Category: Albums

Martin Barret – Line of Vision – 1987

Here’s a Canadian artist that got one album out there in the mid 80’s thanks to his own hard work and financing. As a teen Martin played in coffee houses, churches, and many youth groups around Southern Ontario and upper New York State. Martin worked as a foot courier for a Toronto legal firm and was able to save $15,000 in 1985. Believe me that was no small feat in 1985. Instead of buying a cool car he headed to Rene Brossard’s studio and cut this album which shows an incredible dedication to his music. He subsequently appeared as the opening act for the likes of Twila Paris, Phil Keaggy, Daniel Band, Rick Cua, and others. He also played a side stage at the very first Kingdom Bound concert. It is rumoured that Larry Norman stopped to listen to him which was a proud moment for Martin as Larry was one of his favorite artists. As for the album it is a really good album and I can’t help but with some good distribution it might have been known to more of you reading this. It has a pretty good pop rock feel and the lead track sets the album up perfectly. Martin continues to make great music and you can visit his YouTube channel below

https://www.youtube.com/@martinbarretmedia

Tracklist
1 – Scapegoat Song – 2:20
2 – Who Will Tell Them – 4:19
3 – On And On – 3:55
4 – Line Of Vision – 4:09
5 – Their Own Bible – 4:00
6 – In The Future – 4:01
7 – Counterfeit Christian – 3:39
8 – In Loving Memory – 4:36
9 – Friends Like You – 4:25

Credits
Cover – James Clow
Engineer – David Musial, Yuri Jorbachow
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Engineer – Martin Barret
Producer, Arranged By, Mastered By – René Brossard

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Boss Productions
Recorded At – Trackmaster Audio
Recorded At – Master’s Workshop

Dave Thrush – Thrush Hour – 1995

You may not know the name Dave Thrush but I guarantee you know the sound of Dave Thrush. He gained his most recognition for his Saxophone work on all of Steve Taylor’s albums as well as touring with him. He was actually a high school friend of Steve’s and was with Steve from his first demo until the band broke up. He also appeared on other albums but we mostly know him from Steve’s work. In 1995 Sparrow released this solo album from him. It was actually nominated for a Dove Award in the category of Instrumental Album but lost out to a far more inferior album. Quite frankly this is a tough category and it seems like it was/is always given to a piano player. Anyway this is not your average CCM album of the period as it is mainly a saxophone based instrumental album, though the track “Jesus Is The Answer” has vocals from Chris Willis and is as good if not better than anything out at the time. There is also a great Sax cover of “El Shaddai” which should resonate with Amy Grant fans. Quite frankly this is a pretty good album. It’s not really my style but I’ve left it playing in the background a few times while I worked and I grew to quite like it. Oh and a quick sidenote, this is probably one of the best album titles ever. Apparently Dave has a Christmas album and I’ll see if I can upload it for next Christmas.

Tracklist
1 – El Shaddai – 4:07
2 – His Strength Is Perfect / Hiding Place – 4:33
3 – Say The Name – 5:30
4 – Lamb Of God / How Beautiful / He Is Exalted – 5:03
5 – People Need The Lord – 4:56
6 – The Greatest Thing – 3:58
7 – There Is A Redeemer – 4:05
8 – I Will Be There – 4:24
9 – Friends / Great Is The Lord / Hosanna / How Majestic Is Your Name – 6:46
10 – Jesus Is The Answer – 4:57
11 – Tomorrow – 3:58
12 – We Will Stand – 4:43

Shelley Rogers – Dreaming Awake – 1991

This is the only album we got from Shelley and this one off appears to be a Michael Knott project. He produced the album for his own record label which unfortunately went bankrupt shortly after this release. He actually put together a killer studio band be sure to check the credits on our website. The album falls in the easy listening category but I think her real skill was writing. It’s not often you see an introductory album from an unknown artist that has all original material. Other than that I don’t have much to tell you about this artist.

