Category: Albums

Giantkiller – Whose Side You On?/Valley Of Decision – 1981

Giantkiller were another excellent band out of the UK. This album did very well in the UK but was a rarity in US record collections. The album was released in the UK with the title “Whose Side You On?” and in the US it was titled “Valley Of Decision”. The sound of this album might be best described as Choir meets Malcolm and the Mirrors. Actually I can hear a lot of different bands on this album but really they had their own sound that deserves respect for what it is, unique. I had not heard this album in the 80’s but wish I had I would have really liked it.

Tracklist
1 – Living For Today – 3:45
2 – Hot Nor Cold – 2:57
3 – Power To Power – 3:16
4 – Into The Eighties – 6:28
5 – We Have Got To Get Together – 2:38
6 – No More Sin – 3:54
7 – Wounded Soldiers – 2:14
8 – Holocaust – 3:53
9 – Whos Side You On ? – 4:19

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Alan Hiscox
Drums – Steve Purton
Engineer – Jimmy Hotz
Keyboards – Paul Herbst
Lead Guitar – Pete Gilgan
Mixed By – Jimmy Hotz, Kemper Crabb
Producer – Jimmy Hotz
Saxophone – Rob Blessing
Vocals – Raphael Doyle

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios

The Choir – Diamonds and Rain – 1986

Diamonds and Rain is the second studio album from The Choir, and the first after a name change from Youth Choir. Myrrh Records promoted this album heavily with ads that stated, “The Youth Choir has grown up!” I for one found this comical and probably the dumbest promo for a band ever though I did agree with the name change. With producer Charlie Peacock coming on for the album it had a much more commercial appeal. It has a solid new wave feel and at times I could swear I’m listening to a Simple Minds album. While I may be better known for my love of a Rock & Roll sound this is my second favourite style of music and this album is great in my opinion. As the story goes the band hated the colour album front, they wanted it to be black and white like the rear. Trivia point, the album was supposed to be titled Love and Fear but a name change came about after Myrrh wanted a more positive title.

Tracklist
1 – Fear Only You – 3:52
2 – Render Love – 4:42
3 – All That Is You – 3:21
4 – Black Cloud – 3:40
5 – I Painted Mercy – 4:05
6 – Kingston Road – 3:39
7 – Listen To Her Eyes – 3:20
8 – (You Do That) Triangle – 3:17
9 – Love Falls Down – 3:12
10 – When The Morning Comes – 4:30

Credits
Art Direction – Roland Young
Backing Vocals – Bill Batstone
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Jerry Chamberlain
Bass Guitar – Tim Chandler
Drums, Percussion – Steve Hindalong
Engineer – Mike Mierau
Engineer [Assisted By] – Paul Abajian
Guitar, Vocals – Derald Daugherty
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Charlie Peacock
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Martin Heyes
Other [Choir Direction] – Brian Martin
Photography By – Nancy French
Producer – Charlie Peacock
Woodwind – Dan Michaels

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Surrey Sound Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Manufactured By – JVC

Altar Boys – Against The Grain – 1987

The 4th offering from Altar Boys is a transition album for the guys. They have drifted away from 2 minute punk sounds to a more Rock and at times New Wave sound. I was surprised when I went surfing to read up on the album and actually found very little commentary on it. I find this surprising as I was under the understanding that this was one of their best selling albums. I quite enjoy this album as I’m sure many others did. If your looking for a bit of the older Altar Boys sound listen to “Hearts Lost in Nowhere”. If you needed proof the band was evolving how about “Where’s The New World?” coming in at a whopping 5:18, an incredible long song for the band that started out specializing in two and a half minute songs. My personal favourite track is “Kids Are On the Run” in which I can hear a bit of their original sound but really it has a more “The Alarm” feel.

