Ray Mansfield – Page 150

The 77s – (self titled) – 1987

Most people believe this was one of the most important albums in the 80’s CCM scene.

This album was released on Island records not a Christian label. And this wasn’t some unheard of label, Island records was home to U2 at the time. The hope was that this was going to be the true entry of a CCM band into the secular music scene.

Unfortunately not everything worked out as hoped and the album was not a huge commercial success. But that said many believe this was one of the greatest CCM albums of all time.

It is in my top 10 and usually dances in the top 3. As I remember it “Do It For Love” was the radio single and is a darn good song but my favourite was “What Was In That Letter”. Final thought is that the album is solid and there’s no filler content here, just quality music.

Track Listing:
1 – Do It For Love – 4:26
2 – I Can’t Get Over It – 4:38
3 – What Was In That Letter – 3:07
4 – Pearls Before Swine – 8:20
5 – The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride Of Life – 3:50
6 – Frames Without Photographs – 4:18
7 – Don’t Say Goodbye – 4:30
8 – Bottom Line – 3:50
9 – I Could Laugh – 7:50

Credits:
Art Direction, Graphic Design – Marty Gessler
Band [The 77’s Are], Bass [Fender Bass], Backing Vocals [Support Vocals] – Jan Eric
Band [The 77’s Are], Drums [More Pounding & Thrashing] – Aaron Smith
Band [The 77’s Are], Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals [Support Vocals] – Mark Tootle
Band [The 77’s Are], Vocals, Guitar – Mike Roe
Engineer [Assistant Engineer At Quadrasonic] – Peter Sturge
Engineer [Assistant Engineers At Exit] – Daryl Zachman, Steve Griffith
Executive-Producer – Mary Neely
Featuring, Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Steve Griffith
Featuring, Bass [Fender 6-String Bass], Electronics [Ibanez Midi Guitar Controller] – Sam Ching
Featuring, Percussion [Ethnic & Orchestral Percussion], Other [Hat Hair] – Bongo Bob Smith
Featuring, Piano [Prepared Piano] – The Cleverly Brothers
Featuring, Saxophone – Jon Skinner
Featuring, Sounds [A.M.S. Sampling] – Pete “Fastfingers” Sturge
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Photography By – Deborah Wiley, Linda Pearson
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Robert Musso
Recorded By [Live Remote Recording], Recorded By [Pre-Production Demos Extraordinaire] – Steve Griffith

Dennis Agajanian – Rebel To The Wrong – 1981

The third album from Dennis Agajanian has a mixed sound.

Some songs are an older style, some in keeping with the style of the time and at least one that was ahead of its time. Oh and there’s a bluegrass tune just for good measure.

The lead and title track “Rebel To The Wrong” is an excellent tune and was a fairly progressive song for the day. Dennis Agajanian has been popular in the Christian Country Music scene for many years and he’s still going often appearing on several different television evangelists shows but perhaps best known now for his appearances with Billy Graham.

Track Listing:
1 – Rebel To The Wrong
2 – Fool’s Gold
3 – Child’s Cry
4 – Bigger Than All My Sins
5 – Milk And Honey Express
6 – Alive In The Sky
7 – I Can Do All The Things
8 – Daddy’s Girl
9 – Last Of The Good Guys
10 – I’m Thankful To You

Credits:
Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin – Dennis Agajanian
Art Direction, Design – Rhonda Dempsey
Backing Vocals – Kelly Willard, Pam Mark Hall
Banjo – Wayne Rice
Bass – Joel Hendrickson (tracks: A4), Scott Parrish* (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B1 to B5)
Drums – Jim Plank (tracks: B2), Mike Mathis (tracks: A1 to A5, B1, B3 to B5)
Electric Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Executive-Producer – Bill Cole
Fiddle – Bryon Berline
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tom Howard
Photography By – Don Wyman
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gerry Limpic
Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Ron Compton
Steel Guitar – Jay Dee Maness

Power Team Soundtrack – 1990

This is a rather odd sampler. The Power Team was a group of Christian body builders and marshal arts athletes headed by John Jacobs.

