Author: Ray Mansfield

One of the founding cowboys of Real 80s CCM. Been listening to this stuff since 1978.

Connie Scott – Spirit Mover – 1985

This is Connie’s second solo album and it picks up where the last one left off. While very popular in Canada (she is Canadian) she was only moderately popular in the U.S. That said this album did have 2 CCM charting singles with Lord Of Glory making it to #9 and Jesus In Your Heart to #32. Some interesting trivia is that Connie’s father Gerry was at the time the President of Canadian label Image VII and is listed as the current owner and president of Word Records Canada. I’m assuming that Connie met her husband during this album as he was the producer but that’s only speculation. Anyway this is a pretty good Pop album and while it was the worship oriented tracks that singled there are some solid Pop tunes on the album.

Tracklist
1 – Spirit Mover – 3:21
2 – He’s The Rock – 3:30
3 – Lord Of Glory – 3:31
4 – The Video – 3:10
5 – Jesus In Your Heart – 3:16
6 – D.O.A. – 4:22
7 – For So Long – 4:17
8 – Come On Leah – 4:09
9 – Is There An Orphan In Your Heart – 6:45

Credits
Executive Producers – Gerry Scott & Grant Saip
Producer – Greg Nelson
Engineer – Ed Seay
Engineer Assistance – Tom Harding
Keyboards & Synthesizers – Shane Keister
Electric Guitar – Jon Goin
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Mark Hammond
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Acoustic Guitar on “Jesus In Your Heart” – Mark Baldwin
Saxophone on “For So Long” – Jim Horn
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky & The Nashville String Machine
String Arrangements – Alan Moore
Strings Conducted – Greg Nelson
Synclavier Programming – Steve Shaffer
Manuscript Preparation – Dan Cleary & Eberhard Ramm
Background vocals – Marty McCall, Melodie Runney, Bonnie Keen & Connie Scott

Companies, etc.
Digitally Recorded & Mixed at Treasure Isle Recorders, Nashville, TN
Additional Recording at Castle Recording Studio Inc., Franklin, TN
Digitally Mastered at Future Disc, Hollywood, CA by Steve Hall & Herb Melton

Various – Sparrow Spotlight Volume 3 – 1985

Sometimes these Sparrow samplers bewildered me and this one is one of them. How you can have Rez Band, Steve Taylor, and John Michael Talbot on the same sampler? I well remember us buying these samplers for 1 or 2 tracks and I bet a lot of people bought this one with the same intent. Anyway below I have listed all the tracks and their associated albums;

1 – Steve Camp – Help Is On The Way – Shake Me To Wake Me
2 – Connie Scott – Spirit Mover – Spirit Mover
3 – Silverwind – I’m Gonna Follow You – I’m Gonna Follow You
4 – Rick Cua – You’ve Only Got One Life – You’re My Road
5 – Steve Taylor – I Just Wanna Know – On The Fritz
6 – Michael Card – Come To The Table – Known By The Scars
7 – Terry Talbot – Mighty Rushing Wind – Face To Face
8 – AD – The Only Way To Have A Friend – Art Of The State
9 – Debby Boone – Teach Me How To Love – Choose Life
10 – Phil Driscoll – Jesus I Love You – Power Of Praise
11 – Wendy & Mary – Around The Walls – Battle Of The Heart
12 – Sheila Walsh – Light Across The World – Don’t Hide Your Heart
13 – Rez Band – Souls For Hire – Hostage
14 – Michele Pillar – Look Who Loves You Now – Look Who Loves You Now
15 – Steve Green – Praise To The King – He Holds The Keys
16 – John Michael Talbot – Lord Every Nation On Earth Shall Adore You

Tracklist
1 – Steve Camp – Help Is On The Way – 4:03
2 – Connie Scott – Spirit Mover – 3:20
3 – Silverwind – I’m Gonna Follow You – 2:59
4 – Rick Cua – You’ve Only Got One Life – 3:37
5 – Steve Taylor – I Just Wanna Know – 4:37
6 – Michael Card – Come To The Table – 3:48
7 – Terry Talbot – Mighty Rushing Wind – 4:11
8 – AD – The Only Way To Have A Friend – 4:15
9 – Debby Boone – Teach Me How To Love – 4:15
10 – Phil Driscoll – Jesus I Love You – 4:36
11 – Wendy & Mary – Around The Walls – 3:17
12 – Sheila Walsh – Light Across The World – 3:23
13 – Rez Band – Souls For Hire – 3:30
14 – Michele Pillar – Look Who Loves You Now – 3:18
15 – Steve Green – Praise To The King – 2:31
16 – John Michael Talbot – Lord Every Nation On Earth Shall Adore You (Psalm 72) – 4:14

