Author: Ray Mansfield

One of the founding cowboys of Real 80s CCM. Been listening to this stuff since 1978.

Gentle Faith – (self titled) – 1976

Gentle Faith was Darrell Mansfield’s first band and they released their only album in 1976.

This album varies greatly in style as there are some light rock 70’s style tunes, a few bluegrass songs, and one good solid rock song. Most of the other band members from Gentle Faith worked with Darrell in future projects.

While this album is all over the place it should be listened to for the sake of hearing where Darrell came from.

Tracklist
1 – Simple Song
2 – Living In The Sonshine
3 – The Whole Lump Of Dough
4 – It’s So Good To Know
5 – Jerusalem
6 – Noah
7 – My Love For You
8 – Goin’ Back Home
9 – Turnaround
10 – Home

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Vocals – Don Gerber
Art Direction – Neal Buchanan
Artwork [Embroidery] – Nona Cutrona
Backing Vocals – Virgil Beckham
Bass, Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Henry Cutrona
Co-producer [Production Assistance] – Al Perkins
Drums, Percussion – Paul Angers
Electric Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Vocals – Steve Kara
Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan Brown*
Fiddle – Fred Field
Keyboards, Saxophone – Dave Garland*
Lead Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield
Photography By – George Fortner, Scott Lockwood
Producer – Virgil Beckham
Resonator Guitar [Dobro] – Leroy McNee*
Strings – Dave Garland* (tracks: B5), Jim Stipech (tracks: A1)

Darrell Mansfield – Born To Be Wild – 2008

This is a collection of classic rock songs (some altered slightly) put out by Darrell Mansfield.

There is actually very little info on this album and I’m not able to find the catalogue number for it. It is however perhaps the greatest “cover” album ever put out.

Some of the covers are so good you wouldn’t even know it’s a cover. I have no idea who his backing band was for this album, but they are obviously a very strong band.

Track Listing:
1 – Born to Be Wild
2 – Just Lookin’ for a Church
3 – Spirit in the Sky
4 – Back Slider
5 – Radar Love
6 – Drift Away
7 – For the Love of Money
8 – Are You Ready?
9 – Respect Yourself
10 – Put a Little Love in Your Heart
11 – Oh Well
12 – Walking in God’s Love
13 – Get Together
14 – I’ll Be There
15 – Lean on Me
16 – Nature’s Way

Kenny Marks – Make It Right – 1987

This is the 4th album from Kenny Marks and by this point he had perfected his pop rock sound.

While this album has a decidedly 80’s sound it really has a feel that makes it an album that still plays well today.

The track “Good News” (a Randy Stonehill cover) shows us Kenny’s rock and Roll side and “Bon Appetite” gave us some variety in the form of a 50’s style rock tune.

Track Listing:
1 – Holy Eyes – 3:38
2 – Never Been A Stranger – 3:57
3 – White Dress – 4:52
4 – Promise Me – 3:25
5 – Make It Right – 4:26
6 – Bon Appétit – 3:11
7 – I’d Do It All Over Again – 3:26
8 – Say A Prayer For Me Tonight – 4:43
9 – No Compromise – 3:32
10 – Stand – 4:32
11 – The Party’s Over (The Video Mix) – 4:37
12 – Good News – 4:27

Credits:
Backing Vocals – Chris Harris (2), Chris Rodriguez, Kenny Marks
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Bass Harmonica – Buddy Greene
Dobro – Jerry Douglas
Drums – Chad Cromwell
Electric Guitar – Jerry McPherson
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – George Cocchini
Electric Piano [B-3 Organ] – Phil Madeira
Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Mastered By – Hank Williams (2)
Percussion – Bubba Smith (2)
Producer – Bubba Smith (2)
Recorded By, Mixed By – JB (12)
Saxophone – Mark Douthit

Ever Call Ready – (self titled) – 1985

Ever Call Ready were a one album Gospel Bluegrass band.

The band was better known as the Flying Burrito Brothers and it appears they used this new name to put out a entirely gospel album. The album consists of several gospel covers as well as some original material.

All in all this is an excellent bluegrass album but doesn’t really leave us with a lasting reason to remember it. Trivia point for this album is that the lead singer of the band, Chris Hillman, is actually one of the original members of The Byrds.

Track Listing:
1 – River Of Jordan
2 – I’ll Be No Stranger There
3 – Don’t Let Them Take The Bible Out Of Our School Rooms
4 – God Loves His Children
5 – It’s Beginning To Rain
6 – Livin’ In The Name Of Love
7 – Boat Of Love
8 – Men Are So Busy
9 – I’m Using My Bible For A Road Map
10 – Panhandle Rag

Credits:
Bass – Jerry Scheff
Fiddle, Electric Guitar – David Mansfield
Lead Vocals, Mandolin – Chris Hillman
Resonator, Guitar, Tenor Vocals – Al Perkins
Tenor Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Bernie Leadon
Art Direction – Alex MacDougall
Design – Cluny Rakestraw
Executive Producer – Mary Neely
Illustration – Dave Swaney
Photography – Kent Lacin
Producer – Al Perkins
Recorded By – Daryl Zachman, Joe Bellamy

Randy Adams – Songs From Seven Years – 1979

Randy Adams is one of the originating members of Dallas Holm and Praise. He did however record this solo album while still with Dallas Holm and Praise.

