This is the first album from the Mark Williamson Band who you may also know as LYRIX. Several tracks from this album were released in the United States on Larry Norman’s record label using the name LYRIX and the album name “Songs From The Earth”. That said this album is a much better mix as apparently Larry remixed the album for his own release and most people agree that this is a much better mix. Larry wasn’t exactly known for his production prowess. Back to the album, this is a great Rock and Roll album that still has a flavour of the 70’s on it. It’s definitely one of my favourite 70’s to 80’s transition album.
Tracklist
1 – Midnight Diamond – 4:08
2 – All Very Well – 4:56
3 – Junior – 2:55
4 – Somebody Told Me – 5:00
5 – So Far So Good – 3:46
6 – Dance – 3:23
7 – Don’t Turn Your Back On – 3:21
8 – Feelin’ Alright – 3:58
9 – Rising – 4:00
10 – I Would Have Listened – 5:46
More metal, more hair in this 1988 release from Whitecross.
Hammer & Nail is their third album, still with “Pure Metal Records” (and other distributions in Europe). The name says it all.
The sound on this one is almost Queensryche, which is a little different than their earlier work.
The guitar work still shines on this album, with solid rhythm work and plenty of good lead guitar licks to keep the songs moving. It never gets boring, even though they really drive out the anthem choruses on songs like “When The Walls Tumble Down” and “Because of Jesus.”
The title track “The Hammer And The Nail” starts out with a good long guitar solo intro and plenty more of those flourishes that make the song fun to listen to.
The song “Walk With Me” is another ballad offering like we’ve been used to getting from the WC boys. That soft vocal sound is a little surprising to find among all the hard rock on this album, but the song sustains energy and still fits on the album.
Intersting note, the album title is not on the cover, just a picture of a hammer and a nail. The edge of the jacket and all the official release info though confirms the name is official.
Track Listing:
1 – Living On The Edge – 5:11
2 – When The Walls Tumble Down – 3:32
3 – The Hammer And The Nail – 1:35
4 – Take It To The Limit – 4:09
5 – Walk With Me – 4:44
6 – Because Of Jesus – 3:40
7 – When The Clock Strikes – 4:34
8 – Resist Him – 4:20
9 – Living In A Lost World – 3:51
10 – Top Of The World – 3:33
Credits
Band [Whitecross Is], Bass – Jon Sproule
Band [Whitecross Is], Drums – Mark Hedl
Band [Whitecross Is], Guitar [Guitars] – Rex Carroll
Band [Whitecross Is], Lead Vocals – Scott Wenzel
Cover, Art Direction, Design – Jeff Spencer
Engineer – Doug Oberkircher
Engineer [Assisted By] – Dan Rudin, Vince Micko
Executive-Producer – Gavin Morkel
Photography By [Band Photography] – Bill Bilsley
Photography By [Cover Photography] – Kevin Bubbenmoyer
Producer [Produced By] – Joey Powers, Rex Carroll
Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Record Company – Star Song Communications
Recorded At – Grand Slam Studios
Recorded At – Opus Recording Studio
Manufactured By – EMI Jax
Published By – Girder Music
This was Carmen’s 4th album and his first with Myrrh records. This album had a “Poppier” feel than his previous and in fact a few tracks could easily have played on pop radio of the time. The album was relatively well received but their were no “chart toppers”. This is probably my favourite Carmen album with my favourite song from him “Spirit Filled Pizza” Yes it’s a bit of a goofy song but I’ve always liked it.
Tracklist
1 – Get Outta My Life – 3:25
2 – This Thing Is Real – 3:56
3 – His Mercy Endures Forever – 3:42
4 – Spirit Filled Pizza – 3:28
5 – Ask Of Me – 4:18
6 – Blessed Is He Who Comes – 3:10
7 – He Is The Son Of God – 3:44
8 – Lazarus Come Forth – 6:25
9 – The Light Of Jesus To The World – 3:59
Credits
Co-producer [Production Assistance] – Jeff Balding
Executive-Producer – Lynn Nichols
Mastered By – Hank Williams (2)
Producer – Keith Thomas
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records
Recorded At – Emerald Sound Studios
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Morningstar Studios
Recorded At – Stage III
Mixed At – The Castle Recording Studios
Mastered At – MasterMix
I was not able to find a lot of information about Phil Johnson. What I do know is that he performed with both Dallas Holm and Tim Sheppard in the 80’s and headed a group called The Phil Johnson Singers who performed on the Jimmy Swaggert show and were on albums released by The Jimmy Swaggart ministries. There also appears to be an album with the Phil Johnson Singers with the Imperials which was also a Jimmy Swaggart release. This album is decidedly easy listening/praise music with some tracks having a Jesus Music feel which makes sense given its release date.
Tracklist
1 – He Can Hear You – 3:07
2 – It’ll Be All Right (In The Morning) – 3:42
3 – He Didn’t Lift Us Up To Let Us Down – 3:20
4 – The Day He Wore My Crown – 4:57
5 – Somebody Like You – 3:23
6 – Don’t Take Your Love Away! – 3:23
7 – I’ve Never Been Out Of His Care – 3:11
8 – Never Be – 3:32
9 – I’m Simply Lost For Words – 3:34
10 – Here He Is Again – 3:30
Credits
Bass – Jack Williams
Design [Cover] – Bob McConnell
Drums – Kenny Malone, Larrie London
Engineer – Bob Clark, Travis Turk
Guitar – Joe Huffman, Reggie Young
Keyboards – Lari Goss, Phil Johnson, Shane Keister
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Photography By [Cover] – Dill Beaty
Photography By [Sleeve] – Tom Haggerty
Producer – Phil Johnson
Producer [Vocals] – Bob Clark
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Greentree Records
Copyright (c) – Greentree Records
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Common Bond was another Rob Watson project. This release was a “Demo” but I hesitate to call it a Demo because it is so well produced most consider it a stand alone album. This is one of the more commonly requested albums here at Real 80s CCM and I believe that is in part to its scarcity. I quite enjoyed the album but I did find it odd that it had so many short songs. Of course the upside to this is that you got more songs (15). All in all a great album with as sound that epitomizes the 80s.
Tracklist
1 – Common Bond – 2:30
2 – Heartbeat Away – 3:40
3 – It Don’t Come Easy – 2:16
4 – Secret Agent Christian – 2:40
5 – Remind Me Of Your Plans – 3:18
6 – Is Your Heart Right – 2:30
7 – Is He Lord – 3:50
8 – Your Life – 3:37
9 – The Party’s Over – 2:33
10 – New Beginnings – 2:45
11 – Christ The Cornerstone – 2:40
12 – Late for Life – 2:48
13 – Song For My Wife – 3:15
14 – For You – 2:00
15 – No Mercenary – 1:32
Credits
Ken Samuels: Bass guitar and lead vocals
Doug Doyle: Guitars and backup vocals
Rob Watson: Keyboards
Drums by Oberheim DMX drum machine except Is He Lord and Song For My Wife by Terry McNabb and Danny Ybarra.
This was Joe’s final album though he was involved in the Compassion All Star Band – One By One Live! album project in 1988. This was probably one of Joe’s better albums and it definitely had a more upbeat feel of any of his albums yet. Unfortunately it was not all that well received and as such Joe hung up his drumsticks after this one.
Tracklist
1 – Take Me Back – 3:57
2 – Truth And Lies – 3:40
3 – Remember – 3:55
4 – Too Much – 3:36
5 – Hot Fire – 3:32
6 – The Secrets Of The Kingdom – 4:05
7 – Stop Looking Over Love – 4:08
8 – Behold The Glory – 3:25
9 – This Must Be Love – 3:36
10 – How Sweet It Is – 3:13
Credits
Charles Bass Vocal Arranger, Background Vocals
Kathleen Bass Background Vocals
Martin Bass Background Vocals
Billy Blum Drum Machine Programming
Tony Camillo Arrangements
Jo Clayton Background Vocals
George Cocchini Guitar
Dennis Davilio Bass
Lamont Dozier Songwriter
Dave Eastman Songwriter
Sean Gallant Mixed
Tommy Greer Songwriter
Dean Harrington Songwriter
Brian Holland Songwriter
Eddie Holland Songwriter
James Holloway Songwriter
Steve Lang Keyboard Programming
Glen Marchese Engineer
Richard Marchese Trumpets
Chris McCollum Songwriter
Jerry Mokar Saxophone
Ray Nenow Executive Producer
Chuck Nichols Background Vocals
Doug Oberkircher Mixed
Joey Powers Producer
Darice Price Background Vocals
Joe Noro Savage Keyboard Programming
George Small Keyboards
Jeff Toone Engineer
Mark Tuomenoksa Sampled Saxophone
Howie Weinberg Mastered
This was Morgan Cryar first commercial release though he previously put out a self published album which is next to impossible to find. This album is a solid pop effort and spawned 4 singles on Christian radio. I have to admit that I hadn’t heard this album in the 80’s though I wish I had. It’s not one of the most thought provoking album of all time but it is fun. Special appearances on the album is Farrell & Farrell and Dave Thrush who is Steve Taylor’s Sax player.
Tracklist
1 – I Get Carried Away – 3:08
2 – Keep No Secrets – 3:53
3 – Someone To Change Me – 3:56
4 – Life In The Blood – 3:32
5 – Holy Fire – 3:55
6 – A Few Of My Old Friends – 3:03
7 – I Wanna Be Good – 2:51
8 – Concealed Weapon – 3:28
9 – Just A Little Like You – 4:21
10 – Made-up Mind – 5:42
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Dave Thrush
Arranged By – John Andrew Schreiner, Jonathan David Brown, Morgan Cryar
Art Direction, Design – Joan Tankersley
Backing Vocals – Bob Farrell, Chris Roberts, Jayne Farrell, Jonathan David Brown, Morgan Cryar
Cymbal [Overdubs] – Scott Cactus Moser
Drum Programming [Oberheim DMX Programming] – Jonathan David Brown
Engineer [Additional] – Brian Tankersley, Dan Yeaney, Greg Butler, Joe Ballamy, Michael C. Ross, Paul Mills, Steve Ford, Todd Van Etten, Wally Grant
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Layout – Lori Cooper
Lead Guitar [Guitar Solo] – Adam Smith
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Other [Hair Styling] – Dru Venable
Other [Make-Up] – Heidi Schulze
Photography – Craig Stewart
Producer – Jonathan David Brown
Programmed By [Keyboard Sequencer Programming] – John Andrew Schreiner
Programmed By [Synclavier Programming] – Paul Mills
Recorded By – Jonathan David Brown
Synthesizer, Programmed By [Fairlight Synthesizer Played And Programmed] – Carl Marsh
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – MR 26588
Mastered At – Future Disc
Recorded At – Rivendell Recorders
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Peace In The Valley Recording
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Recorded At – Fireside Studios
This 1989 release from Myrrh/Word Records featured new, mainly unreleased artists. Quite frankly I was surprised this album was actually released by them as a lot of these songs have a very low JPM score (Jesus per minute). It is almost entirely New Wave/Pop but it does have a Zion song which does not fit on the album at all. Nothing against the song it just doesn’t fit on this sampler. You should honestly listen to this album as it has some real gold unreleased songs.
