Ray Mansfield – Page 41

Fortress – Hands In The Till – 1981

I’m guessing you didn’t know that 3 members of Darrell Mansfield’s early 80’s band came together with Jim West to put out an album. Producer Freddie Piro cut the album and started shopping it around. Atlantic records jumped at the album and here it is. The album has Christian songs on it so I find it a little odd that Atlantic grabbed it. Anyway it was released with no fanfare and did appropriately well and this was the last we heard from Fortress. I doubt it was helped by the Christian overtones and the outright Christian track “Back On The Path”. I really wish a Christian label had grabbed this album. I’m guessing that almost none of you ever heard this album which is a real pity because the album is actually really good. Eric’s guitar work reflects his style of that era though you won’t feel any Darrell Mansfield influences. This is a straight up commercial sounding album that I stumbled on and boy am I glad I did. You have to at least give the first track a listen which was also the single.

Tracklist
1 – Hands In The Till – 3:20
2 – How Do I Exist – 3:42
3 – Comin’ After You – 3:46
4 – Requiem – 4:25
5 – Kisses – 3:51
6 – Let’s Do It Again – 3:24
7 – Breakin’ Free – 4:31
8 – Carry Me Back – 4:05
9 – Back On The Path – 5:16
10 – Mystery – 3:51

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Snuffy Walden
Bass, Backing Vocals – Charlie Souza
Coordinator [Production] – Teri Piro
Drums, Percussion – Donny Vosburgh
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Eric Turner
Illustration – Tina Nichols
Illustration [Concept], Producer – Freddie Piro
Keyboards – Gabriel Katona
Keyboards [Additional] – Duane Hitchings, Rich Gibbs
Layout [Back Cover], Design [Logo] – Dan Lienart
Mixed By, Recorded By, Percussion [Additional] – Larry Brown
Mixed By, Recorded By, Producer [Additional] – Win Kutz
Percussion [Additional], Producer – Larry Brown
Photography By – David Alexander
Vocals [Additional] – Gary Falcone, Ronn Price
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Jim West

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Record Company – Warner Communications
Manufactured By – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Atlantic
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Copyright © – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Published By – Piro Music
Published By – Base Ball Music
Published By – Piccasso Publishing Company
Published By – Rubicon Music (2)
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – The Pasha Music House
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Darrell Mansfield Band – People Get Ready – 2009

This album was also released an a DVD video release. It was recorded on February 7, 2009 at the Orange County Pavilion in California. The title track from this album is my favourite track from Darrell ever and I’ve watched the video (It’s on YouTube) at least 1000 times. Darrell and Eric (Turner) were on it this night in fact of all the live albums Darrell has released I think this is his best one. He covers some of his biggest hits dating all the way back to “Jerusalem” from his Gentle Faith days. He also performs several secular songs including his expanded version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”. This is a must listen if you’re a fan of Darrell and in my opinion is probably his best album ever.

Tracklist
1 – The Mission – 5:08
2 – Got To Be a Change – 4:43
3 – Walk with Me Jesus – 6:10
4 – Stand by Me – 10:59
5 – Tell the Truth – 5:28
6 – Jerusalem – 4:13
7 – Million Dollar Feeling – 6:32
8 – Born To Be Wild – 4:34
9 – Walkin’ Blues – 5:43
10 – Crossroads – 7:03
11 – People Get Ready – 5:27
12 – All Along the Watchtower – 12:54

Credits
Lead Vocals. Harmoninca – Darrell Mansfield
Guitars, Vocals – Eric Turner
Drums – Mitch Ross
Bass – Rick Baptista
Keyboards – Raphael Degiorgio
Bass – Jonny Ray Bartel
Lead Guitar – Kenny Hale
Harmonica – Larry David Cohen
Percussion – Josh Schreiner
Vocals – Dexter Espinoza
Saxophone – Greg Vail

Vengeance Rising – Destruction Comes – 1991

This is the third album from Vengeance Rising and at this point the only original member left in the band was Roger Martinez who apparently was very difficult to work with. Joining him on this album are Derek Sean who worked with Mortification, and Chris Hyde the former drummer of Deliverance and Holy Soldier. Neither of them made it onto the next album almost confirming that Martinez was in fact nuts. I will cover his bizarre behaviour in the late 90’sd when I review their next and last album. As for the album it’s a rather typical thrash album. Other reviewers have panned it as having poor production but I’ll be honest I have no idea how you can tell as it all sounds like screaming and strumming to me.