Deliverance – River Disturbance – 1994

Deliverance returns with their 6th album and it continues their more commercial thrash sound. Actually there are several tracks that aren’t thrash at all and are better described as Grunge. Though Deliverance had been developing this sound for a couple of albums they perfected it on this one. This is probably due in part to the all-star team helping behind the mixing board. Gene Eugene mixed the album and also produced it along with Ojo Taylor and Terry Taylor . There was certainly no shortage of talent both in front of and behind the mixer. It was reissued in 2007 by Retroactive Records with 4 bonus tracks (included in our playlist) and a different cover. Track 10 “I Thought” was a previously unreleased track. Track 11 “On The Fritz” is their cover of a Steve Taylor song that was released on the Steve Taylor tribute album “I Predict A Clone”. Track 12 is a rather odd remix of “Belltown” which I’m betting people either love or hate, I doubt there’s much wiggle room on an opinion. Finally they added a track of founding member Jimmy P. Brown talking about the album. Interestingly the album name comes from a C.S. Lewis quote “how the believer is able to find peace within the river disturbance”. Deliverance was bringing something new to CCM music and though it’s not my preferred style it is well done and worth listening to.

Tracklist
1 – Belltown – 4:39
2 – After I Fell – 4:22
3 – River Disturbance – 6:36
4 – Now & Then – 4:33
5 – Speed Of Light – 4:54
6 – A Little Sleep – 3:44
7 – Map – 4:52
8 – You Still Smile – 7:06
9 – Breathing Still – 8:01
Bonus Tracks
10 – I Thought – 3:33
11 – On The Fritz – 3:35
12 – Belltown (Hyper Remix) – 5:04
13 – A Word From Jimmy P. Brown (Spoken) – 12:08

Credits
Arranged By [All Songs] – Jimmy P. Brown II, Terry Taylor
Bass [5-String & Fretless] – Manny Morales
Design, Layout – Court Patton, Tom Patton
Drums, Percussion – Jeff Mason, Jon Knox
Edited By – Dave Hackbarth
Engineer [2nd] – Mark Rodriguez
Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Guitar [Treatments], Guitar [Noise Guitar] – Jonathan Maddux
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar [Where Noted], Keyboards, Twelve-String Guitar – Jimmy P. Brown II
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Photography By – Lia Lavaggi
Piano – Gene Eugene
Producer [Produced By] – Jimmy P. Brown II, Terry Taylor
Recorded By – Gene Eugene, Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright © – Brainstorm Artists International
Distributed By – Diamante Music Group
Produced For – Stunt Productions
Recorded At – The Green Room
Mixed At – The Mixing Lab
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Published By – River Disturbance Music
Published By – B-1 Music
Published By – Chenka, Chenka Music
Pressed By – Disctronics USA – 127988

Jan Groth – Circle Of Love – 1982

This was Jan’s second album and his first released outside of Norway. He was picked up in North America by tiny label Pilgrim America and in the U.K. by Marshalls. It was recorded in Nashville and they used the Joe English band, including Joe English, for the backing band. Someone important must have helped put this together as Jan was a relatively unknown at this point. Sometimes I would just love to hear how projects like this came together. The album has an early 80’s Pop feel and is a little heavy on Easy Listening tracks. Considering what Jan would do in the future it’s a pretty mellow album. But at this point in his career I suspect the record labels were pretty well dictating what he would do. Anyway it’s a good album and deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – So Glad – 2:57
2 – The King Has Come – 3:16
3 – Circle Of Love – 3:37
4 – Wait For Me – 3:19
5 – Take Me – 3:36
6 – Peace Like A River – 4:25
7 – Count On Me – 3:34
8 – Shine Your Light – 4:35
9 – I’m All Alone – 3:39
10 – He Really Loves You – 3:11

Credits
Backing Vocals – Carolyn Brandt, Donna Gillie, Mo James, Pam Wolfe, Scott Roley, Suzy Mac, Tom Douglas
Bass – Tim Smith
Drums, Backing Vocals – Joe English
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Paul Brannon
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar, Slide Guitar – George Cocchini
Horns – Harvey Thompson, Jay Coble, Mike Haynes, Ronnie Eades
Keyboards – John Lawry
Percussion – Mike Feller
Producer – Joe English, Ray Nenow
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Jan Groth

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pilgrim Records (2)
Copyright © – Jan Groth Music
Published By – Jan Groth Music
Recorded At – Master’s Touch

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