Ray Mansfield – Page 56

Dennis Welch – Man Of Steel – 1987

Dennis Welch is a lesser known singer songwriter who lives in Austin, Texas who deserves to be much better known. This album was originally self released in 1984 but in 1987 micro label Dark Records picked up the album and had Dennis add 3 tracks to make it a full length album. It was apparently distributed to radio stations and I have read 2 different ex DJs say it was one of their favourite albums. It deserves the attention it gained in the industry. I had never heard of Dennis before I stumbled across this album and that’s a real pity because I would have loved it in the day. Well actually I love it today and I can honestly say there are a few tracks, in particular the title track, that are going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Antinomian Nights – 3:51
2 – Carry Me Away – 6:12
3 – Alien Shoes – 3:34
4 – Change Of Heart – 4:16
5 – Man Of Steel – 3:35
6 – Ordering My Private World – 5:34
7 – Don’t Touch My Genes (Algeny) – 3:52
8 – Deep In The Night – 3:48
9 – Crystal Sea – 2:11

Eddie DeGarmo – Phase II (Afterlife Guarantee) – 1990

This was the second solo album from Eddie DeGarmo. I remember listening to his first one which was OK but didn’t strike me as any special but this album is different. This is a great rock/pop album with some rhythm and blues overtones and it is much better than his first effort. As I dug through the credits I discovered some pretty big names. Larry Howard contributed on guitar, and Russ Taff and Mark Farner contributed some back up vocals. The title track is the standout track in my opinion and I think this may be the closest CCM track ever to a ZZ-Top sound and it isn’t just good because of the imitation, it’s because this is a great track. Definitely going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Fragile Heart – 4:15
2 – Can’t Stand Still – 4:09
3 – My Way Home – 3:58
4 – Phase II – 4:59
5 – There’s Something About That Name – 3:54
6 – Prayed For A Woman Like You – 4:45
7 – Make It Count – 4:17
8 – Profession Of Faith – 4:13
9 – Shoreline – 5:03
10 – Forgive Me For Doubting You – 4:06
11 – Beyond The Tears – 5:09

Credits
Dan Brock – Executive Producer
Commissioned – Background Vocals
Eddie DeGarmo – Producer, Engineer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals
The Duncan Sisters – Background Vocals
Michael English – Background Vocals
Mark Farner – Vocals
Gloria Gaither – Songwriter
William Gaither – Songwriter, Piano
Joy Gardner – Background Vocals
Ron W. Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Mixed
Chris Harris – Background Vocals
Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals
Larry Howard – Guitars
Tom Laune – Additional Engineer, Mixed
Dennis Lolorriere – Background Vocals
Willy Lucius – Drums
Carl Marsh – Orchestra Arrangements, Keyboards
Rusty McFarland – Additional Engineer
Jerry McPherson – Guitars
Marty Paoletta – Saxophone
Warren Pease – Bass
Russ Taff – Vocals
Michael Tait – Background Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered

Steven Curtis Chapman – First Hand – 1987

This was Steven’s debut album. He was under contract to Sparrow records as a songwriter and was very successful so I guess Sparrow thought they would give him a studio band and see how he did. The album was very successful with the single track “Weak Days” which peaked at #2 on the CCM charts. I was actually a little surprised at this album as I had dismissed Steven Curtis Chapman as a worship album artist but this is actually a pretty good pop album. The sound would have been better suited as an early 80’s album but it wasn’t that outdated in 1987. This is one I ignored in the 80’s but I’m glad I tool the time to listen to it now.

