Category: Albums

Sleepy Ray – Under The Mighty Blood – 1994

Sleepy Ray has an interesting back story. His parents were only 15 years old when he was born and as a result he grew up in a relatively impoverished home. But growing up Ray says he knew he wanted to be a preacher at the age of 6. He dedicated his life to the church at age 10. He did however struggle with the usual teenager musician stuff and was actually caught with drugs in high school. He actually met Chris Lizotte in music school in California in his early 20’s and performed with him in the LA area. This is his first album and what an album it is. While for the main part it’s a blues rock album the track “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout” is a fantastic Stevie Ray Vaughan style track and easily the best track on the album. I’m looking forward to his second album as this one is definitely in my top 50 albums.

Tracklist
1 – Station To Station – 4:08
2 – Love That’s Really Real – 5:01
3 – Cloud Rollin’ In – 4:16
4 – Magi’s Lead – 4:33
5 – Greatest Of These – 4:05
6 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout It – 3:22
7 – Way Into The House – 4:00
8 – High Time – 3:12
9 – That You Are My Lord – 4:32
10 – Lord Rescue Me – 2:44
11 – Let It Flow – 3:13
12 – Dancin’ On A Heavenly Hill – II Samuel 6 – 5:33

Michael Been – On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakthrough – 1994

I have written extensively elsewhere regarding the sad and sudden death of Michael Been of The Call. He was a brilliant, amazing, passionate, powerful artist. His work with The Call will be discussed several times throughout this countdown and his impact on CCM and the music world at large cannot be overstated. The call was simply the most underrated band in history…period! Much hyperbole? Nope. He also created an amazing solo project here that unfortunately went overlooked both in mainstream and CCM circles. The lead track, Us, is so good, so very, very good, that if it was the good song on the whole album it would still make this list! But fortunately the entire album is filled with amazing and powerful tracks. I find the album to be “heavier” than the albums by The Call, but still just as passionate, melodic and poignant. It’s also just as spiritual, introspective and authentic. Been had this amazingly uncanny ability to make deep spiritual truths sound simple and not so “preachy” while stating very blatant and undeniable truths. To list the “highlights” I would simply just cut and paste the entire track list! This is most definitely an AYSO!

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Us – 3:48
2 – When You’re With Me – 4:48
3 – Nearly Fell – 3:55
4 – This World – 4:43
5 – In My Head – 5:02
6 – This Way – 6:59
7 – Luminous – 5:37
8 – She – 4:14
9 – Worried – 4:16
10 – For Your Love – 3:18
11 – Invitation – 3:57
12 – Now I Know High (Part 2) – 7:43
13 – To Feel This Way – 4:56
14 – To Feel This Way (2006 Remix) – 6:00

Credits
A&R – Hugo Burnham
Bass – Robert Been
Bass Guitar – Dave Allen
Drums – Hugo Burnham
Drums, Percussion – Scott Musick
Engineer – Joel Jaffe
Engineer [Additional] – Bruck Dawit
Engineer [Assistant] – Alfred Brand, Larry Brewer
Guitar – Tom Ferrier
Guitar, Drums [Additional], Vocals – Ralph Patlan
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards – Michael Been
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Michael H. Brauer
Producer – David Z, Michael Been
Producer [Associate] – Ralph Patlan
Vocals – Eli Braden

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Studio D, Sausalito, CA
Mixed At – Quad Recording Studios

Paul Clark – Drawn To The Light – 1982

Though Paul was not commonly known by most Christian music listeners he was a very accomplished musician and had several albums through the 70’s and 80’s. He grew up in troubled times and turned to alcohol and drugs in his teens. However in 1970 when his college years were cut short he moved to a cabin and came to terms with the world by engaging himself with God’s word. What would result is one of the best musicians of the time though personally I don’t think he ever got the recognition he deserved. This 1982 album leans towards the more easy listening music of the period but lyrically it really stood out to me. So even if easy listening is not your preferred genre give this one a chance as lyrically it’s up there with the best.

