Ray Mansfield – Page 50

Paul Smith – Child Of The Father – 1978

Paul Smith of course is best known for being in the Imperials. He did go on to a solo career after the Imperials but this little known album came before he joined the Imperials. When I say little known it’s because this album does not appear to have been on a label. It appears Paul self released this album so I am assuming no one ever heard of it. Strangely it appears to be highly collectable with copies fetching $300. I have listened to the album and there is nothing here that is deserving of that price tag but it is a good album if you like that 70’s easy listening style.

Tracklist
1 – Yes, I Know – 4:37
2 – Singin’ Through The Rain – 3:17
3 – Before I Knew – 4:27
4 – Child Of The Father – 3:32
5 – One More Day – 5:44
6 – Now I See The Man – 3:09
7 – Lonely People Serenade – 6:07
8 – Let There Still Be Love – 3:48
9 – Always – 4:23

Credits
Arranged By – Robert Sterling
Backing Vocals – Suite Lady
Backing Vocals [Suite Lady] – Cindy Vaughn, Denise Griffith, Gail Quillan, Jean Seal, Jean Secliffe
Bass – Andy Rae
Design – Nancy Perry
Drums, Percussion – Robert Sterling
Engineer – Bob Sullivan
Guitar – Bob Thomas
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Shane Keister
Liner Notes – Charles F. Brown
Mixed By [Assistant] – Charles F. Brown
Photography By – Tim Henry
Producer – Robert Sterling
Saxophone – Greg Bashara
Trombone – Anne Broaddus, David Carter
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Mark Nally

Companies, etc.
Published By – Glorysound Publishing
Published By – Home Sweet Home Publishing
Published By – John T. Benson Publishing
Published By – PostScript Music
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Sunset-Burnet Studios

X-Sinner – Get it – 1989

X-Sinner was formed in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop in Orange County California. It also appears to have been the first album released on the Elefante brothers label Pakaderm Records. I can’t think of a better intro album for a new label. X-Sinner’s comparison to AC DC is rather obvious but they are more than that I would argue. I can definitely hear some original ideas and they didn’t just copy AC DC as often accused. To say the album was well received is an understatement as they were named the favourite new band of 1989 by the readers of HM Magazine. If the intro track doesn’t hook you then there’s something wrong with you. My only complaint about the band is that I wish they would have some out earlier in the 80’s but you can’t really blame the band for that. The album is perfectly produced by the Elefante brothers and is one of my personal favourite CCM albums of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XQCg4GcEEd9t19zUMHDV2J-

Tracklist
1 – Medicine – 3:22
2 – Steppin’ On Toes – 3:28
3 – Hearts On Fire – 4:13
4 – No Way In – 3:43
5 – Get It – 4:18
6 – Accountable – 4:13
7 – Walking Evil – 4:48
8 – Lift Him Up – 3:13
9 – Kick ‘Em Out – 3:17
10 – Livin’ On The Edge – 4:07

Credits
Art Direction – Terry Degraff
Band [X-Sinner Is], Bass – Rob Kniep
Band [X-Sinner Is], Drums – Michael Buckner
Band [X-Sinner Is], Guitar – Greg Bishop
Band [X-Sinner Is], Vocals – David Robbins
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Graphics [Title] – Noah’s Art
Layout – John Shaffer
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals – Dino Elefante
Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals, Keyboards – John Elefante
Musician [Additional], Drums – David Raven
Photography By [Cover] – Jodi Summer
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Written-By – Robbins* (tracks: 1 to 9), Bishop* (tracks: 1 to 9)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pakaderm Records
Copyright © – Pakaderm Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Commissioned – I’m Going On – 1985

Commissioned was formed in 1982 in Detroit Michigan. The six original members were Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Keith Staten, Karl Reid, Michael Brooks, and Michael Williams but by the time this first album was put out the members had adjusted slightly. If I had to classify them as a group I would say they are the soul version of the Imperials. This album was very well received and Light records made an excellent decision to release this one. My understanding is that the album was recorded without a record deal and was shopped around. Light Records would go on to release 4 more albums by the band before they moved on to Benson. The album itself is an excellent light soul album that was prefect for the time it was released.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Going On – 3:51
2 – ‘Tis So Sweet – 4:14
3 – I Can See Jesus – 4:40
4 – Unworthy – 4:34
5 – You’ve Got A Friend – 3:56
6 – The City – 3:55
7 – Giving My Problems (To You) – 4:26
8 – Surely We Need Him – 4:35

Credits
Fred Hammond – Vocals, Bass
Keith Staten – Vocals
Mitchell Jones – Vocals
Karl Reid – Vocals
Michael Brooks – Keyboards
Michael Williams – Drums
Scotti Jones – percussions

Michael W. Smith – The Live Set – 1987

Recorded at The Civic Theatre, Des Moines, Iowa and The Civic Center Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia here’s probably Micheal W. Smiths best album. That said I always love live albums and Michael definitely turned it up a notch when appearing live. I don’t really care for his albums as they are a little too mellow for me but this album I have been listening to.

