Here’s a great 5 man band out of Spokane WA. This is their first of two albums. It was Originally self released but was picked up by Praise records for their New Born label. The band has a great 70’s sound that leaned more Light Rock but the track Devil’s Friend was a real rocker. Not really much else I can tell you about them as they are a rather obscure band that I didn’t hear of back in the day even though they were on a label we followed closely. My best guess is that the label didn’t do much distribution on the album.
Tracklist 1 – Long Long Way 2 – How Long 3 – Pretty Lady 4 – One Nighter 5 – Good Samaritan 6 – Pearly Gates 7 – Devil’s Friend 8 – Walkin’ In Darkness 9 – Comin’ Home 10 – Soul’s Desire 11 – Heirborn
Credits Rob Neuschwander – Drums, Vocals, Percussion Dave Wold – Fender Rhodes, Piano, A.R.P., Vocals Ben Mayo – Fender Bass, Vocals Michael Lehnen – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, A.R.P., Percussion Dick Ellis – Engineer, Mixdown Mike Dwyer – Mixdown
Companies, etc. Recorded and Mixed at – Sounds Unlimited Studios Mastered at – KM Records Burbank, California
Lisa had started her music career in Nashville working the studio circuit but did not get any album credits. She then started working with the Lowell Lundstrom ministry. In 1991 she self released this, her first album. I don’t know if the Lundstroms financed it and I don’t even know who is on it or produced it. In fact I know very little about it so it’s one we just have to listen to see what it’s like and it’s pretty good. The production is pretty good but it’s a pretty easy listening album so if you are Rock oriented this one probably isn’t for you. Lisa would go on to have a lengthy music career with several albums and appearances. She is still releasing music and you can check it out on her website. https://www.lisadaggs.net/
Tracklist 1 – Who Are You 2 – Your Love Stays With Me 3 – We Exalt You 4 – He Really Cares About You 5 – You’ve Never Given Up On Me 6 – Nobody Loves Me Like You 7 – Pickin’ Up The Pieces 8 – Rest In Me 9 – Purify Us Lord 10 – Until Day Four
Including this album on our channel is a little bit of a stretch. We are adding it to provide context of where Bonnie Bramlett came from. She was actually had a very successful secular career in “Delaney & Bonnie” which was her and her husband Delaney. This album is one they released of entirely gospel songs so I thought it might be a good fit for the channel. This album actually reached number 13 on the Hot 100 from July 14 to 24, 1971, and was Billboard’s number 67 single of 1971. The band and their marriage ended in 1972 in part, according to Bonnie, due to drug use. Bonnie then had a solo career spanning 4 albums before her Christian release in 1981. I found the following story about Bonnie on Wikipedia and thought it would be fun to share. “While on tour with Stills in 1979, Bramlett punched Elvis Costello in the face at a hotel bar in Columbus, Ohio, after Costello referred to James Brown as a “jive-ass nier” and Ray Charles a “blind, ignorant nier.” Bramlett having brought his remarks to the attention of the press, Costello apologized at a press conference in New York City a few days later, stating he had been drunk and had been trying to be obnoxious in order to bring the conversation to a swift conclusion. According to Costello, “it became necessary for me to outrage these people with about the most obnoxious and offensive remarks that I could muster.”
