Zion formed in 1981 in Sioux Falls, SD which is pretty early in the Christian Metal scene. This is technically their 2nd demo as they actually released a 2 track demo in 1982. But really this is the Demo that most people have heard about. Though they would become better known for metal this album is actually hard rock and it is very good. The production is actually pretty good too which is rare for demo’s of this era. We get a good introduction to Rex Scott’s later work with X-Sinner with the track “Jesus Loves” which is by far the best track on the demo. I apologize that the quality of our upload is not very good but I really wanted this one uploaded.
Tracklist 1 – Rock For Eternity – 6:38 2 – Your Love – 7:28 3 – Jesus Loves – 5:01 4 – Full Of Fire – 4:28 5 – You Need Jesus – 6:05 6 – Joy Of The Lord – 4:21 7 – Discontented Man – 4:48 8 – One Solitary Life – 4:11 9 – Time Is Running Out – 6:52 10 – Never Had The Chance – 5:17
Credits Rex Scott – lead vocals, drums and guitar. Bruce Fischer – vocals, guitar Dave Moore – vocals, guitar Greg Sauer – vocals, bass Tom Bozung – drums
This is Denny’s third solo album and his best so far. While it definitely leans easy listening there are a couple pretty good pop tunes also. The whole album has a bit of a funk feel which works very nicely with his vocals. Unfortunately the album didn’t do well on the CCM charts which is yet another mystery of the 80’s as there are at least 2 top 40 quality songs on this album. The album cover features him getting in a cab. Is it just me or were there a lot of albums in the 80’s with Taxi’s on the cover? Anyway this is a good album that deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Wake Up Everybody – 3:58 2 – Too Many Lonely People – 4:05 3 – Keepin’ My Eyes On You – 3:33 4 – Eternally (The Wedding Song) – 3:36 5 – You Can Depend On Jesus – 3:41 6 – Your Love – 3:34 7 – The Promise – 3:26 8 – Jesus Is Everywhere – 4:57 9 – Goin’ Up – 3:32 10 – Changin’ My Heart – 4:48
Credits Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Bruce Miller Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements] – Hadley Hockensmith Art Direction – Paul Gross Backing Vocals – Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, Phyllis St. James Bass – Abraham Laboriel Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Willie Harlan Engineer [Assistant] – Brook Johnson Engineer [Horns] – Peter Haden Guitar – David Williams, Dean Parks, Eric Turner, Hadley Hockensmith Guitar [Solos] – Hadley Hockensmith Layout [Sleeve] – Dennis Hill Mastered By – Bruce Leek Other [Taxi Driver] – Arnold Johnson Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell, Daryl Burch Photography By – Sam Emerson Producer – Bill Maxwell Synthesizer – Tom Keene Trombone – Bob Payne Trumpet – Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Walt Johnson Woodwind – John Mitchell, Justo Almario
Sometimes the hardest part of what we so here is doing these little reviews of these albums. Take this album for example. Evie does a children’s album. That’s about all their is to say. It’s not bad, it’s just a children’s album and it’s a little hard to get excited about that. I checked all the contributing musicians and it’s an excellent collection of quality Studio musicians but no one really notable so nothing there to talk about. Anyway so here it is the best children’s album Evie ever did.
Tracklist 1 – Step Into The Sunshine – 3:09 2 – Why Complain – 2:16 3 – Tree Song – 2:57 4 – His Will – 1:31 5 – All Day Song – 3:10 6 – I Am Safe – 1:15 7 – Jesus I Believe What You Said – 3:23 8 – It’s Not Just A Story – 2:06 9 – Will The Circle Be Unbroken? & This Little Light Of Mine – 2:50 10 – Creature Praise – 2:46 11 – Into My Heart – 3:35
Credits Backing Vocals – Becki Byrd, Catherine Snider, Gwenn Robertson, Karen Robertson, Laura Warren, Lee Warren Bass – Jack Williams Drums – Bill Harris, Jerry Carrigan Flute, Saxophone – Billy Puett Guitar – Billy Sandford*, Jerry Shook, Pete Bordonali, Weldon Myrick Harmonica – Charlie McCoy Keyboards – Kjell Ohman, Randy Goodrum Percussion – Farrell Morris
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc. Recorded At – The Sound Lab, Nashville Remixed At – Europa Film
50’s Rocker Wanda Jackson is back with her 6th Christian album and her 26th album overall. Yes this is her 26th album. Now she may have been a rocker in the 50’s but she certainly mellowed out by the 70’s and in fact this album would be best described as country but you can still hear hints of her great work in the 50’s. As good as this album was again she missed out on having a charting CCM single. In fact she never had a charting CCM single. For the life of me I am completely bewildered at this and there had to be some politics involved as her music was for the main part exactly what CCM was looking for. Now if this album doesn’t really appeal to you hang in there because she soon actually did a few more Rockabilly albums and we will be highlighting them soon.