Tracklist
1 – First Hand – 3:35
2 – Weak Days – 4:18
3 – Hiding Place – 4:58
4 – Run Away – 3:53
5 – Do They Know – 4:00
6 – Tell Me – 4:19
7 – Who Cares – 5:06
8 – Dying To Live – 3:35
9 – Said And Done – 5:08
10 – My Redeemer Is Faithful And True – 3:47

Credits
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Chris Rodriguez, Phil Naish, Steven Curtis Chapman
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Phil Naish, Steven Curtis Chapman
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Herbert Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Coordinator – Cindy Wilt
Design – Buddy Jackson
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer – Jeff Balding
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Whittington, Mike Clute
Executive-Producer – Greg Nelson
Guitar – Jon Goin, Steven Curtis Chapman
Illustration – Beth Middleworth
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Orchestrated By [Strings] – Alan Moore
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Phil Naish
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Pressed By – Capitol Jax
Designed At – Jackson Design
Engineered At – The Bennett House
Engineered At – OmniSound Studios
Engineered At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Engineered At – Gold Mine Studio
Engineered At – Center Stage Studio
Engineered At – Downstage Studio
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters

Paradise – Paradise – 1980

This is the introductory album from funk band Paradise. As far as I can tell it was only released in the U.K. I find this incredible odd as it is a fantastic album and the largest funk market is the United States. I’m often confused by the CCM record companies and this album is an example of what they got wrong. As near as I can tell the album was released on their own label so obviously they would have signed a deal for U.S. distribution. Oh well I’m ranting again. Anyway this album is probably one of the best Christian funk albums and it came out in 1980. An added plus is that I didn’t get any disco feel from any of the tracks which was typical in funk albums released at this time. Give this one a listen even if your not the biggest fan of funk, you just might think different after listening to this one.

Tracklist
1 – Keep The Fire – 3:15
2 – Love Is Not A Mystery – 4:22
3 – It’s Up To You – 4:44
4 – I’ll Meet You There – 4:35
5 – We All Need – 4:20
6 – Light Of The World – 5:10
7 – Give Thanks – 4:05
8 – With You – 4:11
9 – Spread The Word – 3:50

Credits
Backing Vocals – Desr’ee Hoyte, Elaine Bent, Jasmine Cohen, Lorrane Greenaway, Monica Knight, Novlette Davis, Yvonne White
Bass – Junior Edwards
Design, Artwork – Mick Payne
Drums – Bobby Clarke
Engineer – Colin Owen, Paul Robbins
Guitar, Keyboards, Horns – Raymond Dennis
Horns – Charles Pinder, Neil Pinder
Illustration – John Coster
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Phillip Edwards
Lead Vocals, Horns – Doug Williams
Percussion – Devon Burke, Karl Edwards
Photography By – Tony Martin
Producer – Paradise
Producer, Art Direction – Mick Martin
Saxophone, Flute – Hugh Thomas

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Marshall Morgan & Scott
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Ebony Records
Copyright © – Ebony Records
Published By – Coronation Music
Recorded At – The Old Smithy Recording Studio

Believer – Sanity Obscure – 1990

This is the second album from Believer and in my opinion shows some real maturity in the band. Now normally I’m not too quick to praise a thrash album but this one is actually pretty good. I mean musically it’s very good and in fact I think I would really like it with normal vocals. BUT this is not what the band is so I will evaluate the album for what it is. I will say this is the first Thrash album I have ever listened to more than once, yea really, it’s that good. The band claims they recorded the whole album in 2 weeks which I find quite surprising as the production is very good. Oh well if your not a thrash kind of person hey try listening to “Like A Song”, it’s actually a pretty cool cover of U2.

Tracklist
1 – Sanity Obscure – 6:08
2 – Wisdom’s Call – 3:44
3 – Nonpoint – 5:14
4 – Idols Of Ignorance – 4:39
5 – Stop The Madness – 3:56
6 – Dies Irae (Day Of Wrath) – 5:41
7 – Dust To Dust – 5:02
8 – Like A Song – 3:27

