This is Al Denton’s second album and was self released on his own label same as he did for his first. This album however is as good as anything else available at the time. What I mean is that this album is one of the best self released albums I have ever heard. The material is fantastic, the studio work is excellent, and the production is top notch. The album was produced by Paul Mills and Kemper Crabb and you can hear their talents. I have no idea who was in the studio other than Jerry McPherson but this was a great team of musicians. The albums leans more to light rock but I will say that “This Ice” is headed into my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Nothing Can Separate Us 2 – Thin Ice 3 – As You Are 4 – The Battle Is On 5 – Two Wrongs Tonight 6 – Do The Same 7 – We Can Make A Difference 8 – Cut To The Heart 9 – Burning Bridges 10 – In His Sanctuary
Here’s another one for our Spanish listeners. We uploaded his 3rd album last month and it was well received so today we’re visiting his 5th album. This album was widely praised for modernizing Spanish-language Christian music with a pop-rock and ballad-infused sound. To me the album leans more easy listening than his earlier work but he was switch9ing to more of a worship oriented artist. The album was a collaborative effort with musician and producer Cesar Garza, who brought a high level of programming and arrangement to the music. The album also showcases the work of various talented Mexican songwriters.
Tracklist 1 – Te Exaltamos – 4:38 2 – Hoy Levantamos Tu Nombre – 2:19 3 – Yeshúa – 3:12 4 – Me Gozaré – 3:15 5 – Restaurarás El Santo Lugar – 2:07 6 – Él Es Mi Rey – 3:59 7 – Renuévame – 4:05 8 – A Cristo, Solo A Cristo – 3:42 9 – Porque Tú Eres Bueno – 2:46 10 – Maravilloso Dios – 2:21 11 – Al Estar Aquí – 4:03 12 – Quiero Levantar Mis Manos – 4:26
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jose Perez Arranged By – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Jose Perez, Marcos Witt Backing Vocals – Eliezer Gallegos, Elvira Garza, Jose Perez, Lorena Warren, Marcos Witt, Nicky Garza, Nolita Warren, Rodolfo Orozco Electric Bass, Engineer – Luis Chi-Sing Executive-Producer, Piano – Marcos Witt Graphic Design – Raquel Barrientos Guitar – Gerray West Mixed By – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Gerray West, Luis Chi-Sing, Raul Angel Taboada “Salomon” Percussion – Alejandro Díaz, Cesar Eduardo Garza Producer – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Gerray West, Marcos Witt Recorded By, Synthesizer, Electric Organ, Drum Programming – Cesar Eduardo Garza Technician – Raul Angel Taboada “Salomon”
This is the last thing we got from Hoi Polloi after what I consider a great run. I’m pretty sure the sales numbers wouldn’t consider it a great run but I’m referring to the talent and the songs which I consider a great run. This demo is perfectly situated in 1996. I have heard these guys since their early days as Jamboree up until this album and they progressed over that time with the trends. Anyway so here we have a pretty guitar heavy grunge feel and while not my personal favourite style this album was perfect for the time and I only wish it would have lead to an album. But alas this was it for Hoi Polloi. Some trivia, per the guys over at Christian Tape Underground (https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/) there is also a version of this demo simply entitled “Demo”. According to them “If I Was Juliet” and “Only Flying” are trimmed differently between the two releases. Thanks for the music Hoi Polloi.
Tracklist 1 – Simply Super – 4:14 2 – Only Flying – 3:55 3 – If I Was Juliet – 5:14
Credits Bass – Andrew Horst Drums – Matt McGuyer Guitar – Troy Daugherty Lead Vocals, Words By – Jenny Gullen
This is the third and last album from The Living Sacrifice Band out of Spokane WA. Apparently they went through a few name changes starting out as Last Call of Shiloh, then Living Sacrifice, and finally as Living Sacrifice Band. They also released one album as The Last Call Of Shiloh. They released this album on Shekinah records which was a micro label out of Oceanport, NJ. The album has a progressive seventies Rock sound and feel and features the multiple instruments you would expect on a progressive album. Side one is more Rock oriented while side 2 is a little more mellow. Pretty good album here that you have probably never heard of due to it’s obscurity so if that 70’s progressive style is your thing this one is for you.
