Ray Mansfield – Page 126

Lightforce – Mystical Thieves – 1989

In researching this album I was surprised by the polar opposite reviews I read. It was either loved or hated.

The general consensus was that this was a jumping off point for Steve Rowe who later went on to be a member of the far more popular Mortification.

My take on the album is that the mix was horrible. It feels like the engineer was trying to give the album a Hard Rock sound when in reality it was a Heavy Metal/Thrash album, leaning closer to Thrash.

I was not impressed with the vocals either but that wasn’t the fault of the mix. That said the album does have a spot in the genre so some will probably love this album.

Track Listing:
1 – Mystical Thieves – 8:05
2 – Crossfire – 4:15
3 – City Streets – 4:35
4 – Metal Missionary – 5:25
5 – Children Of Sorrow – 3:54
6 – Searching – 5:30
7 – Fast Lane – 3:52
8 – Babylon – 7:00

Credits:
Artwork [Cover] – Jan Alphic, John Alphic
Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts, Groans And Squeals] – Mark (B.B) Hamilton
Bass [Bass Grinding], Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Steve Rowe
Drums, Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Errol Willenburg
Engineer – John Bosua
Engineer [Assistant] – Andrew Horne, David Asender, Mark Donaldson
Graphics – Mike Maxwell
Guitar [Guitar Abuse], Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Murray Adams
Keyboards, Wind [Lead] – Gary Shepherd
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Steve Johnson
Management – Allan Thomas
Photography By – Colin Mann, Natalie Smith
Producer – John Bosua, Lightforce

Jeff Johnson and Sandy Simpson – Through The Door – 1982

This album was Jeff Johnson’s 4th album though album one and two had a very limited release.

It was the first album where he would team up with Sandy Simpson. It is for the main part an easy listening album with strong audio effects and synthesizer.

The opening track is a vocal story telling piece that is very well done. It was also the first album for his best known song Someday Sunday which he would go on to rework and re release throughout further albums.

Track Listing:
1 – The First Sleep – 2:21
2 – Through The Door – 4:10
3 – The Golden Key – 5:09
4 – The Morning Glory – 3:59
5 – Chan Fang-Sheng (Sailing Homeward) – 5:06
6 – Stuck On Mars – 3:21
7 – The Jupiter Effect – 6:07
8 – Someday, Sunday – 3:34
9 – The Last Sleep – 4:04
10 – Winding Road – 6:31

Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Sandy Simpson
Artwork – David Hastings (2), Kathy Hastings
Autoharp – Sandy Simpson
Backing Vocals – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Effects [Sound Effects] – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Electric Guitar – Sandy Simpson
Electric Piano – Jeff Johnson
Harpsichord – Jeff Johnson
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Percussion [Seasonal] – Sandy Simpson
Piano [Acoustic] – Jeff Johnson
Synthesizer – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson

Servant – Caught In The Act of Loving Him – 1983

This was the 4th studio album from Servant and their first on their own short lived label, Roof Top records.

This album continued their progression as a great 80’s CCM Rock & Roll band. The songwriting was excellent and Sandie Brock’s voice was developing to a more Fleetwood Mac sound.

Many reviewers say she was sounding like Steve Nicks on this album by I don’t actually agree. Sandie’s voice is very distinctive and stands on it’s own.

Over all the album adds a little more electronics but holds steady as a great Rock & Roll album.

Track Listing:
1 – Burning Bridges – 3:57
2 – Thank God – 4:33
3 – Fall Out – 4:30
4 – Now Is The Time – 2:56
5 – Holding On To You – 3:58
6 – Heart To Heart – 3:13
7 – Gauges – 3:02
8 – Something Right For You – 3:24
9 – Tied Down – 3:58
10 – Can’t Go Back – 3:08

Credits:
Artwork – Rob Jaffe
Bass – Rob Martens
Drums – David Holmes
Keyboards – Matt Spransy
Lead Guitar – Bruce Wright
Photography By – Christopher Briscoe
Producer – Jonathan David Brown
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Owen Brock
Vocals – Bob Hardy, Sandie Brock

Alwyn Wall – Invisible Warfare – 1982

This was the first album from Alwyn Wall though he had released an album in 1977 under the name “The Alwyn Wall Band”.

