This is the CD that came free with the “Welcome To The Freak Show” VHS. It features 4 tracks from the 1995 Jesus Freak album. 2 of them are live, 1 is a remix, and 1 is the album version. Not much to say here other than this was a great bonus to get with a VHS. I do have one thing to say however. Personally the production on the 2 live tracks make it sound like they are “liveified” version of studio cuts. Probably just some questionable production quality but they just don’t have an actual live feel. Anyway this one is from 1997 which is a little later than we usually go but it’s only 4 tracks so what the heck.
Tracklist 1 – In The Light (Live Version) – 5:15 2 – Day By Day (Live Version) – 4:42 3 – Colored People (Organic Mix) – 3:48 4 – What Have We Become (Album Version) – 5:36
Credits Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Kevin Max, Michael Tait, Toby McKeehan Lyrics By [Additional] – Kevin Smith, Toby McKeehan Producer – Mark Heimermann, Toby McKeehan Remix – John Hampton, Toby McKeehan Written-By – Charlie Peacock, George Cocchini, Kevin Smith, Mark Heimermann, Stephen Schwartz, Toby McKeehan
Sammy actually grew up in the church often accompanying his dad’s guitar with vocals on hymns. Unfortunately he slipped from the church and started what he called an alcohol addiction at 13 years old. At 17 years old his best friend died of alcohol poisoning at a party he and Sammy were drinking at. Sammy continued his music career and was in 60’s rock groups The Mor-loks and The Birdwatchers the latter group appeared in the 1967 youth exploitation film Wild Rebels. Those years were full of drug and alcohol addiction which led to 2 self deletion attempts. After his second attempt he came back to Christ and the Sammy Hall we know was born. He started a group called the Sammy Hall Singers and self released 10 albums with them. They sold these albums as they toured churches throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1974 he started releasing albums as a solo act but he continued to tour churches playing and ministering. I believe this was his first album on a label though I’m not positive of this as the history of The Sammy Hall Singers is a little shaky. This album was released in the U.S. and Canada on Impact records and in the U.K. on Pilgrim records. I have to admit that I didn’t know anything about Sammy before starting this project but I have taken a real interest in his music. This is rather strange because he definitely doesn’t perform my style of music but I’m really drawn to his work for some reason. As for this album it’s relatively easy listening but the real highlight is his cover of “Cat’s In The Cradle” which is a fantastic version and I actually prefer it to the original. Anyway Sammy’s work is an overlooked part of CCM history and should be listened to.
Tracklist 1 – If Nobody Loves You Create The Demand – 2:14 2 – Guess Who Moved – 2:10 3 – If You’re Happy Notify Your Face – 2:14 4 – We’re Not Gettin’ Older (Just Closer To Home) – 3:30 5 – Jesus Is My Soul Supporter – 1:59 6 – No Shortage (On God’s Love) – 2:46 7 – The Days We Let Slip By – 2:49 8 – Cat’s In The Cradle – 3:38 9 – My Dependable Friend – 3:58 10 – We Have Become The People Our Parents Warned Us About – 3:30
Credits Lead Vocals – Sammy Hall Producer, Arranged By, Written-By – Gary S. Paxton
I have seen King’s X live on three occasions. I still have no idea how they pull off their sound live with just three guys. It is really impressive. Of course, one of the times I saw them they were the band for CCM pop artist Morgan Cryar. They played at the infamous “lighthouse” in Orange County. With their third release, Faith, Hope, Love, King’s X were positioned to become the next great rock band, and even though they have garnered a stellar track record and decent fan base, the world just some times doesn’t “get it” when it comes to great and significant rock. Possibly more “commercial” than the first two release, FHL, is still a rocking album and filled with the bands unique, creative and progressive rock