Randy has gone on to have a very successful career as a sound engineer.

Track Listing:
1 – I Believe
2 – Just Like You
3 – Miracle In Me
4 – Just One Thing
5 – Apology
6 – Broken Man
7 – Count It All Joy
8 – Mary
9 – Psalm 30
10 – The Dream

Credits:
Producers: Randy Adams, Wayne Donowho, Darrell A. Harris
Vocals: Randy Adams
Drums: Ric Norris, Carl Napoli
Percussion: Russell Dunlap
Piano: Tim Sheppard, Teresa Mauney, Rick Meilke, Tim Johnson
Organ: Paul Mills, Dr. Dan Williamson
Keyboards: Paul Mills
Synthesizer: Brian Tankersley
Guitar: John Davis, Randy Adams, Dave Marshall
Steel Guitar: Jimmy Powell
Mandolin: Dave Martini
Cello: Craig Weaver Oboe: Jay Volney
Harnonica: Kemper Crabb
Bass: Randy Adams
Flute & Recorder: Fletch Wiley
Handclaps: Wayne, Russell, Xen
Autoharp: Randy Adams
Background Vocals: The Bowen Sisters
Choral Vocals: Gigi Gresham, Audrey Adams, Kevin Snow, Mark Schulz, Pat Dorflinger, Erick Nelson, Michelle Pillar

Crumbächer – Incandescent – 1985

Though often assumed to be a German band Crumbächer was actually a U.S. band whose lead singer’s name was Stephen Crumbächer.

Incandescent was their first album. I was supposed to be an EP, but upon the record company hearing it, they requested the band cut a few more songs to make it a full length album.

Crumbächer were probably the first synthpop band in the CCM genre. There’s really not much to say about this album, it had a German synthpop sound and was actually quite good for this style of music.

Point of trivia is that the album was produced by Ojo Taylor from the band Undercover.

Track Listing:
1 – Understudy – 3:25
2 – Infrared/X-Ray Eyes – 4:16
3 – Glowing In The Dark – 5:12
4 – So Strange – 5:41
5 – It Don’t Matter – 4:45
6 – Jamie – 4:46
7 – Sweet By And By – 3:29
8 – Track You Down – 5:16

Credits:
Backing Vocals – Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Jimmy Wisner
Drums – Jimmy Wisner
Guitar – Dan Hohulin
Keyboards – Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Stephen Crumbächer
Producer – O-Joe Taylor
Vocals – Stephen Crumbächer

Stryper – Yellow and Black Attack – 1986

Originally released in 1984 as a 6 song EP was “The Yellow and Black Attack”. This is the 1986 blue vinyl re-release which featured 2 bonus tracks. While this was Stryper’s debut album it didn’t sell well until their second release “Soldiers Under Command” achieved gold then fans hunted out this album. It had the typical Stryper sound which of course was strong heavy metal. Like them or not Stryper did fill a gap in Christian music and they did have some crossover success. Point of trivia is that the Japanese version of this album featured another bonus track “Winter Wonderland”.

Tracklist
1 – Loud ‘N’ Clear – 3:28
2 – From Wrong To Right – 3:47
3 – My Love I’ll Always Show – 3:39
4 – You Know What To Do – 4:48
5 – Co’Mon Rock – 3:44
6 – You Won’t Be Lonely – 3:43
7 – Loving You – 4:12
8 – Reason For The Season – 6:31

Credits
Art Direction – Brian Ayuso
Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tim Gaines
Drums – Robert Sweet
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Oz Fox
Illustration [Cover] – Tom Utley
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Michael Sweet
Mastered By – Eddy Schreyer
Mixed By – Jim Faraci
Photography By – Glen La Fermin
Producer – Ron Goudie (tracks: A1 to 2, A4 to B3), Stryper
Programmed By [Synclavier] – Chris Currell

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – The Enigma Entertainment Corporation
Distributed By – Capitol Records, Inc.
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – ? 13003
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Enigma Entertainment Corporation
Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-24020
Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-24021
Published By – Sweet Family Music
Recorded At – Amigo Studios
Recorded At – Clover Recorders

Sweet Comfort Band – Perfect Timing – 1984

The 1984 album “Perfect Timing” was a shift in style for Sweet Comfort Band. Previously known as an easy listening band this album struck a departure from that style. Perfect Timing move more to light/medium rock. The album also featured a few tracks in a new wave/pop style and even a track with more of a 70’s funk feeling. This was the last studio album for Sweet Comfort Band with the exception of a reunion album released in 2013. All in all “Perfect Timing” did indeed have perfect timing and was an excellent album for the time period.

