Well we have covered all the albums from Writz, Famous name, Techno Twins etc.. BUT this is where all that started. This is Steve Fairnie and Steve Rowles’s first published band. Yes this is where it all started in 1975. And what a start it was. This is a fantastic 70’s sound album. I’m a little surprised that Myrrh actually released this album. Yes it is Jesus music but not every track shoves Jesus in your face. There are a few tracks here that actually could have singled on the secular charts. The track “Soup & Whisky” is without a doubt one of my favourite 70’s era songs Jesus music or otherwise.
Tracklist 1 – Jimmy Bootlace Seller – 3:35 2 – A Line Must Divide – 3:50 3 – Beautiful Secret – 4:00 4 – Matthew – 3:52 5 – Good Night Brothers – 2:55 6 – Soup & Whisky – 3:32 7 – 60’s Children – 3:57 8 – Share The Same – 3:56 9 – Broken Dream – 3:00 10 – Precious Lord – 4:17
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Steve Fairnie, Steve Rowles Engineer – Jeremy Stenham, Martin Levan, Mike Bobak, Mike Silverstone* Mastered By – George Peckham Photography By [Uncredited] – Bev Sage Producer – John Pac Vocals – Steve Fairnie, Steve Rowles
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Morgan Studios Mastered At – Master Room
This is the final album in the Prism series. I’ll be honest I still don’t understand what the project was really all about. Again there are children on the cover of the album that have nothing to do with the album. I truly believe the original idea was Kidz Bop idea but in the end it just turned into Chris Harris and Mark Heimermann doing an album. I actually find it a bit disingenuous to have a bunch of kids on the album cover when they have nothing to do with the album. Very strange. Now that aside these were a series of very successful albums because they are very good. These guys knew how to make music and I am totally baffled at why they didn’t want to do it using their own names. Thy did have First Call do the track “If You’re Happy And You Know It”. Bottom line is I really like the whole project, the results were fantastic I’m just not sure the path they took to get there.
Tracklist 1 – Amazing Grace – 3:37 2 – Kum-Ba-Yah – 4:49 3 – He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands – 4:54 4 – If You’re Happy And You Know It/I’m Happy Today – 2:25 5 – Love Him In The Morning – 3:39 6 – Seek Ye First – 3:15 7 – Sure Shot – 3:48 8 – Count Your Many Blessings/Can You Count The Stars – 3:01 9 – Big Enough – 3:43 10 – The Lord Bless You And Keep You – 2:03
This is a Mylon album from a time of his troubles in the early 70’s. Mylon knew he wanted to do gospel music but Rock & Roll being what it is Mylon was having addiction issues. In fact some have argued that we shouldn’t be posting album from this part of Mylon’s career but I believe Mylon was doing some great work even in this troubled time. It was all part of Mylons trip to being the spectacular testament he was. This album has some great covers including “Mama, You Been On My Mind” by Dylan, “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins, “My Lady” by Mountain, and “He’s Not Just a Soldier” by Little Richard. We have 2 traditional gospel songs and an assortment of his own writings. In my opinion the best track on the album is “Working On A Building”. This album has a spot in Christian music history and we’re proud to present it.
Tracklist 1 – Mama, You Been On My Mind – 2:54 2 – Blue Suede Shoes – 2:55 3 – Down By The Riverside – 1:00 4 – My Lady – 4:37 5 – Kickin’ – 1:51 6 – Working On A Building – 4:54 7 – I Am What I Am – 2:55 8 – I’ll Fly Away – 2:17 9 – I’m Flying #1 (For Fee) – 3:09 10 – He’s Not Just A Soldier – 3:08 11 – For The Record – 3:20 12 – Waymaker – 4:11
Credits Backing Band – Holy Smoke Backing Vocals – Holy Smoke Singers Bass – Tom Robb Drums, Backing Vocals – Marty Simon Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Dobro, Sitar – Auburn Burrell Electric Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar – J.P. Lauzon Electric Guitar – Barry Bailey Harmony Vocals, Backing Vocals – Pat Cummings, Renay Garvin, Steve Sanders, Tina Blount Keyboards – Lester Langdale Keyboards – Alan Toussaint Piano – Dr. John Producer – Alan Toussaint Slide Guitar – Leslie West Vocals – Mylon LeFevre
