Ray Mansfield – Page 94

Bride – Kinetic Faith – 1991

The fourth album from Bride marked a rather abrupt change in style. I was told this was yet another metal album. As I listened to it I thought this is a Rock album not metal. As I read around the internet of peoples impression of this album and I kept reading the same thing. Metal fans who admitted they were metal fans who loved this album. From this I have deducted that Bride pulled off something very hard to do. They transitioned from metal to rock without losing their fan base. The band was still mainly Dale and Troy Thompson but they brought on a new drummer and bass player. I don’t know if this was because of the style change or was part of the design of the style change. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of metal but I love hard rock and I loved this album. To my huge surprise Bride actually received a Dove award for the track “Everybody Knows My Name”. Apparently there used to be a category called “Hard Music Recorded Song Of The Year, who knew. Obviously I never followed the Dove Awards.

Tracklist
1 – Troubled Times – 4:29
2 – Hired Gun – 4:29
3 – Ever Fallen In Love – 4:36
4 – Mountain – 4:12
5 – Ski Mask – 4:31
6 – Everybody Knows My Name – 4:23
7 – Young Love – 3:31
8 – Kiss The Train – 3:58
9 – Crimes Against Humanity – 4:06
10 – Sweet Louise – 4:42

Credits
Art Direction – Toni Thigpen
Band [Bride Is], Bass – Rick Foley
Band [Bride Is], Drums – Jerry McBroom
Band [Bride Is], Guitar, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar – Troy Thompson
Band [Bride Is], Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dale Thompson
Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson
Layout, Design – Tufts Design Studio
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar [Additional], Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar – Rob Johnson
Mastered By – Roger Seibel
Musical Assistance [Special Assistant] – Bobby Muldoon
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer [Produced By] – Steve Griffith
Recorded By, Mixed By – Steve Griffith

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal
Copyright (c) – Pure Metal
Record Company – Star Song Communications
Produced For – Gaga Productions
Recorded At – The Goldmine, Franklin, TN
Mixed At – The Goldmine, Franklin, TN
Mastered At – SAE Mastering
Published By – Dawn Treader Music
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Level Heads – Momento Mori – 1988

This was the second and last album from Level Heads. I had missed these guys in the 80’s so a few months ago when I heard their first album/EP I was really impressed. I wasn’t disappointed by this album either. In listening to this album I heard some Elvis Costello and maybe some Joe Jackson on different tracks. Then I gave my head a shake and accepted them as having their own sound. I also struggled with describing this album as either alternative or new wave. Again it’s in it’s own category especially in the Christian music industry. If you loved the EP you should love this album also. If you haven’t heard these guys before give it a listen. I suspect you will like it.

Tracklist
1 – Universe Is Out Of Control – 2:54
2 – Seeing You – 4:06
3 – Hand To Hold – 3:40
4 – Betrayed With A Kiss – 3:14
5 – Everybody Wants To Be Loved – 4:32
6 – Live No Lie – 4:36
7 – Emancipation – 4:07
8 – More Than This – 4:28
9 – Lookin’ For The Line – 2:52
10 – The Train – 2:49
11 – Work It Out – 4:30
12 – Truth Or Fantasy – 3:06
13 – Hey You – 2:21
14 – Fire And Grace – 3:18

Credits
Arranged By [All Songs] – Craig Gillings, Jim Chevalier, Todd Gillings
Art Direction, Design – Brian Ray
Edited By – Chris Taylor
Engineer [Second Engineer], Producer [Assistant Producer] – Todd Gillings
Executive-Producer, Engineer – Joey Taylor
Photography By [Band Photos] – Barry Hill
Photography By [Cover Photo] – Brian Ray
Producer [Produced By] – Jim Chevalier
Written-By [All Songs] – Jim Chevalier

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright (c) – Brainstorm Artists International
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Recorded At – Neverland
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Made By – Discovery Systems – 28X0400A
Published By – Brainstorm Music

Saint – The Gentiles Demo – 1981

Saint started out as Power Faith in the late 70’s but didn’t last long. It reformed as The Gentiles in either 80 or 81 and this is the demo they recorded under that name. The lineup would change again after/during the change of name to the Saint we are now familiar with. Lucky for their fans the demo was resurrected in 2001 by M8 Distribution and has been re released two more times since then. It is very very rough but is a nice insight into the early days of the band.