They toured schools and churches performing feats of strength and martial arts performances while delivering God’s word. In 1990 they released a VHS video and this album.

I can only assume this was the soundtrack for the video and their performances. This is one of the most diverse samplers I think I’ve heard. It’s all here, rap, rock, and easy listening. Kind of a wide sampling what was popular in the late 80’s

Tracklist
1 – Tim Miner – Power – 3:55
2 – Liaison – My God Is A Rock – 3:13
3 – Stephen Crumbächer – Tear Down The Walls – 3:41
4 – P.I.D. – Authority – 5:52
5 – Rick Elias – Run Or Hide – 3:27
6 – Cindy Cruse – Even Now – 3:56
7 – Steve Shannon – Break The Chains – 3:37
8 – Tim Miner – Amazing Grace – 4:20
9 – Angie Alan – It’s Not Worth It – 3:57
10 – D-Boy – God Gave Us The Power – 5:06
11 – Ken Tamplin – Take ‘Em Back – 3:32
12 – Rick Elias – I’ll Be There – 4:01
13 – Steve Shannon – Power To Win – 3:41
14 – Liaison – Who Can Heal The Pain – 4:00

Overdrive – Remembering The Basher – 2006

Overdrive were an late 80’s, early 90’s Christian Metal band from Blacksburg/Radford VA. In 2006 they re-released their work in remembrance of the passing of their drummer Bobby “The Basher” Collins. Overdrive were never officially signed to a label but did get a track on a Benson Records sampler in 1991. Unfortunately it was removed from the sampler due to some foolishness over the use of the word “saints”. Unfortunately foolish things like this often kept quality bands like Overdrive from getting their music to us. The band did however get a chance to share their music by playing the 1990 and 1991 Cornerstone festival in Illinois. Their music is for sale at the link below.

Tracks
1 – Bring Out The Big Guns – 3:42
2 – Hellbound – 4:25
3 – Shelter And Strength – 3:57
4 – Living Sacrifice – 4:40
5 – Mark My Words – 4:35
6 – Rodent of the Piper – 6:22
7 – Crusade – 4:34
8 – When the Saints – 4:51
9 – Standing in Line – 5:08
10 – Light a Candle for Me 6:36
11 – You Need a Friend – 5:37
12 – Applause – 0:46

Michael Card – Scandalon – 1986

This was Michael’s 3rd studio album and at this point in his music career he wasn’t afraid to make his lyrics a little more challenging to Christians. That said while his lyrics are a little edgy, they are somewhat prose rather than poetry. With the release of this album his music and lyric style is well established and even though this is an worship style album the quality is there.

Track Listing:
1 – Scandalon – 4:00
2 – What Will It Take To Keep You From Jesus – 3:41
3 – The Lamb Is A Lion – 2:52
4 – The Nazarene – 2:40
5 – The Gentle Healer – 2:02
6 – Meditation / Baptism – 5:29
7 – The Wedding – 2:46
8 – Forgiving Eyes – 4:07
9 – God’s Own Fool – 3:16
10 – Jesus Let Us Come To Know You – 1:59

Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor – Alan Moore (3) (tracks: B1, B3, B4)
Bass – Norbert Putnam (tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3, B4)
Cello – John Catchings (tracks: A1, A2, B2, B5)
Concertmaster – Gavyn Wright
Design – Buddy Jackson
Drums, Percussion – Larry Londin (tracks: A1, A3, B3, B4)
Featuring – John Catchings – Cellist
Flute – Jim Horn (tracks: B1)
Guitar – Jon Goin (tracks: A1 to A3)
Orchestrated By – Alan Moore
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer, Recorded By – Norbert Putnam
Synthesizer – Dave Innis (tracks: A2)
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Piano, Drums [Digital Drums], Congas – Michael Card

DeGarmo & Key – Straight On – 1979

The second album from DeGarmo & Key was a bit of a transition album.

