You absolutely have to give credit to the Abraham brothers for putting out albums. They were getting little or none label support so they just kept self releasing their albums. This is one of those self released albums. It’s really a pity they couldn’t get a proper record deal because they were easily as good as anything else in the genre at the time. The lead track on this album is a fun pop track with a hook intro that probably would have done quite well with proper distribution. Anyway it’s a fun easy listening album from a group of guys who knew how to make music. You probably never heard this one so give it a listen. The lead track should hook you in.
1 – Can’t Stop Talkin’ – 4:40 2 – I Don’t Wanna Be the One – 4:07 3 – Previews of Coming Attractions – 4:55 4 – The Cross Calls Today – 4:28 5 – Good News Tonight – 4:15 6 – Song to An Unsaved Father – 6:28 7 – Lonely Out Tonight – 3:15 8 – Superman – 4:27 9 – This Generation/Any Day Now (I Shall Be Released) – 9:58
Vigilantes of Love was formed in the late 80’s by Bill Mallonee featuring other members from the local Athens, Georgia area. The band actually started as a side project of Bill’s band Cone Ponies. Their name was inspired by the New Order song “Love Vigilantes” which is one of my favourite songs. This is their first album and they actually first self released it in 1990. In 1992 Mark Heard’s label Fingerprint Records picked up the album and they also did a re-release in 1993. The album is a folk acoustic heavy album but is very good for that style. It’s not a style that was prevalent in the Christian market so I’m sure many found it to a refreshing sound at the time. I also give the band credit for packing 15 tracks on the album. I have noticed that most if not all of their albums had well over the usual 10 tracks. Kudos to them for giving their fans great value for their money. As I said I think it a pretty good album and I enjoyed listening to it. My one comment is that the name is horrible. I understand the band was trying to achieve some secular success but the name is horrible for a Christian album. I’m quite surprised that Mark Heard did not rename the album when he took it into his label. Oh well it’s all history now.
Tracklist 1 – Weak One Now – 3:23 2 – Songs On The Radio – 4:02 3 – Something To Hold On To – 4:12 4 – As Big As Christ – 4:43 5 – Love Cocoon – 3:46 6 – In The Morning – 6:32 7 – Thorn In Your Flesh – 2:13 8 – Take No Prisoners – 4:16 9 – Watching The Moonlight – 3:52 10 – Flames Of Hell – 4:29 11 – America – 5:57 12 – Drunk On The Tears – 5:31 13 – Losin’ It – 4:43 14 – Words Of Love Spoken – 3:59 15 – Who Knows When The Sunrise Will Be – 4:50
Credits Accordion – Mark Hall Backing Vocals – Oglethorpe County Tree Frog Chorus Drums – Slap Happy Engineer – Cam Mullally Executive-Producer – Chuck Long, Dan Russell Guitar, Vocals, Drums – Bill “Malice” Mallonee Harmonica – Jonny “Dog-Mess” Evans Mandolin, Bass, Backing Vocals – Billy Holmes Producer – Peter Buck, V.O.L. Producer, Engineer – Mark Heard
This is Wayne’s first album, kind of. This was his first album on a label with proper distribution actually. He actually had a self released album in 1978 that we have but I haven’t listened to yet. But essentially as far as most people are concerned this is indeed his first album. As the story goes after college Wayne was playing music in area churches and was leading worship at an area youth camp when one of the parents recorded his music performance. That tape ended up on a desk at Milk & Honey records. They must have liked what they heard as Wayne went on to release 4 albums with them. This album gave him his first CCM charting single with “One Day” making it to #9. The album is pretty easy listening so it’s not really for me but for the style it’s a great album that was a sign of things to come in Wayne’s career.
