying something.

Tracklist
1 – Look What Has Happened To Me – 3:16
2 – So Glad – 4:44
3 – Walking Away With You – 4:26
4 – Family – 2:44
5 – Don’t Give Up On Me – 3:59
6 – That’s The Day – 3:44
7 – If I Have To Die – 3:48
8 – All I Ever Have To Be – 2:38
9 – It’s A Miracle – 2:46
10 – Too Late – 3:14
11 – First Love – 2:51
12 – Say Once More – 2:26

Credits
Brown Bannister – Composer, Mixing, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Michael Blanton – Executive Producer
Pete Bordinella – Guitar (Classical), Guitar (Electric)
Mike Borum – Photography
Steve Brantley – Vocals (Background)
Thomas Cain – Piano, Vocals (Background)
Clay Caire – Drums
Jimmy Capps – Guitar (Acoustic)
Brian Carr – Composer
Gary Chapman – Composer, Vocals (Background)
Chris Christian – Composer
Johnny Christopher – Guitar (Acoustic)
Roger Clark – Drums
Roger “Little” Clark – Drums
John Darnall – String Arrangements
Bruce Dees – Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background)
Diana DeWitt – Vocals (Background)
Greg Gordon – Vocals (Background)
Amy Grant – Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals
Michael A. Harris – Design
Don Hart – Horn Arrangements
Bruce Hibbard – Composer
Hadley Hockensmith – Composer
Ronn Huff – String Arrangements
David Hungate – Bass
Clayton Ivey – Fender Rhodes
Shane Keister – Piano, String Arrangements, Synthesizer
Patti Leatherwood – Vocals (Background)
Paul Leim – Drums
Timothy May – Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
Glenn Meadows – Mastering
Gwen Moore – Composer
Farrell Morris – Marimba, Percussion
Mark Morris – Percussion
Larry Muhoberac – Piano
Fred Petry – Percussion
Gary Pigg – Vocals (Background)
Jack Joseph Puig – Engineer
Cindy Reynolds – Harp
Jerry Roberts – Accordion
Dawn Rodger – Composer
Joe Schmee – Bass
Denis Solee – Flute, Lyricon, Saxophone
Billy Joe Walker – Guitar (Acoustic)
Billy Joe Walker, Jr. – Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
Belinda West – Vocals (Background)
Kelly Willard – Composer
Jack Williams – Bass
Bob Wray – Bass, Bass (Acoustic)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Amy Grant Productions
Copyright (c) – Amy Grant Productions
Licensed To – Sparrow Records
Distributed By – EMI CMG Distribution
Produced For – Chris Christian Productions
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Martinsound
Remastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Cinram, Richmond, IN

Gospel Seed – Growing – 1977

Gospel Seed only released one album that I can find though it appears they did have a cassette demo in 1975. The band were mainly comprised of Gary Luttrell and Mike Moore . They called in some studio musicians for the album and notable in those musicians was Don Gerber who was in Darrell Mansfield’s original band Gentle Faith. The band toured extensively around the United States playing anywhere they could to spread the message. They also had appearances on the 700 Club and The PTL Club which was a pretty big deal at the time. They are/were a great duo who’s vocals worked well together. The album has a deep 70’s sound but was actually pretty high quality for a one album band.

Tracklist
1 – The Singer’s Song – 4:30
2 – The Fool – 3:40
3 – Salvador – 3:16
4 – Top Ten – 3:15
5 – To The Father – 4:20
6 – Lines – 3:20
7 – A Colorful Little Tune – 2:00
8 – The Vow – 4:05
9 – Count The Cost – 2:40
10 – The Last Song (We Ever Sing) – 3:30

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Don Gerber, Gary Luttrell
Arranged By – Bill Baker
Arranged By, Piano – Jim Stipech
Bass – Bill Batstone, Colin Cameron
Composed By, Vocals, Autoharp, Design Concept – Mike Moore*
Composed By, Vocals, Design Concept – Gary Luttrell
Drums, Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Electric Guitar – Virgil Beckham
Illustration [Cover] – David McCall Johnston*
Organ, Clavinet, Electric Piano, Piano [Wurlitzer], Piano – Dave Garland (3)
Photography By – Ray Westbrook
Producer, Engineer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Buddy King (2)
Synthesizer – Marshall Otwell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Joy Productions
Published By – Word Music, Inc.
Published By – Pure Joy Music
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Produced For – Pure Joy Productions

Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart – Sheep in Wolves Clothing – 1985