Tracklist
1 – You Can’t Stop It – 3:13
2 – The Rising – 5:11
3 – Before The Time – 2:57
4 – The Sword – 3:15
5 – He Don’t Own Nothing – 3:07
6 – Countless Corpses – 5:31
7 – Thanatos – 5:04
8 – You Will Bow – 4:09
9 – Hyde Under Pressure – 1:08
10 – Raegoul – 6:51

Credits
Bass – Roger Martinez
Drums – Chris Hyde
Engineer [Assistant] – Brandon Harris, Craig Brock
Engineer [Tracking] – Doug Beiden
Engineer, Mixed By – Gil Morales
Guitar – Derek Sean, Roger Martinez
Mastered By – Eddie Schryer
Producer, Mixed By – Roger Martinez
Synthesizer – Roger Martinez
Vocals – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Copyright © – Intense Records
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Mixed At – Conway Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Engineered At – Mixing Lab B
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Cliff Richard – Walking In The Light – 1984

In over 3 years we failed to upload a single Cliff Richard album so we decided to start out with a compilation album. This album features tracks from 1976 to 1984 from 6 different albums. Strangly the US version of this release only had 10 tracks but everywhere else it had 12 tracks with the addition of “Under The Influence” amd Cliff’s excellent cover of Larry’s “Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music”. Of interest on the album is that there are 3 B Sides from various singles. If you hadn’t been buying 45’s you wouldn’t have had these 3 tracks which would have made this album a must own for Cliff Richard fans. Here is the list of what songs came off what albums;

Better Than I Know Myself – Wired For Sound
Such Is The Mystery – I’m Nearly Famous
Every Face Tells A Story – Every Face Tells A Story
Love And A Helping Hand – B Side Little Town
You Got Me Wondering – Every Face Tells A Story
Walking In The Light – B Side Hot Shot
Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music – Small Corners
Under The Influence – The Only Way Out
Lost In A Lonely World – Wired For Sound
You Me And Jesus – B Side Little Town
Summer Rain – Wired For Sound
Thief In The Night – Now You See Me… …Now You Don’t

Tracklist
1 – Better Than I Know Myself – 3:43
2 – Such Is The Mystery – 5:10
3 – Every Face Tells A Story – 3:20
4 – Love And A Helping Hand – 3:06
5 – You Got Me Wondering – 3:35
6 – Walking In The Light – 3:15
7 – Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music – 4:35
8 – Under The Influence – 2:49
9 – Lost In A Lonely World – 4:03
10 – You Me And Jesus – 2:17
11 – Summer Rain – 4:18
12 – Thief In The Night – 3:56

Daniel Amos – Live Bootleg ’82 – 1990

There are several recordings of DA live in the 80’s but this should be the definitive one. You can tell from the mix that they intended for this to be a recorded concert. Apparently we can attribute that excellent mix to Bruce Brown who is an obscure engineer from Australia but his work is excellent. Anyway, setting out to record a live album can be a complicated thing as you need to convert visual to audio. DA nailed it on this one and this may actually be one of the best concerts I have ever heard. Definitely top 10. Of real interest are 3 unreleased songs on the album “I’m On Your Team”, “Everyone’s Fallen Down”, and “Love Has Open Arms”. All 3 are excellent tunes. The album also has a version of their concert famous “Surf Suite” which is absolutely excellent. Think Devo meets the Beach Boys. No really. Apparently there was an “Uncut” version of the album released with additional tracks. We’re on the lookout for it already. This a is a top notch release and should be given the time it deserves for a listen.

Tracklist
1 – I Love You #19 – 3:15
2 – I’m On Your Team – 2:27
3 – Faces To The Window – 2:23
4 – Mall All Over The World – 3:05
5 – Everyone’s Fallen Down – 3:25
6 – Baby Game – 2:34
7 – Through The Speakers – 2:43
8 – ¡Alarma! – 2:41
9 – Love Has Open Arms – 3:25
10 – Hit Them (With Love) – 2:37
11 – Hound Of Heaven – 3:50
12 – Ghost Of The Heart – 2:32
13 – The Surf Suite – 8:37

Credits
Artwork, Layout – Court Patton, Tom Gulotta
Bass, Vocals – Tim Chandler
Coordinator [Project Coordinator] – Tom Gulotta
Drums, Vocals – Ed McTaggart
Engineer [Final Mix] – Gene Eugene
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Producer – Terry Taylor
Producer [Live Concert Production] – Bruce Brown
Recorded By, Mixed By – Bruce Brown, Tom Brooks
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Stunt Records (2)
Distributed By – Spring Arbor Distribution – 0001502093
Recorded At – Neverland Studios
Mastered At – Digital Brothers
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

