This was Semaja’s first album. I does not appear to have been released in North America but instead looks like it was limited to Germany, their home country. I am really surprised that an American label didn’t grab this album. This may be one of the best 70’s sound albums I have heard and I’m not talking about 70’s Jesus music, I mean straight up 70’s rock. I can’t find out much about the band but I know their second album was released in America and was pretty well received. Anyway if you love seventies rock (not Jesus music) this just might be the album for you.
Tracklist 1 – Sometimes – 4:35 2 – Hear My Cry – 4:30 3 – Jeden Tag (Jesaja 55) – 6:45 4 – This Life – 4:12 5 – Jesaja 53 – 7:35 6 – The Wind – 7:35 7 – Big Noise – 5:52
Credits Artwork – Dirk Pape Bass, Vocals – Wilfried Herrmann Design – Peter Klüger Drums – Harald Nagel Engineer – Achim Bosch Guitar, Vocals – Ulrich Plinke Keyboards – Claus Feldmann Lead Vocals – Markus Egger Lyrics By, Music By – Semaja Percussion – Klaus Hermann Producer – Manfred Wieczorke
One of the veterans of The soul Christian music scene is back with his second solo credited album. Let’s be clear however this is actually his 15th album. As I’ve commented before I was completely unaware of the whole soul gospel music scene in the 80’s. Since starting this project I have heard so many great soul albums that I suspect I would have liked in the 80’s and this would have been one of those albums. I would classify it as soul light actually and it has a far more mainstream sound. At times I would classify it as late 70’s pop. I truly believe that anyone who was a fan of the Imperials at this point in history would have also loved this album.
Tracklist 1 – Christ Has Made The Difference – 4:28 2 – He Never Let Me Down Before – 3:53 3 – I Can’t Thank Him Enough – 4:14 4 – Your Love – 4:04 5 – Love Lifted Me – 4:00 6 – You Bring The Sun Out – 4:05 7 – Nobody But You – 4:41 8 – He’s Precious To Me – 3:47 9 – More Than Anything – 4:48 10 – We Praise You – 5:03
Credits Arranged By [Vocal] – Andraé Crouch, Bili Thedford Artwork, Design – Thel Arthur Engineer [@ P. S.] – Danny Leake, Paul Sorrono Engineer [@ Pumpkin] – Gary Lorizzo* Engineer [@ Western] – Gordon Shryock Executive-Producer – Bill Cole Mixed By – Bill Maxwell, Bob Cotton Vocals, Producer, Mixed By, Arranged By [Vocal] – Jessy Dixon
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc. – 1979 Recorded At – P.S. Recording Studios Recorded At – Pumpkin Studios Recorded At – Western Recorders Mixed At – Paramount Recording Studios Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
Gabriel is Robin Lyle and Jeff Walter. I actually can’t find much info on them which I find odd as they actually had 4 albums. This particular album was self released which I also find odd as it is easily good enough to have been picked up by a label. Tim Sheppard produced the album and did a really good job. The album cover isn’t exactly indicative of the album but I will give them a break as it was self released. It had a nice late 70’s pop feel and I quite enjoyed it though it does lean to easy listening on several tracks. Anyway, if you missed this one in 1981, and I’m guessing you did, give it a listen, it’s actually a pretty good album.
Tracklist 1 – You Rescued Me – 3:45 2 – Alive For A Purpose – 3:40 3 – A Heart That’s True – 3:50 4 – All Like Sheep – 5:00 5 – Now I Can Fly – 3:20 6 – I Found A Friend – 3:40 7 – Alone Tonight – 5:00 8 – Wouldn’t It Be Wonderful – 3:55 9 – How Much Longer – 4:15
Credits Rohn Bailey – Background Vocals Bud Guin – Guitar Robin Lyle – Songwriter, Vocals Ruby Lyle – Songwriter Jerry McPherson – Guitar Bob Peeples – Engineer Jake Pittman – Associate Producer, Engineer, Bass, Background Vocals Smitty Price – Piano, Synthesizer Tim Sheppard – Producer, Engineer, Piano, Organ, Background Vocals Brad Smith – Drums, Percussion Bill Tillman – Soprano Sax, Flute Jeff Walter – Songwriter, Vocals Hank Williams – Mastered
This is Crystal’s first solo album. She had previously appeared on albums with the Lifters/Wild Blue Yonder. She was offered this album deal at only 17 years old. It’s a pretty good album though I think it’s a little heavy on the keyboards on a few tracks. That synth pop sound doesn’t really work with her voice in my opinion. The track “Breakdown” best suits her vocals in my opinion. That said her vocals are so good she overcomes some questionable music to make a pretty darn good album. Crystal was one of CCM’s greatest vocalists but never got the recognition she deserved from the industry.