A member of Malcolm & Alwyn in the 70’s this was really his second solo project. Albums were relatively rare from Alwyn but when they did come out they were good.

His albums had far less filler songs and I find it difficult to pick singles given the quality of the songs. You can’t really say this album sounds like anything. Instead Alwyn offers a style all his own.

This album was produced and engineered by Larry Norman and was probably the best job he ever did in those roles as most agree these roles were not his strong point.

Track Listing:
1 – Doctor, Doctor 5:15
2 – On Your Marks (Are You Ready?) 4:09
3 – Let The Light Come 4:43
4 – Hold On 4:24
5 – Someday 4:52
6 – I’m Alright Jack (The Greed Song) 3:16
7 – (You’ve Got To Be) Doers 3:42
8 – Greatest Show On Earth 4:08
9 – Jesus I Love You 1:42C

Credits:
Backing Vocals, Engineer – Mark Williamson
Bass – Tim Hatwell
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Engineer – Tim Jacquette
Guitar – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Producer, Backing Vocals, Engineer – Larry Norman
Vocals, Guitar – Alwyn Wall

Lex Rex – Beat The Heat – 1990

This is the one and only album from Lex Rex. It’s a good Heavy Metal album though a few tracks are just good old Rock & Roll.

The name is quite unique and is Latin for “God’s law is King”. Bass player Curt Walsh went on to tour with Clay Walker and Tony Vines now makes very high quality custom guitars.

Other than that there’s not a lot to say about the album other than it’s pretty darn good.

Track Listing:
1 – Blown Away – 4:34
2 – Beat The Heat – 3:29
3 – A Broken Heart – 4:48
4 – My Lord – 3:25
5 – I Kill Devils – 4:17
6 – Blood Of Love – 4:02
7 – Crying In The Night – 5:27
8 – Absolute Perfection – 3:24
9 – Sledgehammer – 4:00
10 – Daddy – 4:00

Credits:
Bass – Curt Walsh
Drums – Tony Vines (2)
Guitar – Tom Brock (3)
Producer – Lex Rex
Vocals – Harv Prichard
Written-By – Harv Prichard (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), Tom Brock (3) (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10)

John Michael Talbot – Hiding Place – 1990

Hiding Place was John’s first album in 1990. He was quite busy that year releasing 4 albums.

This album follows the same style of personal meditation as his previous albums. This album is somewhat repetitive in that manner but most listeners were happy with the new musical scores.

Despite John’s Roman Catholic faith his albums are well received by Christians of all faiths as evidenced by this album rising to 19th on the Contemporary Christian music charts.

Track Listing:
1 – The Hiding Place – 3:33
2 – Confession – 4:22
3 – I Will Lift Up My Eyes – 3:58
4 – Unless The Lord Build The House – 3:59
5 – Psalm 27 – 3:27
6 – Christ As A Light – 1:56
7 – Anima Christi – 3:23
8 – Surrender – 2:55
9 – My Vows To The Lord – 3:46
10 – There’s A Time – 4:20

Credits:
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Design – Brenda Whitehill
Engineer – Gil Morales
Guitar, Vocals – John Michael Talbot
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Orchestrated By – Phil Perkins
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Recorded By, Mixed By – Bernie Kirsh
Written-By – John Michael Talbot

Eternity Express – (self titled) – 1979

I must admit I knew nothing about Eternity Express before writing this review.

The album here is your typical late Jesus Music offering bridging into 80’s easy listening. It’s well produced and engineered and the band is pretty good at what they do.

But here’s the story on the band. The brother of evangelist Ken Gaub, Mike, joined up with Nathan and Dan Gaub to form a support band for Ken’s ministry. They had some erratic album releases and members came and went over the years.

In 2012 Dan Gaub appears to have committed suicide as he was being investigated by the FBI for securities fraud. It’s been alleged that he robbed investors of approximately 40 million dollars.

The band changed names in the late 80’s to “Illustrator” and released two albums under that name.

Track Listing:
1 – Reservation
2 – Turn Your Life Around
3 – Dream World
4 – Happy New Year
5 – Always There
6 – End Of The Line
7 – Shame
8 – Lost Love
9 – Stop Your Runnin’
10 – Never Alone
11 – Gotcha By My Side

Credits:
Nathan Gaub – Vocal, Bass
Mike Gaub – Vocal, Drums
Dan Gaub – Guitar & Arranging

Youth Choir – Voices In Shadows – 1985

This is the introductory album from Youth Choir, later known as Choir.