David And The Giants – Inhabitants Of The Rock – 1984

David & The Giants returned with their 8th Christian album. This album wasn’t all that well received but they did achieve their first CCM chart single. “I Can Depend On You” made it to #30 which isn’t too bad I guess but it’s not really the best track on the album. Considering what David Huff is capable of the album is just a little boring. If I didn’t know Huff was on the album I probably would have liked it more as I wouldn’t have held it to as high a standard. I’ll go out on a limb and say that Huff was help back by the band. Considering what he achieved away from The Giants I just don’t think this was working. That said there are some solid Rock & Roll tunes here but most have a 70’s flavour and it was 1984. To be clear I don’t hate the album I just don’t love it. It’s well worth listening to and I’ll be honest, “I’ve Been Drinking” has made it into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Are You Ready? – 3:43
2 – Higher – 3:59
3 – I Can Depend On You – 3:16
4 – Moving On Up – 4:03
5 – To Know Him Is To Love Him – 4:29
6 – Fire – 4:10
7 – I Am Persuaded – 3:31
8 – Holy Rain – 4:23
9 – I’ve Been Drinking – 2:52
10 – You’re Gonna Be Somebody – 4:02

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Donnie Sanders, Wardell Quercerque
Art Direction, Design – Kent Hunter
Backing Vocals – Cindy Richardson, Lenny LeBlanc, Mylon LeFevre, Susan Slade
Baritone Saxophone – Quitman Dennis
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals, Engineer – Clayborn Huff
Drums, Congas, Percussion – Keith Thibodeaux
Engineer – Dennis Richey, Jerry Masters
Guitar, Clavinet, Backing Vocals, Engineer – David Huff
Mastered By – George Marino
Percussion – Kellye Huff, Lance Huff
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Oberheim, ARP Quadra, Synclavier, Mini Moog], Backing Vocals, Engineer – Rayborn Huff
Producer, Arranged By – David & The Giants
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Paul Davis
Tenor Saxophone, Saxello, Soloist – Donnie “Sax” Sanders
Trombone – Wayne Butler
Trumpet, Arranged By [Horns] – Wayne Jackson

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Published By – Preference Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Huff Recording Studios
Recorded At – Monarch Studios, Alpharetta, GA
Recorded At – Sea-Saint Studio
Recorded At – Master’s Touch
Remixed At – Huff Recording Studios
Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △26486

Jerusalem – Vi Kan Inte Stoppas – 1983

This is the Swedish version of Jerusalem’s 4th album “Can’t Stop Us Now” instead titled “Vi Kan Inte Stoppas”. It was a departure from their previous style as up until this album they had been a 70’s style rock band. Surviving in the 80’s required an updated sound and they easily achieved it. The new pop rock sound was poorly received by their regular listeners but gained new users like myself. The album sold much better than their previous offerings proving their direction change to be a good idea. The album was released in both Swedish and English with the Swedish version retaining 3 English tracks. There does appear to be some minor mix changes between the two versions but for the main part it sounds like they used the same instrument tracks.

Tracklist
1 – Vi Kan Inte Stoppas – 3:58
2 – Loves You More – 3:58
3 – Vinden Blåser… – 4:27
4 – I Skuggan Av Det Förflutna – 5:37
5 – Kärlekseld – 4:35
6 – Let’s Go (Dancin’) – 3:42
7 – Sorgsnas Parad – 4:37
8 – Regn – 4:09
9 – Pusselbiten – 3:36
10 – Heartbeat – 3:15

Credits
Bass – Peter Carlsohn
Drums – Mikael Ulvsgärd
Keyboards – Dan Tibell
Vocals, Guitar – Ulf Christiansson
Composed By – Ulf Christiansson
Layout, Design – Scott Waters
Producer [Produced By] – Andy Kidd
Remastered By – Rob Colwell

Companies, etc.
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Royal Music
Copyright © – Uffe Music
Published By – Uffe Music
Published By – Snellsong

Jerusalem – Cant Stop Us Now – 1983

Jerusalem’s 4th album “Can’t Stop Us Now” was a departure from their previous style. Up until this album they had been a 70’s style rock band. Surviving in the 80’s required an updated sound and they easily achieved it. The new pop rock sound was poorly received by their regular listeners but gained new users like myself. The album sold much better than their previous offerings proving their direction change to be a good idea. The album was released in both Swedish and English with the Swedish version retaining 3 English tracks. There does appear to be some minor mix changes between the two versions but for the main part it sounds like they used the same instrument tracks. The English version was reissued in 2018 with 2 bonus tracks. A new song “Time” which is more their traditional style and a remix of “Heartbeat”. We have included those tracks in oar playlist.