Tracklist
1 – Love Is – 3:39
2 – Carry Me Away – 3:45
3 – Don’t You Worry – 3:01
4 – You & I – 4:07
5 – Song In The Distance – 3:48
6 – Dreaming Awake – 4:02
7 – Parallels – 3:52
8 – Time – 4:05
9 – Talk With You At Midnight – 3:20
10 – Dreams – 3:28

Credits
Acoustic Bass – Glen Holmen
Acoustic Guitar – Greg Flesch, Shelley Rogers, Mike Knott, Jeffrey Thomas
Alto Saxophone – Dave Thrush
Arranged By [Cello Arrangement] – Michael Hackett
Art Direction – Coffee Bay
Bass – Glen Holmen, Mike Sauerbrey
Bass [Six-String Bass] – Dave Hackbarth
Classical Guitar – Jeffrey Thomas
Classical Guitar – Mike Knott, Shelley Rogers
Drums – Chuck Cummings, Steve Hindalong
E-Bow – Greg Flesch
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Dave Hackbarth
Electronic Wind Instrument [Wind Syntesizer] – Dan Michaels
Engineer – Christopher Colbert
Engineer – David Hackbarth
Keyboards – Dave Hackbarth
Keyboards, Sound Designer [Treatments] – Michael Hackett
Lyrics By, Music By – Shelley Rogers
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Music By – Michael Knott, Mike Sauerbrey
Percussion – Steve Hindalong, Mike Knott
Photography By – Colleen Hammond
Producer – Dave Hackbarth, Michael Hackett, Mike Knott
Saxophone – Dave Thrush
Written-By – Shelley Rogers

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution
Recorded At – Neverland
Mixed At – Neverland
Mastered At – Digital Brothers

Denny Correll – Trust – 1991

This was the last album we got from Denny and it’s what you would expect from a last album from him. I will say that I strongly prefer his vocals as his career went on. His singing really matured. Otherwise the album is relatively mellow with the exception of “Here Comes The Light” which is easily the best track on the album. Unfortunately we would lose Denny in 2002 to a heart attack. Too bad because I think there was more material in him and I can easily imagine a blues album from him like many 80’s CCM artists have done. Rest in Piece Denny, see you on the other side.

Tracklist
1 – Hiding Place – 4:32
2 – You Mean Everything – 4:29
3 – Count On His Love – 3:58
4 – Holding On – 4:07
5 – Here Comes The Light – 3:24
6 – You Keep Running – 3:35
7 – Trust – 3:55
8 – He Took Hold – 4:11
9 – Sing And Shout – 3:51
10 – Gentle Is His Hand – 3:55

Credits
Arranged By – Denny Correll, Larry Brown
Arranged By [Special] – Alan Lundgren
Art Direction, Design – Brian Barrington
Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Bob Dorman, Denny Correll, Devon Mead*, Mickey Rooney, Jr., Tim Correll
Bass – Charlie Souza, Larry Brown
Drums, Percussion – Larry Brown
Guitar – Eric Turner
Keyboards, Programmed By – Denny Correll
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Nicola Dill
Producer, Mixed By, Engineer – Larry Brown
Saxophone – Dave Thrush, Wayne Wayne

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Distributed By – Pila Music
Distributed By – GMI Music Partners
Distributed By – Musik Til Tiden
Distributed By – Finngospel
Distributed By – Sephora Diffusion
Distributed By – Emmaus Ministries
Distributed By – Filadelfia Forlag
Distributed By – Italian Christian Media
Distributed By – Zamm Ltd.
Distributed By – Davine Foundation
Distributed By – Nucleo
Distributed By – Viva Music
Distributed By – Kir Music
Printed By – Player Print & Design
Made By – PDO, UK – 10185801
Produced At – 440 Sound Recorders
Engineered At – 440 Sound Recorders
Mixed At – 440 Sound Recorders
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering

Sandi Patti – Love Overflowing – 1981

This is the one that propelled Sandi into one of the greatest female CCM artists of all time. The track “We Shall Behold Him” was written by Dottie Rambo would win him 2 Dove Awards for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. It also became Sandi’s signature song that she performed in every concert until her retirement form touring in 2016. The album also features an excellent duet with Russ Taff, “The Home Of The Lord”. This album would also be start of Sandi’s domination of the Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year which she would win for the next 11 years. I actually didn’t know that until I was doing the research on this album. That’s quite the accomplishment. This album was actually re-released twice, once in 1987 and again in 1991. Those two releases actually replaced the cover with a painted portrait of Sandi but I prefer the original cover. Anyway if you’re a Sandi fan this is obviously one of your favorites and if you didn’t listen to this one back in the 80’s because it wasn’t your style give it a listen now. You will likely appreciate it as one of the great CCM albums of the 80’s.

Tracklist
1 – Down In My Heart – 2:40
2 – Keeper Of The Well – 3:07
3 – Love Overflowing – 3:45
4 – So Far – 3:22
5 – When The Time Comes – 4:59
6 – The Home Of The Lord – 3:15
7 – Somebody Believed – 2:56
8 – In His Hand – 3:20
9 – We Shall Behold Him – 5:49
10 – I Will Praise Him – 3:11

Credits
Alan Steinberger – Synthesizer
Bill K. Myers – Artwork, Design, Illustrations
Billy Puett – Horn
Bob Clark – Engineer, Overdub Engineer, Remixing
Brent King – Engineer
Brent Rowan – Guitar
Chris Banniger – Engineer
Claire Cloninger – Composer
Cozette Byrd – Vocals (Background)
Darrel Powell – Engineer
David Diggs – Arranger, Composer, Track Arrangement
David Huntsinger – Keyboards, Piano, Piano (Electric), Piano (Grand)
David Lyndon Huff – Percussion
David T. Clydesdale – Arranger, Composer, Conductor, Orchestral Arrangements, Orchestration
Dawn Rodgers – Composer
Denis Solee – Horn
Don Hart – Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements
Don Sheffield – Horn
Dottie Rambo – Composer
Doug Benge – Arranger, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
Ernie Collins – Horn
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Fred Satterfield – Drums, Percussion
Gary Chapman – Composer
Gary Dunham – Composer
George Tidwell – Horn
Hank Williams – Mastering
Jimmie Lee Sloas – Bass
John Bolt – Engineer, Overdub Engineer
John Helvering – Vocals (Background)
Keith Thomas – Arranger, Keyboards, Track Arrangement
Mark Hammond – Drums
Michael W. Smith – Composer
Neal Joseph – Arranger, Producer, Remixing, Track Arrangement, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
Paul Johnson – Brass Arrangement, Bass Arrangement
Phil Johnson – Vocals
Randy Hammel – Organ, Organ (Hammond), Synthesizer
Robert Mason – Composer
Ron Harris – Composer
Rosemary Dunham – Composer
Russ Taff – Vocals
Sandi Patty – Arranger, Assistant Producer, Composer, Duet, Primary Artist, Production Assistant, Track Arrangement, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Scott Hendricks – Engineer, Overdub Engineer
Steve Dokken – Bass
Steve Green – Vibraphone, Vocals (Background)
Steve Moore – Vocals (Background)
Steven Schaeffer – Bass

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Impact Records
Copyright © – Impact Records

Dana – Let There Be Love – 1984

Dana had 30 albums through here career most of which were gospel. This was her 9th album but only her second album with Word records. I listened to this album to see if I recognized anything because I couldn’t recall her name. I don’t recognize anything on the album but it’s a pretty easy listening album and I doubt I would have listened to it back in the day. Still I was wondering why I don’t know about an artist with 30 albums. On doing some research into Dana I discovered why. She was a Catholic artist and while Word was always happy to sign Catholic artists they didn’t really promote them outside of the Catholic community. This Catholic detail also meant she was unlikely to find her way onto a CCM chart and she never did. ANYWAY, all that aside this is a great easy listening gospel album that people who like this style should listen to. Dana was a great artist that deserved more exposure in the CCM genre.

