Category: Albums

Russ Taff – Medals – 1985

This is Russ Taff’s second solo album and many consider it to be one of the best Christian albums of the mid 80’s. It received the Dove award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year in 1986 and rose to #2 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. This album was recorded with some of the top Studio musicians of the time including, Dann Huff, Michael Landau, Nathan East, Robbie Buchanan, Tommy Funderburk, and Bill Champlin. One of the top cuts, “I’m Not Alone” was written by Paul Janz of Deliverance fame. All in all a good pop sound album that deserves at least one listen even if the Russ Taff name spooks you.

Tracklist
1 – Vision – 4:09
2 – I’m Not Alone – 4:19
3 – Medals – 4:43
4 – Not Gonna Bow – 4:11
5 – Here I Am – 4:11
6 – I’ve Come This Far – 5:28
7 – Silent Love – 4:45
8 – How Much It Hurts – 4:05
9 – Rock Solid – 4:08
10 – God Only Knows – 4:34

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bill Champlin (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, B2, B3), Carmen Twitty (tracks: A3, B1, B4, B5), Harry Browning (tracks: A3), Lynn Nichols (tracks: A3), Russ Taff (tracks: A1 to A4, B4), Tamara Champlin (tracks: A1, A2, A4), Tata Vega (tracks: A3, B1, B4. B5), Tommy Funderburk
Bass – Nathan East (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B4, B5), Neil Stubenhaus (tracks: A2, A4, A5 B2, B3)
Drums – Paul Leim
Electric Guitar – Dann Huff, Michael Landau (tracks: A2 to B5), Paul Jackson, Jr. (tracks: A1, B1)
Keyboards – Robbie Buchanan (tracks: A2, A4, B1, B2, B5)
Percussion – Lenny Castro (tracks: A2 to B5)
Saxophone – Larry Williams (tracks: A2, A4, B5)
Scat – Tata Vega (tracks: B1, B4)
Synthesizer – James Newton Howard (tracks: A1, A2, A4), Rhett Lawrence (tracks: B4), Robbie Buchanan

Sacred Fire – Sacred Fire – 1986

This was the one and only album from Sacred Fire. It was released on Star Song records, a sister company to Sparrow records. It is not a well known album and I don’t think sold well. The album has some questionable production which may be why there wasn’t a subsequent album. In reality the songwriting was good and the band were good musicians but in my opinion the album lacked a direction that may have been a result of poor production. That said I enjoyed the album but it is a bit of a mix of styles. Point of trivia, Sacred Fire were the backup band for Leslie Phillips when she opened for Petra on the Beat the System Tour.

Tracklist
1 – Nowhere To Hide – 3:47
2 – Come Out Of The Night – 3:38
3 – Heaven’s Love – 4:18
4 – Hot Fire – 3:36
5 – Waiting For The King – 4:28
6 – Don’t Turn Away – 3:42
7 – Quest Of Faith – 4:25
8 – You Are – 4:07
9 – Second Chance – 3:35
10 – Sacred Fire – 4:42

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – George Small
Backing Vocals – Charles Bass, Cris Bass, Joe Clayton, Joey Powers, Martin Bass, Terry Labolito
Bass Guitar – Richard Price
Drums – Rod Cali
Engineer – Alan Douches
Engineer [Assistant] – Glen Marchese
Guitar – Dean Harrington
Harmonica – Dean Harrington
Keyboards – Roger Lowe
Lead Vocals – Jimmy Bennett
Mastered By – Tom Coyne
Mixed By – Rod O’Brien
Percussion – Bernardo Dippolito, Dean Harrington, Jimmy Bennett, Rod Cali
Performer [Sacred Fire Is] – Dean Harrington, Jimmy Bennett*, Richard Price, Rod Cali, Roger Lowe
Producer – Dean Harrington, Tony Davilio
Synthesizer [Programming] – Dean Harrington, Roger Lowe

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Grandslam Studios
Mixed At – Grandslam Studios
Mastered At – Frankford/Wayne Recording Labs

Various ‎– Underground Metal 2 – 1989

This was the followup sampler to Underground Metal 1. It actually has much more unreleased material on it so it’s a treat to listen to.

Tracklist
1 – Zion – Kick In The Gates – 3:10
2 – Phil Accardi’s Chalice – Victim Of The Night – 4:50
3 – Knightriot – Kiss The Black – 4:20
4 – Image – Lost – 2:55
5 – Ironwrath – The Stranger – 7:50
6 – Remnant – Can’t You See – 3:53
7 – Final Warning – Listen – 5:35
8 – Xalt – Dark War – 4:55
9 – Thresher – Apocalypse Prepare – 8:12

Track Origins (Album)
Zion – Kick In The Gates (Thunder From The Mountain)
Phil Accardi’s Chalice – Victim Of The Night (Take Control)
Knightriot – Kiss The Black (Speak No Evil Demo)
Image – Lost (Unreleased)
Ironwrath – The Stranger (Unreleased)
Remnant – Can’t You See (Unreleased)
Final Warning – Listen (Unreleased)
Xalt – Dark War (Dark War)
Thresher – Apocalypse Prepare (Totally Possessed Demo)

Björn Stigsson – Together With Friends – 1989

This is Björn Stigsson’s lone solo album of the 80’s. Prior to this album he was with Leviticus and after this project he started a band called XT. This album is Heavy Metal primarily but there are a couple straight up Rock tunes. There are 2 real standout tracks on this album for me. First is “Come On” which is a straight out quality Rock & Roll tune. The other one that grabbed my ear’s attention was “It’s Alright” which is sung by Tina Spångberg. Her vocals are fantastic and it’s a pity that I can’t find anything else she ever recorded.