Tracklist 1 – Where The Soul Never Dies – 3:25 2 – Will The Circle Be Unbroken – 2:42 3 – Rock Of Ages – 2:15 4 – Long Road Ahead – 3:25 5 – Faded Love – 4:03 6 – Talkin’ About Jesus – 6:40 7 – Come On In My Kitchen – 2:43 8 – Don’t Deceive Me – 3:53 9 – Never Ending Song Of Love – 3:20 10 – Sing My Way Home – 4:07 11 – Going Down The Road Feeling Bad – 5:10 12 – Lonesome & Long Way From Home – 4:00
Credits Alto Vocals – Iva Bramlett Engineer – Bruce Botnick, Lewis Peters, Richard Moore Musician – Eddie James, Jim Keltner Musician, Vocals – Ben Benay, Bobby Whitlock, Bonnie Bramlett, Carl Radle, Dave Mason, Delaney Bramlett, Duane Allman, Gram Parsons, Jay York, John Hartford, Kenny Gradney, Leon Russell, Sandy Konikoff Photography By, Design [Album Design] – Barry Feinstein, Tom Wilkes Photography, Design – Camouflage Productions Producer, Arranged By – Delaney Bramlett
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Of Canada, Ltd. Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Of Canada, Ltd. Published By – Delbon Published By – Cotillion Published By – Metric Published By – Hill & Range Published By – Noma Published By – Nice Songs Published By – Tideland Published By – Skyhill Produced For – Delbon Productions Printed By – Ever Reddy Lacquer Cut At – RCA Studios, Toronto
This is Al Denton’s second album and was self released on his own label same as he did for his first. This album however is as good as anything else available at the time. What I mean is that this album is one of the best self released albums I have ever heard. The material is fantastic, the studio work is excellent, and the production is top notch. The album was produced by Paul Mills and Kemper Crabb and you can hear their talents. I have no idea who was in the studio other than Jerry McPherson but this was a great team of musicians. The albums leans more to light rock but I will say that “This Ice” is headed into my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Nothing Can Separate Us 2 – Thin Ice 3 – As You Are 4 – The Battle Is On 5 – Two Wrongs Tonight 6 – Do The Same 7 – We Can Make A Difference 8 – Cut To The Heart 9 – Burning Bridges 10 – In His Sanctuary
Here’s another one for our Spanish listeners. We uploaded his 3rd album last month and it was well received so today we’re visiting his 5th album. This album was widely praised for modernizing Spanish-language Christian music with a pop-rock and ballad-infused sound. To me the album leans more easy listening than his earlier work but he was switch9ing to more of a worship oriented artist. The album was a collaborative effort with musician and producer Cesar Garza, who brought a high level of programming and arrangement to the music. The album also showcases the work of various talented Mexican songwriters.
Tracklist 1 – Te Exaltamos – 4:38 2 – Hoy Levantamos Tu Nombre – 2:19 3 – Yeshúa – 3:12 4 – Me Gozaré – 3:15 5 – Restaurarás El Santo Lugar – 2:07 6 – Él Es Mi Rey – 3:59 7 – Renuévame – 4:05 8 – A Cristo, Solo A Cristo – 3:42 9 – Porque Tú Eres Bueno – 2:46 10 – Maravilloso Dios – 2:21 11 – Al Estar Aquí – 4:03 12 – Quiero Levantar Mis Manos – 4:26
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jose Perez Arranged By – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Jose Perez, Marcos Witt Backing Vocals – Eliezer Gallegos, Elvira Garza, Jose Perez, Lorena Warren, Marcos Witt, Nicky Garza, Nolita Warren, Rodolfo Orozco Electric Bass, Engineer – Luis Chi-Sing Executive-Producer, Piano – Marcos Witt Graphic Design – Raquel Barrientos Guitar – Gerray West Mixed By – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Gerray West, Luis Chi-Sing, Raul Angel Taboada “Salomon” Percussion – Alejandro Díaz, Cesar Eduardo Garza Producer – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Gerray West, Marcos Witt Recorded By, Synthesizer, Electric Organ, Drum Programming – Cesar Eduardo Garza Technician – Raul Angel Taboada “Salomon”
This is the last thing we got from Hoi Polloi after what I consider a great run. I’m pretty sure the sales numbers wouldn’t consider it a great run but I’m referring to the talent and the songs which I consider a great run. This demo is perfectly situated in 1996. I have heard these guys since their early days as Jamboree up until this album and they progressed over that time with the trends. Anyway so here we have a pretty guitar heavy grunge feel and while not my personal favourite style this album was perfect for the time and I only wish it would have lead to an album. But alas this was it for Hoi Polloi. Some trivia, per the guys over at Christian Tape Underground (https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/) there is also a version of this demo simply entitled “Demo”. According to them “If I Was Juliet” and “Only Flying” are trimmed differently between the two releases. Thanks for the music Hoi Polloi.