Tracklist
1 – Let There Be Love – 3:04
2 – I Saw My Lord This Morning – 4:00
3 – Oh Lord – 4:15
4 – Christ Is My Light – 2:49
5 – Ag Criost An Siol – 4:17
6 – Run That Race – 3:25
7 – Hosanna – 3:14
8 – Diamond In The Rough – 3:33
9 – Portrait Of Jesus – 3:25
10 – Hallelujah – 3:42

Credits
Arranged By, Keyboards, Guitar – Peter Moss
Bass Guitar – Bill Walker
Design – 2D
Drums – Will Hill
Engineer – Alan Jakoby, Nicholas Froome
Engineer [Assistant] – John Canham
Guitar – Derek Griffiths, Mitch Dalton
Keyboards – David Firman
Leader [String Section] – Gavin Wright
Photography By – Brian Aris
Piano – Brian Miller
Producer – Kurt Kaiser
Tenor Saxophone – Geoff Driscoll
Trombone – Pete Thoms
Trumpet – Steve Sidwell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Regents Park Studios
Mixed At – Utopia Village, London

One-Eighty – Turning Point – 1988

I still really can’t find any information on this band. I previously heard their 4 song EP which was released in 1986 and really liked it. Then I found this full length album and it’s even better. Again all I know about this band is that they were out of Castro Valley, CA. Both of their releases were self released but luckily this one was re-released in 2011 on Retrocross records. We have a great album here that should have been picked up by one of the mainstream CCM labels because I think it would have sold. Only have time for one Rock & Roll track? Try “Everything for Nothing”.

Tracklist
1 – Holy Fire – 4:32
2 – Everything For Nothing – 4:03
3 – Reach For The Light – 4:09
4 – Will – 4:27
5 – If You Love Me – 3:40
6 – Adonai – 4:32
7 – One Day – 5:10
8 – White Horses – 3:57
9 – Don’t Give Up – 3:09
10 – Wake Up – 4:39
11 – I Come To You – 3:44
12 – No Turning Back – 4:11

Credits
Rich Reif – vocals, keyboards
Ralph Otteson – keyboards, backing vocals
Todd Peterson – guitars, backing vocals
Allen White – bass, guitars
Don Walker – drums

Jon Gibson – Forever Friends – 1992

This is Jon’s 6th album and he had it down to an art at this point. This was also his final album with Frontline Records which apparently he was pretty happy about. He struggled for the rest of his career finding a label he could get along with which is a tend I see over and over. Anyway, as much as he hated his label this album was probably his most successful. It had 3 top 20 hits with “Can’t Live Without Jesus” making it to #3, “You Are The One” to #12, and “Forever Friends” making it to #7. It was also chosen as album of the year by CCM magazine. This album was far less soul than his previous work and was for the main part a straight up pop album. That said my favourite track “Happy To Know Jesus” definitely has that soul feel he was best known for.

Tracklist
1 – You Are The One – 3:47
2 – Can’t Live Without Jesus – 3:00
3 – Found A Home – 4:38
4 – On My Way To Heaven – 4:09
5 – Forever Friends – 4:52
6 – Happy To Know Jesus – 3:31
7 – You’ve Gotta Love Somebody – 5:47
8 – Happier Than The Morning Sun – 6:00
9 – To My Father’s House – 5:31

