Paul Clark was one of the most prolific CCM artists of the 1970’s through the 90’s. Strangely he only ever had 3 CCM singles which is absolutely absurd considering the quantity and quality of his work. I think this is my favourite album from him yet. I haven’t listened to then all yet but this one really is my kind of music. Many artists in the CCM industry get more mellow as they go along but not Paul. This is his 10th album and it is a solid pop effort with a great 80’s sound. On the mellow end “As Long As I’m Still Breathing” should have easily singled on the CCM charts especially in 1989. Somehow I missed Paul in the 80’s but I sure like him now.
Tracklist 1 – More Heat Than Light – 5:54 2 – Everywhere I Turn – 3:04 3 – You Can’t Accuse Me – 2:53 4 – I Can Feel Your Heartbeat – 3:02 5 – Marianna – 3:11 6 – So They Say – 4:04 7 – 1NA100 – 3:37 8 – Foxhole Confession – 3:36 9 – Don’t Let Go Of My Heart – 3:36 10 – As Long As I’m Still Breathing – 3:03
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Paul Clark Backing Vocals – Baby Lee, Donald Brown, Don Harris, Paul Clark Bass – Don Harris Drum Programming – Paul Clark, Rod Lincoln Drums – Rod Lincoln Graphics – Network Graphics, Inc Guest [Guest Appearance] – Pat Mastelotto, Steve Farris, Steve George Guitar – Don Harris, Paul Clark, Kevin Rogers Keyboards – Don Harris, Paul Clark Lead Vocals – Paul Clark Mixed By [Mixdown], Engineer – Bill Schnee Percussion, Programmed By – Paul Clark Photography – Paul Clark, Jessica Clark Producer – Paul Clark Programmed By – Don Harris Recorded By, Engineer – Craige Lindesay, Dan Garcia, Gary West, Paul Clark
After three decades of crafting memorable, significant and compelling blues and rock, Resurrection band created a swan song of the highest order. Due in part to reaching out beyond their normal Jesus People USA community for creative support and enlisting Kings X’s Ty Tabor, the band created their one and only “concept” album and it was a striking artistic success. It would be their last. The Kings X influence can be found in the creative process, the vocal delivery and the fuller and more diverse guitar sounds. The album would also feature less of vocalist Wendi Kaiser than any other project. Glenn kaiser takes the reins nearly exclusively and delivers some of his most emotionally compelling performances. Wendi’s limited appearances end up being her best since Mommy Don’t Love Daddy. Lyrically focusing on one man’s realization of the hopelessness around him as he recognizes the decaying world’s fall into the abyss. This leads him on a journey of spiritual awakening and realization of the exclusive hope found only in Christ. Similar to the Old testament Laments, the listener is not spared the descriptions of the ugliness of life. This darker introduction makes the brighter hope even more stunning. One stand out track that cannot be ignored is the impressive acoustic driven Lands End. Limited to a simply acoustic guitar and percussive musical support, Kaiser’s vocals soar above the Celtic leaning melody. A soft recorder’s subtle inclusion is flawless and stirring in its simplicity. The conceptual nature of the album forced the band to perform the album live in its entirety while touring in support of the album. This left some “older” fans longing for some of the earlier “hits,” but worked masterfully live. This would be the last tour in support of an album and now the band plays very limited dates, primarily exclusively at the Jesus People USA directed Cornerstone Festival.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Parting Glance – 1:10 2 – Across These Fields – 4:20 3 – On The Move – 2:09 4 – Summerthrow – 4:12 5 – At Land’s End – 4:08 6 – Song And Dance – 4:46 7 – In Change – 3:15 8 – The Road – 3:49 9 – Dark Carnival – 2:54 10 – Mirror – 3:57 11 – Another Look – 0:35 12 – Surprised – 5:23 13 – Richest One – 4:07 14 – Across These Fields Reprise – 3:39
Credits Artwork [Cover Art – Detail From Painting By] – Gaylen Stewart Bass, Backing Vocals – Roy Montroy Design – Cornerstone Graphics, Janet Cameron Drums – John Herrin Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards – Stu Heiss Engineer [Assistant] – Marty Phillips (2) Engineer [Engineered By] – Brian “Full Slab” Garcia*, Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss Executive-Producer – Tom Cameron Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Wendi Kaiser Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Dulcimer, Harmonica – Glenn Kaiser Musician [Additional], Panpipes – Eric Clayton Musician [Additional], Percussion [Various Percussion] – Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss Producer [Produced By] – Ty Tabor
We have a great live album from Steve here. While most live albums are a compilation of the best takes from several concerts this one was recorded in just one take in October 1994 in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Even the tracks are in the order played except for “Jim Morrison’s Grave” and “On The Fritz” which were switched around to allow for proper timing on the cassette. Steve even played a couple tracks from his Chagall Guevara band. The fire alarm incident that closes out the album actually occurred at Judson College and was dubbed in. As for the album there’s not much to say other than it’s another example of Steve’s live brilliance and is pretty well engineered for a live album.
