Ray Mansfield – Page 96

Stryken – First Strike – 1987

Stryken appeared in 1986 with a self released 12″ of Rock on/Surprise. They followed this up with this self released album in 1987. The band were originally called Stryker but changed their name for reasons unknown. The band was Dale Streiker (vocals, lead guitar), Stephen Strieker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Knight (drums), and Ezekiel Vade (bass guitar) though these names were all apparently stage names. In 2006 the album was released on CD by Girder records with “Surprise” as a bonus track. In 2009 Girder Records in conjunction with Retroactive Records released a CD Collectors Edition with 10 bonus tracks. Personally I liked these bonus tracks more than I liked the original album. The original album was a decidedly heavy metal affair but the bonus tracks had a far more commercial metal sound. In 1987 the band was detained by police at a Mötley Crüe concert in San Antonio, Texas for causing a disturbance. Apparently they went to the front of the stage with a large wooden cross while clad in full body armor attempting to spread an evangelical message. They were released without charge. The lead singer of the band (Stephen Hopkins) went on to be a Pastor in Texas and fathered 16 children.

Tracklist
1 – Crush The Head Of Satan
2 – One Way
3 – The Answer
4 – State Of Emergency
5 – First Strike
6 – Rock On
7 – The Young Men Have A Vision
8 – Riot
2006 CD Bonus Track
9 – Surprise
2009 Collectors Edition Bonus Tracks
10 – Blitzkrieg
11 – Look Away
12 – I’m Alright
13 – Need Your Love
14 – Circus Man
15 – Right Of Way
16 – Cross The Line
17 – Played
18 – It’s Over

Credits
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ezekiel Vade
Drums [Thunder Drums], Backing Vocals – Joey Knight
Engineer – Kevin Myers
Producer – Stryken
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Stephen Streiker
Vocals, Lead Guitar – Dale Streiker

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Third Coast Sound
Recorded At – Studio West, Austin, TX.
Recorded At – Studio D, Austin
Mixed At – Studio D, Austin

2nd Chapter of Acts – Hymns – 1986

In 1986 2nd Chapter of Acts did something a little different for CCM at the time. They released an album of hymns. The hymns were updated so we could enjoy the harmonies of the band. The album was well received and in fact well enough that a second album of hymns was released in 1988. The hymns were updated enough to include more modern instruments but not enough to change the basic structures of them. It sounds strange to say but this was actually a little daring to do in CCM music at the time but it all worked out and actually turned out to be a great idea.

Tracklist
1 – All Creatures Of Our God And King – 2:58
2 – My Jesus I Love Thee – 4:52
3 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness – 4:04
4 – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – 2:40
5 – Crown Him With Many Crowns – 3:46
6 – Take My Life And Let It Be (Nottingham) – 1:45
7 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 5:33
8 – Fairest Lord Jesus – 3:47
9 – O The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus – 4:08
10 – How Great Thou Art – 5:22
11 – He Has Formed Me – 1:39

Credits
Arranged By [Instrumental Arrangements] – John Andrew Schreiner
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – 2nd Chapter Of Acts
Art Direction, Concept By [Cover Concept] – Buddy Owens
Artwork [Back Cover] – Marty Justice
Artwork [Calligraphy] – Michael Stevens
Bass – Lee Jones
Design – Bradley Grose
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Greg Hunt
Guitar – Will McFarland (tracks: B2)
Keyboards – Schreiner*
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By [Altered Polaroid Photographs By] – Michael Going
Producer, Engineer – Buck Herring

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Live Oak Records
Copyright (c) – Live Oak Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Made By – Discovery Systems
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Mixed At – Easter Song Studios

Bryn Haworth – Sunny Side of the Street – 1975

This is the second solo album from Bryn. He and his wife became Christians in 1974 and his subsequent albums reflected that in some way. This album was on a secular labels so it is not all in Christian content but there are Christian songs on the album. I had never heard any of Bryn’s work before “The Gap” so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the sound I had heard that I liked so much was present here on his earlier work. This is a great album and I think if you like “The Gap” you’ll love this earlier work of his.