I’ll start off by explaining what this is. It is taken from the original acetate recording/mix for the 80-f album. This is the version that was produced by Tony Mansfield (no relation) and ultimately rejected by CBS records. CBS had the band go to Germany with ex-Fly’s drummer Peter King, to re-record the album. It was remixed and reproduced by Reinhold Mack. Three songs were killed (Another World / Operator / Satellite In Orbit) and three new songs were added (Wild West Show / Why Can’t We Be Friends / Joanne). I am guessing that some of you are intentionally reading this review just to hear me lose my mind and I will not disappoint. Exactly what the suits at CBS were thinking completely mystifies me. I mean had they even listened to the 2 Cars albums that had come out at this point and were dominating the charts. ATF were exactly as good if not better than The Cars and this mix was exactly that sound that was dominating the charts. Furthermore what was wrong with Nick Brotherwood’s drumming? The drum track on this album is dead on and absolutely perfect. Tony nailed this mix and we had a 3 or 4 single album here. In the end we are blessed that this version leaked and we want to thank friend of the channel Randy Layton (Alternative Records) for getting us a copy of what was probably going to be one of the top albums of 1980. Instead CBS dumbed it down and destroyed it. SIGH
Tracklist 1 – Starlight – 4:24 2 – High Fashion – 3:18 3 – Another World – 3:36 4 – Can You face It? – 3:20 5 – Operator – 3:45 6 – Love Will Always Make You Cry – 4:00 7 – 1980-F – 2:37 8 – Satellite In Orbit – 3:18 9 – Who’s Gonna Love You – 4:21 10 – Billy, Billy – 4:30
Credits Bass, Lead Vocals – Andy Piercy Drums – Nick Brotherwood Keyboards – Peter Memory Banks Lead Guitar – John Russell Producer, Engineer – Tony Mansfield
Well for some reason we waited 5 years before even scheduling an Andraé Crouch album. Kind of silly when you think about it as he really was one of the most important artists of the period. I didn’t really know which album to pick but I kept reading how great this album was so it is the one I chose. Now if you have been following me you know that again this is not my chosen genre to listen to but wow did Andraé ever nail this concert or should I say concerts as it was recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon, London and at Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. I understand why there is high praise for this album as it really is very good. Note that I have carved up the album very differently than it was originally chopped up so as to have a greater flow. Listening to a YouTube album with 30 second tracks just doesn’t work.
Tracklist 1 – Perfect Peace – 4:23 2 – I Surrender All – 4:20 3 – You Don’t Have To Jump No Pews – 4:08 4 – Take A Little Time – 6:28 5 – Tell Them – 3:37 6 – If I Was A Tree (The Highest Praise) – 5:09 7 – Hallelujah – 2:16 8 – Revive Us Again – 2:06 9 – Power In The Blood – 5:30 10 – I Just Want To Know You – 5:04 11 – Just Like He Said He Would – 6:14 12 – I’ll Keep On Loving You Lord – 4:26 13 – You Gave To Me – 3:49 14 – Oh Taste And See – 1:28 15 – Praise God, Praise God – 2:46 16 – This Is Another Day – 6:12 17 – Praise God Reprise 3:02 18 – Well Done – 5:46 19 – My Tribute – 6:00
Credits Bass – James Felix Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Robin Black Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Jimmie Davis Illustration [Album Illustration] – Robert August Keyboards – Andraé Crouch, Harlan Rogers, Mike Escalante Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Andraé*, Bill Maxwell, Gordon Shryock, Richie Schmitt Photography By – Danny Dunn, Paul Slaughter Producer – Andraé Crouch, Bill Maxwell Saxophone – Glenn Myerscough Tambourine – Sandra Crouch Trumpet – Allen Gregory Typography [Lettering], Design – Don Zubalsky Vocals – Andraé Crouch, Bea Carr, Danniebelle Hall, James Felix, Perry Morgan, Sandra Crouch
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Hammersmith Odeon Recorded At – Free Trade Hall Published By – Heart Warming Music Co.
I’m not entirely positive but I believe this is the first album from Danny and Paul Janz. It is possible there was an earlier one as the church they attended did have their own record company so they may be earlier work. This album however is the first album they did that was released in both Germany and Canada. I also found a reference that it was released in the United States but I am unable to confirm this. Anyway the album was released in Germany first with 8 German language tracks and 3 English tracks. Each version has 2 tracks that aren’t shared between the 2 versions. There are also some differences in the mix between the two. The English version was released by Image VII and Word and it sounds like they reworked the mix on most of the mutual tracks. As for the album it has a seventies folk sound and wasn’t really much of a hint of what was to come from the brothers.