Tracklist
1 – Fallen World – 4:05
2 – Kids Are On The Run – 3:48
3 – Hearts Lost In Nowhere – 4:01
4 – Broken – 3:56
5 – Where’s The New World? – 5:18
6 – Against The Grain – 2:28
7 – Human Sound – 4:21
8 – Take Control – 3:11
9 – Shout Louder! – 3:33
10 – Count On Love – 4:27

Credits
Band [Altar Boys Are Still] – Jeff Crandall, Mike Stand, Ric Alba
Bass, Backing Vocals, Piano – Ric Alba
Design [Cover], Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Drums, Backing Vocals – Jeff Crandall
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Stand
Mixed By – Doug Doyle, Rob Watson
Photography By – Linda Baley
Producer – The Altar Boys, Terry Scott Taylor
Tambourine, Instruments [Other] – Al-x

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Broken Songs
Published By – Broken Songs
Produced At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Distributed By – The Master’s Collection
Distributed By – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Mastered At – Record Technology Incorporated – 24139
Mastered At – Record Technology Incorporated – 24140

Darrell Mansfield – I Am Not Alone – 2014

At this point in Darrell’s career he can do what he wants when he wants. He has continued to pump out self published albums and this is one of those albums. At this point I guess we can call the Band the Darrell Mansfield House Band. They provide some of the best music background for Darrell’s Vocals and harmonica a person could ask for. This is another album of Darrell interpreted cover songs. All are excellent and stand alone hits. Of particular interest to me is the combo track “House Of The Rising Son/Amazing Grace”. It doesn’t sound like it would work but wow does it. The cover of Dylan’s “Knockin On Heaven’s Door” is another highlight. If your up for an excellent blues album this might be the one you’ve been waiting to listen to.

Tracklist
1 – Honey Hush – 4:36
2 – Jesus Left Chicago – 8:15
3 – Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven – 7:33
4 – I Am Not Alone – 3:43
5 – Crossroads – 3:53
6 – Going Down – 5:37
7 – Walkin Blues – 6:34
8 – All Along The Watchtower – 8:31
9 – House Of The Rising Son/Amazing Grace – 5:52
10 – Knockin On Heaven’s Door – 6:45

Credits
Darrell Mansfield – Lead Vocals, Harmonica
Jan-Peter Beijersbergen – Guitar
Mitch Ross – Drums and Percussion
Mark Dekkers – Bass
Bryan Edgell – Bass and Background Vocals
Brian Waterbury – Rhythm Guitar
Tina Paulson – Backbround Vocals, Artwork, Photography
Mitch Ross and Darrell Mansfield – Producer
Mitch Ross – Engineered and Mastered
Cary Pennington – Photography

Sacred Warrior – Rebellion – 1988

Sacred Warrior rose from a band called Nomad that formed in 1985. Guitarist Bruce Swift found Christ and led the other members, Parra and Velasquez, to Christ. They recruited Watkins to play bass at Bible Study and with a quick name change Sacred Warrior was born. The band signed with Intense Records and this was their debut album. The LP had a very limited run and is a collectors item today. Their support tour for the album was as a warm up band for Rez. Pretty good gig for a new band. The album is an excellent representation of Metal. It doesn’t have much of a commercial sound but is very well engineered and produced. All in all a great Metal album with good edge.

Tracklist
1 – Black Metal – 4:40
2 – Mad, Mad World – 4:16
3 – Stay Away From Evil – 2:47
4 – He Died – 3:55
5 – Children of the Light – 2:39
6 – Rebellion – 4:30
7 – Day of the Lord – 3:37
8 – The Heaven’s are Calling – 4:33
9 – Famine – 5:12
10 – Master of Lies – 3:14
11 – Sword of Victory – 3:31

Credits
Art Direction – Atticus Farlow, Farlow Lark
Bass – Steve Watkins
Drums – Tony Velazquez
Engineer – Al Pangelinan, Jason Brown, Randy Burns
Executive-Producer – Jesus Christ
Guitar [Guitars] – Bruce Swift
Keyboards [Keys] – Rick Macias
Mixed By – Ron Goudie
Photography By – Ruby Michael
Producer – Caesar Kalinowski
Vocals – Rey Parra