Tracklist
1 – Can’t Stop Us Now 4:02
2 – Loves You More 3:58
3 – The Wind Is Blowing 4:24
4 – Tomorrow’s World 5:34
5 – The Waiting – 4:33
6 – Let’s Go (Dancing) – 3:41
7 – Mourner’s Parade – 4:35
8 – Read Between The Lines – 4:08
9 – The Missing Piece – 3:43
10 – Heartbeat – 3:15
Bonus Tracks
11 – Time – 5:50
12 – Heartbeat (Light Remix) – 3:15

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Refuge Records
Copyright © – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Copyright © – Uffe Music
Published By – Uffe Music
Published By – Snellsong

Matrix – PG13 – 1983

This is where it all started for Bride. If you don’t know Bride were originally called Matrix and this is their first Demo. There are several versions of this demo and some apparently have different tracks so don’t hold us to this particular lineup. Apparently this demo was cut fairly early in the bands development which is rather amazing if you listen to it. Apparently none of these tracks ever made it onto an album which is a real pity as there are some really really good songs here. To be honest I’m quite surprised how good this demo really is. These guys had it together and they had it together quick. Some of the tracks lean a little more Rock & Roll than the work they would be best known for and I sure would have liked to hear more from them in this style. To me the standout track is “Spell House” which has a bit of a Rush feeling to it. Maybe not the best track on the Demo but it’s the one that stood out to me. Best track? For me it is probably “What’s The Point?”.

Tracklist
1 – We Got The Rhythm – 3:19
2 – Who Killed The Rock Hero – 3:24
3 – Get Away – 3:10
4 – What’s The Point – 4:36
5 – Good Rock ‘N’ Roll – 3:19
6 – Stand Up And Shout – 3:01
7 – West Of The Moon – 2:13
8 – Spell House – 3:13
9 – To Make You Think It’s Real – 3:00
10 – Missing Children – 4:35

Credits
Drums – Steve Childers
Guitar, Bass – Troy Thompson
Vocals, Bass – Dale Thompson
Photography By – Scott Hall
Songwriter [All Songs Written By] – Dale Thompson, Troy Thompson

Dallas Holm And Praise – Change The World – 1985

I’ll say this about Dallas, he worked his butt off. I was looking at his discography and wow did he get a lot of albums out. This was actually the last album using the artist name of “Dallas Holm & Praise”. I really think Dallas should have kept using this name as it was probably one of the top 10 best known Christian artist names of the time. There might have been some legal reasons to drop the name but who knows. As for the album it only had 2 singles on the CCM chart. “Prayer Warriors” made it to #12 and Mystified to #11. I kind of feel there were a couple more singles on this album but this isn’t exactly my genre music so I probably shouldn’t be picking singles. As far as Dallas Holm & Praise albums this is probably the most upbeat and several tracks fall solidly in the Pop category, up a couple steps from Easy Listening and I actually enjoyed listening to this album.

Tracklist
1 – Prayer Warriors – 4:23
2 – Just Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – 3:42
3 – It’s War – 3:10
4 – Live What You Say – 3:53
5 – While I’m Standing Here – 4:33
6 – Change The World – 4:40
7 – This Breath Of Life – 3:02
8 – Care For The Wounded – 3:39
9 – Mystified – 4:12
10 – We Have Overcome – 3:25

Credits
Art Direction – Bill Brunt
Backing Vocals – Rick Crawford, Tim Johnson
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Gary Janney, Marty McCall, Melody Tunney, Neal Joseph, Wayne Watson
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums, Percussion – Dennis Holt, Ric Norris
Engineer, Mixed By – James Kenneth Baird
Guitar – Greg Jennings, Hadley Hockensmith
Keyboards – Smitty Price
Lyricon – Dennis Solee
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Photography – Ron Keith, Scott Bonner
Producer – Neal Joseph, Smitty Price
Strings – The Kris Wilkinson Strings
Vocoder – Shane Kester
Written By – Dallas Holm

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.
Recorded At – Bullet Recording
Mastered At – Mastermix