Ray Mansfield – Page 14

Jane Edward – Hunger for Reality – 1980

This is the one and only album we got from Jane. It is on New Born records which is the sister label of legendary Canadian label Tunesmith. Being on a label in the Tunesmith family can be a blessing or a curse. A few great bands were able to get exposure on Tunesmith to real record companies while others had their album released and not even distributed properly. I believe this album falls in the cursed category as it is very very rare and I have no memory of it and my friends and I were constantly monitoring this label for hidden gems. Anyway on the internet it says she was a Canadian artist but I think people are just saying that because this is a Canadian label. The album was recorded in Nashville and Jane currently lives in Nashville so I doubt she is a Canadian artist. As for the album it’s pretty good. It has a light rock feel and I enjoyed it. It was produced by Al Perkins and Greg Nelson so there’s nothing wrong with the mix or the feel. Whoever picked the track order however did a disservice to the album by putting the best track last. Just my opinion.

Tracklist
1 – Down On My Knees – 2:50
2 – Happy Song – 3:08
3 – Drink Of Jesus Love (Prov. 25:25) – 3:45
4 – Deep Magic – 2:30
5 – I Wanna Testify – 3:45
6 – Hey There Stranger – 3:38
7 – Dedication Blues – 2:35
8 – Isaiah 33: 15 – 17 – 2:58
9 – Searchin’ – 2:46
10 – Follow His Calling – 2:58

Credits
Arranged By – Greg Nelson, Richard Souther
Backing Vocals – Bili Thedford, Dona Thedford, Donna McElroy, Jane Edward, Venetta Fields, Vicki Hampton, Yvonne Hodges
Bass – David McKay, Ernie Collins
Drums – Bob Mater, James Kehn
Engineer – Scott Hendricks, Tom Trefethen
Guitar – Brent Rowan, Peter York, Randy Mitchell
Harmonica – Terry McMillan
Keyboards – Mitch Humphries, Richard Souther
Percussion – James Kehn
Photography – Deberah Perkins, John Holcomb, John Holcomb
Producer – Al Perkins, Greg Nelson
Saxophone – Donald Sanders

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Peace In The Valley Recording
Engineered At – Peace In The Valley Recording
Mixed At – Peace In The Valley Recording
Mastered At – Peace In The Valley Recording
Recorded At – Glaser Bros. Studio, Nashville
Engineered At – Glaser Bros. Studio, Nashville
Mixed At – Glaser Bros. Studio, Nashville
Mastered At – Glaser Bros. Studio, Nashville

Evie – Never The Same – 1979

Evie generally put out 2 or 3 albums a year 1979 was a year with 2 albums and of course this is one of them. I was very surprised to discover that this album contained Evie’s first ever CCM charting single. How did CCM magazine not recognize this artist earlier as her music was exactly what they loved. Anyway yes “Shine” made it to #17 on the CCM charts and it deserved to do better as it’s a pretty good song. Yes I said it was good because even though this isn’t my genre I know a good song when I hear one. Actually I’ve listened to a few Evie albums at this point and quite frankly this is the best one so far.

Tracklist
1 – Live For Jesus – 3:22
2 – Hold On – 3:45
3 – Special Delivery – 4:22
4 – Never The Same Again – 2:58
5 – This Life – 4:31
6 – Shine – 4:13
7 – At The River Of Jordan – 3:25
8 – Don’t Run From Reality – 3:57
9 – Home – 3:15
10 – You Have Everything In Your Hands / Jesus I Love You – 3:24

Credits
Art Direction [Visual Consultant] – Anders Bühlund
Backing Vocals – Christer Palm, Evie-Torngquist Karlsson, Inger Heinerborg, Pelle Karlsson
Bass – Sam Bengtsson
Cover – Dennis Hill
Drums – Roger Palm
Engineer – BBo-Göran Lundberg
Flute – Björn J:Son Lindh
Guitar – Hasse Rosén, Janne Schaffer, Lasse Westman, Pelle Karlsson
Harmonica – Luciano Mosetti
Keyboards – Kjell Ohman, Pelle Karlsson, Peter Ljung
Lacquer Cut By – Ped
Mandolin – Pelle Karlsson
Oboe – Jan Holmgren
Photography By – Labe Allwin
Producer, Arranged By – Pelle Karlsson
Steel Guitar – Janne Lindgren
Strings [Members Of] – The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Supreme Studio
Mixed At – Supreme Studio
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Printed By – General Printing AB
Published By – Word Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music
Published By – White Field Music
Published By – Ingemar Olsson Music
Published By – Lillenas Publishing Company