Tracklist 1 – Frustrated – 3:34 2 – Precious Lord – 3:37 3 – Without You – 4:21 4 – Runnin’ – 4:34 5 – Turn Your Heart Around – 3:33 6 – Breakdown – 3:53 7 – One More Heart – 3:46 8 – Special Love – 3:57 9 – Let Them Know – 4:15 10 – Tonight – 4:06
Credits Backing Vocals – Brian Tong, Dave Jahnsen, Michael Campion, Mike Mac Lane, Paul Daldwell Drums – Pete Pfiefer Engineer [Mixing] – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Bob Somm, Terence Elliot Keyboards – Tim Heintz Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Engineer – Bill Baumgart Saxophone – Eric Marienthal Vocals – Billy Hufsey Vocals, Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis
Kalhoun is the ninth album from Daniel Amos but it was actually released under their moniker dä. The band had taken a break for 4 years while working on other projects. The album was perceived as being rather anti government in the aftermath of the Gulf War but it’s not in your face, it’s rather subtle. Strangely the track “If You Want To” was later rerecorded by the Lost Dogs for their 2004 album MUTT. The album is true to their earlier rock sound and we don’t hear much new wave sounds on the album. I think that makes this album probably the best of their 90’s work.
Tracklist 1 – Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing – 3:36 2 – If You Want To – 3:58 3 – Kalhoun – 3:20 4 – I Will Return – 4:18 5 – Tracking The Amorous Man – 3:08 6 – Virgin Falls – 4:14 7 – Gloryhound – 4:40 8 – Prayer Wheel – 3:39 9 – Note To Anna – 2:41 10 – Father Explains – 4:32 11 – Gate Of The World – 4:11
Credits Art Direction – Court Patton, Terry Taylor, Tom Gulot Bass, Guitar [Additional] – Tim Chandler Cello – Miles Tackett Design, Layout – Patton Brothers Design Drums, Percussion – Ed McTaggart Engineer – G. Eugene Film Technician [Film Imaging] – Ed McTaggart Guitar, Accordion, Organ [B-3], Violin – Greg Flesch Illustration [Illustrations] – Court Patton Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Terry Taylor Mastered By – John Matousek Mixed By – G. Eugene, Terry Taylor Other [Organ Donor] – Travis Sheets Pedal Steel Guitar – Greg Kellogg Photography – Brian K. Tong Producer – Daniel Amos, Terry Taylor Technician [Drums] – Dave Raven Trumpet – Dave Hackbarth
This 1991 offering from D&K pretty well followed along form their previous studio album. I have a strange opinion of this album. I think It’s a really good album but I think it was hurt with poor production. Ron W. Griffin mixed and produced the album. He is a very good producer and has produced several excellent D&K albums but I think I actually dislike his mix. Several tracks fade in which is rather odd. I don’t think I know of ay other album that has this many tracks that fade in. All that aside the album was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Russ Taff. Like I said I think this is a great album but not Grammy nomination good. Perhaps if the production had been better I would think different. That said I rarely agree with Grammy decisions so my opinion is tainted. All that aside the best track on the album is no doubt “Ultimate Ruler”. The ZZTopish intro and great riffs make it a favorite rock tune that is on my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – I Believe – 1:20 2 – Go To The Top (At The Top Reprise) – 4:09 3 – Against The Night – 5:12 4 – Ultimate Ruler – 5:00 5 – Soul Mender – 4:06 6 – Family Reunion – 4:06 7 – Still At Work – 3:12 8 – Stand, Fight, Win – 3:51 9 – Victory – 4:16 10 – March On – 5:11 11 – The Rest Of My Life – 4:00
Credits Tommy Cathey – Bass, Bass Arranger, Background Vocals Eddie DeGarmo – Songwriter, Keyboards, Organ, Lead and Background Vocals Ron W. Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Mixed Howard Irving – Assistant Engineer Dana Key – Songwriter, Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals Carl Marsh – Orchestral Arranger, Keyboards, Programming Roscoe Meek – Rhythm and Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitar Doug Nightwine – Assistant Engineer Ken Pennell – Executive Producer Mark Pogue – Background Vocals Kevin Rodell – Drum Arranger
It it’s very difficult for me to talk about Terry’s albums. It’s not because they are bad, it’s because they all sound the same to me. Let there be no doubt that Terry is a great songwriter and musician but if you’re not a fan it all sounds the same from album to album. But that’s my problem and not his problem. Terry was a prolific songwriter and put out albums almost every single year. That is a lot of work and should be respected. Anyway here’s Terry’s offering for 1984.