 

Tracklist
1 – Perfect Timing – 3:26
2 – Habit Of Hate – 3:32
3 – You Led Me To Believe – 5:08
4 – Don’t Bother Me Now – 3:49
5 – Computer Age – 3:32
6 – Sing For The Melody – 3:42
7 – Lookin’ For The Answer – 4:45
8 – Envy & Jealosy – 4:20
9 – Prodigal’s Regret – 4:10
10 – Neighborhood Kids – 3:48

Credits
Art Direction – Kevin Thomson
Bass [Alembic] – Kevin Thomson
Co-producer [Production Assistance] – Randy Thomas (2)
Cover – Kernie Erickson
Drums – Rick Thomson
Edited By – Marvin McNeil
Engineer [2nd Engineer] – Mike Mierau
Guitar – Randy Thomas (2)
Keyboards – John Schreiner, Peter Robinson Lacquer Cut By – RD
Lead Vocals – Bryan Duncan, Randy Thomas (2) (tracks: A5)
Mastered By – Richard Donaldson
Mixed By – Dino Elefante
Photography By – Spencer Pendergrass
Producer – Dino Elefante
Recorded By – Dino Elefante
Vocals – Ben Mendoza, John Elefante, Randy Thomas (2), Rick Thomson
Vocals [“Neighborhood Kids”] – Ben Mendoza, Lisa Lantz

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Libris Music
Published By – Mastadon Publishing Company
Designed At – Visual Communications
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Sound Dome
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.

Andy McCarroll & Moral Support – Zionic Bonds – 1981

Zionic Bonds was one of the most important CCM albums ever released. While a few small bands had been working in this style Andy McCarroll and Moral Support brought punk/new wave into the mainstream CCM music scene. It was exactly what CCM listeners were waiting for whether they knew it or not. Historically Andy McCarroll had released 2 previous albums that are not in the style of Zionic Bonds and there are 2 very rare previous Eps using the name of Moral Support. The use of this style of music with some very strong social commentary lyrics makes this album one of the best and most important CCM albums ever. Strangely the band were referred to as just Moral Support in the UK giving us an alternate album cover.

 

Tracklist
1 – Sin – 4:10
2 – How The Kids Are Feelin’ – 2:39
3 – To Know You – 2:53
4 – Slippin’ And Slidin’ – 3:38
5 – I Am Human – 3:53
6 – Cyan City – 3:44
7 – King Man – 2:43
8 – Livin’ A Lie – 3:54
9 – In Control – 4:56
10 – 20th Century – 4:41

Credits
Bass – Alan Gillespie
Drums – Ian Sloan
Guitar – Jimmy Davis (7)
Keyboards – William Hilary
Photography By – Dennis McMeekan
Producer – Andy Kidd
Sleeve [Design] – Andy McCarroll
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Andy McCarroll

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pilgrim America
Copyright (c) – Pilgrim America
Recorded At – ICC Studios

Rez Band (Resurrection Band) – Hostage – 1984

Hostage was the 6th studio offering from Rez Band. The album surprised and disappointed some fans due to the addition of synthesizer and a new wave sound on some tracks. However old fans weren’t left out as the album featured several hard rock tracks that they loved. The producers/Sparrow Records chose “Crimes” as the “single and in fact a music video was made (available on our channel) that was rumoured to have had some very limited play on MTV. However the real “single” or fan favourite was the more new wave song “S.O.S.”

Tracklist
1 – S.O.S. – 4:03
2 – Attention – 3:45
3 – Souls For Hire – 3:30
4 – Defective Youth – 2:57
5 – Who’s Real Anymore – 4:06
6 – Armageddon Appetite – 1:26
7 – Beyond The Gun – 4:20
8 – Crimes – 3:38
9 – It’s You – 2:02
10 – Tears In The Rain – 6:00
11 – Walk Away – 4:50

Credits
Arranged By [All Songs Arranged By] – Rez Band
Band, Bass, Keyboards, Guitar – Jim Denton
Band, Drums – John Herrin
Band, Lead Guitar, Keyboards – Stu Heiss
Band, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Band, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Glenn Kaiser
Design Concept [Album Cover Concept], Artwork – Cornerstone Graphics, Dick Randall, Janet Cameron
Engineer [Assistant] – Greg Jacques, Roy Montroy
Engineer [Engineered By] – Roger Heiss
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Noises [Door] – Greg Jacques
Photography By – Pat Peterson (2), Tom Wray
Producer [Produced By] – Rez Band
Saxophone – Steve Eisen

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – Rez Band Music
Recorded At – Tone Zone Recording
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Rez Band Music