Tracklist
1 – Drawn To The Light – 3:11
2 – Give Them Your Love – 3:04
3 – Stand Up And Believe – 4:39
4 – How Much More Can You Take – 3:03
5 – Carry Me On – 4:50
6 – Good Good Morning – 3:08
7 – The Eye Of The Storm Suite – 11:10
8 – A Heartbeat Away – 3:13
9 – Good Good Night – 1:56

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bruce Hibbard, Debbie McClendon, Howard Smith, Judy Cotton, Kelly Willard, Leisa Hibbard, Paul Clark, Phyliss St. James
Drums – Keith Edwards
Electric Bass – Leon Gaer
Electric Violin – Mark Cargill
Engineer – Wally Grant
Engineer [Chief] – Bob Cotton
Layout, Design – Christina Farley
Lead Guitar [Electric], Rhythm Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Lead Vocals, Piano [Yamaha C-7 Acoustic], Acoustic Guitar [Martin 1926 000-45], Synthesizer [Prophet 5] – Paul Clark
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Photography By [Cover, Inner Sleeve] – David Randall
Producer [Produced By] – Paul Clark
Rhythm Guitar [Electric] – Carlos Rios
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Written-By – Paul Clark

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Published By – Minstrel’s Voyage Publishing Co.
Published By – Word Music
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Lacquer Cut At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – 25627

Billy Crockett – Carrier – 1984

Billy went to University of Miami in Florida to study audio engineering and that was the role he would make his first exposure in the CCM industry. He was actually doing well as a producer and engineer when he decided to step to the other side of the board and record this his first album. At some point Billy joined publisher Word Music as a staff writer before moving to the recording side. The album is pretty easy listening affair but I can hear some rock & roll begging to creep out. I haven’t listened to Billy’s subsequent albums so we will see if he’s turns it up on one of his several subsequent albums. At some point Billy joined publisher Word Music as a staff writer before moving to the recording side.

Tracklist
1 – Love Waiting – 2:54
2 – Stand And Fight – 4:03
3 – Time To Begin Again – 4:18
4 – Carrier – 3:26
5 – Say Hello – 5:36
6 – Like A Thief – 4:14
7 – You’re So Special To Him – 3:17
8 – The Way – 4:44
9 – Rhythm Of God – 2:57
10 – He Is The Wind – 4:49

Credits
Billy Crockett – Songwriter, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Lead and Background Vocals
Reed Arvin – Kurweil Strings Arranger, Keyboards, Lead Acoustic Piano, Kurzweil, DX-7, Prophet V
Niles Borop – Songwriter
Mike Brignardello – Bass, Mini-Moog
Claire Cloninger – Songwriter
Andy deGanahl – Assistant Engineer
Phil Dihel – Assistant Engineer
Dave Durham – Background Vocals
Kim Fleming – Background Vocals
Lynn Fuston – Assistant Engineer
Randy Garmon – Assistant Engineer
Jon Goin – Electric Guitars
Chris Hammond – Assistant Engineer
Mark Hammond – Acoustic and Simmons Drums
Dennis Holt – Drums
David Huntsinger – Acoustic Piano, DX-7
JB Baird – Engineer, Mixed
Neal Joseph – Producer
Patti Leatherwood – Background Vocals
Terry McMillan – Percussion
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Bill Vermillion – Assistant Engineer
Hank Williams – Mastered
Kenny Wood – Songwriter

Heartbeat – The Winner – 1988

While this was their 5th album this was their second attempt at getting on the secular charts. Surprisingly they did just make it onto the charts in Apr 88 but they only peaked out at #70. Not too bad for what was essentially a worship and studio band that just turned it up for a few albums. I have to admit as much as I kind of dislike this band I am impressed that Myrrh was able to partner with Priority Records to get this album on the radio. That said I am trying to figure out why they would included the 12″ version of the single on the album. Admittedly the song wasn’t a huge hit but still they put out a 12″ to try to get a few more sales but then they included that version on the album. That said nothing about this whole Heartbeats idea made sense to me. That said if you like a little 80’s Europop this is the album for you and it actually is pretty good.

Tracklist
1 – The Winner (7″ Version) – 3:52
2 – Common Language – 3:52
3 – Dancin’ – 3:20
4 – The Only One – 3:33
5 – Air That I Breathe – 4:25
6 – Tease Your Media Mind – 3:33
7 – Tears From Heaven – 3:22
8 – People With No Direction – 3:56
9 – One True Love – 3:51
10 – The Winner (12″ Version) – 7:21

Credits
Bass – Steve Bassett
Drums – Clive Urquhart
Executive-Producer – Barry Evans, Ray Goudie
Guitar, Vocals – Ian Townend
Keyboards – Dave Bankhead
Lead Vocals – Sue Rinaldi
Producer – Barry Evans, Simon Humphrey
Vocals – Su Reeves Bassett*

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright © – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Distributed By – BMG Records (UK) Ltd.
Recorded At – Hot Nights Studios, London
Mixed At – Hot Nights Studios, London
Mixed At – PWL Studios
Pressed By – Sonopress – C-2638

Billy Batstone – A Little Broken Bread – 1991

Though Billy was all over the Christian music scene through the 70’s and 89’s he didn’t release this his first solo album until 1991. While his high school friend David Diggs was with him on his previous work he doesn’t appear on this album. At this point in his career Billy was working with The Praise Band, later called the Tommy Coomes Band but that work went uncredited until later in the decade. Billy was also doing a ton of writing at this time and wrote hits fir several artists. As for the album it’s a easy listening album but with a great 80’s sound. I’m still not a huge fan of easy listening but this is the kind of easy listening I can get into.

Tracklist
1 – I Long For Your Love – 3:15
2 – O Lord, Come – 4:39
3 – I Will Be With You – 4:15
4 – Call For Surrender – 3:05
5 – There Will Come A Time – 4:42
6 – A Little Broken Bread – 5:18
7 – Walking On The Water – 4:04
8 – The Reign Is Over – 4:08
9 – To Every Generation – 3:38
10 – Nobody Like You – 4:41
11 – Your Throne O God – 3:39

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Billy Batstone*
Backing Vocals – Anne Barbour, Billy Batstone, John Barbour, John Batdorf
Bass Guitar – David Miner
Chapman Stick – Fergus Marsh
Classical Guitar [Nylon Strting Guitar] – Bob Somma
Design, Layout – Gary DeLacy
Drums – Jack Kelly
Engineer, Mixed By – Mark Heard
Harmonica – Mark Heard
Music By – Billy Batstone, John Schreiner, Wayne Brasel
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Photography By – Michael Going
Producer, Arranged By – Billy Batstone
Typography [Typesetting] – Russell Heistuman
Words By – Billy Batstone

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Published By – Maranatha Music
Published By – C.A. Music
Published By – Laurel Press
Published By – Verdugo Music
Published By – John Schreiner Music
Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders
Recorded At – Neverland
Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Distributed By – Benson Music Group, Inc.
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-010952

Billy Sprague – La Vie – 1988

This is the third album from Billy and the best one yet. If yo listen to Billy’s albums back to back in order you can hear the progression of quality of his music. This album continues his guitar heavy pop style. Unfortunately Sprague would take a break after this album due to his fiancé was killed in a car accident. That said Reunion Records did release a greatest hits package during his hiatus. Only have time for one track? ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ is probably the best track on the album. Bottom line, La Vie is c’est bon.

Tracklist
1 – I Gotta Hand It To You – 4:28
2 – What Goes Around Comes Around – 4:35
3 – La Vie – 3:58
4 – I Call It Love – 3:55
5 – Someone Is There – 4:49
6 – Heart Of The Infidel – 3:54
7 – You Can’t Walk The Wire – 5:13
8 – The Ultimatum – 4:20
9 – If I Know Love – 3:25
10 – A Little Broken Bread – 4:40

Credits
Gary Chapman – Producer
Jeff Moseley & Terry Hemmings – Executive Producers
Doug Scarret, Michael Pool – The Engineers
Jerry (Neil) McPherson – electric guitars
Phil Naish – keyboards
Keith Edwards – drums
Mike Brignardello – bass
Shane Keister – greasy grand on “Walk The Wire”
Gary Chapman – pedal steel,bazouki,sitar,danelectro six-string bass & shotgun solos on “The Ultimatum”

Phil Spence – First Light – 1980

This excellent album released in 1980 is the only one we would get from Phil in the 80’s. Phil toured Australia promoting his album and actually warmed up for acts such as Randy Stonehill and Dan Peak. He also played several music festivals and combined church events. The album actually had some secular success in his local area where radio played “Company” and “Forgiven”. Phil’s song “The Infidel” also became a hit in Papua New Guinea. The album has a strong 70’s feel and would probably done well if it had a proper distribution deal. Phil continues to make music and has a total of 5 albums at the time of writing. You can find his music on his website www.philspence.com.