Tracklist
1 – Nothin’ But The Blood – 3:38
2 – Lamu – 8:27
3 – You’re Alright – 4:39
4 – Could He Be The Messiah – 5:02
5 – Rocketown – 6:13
6 – Emily – 3:45
7 – I Know – 4:23
8 – Friends – 3:59
9 – Old Enough To Know – 5:57
10 – Pursuit Of The Dream – 6:01
11 – Be Strong And Courageous – 4:15
12 – You Need A Savior – 6:24

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Heather Brown
Artwork By [Cover Painting] – Robert Meecham
Bass – Chris Harris
Drums – David Huff
Edited By [Audio Sweetening] – Blaine Stewart
Engineer [Claire House] – Bob Weibel
Engineer [Monitor] – Keith Carroll
Executive Producer – Dan Harrell, Jeff Moseley, Michael Blanton
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Keyboards – Mark Heimermann, Michael W. Smith
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Photography – Tim Campbell
Producer – Michael W. Smith
Production Manager, Engineer [House Sound], Engineer – Chris Taylor
Recorded By [Location Audio Reel Sound Recorders], Engineer [Additional Audio Engineered By] – Malcolm Harper

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – BMG Music
Distributed By – BMG Music

Dion – Inside Job – 1980

This is Dion’s first Christian album. He was a huge artist through the 60’s and 70’s perhaps best known as Dion & The Belmonts and Dion & The Wanderers. I have to make a confession that my friends and I didn’t listen to Dion. I remember that we were aware of him but for some reason he just never made it onto our playlists (cassettes in the day). This is further confusing because I think all of us grew up with Dion in our homes in the 60’s and early 70’s. It is odd that I know his secular work better than his Christian work. I am going to further confess that I had not listened to this album before writing this review. Now the reason I am going on about this is that this album is great, I would have loved it in 1980. I do love Dion’s 60’s work but this album sounds more like his 70’s work and I think it’s darn good too. So my apologies to Dion for not listening to him at the time but I’m making up for it now.

Tracklist
1 – I Believe (Sweet Lord Jesus) – 3:34
2 – He’s The One – 5:02
3 – Center Of My Life – 4:28
4 – The Truth Will Set You Free – 6:10
5 – Gonna Be Ready – 3:39
6 – Old Souvenirs – 3:51
7 – New Jersey Wife – 3:54
8 – Man In The Glass – 4:21
9 – Sweet Surrender – 4:33

Credits
Art Direction [Cover Art Direction] – Dennis Hill
Bass – George “Chocolate” Perry
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Eric Schilling, Paul Harris
Drums, Percussion – Jose Galdo*
Engineer – Eric Schilling
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Jim Peterson
Guitar – Dion DiMucci, Tony Battaglia
Keyboards – Paul Harris
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Other [Cross Presented By] – August DiMucci
Photography By [Cover Photographs] – John Miller
Photography By [Cross Photograph] – Dion DiMucci
Producer [Produced By] – Dion

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Salt Productions
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.
Recorded At – Bayshore Recording Studios

Steve Camp – For Every Man – 1981

This is Steve’s 3rd album. It is a little more uptempo than his previous release but for the main part follows right along with his previous work. It contains one of Steve’s best known songs, “Run to the Battle”. Keith Thomas wrote or co wrote several tracks and you can hear his heavy influence on the album. I going to have to classify this album as “also came out in 1981” but really it deserves more recognition than that as it is a pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – Jesus On Our Side – 3:25
2 – Gimme What It Takes – 3:29
3 – Farther And Higher – 3:16
4 – Jesus Drawing Me – 4:12
5 – The Net Of Peter – 4:10
6 – Thank You – 3:25
7 – The Only Story (Written In My Life) – 2:36
8 – You Just Talk To Me – 3:40
9 – Run To The Battle – 3:46
10 – Back In The Furnace – 4:48
11 – For Every Man – 1:20