Tracklist 1 – One Day – 3:33 2 – Because Of Whose I Am – 4:59 3 – Make A Wish – 3:19 4 – I Don’t Want Your Money – 3:47 5 – Trust In The Lord – 2:55 6 – Touch Of The Master’s Hand – 4:37 7 – Lay Them Down – 3:54 8 – How He Loves Me – 3:18 9 – No Need – 3:18 10 – One More Song – 3:01
Credits Arranged By – Greg Nelson Backing Vocals – Al Moore, Dennis Wilson, Don Gant, Donna Sheridan, Mike Albrecht, Mitch Humphries, Scott Roley Bass – Ernie Collins Drums – Bob Mater Engineer – Scott Hendricks Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Deaton Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow Guitar – Brent Rowan, Joe Wilson, Mike Noble Keyboards – Alen Steinberger, Buddy Skipper, Mitch Humphries, Shane Keister Percussion – Bill Wiggins, Terry McMillan Photography By – Michael Borum Producer – Greg Nelson Saxophone – Donnie “Sax” Sanders Synthesizer – Shane Keister
I have decided I’m going to quit crediting people with being the first recorded Christian artist. Every time I think I’ve found an old album I find an older one. This release is interesting in that besides a couple of singles these guys didn’t have an album in the 60’s. Their album didn’t come out until 2004. That said they were out there playing Christian music to the youth as early as 1961 and this album is a compilation of recording form 1962 to 1967. They formed the band as teens and hit the road playing anywhere that would have them They were declared the loudest Christian band of the time. I can only assume they were one of a very very few doing this style and genre of music. They of course were ostracized by organized religion but when asked about this said they didn’t care, they were there for the youth. I can not imagine how a teenage Christian in 1964 would have reacted upon hearing their music but I can only imagine it was the same relief I hear when I listened to my first Resurrection band album. Luckily the tapes were saved over the years and now we can appreciate what these pioneers did, and yes I’ll dare say it, before anyone else.
Tracklist 1 – Hey You! – 2:54 2 – Thank You Lord – 3:24 3 – Heaven’s The Place For Me (Version 2) – 3:19 4 – There’s Someone In Your Life – 3:07 5 – I Didn’t Care – 2:34 6 – Think It Over (Version 2) – 2:16 7 – Wait And See – 2:35 8 – Do You Believe In God? – 2:24 9 – Heard It All Before – 4:41 10 – Any Time Of The Day – 2:09 11 – Who’s Your Lord? – 1:56 12 – I Know I’m Going To Heaven – 2:36 13 – He Wants You – 2:31 14 – I Don’t Need You – 2:03 15 – What Are You Doing With Your Life? – 2:34 16 – Think Of God’s Love – 2:30 17 – I Praise The Lord – 2:59 18 – Don’t You Think It’s Time – 3:42 19 – Heaven’s The Place For Me (Version 1) – 2:39 20 – I Found A Special Friend – 2:40 21 – Think It Over (Version 1) – 2:24
Credits Bass, Vocals – John Hubbard Coordinator [CD Coordinator] – Ed Nadorozny Drums, Vocals – Ian Wilkie Layout [Graphic Layout] – Bon Henderson Lead Guitar, Bass – Don Sanders Restoration [Sound Restoration] – Alec Palao, John Dahlin Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Derrick Phillips Vocals – Chris King Vocals, Lead Guitar, Harmonica – Tony Goodman
Sleepy Ray has an interesting back story. His parents were only 15 years old when he was born and as a result he grew up in a relatively impoverished home. But growing up Ray says he knew he wanted to be a preacher at the age of 6. He dedicated his life to the church at age 10. He did however struggle with the usual teenager musician stuff and was actually caught with drugs in high school. He actually met Chris Lizotte in music school in California in his early 20’s and performed with him in the LA area. This is his first album and what an album it is. While for the main part it’s a blues rock album the track “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout” is a fantastic Stevie Ray Vaughan style track and easily the best track on the album. I’m looking forward to his second album as this one is definitely in my top 50 albums.