Tracklist 1 – Wer Zeigt Mir Den Weg – 2:57 2 – Alleine Schaff Ich’s Nicht – 2:13 3 – Du Bist Mein – 2:43 4 – He’s Always There – 2:32 5 – Kann Jemand Helfen – 3:13 6 – Jesus Liebt Mich – 2:41 7 – Salvation Song – 3:39 8 – Ein Tag Geht Zu Ende – 3:55 9 – Ein Guter Freund – 2:49 10 – Du Bist Schlau – 3:09 11 – Day By Day – 2:35
Credits Bass, Guitar – Wayne Quiring Coordinator – Margitta Paul, Nils Kjellström Drums – Mike Starr Engineer, Photography By – John Dueck Graphic Design – Helmut Mono Keyboards – Paul Janz Producer – Paul Janz
I’m not entirely positive but I believe this is the first album from Danny and Paul Janz. It is possible there was an earlier one as the church they attended did have their own record company so they may be earlier work. This album however is the first album they did that was released in both Germany and Canada. I also found a reference that it was released in the United States but I am unable to confirm this. Anyway the album was released in Germany first with 8 German language tracks and 3 English tracks. Each version has 2 tracks that aren’t shared between the 2 versions. There are also some differences in the mix between the two. The English version was released by Image VII and Word and it sounds like they reworked the mix on most of the mutual tracks. As for the album it has a seventies folk sound and wasn’t really much of a hint of what was to come from the brothers.
Tracklist 1 – Who Can Show The Way – 2:56 2 – Summer’s Gone – 3:50 3 – Books And Calendars – 2:12 4 – Questions – 3:13 5 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:20 6 – Salvation Song – 3:39 7 – Give Me Love – 2:41 8 – Don’t Walk Away – 2:45 9 – Teach Me – 2:13 10 – Day By Day – 2:34 11 – He’s Always There – 2:32
Credits Arranged By, Vocals, Soloist, Composed By – Daniel Janz Composed By, Piano, Vocals, Soloist – Paul Janz Coordinator – Margitta Paul, Nils Kjellström Cover, Design – Helmut Mono Drums – Mike Starr Engineer, Photography By – John Dueck Guitar, Vocals, Composed By, Soloist, Bass – Wayne Quiring
James was a member of supergroup Psalm 150. Of course that supergroup only had one album so to keep the numbers similar this is James only album also. But that said James’s fingerprints are all over the CCM industry. After Psalm 150 he played on several Andrae Crouch albums as well as a studio musician on several other albums. In fact he was very busy throughout the 70’s. He has also written many hit’s for artists and is still working in the industry as recently as 2019 at the age of 68. James really is one of the unsung hero’s of the CCM industry. As for this album it’s a great soul album and very well produced. To be honest I’m very surprised this was his only album as he obviously has a ton of talent.
Tracklist 1 – I Really Love You – 4:05 2 – That’s What It Takes – 3:41 3 – White As Snow – 5:10 4 – Open Up – 4:18 5 – He Is Coming Back Again – 4:15 6 – The Light Of His Love – 5:17 7 – I Don’t Want Much – 4:43 8 – I’ve Been Runnin’ Too Long – 5:10 9 – He’s All That – 3:56 10 – Let’s Reach Out – 3:52
Credits Backing Vocals – Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Kristle Murden, Linda McCrary Bass, Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Arranged By – James Felix Drums, Producer, Arranged By – Bill Maxwell Organ – Mike Escalante Percussion – Alex Acuña Piano, Arranged By – Lou Pardini Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione Synthesizer – Larry Williams Trumpet – Allen Gregory, Fletch Wiley
Companies, etc. Record Company – Lexicon Music, Inc.
I know I’m going to get some hate for this review but it’s my opinion and I welcome yours. I’m not really too sure what Carman was trying to achieve with this album. We have spoken tracks, conceptual tracks, theatrical tracks, a rap track, and a couple just regular song tracks. Quite frankly Carman could have done an album of nursery rhymes and it would have singled on the CCM charts. Actually I’m not so sure he didn’t do that. Anyway I truly believe that Carman was trying a little of everything in his quest to appeal to youth but the simple fact is that he was liked by our parents not us. At least that was what was happening in my circle. Carman also released a VHS of himself performing the album and I’ve seen bits and pieces of it and quite frankly it’s just bizarre. On a positive note the album did have 3 singles on the CCM charts and also won the Dove award for the Long Form Music Video of the Year for the aforementioned VHS release. Anyway that’s my take on this very bizarre album.