Credits
Richard Achor – Engineer
Joane Anderson – Background Vocals
John Bolt – Engineer
Steve Camp – Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Piano, Lead and Background Vocals
Danny Carden – Handclaps
Doana Cooper – Background Vocals
Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals
Steve Dokken – Bass
Jerry Evans – Handclaps
Carol Frazier – Songwriter
Rob Frazier – Songwriter
Sonny Garrish – Steel Guitar
Jon Goin – Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Randy Hammel – Synthesizer
Mark Hammond – Drums
Ben Harris – Engineer
Don Hart – String Arranger
Randy Holland – Engineer
Russ Hollingsworth – Songwriter
Neal Joseph – Executive Producer
Paul Libman – Horn Arranger
Kenny Malone – Drums
Howard McCrary – Songwriter, Wurlitzer, Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer, Organ, Background Vocals
Terry McMillan – Percussion
Hank Neuberger – Co-Producer, Engineer, Songwriter
Larry Paxton – Bass
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Denis Solee – Flutes, Saxophone
Russ Taff – Duet and Background Vocals
Diane Thiel – Background Vocals
Kevin Thiel – Background Vocals
Denise Thomas – Songwriter, Handclaps
Keith Thomas – Producer, Songwriter, Fender Rhodes, Acoustic Piano, Handclaps, Background Vocals
D. Bergen White – String Arranger
Hank Williams – Mastered
Bob Wray – Bass

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – GroundStar Laboratories
Remixed At – Chicago Recording Company
Recorded At – Lower Level Studio
Recorded At – The Gold Mine, Brentwood, TN
Recorded At – Pinebrook Recording Studio
Mastered At – Woodland Mastering
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Bridge 2 Far – Bridge 2 Far – 1989

In 1989 Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) put out an album with John Robinson on a secular label. This appears to have been a one off idea with musical support with some excellent studio musicians. Chris Eaton did write a few of the tracks so there’s also that connection to CCM. The album is a solid AOR project and the 2 artists work very well together. I am a big Mark Williamson fan but I did not know about this album until it was sent to me. I don’t know if I would say it’s his best work but it is definitely good and it’s always exciting to find “bonus” work from an artist you love.

Tracklist
1 – Heaven On Earth – 4:22
2 – I Must Be Blind – 4:14
3 – Say You Will – 3:55
4 – Anyone Out There – 4:52
5 – Caught Inside Your Heart – 4:52
6 – We Got A Way – 4:18
7 – Hold You Tonight – 5:03
8 – Straight To The Heart – 4:22
9 – This Is Killing Me – 4:52

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey
Bass – Freddie Washington, Neil Stubenhaus
Drums, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Producer – John Robinson
Electric Guitar – Michael Landau, Steve Lukather
Executive-Producer – Brad Westering
Guitar – Al McKay, Clem Clempson, Marty Walsh
Keyboards – Aaron Zigman, Alan Shacklock, David Paich, John Van Tongeren, Larry Williams, Richard Souther
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Producer – Mark Williamson
Mixed By – Chris Lord-Alge
Piano – David Paich
Producer – Alan Shacklock
Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Saxophone [Solos] – Kirk Whalum
Trumpet – Dan Higgins, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Vocals [Additional] – Chris Eaton, Lance Ellington

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS –

Whooz It – Rock Along – 1989

I have to admit that I am a little confused by this album. It’s an album of covers by relatively unknown artists. Well that’s not actually true I guess. Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) sings a couple tracks, and Dennis Holt (AD) plays drums and the rest seem to be relatively successful studio musicians. I really have no idea what the idea was behind this album other than to put out some Rock versions of some songs that weren’t really Rock. That said it covers “The Rock That Doesn’t Roll” that was definitely a Rock song. The strangest thing on the album is a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Man Gave Names To All The Animals” which is actually pretty good. I actually like a lot of the tracks but I think my favourite is a cover of Randy Stonehill’s “Shut De Do”. Give this one a listen if for no other reason than it’s nice to hear some of these songs with a different arrangement.