Tracklist 1 – Where I’m Going – 3:13 2 – The World Didn’t Give It To Me – 3:03 3 – The Carpenter’s Son – 3:21 4 – Grandma Sang Off Key – 2:48 5 – He Was There All The Time – 3:24 6 – Closer To Jesus – 3:19 7 – Learning To Lean – 3:51 8 – Gaither Praise Medley – 2:29 9 – Walkin’ In The Spirit – 2:28 10 – He’s Been Through It Too – 3:39
Lenny LeBlanc is a very interesting story. He was actually quite a successful secular artist in the 70’s and was under contract by Capitol Records. He had recorded and released the first of that 2 record contract in 1981. However also 1981 he became saved after having a talk with his newly saved friend who was, and I quote here “… a big-time drug smuggler”. Lenny subsequently wanted to do Christian music which Capitol Records wasn’t much interested in. They did however agree to release him from his contract of he could find someone to buy it out. The Christian music labels were certainly not interested in this so he was stuck being unable to do music and actually made a living doing stained glass which was another one of his skills. In 1983 it became obvious to Capitol that no one was going to buy out his contract so they agreed to release him. He immediately signed with Heartland Records and recorded this album. The album is a relatively easy listening 80’s pop album but there are a few pretty good upbeat tracks of which the best is probably “Give Your Heart To The Lord”. The single for the album was “Say A Prayer” which reached #9 on the CCM charts.
Tracklist 1 – Say A Prayer – 3:51 2 – Have Mercy – 3:59 3 – Preacher Man – 3:53 4 – Give Your Heart To The Lord – 3:12 5 – New Tomorrow – 3:45 6 – Angel Of The Lord – 3:33 7 – Asleep In The Boat – 4:02 8 – I Don’t Understand – 3:41 9 – Soul Searching – 3:37 10 – I Believe In You – 3:58
Credits Backing Vocals – Ava Aldridge, Cindy Richardson, Mac McAnally, Michele Pillar, Robert Byrne, Sherrie LeBlanc Bass – David Hood, David Hungate, Mike Brignardello Blues Harp – Bill Darnell Drums – Larrie Londin, Roger Hawkins Engineer – Gary Platt, Greg McNeily Engineer [Mixdown] – Gary Platt Guitar – Jon Goin, Wayne Perkins, Will McFarlane Keyboards – Clayton Ivey, Shane Keister, Steve Nathan Lacquer Cut By [JG in runouts] – Joe Gastwirt Management – Rip Pelley Percussion – Farrell Morris Producer, Backing Vocals – Jon Phelps Producer, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Lenny LeBlanc Saxophone – Ronnie Eades
I think it’s safe to say that Randy was addicted to the recording studio. While recording with MATW he went into the studio in 1991 to do a solo album and then in 1993 to do this album with a version of the band he called simply Rose. For some of his fans this is their favourite album. I must admit that while not necessarily my style of music this album is very well done. Lyrically there are several tracks that are some of the best writing of the era in my opinion. As I said this album isn’t my style but I find myself liking it more and more every time I listen to it. This is one of those cases where the quality of the music outweighs my preferences for a different style.
Tracklist 1 – R.I.P. – 0:53 2 – Fallen – 3:08 3 – When I Let You In – 3:11 4 – Seeds Of Sorrow – 3:16 5 – My Lies – 3:41 6 – Hooked – 4:13 7 – Healing – 3:31 8 – D.O.P. – 4:11 9 – Demons – 2:58 10 – Never Enough – 3:30 11 – On My Knees – 5:14
Credits A&R – Matthew Duffy Art Direction – Brian Godawa Bass – Mike Link Drums – Don Richart Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Ben Jacobs, Steve Kumada Mixed By – Randy Rose Photography By – Patrick House Producer – Randy Rose Vocals – Randy Rose
Seventh Seal is a Norway Metal band that actually started out as Revelation in 1985. They recorded a couple demo’s which lead to a contract with CNR records. The band hit the studio and started recording this album. Along the way it was discovered that there was another band on the label using the name Revelation so a name change was in order and they went with Seventh Seal. Now this is where this get a little odd. Apparently CNR records would not release the album and judging from the production quality it doesn’t look like they put any money into the album. I’m not saying the production is bad but it’s not record company funded good. That said I think I actually prefer the raw feel of the production, it really suits the band. So in the end the band released the album themselves but unfortunately all the drama took a toll on the band and they split before they were able to tour in support of the album.
Tracklist 1 – Messengers Of Love – 5:00 2 – Fantasy – 2:13 3 – Revelation – God Has The Power – 4:46 4 – Your Love – 6:00 5 – Free – 3:22 6 – Sparkling Diamond – 4:21 7 – The Seventh Seal – 1:28 8 – Visions Of Tomorrow – 4:22 9 – Born Again – 4:40 10 – Break Out – 4:39 11 – Eternal Love – 3:58 12 – The Calling – 4:41
Credits Art Direction – Aud Vikor, Dynamo Krohg, Marianne Thulin Backing Vocals – Trygve Hanssen Concept By [Cover Concept] – Jan Rustad Drums, Percussion – Trygve Hanssen Engineer – Jan Egil Lovbak Keyboards – Sjur Lundstein Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass – Geir Knutsen Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass [Fretted & Fretless Bass], Backing Vocals – Geir T. Ugland Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Mark Bjorvand Photography By – Fin Serck-Hanssen Remastered By [Digitally] – Rob Colwell Voice – Roger Avenstrup
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Loud Level Studio Published By – Frost Music
Here’s another 70’s band I can’t really find much info on. They were out of Hollywood PA and actually recorded 5 albums including this one. This was their last album and was not on a label. They are a very high quality 70’s band and I am again mystified by the lack of info about some bands from this era. It looks like they had a good run through the 70’s and even had a CCM single in 1979. But I think the title of this album summed up what they were feeling as they slipped out of the industry. As far as a favourite track goes it’s hands down “Lead On” which is a great 70’s rock tune that I wish I had heard back in 1981.
Tracklist 1 – Lead On – 3:57 2 – Jonathan – 4:15 3 – Pavilion – 5:45 4 – Feelings – 4:10 5 – Fear Not – 3:20 6 – Wrapped Up Tight – 3:45 7 – Because It’s True – 5:40 8 – And Comes A Time – 5:10
Credits Bass, Vocals – Don Swartzentruber Drums – Fred Miller Engineer – Don Horst Guitar, Vocals – Steve Walker Horns – Mike Crotty Keyboards, Vibraphone [Vibes], Vocals – Mark Adamy Producer – Daybreak
Companies, etc. Published By – Daybreak Inc. Published By – Between The Lines Music Recorded At – Atlantic Sound Productions Mixed At – Atlantic Sound Productions
This may actually be the first live Jesus music worship album ever. Agape Force and Candle came together to record this live worship album in the Agape Force gymnasium at their ranch in Garden Valley, Texas. As for the album it is exactly what you are expecting after reading after the first sentence. Not particularly my style of album but I wasn’t attending worship services in the south in 1978. For what it is it’s a pretty good album and gives us a little insight into what was happening in the southwest U.S. southwest Jesus music scene in the late 70’s. It should be noted that I have arranged the track in a slightly different way that the album presented them as I think it better represents the flow of the album.
Tracklist 1 – Soldiers Of The Army – 2:38 2 – Stay On The Battlefield – 2:23 3 – I Will Sing – 2:50 4 – Fill Me Now – 2:10 5 – Lord Of Hosts – 2:00 6 – Glory To God In The Highest – 1:51 7 – Glory, Jesus, Glory – 1:43 8 – I Want To Be In Service For Jesus – 3:48 9 – The Lord Is My Strength – 2:14 10 – Lay Hold – 2:33 11 – The Steadfast Love – 1:43 12 – Living Fire – 2:02 13 – Hallelujah Song – 2:14 14 – Worthy – 3:00 15 – The Greatest Thing – 4:16 16 – Higher, Higher – 3:38
Credits Artwork By, Design – Mark Pendergrass Bass – Frank Hernandez Engineer – Paul Christensen Executive Producer – Tony Salerno Guitar [Acoustic] – Frank Atcheson, Frank Hernandez, Gabriel Arosemena, Mike Milligan Piano – Kathy Salerno Producer [& Musical Director], Liner Notes – Billy Ray Hearn Voice – Betsy Jacobson, Mike Milligan
Companies, etc. Mixed At – Martinsound Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparrow Records, Inc.
This was David’s 3rd album and really it was his breakthrough album as it had his first 2 CCM singles. “I Can’t Believe It’s True” made it to #2 and “Never Gonna Serve Anyone Else” made it to #9. The album relies a little less on David’s piano and uses quite a lot of keyboards with Bobby Ogdin, and Shane Keister joining David on keyboards. While having a little less piano makes the album more likeable for me I have to admit that his piano is so good I found myself missing it. Strangely the UK release of the album had a completely different and better cover in my opinion.
Tracklist 1 – I Can’t Believe It’s True – 2:59 2 – God Holds The Future – 3:56 3 – Never Gonna Serve Anyone Else – 3:16 4 – Everybody Needs A Little Help – 3:52 5 – All The Time – 4:26 6 – Love Is The Reason (We’re Here Tonight) – 3:58 7 – All I Can Do – 3:00 8 – Sunshine Jesus – 2:53 9 – Oh So Wonderful – 3:42 10 – He’ll Take Care Of You – 2:55
Credits Arranged By [Horns] – Buddy Skipper Arranged By [Strings] – Bergen White Bass – Jack Williams, Steve Schaffer Drums – Kenny Buttrey, Kenny Malone, Roger Clark Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton Guitar – Chris Smith, Jon Goin, Larry Byram Keyboards – Bobby Ogdin, David Meece, Shane Keister Percussion – Farrell Morris, Terry McMillian Producer – Brown Bannister Saxophone – Quittman Dennis
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc. Produced For – Chris Christian Productions Published By – Word Music Published By – Bug & Bear Music Mastered At – Masterfonics