After The Fire – Batteries Not Included – 1982

While this album always lifts my spirits while I listen to it then I remember that this was it from the 80’s version of After The Fire. I’m not going on a long diatribe about why the band broke up as quite frankly I don’t think those types of reviews are fair as we weren’t in the band and we don’t know. In the end when these things happen I just prefer to say, “That’s Rock & Roll folks.” I spoke briefly with Peter about this album and he refereed to it saying “Batteries was our favourite album, despite it being short lived!”. There is some wrong information out there on this album so I will clarify. The singles were Rich Boys and Frozen Rivers and a music video was produced for Rich Boys. There is some info out there that Dancing In The Shadows was a single but it actually wasn’t, at least not in relation to this album. It was released as a single for the American release of the album Der Kommissar. The album did not do that well which is entirely baffling to me but again I just don’t agree with the choice of singles. To my 80’s DJ ears “Sometimes” is the obvious single. What do you think? Anyway love the band, love the album and luckily for us this would not be the last we heard from them, but it would take quite a few years. Album trivia…. there were versions of this album that used the album cover that would actually later be used on the U.S. release of Der Kommissar.

Tracklist
1 – Short Change – 3:19
2 – Frozen Rivers – 3:36
3 – Sometimes – 3:08
4 – Sailing Ship – 3:57
5 – I Don´t Understand Your Love – 2:53
6 – The Stranger – 2:50
7 – Rich Boys – 3:02
8 – Carry Me Home – 4:14
9 – Dancing In The Shadows – 3:02
10 – Space Walking – 3:17
11 – Gina – 1:39
12 – Stuck In Paris (Nowhere To Go) – 2:45
13 – Bright Lights – 3:36

Credits
Bass – Andy Piercy
Design [Cover] – Carlos Sapochnik
Drums – Pete King
Guitar – John Russell
Keyboards – Peter Memory Banks
Management – AMP Management
Mastered By – Reinhold Mack, Nick Webb
Mixed By [Assisted], Engineer [Assisted], Programmed By [Extra Synthesizers] – Stefan Wissnet
Photography By [Back Cover Photo] – Peter Hince
Producer, Mixed By, Engineer – Reinhold Mack

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records
Copyright © – CBS Records
Published By – Heath Levy Music Co. Ltd.
Produced At – Musicland Studios
Mixed At – Musicland Studios
Engineered At – Musicland Studios
Mastered At – Abbey Road Studios
Pressed By – CBS, Haarlem – 01-85135

Chuck Girard – Fire & Light – 1990

Chuck Girard’s Glow In The Dark album was one of the first CCM albums that my friends and I ever bought. We spent hours listening to Anthem and Somethin’ Supernatural. As such I always a special spot for Chuck but I’ll be honest, he lost me in the 80’s as his albums became meh. But this album is different. Though it’s in his usual style I really like this one. Perhaps it’s because Rob Watson was involved with the production but this album is actually a really good album. When I had to classify it into a style I actually chose Light Rock, up one level from Easy Listening where Chuck’s album normally reside. I really liked the drums on this album which were played by Burleigh Drummond of Ambrosia. So if you grew a little tired of Chuck through the 80’s take some time and listen to this one, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Tracklist
1 – Set The Trumpet To Your Mouth – 5:26
2 – Walls Of Praise – 3:58
3 – Follow the Light – 4:11
4 – Blessed In The City – 4:09
5 – Fresh Bread – 3:54
6 – Fill My Cup – 3:44
7 – Lift My Hands – 3:22
8 – O Holy Night – 4:46
9 – Be Enthroned O God – 4:05
10 – Talk To Me – 3:50
11 – Hearts Of Fire – 4:37
12 – Jesus Is Standing Here – 6:08
13 – Enter In – 4:10
14 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 5:09

Credits
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Bill Batstone, Chuck Girard, John Barbour
Art Direction, Design – Antonio Lozano
Art Direction, Design, Layout – John Schaffer
Backing Vocals – Alisa Girard, Andy Allen, Bill Batstone, Chuck Girard, John Barbour
Bass – Tim Chandler
Drums, Percussion – Burleigh Drummond
Edited By [Mix Down] – Brian Davis, Chuck Girard
Engineer – Brian Davis
Engineer [Assistant] – Andy Allen
Engineer [Drums] – Doug Doyle
Executive-Producer – Lewis McVay
Guitar – Randy Mitchell
Keyboards, Programmed By, Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Rob Watson
Mixed By – Brian Davis, Chuck Girard, Rob Watson
Photography By – Dianne McVay
Producer, Arranged By – Chuck Girard, Rob Watson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Asaph Records
Copyright © – Asaph Records
Distributed By – Asaph Musik
Distributed By – Asaph AG
Manufactured By – P+O Pallas – 63486

Zion – Joyful Noiz – 1984

Awhile ago we uploaded the second Zion album but today we’ve got our hands on the first one. Just a reminder that there are a few “Zions” out there and this is the one out of Oregon. This is their first self released album and it’s even better than their second album in my opinion. I do apologize for the quality but the album was only released on cassette and copies are rare. Now back to the album. This album easily should have been on a label. There are hints here of early Rez and or Barnabas and it is a great Rock & Roll album. Easily the best track is Dragon Slayer and the sampling of Puff The Magic Dragon is absolutely spot on.

Tracklist
1 – New Creation – 1:35
2 – Joyful Noise – 4:00
3 – Dragon Slayer – 3:45
4 – Hold Tight – 5:15
5 – It Is Finished – 7:00
6 – Matter Of Time – 4:15
7 – Carry On – 4:10
8 – Joy Of The Lord – 6:25
9 – On That Day – 4:25

Credits
Bass, Vocals, Guitar – Larry Wick
Drums, Percussion – John Scott Armas
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dave Day
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Producer – Jeff Bates
Lead Vocals – Linda Holt Morrison

Hot Pink Turtle – Ticklewigglejigglepickle – 1993

Ok fair warning, I’m going to offer up some criticism of this album. But it’s not what you think because I do not fault the band. In fact the band is excellent. They have tons of talent and a sound that I can only describe as Funk Rock. Some of the tracks have a more mainstream 90’s sound but some of them are really creative. Now for my criticism all of which I lay clearly at the feet of the record company. R.E.X. Records was known as an artists record company in that they really catered to the artist. Unfortunately this is a recipe for disaster as a record company and yes R.E.X. did go bankrupt. This album is a prime example. Dumb band name and even stupider album name. Funny band names work in certain genres but this is not one of those genres. This band had a seriously good sound so the record company should have stepped in and been a record company and told them the goofy stuff was a poor choice. They also actually released the album with 7 tracks over 4 minutes long. Let’s be clear, it’s damn near impossible to get a radio station to play a song over 4 minutes and usually the producer of the album steps in and lays down the law on track length but again the record company supported the artist instead of being a record company. Okay I’ve been bashing pretty good but lets return to the album. It is excellent and the production is really good. I’m guessing you will enjoy it and put aside the problems the album has.

Tracklist
1 – Hideous – 3:25
2 – Fluorescent Funk – 5:06
3 – Myisci – 6:22
4 – A Lil’ Groove – 3:51
5 – A Boat And His Boy – 4:59
6 – Banana – 4:59
7 – In-Hair-Brain – 7:07
8 – Guntistha Garden – 6:01
9 – Pickin’ Berries – 5:38

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Jeff Spencer
Bass, Backing Vocals – Dion Tyler
Drums, Backing Vocals – James Cleem
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Dave Mora
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Jamin Rathbun
Executive-Producer – P. Gavin Morkel, Tyler Bacon
Graphics [Digital Image Production] – David Arnold
Lyrics By [All Lyrics By] – Jamin Rathbun
Music By [All Music By] – Hot Pink Turtle
Producer [Produced By] – Armand John Petri

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Copyright © – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Published By – Sonic Chaos
Pressed By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 31237

Blue Trapeze – Mask & Marquee – 1986

There is very limited info out there about Blue Trapeze but they did have several EP’s and were a mainstay on the alternative Christian music scene in California in the 80’s. That said their work is all self released so they either didn’t want an album deal or were never offered one. The only member to have gone on with other work was Daniel Koenig who appeared as a studio musician on several projects. As for the album it has an alternative 80’s sound and is actually pretty well done. I listened to it three times and while I am usually a fan of alternative 80’s this one left me wanting for more for some reason. Good album but nothing here to go in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Mask & Marquee – 2:58
2 – Afraid Of Real – 2:57
3 – A Reason – 3:35
4 – See Them Turn – 2:55
5 – The Old Home – 3:34
6 – Midnight Sun – 2:41

Credits
Arranged By – Blue Trapeze
Bass, Vocals – Roger Arendse
Drums, Vocals, Keyboards – Lisa Kline – Koenig
Guitar, Vocals – Daniel Koenig
Lacquer Cut By – John Golden
Layout – Richard Beach
Producer – Daniel Koenig, Stephen Zepeda
Written-By – Dan Koenig

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Blue Trapeze
Copyright © – Blue Trapeze
Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
Lacquer Cut At – K Disc Mastering

Parable – More Than Words – 1975

This is the first of 2 albums from Parable. While their second album was far better known this one is good as well but with a slightly more subdued and seventies feel and sound. In fact as I listened to both albums today I really couldn’t see many similarities. Vocals on this one were handles by Chuck Butler and Joy Strange. Joy’s vocal style is better suited to this style of music. While she left Parable after this album she contributed to several more seventies feel albums throughout the late seventies. So if you liked the 1977 offering from Parable you may not be as excited about this one but if you listen to it as an individual album it’s actually pretty good.

Tracklist
1 – More Than Words – 3:37
2 – All Alone – 3:24
3 – Sweet, Sweet Song – 2:50
4 – Maybe – 2:17
5 – Someone’s Callin’ – 3:17
6 – I Know What It’s Like – 3:17
7 – Peter, James & John – 3:07
8 – On Your Own – 2:50
9 – Let The Old Man Die – 2:52
10 – Friends – 2:31
11 – Song For The Church – 2:50
12 – Goodbye – 2:46
13 – 16 Petersham Place – 2:10

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Chuck Butler, Joy Strange
Bass, Vocals – Pat Patton
Drums – Don Kobayashi
Engineer – Buddy King
Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Graphics, Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Orchestrated By, Conductor – Jim Stipech
Photography By – Carmen Terrazas
Producer – Tom Coomes

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA

All Saved Freak Band – Sower – 1980

This is the final album form All Saved Freak Band. The band had actually split up before this release. The break up sounds like it was a bit of a mess as the band cited irreconcilable differences and their church had a scandal involving children. At this point the band had dwindled down a few members but the quality wasn’t effected. The album was again released on their own label which they had renamed “War Again Inc”. The album is more of their normal 70’s style but it doesn’t sound like the band was ready to evolve to an 80’s sound. The good news is that the band did come together in 2006 to regain control of their music which had been handed over to Hidden Vision Records. The band did not however release a new album but instead continued their individual ministries.

Tracklist
1 – Red Sea Rising – 5:46
2 – Inner Light – 3:16
3 – Peace Like A River – 3:27
4 – Beautiful Morning – 3:17
5 – Sower – 3:34
6 – Prince Of The International Kaleidoscope – 5:35
7 – All Across The Nation – 3:55
8 – Children Of The Day – 2:41
9 – Old Rugged Cross – 3:46

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Strings – Kim Massmann
Artwork By – Charles Hooper, Mary Barnhard
Bass – Norris McClure
Drums, Percussion – Tim Hill, Tom Eritano
Keyboards – Carole King
Keyboards, Producer, Arranged By – Rob Galbraith
Keyboards, Producer, Arranged By, Artwork – Larry Hill
Lead Guitar – Glenn Schwartz
Producer, Arranged By – Joe Markko
Rhythm Guitar – Ed Durkos
Strings – Pam Massmann

Tamplin And Friends – An Axe To Grind – 1990

This was Ken Tamplin’s first solo album after the first dissolution of Shout. Many argued that it was Tamplin that was the blood of Shout and this album does showcase his excellent guitar work. Now I want to be clear, I am about to criticize this album BUT!!!! I like this album, my critiques are more of what I thought could have been done better. First of all Ken engineered and produced this album and this probably caused a few problems. Secondly I don’t like the production. The mix is very guitar heavy and other instruments seem to have been forgotten about. Thirdly many of the tracks simply weren’t album ready. Yes the guitar tracks are good but the rest of the supporting instruments simply weren’t ready to be recorded. A little more practice and direction was required. Fourthly the album has 4 novelty under 1 minute tracks. In my opinion an album shouldn’t have any more than 1 of these and that may be too many. Finally, and this is nitpicking, the album has several tracks that run together. This was out of style by this time as CD’s were the in thing and CD’s don’t deal with blended track very well. Now that said I like this album, in fact I love 2 tracks enough that they are on my regular rotation, Livin’ For My Lord, and Straight Between The Eyes. Oh and did you know that Ken is Sammy Hagar’s cousin?

Tracklist

1 – Livin’ For My Lord – 4:54
2 – The Continuing Saga Of Screwtape & Wormwood – 0:30
3 – Going All The Way – 4:08
4 – Never Give Up (A Wife’s Tribute) – 5:16
5 – Music Box – 0:58
6 – Not Alone – 3:51
7 – Goin’ Home – 5:27
8 – Bouree In E Minor – 0:44
9 – Straight Between The Eyes – 4:17
10 – I Hear Cryin’ – 4:49
11 – Armageddon 1:03
12 – Holdin’ On/The Chase – 3:44
13 – Take ‘Em Back – 3:22
14 – Believin’ (Is The Hardest Part) – 4:21
15 – All The Things You Are – 7:18

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Jeff Berlin
Co-producer – Lanny Cordola
Drums – Ken Mary
Engineer – Ken Tamplin, Roger Mielke
Layout – Joe Potter
Lead Guitar – Joe Diorio, Ken Tamplin
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen
Photography By – Nigel Skeet
Producer – Ken Tamplin
Rhythm Guitar – Joe Diorio, Ken Tamplin

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records
Copyright (c) – Intense Records
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Recorded At – Micronote Studios
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Mastered At – Soundworks West