Tracklist 1 – I Am He – 5:02 2 – I Saw Him – 5:34 3 – The Boat – 3:20 4 – Rose Of Sharon – 3:51 5 – Heights Of A Bended Knee – 3:43 6 – The Way The Truth The Life – 2:50 7 – Come Forth – 3:20 8 – Star Of David – 2:57 9 – Heal Me – 3:51
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Terry Talbot Arranged By [Additional] – Terry Talbot Arranged By [Synthesized Parts] – Denny Bouchard Art Direction – Stan Evenson Design* Backing Vocals – Matthew Ward (2), Nelly Greisen, Terry Talbot, Wendy Hofheimer Bass – Abraham Laboriel Cover, Coordinator – B. Charlyne Hinesley Design [Lyric Sheet Design] – John Taylor (62), Marlene Bergman Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer [Additional] – Terry Talbot Engineer, Recorded By – Joe Bellamy, Ron Capone Liner Notes – Terry Talbot Mastered By – Ken Pennell, Steve Hall Mixed By – Ron Capone Photography By – Phil Fewsmith Producer – Terry Talbot Programmed By [Fairlight / Rhodes Chroma] – Rhett Lawrence Programmed By [Roland Jupiter 8 / Roland MCH] – Denny Bouchard Synthesizer – Denny Bouchard Written-By – Terry Talbot
Companies, etc. Record Company – Sparrow Records, Inc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation Published By – Birdwing Music Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc. Recorded At – Easter Song Studios Recorded At – Westwind Studio Mixed At – Westwind Studio Mastered At – Future Disc
This is Amy’s second Christmas album. In fact I believe it’s the most successful CCM Christmas album of all time. According to Nielsen SoundScan it is actually the eighteenth best-selling Christmas album in the U.S. since 1991. It reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Christian album chart. The album is a combo of traditional Christmas songs along with some originals just for this album.
Tracklist 1 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 2:36 2 – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – 2:26 3 – Joy To The World / For Unto Us A Child Is Born – 2:33 4 – Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) – 5:29 5 – O’ Come All Ye Faithful – 3:01 6 – Grown Up Christmas List – 5:00 7 – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – 2:07 8 – Winter Wonderland – 2:17 9 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas – 3:27 10 – The Night Before Christmas – 3:52 11 – Emmanuel, God With Us – 4:56 12 – Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring – 4:47
Credits Amy Grant – lead vocals Shane Keister – acoustic piano (4, 10), keyboards (8, 10, 11), string arrangements (10) Carl Marsh – synthesizer (4), keyboards (11, 12), orchestration (12) Robbie Buchanan – keyboards (6) Clare Fischer – acoustic piano (9) Blair Masters – keyboards (10, 11) Phil Keaggy – guitars (5) Tom Hemby – guitar (6, 12), acoustic guitar (10) Jerry McPherson – guitar (7), acoustic guitar (10) Dann Huff – guitar (10) Craig Nelson – bass (7, 9) David Hungate – bass (8, 10) Chris McHugh – drums (7) Steve Forman – percussion (7) Paul Leim – drums (8, 10), percussion (10) Harold Jones – drums (9) Mark O’Connor – violin (12) Ronn Huff – orchestration (1, 2, 3, 9), choral arrangements (3, 5, 11), conductor Alan Moore – orchestration (6) The London Studio Orchestra – strings (1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12) Nat Peck – contractor The American Boychoir (3, 5, 10), directed by James Litton Chris Eaton – background vocals (2, 7, 11), acoustic piano (11) Marty McCall – background vocals (2, 7, 10) Marabeth Jordan – background vocals (2, 7, 10) Bonnie Keen – background vocals (2, 7, 10) John Darnall – children’s choir director (10) Children’s choir (10) – Jessica Owen, Kristina Owen, Carrie Gardner, Lisa Pardin, Asher Larrison, Emily Estes, Bethany Wright, Skyla Carnahan, Katy Dunham and Ellie Bannister Brown Bannister – producer Ronn Huff – producer (2, 3) Amy Grant – executive producer