This was Mylon’s fourth album after his switch to Christian music. It was well received and paved the way for his best selling album to be released next (Crack The Sky). I feel the album was poorly engineered as the songs have a rock feel but not a sound to match. I am guessing that label (Myrrh) wanted it toned down but I have no proof of that. It’s just a suspicion given Myrrh’s track record on these matters. The mix was done by Joe Hardy who had worked with ZZ Top among other hard rock acts in the past so I doubt it was his doing . Anyway back to the album. I have actually read that some die hard fans consider this to be his best album and I agree that there are some great cuts that’s for sure but frankly the production was too poor for me to hold this album up as his best. My favourite track is “Gospel Ship” on which Mylon was allowed to rock. It has a bit of a traditional sound but it’s great. I have to mention the guest stars on this album. It really is an unbelievable list. Among the all stars contributing in some way are Rick Cua, Philip Bailey, Kerry Livgren, Leon Patillo, Greg X. Volz, Jerome Olds, Joe English, Larry Norman, and Russ Taff. That’s quite the group of guests.

Tracklist
1 – Crucible Of Love – 3:31
2 – He Is Strong – 3:52
3 – I Will Rejoice – 5:10
4 – Love Lasts Forever – 3:35
5 – Morning Star – 4:03
6 – Gospel Ship – 4:22
7 – So Help Me God – 3:58
8 – Trains Up In The Sky – 4:29
9 – The Warrior – 4:30

Credits
Bass – Allison Prestwood, Rick Cua
Bass, Guitar, Vocals – Joe Hardy
Bass, Vocals – Kenny Bentley
Congas, Vocals – Philip Bailey
Drums – John Hampton, Scott Meeder
Drums [Digital Drums], Percussion – Ben Hewitt
Guitar – B. James Lowery, Clark Nauert, Kerry Livgren, Tim Hightower
Guitar, Vocals – David Payton, Scott Allen
Keyboards – Gary Hughes, Tom Grosse
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Vocals – Paul Joseph
Piano, Synthesizer – Stan Coates
Producer – Mylon LeFevre
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Joe Hardy
Saxophone – Andrew Love
Synthesizer – Jim Boling
Synthesizer, Organ – Leon Patillo
Vocals – Greg X. Volz, Jack Holder, Jerome Olds, Jimmy Jamison, Joe English, Larry Norman, Russ Taff, Gaither Vocal Band, Van Duren
Vocals, Guitar – Mylon LeFevre

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – Δ26852
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – Jerome Olds Music
Published By – Songs From The Box
Published By – Dunamis Music

Galilee – Out Of The Dark – 1986

Galilee formed in Montgomery Alabama in 1984. They released there one and only (on a label) album in 1986. Singing duties were spread though the band which is usually a bad thing but really worked on this album. This was the first album recorded at the new (at the time) Huff brothers studio in Forest Mississippi and also produced by them. Apparently they only spent 3 days in the studio to record the album. Personally I would rather an album recorded in 3 days than 3 weeks, it always seems to come out with an edge I prefer in my music. The band opened across the US for several big names but never headlined themselves. The band has continued on releasing several self released songs and all of them are still active musicians in their respective Churches. This is a solid 80’s pop album with plenty of toe tapping tunes. If I had to pick a favourite track it would be “Get on That Train” which actually feels a little 60’s/70’s to me. Special thanks to Cameron Reeder (Bass) for helping me out with the history of the band.

Tracklist
1 – I’m In Love – 3:58
2 – Harvest Time – 4:34
3 – Don’t Hold Back – 3:34
4 – Internal Forces – 3:42
5 – Good Company – 4:39
6 – Jesus is the One – 3:59
7 – Get on That Train – 3:28
8 – Road to Damascus – 4:28
9 – Spirit of Your Love – 3:02
10 – Watchman – 5:27

Credits
Guitar, Vocal – Scott Booker
Bass, Vocals – Cameron Reeder
Keyboards, Vocals – Richard Cherry
Drums – Ronnie Collins
Engineer – Mike Brett
Producer – David Huff, Rayborn Huff, Clayborn Huff
Bass on Track 4 – Clayborn Huff
Cover Photo – Gary Wallace
Cover Art – Daniel Armstrong

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Huff and Huff Publishing, BMI
Recorded at – Huff Studios
Booking – Galilee Ministries

Jesus Sound Explosion – 1972

It’s not too often I get to post an album with Johnny Cash on it but this is the one. This album could not be purchased but instead was sent to attendees of the 1972 EXPLO music festival. The EXPLO festival was put on by Campus Crusade for Christ and there were actually 7 days to the festival in Dallas TX. If you were there you could order the album and it would be mailed to you later. The festival was able to get all the performer’s record companies to allow this album to be distributed. I suspect one of the conditions was that it would not be commercially sold. This album has the broadest style of performers I’ve ever heard. Everything from Larry Norman (Rock) to Connie Smith (Country) to Willa Mae Dorsey (Southern Gospel). It’s an enjoyable album but the abrupt genre changes can be a bit startling. This album is a piece of CCM history. Were you there? Leave a comment below and tell us what it was like.

Printed on the jacket;
“This album is not for sale. This album was produced for the sole purpose of offering to the EXPLO ’72 television audience musical reminders of this historic congress. This album is sent to individuals who let the ministry of Campus Crusade For Christ International know that they are interested in receiving this album. Material on this album was recorded live at EXPLO ’72 in Dallas, Texas, June 12-17, 1972. Special arrangements with the artists and their record companies have made this album possible.”

Tracklist
1 – Johnny Cash – I See Men As Trees Walkin’ – 3:18
2 – Armageddon Experience – One Way – 3:35
3 – Randy Matthews – Didn’t He – 4:26
4 – Andraé Crouch & The Disciples – I’m Satisfied – 3:37
5 – Larry Norman – Sweet Song Of Salvation – 3:55
6 – Great Commission Company – Anticipation – 3:05
7 – Danny Lee & The Children Of Truth – Spread A Little Love Around – 2:56
8 – Connie Smith – Plenty Of Time – 4:13
9 – Forerunners – Lord – 2:44
10 – Willa Dorsey – I Have The Joy In My Soul – 2:45
11 – Love Song – A Love Song (Narration Of I Corinthians 13) – 5:40
12 – The Speer Family – The King Is Coming – 3:48

Mastedon – It’s a Jungle Out There – 1989

Mastedon was a studio project by John & Dino Elefante. The fact that they were dabbling in heavy metal right at the end of the 80’s kind of surprises me but then again it shows their versatility and their love of all styles of music. The “Band” were basically a bunch of high quality studio musicians. John & Dino Elefante both played on the album but left lead vocals to David Robbins who was also the vocalist on the 1989 X-Sinner album “Get It”, another Elefante project. John & Dino Elefante also wrote all of the tracks with the exception of the lyrics on “Shine On” written by Petra’s Bob Hartman. The album is a pretty high quality metal album but some tracks lean more Hard Rock. Most of the Metal songs have a commercial Metal Pop song. My final thought on this album is that it’s pretty good and I look forward to listening their album from 1990.

Tracklist
1 – It’s A Jungle Out There – 3:54
2 – Glory Bound – 4:17
3 – This Is The Day – 4:14
4 – Love Inhalation – 4:39
5 – Islands In The Sky – 3:42
6 – Get Up – 4:00
7 – Love That Will Survive – 4:02
8 – Innocent Girl – 3:42
9 – Shine On – 4:24
10 – Right Hand – 6:05

Credits
Backing Vocals – Dave Amato, Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Bass – Dino Elefante, Jimmy “Flim” Johnson, John Pierce
Drums – David Raven, John Elefante, Phil Rowland
Engineer [Additional] – Ben Rodgers
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons
Engineer, Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Fretless Bass – John Patitucci (tracks: 9)
Illustration – Robert Fischer
Keyboards – John Elefante
Lead Guitar – Dave “Pittsy” Amato
Lead Vocals – Dave Amato (tracks: 2, 4, 10), Dave Robbins (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6), Perry Lee (tracks: 4, 8)
Lyrics By – Bob Hartman (tracks: 9)
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Music By – Dino Elefante (tracks: 9), John Elefante (tracks: 9)
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Rhythm Guitar – Dino Elefante
Vocals – Dave Robbins
Written-By – Dino Elefante (tracks: 1-8, 10), John Elefante (tracks: 1-8, 10)

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Copyright (c) – Regency Music
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Regency Music
Mastered At – Future Disc
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Recorded At – Pack’s Place
Pressed By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 27581

Sheila Walsh – Future Eyes – 1981

This is the first solo album from Sheila Walsh. She had previously in a band called “Oasis” who had 4 albums in the 70’s. The UK release was on Chapel Records in 81 with 9 tracks. The US version was released in 1993 with some changes. On the US version Several tracks were remixed by adding more guitar, removing some synthesizers, and adding some different background vocals. Also “Breaking the Ice” and “He Weeps for Our Tears” were removed while “Burn On” was added. Larry Norman was given co-credit on the US version as producer and did some backgroud vocals. Strangely in 1984 another UK version was released which included “Burn On” which gave the album 11 tracks. The strange part is that it was released on Word records while she was signed to Sparrow records. Anyway, Sheila went on the a long career and I would boldly say she was the UK Amy Grant.

US Version;

UK Version;

Tracklist
1 – Here With Me – 3:37
2 – Burn On – 4:05
3 – Love In My Life – 3:28
4 – Eyes Of A Different Kind – 4:46
5 – You’re So Important To Me – 4:00
6 – Future Eyes – 3:20
7 – Fear Of Silence – 3:40
8 – Back Into The Old Routine – 2:32
9 – Mona Lisa – 3:42

Credits
Vocals – Sheila Walsh
Keyboards, Piano & Arrangements – Chris Rolinson
Drums – Ray Goudie, Colin Vallance, Dave Charles
Bass – Paul Cobbold,
Guitar, Rob Marshal, Norman Barratt, Pete Brooks, Dave Kasak
Piano and Keyboards – Dave Morris
Strings – B Askey, G York, D Haime, CW Green
Producer – Paul Cobbold
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Executive Producer – Ray Goudie
Arrangment – Chris Rolinson
Recorded at Chapel Lane Studios, Hereford

US Version Additions
Bass – Mark Williamson
Harmonies – Sarah Finch, Larry Norman
Producer – Larry Norman, Norman Miller

Nutshell – Believe It Or Not – 1979

This was the final of 4 albums from Nutshell though a Best of compilation was released in 1981. Ken Scott (Archivist: Vintage Vinyl Jesus Music) described the band as “at their best, as an English version of the American Christian folk group 2nd Chapter of Acts”. I find that a little condescending (though I don’t know if it was meant to be) as the band had some real talent. The album has that late 70’s Jesus music feel and on a couple of tracks I can feel a bit of soul. There is some really good guitar work especially on “Thief In The Night”. This is not a Rock & Roll album and would be classified as Easy Listening but I think it’s pretty good. After this album the band changed their name to ” Network 3″ and released a couple 7″ singles. Several members of the band went on to have successful solo careers and Paul Field in particular also had a successful songwriting career including many songs for Cliff Richard.

Tracklist
1 – Better Take Another Look – 3:41
2 – Empty Page – 5:06
3 – Looking For Love – 3:25
4 – Goin’ Nowhere – 3:53
5 – Redeemed – 3:43
6 – First Stone – 3:25
7 – Night Flight – 4:18
8 – Without Love – 3:32
9 – Hard To Say Goodnight – 3:49
10 – Thief In The Night – 3:55

Credits
Arranged By [Brass Arrangements] – Chris Mercer
Bass – John Gustafson
Brass – Gonzales Brass
Design, Art Direction – Tony Neeves
Drums – Mike Giles*
Electric Guitar – Dave (Diesel) Martin, Kevin Peek Engineer – Roger T. Wake
Percussion – Morris Pert
Photography By – Dawson Strange
Piano, Keyboards – Rod Edwards
Producer, Arranged By – Jon Miller (4), Rod Edwards, Roger Hand
Vocals – Annie McCaig
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano – Paul Field
Vocals, Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Mo McCafferty

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word Music (UK)
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse
Recorded At – Redan Recorders
Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton

Idle Cure – Idle Cure – 1986

In the mid/late 80’s metal bands were all the rage in CCM. Unfortunately many just didn’t quite have it quite yet but CCM labels were begging for the genre. Along come Idle Cure and they were tight and ready for the market. Their sound was a but of Def Leppard, a bit of Van Halen, and maybe even Bon Jovi. Feel free to completely disagree with me. Personally I don’t really classify them as metal but instead hard rock or metal pop. The metal pop sound was very well received and quite frankly this is not my style of music but I love this album. While I researched the band I found it interesting that drummer Dave Spurr had previously played with Phil Keaggy and other worship oriented bands, wow what a shift. Breakaway and Come Alive are on regular rotation on my personal mp3 playlist.

Track Listing
1 – Breakaway – 4:00
2 – Silent Hope – 4:05
3 – Take It – 4:41
4 – Feeling the Heat – 4:15
5 – Come Back to Me – 4:07
6 – Overdrive – 4:33
7 – From the Heart – 5:01
8 – Come Alive – 4:24

Credits
Mark Ambrose – Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Bill Baumgart – Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocals, Engineer, Producer
Allison Beech – Vocals
Tim Browne – Guitar
Terrence Elliot – Guitar
Michael Hamilton – Guitar
Tim Heintz – Keyboards
Marc Hugenberger – Keyboards
Chuck King – Composer, Guitar, Vocals
Pete Lomakin – Composer, Keyboards, Vocals
Eric Marienthal – Saxophone
Steve Shannon – Bass, Composer, Vocals
Bob Somma – Guitar
Dave Spurr – Drums
Ed McTaggart – Art Direction, Design
Dave Jahnsen – Engineer [Assistant]
Kirt Shearer – Engineer [Assistant]
Jeff Foster – Illustration
Linda Dillon Baley – Photography