Tracklist
1 – The Infidel – 3:30
2 – Jet Set Lady – 2:30
3 – Coffee Coloured Girls – 3:00
4 – Living – 5:20
5 – I’m A U.F.O. – 3:40
6 – Forgiven – 3:40
7 – Steeplechase – 3:15
8 – Company – 2:30
9 – Wanna Be Like You – 3:20
10 – Once Again – 5:15

Credits
Artwork – Greg Wardle
Bass Guitar, Harmony Vocals – Gary Terrill
Bass Guitar, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards – Peter Wragg
Drums, Synthesizer [Drum], Percussion – Don Lebler
Flute – Doug MacDougall
Harmony Vocals – Jacky Nisbet
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Dan Mihailovic
Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Percussion – Phil Spence
Producer – Peter Wragg
Producer, Cover [Design] – Phil Spence
Written-By – Phil Spence

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Normal Music
Copyright © – Normal Music
Recorded At – Southwind Recording Studio
Mixed At – Southwind Recording Studio

Bloodgood – Detonation – 1987

The second release from Bloodgood continues the raw metal sound they had in their first album. This album is better produce and engineered but some fans preferred the edgier first album. But that said Detonation placed 8th in a poll by Heaven’s Metal fanzine of the top 100 Christian metal albums of all time. The band toured heavily for this album and as the world was dumb in 1987 the tour was heavily protested by the more conservative element of Christianity. The tour was quite successful and continued into Europe in 1988. Bloodgood is a mainstay in the Christian metal genre and most hold up this or their first album as their best work.

Tracklist
1 – Battle Of The Flesh – 2:45
2 – Vagrant People – 3:26
3 – Self-Destruction – 3:29
4 – Alone In Suicide – 4:04
5 – Heartbeat (Of The City) – 3:25
6 – Eat The Flesh – 4:25
7 – Holy Fire – 3:10
8 – Crucify – 3:05
9 – The Messiah – 4:25
10 – Live Wire – 2:37

Credits
Arranged By – Bloodgood
Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart
Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael Bloodgood
Drums – Mark Welling
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Guitar, Backing Vocals – David Zaffiro
Illustration [Cover] – John Dickenson
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – David Zaffiro, Doug Doyle, Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood
Other [Litho Prep] – Graphic Masters, Santa Ana, CA
Other [Stage Clothes] – Brent Flemming
Photography By – Ken Baley, Lynn DeBon
Producer – David Zaffiro, Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood
Vocals – Les Carlsen

Companies, etc.
Published By – Broken Songs
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Distributed By – The Master’s Collection
Distributed By – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Recorded At – Rocshire Records
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Edited At – Digital Brothers
Mastered At – Motown Records

Recess – Recess – 1989

I can’t really find much info on the band which is surprising because they had 3 albums and a pretty good following. I do know they were from Olivet Nazarene University and actually started out using the name Gentle Reign. As near as I can tell the leader of the band was Tim McGuire who while not doing much work in the industry is well known and highly respected. As for the album it’s a pretty fun pop album that I would have really liked in the day. Vocals are strong and the production is great. I have a feeling many of you know this one so give it a listen again all these years later.

Tracklist
1 – Born Again (And I Love It) – 5:14
2 – Reckless – 5:15
3 – Time Out – 4:12
4 – Nothin’ I Wouldn’t Do – 4:17
5 – Search Me – 4:22
6 – Dead Ain’t Always Six Feet Under – 5:03
7 – Choices – 4:15
8 – Back Off – 3:20
9 – Don’t Keep It Inside – 4:02
10 – Are We Wastin’ Time – 5:14