They were one of the many great bands that came out of Calvary Chapel in Orange County, California in the 80’s. The band featured Derald Daugherty of Lost Dogs fame along with Steve Hindalong, and Mike Sauerbrey.

This album has a pure new wave sound with hints of U2. The single “Someone’s Calling” was well received and received regular airplay in Christian radio.

Point of trivia is that Steve Hindalong was credited with playing drums but the drums on the album are completely electronic.

Track Listing:
1 – Someone’s Calling – 4:27
2 – Wounds Of A Young Heart – 2:38
3 – Dreams – 3:48
4 – Another Heart – 3:32
5 – Why Are All The Children Crying – 4:31
6 – Another World – 3:54
7 – Here In The Night – 4:17
8 – Alright Tonight – 2:54
9 – Anyone But You – 3:34
10 – A Million Years – 3:41

Credits:
Bass [Uncredited] – Mike Sauerbrey
Design [Sleeve] – Ed McTaggart
Design, Layout, Artwork By [Photo Illustration] – Kevin Short
Other [Crewed By] – Bob Salcedo, Tim Curiel
Other [Live Sound] – Dave Hackbarth
Percussion [Uncredited] – Steve Hindalong
Photography – Scott Lockwood
Photography [Back Cover] – Linda Baley
Producer, Engineer – Thom Roy
Vocals [Uncredited], Guitar [Uncredited] – Derald Daugherty
Written-By, Performer – Youth Choir

Various – Rock Around The World – 1984

This 1984 Refuge Records sampler dished up some singles/bands we were well aware of such as Daniel Amos and Jerusalem.

Two lesser known artists were Marloe Scott Wilson and Peter Beveridge and there were three artists that don’t appear to have ever been released elsewhere, Communique, Christian Gonzales, and Dave Eastman.

All in all a good sampler of hits from the era.

Tracklist
1 – Jerusalem – Let’s Go – 3:42
2 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent – 3:05
3 – Semaja – Hey Friend – 4:14
4 – Jan Groth – Lie Is Not Truth – 4:05
5 – Marloe Scott Wilson – Love Explosion – 3:91
6 – Peter Beveridge – No Doubt In This Love – 3:86
7 – Communique – A New Song – 3:86
8 – Christian Gonzales – What Ever’s Happ’nin’ – 3:33
9 – Daniel Band – Here I Am – 3:03
10 – Dave Eastman – The Power Of Love – 3:76

City Limits – (self titled) – 1981

City Limits was Scott Roley and his touring band in studio. The drummer for the album was Joe English but he didn’t tour in support of the album.

The single “Sacrificing Love” broke the top five on the Contemporary Christian Charts and had strong airplay for several months.

The album is easy listening and easy to listen too and the songs are all very well written i.e. excellent lyrics and music.

Track Listing:
1 – Holdin’ The Key – 3:09
2 – Christians – 4:23
3 – Lost In His Love – 3:59
4 – In Each Heart – 2:58
5 – Sacrificing Love – 3:53
6 – Heavenly Father – 3:15
7 – The Awakening – 3:00
8 – Cross Your Heart – 3:16
9 – In Your Love – 3:38
10 – Man From Heaven – 3:15

Credits:
Art Direction, Design – Ron Brant, Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver, Michael Albrecht, Sheri Huffman
Bass – Larry Paxton
Drums – Joe English
Engineer – Jim Baird, Pat Holt, Randy Holland, Scott Hendricks
Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – George Cocchini, Jon Goin, Kenny Mims
Horns – Dennis Solee, Donnie (Sax) Sanders, Ernie Collins, Matt Davich, Rob Hill, Sam Levine, Terry Mead
Keyboards – John Rosasco
Lead Vocals [Uncredited] – Scott Roley
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Percussion [Mallet Instruments], Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Alan Steinberger
Photography By – Larry DuPont
Photography By [Photograph Of Scott Roley] – Melody McGuire
Producer, Arranged By [String Arrangements], Arranged By [Brass Arrangements] – John Rosasco