Tracklist
1 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll (Larry Norman) – Gene Miller – 3:43
2 – Shut De Do (Randy Stonehill) – Carrie McDowell – 3:23
3 – Can’t Do Nothin’ Without Jesus’ Love (Darrell Mansfield) – Mark Williamson – 3:23
4 – Jesus Is Calling (Erick Nelson) – Christi Jacobs – 3:26
5 – Man Gave Names To All The Animals (Bob Dylan) – Moses Toth – 3:18
6 – Take Me Closer (Phil Keaggy) – Marty Walsh – 3:41
7 – I Love You Lord – Laurie Klein – 3:28
8 – Say It Like It Is – (Alwyn Wall, Malcolm Wild) – Mark Williamson – 3:24
9 – The Flood – Sumner Mering – 3:12
10 – Take No Chances (Love Song) – Gene Miller – 3:58

Credits
Art Direction – Terry De Graff
Bass – Glen C. Holmen
Design – Bradley Grose
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Jim Scheffler, Steve Vidger, Thom Roy, Wally Grant
Executive-Producer – Tom Coomes
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Brad Cole
Percussion, Art Direction – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Roby Duke
Vocals – Angel Smythe, Elizabeth King, John Randall, Julie Bonney, Linda Punt, Moses Toth, Troy Kennedy

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Recorded At – Wayne Cook Studios
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Frontpage Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering

Love Song – Welcome Back – 1995

In 1994 a version of Love Song came together to rerecord some of their top songs from their 3 albums in the 70’s along with a couple that were previously unreleased. The versions recorded here are updated and for the main part better I think and it’s nice to here Keaggy’s guitar work on these updated versions too. For me the highlight of the album is a fantastic blues rendition of “Take No Chances” which was previously unreleased at this point in history. Keaggy’s guitar work on that track is just awesome.

Tracklist
1 – A Love Song – 2:38
2 – Little Country Church – 2:46
3 – Let Us Be One – 3:44
4 – Little Pilgrim – 4:59
5 – Two Hands – 3:51
6 – Freedom – 3:45
7 – Take No Chances – 7:17
8 – Feel The Love – 5:14
9 – Changes – 2:21
10 – Front Seat, Back Seat – 3:04
11 – The Cossack Song – 3:43
12 – And The Wind Was Low – 3:35
13 – Welcome Back – 4:44
14 – Jesus Puts The Song In Our Hearts – 6:02

Credits
Alex Acuna – Percussion
John Barbour – Vocals
Chuck Butler – Songwriter
Tommy Coomes – Producer, Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals
Denny Correll – Songwriter
Koji Egawa – Mixed
Fred Field – Songwriter, Violin, Mandolin, Vocals
Chuck Girard – Producer, Songwriter, Vocals
John Hendrickson – Engineer, Mixed
Hadley Hockensmith – Guitar
JB Baird – Engineer
Jesse Johnston – Songwriter
Phil Keaggy – Guitar
Alan Pasqua – Engineer, Keyboard
John Patitucci – Bass
Tim Pierce – Guitar
Jim Scheffler – Engineer
Bill Schnee – Mixed
Tom Stipe – Songwriter
Chris Taylor – Engineer
Jay Truax – Vocals
Ron Tutt – Drums
Bob Wall – Vocals

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Mixed At – Bill Schnee Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios
Recorded At – Roman Foods Studio
Recorded At – Crossroads Studios, Santa Ana, CA
Recorded At – It’s All Music
Recorded At – The Salt Mine

Teri DeSario – Voices In The Wind – 1985

Teri is back with her 2nd and last CCM album. Teri had frequent disputes with her record companies and is known in the industry for sticking to her guns on the issue. Unfortunately this probably robbed us from more great music from her. That said if I’ve learned one thing over time it’s that artists are almost always in the right in these disputes so I don’t blame her. Anyway this is a great pop album and is a little more upbeat than her previous CCM album. Like her other albums it was produced by her husband Bill Purse. The production is excellent and I have always wondered why we didn’t see his name on more albums but I’m assuming the friction with record companies may have made him persona non grata for other artists.

Tracklist
1 – Celebrate – 4:58
2 – Tapestry – 3:56
3 – Attitude Of Gratitude – 4:25
4 – Voices In The Wind – 4:53
5 – I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier – 4:50
6 – Truth – 4:43
7 – Ain’t Givin’ Up, No Way – 4:00
8 – All Day Thursday – 5:29

Credits
Backing Vocals – Jon Joyce, Keely Koehr
Backing Vocals, Psaltery – Teri DeSario Purse
Bass Guitar – Bill Bodine
Drums – Art Wood
Engineer [Assistant] – Bruce Sugar, Steve Ford
Engineer [Assistant], Psaltery – Jeff Demorris
Engineer, Mixed By – Kevin Clark
Flute, Recorder – Stephen Kujala*
French Horn – Joe Meyer
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Producer, Arranged By, Piano, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Bill Purse
Trombone – Alan Kaplan
Trumpet – Roy Poper
Tuba – Ross Deroche

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Middle Sea Sound
Recorded At – Baby’O Recorders
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab