Torah were a 4 person Metal band out of Decatur IL and this is all we got from them. I can’t really find out much about them but they sound like a pretty good Metal band. The problem with 1988 is that there were a lot of Christian Metal bands at the time and I assume these guys got lost in the crowd. They did get the track “Pray for the Children” released on a Metal sampler “Big Rage! Volume 1” which I can not find a copy of. There are a few videos of them on YouTube and they do have an active Facebook group so good to see they are still around.
Tracklist 1 – Rock and Roll Warriors – 4:03 2 – Dreams – 3:33 3 – Don’t Reign on My Parade – 3:43 4 – Pray for the Children – 6:04
This was a self released Demo from Rosanna’s Raiders in 1985. They also had one in 1984 with mostly different songs. This shows that they had a very good selection of songs before they were ever signed to a record deal. If you are familiar with Rosanna’s Raiders you might be a little surprised by this demo. I found it to be a little toned down from their label releases and in fact I think I prefer this toned down style. I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of this demo. More often than not demos do not have the best engineering and production but in the case I found both to be excellent. This may actually be my favourite demo from the 80’s, at very least it’s in my top 10.
Tracklist 1 – We Are Raiders – 3:23 2 – Reflections – 2:50 3 – When You Woke Up This Morning – 4:50 4 – Spotlight – 4:24 5 – Masks – 3:56 6 – You Are My Rock – 3:42 7 – Why Don’t People Care – 4:28 8 – Hiding Behind Closed Doors – 4:51 9 – Whose Side Are You On – 4:26 10 – Mr. Magic – 6:02 11 – He Is Coming (Are You Ready?) – 2:44
Credits Dave Palmer – Bass Johno Zaffarese – Drums Rosanna Palmer – Guitar, Vocals Phil Butson – Producer, Engineer
While I was researching this album I discovered that very few people were discussing this album. It’s almost as if people are saying “This is his 6th album” and that’s it. I’m kind of surprised because personally I think it’s probably his second best album (I think “Are You Ready?” was his best). The album is keyboard/Piano heavy which is to be expected as David Meece is a classically trained concert pianist. That said I don’t think David was comfortable with synth at this time as he had Michael W. Smith and Shane Keister step in to help in that area. The track that stands out to me is the title track. I absolutely love studio musician Jon Goin’s guitar riffs on this track. I think it would have been fun if David and Jon had tried a real Rock & Roll song as it really does sound like Jon could have handled that role. I also think David could have written some real Rock & Roll as he was an excellent songwriter and I get the feeling he enjoyed a good rock song.
Tracklist 1 – Gloria – 3:59 2 – Making My Life Brand New – 4:19 3 – Falling Down – 3:04 4 – Pressing On – 3:46 5 – Some People They Never Believe – 3:22 6 – Count The Cost – 2:51 7 – I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without You – 5:10 8 – Today Is The Day – 2:29 9 – And You Know It’s Right – 4:25 10 – Replace It With Your Love – 4:00
Credits Arranged By – Alan Moore Backing Vocals – Diana DeWitt, Donna McElroy, Gary Pigg, Jackie Cusic, Kim Fleming Bass – Mike Brignardello Drums – Paul Leim Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig Engineer [Assistant] – Don Cobb English Horn – Bobby Taylor Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton Flugelhorn, Trumpet [Piccolo Trumpet] – John Rommel Guitar – Jon Goin Keyboards, Synthesizer – Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister Percussion – Farrell Morris Photography By [Album Photo] – Michael Borum Producer – Brown Bannister
Companies, etc. Record Company – Myrrh Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ 26087 Published By – Meece Music Published By – Full Armor Publishing Co Published By – Whole Armor Publishing Co. Published By – Handrail Music Published By – Meadowgreen Music Co. Recorded At – Caribou Ranch Recorded At – Bullet Recording Recorded At – Sound Stage Studios Remixed At – The Bennett House Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Here is yet another oddball release on Morada Records. You’ll find some rather odd combinations of styles on this album. All on one album you can hear synth, prog rock, Fusion rock, Funk, and maybe a bit of jazz. Kind of a pity this was their only album as I think a second one with a better producer this band might have really gone some where. All that said this one is definitely one you should take the time to listen to and you might join the cult following this band has.
Tracklist 1 – Creepin’ In – 2:44 2 – Lookin’ Out – 3:01 3 – Who Are We Looking To? – 3:29 4 – When He Comes – 2:55 5 – You Got A Hold On Me – 5:48 6 – New Old World – 3:26 7 – Latter Rain – 4:39 8 – By My Spirit – 2:48 9 – Before The Throne – 5:42
Credits Ken Burger – Songwriter, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Mark Copenhaver – Producer, Engineer Ground Crew – Producer Mark Huhnke – Songwriter, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Vocals R. Jones – Songwriter D. Koss – Songwriter Eric Lucas – Songwriter, Guitar, Sax, Bass, Vocals Tom Winters – Drums
This album marked Chuck’s departure from Good News Records and instead he created his own label for this album. That said I am guessing the experiment didn’t go well as he joined Asaph Records for his next album. Now I’m going to criticize this album but hear me out as it’s not that bad. Chuck brought in Bob Rose to help produce this album. Bob had only produced one album before this one which was Chucks The Stand album. Chuck and his wife Karen took co-producing credits and executive production credits. Quite frankly the album shows the lack of proper production. A few songs have fade ins which is generally avoided by most producers as it not generally well received. That said an occasional fade in song is good for artistic license but not so many. Further the album just doesn’t have that finished feel. Many of the song names are too long and it just doesn’t feel finished. Now that said, the songs are good and the album probably has some of his best lyrics ever. The mix is good if not polished and I noticed that Derald Dougherty gets an engineering credit on the album. So to sum up it’s a good album and my criticism should probably be initially ignored and you should listen to the album and judge it for yourself.
Tracklist 1 – The Name Above All Names – 4:34 2 – Kingdom Come – 4:44 3 – We Are The Righteousness Of God – 3:36 4 – Blessed Be The Name Of My Rock – 3:30 5 – Soldiers Of The Lion – 4:51 6 – Don’t Shoot The Wounded – 4:07 7 – And The Rain Came Down – 4:00 8 – Wall Of Love – 3:37 9 – Walk As I Walk – 4:05 10 – The Power And The Glory – 3:44
Credits Arranged By, Producer – Bob Rose Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Chuck Girard (tracks: B1) Art Direction – Liza McDonald Backing Vocals – Bili Thedford, Chuck Girard, Denny Correll, Terry Clark, Tommy Funderburk Co-producer, Executive-Producer – Chuck Girard Engineer – Bill Cobb Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Derald Dougherty, Jonathan Brown Executive-Producer – Karen Girard Mastered By – Carol Hibbs Mixed By [Mixdown Engineer] – Nick Van Maarth Percussion – Burleigh Drummond Photography By – Harry Langdon Synthesizer – Rob Watson
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Seven Thunders Records Copyright (c) – Seven Thunders Records Distributed By – Word Records (2) Mastered At – K Disc Mastering Recorded At – Poiema Studios Recorded At – Baby’O Recorders Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
In my quest to find the oddball examples of 80’s CCM I found this artist. Paul Johnson was playing Surf music long ago in the 60’s and he played with some of the most popular surf bands including The Surfias. This is actually his 3rd Christian album though I kind of struggle with calling it a Christian album. Not because I question Paul’s beliefs but because it is an instrumental album. That said it was picked up by Frontline Records so let’s be clear I have no doubts it was an inspired album. That said it is a very oddball album. If you have a hankering for some 50’s/60’s style surf music this album is for you. Oh, and it has an excellent cover of The Beatles song “Day Tripper”.
Tracklist 1 – Kamikaze – 2:37 2 – Escape To Reality – 4:26 3 – Mr. Moto – 1:49 4 – Baja – 3:11 5 – Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus – 3:39 6 – Squad Car – 2:07 7 – Day Tripper – 2:30 8 – Link Wray Medley: Rumble, Jack The Ripper, Rawhide – 7:02 9 – Streets Of Gold – 3:52
Credits Arranged By – Paul Johnson Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart Artwork [Cover Art, Guitar Heaven] – John Dickenson Bass Guitar – Guy Hufferd Drums – Ray Huskey Engineer, Mastered By [Digitally Re-Mastered By] – Doug Doyle Guitar – Paul Johnson Mastered By – John Matousek Painting [Cover Painting, California] – Rick Griffin Producer – Doug Doyle, Paul Johnson Rhythm Guitar – Marc Burroughs Soloist – Marc Burroughs (tracks: 7)
Companies, etc. Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mastered At – Hitsville Remastered At – Digital Brothers Distributed By – FMG Distribution Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records Copyright (c) – Frontline Records Record Company – Frontline Music Group
The humour continues as Mike is joined by his wife, at the time, for his 7th album.
It should be noted that Warnke was revealed as a liar and fraudster in 1991 by Cornerstone magazine. This recording is offered as a historic record of what was being listened to in the Christian community in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Credits Art Direction – Jim Osborn Engineer – Malcolm Harper Mastered By – Hank Williams (2) Photography By – Mark Tucker (7) Producer, Edited By, Remix – Neal Joseph
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Published By – Warnke Publishing Co. Published By – Prime Time Music (2) Recorded At – Will Rogers Auditorium Recorded By – Reelsound Edited At – Bullet Recording Remixed At – Bullet Recording Mastered At – Mastermix
For their second album Deliverance turned up the thrash to 10. Upon reading reviews of this album it seems like this album is loved by the people who love this genre. A few even said this may be the best Christian trash album ever. Obviously I can’t really comment on this as I don’t like thrash and to me it all sounds the same. I did find the track “23” quite interesting as it makes a reference to Psalm 23. I just can’t get used to thrash metal making a reference to a Psalm. Anyway while I may not care for the album I can tell that it is a good album judging from the reviews. It’s history of re-releases, 2008, 2014, and twice in 2017 is a further testament to it’s popularity. So if you’re a metal head with a love of thrash this obviously is the album for you.
Tracklist 1 – Supplication – 1:48 2 – This Present Darkness – 2:47 3 – Weapons Of Our Warfare – 4:25 4 – Solitude – 6:05 5 – Flesh And Blood – 7:27 6 – Bought By Blood – 3:17 7 – 23 – 5:49 8 – Slay The Wicked – 4:03 9 – Greetings Of Death – 2:49 10 – If We Faint Not – 4:25
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Band [Deliverance Is], Bass – Brian Khairullah Band [Deliverance Is], Drums – Chris Hyde Band [Deliverance Is], Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – George Ochoa Band [Deliverance Is], Vocals [All Vocals], Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar – Jimmy P. Brown II Co-producer [Co-produced By] – Jimmy P. Brown II Design Concept [Cover Concept By] – Jimmy P. Brown II Engineer [2nd Engineer] – Brian “Missing” Person Engineer, Producer [Production Assistant] – Eric “Homefilth” Kibbe Illustration [Cover Illustration By] – Joe Yakovetic Layout – Joe Potter Mixed By – Bill Metoyer Photography By – Douglas Cloutier Producer [Produced By] – George Ochoa
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records Copyright (c) – Intense Records Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Published By – Broken Songs Published By – Carlotta Publishing Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Billy Sprague got his start in the Christian music scene by being a member of Amy Grant’s band in the early 80’s. This work included a duet with Amy, “Singing A Love Song,” off Amy’s In Concert album. This relationship developed into his own record deal in 1984 with Reunion Records. Reunion brought in Michael W. Smith in to produce the album and the result of that is this album. It was a very successful release garnering 3 singles on the CCM charts. “Heavenly Father” climbed to #8, “What A Way To Go” to #22, and “Jude Doxology” to #30. I’m kind of surprised they released Jude Doxology as a single as personally I think it’s the weakest track on the album, but I never really got along with the CCM charts anyway. Obviously the album was very successful and I’m sure Reunion Records couldn’t get a second album out fast enough though it would have to wait until he was done his tour.
Tracklist 1 – What A Way To Go – 4:07 2 – Don’t Give Up – 3:55 3 – Heavenly Father – 3:31 4 – Never Be The Same – 4:59 5 – I Believe – 4:42 6 – Secret Heart – 4:29 7 – How Could You Say No – 3:28 8 – Take My Heart – 4:54 9 – Jude Doxology – 2:03
Credits Art Direction, Design – Kent Hunter Bass – Mike Brignardello Drums – Mark Hammond Engineer – Jeff Balding Engineer [Additional] – Jim “J.B.” Baird Engineer [Assistant] – Allen Henry, Chris Hammond, Sam Baily Engineer, Mixed By – Brent King Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton Guitar, Electric Guitar – Jon Goin Mastered By – Hank Williams Mixed By [Assistant] – Phil Dihel Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer, Keyboards – Michael W. Smith
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records Copyright (c) – Reunion Records Distributed By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word Records Limited Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd. Designed At – Thomas Ryan Design Recorded At – Goldmine Studio, Brentwood, TN Recorded At – Bullet Recording Recorded At – Center Stage Studio Mixed At – Mastermix Mastered At – Mastermix Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
This was the second album from The Call and is probably the one that introduced most people to the band. Their first album was not very well received but I guess was well enough received that Mercury Records went ahead with a second album. The single “The Walls Came Down” was a rather odd single. It only reached #74 on the Billboard Top 100 Chart though did make it to #17 on the mainstream rock chart. What was odd is that it was hugely popular on MTV. The video was very well received which I find odd because it is the just the band playing the song in what looks like a warehouse. Remember that often first singles followed this style on the thought we would learn who the band was. A strategy I always thought was stupid as these videos were notoriously boring. But as boring as it was (and it is) it was on heavy rotation. The song is actually referring to the cold war between the U.S. and Russia but there is the obvious suggestion of the biblical story of Battle of Jericho. Now I will toss in a personal opinion. I actually preferred their initial self titled album, but this album did solidify me as a permanent fan.
Tracklist 1 – The Walls Came Down – 3:35 2 – Turn A Blind Eye – 3:48 3 – Time Of Your Life – 3:27 4 – Modern Romans – 3:24 5 – Back From The Front – 4:02 6 – Destination – 4:32 7 – Violent Times – 4:28 8 – Face To Face – 4:05 9 – All About You – 4:20
Credits Bass – Greg Freeman Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Scott Musick Engineer – Richard Kaplan Engineer [Assistant] – Chuck Johnson, David Spritz Guitar, Vocals – Tom Ferrier Guitar, Vocals [Lead] – Michael Been Producer – Michael Been, The Call Synthesizer, Cornet – Steve Huddleston Synthesizer, Saxophone – Garth Hudson Written-By – Michael Been
Companies, etc. Published By – Neeb Music Published By – Tarka Music Phonographic Copyright (p) – PolyGram Records, Inc. Manufactured By – PolyGram Records, Inc. Marketed By – PolyGram Records, Inc. Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Compton, CA Recorded At – Indigo Ranch Studios