Tracklist
1 – Abyss – 3:22
2 – Worrying World – 2:52
3 – Self Made Man – 5:48
4 – Space Cruiser – 4:46

Credits
Bass – Richard Lynch
Drums – Unknown
Guitar – John Mahan
Vocals – Max Clark

Dual Edge – Knock ‘Em Alive – 1987

This hair metal band from Minnesota were introduced to us by Intense Records. They arrived at a time we were being inundated by Glam metal bands and these guys pretty well fit the mold. This album was actually just a remix of their demo with one new track and one track removed. There are some excellent vocals from Scott Turner and great guitar from Rick Wald. The only thing that could have done some work are the lyrics. That said if you don’t take the genre too seriously you should enjoy this album. I did.

Tracklist
1 – Lift Him Up – 4:06
2 – Fight For The Light – 5:08
3 – Be With You – 4:16
4 – New Life – 3:52
5 – Knock ‘Em Alive – 4:40
6 – Take It To The Bank – 4:04
7 – The Light – 4:09
8 – Follow Your Dreams – 3:23

John Avery – Songwriter, Bass, Background Vocals
Brian Bart – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Background Vocals
David Harland – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Caesar Kalinowski – Producer, Engineer, Mixed
Rob Poseley – Background Vocals
Terry Steinmeyer – Songwriter, Drums, Background Vocals
Scott Turner – Lead Vocals
Rick Wald – Songwriter, Guitars, Background Vocals

Adam Again – In A New World Of Time – 1986

This was the introductory album from Adam Again. The band was assembled by Gene Eugene (Gene Andrusco). Gene was the producer, writer and lead vocalist which is quite the responsibility level. For those who don’t remember Gene went on to be a member of both Lost Dogs and The Swirling Eddies so this heavy workload was something he was known for. His wife (or wife to be) Michele Bunch (Riki Michele) also provided lead vocals. The band was originally called Martus and included member Sim Wilson who left to join Undercover. Anyway on to the music. This album is not indicative of what was to come from Adam again. This album has a funk feel on several tracks which is a sound that disappeared on later albums. This was a good thing in my opinion as I don’t really care for the funk sound. I actually wasn’t a big fan of this album but what was to come from Adam Again would be some fantastic music.

Tracklist
1 – Life In The First Degree – 3:28
2 – She’s Run – 3:20
3 – Your Line Is Busy – 3:27
4 – You Can Fall In Love – 5:46
5 – In A New World Of TIme – 3:51
6 – Walk Away – 3:41
7 – Miracles – 4:42
8 – Morning Song – 3:47
9 – (God Can) Change The World – 3:27
10 – Reason With Me – 4:14

Credits
Artwork – Howard Finster
Bass – Paul Valadez
Guitar – Greg Lawless
Guitar [Solo] – Marky Schrock (tracks: 2, 8)
Keyboards – Smitty Price
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – G. Eugene
Percussion – Kurt Rasmussen, Ron Chase
Producer – Gene Eugene
Recorded By – Wally Grant
Saxophone, Lyricon – Dan Michaels
Vocals – Riki Michele

Companies, etc.
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Recorded At – Asaph Recording
Copyright (c) – Chenka, Chenka Music

Novella – A Liquid Earth – 1992

When I started researching this band I was really surprised at how little information I was able to find. I stumbled on the album and as it was a 90’s album I wasn’t very optimistic. Wow was I wrong, this is one great Rock & Roll album. I found several people refer to it as a Metal album which it is not!!! This is a straight up hard rock album. Anyway as I said I can’t really find out too much about these guys. This was their second album but I have read that their first album is even better. We have it too but I haven’t listened to it yet. I did find some comments from the guitarist “Derek Ferwerda” (who was a new guitarist for this album) and I quote him here “It was the true inspirational and creative song writing of Jonathan Pagano before a clueless record company agenda got in the way.” Normally I would pile on the record label but I think Derek’s words say it all. Anyway it’s a bit late from the 80’s but it’s a great Rock & Roll album. Give it a listen, I promise you won;’t be disappointed.