Credits
Allegra Parks Choir/Chorus – Primary Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Bob Moon – Engineer
Brian Godawa – Layout Design
Brian Price – Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals (Background)
Dennis Cameron – Engineer
Don Feinberg – Engineer, Mixing
Doug Webb – Saxophone, Soloist
Edwin Hawkins – Composer
Greg Vail – Saxophone, Soloist
James Jamerson, Jr. – Bass
Jon Gibson – Arranger, Choir/Chorus, Composer, Drums, Guitar (Synthesizer), Linn, Primary Artist, Producer, Programming, Sampling, Sequencing, Synthesizer Strings, Trumpet, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Lanny Cordola – Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Acoustic)
Larry Kimpel – Arranger, Bass
Lenny Castro – Percussion
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler – Arranger, Drums
MC Peace – Rap
Michael Sewell – Choir/Chorus
Milton Comeaux – Percussion
Rob Mullins – Arranger, Organ, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Strings, Trombone
Sandra Stephens – Choir/Chorus, Primary Artist, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Stevie Wonder – Composer
Thom Roy – Engineer
Wayne Armstrong – Photography
Wilton Felder – Saxophone, Soloist

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Recorded At – The Mixing Lab

The David Coate Group – Time Keeps On Running – 1981

David Coate became a Christian at the age of 17. He had actually put away his guitar after finding his faith until he saw a Phil Keaggy concert. He realized at that point that he could be a part of the growing CCM music movement. This is his first album after putting together The David Coate Group. The rest of the group was also new performers in the industry. I would classify the album as light rock with some definite rock moments. The album cover screams 80’s though the album itself is a mix of 70’s and 80’s. This was a nice precursor to his sec0ond album which I think is a little better but this one is definitely a great listen.

Tracklist
1 – Sing To The Lord (Psalm 33) – 5:15
2 – Follow Me – 4:34
3 – Time Keeps On Running – 4:20
4 – It’s The Way – 3:43
5 – Where Will You Be – 4:08
6 – Galatians 2:20 – 5:38
7 – Creation – 6:26
8 – What A Love – 4:59
9 – Abundantly – 3:46

Credits
Backing Vocals – Mary Ellen Hopperstad
Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Kevin Wells
Bass – Bob Tillman
Drums – Phil Bonomo
Producer, Lead Vocals, Guitar – David Coate
Saxophone – Larry James
Strings – Anne Herrmann

Split Level – Call Me White Call Me Black – 1994

I am guessing that Split Level was popular in Germany as Pila Music which is a German record company released four albums from the band. This EP was released to coincide with their ‘Artists Against Racism’ tour in Germany. Usually you plan a tour after releasing an album but oddly they planned the tour first but things do work different in the German music scene. Split Level were also named the ‘Best Christian Rock Band’ by the European Christian Booksellers Journal for 1985 on the strength of this EP. I’m amazed these guys were so big in Europe but I never heard of them until recently as they were never released in Canada and I don’t remember reading anything about them in Christian media at the time. As for the album it’s excellent as all their albums are. Colour Wheel was chosen as the first single but I lean more towards Twist In My Sobriety but it was a cover of a Tanita Tikaram song and covers as singles are always risky. Personally I think Colour Wheel is the weakest track on the EP but what do I know. Also of note is that the album was produced by Andy Piercy of After The Fire fame and he helped with the writing of the title track too.

Tracklist
1 – Call Me White Call Me Black – 5:03
2 – Pocket Of Change – 3:47
3 – Colour Wheel – 3:43
4 – Twist In My Sobriety (Mondo Mix) – 3:43
5 – Borderland (Non-Stop Mix) – 3:52
6 – Alone (Penny Whistle Mix) – 3:26

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Gary Preston
Design [Sleeve Design] – Dan Donovan
Drums, Vocals – Rob Craner
Engineer – Paul Burton
Engineer [Assistant] – Trevor Michael
Fiddle, Cymbal – Jean Pierre Rudolph
Photography By [Booklet] – Colin E. Mill
Photography By [Inlay] – Georg Karlstetter
Producer – Andy Piercy
Vocals, Guitar – Adrian Thompson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pila Music
Copyright © – Pila Music
Recorded At – ICC Studios
Mixed At – ICC Studios
Pressed By – BOD Berlin Optical Disc