Tracklist
1 – Good Job – 5:00
2 – Pick Me Up – 3:22
3 – Darlin’ Cory – 3:22
4 – Dance – 3:02
5 – Peace Of Mind – 2:55
6 – Give All You’ve Got To Give – 5:10
7 – Heaven Knows – 5:28
8 – The Sunny Side Of The Street – 2:30
9 – Used – 5:17
10 – Thank The Lord – 4:45

Credits
Bryn Haworth – Guitars, Vocals
Bruce Rowland – Drums
Alan Spenner – Bass
Chris Stainton – Piano, Organ
Dave Pegg – Bass
Dave Mattacks – Drums
Pete Wingfield – Piano
Pat Donaldson – Bass
Terry Stannard – Drums
Dave Swarbrick – Fiddle
Alan Munde – Banjo
Jimmy Mullen – Guitar
Tony O’malley – Piano

Arlen Salte – Great Big Noise – 1991

Arlen Salte is a fantastic Canadian artist. He took a break between albums and it worked well for him. This album is a great Rock/Pop album and Arlen’s ability of writing catch lines that you remember is he greatest musical skill. A quick listen to the opening of “Great Big Noise” will cause it stay with you for the better part of a week lol. If you’re tired of that one rattling around in your head try “Watch What You’re Doing” which is an excellent Larry Norman cover. That one will take a week to forget. I’m not too sure what the distribution numbers were on this album but if you haven’t heard it and you like Rock that pops, this is one you should listen to. Interestingly some other great Canadian artists helped out with backing vocals including, Carson Cole, Connie Scott, and Bob Hanson. The album was produced by Roy Salmond of Salmond & Mulder.

Tracklist
1 – I Don’t Want To Dance – 3:08
2 – She’s So Easy To Use – 3:06
3 – Another Heart Breaks – 4:24
4 – Take Me Through The Fire – 3:40
5 – What About You – 4:13
6 – Great Big Noise – 3:31
7 – Dancing While The House Is Burning – 4:08
8 – Second Wind – 4:15
9 – In The Power Of Love – 3:26
10 – Watch What You’re Doin’ – 5:19

Credits
Arranged By, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals – Arlen Salte
Backing Vocals – Carson Cole, Connie Scott, Joani Bye, Carson’s Friend John, Marc LaFrance, Peter Wisstoff Bass – Miles Hill Booking – Dorothy A. Hirch
Design [Cover Design] – Brian Ritchie (3)
Drums – Daryl Bennett
Engineer, Mixed By – Dave Slagter
Guitar – Dane DeViller, Scotti Hall*, Tim Olsen (5)
Mastered By – Tom Baker (3)
Organ, Backing Vocals – Richard Sera
Photography By [Band Shots] – Glenn Sitler
Piano – Dave Pickell
Producer, Arranged By, Engineer, Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Roy Salmond

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Image 7 Records Inc
Copyright (c) – Image 7 Records Inc
Recorded At – Whitewater Productions, Richmond, B.C.
Recorded At – Mushroom Studios, Vancouver
Mixed At – Whitewater Productions, Richmond, B.C.
Mastered At – Future Disc
Manufactured By – Image 7 Music Inc.

Allies – Man With A Mission – 1992

The final album from Allies was a very confusing album. The intro track “In My Life” almost has a 60’s feel. Then we get to a couple of Rockin tunes which are some of the best CCM songs available in 1992. Both “Man With A Mission” and “Feather In Your Cap” are excellent Rock tunes with a blues feel. From there however the album starts to go downhill. Actually it might be uphill depending on what you were looking for when listening to this album. After the first 3 tracks the album takes a turn to AOR and even makes it to straight out easy listening at times. I guess the album is good in that it can appeal to such a diverse audience. That said it’s a good album but just a little confusing.

