Ray Mansfield – Page 87

Paul Johnson & The Packards – California – 1987

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

Mike Warnke – Growing Up – 1983

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

Deliverance – Weapons Of Our Warfare – 1990

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 – What A Way To Go – 1984

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.

The Call – Modern Romans – 1983

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

Jay Beech – The Death of the Stickman – 1982

This is the first of 2 albums from Jay. The cover is fantastic but has no relation to the album. This was a rather odd album for me. I just told the other person here at Real 80’s CCM I didn’t like it. So I sat down to do a review for the album and upon listening to it for probably the 3rd time it actually started growing on me. In fact strangely I think I actually really like it now. I’m actually going to have a difficult time describing it. It’s somewhat jazzy but at times has a 70’s sound. You’re going to have to listen to it yourself because I can’t quite describe what I’m hearing. Do not prejudge this album by the cover, you will be disappointed. Give it a listen with an open mind and let me know how it felt to you.

Tracklist
1 – I’m All Right – 3:58
2 – Anchor Of My Soul – 4:02
3 – It Is Not Me – 3:37
4 – For Real – 3:40
5 – Forgiveness – 3:33
6 – God-Man – 4:20
7 – Watching The Sky – 3:57
8 – Broken People – 5:54
9 – Faith – 4:10
10 – Black & White – 2:37

Credits
Jay Beech – Guitar, Vocals, Producer
Curt Bartlett – Guitar
Don Harris – Bass
Doug Dimmel – Drums
Mark Isackson – Sax, Flute
Bill Busch – Keyboards
Amy Swartzendruber – Background Vocals
Lyndon Bartell – Background Vocals, Engineer
Steve Peterson – Engineer

Walt Harrah – On The Rock – 1983

This Walt Harrah album is subtitled on the cover with “A Musical Odyssey on Kingdom Living Based on the Sermon on the Mount”. This album was also available as a Chorus book with a cassette or Reel to Reel with the vocals removed. I’m not really too sure what that makes this project but I don’t know anyone who had the album or any of the other items so I don’t know how popular it was. Strangely in all the biographies I read on Walt this album is never even mentioned. The album itself is an easy listening synth oriented album and if you’re in the right mood this is an excellent album. That said it does have a very distinct sound so it may take a bit for it to grow on you. It did grow on me and I quite like it now.

Tracklist
1 – In The Kingdom – 3:22
2 – Kingdom Living – 3:07
3 – Poor In Spirit – 4:37
4 – Love Your Enemies Too – 2:22
5 – The Hypocrite – 3:00
6 – The Lord’s Prayer – 4:04
7 – What? Me Worry? – 2:20
8 – God, The Lilies N’ Me – 2:24
9 – All You’ve Gotta Do – 3:16
10 – On The Rock – 4:02
11 – Your Will Be Done – 5:15
12 – He Will Reign – 3:46

Credits
Drums – Dave Spurr
Keyboards, Programmed By – John Schreiner
Lead Vocals – Amick Byram
Synthesizer – Leon Gaer
Trumpet – Darrel Gardner
Vocals – Cozette Byrd
Vocals, Lead Vocals – Sandi Patty, Steve Green
Vocals, Lead Vocals, Producer, Arranged By – Walt Harrah

Greg X. Volz – Come Out Fighting – 1988

This was Greg’s second solo album and was well received but it wasn’t as strong as his first. I think Myrrh thought the same as he was dropped by the label after this album. The album did have 2 singles on the ACC charts. “Take Me To The End” and “Will You Take Me Back?”. Both only made it to #29 on the charts. That said I will make the point again that an albums representation on this chart has nothing to do with whether it was a good album or not but usually was closer connected to home many easy listening tracks the album had. All that aside I think this is a pretty good album. I like the Pop leaning Rock tracks but the slow tracks are probably the stronger part of the album.

Tracklist
1 – I Come Out Fighting – 3:34
2 – I Don’t Know Why – 4:01
3 – Take Me To The End – 4:51
4 – Let The Mountains Fall – 4:14
5 – Dream On – 5:11
6 – What Will Remain – 4:16
7 – Back Burner – 4:44
8 – Will You Take Me Back? – 4:11
9 – I Know You By Heart – 3:24
10 – Up To The Mountain – 3:34

Credits
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – George Atwell, Greg X. Volz, Michael Atwell, Mike Schmitz
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Greg X. Volz
Art Direction – Camille Engle
Booking [Concert] – Jeff Roberts
Design – Barbara Keller, Camille Engle
Drums, Drum Programming – Michael Atwell
Engineer – Andy de Ganhal, Dana W. Cornock, Jonathan David Brown
Guitar – Kirk Henderson
Keyboards – George Atwell, Michael Atwell
Management [Personal] – Ron C. Volz
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Other [Hair And Grooming] – Michelle Kebre
Photography By, Illustration – Empire Studio
Producer – George Atwell, Greg X. Volz, Michael Atwell
Programmed By [Fairlight And Bass Programming] – Michael Atwell
Programmed By [Synclavier Programming] – Michael Atwell, Rich Head
Tape Op [Tape Transfers] – Gary Platt, Robert Knox
Typography [Typesetting] – D&T Typesetting
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Rare Form Studio
Recorded At – Wolf’s Head Studios
Recorded At – Parc Studios
Recorded At – Starke Lake Studios
Overdubbed At – OmniSound Studios
Overdubbed At – The Pond
Mixed At – Parc Studios
Mixed At – Criteria Recording Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering

Solid Rock – Interdesign – 1983

This is the second independent release from Solid Rock. Their first album was well received and even got airplay on Christian Radio. This album was even better received and also received play on Christian Radio. This was no small feat for an independent release. The band were from Weatherford, Oklahoma and attended Trinity Baptist Church. As I said this was the second of three albums and they were all Indy releases. I am a little amazed that a band from Oklahoma with an independent release gained such a large following. I would normal describe this situation as having a cult following but in this case the band was very well known. I really like this album but honestly it’s a little confusing at ties. Sometimes I’m hearing 70’s Pink Floyd and on other tracks 80’s synth. But this really isn’t a criticism as the album flows well and I love their version of Rock & Roll. If you missed this one in the 80’s give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Intro – 1:30
2 – Carry On – 4:19
3 – Two-Thirds Of A Man – 3:51
4 – Make A Change – 3:29
5 – Just This Side Of Darkness – 4:17
6 – Sidekick – 3:05
7 – Wisdom Of Men – 4:40
8 – Live Your Life Alone – 3:56
9 – Fly Away – 5:14

Credits
Drums, Vocals – Larry Percy
Guitar, Synthesizer – Stan Mathis
Bass, Vocals – Kevin Bartel
Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Album Design – Jerry Johnson
Engineer – Gary Duggan
Producer – Larry Benson
Concert Sound Enginer – Kurt Abercrombie

Companies
Studio – Benson Sound
Mastered – Kendun Recorders

Joshua – Intense Defense – 1988

This was the final album from Joshua and it was probably their best. It is reported that the album took a better part of a year to record with a $700,000 budget. Strangely after RCA invested this time and money they actually dropped the band reportedly because they included the phrase “This album is dedicated to the Glory of God” in the liner notes. I have no idea how the album went over but wow is that a dumb reason to drop a band but that’s record companies for you. They do some really stupid things. Unfortunately this silliness probably played a part in the band splitting up. Rob Rock, Greg Shultz, and Emil Lech went on to form the band Driver and Joshua Perahia changed the name of the band to Jaguar. Unfortunately neither band had any commercial success. Back to the album though, it is a very good Hard Rock/Metal album and you can hear the dollars spent in the production and engineering. This album absolutely sounds as good as anything released commercially at the time and it’s a pity it was not better received in North America because it really deserved to be.

Tracklist
1 – Reach Up – 4:43
2 – I’ve Been Waiting – 4:27
3 – Only Yesterday – 3:38
4 – Crying Out For Love – 4:16
5 – Living On The Edge – 4:10
6 – Tearing At My Heart – 3:47
7 – Remembering You – 5:06
8 – Look To The Sky – 4:21
9 – Don’t You Know – 4:09
10 – Stand Alone – 5:02

Credits
Arranged By – Frank Mono, Joshua Perahia
Bass – Emil Lech
Cover [Illustration] – Norbert Lösche
Drums – Tim Gehrt
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Uli Baronowsky
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Joshua Perahia
Keyboards [Programming] – Jimmy Waldo
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Greg Shultz
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Rob Rock (tracks: 3 to 10)
Mixed By – Pete Woodroffe
Mixed By [Mix Assited By] – Uwe Sabirowsky
Producer, Engineer – Frank Mono
Programmed By – Al Topo, Uwe Sabirowsky
Vocals [Uncredited] – Ken Tamplin (tracks: 1, 2)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – BMG Ariola Hamburg GmbH
Copyright (c) – BMG Ariola Hamburg GmbH
Produced For – Breeze Music GmbH
Recorded At – Dierks Studios
Mixed At – Dierks Studios
Mastered At – Townhouse 3
Pressed By – Sonopress – C-4181
Published By – Breeze Music GmbH