music. The Beatlesque vocals married to big and heavy rock just seem to work so well, especially here. The single, “It’s Love” is a brilliant song that deserved even more radio support than it did. But like most King’s X projects it’s deeper into the album that the real gems shine though. “Fine Art of Friendship” has such a killer groove that sticks with you and a wonderful message of reconciliation. “We Were Born to Be Loved” just flat out rocks…hard! And the spoken vocal just works perfectly. Many prefer the debut because of it’s greater progressive and creative influence, but FHL delivers such a consistent and listenable sound that it bears more repeated listening.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – We Are Finding Who We Are – 4:39 2 – Its Love – 4:34 3 – Ill Never Get Tired Of You – 3:46 4 – Fine Art Of Friendship – 4:21 5 – Mr Wilson – 3:39 6 – Moanjam – 6:05 7 – Six Broken Soldiers – 3:32 8 – I Cant Help It – 3:53 9 – Talk To You – 4:36 10 – Everywhere I Go – 3:53 11 – We Were Born To Be Loved – 4:52 12 – Faith Hope Love – 9:23 13 – Legal Kill – 4:42
Credits Art Direction – Derika Van Reenan Artwork [Back Cover Illustration] – James McDermott Artwork [Front Cover Illustration] – Randy Rogers Bass Guitar, Vocals – Doug Pinnick Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Jerry Gaskill Engineer, Recorded By – Steve Ames Guitar, Sitar, Vocals – Ty Tabor Management – Sam Taylor Mastered By – Tony Dawsey Photography By – George Craig Producer – King’s X, Sam Taylor Written-By – King’s X
This is one of the rare examples of someone suggesting an album that I had no idea existed and it climbs into my top 100 albums of the 80’s. I have never heard of Joseph until his name came up in an “unknown artists” thread on our Facebook page. As I always do I give the poster the courtesy of listening to the album but this time I listened to the whole album several times. I really can’t find out much about Joseph Lamm but this is actually his second album. Both were self released and had limited distribution. He rereleased this album in 2018 with a bonus track which we have included. Joseph continues to make music and you can visit his webpage (linked below) to hear more. The album has an strong 80’s alternative feel in places and straight up Rock & Roll in others. Yes there are a few different styles but Joseph pulls them all together with his strong vocals. I’m hearing stuff here that would have done well in the secular market never mind the Christian market and “See No Evil” is definitely going into my regular rotation. In fact dare I say that as it stands this may be my favourite independent release of the 80’s and I’m pretty excited to hear his first album soon.
Tracklist 1 – The Preacher – 3:36 2 – Stepping Into Paradise – 3:58 3 – Yes I Will – 3:37 4 – In A Watered Garden – 2:18 5 – Standing In The Tower – 6:12 6 – Three Kings – 3:15 7 – Self Portraits – 5:22 8 – Awaken In My Heart – 3:21 9 – Essence – 4:54 10 – See No Evil – 4:43 2018 Bonus Track 11 – Approaching The Next Plane – 2:14
Credits Bass, Guitar – Randy Melson Drums – Dane Clark, Jeff Hiatt Guitar – Rex Thomas, Sandy Williams Keyboards, Vocals – Steve Millikan Percussion – John Bolt Producer – Steve Millikan Vocals, Percussion, Keyboards – Joseph Lamm
This is one of only two Maria Muldaur gospel albums and the only one on a Christian label. Maria’s foray into Christian music was brief and rather unprofitable which I’m sure accelerated her return to the secular market and labels. That is not to say the album isn’t good because it’s fantastic but it just couldn’t realize the sales her secular market albums could. I will say that Myrrh threw everything but the kitchen sink at this album with too many CCM stars to list here appearing. They also got T-Bone to produce the album but really all the album needed was Maria. Her talent would have carried the album just fine. Her signature vocals and a nice R&B feel made this a go to album for many CCM fans of the period. The album has aged well and I enjoyed listening to it again.