Tracklist
1 – Story – 3:22
2 – Bad Place – 4:18
3 – Don’t You Run – 5:28
4 – Fire In The House – 4:09
5 – Heaven’s On My Mind – 4:15
6 – Let’s Talk About Love – 4:48
7 – Right In The Middle – 4:43
8 – Colour Of Love – 4:35
9 – Missionary – 4:39
10 – Stranger – 4:47

Credits
Art Direction – Tony Thigpen
Art Direction, Layout – Jeff Spencer
Bass Guitar – Jon
Bass, Engineer [Assistant] – Steve Evetts
Drums – Adam
Edited By [Digital Editing] – Alan Douches
Engineer [Assistant Mix Engineer] – Graig White
Engineer [Pre-Production Engineer] – Shawn Tom
Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson
Guitar – Derek
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Plinky
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Jonathan
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Photography [Band Photography] – Russ Narrington
Producer, Recorded By [Assistant], Mixed By [Assistant] – Jonathan
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Plinky

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Trax East
Overdubbed At – Allies Studio
Mixed At – Sound Stage Studios
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters

Bash -N- The Code – Bash -N- The Code – 1986

Bash -N- The Code was put together by Keith Lancaster along with husband and wife team Greg & Rebecca Sparks. Keith had been in “Found Free”, a 70’s Jesus music band, with Rebecca. Other than that I don’t really know that much abut this band. Though I had not heard of them i have been told they were quite popular. As for the album it is the epitome of mid 80’s pop. In fact this could be used as the definitive example of mid 80’s Christian pop if anyone asks you. I think the standout track on the album is their version of “We Exalt You”. It’s a fun and easy album to listen to but you may grow tired of it pretty quickly.

Tracklist
1 – Power Praise – 3:26
2 – We Exalt You – 3:00
3 – Whatever I Do – 4:07
4 – Testify – 4:23
5 – Go Ahead – 3:49
6 – Diamond – 3:43
7 – Promises – 4:08
8 – I Will Win This Fight – 4:19
9 – Fanatic – 3:50
10 – Land Of The Living – 4:42

Credits
Drums, Percussion – Chris Kearney
Executive-Producer – Brian Tankersley
Guitar, Vocals – Mark Townsend
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – Scott Carmichael
Keyboards, Vocals – Trent Dean
Lead Vocals – Rebecca Ed Sparks
Lead Vocals, Bass – Greg Sparks
Producer – John Andrew Schreiner
Sounds – Dave Wagner
Vocals – Keith Lancaster

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Published By – Word Music (2)

Steve Taylor & Sheila Walsh – Transatlantic Remixes – 1985

This is/was a fascinating little surprise that appeared in 1985. I’m not really too sure what transpired for this little gem to be recorded/mixed but it’s one of my favourite EP’s from the 80’s. It only has three tracks. The first track is a duet with Steve Taylor & Sheila Walsh covering the David Edwards song “Not Going To Fall Away”. Full disclaimer this is one of my all time favourite songs and this version is fantastic. If I had to make a list of my favourite songs from the 80’s this would be in the top 10. In fact it would probably be #1 or #2. It would have to fight it out with Dylan’s “Saved”. The second track is a remix of Sheila Walsh’s “We’re All One”. Michael Omartian did the remix and did a darn good job. This came off of what I think was Sheila’s best album “Don’t Hide Your Heart” and this remix of “We’re All One” is just excellent. Finally we get a remix of the Steve Taylor favourite “This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral)”. Another great tune and an excellent remix. This EP was a real treat and I still remember the first time we dropped the needle on it many years ago.