Tracklist 1 – God’s Got An Army – 4:24 2 – I Got The Joy – 4:30 3 – A Witch’s Invitation – 6:45 4 – Get Your Business Straight With God – 3:58 5 – This Blood – 5:29 6 – Saved, Delivered And Healed – 5:40 7 – Jesus Is The Light – 4:53 8 – The Resurrection Rap – 4:05 9 – Shine Through Me – 4:34 10 – Revival In The Land – 6:30
Credits Carman – Songwriter, Vocals Susan Ashton – Background Vocals Kym Barger – Gang Vocals Shirley Bereal – Background Vocals Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer Curt Butler – Gang Vocals Jacquetta Carr – Background Vocals Steve Charles – Assistant Engineer Christ Church Choir – Choir Vocals Tina Clark – Background Vocals Dan Cleary – Executive Producer Ashley Cleveland – Background Vocals Ed Crippen – Platoon Vocals Eric Darken – Percussion Willie Davis – Choir Director, Hammond B-3, Gang Vocals Wendell DePrang – Platoon Vocals John Destito – Gang Vocals Barry Dixon – Assistant Engineer Mark Douthit – Saxophone Dave Ecrement – Platoon Vocals David Felty – Platoon Vocals Kim Fleming – Background Vocals Nick Froome – Engineer Roy Gamble – Assistant Engineer Steve Gannon – Platoon Vocals Landy Gardner – Choir Director and Conductor Andrae Hammond – Gang Vocals Mark Hammond – Drums, Percussion Programming Vicki Hampton – Background Vocals Chris Harris – Background Vocals Mike Haynes – Trumpets Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals Tom Hemby – Guitars Higher Dimensions Sanctuary Choir – Choir Vocals Sgt. Penny Hollenbeck – Platoon Vocals Ron Huff – Orchestra Conductor Bobby Jones – Gang Vocals Dan Keen – Platoon Vocals Brent King – Engineer Pamela Lee – Background Vocals Paul Leim – Drums Stephen L. Lyman – Gang Vocals David McCune – Platoon Vocals Chris McDonald – Horn Arranger, Trombone Donna McElroy – Background Vocals Shawn McLean – Assistant Engineer Jerry McPherson – Guitars James Michael – Bass Marvin Moore – Gang Vocals Todd Moore – Production Assistance, Assistant Engineer, Platoon Vocals Farrell Morris – Percussion Dave Murphy – Assistant Engineer Phil Naish – Producer, Arranger, Keyboards Nashville String Machine – Strings Gary Paczosa – Assistant Engineer Carlton Pearson – Guest Vocals Monica Pearson – Background Vocals Mary Ann Peterson – Background Vocals Denny Purcell – Mastered John Ricroft – Platoon Vocals Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals Maurice Carlton Scott – Gang Vocals Jimmie Lee Sloas – Bass Carry Summers – Assistant Engineer Brian Tankersley – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Programming Keith Thomas – Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Synthesizers, Synclavier and Drum Programming, Percussion George Tidwell – Trumpets Jo-Nathan Watkins – Gang Vocals Bill Whittington – Engineer, Mixed Daire Winston – Assistant Engineer Don Wyrtzen – Choir and Strings Arranger
I’ll be honest that I had long lost interest in CCM by 1993 so I had never heard this album before processing it for upload to YouTube. I read some reviews and most of them sort of had a ho hum attitude towards the album. I on the other hand quite enjoyed the album. I hear a few tracks that have some of that old early 80’s feel but yes most of them were highly mixed tracks that they were doing in this era. Strangely the entire album music wise was apparently written by Bass player Roy Montroy. That definitely gives the album a different feel but there’s nothing wrong with this album. On their next album their would be quite a turn but this album is a solid piece of work.
Tracklist 1 – Heart’s Desire – 3:50 2 – If Your Love Grows Cold – 3:22 3 – Numbers – 2:31 4 – Sunrise – 4:02 5 – Dead To The World – 4:23 6 – Reach Of Love – 6:04 7 – Land Of Stolen Breath – 4:07 8 – Mannequin’s Dream – 1:30 9 – Empty Hearts – 3:17 10 – Thought I’d Never Love Again – 4:09 11 – White Lies – 3:58 12 – On My Dyin’ Bed – 4:55 13 – Heart’s Desire (Reprise) – 1:03
Credits Bass, Keyboards – Roy Montroy Drums – John Herrin Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Stu Heiss Engineer – Ed Bialach, Roy Montroy Engineer, Mixed By – Roger Heiss Mastered By – Steve hall Producer – REZ Producer, Mixed By – Tom Cameron Vocals, Backing Vocals – Wendi Kaiser Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica – Glenn Kaiser
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Tone Zone Recording Mixed At – Tone Zone Recording Mastered At – Future Disc