Tracklist 1 – Station To Station – 4:08 2 – Love That’s Really Real – 5:01 3 – Cloud Rollin’ In – 4:16 4 – Magi’s Lead – 4:33 5 – Greatest Of These – 4:05 6 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout It – 3:22 7 – Way Into The House – 4:00 8 – High Time – 3:12 9 – That You Are My Lord – 4:32 10 – Lord Rescue Me – 2:44 11 – Let It Flow – 3:13 12 – Dancin’ On A Heavenly Hill – II Samuel 6 – 5:33
Though Paul was not commonly known by most Christian music listeners he was a very accomplished musician and had several albums through the 70’s and 80’s. He grew up in troubled times and turned to alcohol and drugs in his teens. However in 1970 when his college years were cut short he moved to a cabin and came to terms with the world by engaging himself with God’s word. What would result is one of the best musicians of the time though personally I don’t think he ever got the recognition he deserved. This 1982 album leans towards the more easy listening music of the period but lyrically it really stood out to me. So even if easy listening is not your preferred genre give this one a chance as lyrically it’s up there with the best.
Tracklist 1 – Drawn To The Light – 3:11 2 – Give Them Your Love – 3:04 3 – Stand Up And Believe – 4:39 4 – How Much More Can You Take – 3:03 5 – Carry Me On – 4:50 6 – Good Good Morning – 3:08 7 – The Eye Of The Storm Suite – 11:10 8 – A Heartbeat Away – 3:13 9 – Good Good Night – 1:56
Credits Backing Vocals – Bruce Hibbard, Debbie McClendon, Howard Smith, Judy Cotton, Kelly Willard, Leisa Hibbard, Paul Clark, Phyliss St. James Drums – Keith Edwards Electric Bass – Leon Gaer Electric Violin – Mark Cargill Engineer – Wally Grant Engineer [Chief] – Bob Cotton Layout, Design – Christina Farley Lead Guitar [Electric], Rhythm Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Lead Vocals, Piano [Yamaha C-7 Acoustic], Acoustic Guitar [Martin 1926 000-45], Synthesizer [Prophet 5] – Paul Clark Mastered By – Steve Hall Percussion – Michael Fisher Photography By [Cover, Inner Sleeve] – David Randall Producer [Produced By] – Paul Clark Rhythm Guitar [Electric] – Carlos Rios Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione Written-By – Paul Clark
Billy went to University of Miami in Florida to study audio engineering and that was the role he would make his first exposure in the CCM industry. He was actually doing well as a producer and engineer when he decided to step to the other side of the board and record this his first album. At some point Billy joined publisher Word Music as a staff writer before moving to the recording side. The album is pretty easy listening affair but I can hear some rock & roll begging to creep out. I haven’t listened to Billy’s subsequent albums so we will see if he’s turns it up on one of his several subsequent albums. At some point Billy joined publisher Word Music as a staff writer before moving to the recording side.
Tracklist 1 – Love Waiting – 2:54 2 – Stand And Fight – 4:03 3 – Time To Begin Again – 4:18 4 – Carrier – 3:26 5 – Say Hello – 5:36 6 – Like A Thief – 4:14 7 – You’re So Special To Him – 3:17 8 – The Way – 4:44 9 – Rhythm Of God – 2:57 10 – He Is The Wind – 4:49
Credits Billy Crockett – Songwriter, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Lead and Background Vocals Reed Arvin – Kurweil Strings Arranger, Keyboards, Lead Acoustic Piano, Kurzweil, DX-7, Prophet V Niles Borop – Songwriter Mike Brignardello – Bass, Mini-Moog Claire Cloninger – Songwriter Andy deGanahl – Assistant Engineer Phil Dihel – Assistant Engineer Dave Durham – Background Vocals Kim Fleming – Background Vocals Lynn Fuston – Assistant Engineer Randy Garmon – Assistant Engineer Jon Goin – Electric Guitars Chris Hammond – Assistant Engineer Mark Hammond – Acoustic and Simmons Drums Dennis Holt – Drums David Huntsinger – Acoustic Piano, DX-7 JB Baird – Engineer, Mixed Neal Joseph – Producer Patti Leatherwood – Background Vocals Terry McMillan – Percussion Farrell Morris – Percussion Gary Pigg – Background Vocals Bill Vermillion – Assistant Engineer Hank Williams – Mastered Kenny Wood – Songwriter
While this was their 5th album this was their second attempt at getting on the secular charts. Surprisingly they did just make it onto the charts in Apr 88 but they only peaked out at #70. Not too bad for what was essentially a worship and studio band that just turned it up for a few albums. I have to admit as much as I kind of dislike this band I am impressed that Myrrh was able to partner with Priority Records to get this album on the radio. That said I am trying to figure out why they would included the 12″ version of the single on the album. Admittedly the song wasn’t a huge hit but still they put out a 12″ to try to get a few more sales but then they included that version on the album. That said nothing about this whole Heartbeats idea made sense to me. That said if you like a little 80’s Europop this is the album for you and it actually is pretty good.
Tracklist 1 – The Winner (7″ Version) – 3:52 2 – Common Language – 3:52 3 – Dancin’ – 3:20 4 – The Only One – 3:33 5 – Air That I Breathe – 4:25 6 – Tease Your Media Mind – 3:33 7 – Tears From Heaven – 3:22 8 – People With No Direction – 3:56 9 – One True Love – 3:51 10 – The Winner (12″ Version) – 7:21
Credits Bass – Steve Bassett Drums – Clive Urquhart Executive-Producer – Barry Evans, Ray Goudie Guitar, Vocals – Ian Townend Keyboards – Dave Bankhead Lead Vocals – Sue Rinaldi Producer – Barry Evans, Simon Humphrey Vocals – Su Reeves Bassett*
Though Billy was all over the Christian music scene through the 70’s and 89’s he didn’t release this his first solo album until 1991. While his high school friend David Diggs was with him on his previous work he doesn’t appear on this album. At this point in his career Billy was working with The Praise Band, later called the Tommy Coomes Band but that work went uncredited until later in the decade. Billy was also doing a ton of writing at this time and wrote hits fir several artists. As for the album it’s a easy listening album but with a great 80’s sound. I’m still not a huge fan of easy listening but this is the kind of easy listening I can get into.
Tracklist 1 – I Long For Your Love – 3:15 2 – O Lord, Come – 4:39 3 – I Will Be With You – 4:15 4 – Call For Surrender – 3:05 5 – There Will Come A Time – 4:42 6 – A Little Broken Bread – 5:18 7 – Walking On The Water – 4:04 8 – The Reign Is Over – 4:08 9 – To Every Generation – 3:38 10 – Nobody Like You – 4:41 11 – Your Throne O God – 3:39
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Billy Batstone* Backing Vocals – Anne Barbour, Billy Batstone, John Barbour, John Batdorf Bass Guitar – David Miner Chapman Stick – Fergus Marsh Classical Guitar [Nylon Strting Guitar] – Bob Somma Design, Layout – Gary DeLacy Drums – Jack Kelly Engineer, Mixed By – Mark Heard Harmonica – Mark Heard Music By – Billy Batstone, John Schreiner, Wayne Brasel Percussion – Brad Dutz Photography By – Michael Going Producer, Arranged By – Billy Batstone Typography [Typesetting] – Russell Heistuman Words By – Billy Batstone
This is the third album from Billy and the best one yet. If yo listen to Billy’s albums back to back in order you can hear the progression of quality of his music. This album continues his guitar heavy pop style. Unfortunately Sprague would take a break after this album due to his fiancé was killed in a car accident. That said Reunion Records did release a greatest hits package during his hiatus. Only have time for one track? ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ is probably the best track on the album. Bottom line, La Vie is c’est bon.
Tracklist 1 – I Gotta Hand It To You – 4:28 2 – What Goes Around Comes Around – 4:35 3 – La Vie – 3:58 4 – I Call It Love – 3:55 5 – Someone Is There – 4:49 6 – Heart Of The Infidel – 3:54 7 – You Can’t Walk The Wire – 5:13 8 – The Ultimatum – 4:20 9 – If I Know Love – 3:25 10 – A Little Broken Bread – 4:40
Credits Gary Chapman – Producer Jeff Moseley & Terry Hemmings – Executive Producers Doug Scarret, Michael Pool – The Engineers Jerry (Neil) McPherson – electric guitars Phil Naish – keyboards Keith Edwards – drums Mike Brignardello – bass Shane Keister – greasy grand on “Walk The Wire” Gary Chapman – pedal steel,bazouki,sitar,danelectro six-string bass & shotgun solos on “The Ultimatum”