Tracklist 1 – Keep My Eyes On You – 4:01 2 – I Was Made To Love You – 3:41 3 – There Is A Love – 4:10 4 – Sondown – 5:30 5 – I Do – 4:06 6 – Infinite Mercy – 4:47 7 – In The Holy Name Of Jesus – 3:12 8 – Is My Living In Vain – 5:01
Credits Arranged By – Darrell Leonard Art Direction – Dennis Hill Backing Vocals – Charity McCrary, Dani McCormick, Howard McCrary, Kristle Murden, Linda McCrary, Marvin Winans, Sam McCrary, Vicki Winans Bass – Abraham Laboriel Booking [Agency Representation] – Regency Artists, Ltd. Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer [Assistant] – Alan Vachon, Dean Alling Flute, Soloist – John Phillips Graphics – Charlie Wallis, Inc, Patrick Pollei Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Harmonica, Soloist – Delbert McClinton Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, Michael Omartian Liner Notes – Maria Muldaur Management [Artist Assistant] – Mary Alice Artes, Vicki Aman Management [Direction] – Bruce Kramer, K-II Management, Inc., Ron Kramer Mixed By – Stuart Taylor Percussion – Alex Neciosup-Acuña, Larry Hirsh Photography By – Keith Williamson Producer – T-Bone Burnett Producer [Associate] – Nancy Clarke Recorded By – Donivan Cowart Recorded By, Mixed By – Larry Hirsh Synthesizer – Rick Kelly Trombone – Jim Price Trumpet – Darrell Leonard, Lee Thornburg Woodwind – Greg Smith, Lon Price
After nearly a decade of writing, performing and touring with a group bearing his name, Pat Terry found himself working as o solo artist in the early 1980’s. While the Pat Terry Group was a Southern Rock/Country (with the emphasis on a mellower country feel). Pat Terry the solo artist sported an Americana rocker drive similar to Tom Petty and apparently positively influenced by producer Mark Heard. There is an eerie similarity in Terry’s singing and writing to Mark Heard’s Domino and Victims era and that is not a complaint. Like Heard, there are also touched of Lindsey Buckingham present as well. While the tow later Heard produced albums (Film at Eleven and The Silence) feature longer, darker and more “difficult” songs, Humanity Gangsters is filled with hope, passion, doubt and a commercial bent that is both immediately likable and transcendent. The Right Place welcomes the listener in with a hand of fellowship despite their current circumstances. Terry creates an air of acceptability for those longing for truth and acceptance. Too Many Voices sounds like a song lifted from Heard’s “Victims of the Age” thematically with the description of a man whose life is filled with too many voices clamoring for his attention and response. The ballads are less sweet and radio friendly than one might expect from a Jesus Music pioneer, with “Sounds So Simple” being the perfect example. In an evangelical world where easy answers are offered on Church marquees Terry laments the lack of transparent honesty offered by modern Christendom. Personal favorite and album highlight is “Don’t Take It So Hard.” Expanding on the previous songs lamenting of easy answers, here the Springsteen like Terry explores how the world (radio, newspapers, TV) adds to the easy answer dilemma and how the pain of not having the personal contact with those around us makes sharing the real truth so difficult. The two closers from each side would stand as the only real radio releases (though at the time radio was not ready for the content). In the vein of Stephen Bishop and James Taylor “Steal away” and “Nothing I Say” are beautiful ballads, simple, honest and poignant. The latter will remind listeners of Heard’s Appalachian melody. This album was such a revelation of songwriting, musicianship and personal expression at the time. Even now as I listen again to write this review I am swept away into a wonderful work that deserved greater appreciation and response. It also amazing me how truly relevant it sounds, both musically and lyrically, some 30 years later.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – The Right Place – 3:46 2 – Too Many Voices – 3:02 3 – Sounds So Simple – 3:16 4 – Don’t Take It So Hard – 5:02 5 – Steal Away – 3:55 6 – Open The Door – 4:23 7 – Can’t Be Satisfied – 3:58 8 – I’ll Come Back To You – 5:19 9 – Nothing I Say – 3:08
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Guitar, Soloist, Harmonica, Lead Vocals, Synthesizer, Written-By – Pat Terry Backing Vocals – Mark Heard, The Strat Brothers Bass – Billy Batstone, Mark Heard Congas – Alex MacDougall Drums – John Mehler Electric Guitar – Mark Heard Engineer – Bill Cobb, Mark Heard, Chris Taylor Handclaps – Mark Heard Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Mark Heard, Pat Terry Organ [Hammond B3] – Carl Pickhardt Percussion – Alex MacDougall Photography By, Layout – Mark Heard Piano – Carl Pickhardt (tracks: A4), Pat Terry Producer – Mark Heard, Pat Terry
Well here’s a one off album from a group of relatively unknown group of artists. It was produced by Tommy Sims (Whiteheart) and financed by Tom Willett. The members had a few other projects but for the main part this was their biggest and or first project. There is very little info out there on this “group” so I really can’t ell you too much. I suspect that this was a group of studio musicians thrown together for a project by the executive producer but I could be worng because they don’t appear to have done that musch studio work. So let’s talk about the album instead. It has a cool Pop sound with a top 40 goal. The mix is a little heavy on the drums in my opinion but it works okay and the album is definitely fun. I have no idea whether the album was successful or not but give it a listen and you tell me.