Tracklist 1 – Jim Morrison’s Grave – 3:19 2 – The Lament Of Desmond R. G. Underwood-Frederick IV – 4:37 3 – I Want To Be A Clone – 2:05 4 – Escher’s World – 3:33 5 – On The Fritz – 6:31 6 – Bannerman – 3:19 7 – Hero – 5:14 8 – Jesus Is For Losers – 4:13 9 – The Finish Line – 5:41 10 – Violent Blue – 4:29
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson Bass – Wade Jaynes Drums – Chris Kearney Guitar, Backing Vocals – Greg Wollan, Mark Townsend Booking – Jeff Roberts & Associates Crew [Driver] – Dave Fancey, Doug Rioux, Guy Johnson Crew [Merchandise] – Curtis Swartzentruber Design – Karinne Caulkins Engineer [Engineered By], Engineer [Sound], Mixed By – Russ Long Lighting [Design] – Scott Moore Lighting [Operator] – Anthony Kordyjaka Management – Proper Management Management [Proper Management] – Amy Kyker, Glenda McNalley, Jeff Quistad, Nancy Kronemann, Norman Miller Management [Road Manager] – Joe Nero Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Ben Pearson Producer – Russ Long, Steve Taylor Production Manager – Mike Jones Recorded By [Recording Assistance], Engineer [Monitor] – Marc Chevalier Written-By – Steve Taylor
Randy’s star studded 15th album is the one he has said is his proudest moment. It was also the start of his very short lived music label “Street Level Records”. Unfortunately the label didn’t work out and only had one other release from Julie Miller. Helping Randy with his album were Michael W. Smith, Phil Keaggy, Gary Chapman, Riki Michelle, Jerry Chamberlain, Rick Elias, Jerry McPherson, Phil Madeira, Cheri Keaggy, Charlie Peacock, and many others. What a great line up for a new label album. The album has excellent engineering and production and really is a memorable album and I think Randy’s writing and vocals on this albu might be his peak. The album is a little more mellow than I am used to by him but the writing is so good you should barely notice. Definitely a must listen. Editors note – We’ve removed the silence on the closing track so if it sounds different than you remember your memories are correct.
Tracklist 1 – A Promise Made Is A Promise Kept – 5:46 2 – I Turn To You – 3:28 3 – In Jesus’ Name – 4:27 4 – Under The Rug – 3:39 5 – Remember My Name – 4:56 6 – That’s Why We Don’t Love God – 5:17 7 – When I’m Afraid – 3:38 8 – Shadow Man – 3:35 9 – Zurich In The Snow – 0:19 10 – Troubles – 3:22 11 – The Lazarus Heart – 4:26
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jerry McPherson, Randy Stonehill Acoustic Guitar [Chet Atkins Solid Body Acoustic Guitar/Nylon String] – Randy Stonehill Art Direction [Cover Art Direction], Design – Dietsch & Associates Backing Vocals [Additional Background Vocals] – David Robertson, Gordon Kennedy, Jerry Chamberlain, Phil Madeira, Randy Stonehill, Rick Elias, Riki Michele, Sharon Chamberlain Bass Guitar, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Jimmie Lee Sloas Bass [Fretless] – Mark Hill Drums – Steve Brewster Electric Guitar – Jerry McPherson, Phil Keaggy Engineer [Engineered By] – Richie Biggs Executive-Producer – Ray Ware Layout [Insert Layout], Design – Michael Scanland Communications, Inc. Mastered By – Ken Love Mixed By – Craig Hansen, Richie Biggs Musical Assistance [Production Assistance] – Chris Ross, Pam Kistler Organ, Dobro, Accordion [Squeeze Box] – Phil Madeira Percussion – Eric Darkin Photography By [Cover Photography] – Thunder Image Group Piano, Keyboards – Rick Elias Producer [Produced By] – Jimmie Lee Sloas Soprano Saxophone – Mark Douthit Vocals – Randy Stonehill
This is one of those albums that showed up in an obscure artist thread in our Facebook group. I had never heard it so I gave it a listen. Upon listening to it I just don’t understand why I never heard of this album. I mean it was produced by Steven Soles, Jan Eric Volz was involved, and Mike Roe played guitar on 2 tracks. This is a fantastic progressive rock album and is easily as good as anything the secular market was offering in this style at the time. It was the second album on the Exit Records label coming out at roughly the same time as the first 77’s album. This might be why it wasn’t very well promoted. I know Exit promoted that 77’s album pretty hard so maybe they didn’t have the money to promote this one too. Anyway this is a great debut album and if you like progressive rock I can almost guarantee you will love this album. Thomas had a few more albums over the years which I’m looking forward to hearing soon. He continues to make music and you can find out more about him at his webpage linked below.