Tracklist 1 – Simply Super – 4:14 2 – Only Flying – 3:55 3 – If I Was Juliet – 5:14
Credits Bass – Andrew Horst Drums – Matt McGuyer Guitar – Troy Daugherty Lead Vocals, Words By – Jenny Gullen
This is the third and last album from The Living Sacrifice Band out of Spokane WA. Apparently they went through a few name changes starting out as Last Call of Shiloh, then Living Sacrifice, and finally as Living Sacrifice Band. They also released one album as The Last Call Of Shiloh. They released this album on Shekinah records which was a micro label out of Oceanport, NJ. The album has a progressive seventies Rock sound and feel and features the multiple instruments you would expect on a progressive album. Side one is more Rock oriented while side 2 is a little more mellow. Pretty good album here that you have probably never heard of due to it’s obscurity so if that 70’s progressive style is your thing this one is for you.
Tracklist 1 – Hallelujah 2 – Resurrection 3 – Woman At The Well 4 – Marriage Supper Of The Lamb 5 – Ezekiel 38 & 39 6 – Armegeddon 7 – Raging Sea 8 – A Call To Brokeness
Credits Rob Neuschwander – drums, vocals, bass John Murray – vocals, harmonica, guitar, bass Diane Murray – vocals Doug Houser – vocals, flute Heidi Nelson – vocals, piano John Rosenberry – vocals, guitar
Charles Johnson might have been better known as a member of soul gospel group The Sensational Nightingales who actually started up in the 40’s. This is another group that was huge in the soul side of the industry and unknown on the rock side of the industry. Charles started up this group after he left The Sensational Nightingales in the early 80’s. This album has been classified as Soul but really it had more of a 50’s feel than soul but admittedly sometimes those 2 genres melt together. Anyway needless to say I never heard this one before finding it in our stack which is really too bad because this is a great album with a fun 50’s feel.
Tracklist 1 – There Is A Guarantee In Jesus – 4:45 2 – I’ve Been Sealed – 4:10 3 – I’ll See You In The Rapture – 4:25 4 – It’s Time To Go Back Home – 3:39 5 – My Friend Jesus – 4:32 6 – I Can’t Even Walk – 4:33 7 – Giving You A Warning Sinner – 3:45
Credits Bass Guitar – Richard A. Luster Drums – Mark Williams Keyboards – Roger Fortner Lead Guitar – Darrell Luster Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Tim Greene Rhythm Guitar – Charles Johnson
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mountain Top Studios
This is the Imperials 2nd Christmas album. While their first one was very very popular, this one, not so much. In part it is because they self released it so it probably only sold through their mail order program. This was a period that the Imperials were struggling with record labels. The album is traditional Christmas songs done in a very traditional quartet style. It’s not even in the same ballpark as their first album but I don’t think they wanted it to be.
Tracklist 1 – Sleigh Ride 2 – White Christmas 3 – Silent Night 4 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel 5 – I Have Seen The Light 6 – The Christmas Song 7 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 8 – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee 9 – What Child Is This 10 – Hark The Herald Angels Sing
This album probably contains the biggest CCM Christmas song ever. The title track was written by Andrew Culverwell and suited Evie’s vocals perfectly. The album also received a nominated for Grammy Award for best Contemporary Gospel performance. The album is mainly traditional material but Lennart Sjöholm did many of the arrangements. The album has a country feel and is one of the most loved CCM Christmas albums still to this day.
Tracklist 1 – Come On, Ring Those Bells – 3:02 2 – Away In A Manger – 2:37 3 – No Room/Have You Any Room For Jesus? – 3:42 4 – Mary’s Boy Child – 2:45 5 – Silent Night – 3:34 6 – O Holy Night – 3:45 7 – What Child Is This? – 3:35 8 – Some Children See Him – 1:43 9 – One Small Child – 3:04 10 – A Thousand Candles – 2:39
Credits Backing Vocals – Janie Fricke Singers Bass – Jack Williams Drums – Bill Harris, Jerry Carrigan Guitar – Billy Sanford, Jerry Shook, Pete Bordinella Harmonica – Charlie McCoy Keyboards – Lennart Sjöholm, Randy Goodrum Oboe – Bob Taylor Percussion – Farrell Morris Recorder, Clarinet – Billy Puett Steel Guitar – Weldon Myrick Strings – Shelly Kurland Strings
Companies, etc. Recorded At – The Sound Lab, Nashville Remixed At – Europa Film