Tracklist 1 – I Believe – 4:08 2 – One By One – 4:12 3 – The Promise – 4:32 4 – Make It Right – 4:40 5 – Time – 4:40 6 – The Other Side – 4:00 7 – Keep On Runnin’ – 3:28 8 – I Choose The Man You Are – 3:56 9 – Hold Me – 4:49 10 – Big Book – 4:49 11 – That’s The Day – 4:35
Credits Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Jimmy Marks, Mark Pogue Bass, Backing Vocals – Keith Emerson Drums, Backing Vocals – Marvin Sims Engineer – Bill Gable Engineer – Dan Garcia Executive-Producer – Tom Willett Executive-Producer Assistant – Holly Benyousky, Mike Scanland Guitar – Kevin Sowers Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Jeff Pummill Management, Booking – Street Level Artists Agency Mastered By – Howie Weinberg Mixed By – Csaba Petocz Musician – Tommy Sims Organ [B-3], Keyboards, Vocals – Charlie Hueni Organ [T-3 Organ] – Charlie Hueni Photography By – Russ Harrington Piano, Keyboards – Dave Innes Producer – Dan Posthuma, Tommy Sims Recorded By – Steve Bishir Recorded By [Assistant] – Jeffrey Mingle
Billy and Sarah Gaines met and began singing together in 1974. They married in 1977 and played churches and coffeehouses across Virginia. From 1977 to 1980 they also sang in a group called Living Sacrifice and got an appearance on The 700 Club in 1978. In 1985 they moved to Nashville where Billy took a job as a Security Job until he got a contract for his songwriting. Shortly after Benson records offered them a recording contract and this album was recorded and released. Though they were better known for the R&B style Benson decided they were better suited for a more easy listening sound that would sell more broadly. Luckily they would return to that R&B sound in a couple albums but Benson was right about this sound at this point as the album was hugely successful. It had 4 CCM charting singles with one of them making in into the top 10. As for the album it is a little too easy listening for me but I know quality when I hear it and this is some quality music.
Tracklist 1 – He’s Risen In Me – 3:23 2 – You Are Faithful – 3:50 3 – I Am Convinced – 2:45 4 – The Part That No One Sees – 4:29 5 – In His Eyes – 3:40 6 – Turned My Mourning Into Dancing – 2:30 7 – No Greater Love – 3:34 8 – Glory To God In The Highest – 3:09 9 – Come Drink At My Table – 4:39 10 – Then The World Will Know – 3:55
Credits Billy Gaines – Vocals Sarah Gaines – Vocals Jon Goin – Guitars Mark Hammond – Drums Marty McCall – Background Vocals Greg Nelson – Producer
This is Al’s third or fourth album. The history is a little unclear as his previous albums were all self released so there aren’t well known. This album however is what most people think of as his first album as it was the first one on a label and with proper distribution. Al was one of those people that played music his whole life wit his first public performance at age 5 where he played “Bridge Over Troubled Water” on piano. At age of 18 Al played piano for Bob Hope’s USO tour as well as Kenny Rogers. That’s some pretty good history right there. In 1981 he released a 7″ single with 2 tracks that I am completely unable to find but it appeared to be secular judging from the song titles. He provided music at Southern Baptist Youth Conventions conferences and obviously became a hit with the youth movement and in this time as I said he release 2 or 3 albums. He then signed with Benson records which brings us to this album. I would say it’s a softrock album but there’s a couple tracks that pop his sound pretty good. The album had 3 CCM charting singles with “Peace Be Still” doing the best at #12 but it was his next album that really took off. I’m looking forward to hearing that one next.
Tracklist 1 – Reckless Heart – 3:15 2 – Love Is Taking Hold – 4:57 3 – Heaven Knows My Name – 3:34 4 – Right Where You Are – 5:08 5 – On The Upbeat – 3:45 6 – Strong Love – 3:29 7 – It Takes The Strong To Surrender – 4:08 8 – Warm Place In A Cold World – 4:29 9 – Faces And Names – 3:56 10 – Peace Be Still – 4:03
Credits Backing Vocals – Chris Harris, Don Nalle, Ed Nalle, Gary Janney, Guy Penrod, Mark Heimermann, Mike Eldred, Michele Wagner, Rob Neal Bass – Jackie Street, Lee Jones Design – Joel Anderson Drums, Percussion – Mark Hammond Engineer – David Murphy, John Yandell, Keith Compton, Ronnie Brookshire Guitar – Mark Baldwin, Tim Norris Keyboards – Phil Naish Producer, Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary Trumpet, Soloist – George Tidwell
This was Darrell’s 5th album (his first was with Gentle Faith). Most people believe “Revelation” was his breakthrough album but I would argue this one is. This one established his blues rock sound that many people we’re hungering for in the mid 80’s. The album also contains a new version of his Gentle Faith song “Jerusalem”. This is a song that Darrell is very proud of and has reworked several times over the years and there’s even a music video for it out there. I guess the big hit of the album would have been “Radio” which Darrell played religiously at his live shows through the 80’s and 90’s. Personally I am not the biggest fan of the production of this album and I’ve changed it up slightly to a bit of a fuller sound. This is one album that we spent hours listening to back in 1983 and it’s one we love to this day.
Tracklist 1 – Lay Down This World – 1:07 2 – No More Blues – 3:40 3 – Hard Times – 3:26 4 – The Vision – 5:05 5 – Radio – 3:52 6 – Walk Across Heaven – 4:14 7 – Empty Hearts – 4:05 8 – Can’t Do Nothin’ Without Jesus Love – 3:55 9 – Jerusalem – 3:42 10 – Have You Been Listenin’ – 1:25
Credits Art Direction – Alex MacDougall Backing Vocals – Anthony Dean, Jeff Nicholson, Rosemary Butler, Tom Howard, Virgil Beckham Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Charlie Souza, Jeff Nicholson, John Patitucci Design [Album Design] – Gary DeLacy, Rick Griffin Drums – Bill Lordan, Billy Maxwell, Paul Angers Engineer – Brook Johnson, Chris Taylor, Linda Schaffer, Willie Harlan Guitar – Anthony Dean, Dennis Carothers, Don Gerber, Eric Turner, Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry Swallow, Steve Kara, Virgil Beckham Keyboards – Dave Garland, Harlan Rogers, Tom Howard Lead Vocals, Harmonica [Harp] – Darrell Mansfield Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Percussion – Alex Acu a Photography By – Linda Baily, Scott Lockwood, Valerie Sutter Producer – Darrell Mansfield, Tommy Coomes, Virgil Beckham
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&S Records Copyright (c) – A&S Records Recorded At – Rocshire Studios,I.A.M. Studios, Irvine, Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Rocshire Studios,I.A.M. Studios, Irvine Mastered At – A&M Studios