Tracklist 1 – Hallelujah 2 – Resurrection 3 – Woman At The Well 4 – Marriage Supper Of The Lamb 5 – Ezekiel 38 & 39 6 – Armegeddon 7 – Raging Sea 8 – A Call To Brokeness
Credits Rob Neuschwander – drums, vocals, bass John Murray – vocals, harmonica, guitar, bass Diane Murray – vocals Doug Houser – vocals, flute Heidi Nelson – vocals, piano John Rosenberry – vocals, guitar
Charles Johnson might have been better known as a member of soul gospel group The Sensational Nightingales who actually started up in the 40’s. This is another group that was huge in the soul side of the industry and unknown on the rock side of the industry. Charles started up this group after he left The Sensational Nightingales in the early 80’s. This album has been classified as Soul but really it had more of a 50’s feel than soul but admittedly sometimes those 2 genres melt together. Anyway needless to say I never heard this one before finding it in our stack which is really too bad because this is a great album with a fun 50’s feel.
Tracklist 1 – There Is A Guarantee In Jesus – 4:45 2 – I’ve Been Sealed – 4:10 3 – I’ll See You In The Rapture – 4:25 4 – It’s Time To Go Back Home – 3:39 5 – My Friend Jesus – 4:32 6 – I Can’t Even Walk – 4:33 7 – Giving You A Warning Sinner – 3:45
Credits Bass Guitar – Richard A. Luster Drums – Mark Williams Keyboards – Roger Fortner Lead Guitar – Darrell Luster Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Tim Greene Rhythm Guitar – Charles Johnson
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mountain Top Studios
This is the Imperials 2nd Christmas album. While their first one was very very popular, this one, not so much. In part it is because they self released it so it probably only sold through their mail order program. This was a period that the Imperials were struggling with record labels. The album is traditional Christmas songs done in a very traditional quartet style. It’s not even in the same ballpark as their first album but I don’t think they wanted it to be.
Tracklist 1 – Sleigh Ride 2 – White Christmas 3 – Silent Night 4 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel 5 – I Have Seen The Light 6 – The Christmas Song 7 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 8 – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee 9 – What Child Is This 10 – Hark The Herald Angels Sing
This album probably contains the biggest CCM Christmas song ever. The title track was written by Andrew Culverwell and suited Evie’s vocals perfectly. The album also received a nominated for Grammy Award for best Contemporary Gospel performance. The album is mainly traditional material but Lennart Sjöholm did many of the arrangements. The album has a country feel and is one of the most loved CCM Christmas albums still to this day.
Tracklist 1 – Come On, Ring Those Bells – 3:02 2 – Away In A Manger – 2:37 3 – No Room/Have You Any Room For Jesus? – 3:42 4 – Mary’s Boy Child – 2:45 5 – Silent Night – 3:34 6 – O Holy Night – 3:45 7 – What Child Is This? – 3:35 8 – Some Children See Him – 1:43 9 – One Small Child – 3:04 10 – A Thousand Candles – 2:39
Credits Backing Vocals – Janie Fricke Singers Bass – Jack Williams Drums – Bill Harris, Jerry Carrigan Guitar – Billy Sanford, Jerry Shook, Pete Bordinella Harmonica – Charlie McCoy Keyboards – Lennart Sjöholm, Randy Goodrum Oboe – Bob Taylor Percussion – Farrell Morris Recorder, Clarinet – Billy Puett Steel Guitar – Weldon Myrick Strings – Shelly Kurland Strings
Companies, etc. Recorded At – The Sound Lab, Nashville Remixed At – Europa Film
This is Russ’s only Christmas album and I don’t have much to say about it. It is a collection of traditional Christmas carols with very traditional arrangements. Often these albums they lay down the music track with studio musicians then the singer comes in and does the vocals and it’s off to the stores. But credit to Russ here, he used his band for the album and the engineering/production group is his usual team. That makes me respect this album a little more though it’s still not my style. This one is for people looking for traditional songs with traditional arrangements and stand out vocals.
Tracklist 1 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 4:34 2 – Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:57 3 – The Christmas Song – 2:19 4 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – 4:01 5 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas – 4:01 6 – Let It Snow, Let It Snow – 2:39 7 – White Christmas – 3:51 8 – What Child Is This? – 2:41 9 – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – 4:07 10 – What A Wonderful World – 2:27
Credits Bass – Byron House Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – John Darnall Drums, Bells [Sleigh Bells] – John Hammond Executive-Producer – John Huie Mastered By – Hank Williams Piano, Vibraphone [Vibes] – Matt Rollings Producer, Arranged By, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Recorded By, Mixed By – James Hollihan, Jr. Recorded By [Strings Recorded By] – Lynn Fuston Saxophone – Mark Douthit Strings – The Nashville String Machine Trumpet – Mike Haynes
If you do not own this album, you are truly missing out on not only one of the great Christmas albums of all time (Christian or secular) but on one of the great albums. This album was initially listed in the Top 100 before the decision to remove the seasonal albums. Years before “City of a Hill,” short lived Via Records released this brilliant acoustic collection of original and classical holiday favorites. Artists include Derri Daugherty (The Choir), Michael Pritzl (The Violet Burning), Jerry Chamberlain (DA), Kevin Smith (DC Talk), Jenny Gullen (Hoi Polloi), Brent Bourgeois, Riki Michelle (Adam Again), Julie Miller and more. Simply brilliant from first to last and years ahead of the time.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Derri Daugherty & Riki Michelle & Steve Hindalong – Babe In The Straw – 3:32 2 – Michael Pritzl & Jenny Gullen – Silent Night – 3:36 3 – Jerry Chamberlain & Sharon McCall & Riki Michelle & Derri Daugherty – I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day – 2:57 4 – Kevin Smith – In The Bleak Mid-Winter – 3:15 5 – Jenny Gullen & Derri Daugherty – Bring A Torch Jeannette, Isabella – 2:52 6 – Stephen & Jenny Gullen – O Holy Night – 4:26 7 – Brian Whitman – Carol Of The Birds – 3:00 8 – Brent Bourgeois & Carolyn Arends & Derri Daugherty – What Child Is This? – 4:30 9 – Riki Michelle & Jerry Chamberlain & Sharon McCall – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – 2:53 10 – Buddy & Julie Miller – Away In A Manger – 2:57 11 – Carolyn Arends & Stephen Murray & Jenny Gullen – Angels We Have Heard On High – 4:43
This is a rather odd Christmas album. While popular in Chrisn circles due to Amy’s involvement the album actually flopped but is highly regarded by music reviewers and many describe it as one of the best Christmas albums ever. Personally I don’t fall in that group. I just don’t like the album. It does not compliment Art or Amy’s vocal style. That said I really like the concept and many of the songs are really good. The concept is that these are the stories/songs of the animals on Christmas day. The songs are well written and actually I think they are some pretty good songs. They were written by Jimmy Webb who is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. My complaint is the arrangements. I just don’t feel the whole choir and orchestra thing and I wish so much that someone else had made the production decisions for this album. However as I said the songs are excellent and many people love the arrangements and I respect their opinion. For many people this album is a Christmas staple.
Tracklist 1 – The Annunciation – 2:38 2 – The Creatures Of The Field – 2:31 3 – Just A Simple Little Tune – 2:54 4 – The Decree – 3:25 5 – Incredible Phat – 4:56 6 – The Friendly Beasts – 3:23 7 – The Song Of The Camels – 2:44 8 – Words From An Old Spanish Carol – 3:43 9 – Carol Of The Birds – 1:58 10 – The Frog – 5:15 11 – Herod – 4:20 12 – Wild Geese – 3:32
Credits Art Direction – Christopher Austopchuk Banjo, Acoustic Guitar – Eric Weisberg Bass – Joe Osborn Cello – Peter Presser Choir – Kings College School Choir Conductor – Carl Davis Directed By [Choir] – Michael Jenkins Drums – Steve Gadd Electric Guitar – Elliott Randall Engineer – Geoff Emerick, Jon Kelly, Roy Halee Engineer [Assistant] – Stuart Breed Illustration – Abby Levine Mastered By – Greg Calbi Orchestra – The London Symphony Orchestra Organ – Paul Halley Percussion – Gordon Gottlieb Piano – Jimmy Webb Producer – Art Garfunkel, Geoff Emerick, Jimmy Webb Remix – Art Garfunkel, Geoff Emerick, Nicole Graham, Stuart Breed Saxophone – George Young Synthesizer – Rob Mounsey Vocals – Amy Grant, Art Garfunkel Vocals, Soloist – Declan Costello, Jonathan Jenkins, Nicholas Dykes, Stephen Bayly