Tracklist 1 – Take Me Away – 4:26 2 – Under The Sun – 5:25 3 – What Can I Say – 3:32 4 – Jordan – 4:35 5 – Last Train – 3:11 6 – When The Music Ends – 3:45 7 – Resurrection – 4:58 8 – Meditation – 5:32
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jim Abegg, Mike Roe, Thomas Goodlunas Backing Vocals – Charlene Rodriguez, Steve Griffith Banjo – Dann Wick Bass – Gary Landaker, Jim Abegg Bongos, Congas, Percussion, Timbales, Triangle – Kenneth Nash Coordinator [Executive Coordinator] – Jan Eric Volz Cover, Illustration – Mark Swanson Design – Andy Tipple, Nancy Barnet Drums – Steve Griffith Electric Guitar – Jim Abegg, David Mansfield Engineer – Daryl Zachman, Larry Hirsch Executive-Producer – Mary Neely Gong, Percussion – Kenneth Nash Guitar – Mike Roe, Jim Abegg Guitar, Harmonica, Violin – Thomas Goodlunas Lyrics By – Mary Nash, Mary Neely, Thomas Goodlunas Mastered By – John Golden Mixed By – Larry Hirsch Music By – Jim Abegg*, Thomas Goodlunas Percussion – Kenneth Nash Photography By – Bob Jacobs Piano – Thomas Goodlunas Piano, Timpani [Tympani] – Thomas Goodlunas Producer – Steven Soles Saxophone, Flute – Michael Butera Synthesizer – Frank Martin Timpani – Thomas Goodlunas Violin – David Mansfield, Thomas Goodlunas Vocals – Thomas Goodlunas
The third album from Farrell & Farrell picks up nicely from where their second album left off. It has a slightly more pop sound but for the main part is very similar. Strangely all of their albums up to this point featured a cover photo of the two of them. I always found this odd. It is common for a first or second album to have a cover featuring the artist as the thinking goes you want the listener to identify the music with the artist themselves. But for your first 3 albums it’s a little strange. Also strangely this album didn’t have a CCM charting single which I find odd because it is definitely the same quality as their highly successful 2nd album. In 1991 this album and their second album were rereleased on CD. The CD had “He That Overcomes” left off entirely and even more strange was that “Only Love” was shortened and sped up. I can only guess this was a space issue so they could get both albums on one CD but still odd. Anyway pretty good album here and a nice blast form the past.
Tracklist 1 – Make Me Ready – 4:02 2 – Still Here – 3:27 3 – You’re The Heart Of Me – 4:11 4 – You Keep Me Holdin’ On – 3:35 5 – Old Friends – 4:05 6 – Sonata – 2:53 7 – Just In Time – 2:45 8 – To Know That I’m Loved By You – 3:07 9 – Lead Me On – 3:24 10 – Only Love – 4:24 11 – All That You’ve Done For Me – 3:29 12 – He That Overcomes – 3:01
Credits Arranged By [Strings] – Alan Moore Art Direction, Design – Bob McConnell, Michael Harris Bass – Leon Gaer, Mike Brignordello Drums – Lynn Williams (2), Paul Leim Engineer [Rhythm Tracks] – Ron Capone Flute, Saxophone – Dennis Sollee Guitar – Billy Walker*, Jon Goin Guitar, Synthesizer, Keyboards – Mike Demus Overdubbed By, Remix – Brown Bannister Percussion – Terry McMillan Photography By – Mike Borum Piano – Larry Muhoberac Piano, Synthesizer, Keyboards – Shane Keister Producer – Brown Bannister Recorded By [Strings] – Mike Psanos Strings – The Shelly Kurland Strings Synthesizer, Keyboards – Eddie DeGarmo, Michael Smith
Companies, etc. Published By – Paragon Music Corp., StraightWay Music, Five Flat Music, Brown Bannister, Addi Music, Lexicon Music Recorded At – Westwind Studio, Ardent Recordings, Sound Stage Studios, Gold Mine Studio, The Bennett House
Kind of an interesting back story to this album. Philip Bailey started his solo career when Earth, Wind & Fire suddenly took a break in 1984. Some of Earth, Wind & Fire’s previous albums had lyrics that definitely did not jive with him being a Christian artist. This was of course because Maurice White (Lead band member) was not a Christian and had some questionable beliefs. Suddenly the band wants to make a return in 1987 but Philip was a full Christian artist at this point so how do they make a comeback? Voila a Christian album from Earth, Wind & Fire, problem solved. Personally I don’t care but it’s all very humorous. Anyway lets get into the most over produced album in the history of music. This album had 6 producers and 12 engineers. I discovered this as I listened to the album and became alarmed at the production so I checked the credits. Suddenly it all made sense. Now I just want to say that my favorite track on the album, “Money Tight”, is because of this overproduction. It has some great sampling and production which proves that overproduction is not always a bad thing. Most people and reviewers actually appeared to enjoy the production and I’m probably in the minority on this one. I’ve been a bit hard on the album but I actually quite liked it. The talent is there and the song writing is fantastic. But I think it would have been even better if it was a little more raw.
Tracklist 1 – System Of Survival – 4:59 2 – Evil Roy – 4:51 3 – Thinking Of You – 4:41 4 – You And I – 4:03 5 – New Horizons (Interlude) – 2:01 6 – Money Tight – 4:36 7 – Every Now And Then – 4:21 8 – Touch The World – 5:15 9 – Here Today And Gone Tomorrow – 3:59 10 – Victim Of The Modern Heart – 3:48
Credits
Band Philip Bailey – lead vocals, backing vocals, synthesizer arrangements Maurice White – lead vocals, backing vocals, vocoder, arrangements Sheldon Reynolds – guitars, lead guitar Andrew Woolfolk – saxophone solo
Additional musicians Skylark – synthesizers, drum programming, backing vocals Preston Glass – synthesizers, electric guitars, additional drum programming Rhett Lawrence – Fairlight programming, drum programming, sequencing, Fairlight synthesizer, synthesizer programming, Moog bass, additional drums Wayne Vaughn – sequencing Bill Meyers – acoustic piano, arrangements, keyboards, synthesizer programming, drums Larry Williams – additional keyboard programming, additional programming Dan De Souza – keyboards, synthesizer programming, drums Steve Lindsey – keyboards Danny Sembello – synthesizer programming, drum programming George Duke – acoustic piano, rhythm arrangements Ian Prince – synthesizer programming, drums, arrangements Attala Zane Giles – additional guitars, synth bass, percussion programming, additional backing vocals, arrangements Ray Fuller – guitars Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars Nathan East – bass Jeff Porcaro – drums Ricky Lawson – drum overdubs, drums Marc Russo – horns Wayne Wallace – horns Gary Grant – horns Jerry Hey – horns, horn arrangements Dan Higgins – horns Bill Reichenbach Jr. – horns Rev. Oliver Wells – arrangements, synthesizer arrangements Wanda Vaughn – backing vocals Jeanette Williams – backing vocals The Hawkins Family – backing vocals Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins and Lynette Hawkins Stephens – additional lead vocals
Production Maurice White – producer Preston Glass – producer Philip Bailey – co-producer Attala Zane Giles – additional production Wayne Vaughn – co-producer Bill Meyers – producer Acar Key – engineer Tom Lord-Alge – engineer, mixing Dave Rideau – engineer, mixing Paul Brown – engineer Red Davidson – additional assistant engineer Jeff Lorenzen – assistant engineer Jim “Watts” Vereecke – assistant engineer Les Cooper – assistant engineer Mitch Zelezny – assistant engineer Liz Cluse – assistant engineer Jeff Woodruff – assistant engineer Mark Slagle – assistant engineer Sterling Sound (New York City, New York) – mastering location Tony Lane – art direction Nancy Donald – art direction Max Aguilera Hellweg – photography
This is the CD that came free with the “Welcome To The Freak Show” VHS. It features 4 tracks from the 1995 Jesus Freak album. 2 of them are live, 1 is a remix, and 1 is the album version. Not much to say here other than this was a great bonus to get with a VHS. I do have one thing to say however. Personally the production on the 2 live tracks make it sound like they are “liveified” version of studio cuts. Probably just some questionable production quality but they just don’t have an actual live feel. Anyway this one is from 1997 which is a little later than we usually go but it’s only 4 tracks so what the heck.