Credits
Art Direction – Jeff Spencer, Sudden Images
Artwork [Cover Art By] – David DeVries
Band – D. Baddorf, J. Daub, K. Bachman, W. Robertson
Composed By [Dies Irae Band Section Composed By] – Kurt Bachman
Composed By [Dies Irae Orchestration Composed By] – Scott Laird
Concept By [Dies Irae Concept And General Chaotic Madness] – Doug Mann
Crew [Crew Chief] – Eric “Cecil” Greenwalt
Engineer [Engineered By] – Paul Krueger, Ted Hermanson
Film Technician [Video Tech] – Robert Baddorf
Management [Managed By] – PGM Management
Management [Road Manager] – Deana Baddorf
Photography [Photos By] – Tom Storm
Producer [Produced By] – Doug Mann, Paul Krueger
Soprano Vocals [Dies Irae Soprano] – Julianne Laird Hoge
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – D. Baddorf, J. Daub, K. Bachman, W. Robertson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – R.E.X. Records
Copyright © – R.E.X. Records
Copyright © – Jambox Music
Copyright © – Blue Mountain Music Ltd.
Published By – Island Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Morningstar Studios
Recorded At – HMS Productions
Mixed At – Morningstar Studios
Mastered At – The Hit Factory
Pressed By – DADC
Glass Mastered at – DADC – DIDX-009462

Michael Card – Known By The Scars – 1984

This is the 3rd album from Michael and this album pretty well cemented his worship style music. As I have said before Michael was very faithful about getting an album out every year. I think if most artists tried to put out an album every year the quality would tire after awhile but I have to admit that I don’t think that is the case with Michael. The quality of every album is high and while this is not my style of music it is good. In fact as far as worship style music goes I find Michael to be a top 10 artist.

Tracklist
1 – He Was Heard – 3:52
2 – Ride On To Die – 4:16
3 – Come To The Table – 3:46
4 – In The Garden – 3:54
5 – Traitor’s Look – 3:30
6 – Why – 2:55
7 – Cross Of Glory – 3:48
8 – Crown Him – 3:58
9 – Known By The Scars – 3:52
10 – Crown Him (Reprise) – 1:18

Credits
Stan Armor – Choir Member
Jackie Binkley – Choir Member
Andy Blake – Choir Member
Niles Borop – Songwriter
Michael Card – Vocals, Classical Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion, Songwriter, Quartet Arrangement
Susan Card – Choir Member
Caroline Card-Howell – Choir Member
John Catchings – Cello, Choir Member
Sue Catchings – Choir Member
Jane Cates – Choir Member
Ron Coker – Choir Member
Martyn Ford – Conductor
Pat Fuller – Choir Member
Jon Goin – Electric and Classical Guitars
Lynn Hodges – Choir Director
Jim Horn – Recorders, Flute
Shane Keister – Synthesizer, Piano
Larry London – Drums
Glenn Meadows – Mastered
Alan Moore – String and Woodwind Arrangement
Farrell Morris – Percussion, Vibes
Chris Nelson – Acoustic Bass
Nancy Nelson – Choir Member
Norbert Putnam – Producer, Mastered, Fender Bass, String and Woodwind Arrangement
Cindy Reynolds – Harp
Michele Roberts – Choir Member
Scott Roley – Choir Member
Bill Schnee – Mixed
Randy Scruggs – Rhythm Guitar
Gene Sisk – Synthesizer, Piano
Andy Widders-Ellis – Stick
Bob Wray – Bass, Fender Bass
Betsy Yarborough – Choir Member
John Yarborough – Choir Member
Wes Yoder – Executive Producer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Michael J. Card
Published By – Whole Armor Publishing Co.
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Abbey Road Studios
Published By – Full Armor Publishing Co
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Pressed By – KM Records Inc.

Kenny Smith – Witness – 1986

I must admit that back in the 80’s I had no idea there was Funk oriented CCM music. Now admittedly I grew up in a funk free zone but I still would have thought I would have heard of some of these artists. But for some reason it simply was not promoted in Canada. Anyway here we have one of the premiere funk artists of the 80’s and 90’s. While I don’t normally listen to this style of music I can recognize when it is good and this album is good. The single and title track did well on the charts but I was actually unable to find out how well it did. Strangely this track is 7 minutes long on the album but a radio version was released on 45 coming in at a more radio friendly 4:45. We actually get requests for more Christian funk music so were happy to provide it when we find it.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XRxPBxeJ8Up4Ii7k3XYneGM

Tracklist
1 – Holding On – 4:56
2 – Any Day Now – 6:32
3 – Giving My All To You – 4:57
4 – Watching You – 4:24
5 – Hold Me Holy Spirit – 6:21
6 – You’re My Everything – 4:55
7 – Witness – 7:00
8 – We’ll Be Together – 4:59

Credits
Backing Vocals – Kenny Smith, Loida Garcia, Narda Smith
Bass – Charles (Hitman) Jefferson
Design [Album Cover] – Susan Randle
Drum Programming – Kenny Smith
Drums – George Bell
Engineer – Carl Lange, Cecil Q. Duke
Executive-Producer – Joyce Dozier McNichols, Marlin McNichols
Guitar – Walter Kevin Foley
Horns – Arthur Manley, Tim Anderson
Keyboards – Bradley Alexander, Darron Johnson, Kenny Smith
Percussion – Gerald (Billy) Hill
Photography By – David Randle
Producer – Kenny Smith
Written-By, Arranged By – Kenny Smith

Companies, etc.
Published By – Heavenly Wisdom Music
Published By – Kenas Music
Produced For – Kenas Productions
Manufactured By – McNichols Communications
Distributed By – McNichols Communications

Street Angel – Newland! – 1988

This is the second and last album from Street Angel. It is a little less U2ish than their first album but I think I preferred their first album. Strangely the band seems to consist of only one member, Bill Romansky. He had an album out in 1979 using his name but this is all I can find out about him so for this album we’re just gonna have to enjoy the music.

Tracklist
1 – Sinsad – 5:16
2 – Love Will Set You Free – 2:56
3 – Sun Don’t Shine – 5:13
4 – Better Off Today – 3:51
5 – Heart Of Hearts – 4:45
6 – Newland – 3:33
7 – King Of Rock And Roll – 2:35
8 – Breathe On Me – 2:34
9 – God Is Not – 6:46

Credits
Executive-Producer – Armand Pirollo
Guest – Michaux Cocoon
Performer – Bill Romansky
Producer – Street Angel

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution, Inc.

The Steven Prince Band – You Can Fly – 1989

I don’t really know much about Steven Prince but I do know he was an artist is Australia. This year he re-released this 1989 album with new and improved audio. It is very sad that we didn’t get to hear more about these Australian artists in North America. For some reason the music industry chose not to share them with us. This actually continues to this day as there are several country stars in Australia that don’t get released in America. Anyway Steven re-released this album this year and it’s lucky for us because it deserved a chance to be listened to again. It is a little conceptual in places and is without a doubt has the closest track to Pink Floyd in “Forrest Fear”. Overall a fantastic album.

Tracklist
1 – Keep On Trying – 4:06
2 – Hurting Me – 5:03
3 – A Friend Beside You – 6:50
4 – Looking Out From Circles – 4:43
5 – Invader-Crusader – 4:18
6 – You Can Fly – 5:00
7 – Wintertime – 5:53
8 – Forest Fear – 5:59
9 – Lifetime – 7:12
10 – Old Timer – 4:39
11 – The Next Plateau – 3:58

Santa Fe – Moon Circles – 1996

Dipping well into the 90’s here but this is an 80’s artist. Phillip Sandifer is joined by his brother Michael for this one off album in 1996. Though it’s a 90’s album it really maintains Phillip’s 80’s sound. I’m not a huge fan of Phillip as he doesn’t really do my style of music but this album is actually pretty good. It is fairly mellow but has a nice flow to it and is a good example of how to structure an album so you can listen to the whole thing. The album was well received with 2 top singles, “Love Speaks Louder” and “Wider Sky”.

Tracklist
1 – Wider Sky – 5:08
2 – Moon Circles – 5:31
3 – Soul Need – 5:31
4 – Wanting The Things You Get – 5:15
5 – Looking For A War – 4:38
6 – Imperfect Vision – 5:18
7 – Love Speaks Louder – 4:34
8 – There Is A Place – 4:40
9 – Circle Of Love – 4:59
10 – The Sun Goes Down Too Fast – 4:40