Tracklist
1 – In My Life – 3:28
2 – Man With A Mission – 3:57
3 – Feather In Your Cap – 4:55
4 – Grand Facade – 4:18
5 – Devoted To You – 5:24
6 – The Deepest Part Of Me – 3:23
7 – Heaven – 6:32
8 – Just Like A Father To Me – 3:31
9 – I’m Crying – 4:40
10 – Last Chance Cafe – 6:05

Credits
Art Direction – Amy Linde, Ed Goble
Bass, Vocals – Mark Hill (2)
Design – Tufts Design Studio
Drums, Percussion, Programmed By [Programming] – “Shoeless” Brian Fullen*
Edited By [Digital Editing] – Carlos Grier
Executive-Producer – Bubba Smith (2)
Guitar, Soloist [Guitar Solos], Vocals – Randy Thomas (2)
Keyboards, Vocals – Scott Sheriff
Lead Vocals – Randy Thomas (2) (tracks: 8)
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Bob Carlisle (2)
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Mixed By – Rodney Good
Mixed By [Assistant] – Steve Ledet
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer, Arranged By [Vocal & String Arrangements] – Bob Carlisle (2)
Producer, Recorded By – Randy Thomas (2)
Recorded By [Assistant] – Kirk Eberhard
Soloist [Solo Violin] – Chris Fullen (tracks: 9)
Vocals [Choir On] – Bob Carlisle (2) (tracks: 7), Dawn Thomas (4) (tracks: 7), Londell Ivan Alvestad (tracks: 7), Lori Cotton Thomas (tracks: 7), Scott Sheriff (tracks: 7)
Vocals [Co-Vocal] – Randy Thomas (2) (tracks: 6)

The 77’s – Ping Pong Over The Abyss – 1982/1995

This was the introductory album from The 77s and many consider it to be one of the most important albums in the history of CCM music. This album premiered a new wave sound listeners were waiting for though there are a couple songs that lean more to Rock and Roll. Lyrically this album was way ahead of the curve in CCM music which I believe was one of the reasons it was so well received. In 1995 the album was re-released on CD with 6 bonus tracks. Those tracks are represented here.

Tracklist
1 – A Different Kind Of Light – 4:17
2 – How Can You Love – 4:38
3 – It’s So Sad – 5:04
4 – Falling Down A Hole – 4:18
5 – Someone New – 4:21
6 – Renaissance Man – 3:35
7 – Ping Pong Over The Abyss – 4:13
8 – Time Is Slipping Away – 5:04
9 – Denomination Blues – 4:54
1995 CD Bonus Material
10 – A Different Kind Of Light (Live) – 3:25
11 – How Can You Love (Demo) – 4:33
12 – It’s So Sad (Live) – 5:04
13 – Falling Down A Hole (Live) – 3:53
14 – Ping Pong Over The Abyss (Demo) – 4:17
15 – Denomination Blues (Live) – 5:05

Credits
Backing Vocals – Jan Eric Volz
Bass – Jan Eric Volz
Drums – Mark Proctor
Engineer – Daryl Zachman, Larry Hirsch
Guitar – Jan Eric Volz, Mark Tootle, Mike Roe
Keyboards – Mark Tootle
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – Larry Hirsch
Producer – Steven Soles
Vocals – Mark Proctor, Mark Tootle, Mike Roe

Sacrament – Presumed Dead – 1989

Sacrament were one of the original Christian Thrash Metal bands. This was the demo that started it all for them. It was sold at their shows and apparently had pretty broad distribution. As for the music, I have no idea if it’s any good. I know nothing about thrash metal and can’t stand listening to it. If you like thrash metal this is probably a pretty good album judging from the positive reviews of it. The quality is a little off which is kind of strange for 1989 as technology was pretty advanced for producing demos. That said it just may be the copy I got. The original might be much better.

Tracklist
1 – Separate From Iniquity
2 – Assault (Satan’s Doom)
3 – Lies of The Blind
4 – Face Reality
5 – Presumed Dead

Credits
Bass – Eric Ney
Drums – Paul Graham
Producer – Frank Thompson
Guitar – Brian Toy, Mike Didonato
Vocals – Mike Torone

Lex Rex – The Devil’s Nightmare – 1990

This is a rather mysterious release from Lex Rex. While researching this album I found a variety of stories behind this album. Some said it was a copy of a demo and some say it was recorded but not released and someone found a cassette. Yet another story is that Pantrax Records released it in 1990 on CD from a cassette copy. Also apparently there are another 3 tracks out there somewhere. I have no idea what version of these stories is the truth. Here’s what I do know. It’s a great album with some more great Rock & Roll. To me the album sounds like it was recorded before their “Beat The Heat” but who knows. It has a more raw sound and I can hear some early Van Halen vibes. If you liked “Beat The Heat” you’ll love this one.

Tracklist:
1 – The Physician
2 – Gotta Friend
3 – Love King
4 – Run Horse Run
5 – Bad Blood
6 – Ya Gotta Move
7 – Heart Soul and Mind
8 – Black Day
9 – Another Son

Imperials – Live – 1978

This Live album features the most recent hits (in 1978) from the Imperials. Some of the versions were spruced up for the concert and some of them tamed down. The selection of songs and styles didn’t really work well in my opinion but I wasn’t at the concert so maybe it worked better in person. There’s one thing on the album that annoyed me. They introduce the song “Your First Day In Heaven” as being how they sounded in 1964. The song however is not from 1964 and appears to have been released the same year at this album (feel free to correct me). Why do a song in the old style when you could just pick and old song and do it the way it was originally done. This moment was just sort of strange to me. All that said if you love the early Imperials this live album is for you. The production quality is excellent and the song choices were overall good choices.

Tracklist
1 – Sonshine Day – 2:34
2 – Bread Upon The Water – 3:16
3 – Bread Upon The Water (Reprise) – 0:52
4 – New Creation – 5:47
5 – Your First Day In Heaven – 1:39
6 – Lead Me Gently Home Father – 3:17
7 – I Love The Way You Love – 4:09
8 – He Touched Me – 3:53
9 – Sail On – 5:03
10 – How Great Thou Art – 2:40
11 – The Old Gospel Ship – 3:07
12 – The Old Gospel Ship (Reprise) – 1:42

Credits
Bass, Electric Guitar – Dave Hollihand, John Lutz
Drums – Mike Kinard
Engineer – Gaston Nichols, Max Moseley
Piano, Electric Piano – Bill George
Producer – Armond Morales, Buddy Huey, Chris Christian
Trumpet – John Lutz
Recorded Live: First Baptist Church, Waco, Texas The Kingsland Theatre, St. Louis, Missouri.

Return Ticket – Return Ticket – 1978

I’ve found another band that I don’t know anything about. This is a strange one in that apparently this is a German band but the album has a soul sound. Not saying there wasn’t soul music in Germany but I never heard of it. Anyway as I said this is a soul band out of Germany and that’s all I know. The album is pretty good and was a little ahead of it’s 1978 time period. Album would have fit in nicely in the early 80’s. This was their only release I can find so if you know anything about this band feel free to let me know about it.

Tracklist
1 – Return Ticket – 3:44
2 – Heaven Bound – 4:22
3 – A Song for R & B – 5:15
4 – Feelin’ Down – 2:20
5 – To My Brother – 5:18
6 – Sorrow Begins With Joy – 4:05
7 – Direct Line – 3:46
8 – J. B.’s Song – 5:10
9 – Hallelujah Jive – 3:20
10 – God Gave So Much – 4:23

Credits
Produced and arranged by Mike Weller
Associate Producer: Gerd Rautenbach
Engineered by Gerd Rautenbach
Mixed by Gerd Rautenbach and Berthold Kraus
Recorded and Mixed at DIERKX Studios, Cologne October an november 1978
Cover design and painting by Lucky Hettler
Photography by Margot Knappe