Their first album had a good rock, blues feel. This album had that also but started to incorporate more keyboards. I believe this album established the “Degarmo & Key sound.

As I re-listened to this album after not hearing it for several years I was struck that it came out in 1979 but I hear almost no remnants of the Jesus music era that was coming to an end at that time. Actually in my opinion this album was 3 or 4 years ahead of its time.

There are so many songs on this album that lived forever that I consider it one of the best CCM albums of all time.

Track Listing:
1 – Jericho – 4:34
2 – Livin’ On The Edge Of Dyin’ – 4:33
3 – Go Tell Them – 3:52
4 – Bad Livin’ – 4:36
5 – Enchiridion – 1:36
6 – Long Distance Runner – 4:09
7 – Let Him Help You Today – 4:15
8 – I Never Knew You – 4:04
9 – Mary – 3:03

Credits:
Art Direction, Design – Kristen Kasell
Bass – Ken Porter
Drums – Terry Moxley
Engineer – Joseph Hardy
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dana Key
Keyboards – Edward De Garmo
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Photography By – Gary Heery
Photography By [Inner Sleeve Photo] – Kristen Kasell
Producer – Dana Key, Edward De Garmo, Joseph Hardy
Recorder – Carl Marsh
Saxophone – Lewis Collins

Common Bond – Heaven Is Calling – 1986

This was the first studio album from Common Bond though there was a highly produced Demo and an EP previous.

Guest appearances on this album included Jerry Chamberlain from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Terry Taylor also from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Lost Dogs.

The album is a well produced (Doug Doyle) album with a heavy New Wave sound. This is another lost album from the 80’s that should have been far better known.

Track Listing:
1 – Matter Of Time – 4:37
2 – I’m In Control – 2:45
3 – Heaven Is Calling – 2:51
4 – Bittersweet – 3:48
5 – Yshua – 3:05
6 – My Direction – 3:50
7 – Savor My Saviour – 2:40
8 – The Dickens – 3:50
9 – For You – 2:30
10 – Imagining – 3:20

Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Durham
Backing Vocals – Bruce Swift, Jerry Chamberlain, Ken Samuels, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor
Bass Guitar – Ken Samuels
Cover – Terl Bryant
Design – Ed McTaggart
Drums – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1)
Electric Guitar – Steve Durham
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Bobby Salsedo, Doug Doyle
Guitar [Solo] – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A4, B5)
Layout – Ed McTaggart
Lead Vocals – Ken Samuels
Percussion – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1, A5)
Photography By – Craig Incardone
Producer – Doug Doyle
Written-By – Ken Samuels

Resurrection Band – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 1981

The 4th studio album from Resurrection Band picked up where Colours left off.

It continues their trademark hard rock sound utilizing new wave keyboard styling. The albums continue their social commentary with songs about materialism (Elavator Muzik), disabilities (The Chair), and divorce (Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore).

As usual Resurrection Band bucked the Christian music trends by doing their own thing.

Track Listing:
1 – Stark/Spare – 3:42
2 – Elevator Muzik – 1:55
3 – Alienated – 2:02
4 – Can’t Get You Outta My Mind – 2:52
5 – The Chair – 5:06
6 – Can’t Do It On My Own – 2:50
7 – First Degree Apathy – 3:03
8 – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 4:23
9 – The Crossing – 3:48
10 – Little Children – 2:36
11 – Lovin’ You – 3:29

Credits:
Artwork [Inside Art], Layout – Dick Randall
Bass [Fretless Bass], Synthesizer – Jim Denton
Concept By [Album Cover Concept By] – JPUSA Graphics
Cover [Outside Cover Art] – Janet Cameron
Drums – John Herrin
Engineer – Phil Bonanno
Guitar, Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Stu Heiss
Mixed By [Mix Down] – Phil Roger
Other [Lead Snoring] – Tom Cameron
Producer – Roger Heiss
Producer, Mixed By [Mix Down] – Resurrection Band
Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Vocals, Guitar [Solo], Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Glenn Kaiser

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