Tracklist
1 – Reigh Giglio – Round and Round – 4:20
2 – Wil Comstock – Kids On The Corner – 4:00
3 – Pierce Pettis – Seven Times Seventy – 3:08
4 – Two Tru – Tell Me Your Idea – 4:20
5 – Brighton – Stay With Me – 3:42
6 – Heartbeat – Air That I Breathe – 4:32
7 – Zion – Is It A Crime – 5:26
8 – Open City – Life Is So Strange – 4:01
9 – Selah – Greater Good – 3:45
10 – Milo Carter – Line My Streets With Gold – 5:22
11 – Brooks Williams – Mystery – 4:04
12 – Phil Madeira – The Only Thing I Can Believe In – 3:51
Originating Album
Reigh Giglio – Round and Round (Sunset Blues)
Wil Comstock – Kids On The Corner (Unreleased)
Pierce Pettis – Seven Times Seventy (While The Serpent Lies Sleeping)
Two Tru – Tell Me Your Idea (Unreleased)
Brighton – Stay With Me (Only released on demo)
Heartbeat – Air That I Breathe (The Winner)
Zion – Is It A Crime (Thunder From The Mountain)
Open City – Life Is So Strange (Unreleased)
Selah – Greater Good (Unreleased)
Milo Carter – Line My Streets With Gold (Unreleased)
Brooks Williams – Mystery (Unreleased)
Phil Madeira – The Only Thing I Can Believe In (Unreleased)
My opinion of this album’s songs
1 – Reigh Giglio – Round and Round – New Wave – Very Good
2 – Wil Comstock – Kids On The Corner – Pop – Filler Song
3 – Pierce Pettis – Seven Times Seventy – Pop – Good
4 – Two Tru – Tell Me Your Idea – Synth – Very Good
5 – Brighton – Stay With Me – New Wave – Very Good
6 – Heartbeat – Air That I Breathe – Pop – Filler Song
7 – Zion – Is It A Crime – Rock – Good
8 – Open City – Life Is So Strange – Pop – Very Good
9 – Selah – Greater Good – Pop – Filler Song
10 – Milo Carter – Line My Streets With Gold – Folk – Good
11 – Brooks Williams – Mystery – New Wave – Good
12 – Phil Madeira – The Only Thing I Can Believe In – Easy Listening – Good
Tamarack appears to be another Rob Watson project. At lease he was involved but I guess I can’t say it was “his” project. While the album does have Rob Watson vocals I would say the majority of the vocals are by Cathy Spurr and/or Debbie McNeil. If you are wanting to listen to this as another upbeat Rob Watson album you’ll be disappointing. This is a easy listening album in the extreme. That said the vocals are excellent, the lyrics are good and the instrumentation is also good. Strangely this album was re-released in 2017 in Japan. Guess the Japanese were big fans.
Tracklist
1 – Carry My Blues Away – 3:38
2 – Breakaway – 3:35
3 – Good TImes Bad Times – 3:57
4 – Thinkin Is – 7:57
5 – High Horse – 4:58
6 – Here I Am – 3:37
7 – Exile – 3:32
8 – Come Back Jesus – 3:34
9 – Another Time – 4:30
Credits
Arranged By – Tamarack
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums, Percussion – Dave Spurr
Guitar – Wayne Brasel
Producer – Jonathan David Brown
Vocals, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Prophet 5, Synclavier Ii] – Rob Watson
Vocals, Percussion – Cathy Spurr
Vocals, Piano – Debbie McNeil
Larry released this album in 1977 and it was labelled “Part 1.” Like many of his projects, the rest of it was never released.
The idea here seems to be to “expose” the pseudo-Christian songs that were radio hits in the 60s and 70s. Larry seemed to feel that they were exploiting the Jesus Movement for profit.
Randy Stonehill plays the part of the radio DJ, and the two of them record covers of popular songs that many people considered religious in spite of the rest of the bands’ repretoire. The songs are not recorded very seriously, and you can hear them making fun and holding back laughter in a couple of places.
From the back of the jacket:
This album was originally a newspaper article, but several different publishers backed down from printing it so I decided to record the music that is described in the article and release the soundtrack to the “newspaper movie.”
This is a Satirical Record and anyone who doesn’t have a sense of humor that leans toward the surreal, a cursory interest in pop music, and a healthy indifference/disdain for ego-lipped disc jockeys should definitely stay away from this album.
Larry Norman, 1974″
Track Listing:
A1 Spirit In The Sky Written-By – Norman Greenbaum
A2 Put Your Hand In The Hand Written-By – Gene MacLellan
A3 Bridge Over Troubled Water Written-By – Paul Simon
A4 Let It Be Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
A5 My Sweet Lord Written-By – George Harrison
A6 Presence Of The Lord Written-By – Eric Clapton
B1 I Think He’s Hiding Written-By – Randy Newman
B2 He Gives Us All His Love Written-By – Randy Newman
B3 Stranger In A Strange Land Written-By – Leon Russell
B4 Prince Of Peace Written-By – Greg Dempsey, Leon Russell
B5 Song For Adam Written-By – Jackson Browne
B6 Shine A Light Written-By – Jagger-Richard*