This is Wendell’s 4th album. This is another album that doesn’t fall in the style I usually listen to BUT I do listen to this one. This is a great Easy Listening album and Wendell was a great song writer. Now this album came out in 1983 and I should have heard of it but somehow I don’t remember anything about it. I’m pretty sure the album cover turned me off if I did see it. This is another example of a horrible album cover that I have complained about before from several labels. Strangely a track from this album ended up on a Sparrow records sampler but the album was on Lamb & Lion Records and Word Canada. I’m just guessing that Sparrow was doing the U.S. distribution but like I said that’s just a guess. Anyway there is one stand out track to me on the album. “America” just begs to have been covered by Springsteen. But I don’t want to say the original isn’t good, it’s very good and is gong into my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Spreading All Over the World – 3:52 2 – Just Like You – 3:04 3 – Who He Is – 3:24 4 – The Battle Is Already Won – 3:50 5 – Come To Me – 3:27 6 – America – 5:17 7 – Today’s The Day – 3:34 8 – Only Be Strong – 4:11 9 – Greatly Rejoice – 4:04 10 – To Be Like Jesus – 2:46
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Wendell Burton Arranged By [Strings] – Allen Moore, Kristen Wilkinson Backing Vocals – Christie Houser, Donna McElroy, Lynn Kellogg, Patti Burton*, Randy Thompson, Vicki Wilson Bass – Larry Paxton, Tim Smith Drums – Buster Phillips, Joe English Keyboards – Bobby Wood Keyboards, Synthesizer – John Lawry, Roger Morris, Shane Keister Mixed By – Joe Wilson Mixed By [Assistant] – Bill Cobb Mixed By, Backing Vocals – Dan Collins Percussion [Synthesized] – Dan Collins Producer, Recorded By, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Joe Wilson Saxophone – Donnie Sanders Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Tom Howard
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lamb & Lion Records Recorded At – Master’s Touch Mixed At – Poiema Studios Mixed At – Martinsound Mixed At – Glaser Sound Studios, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee
This was Debby’s seventh album and considering we’re talking about Debby Boone here it didn’t do all that well. I’ve listened to it a few times and to be honest it’s just kind of boring. I know I’m not her target audience but the album just didn’t have any punch to it. It was produced by Brown Bannister so I don’t know why it has this feel. I’ve kind of decided it was due to song selection. I think they just got unlucky and didn’t have a great track that stuck. Now lets be clear the album was popular and did sell well. I’m just saying it didn’t sell well for a Debby Boone album.
Tracklist 1 – O Come All Ye Faithful – 4:05 2 – Keep The Flame Burning – 4:42 3 – Can You Reach My Friend – 4:09 4 – Lift Him Up – 4:23 5 – Wounded Soldier – 4:59 6 – Surrender – 3:35 7 – Keep Rollin’ On – 4:05 8 – Find A Hurt And Heal It – 2:38 9 – O Holy One – 4:12 10 – Blessing – 3:05
Credits Debby Boone – Vocals Jim Baird – Engineer Brown Bannister – Producer, Handclaps Debbie Bannister – Handclaps David Baroni – Songwriter Laury Boone Browning – Background Vocals Niles Borop – Songwriter Harry Browning – Songwriter Robbie Buchanan – Keyboards, Synthesizers, Background Vocals Lenny Castro – Percussion Bill Champlin – Background Vocals Tamara Champlin – Background Vocals Gary Chapman – Background Vocals Claire Cloninger – Songwriter Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals Phil Driscoll – Duet Vocal Nathan East – Bass Gene Eichelberger – Engineer Victor Feldman – Percussion Marty Goetz – Songwriter, Piano Richard Green – Handclaps Debbie Hall – Background Vocals Sandy Hall – Background Vocals Russ Hollingsworth – Songwriter John Houghton – Handclaps Dann Huff – Guitars Shane Keister – Keyboards, Synthesizers Jim Keltner – Drums Brent King – Engineer Greg Laughery – Songwriter Pam Mark Hall – Songwriter Martyn Ford – Orchestra Strings Dony McGuire – Songwriter, Keyboards, Background Vocals Alan Moore – String Arranger Farrell Morris – Percussion Rich Mullins – Songwriter Connie Nelson – Songwriter Dean Parks – Guitars Jack Joseph Puig – Engineer Bill Purse – Songwriter Reba Rambo – Songwriter, Background Vocals John Rosasco – Songwriter Rick Shlosser – Drums Leland Sklar – Bass Billy Sprague – Songwriter Fred Tackett – Guitars Carmen Twillie – Background Vocals Jim Weber – Songwriter
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Sparrow Records Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