Tracklist 1 – In The Light (Live Version) – 5:15 2 – Day By Day (Live Version) – 4:42 3 – Colored People (Organic Mix) – 3:48 4 – What Have We Become (Album Version) – 5:36
Credits Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Kevin Max, Michael Tait, Toby McKeehan Lyrics By [Additional] – Kevin Smith, Toby McKeehan Producer – Mark Heimermann, Toby McKeehan Remix – John Hampton, Toby McKeehan Written-By – Charlie Peacock, George Cocchini, Kevin Smith, Mark Heimermann, Stephen Schwartz, Toby McKeehan
Sammy actually grew up in the church often accompanying his dad’s guitar with vocals on hymns. Unfortunately he slipped from the church and started what he called an alcohol addiction at 13 years old. At 17 years old his best friend died of alcohol poisoning at a party he and Sammy were drinking at. Sammy continued his music career and was in 60’s rock groups The Mor-loks and The Birdwatchers the latter group appeared in the 1967 youth exploitation film Wild Rebels. Those years were full of drug and alcohol addiction which led to 2 self deletion attempts. After his second attempt he came back to Christ and the Sammy Hall we know was born. He started a group called the Sammy Hall Singers and self released 10 albums with them. They sold these albums as they toured churches throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1974 he started releasing albums as a solo act but he continued to tour churches playing and ministering. I believe this was his first album on a label though I’m not positive of this as the history of The Sammy Hall Singers is a little shaky. This album was released in the U.S. and Canada on Impact records and in the U.K. on Pilgrim records. I have to admit that I didn’t know anything about Sammy before starting this project but I have taken a real interest in his music. This is rather strange because he definitely doesn’t perform my style of music but I’m really drawn to his work for some reason. As for this album it’s relatively easy listening but the real highlight is his cover of “Cat’s In The Cradle” which is a fantastic version and I actually prefer it to the original. Anyway Sammy’s work is an overlooked part of CCM history and should be listened to.
Tracklist 1 – If Nobody Loves You Create The Demand – 2:14 2 – Guess Who Moved – 2:10 3 – If You’re Happy Notify Your Face – 2:14 4 – We’re Not Gettin’ Older (Just Closer To Home) – 3:30 5 – Jesus Is My Soul Supporter – 1:59 6 – No Shortage (On God’s Love) – 2:46 7 – The Days We Let Slip By – 2:49 8 – Cat’s In The Cradle – 3:38 9 – My Dependable Friend – 3:58 10 – We Have Become The People Our Parents Warned Us About – 3:30
Credits Lead Vocals – Sammy Hall Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Gary S. Paxton
This is one of the rare examples of someone suggesting an album that I had no idea existed and it climbs into my top 100 albums of the 80’s. I have never heard of Joseph until his name came up in an “unknown artists” thread on our Facebook page. As I always do I give the poster the courtesy of listening to the album but this time I listened to the whole album several times. I really can’t find out much about Joseph Lamm but this is actually his second album. Both were self released and had limited distribution. He rereleased this album in 2018 with a bonus track which we have included. Joseph continues to make music and you can visit his webpage (linked below) to hear more. The album has an strong 80’s alternative feel in places and straight up Rock & Roll in others. Yes there are a few different styles but Joseph pulls them all together with his strong vocals. I’m hearing stuff here that would have done well in the secular market never mind the Christian market and “See No Evil” is definitely going into my regular rotation. In fact dare I say that as it stands this may be my favourite independent release of the 80’s and I’m pretty excited to hear his first album soon.
Tracklist 1 – The Preacher – 3:36 2 – Stepping Into Paradise – 3:58 3 – Yes I Will – 3:37 4 – In A Watered Garden – 2:18 5 – Standing In The Tower – 6:12 6 – Three Kings – 3:15 7 – Self Portraits – 5:22 8 – Awaken In My Heart – 3:21 9 – Essence – 4:54 10 – See No Evil – 4:43 2018 Bonus Track 11 – Approaching The Next Plane – 2:14
Credits Bass, Guitar – Randy Melson Drums – Dane Clark, Jeff Hiatt Guitar – Rex Thomas, Sandy Williams Keyboards, Vocals – Steve Millikan Percussion – John Bolt Producer – Steve Millikan Vocals, Percussion, Keyboards – Joseph Lamm