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Big Rage! Productions
Copyright (c) – Big Rage! Productions
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – Opus Recording Studio
Recorded At – Sutton Place Recording Studio

2nd Chapter of Acts – Far Away Places – 1987

This was the last album from 2nd Chapter of Acts that featured original material. The supporting tour for this album was also their last live performance. That performance was on August 12th of 1988. There were quite a few comments at the time of release that it was a final album only recorded to finish out a contract, i.e. mailed it in. I don’t think so, the album has a bit more upbeat than their previous albums and felt fairly progressive for them. I almost wonder if this more upbeat sound would have been a great direction for them which could have provided a but more life for the band. Matthew Wards solo career was well under way at this point and maybe he found it all just too overwhelming to be in both bands. Anyway give this one a listen if you like your easy listening with some keyboards.

Tracklist
1 – Humble Yourself – 3:57
2 – It’s No Masquerade – 3:30
3 – Sing Over Me – 4:05
4 – You Are All In All – 4:59
5 – A Tender Heart – 2:21
6 – I Reach Out – 3:43
7 – Fallin’ In On You – 4:25
8 – Maybe Some Other Day – 3:45
9 – Take It To All The World – 3:03
10 – Far Away Places – 3:44

Credits
Art Direction – Bradley Grose
Bass – Lee Jones (tracks: 1), Leon Gaer
Creative Director [Set Direction] – Buddy Owens
Design Concept [Cover Concept], Design – Bradley Grose, Buddy Owens
Drums – Jack Kelly (tracks: 5, 6), Michael Celenza (tracks: 1), Mike Baird
Engineer – Buck Herring, Greg Hunt
Guitar – Dann Huff (tracks: 4), Marty Walsh, Michael Thompson (tracks: 5, 6)
Keyboards, Arranged By [Instruments] – John Andrew Schreiner (tracks: 5, 6), Smitty Price
Percussion – Charles Barnett (tracks: 1, 3)
Photography By – Mark Engbrecht
Producer – 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 – 1760100A
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Recorded At – Rosewood Studio

Randy Matthews – Wish We’d All Been Ready – 1971

In 1971 Randy was the first CCM artist signed to Word records and this album was the result. If you’re used to Randy’s 80’s work this album might surprise you. It isn’t a rock album, it’s not even a seventies rock album. Randy started out as a folk artist so this is a folk album. Randy’s song writing skills shine on this album. He wrote 8 of the 12 tracks on the album. There are 3 cover songs on the album which is strange for a first album. The strangest of those covers was Larry Norman’s “Wish We’d All Been Ready” which even more strangely is the title track. This album even came out before Larry’s album with the song. I would love to hear how this song ended up on Randy’s album never mind being the title track.

Tracklist
1 – Plastic Clown – 4:52
2 – Empty My Soul – 3:48
3 – Refuge – 2:34
4 – Psalm 19 – 2:40
5 – When I Think Of The Cross – 2:03
6 – Here Comes Jesus – 3:10
7 – Children Come Together – 4:28
8 – Sunday Morning – 2:45
9 – Easy Movin’ – 4:20
10 – I Guess That I’ve Changed – 2:57
11 – Wish We’d All Been Ready – 2:08
12 – Hallelujah Brother – 3:02

Credits
Arranged By – Rick Powell
Cover – Bill Grine
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn

Barnabas – Little Foxes – 1986

This was the final studio album from Barnabas. While I liked their sound I think perhaps for some people it had become somewhat monotonous and this album doesn’t really offer much new in musical styling. I guess that’s one of the problems of having a distinct style. While your hardcore fans stand by you, casual fans think to themselves that they’ve heard this before. This album however should be listened to if not for the music then for the lyrics. This album may have been one of their best lyrically. As the story goes the band broke up after playing Greenfest in 1985 but had a contract to release one more album. I presume they returned to the studio to record this album. This might also explain why it’s only 8 tracks. While I like this album my sixth sense does indicate something not quite right about this album and perhaps it is that it was recorded after the breakup of the band. Or I could be completely wring about the sound and the story.