Tracklist
1 – Not Going To Fall Away – 8:05
2 – We’re All One (Extended Version) – 5:48
3 – This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral) (Extended Version) – 5:15

Angelica – Walkin’ In Faith – 1990

The second album from Angelica was very well received. Surfing around the Internet I found many glowing reviews. When I listened to the album I found it to be excellent. This album was easily as good as anything on the radio in the late 80’s. The lineup for this album did change up a bit with vocals now handled by Jerome Mazza. Quite frankly he nailed this album, actually the whole band did. The production is excellent which kind of surprised me as it was produced by band member Dennis Cameron. In my opinion when bands self produce their album it has a good chance of being a disaster but occasionally an album proves me wrong and this is one of those albums. Cameron produced, mixed, played guitar, played drums, and provided background vocals. This is quite the workload. Anyway this is a great Metal album with a couple tunes that lean more Hard Rock. Not my preferred style of music I admit but I quite liked this album.

1 – Walkin’ In Faith – 4:42
2 – Hold On – 4:28
3 – All I Can Do – 4:50
4 – Soul Search – 4:13
5 – Time And Time Again – 4:14
6 – Sing And Shout – 4:25
7 – Set Me Free – 4:35
8 – Not Too Late – 5:20
9 – Bring Into Being – 4:41
10 – Harvest – 3:24

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Robert Pallen
Co-producer – Daryl Wicker
Engineer – Daryl Wicker
Guitar, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals – Dennis Cameron
Illustration [Cover] – Jeff Foster
Keyboards – Daryl Wicker (tracks: A2 to A4, B1 to B5), Dennis Cameron (tracks: A1, A5)
Layout – Joe Potter
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Jerome Mazza
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – Daryl Wicker, Dennis Cameron, Scott Seehower
Producer – Dennis Cameron
Written-By, Composed By, Arranged By – Dennis Cameron

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records
Copyright (c) – Intense Records
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Recorded At – GCC Production House
Mastered At – Soundworks West

Keith Green – Songs For The Shepherd – 1982

This was the last album Keith recorded before his untimely death later in the same year it was released. He passed away in a plane crash in July of 1982 in an airplane crash that also claimed the lives of his two children, Josiah, and Bethany. His wife was not on the flight and lives in California and continues Mark’s ministry entitled Last Day Ministries. It is unfortunate that this album has that sad piece of news forever attached to it. Lucky for us however there were more recordings made by Keith over previous years so we were able to enjoy more music from him after his passing. Now I will be perfectly clear, Keith does not do my style of music but I know good music when I hear it and this is good music. Probably his best work. That said can anyone explain to me why he didn’t have one chart single off an album this good and especially given the unfortunate attention this album received? I am usually critical of the CCM business because they ignored the up and coming young acts on their charts, but this time I’m critical because they ignored an album that anyone could hear had several chart songs on it. Oh well we are left to enjoy the album and remember Keith as an excellent musician and man of great devotion.

Tracklist
1 – The Lord Is My Shepherd – 4:10
2 – You Are The One! – 2:39
3 – How Majestic Is Thy Name – 3:59
4 – Draw Me – 3:47
5 – Glory Lord Jesus – 3:20
6 – There Is A Redeemer – 3:11
7 – The Promise Song – 3:21
8 – Until That Final Day – 4:38
9 – Jesus Is Lord Of All – 2:32
10 – O God Our Lord – 3:49
11 – I Will Give Thanks To The Lord – 1:47
12 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 3:40

Credits
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Harlan Rogers
Arranged By [Tracks] – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green
Backing Vocals – Alphanette Silas, Howard Smith, Keith Green, Linda McCrary
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Concertmaster – Sidney Sax
Design [Inner Sleeve Design] – Pretty Good Graphics
Design, Layout – Stan Evenson Design
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Harlan Rogers
Engineer – Gordon Shryock
Engineer [Assistant] – Wally Grant
Engineer [Orchestra] – Keith Grant
Engineer [Overdubs] – Peter Hayden, Willie Harlan
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Bill Maxwell, Gordon Shryock, Keith Green
Mixed By [Assistant] – Wally Grant
Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell
Photography By – Mark Hanauer
Piano – Keith Green
Producer – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green
Strings, Orchestra – The London National Philharmonic Orchestra
Synthesizer – Tom Keene

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Last Days Ministries
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Recorded At – Olympic Studios
Overdubbed At – Paramount Recorders
Overdubbed At – International Automated Media
Mixed At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Published By – Birdwing Music
Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix