Category: Albums

Silverwind – Silverwind- 1980

Silverwind’s self-titled debut album in 1980 was sometimes billed as “the Christian Abba” due to the sound they put out on the lead track “Taking The Narrow Street” and several of the others. The distinctive sound of two female lead singers in harmony is what makes it for Silverwind. John Rosasco helped ensure success for this album by producing the band’s debut. John also made records with City Limits, Rick Cua, Joe English, Stormie Omartian, Steve Camp and others.

 

Tracklist
1 – Taking The Narrow Street – 2:35
2 – When I Looked Into Your Eyes – 3:42
3 – Your Love – 2:43
4 – Give Him Your Heart, Child – 3:11
5 – I Don’t Worry – 2:20
6 – I Am In Love – 2:42
7 – Ode To A Lost Innocence – 4:02
8 – Never Had A Reason – 3:08
9 – Walking This Road – 2:58
10 – I Will Bless The Lord – 4:24

Credits
Bass – Leon Gaer
Drums – Paul Leim
Guitar – Bill Walker, Hadley Hockensmith
Keyboards, Synthesizer – John Rosasco, Larry Muhoberac
Percussion, Steel Drums – Vince Charles
Piano – Larry Muhoberac
Producer – John Rosasco, Tony Salerno

Connie Scott – Hold On – 1987

This is Connie Scott’s third solo album. For this one she moved to Vancouver based Image 7 Records after leaving Sparrow. The president of Image 7 (aka Image VII) Gerry Scott.

Connie shows up for this one with a Modest-Madonna look and a Dionne Warwick sound. Roy Salmond produces on this album, making it a high quality all-Canadian affair.

 

Tracklist
1 – You’ll Never Know – 4:42
2 – You Never Leave Me Longing – 3:20
3 – Run To The Light – 4:10
4 – Don’t Curse The Darkness – 4:10
5 – Lost Affections – 3:15
6 – Hold On – 5:40
7 – Heartsound – 4:30
8 – Love Is All That Matters – 3:17
9 – Heaven Is My Home – 4:30
10 – More Love – 2:03

Credits
Arranged By – Roy Salmond
Design, Layout – Stan Buchanan
Photography By – Francis Cheng
Producer – Roy Salmond

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Image 7 Records Inc
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
Recorded At – Inside Trak Studios
Mixed At – Inside Trak Studios
Recorded At – Profile Sound Studios

Altar Boys – Gut Level Music – 1986

The Altar Boys are back with their 3 album and their best up to that point. It is a rockin album with no silly ballads to spoil it. Of interest is the Donna Summer “Unconditional Love” cover. Whoever had this idea nailed it. The song works fantastic in their style. I actually went back to listen to the Donna Summer version and it was actually pretty good too but this version tops all other versions. Strangely the song was originally written by Michael Omartian who I guarantee never imagined a version like this. Probably the best track on the album was You Found Me and it was a staple on most mixed tapes of the period.

Tracklist
1 – You Are Loved – 4:12
2 – G.L.M. (Gut Level Music) – 4:04
3 – I’m Not Talking About Religion – 3:58
4 – I Question It – 2:45
5 – You Found Me – 3:42
6 – Unconditional Love – 3:33
7 – There Is A Love – 4:18
8 – Calling To You – 3:12
9 – Final Hour – 2:56
10 – Life Begins At The Cross – 4:09

Credits
Bass – Ric Alba
Drums – Jeff Crandall
Engineer [Original Release] – Doug Doyle
Executive-Producer – Gregory Hays
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Mike Stand
Producer [Original Release] – Terry Scott Taylor
Producer [Original Release], Engineer [Original Release] – Rob Watson
Remastered By – Keith Sorrells

Joe English – Held Accountable – 1982

This was the second album from Joe and he turned it up a bit for this one. There’s a couple good tunes with likeable guitar riffs courtesy of George Cocchini. One of the things that stands out to me is that Joe credited 13 songwriters including himself. That’s an awful lot of writers for a 10 album song but I have read that Joe loved to work with lots of people so maybe that’s the reason. Outside of a couple tracks this album falls right in with West Coast AOR style of the time. The single First Love reached #9 on the charts hanging around for 21 weeks.

Tracklist
1 – Best Things – 3:09
2 – We Live When We Die – 3:15
3 – My Strength Is In The Lord – 4:55
4 – First Love – 3:53
5 – Voice Of Triumph – 3:48
6 – Wake Up – 3:53
7 – Learn To Celebrate – 2:40
8 – Where You Gonna Run – 3:29
9 – Thief In The Night – 4:28
10 – The Best Is Yet To Come – 3:42

Credits
Songwriter, Guitar – Paul Brannon
Songwriter – Jay C. Coble, Jr.
Guitar – George Cocchini
Songwriter – Tom Douglas
Songwriter – James Isaac Elliott
Producer, Songwriter, Drums, Vocals – Joe English
Songwriter – Linda Lang
Keyboards – John Lawry
Songwriter – Fred Lewis
Songwriter – Will McFarlane
Executive Producer, Songwriter – Ray Nenow
Songwriter – Don Rogers
Songwriter – Scott Roley
Songwriter – Roddy Smith
Producer, Songwriter – John Rosasco
Songwriter, Bass – Tim Smith

Saint – Warriors Of The Son – 1984

This was the first release from Saint. The first issue was very limited and generally sold at their live shows. They did a tour warming up for Stryper and this is when the majority of these first issue EP’s were sold. The EP was immediately re-released on Morada records and this is the release most vinyl owners have. The album has been re-released on CD a few times with various remastering attempts. The original recording is a little rough around the edges so the remasters aren’t all that good. In my opinion that rough sound suits them well. This is a great Heavy Metal EP from what became a legendary Christian Metal Band.

Tracklist
1 – Plan 2 – 6:23
2 – Legions Of The Dead – 4:22
3 – Abyss – 4:11
4 – Warriors Of The Son – 3:56
5 – Vicars Of Fate – 3:53
6 – Time’s Wasting – 4:36

Credits
Bass – Richard Lynch
Drums – Tim Lamberson
Engineer – Dee Harrington, Richard Lynch, Tom Nunes
Engineer, Cover, Layout – Jason Carter
Guitar – Dee Harrington, Jerry Johnson
Music By – John Mahan (tracks: 3, 5, 7, 8), Richard Lynch
Producer – Richard Lynch
Vocals – Josh Kramer
Words By – Gene McClendon (tracks: 4), Richard Lynch

Mass – New Birth – 1985

While not a Christian album Mass were Christian musicians. This 1985 release from them had a cult following and was in fact re-released in 2007 by the Christian record company Retroactive Records. I had never heard this album before so this was my first exposure to them. Upon hearing it I am surprised that it was not better received. There are definitely 3 radio singles here and as an 80’s secular DJ I would have played the heck out of a few tracks. That said the reasons the album didn’t make it are as follows in my opinion. First of all the album was produced by Tony Platt who has also produced Uriah Heep, AC/DC, Motorhead and Iron Maiden so the production is good but here’s where it all went wrong. RCA released “Do You Love Me” as the first single and it was not the right first release. It was a second or 3rd release single. The first single should have been “Watch Her Walk” or “Too Far Gone” As a DJ I would have played Watch Her Walk very heavily. All that said my one only other suggestion would have been “More Cowbell” and no I’m kidding.

Tracklist
1 – Too Far Gone – 3:56
2 – Crying Alone – 4:25
3 – Time – 3:44
4 – Back To Me – 4:24
5 – Do You Love Me – 3:40
6 – New Birth – 3:49
7 – Left Behind – 2:55
8 – Voyager (Look For The Edge) – 4:07
9 – Day Without You – 4:23
10 – Watch Her Walk – 3:40

Credits
Vocals – Louis D’Augusta
Guitars – Gene D’Itria
Bass – Kevin Varrio
Drums – Joey “Vee” Vadala
Producer, Engineer – Tony Platt

Bruce Hibbard – Never Turnin’ Back – 1980

This was Bruce’s second album and perhaps his most popular. It has that West Coast Easy Listening sound that was/is referred to as Adult Oriented Rock (AOR). It has a jazz/funk feel and the vocals are excellent with Bryan Duncan and Randy Thomas from Sweet Comfort Band providing harmonies. The single was “Never Turnin’ Back” which peaked at #14 with 25 weeks on the CCM charts. That said the real single should have been “Straight And Narrow” which had apparently played well on Christian Radio but was way to uptempo for the CCM charts in 1980.

Tracklist
1 – Never Turnin’ Back – 3:14
2 – Calling – 4:21
3 – You’ll Never Let Me Go – 4:17
4 – It’s A Shame – 3:18
5 – You’re So Good To Me – 4:36
6 – Forgiven – 3:07
7 – Straight And Narrow – 3:15
8 – All Of Me – 3:44
9 – Love Will Always Make A Way – 4:13
10 – We Are All His Children – 4:34

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bryan Duncan, Judy Cotton, Kelly Willard, Randy Thomas
Backing Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Producer – Hadley Hockensmith
Bass – Chuck Fiore
Drums – Bill Maxwell, Keith Edwards
Guitar – Dean Charts
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers
Lead Vocals – Bruce Hibbard
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Saxophone – Glen Myerscough

Truth – On The Road – 1977

The choir/group known as Truth regularly toured churches through the 70’s to support and sell their albums. This album was recorded over 3 concerts in Dallas, Memphis, and Mobile. This album is extremely easy listening which I guess is to be expected considering the setting at the time.

Tracklist
1 – I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About To Happen – 3:15
2 – Greater Is He That Is In Me – 2:42
3 – I Want Jesus More Than Anything – 3:17
4 – Give Them All To Jesus – 4:03
5 – I Lost It All To Find Everything – 4:11
6 – Love, It Comes In All Colors – 3:00
7 – Amazing Grace – 1:32
8 – Would You Believe In Me – 3:24
9 – The Church Triumphant – 5:34
10 – A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Hell – 3:25
11 – Didn’t He Shine – 3:30
12 – Whatever It Takes – 3:52
13 – Jesus, I Heard You Had A Big House – 3:23
14 – Thank You (Medley) – 8:53
15 – The Lord Is My Light – 3:33
16 – If My People Will Pray – 3:26
17 – It Is Well – 3:57
18 – It Is Finished – 4:54
19 – He’s On His Way – 3:00
20 – Get All Excited – 2:30

Credits
Art Direction – Bob McConnell
Engineer – Lee Hazen, Warren Peterson
Photography By [Cover photos and production assistance] – Greg Golden
Producer – Bob MacKenzie (2)
Recorded By [Live Recording By] – Lee Hazen Recording Service, Prestige Recording Service
Remix – John Thompson*, Warren Peterson

The 77s – Cornerstone Is Dead… Long Live Cornerstone – 2012

Upon the death of Cornerstone Festival in 2012 The 77’s requested and received copies of all of their performances over the years. This album represents what they thought we’re the highlights of their appearances. The album is an excellent collection of their songs and historic appearances. The quality is not the best but I don’t know if it’s just because my copy is poor or if the recordings are poor. Poor or not it’s still a great listen.

Tracklist
1 – Ping Pong Over The Abyss (1984) – 3:46
2 – A Different Kind Of Light(1984) – 3:48
3 – Caught In An Unguarded Moment (1986) – 3:17
4 – I Can’t Get Over It (1990) – 6:15
5 – Don’t This Way (1990) – 7:48
6 – This Is The Way Love Is (1992) – 9:05
7 – God Sends Quails (1992) – 6:51
8 – Make A Difference Tonight (1992) – 5:33
9 – Mezzo (1994) – 2:39
10 – Nuts For You (1994) – 6:23
11 – Nobody’s Fault But Mine (1995) – 6:04
12 – Tattoo (2000) – 4:56
13 – Woody (2000) – 5:28
14 – The Jig Is Up (2001) – 4:43
15 – The Years Go Down (2001) – 6:03
16 – Medley 1 (2002) – 12:00
Unbalanced
Indian Winter
Bright Star
Rocks In Your Head
Snowblind
Honesty
17 – Mercy Mercy (2003) – 3:18
18 – Unbalanced (2003) – 8:32
19 – Blue Sky (2006) – 4:39
20 – Outskirts (2006) – 10:58
21 – Medley 2 (2008) – 13:48
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
Riders On The Storm
Pearls Before Swine
Money (That’s What I Want)

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Marc Ludena
Bass, Vocals – Jan Eric, Mark Harmon
Drums [Forever Pounding & Thrashing] – Aaron Smith
Drums, Vocals – Bruce Spencer
Executive-Producer – Jeffrey Kotthoff, Jimmy Perry
Guitar – John Flanagan
Guitar, Keyboards – David Leonhardt
Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals – Mark Tootle
Keyboards, Guitar, Percussion – Scott Reams
Mastered By [Audio Restauration & Mastering] – Kevin Fromer, Scott Reams
Vocals, Guitar – Michael Roe

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lo-Fidelity Records
Copyright (c) – Lo-Fidelity Records
Recorded At – Cornerstone Festival
Mastered At – EnergyGlass
Mastered At – Chubs The Clown’s Studio
Manufactured By – Oasis Disc Manufacturing
Pressed By – Disc Makers

Daniel Amos – Live At Cornerstone 2000 – 2000

Recorded at the 2000 Cornerstone Festival Daniel Amos nailed this concert. They played over 2 hrs and this album is a reflection of that concert. It has a nice selection of their songs but it would have been nice to hear some more of their early stuff. I don’t feel the album was very well engineered but it is what it is. Again a must have for any Daniel Amos fan.

Tracklist
1 – Introduction – 1:02
2 – Ghost Of The Heart – 2:38
3 – Hell Oh – 4:04
4 – Prayer Wheel – 4:25
5 – I Didn’t Build It For Me – 2:13
6 – If You Want To – 5:24
7 – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – 5:05
8 – Tracking The Amorous Man – 3:10
9 – Alarma – 3:27
10 – Grace Is The Smell Of Rain/Glory Road – 6:51
11 – Virgin Falls – 4:02
12 – Terry Taylor Speaks (Tattoos And Alarma Chronicles And The Band) – 3:33
13 – Walls Of Doubt – 3:49
14 – Terry Taylor Speaks (Tough Year, Death, Dad, Intimacy With Jesus – Suffering) – 5:08
15 – Broken Ladders To Glory/Zoom Daddy – 10:25
16 – The Twist/CoCo The Talking Guitar – 4:58
17 – Safety Net – 3:33
18 – Arthur Fhardi’s Yodeling Party – 3:36
19 – Theo’s Logic – 2:46
20 – Band Introductions – 0:31
21 – Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing – 4:22
22 – Big Guns – 4:03
23 – I’ll Get Over It – 6:41
24 – Sanctuary – 5:36
25 – I Love You #19 (Audience Band) – 6:37
26 – Shape Of Air – 3:56
27 – Through The Speakers – 2:54
28 – Let’s Spin – 5:10
29 – Applause – 1:18
30 – I Didn’t Build It For Me (Reprise) – 2:07
31 – Applause – 1:18
32 – The Happy Wanderer – 3:19

Credits
Bass – Tim Chandler
Design [Art Design] – Dennis Preston (2)
Drums – Bruce Brown (5) (tracks: 2-10), Ed McTaggart
Engineer [Assistant Engineers] – Josh (87), Rob (78)
Engineer [Co-engineer] – Zeo Brothers Productions
Engineer [House Sound] – Zeo Brothers Productions
Executive-Producer – Bradley S. Hamilton
Guitar – Greg Flesch
Layout – Adam Gongwer
Organ [B3] – Phil Madeira
Organ [B3], Backing Vocals – John J. Thompson* (tracks: 2-10)
Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By] – Rev*
Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Millenium Eight Records
Distributed By – M8 Distribution
Recorded At – Cornerstone Festival
Manufactured By – Acutrack