Tracklist
1 – Gospel Maniac – 5:04
2 – Little Foxes – 4:05
3 – Destroy After Use – 4:56
4 – Auschwitz ’87 – 4:42
5 – China White – 3:20
6 – Sins Of The Fathers – 5:21
7 – All Alone – 5:13
8 – Suite For The Souls Of Our Enemies (Part Two – Lover) – 3:27

Credits
Artwork [Cover Art] – Paradise Graphics, Paul Gross
Bass, Keyboards – Gary Mann
Drums, Percussion – Kris Klingensmith
Engineer – Barry Stramp
Guitar – Brian Belew
Producer, Arranged By – Barnabas
Saxophone – Chris Hicks (tracks: B4)
Vocals – Chris Hall (tracks: B1), Jeff McGuinness (tracks: B1), Nancy Jo Mann

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
Recorded At – Studio 7, Oklahoma City, OK

Steve Taylor – I Want To Be A Clone – 1983

This debut album from Steve Taylor was considered to be one of the best new wave albums of the 80’s.

It was actually classed as punk by some pundits at the time but it was actually better described as new wave with an edge.

Steve wrote about some very touchy Christian issues at the time which are actually still issues today.

Though only 6 cuts (it was technically a mini LP) it provided many enjoyable hours of listening for owners at the time.

 

Tracklist
1 – Steeplechase – 1:25
2 – I Want To Be A Clone – 2:30
3 – Whatever Happened To Sin? – 3:07
4 – Written Guarantee – 2:36
5 – Bad Rap (Who You Tryinʼ To Kid, Kid?) – 3:00
6 – Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Numberʼs Up? – 4:12

Credits
Bass – Brian Tankersley
Drums – Cactus Moser
Guitar – Kerry Conner
Keyboards [Featuring The Mighty Farfisa] – Steve Taylor
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer, Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Saxophone – Dave Thrush
Vocals – Steve Taylor
Vocals [Rights], Rap, Handclaps – The Screaming Chapalaires (tracks: 2, 4, 5)
Written-By, Arranged By – Steve Taylor

Companies, etc.
Mixed At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records
Copyright (c) – Sparrow Records
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Distributed By – Spotlight Music Pty Ltd
Distributed By – Concorde Productions (NZ)
Published By – Birdwing Music

Mylon Lefevre – Live Forever – 1983

This live album was recorded in Mylon’s hometown of Atlanta, and it was a rock’n’roll homecoming. The crowd sounds great, and the band is working them. This is a great example of a live record. Interesting inclusion is the second track “It’s Alright” which appeared on Matthew Ward’s landmark album “Toward Eternity.” Mylon’s version is a different take and it works well for him.

Tracklist
1 – Introduction Jesus Is A Waymaker – 3:29
2 – It’s Alright – 5:14
3 – Free Rap & Freedom – 6:31
4 – Relationships Rap & Child Of The Father – 4:44
5 – Workin’ On A Building / Jesus Is The Rock – 13:42
6 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:58
7 – The Invitation – 7:20
8 – Coming Back Again – 1:43

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kenny Bentley
Design – Mike McCarty
Drums, Percussion – Ben Hewitt
Engineer [Live] – Joe Neil, Larry Goode
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Vocals – Stan Coates
Lead Guitar, Vocals, Photography By [Inner Sleeve] – Dean Harrington
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Producer, Engineer [Live], Mixed By – Joe Hardy
Producer, Vocals, Guitar – Mylon LeFevre
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Broken Heart Productions
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – Latter Rain Music
Published By – Rainy Now Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Mastered At – Ardent Mastering