Tracklist
1 – Free – 1:04
2 – Come On – 5:08
3 – Lovin’ My Woman – 3:03
4 – I’m Gonna Rock – 2:29
5 – It’s Alright – 6:12
6 – Way Of Living – 4:02
7 – Stand Up – 4:00
8 – Come Together – 3:00
9 – Majestic In Power – 3:13
10 – King Of Glory – 5:02
11 – Here It Comes – 3:45
12 – I’m Free – 5:45

Credits
Bass – Håkan Andersson
Drums – Kjell Andersson
Guitar – Björn Stigsson
Keyboards – Dan Fernström, Dan Tibell
Lead Guitar – Harry Kay (tracks: B2)
Lead Vocals – Peo Pettersson, Sonny Larsson, Tina Spångberg
Producer – Peo Pettersson
Saxophone – Håkan Norling (tracks: A5)

Debby Boone – Choose Life – 1985

This was the 8th album from Debbie Boone. For this album she turned to Michael and Stormie Omartian for most of the songs. Michael also produced and performed on the album. The album has a significant Pop sound that we weren’t used to from Debby. There are still several good worship oriented songs however if that’s what you are looking for. This album reached #7 in the Contemporary Christian music charts helped I’m sure by the Pop feel of the album.

Tracklist
1 – The Time Is Now – 4:22
2 – Pressure Points – 4:18
3 – Teach Me How To Love – 4:13
4 – When I Accepted You – 4:00
5 – Delight In Him – 3:53
6 – Choose Life – 4:17
7 – The Heart Of The Matter – 5:50
8 – Right For You – 4:19
9 – Song Of Deliverance – 3:54
10 – The Lord Is So Good – 3:14

Credits
Backing Vocals – Dara Bernard, Khaliq Glover, Terry Williams
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: A5), Joe Chemay, Nathan East
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Design – Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Drums – Paul Liem
Engineer [Second Engineer] – Larry Fergusson
Engineer, Mixed By – John Guess
Guitar – Michael Landau
Photography By – Sue Choi
Piano – Marty Goetz (tracks: B5)
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Michael Omartian
Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Ronnie Puccinelli
Programmed By [Yamaha Dx-7 Programs] – Erik Persing
Soloist [Sax Solos] – Gary Herbig
Vocals [Duet] – Michael Omartian (tracks: B3)

Mylon Lefevre – Rock & Roll Resurrection – 1979

Rock & Roll Resurrection was Mylon’s last secular recording as well as his last appearence on Mercury Records (PolyGram). He would reappear in 1982 as Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart with a whole new band. This album has a great Rock Funk sound and was pretty well the eppitomy of late 70’s Glam Rock. All in all a pretty good album but nothing on the vhart singled on the charts.

Tracklist
1 – Let It Flow – 4:27
2 – Shake – 2:52
3 – Prisoner – 3:02
4 – Life Saver – 3:34
5 – Baby Don’t Hold Back Now – 3:36
6 – Dance The Night Away – 5:13
7 – Sunlight – 5:17
8 – I Keep On Loving You – 3:29
9 – Work To Do – 3:22
10 – Declaration Of Love – 3:35

Credits
Art Direction, Photography By – Mike McCarty
Backing Vocals – Allen Toussaint, Lillian Boutte, Nancy Fisher, Sharon Nabonne, Vernon Manuel
Bass – Tom “Rock” Robb
Drums – Roger Pope
Engineer [Chief] – Skip Godwin
Guitar – Leo Nocentelli, Steve Hughes
Guitar [All Solos] – Caleb Quaye
Keyboards [Electric Yahama Fender Rhodes] – Sam Henry, Jr.
Mixed By [Remixed By] – Allen R. Toussaint, Skip Godwin Percussion – Kenneth “Afro” Williams Piano, Clavinet, Keyboards [Electric 88] – Allen R. Toussaint
Producer – Allen R. Toussaint
Recorded By [Lead Vocals] – Danny Jones
Vocals – Mylon LeFevre

Companies, etc.
Marketed By – Phonogram, Inc.
Distributed By – PolyGram Distribution Inc.
Manufactured By – Phonogram, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Phonogram, Inc.
Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Kags Music
Published By – Marsaint Music, Inc.
Published By – Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
Published By – Triple Three
Recorded At – Sea-Saint Studio

Benny Hester – Benny From Here – 1985

This was perhaps Benny’s best album ever. It spawned the single “When God Ran” which is the longest running number one song in Contemporary Christian Music history lasting 13 weeks. I personally loved this album with my favourite track being “Susie Said, Yeah!”. Benny transitioned from the 70’s to the 80’s with great ease. A lot of seventy Jesus music artists struggled with the transition to 80’s Rock or Pop but Benny made it look easy.

Tracklist
1 – Secret Thoughts – 4:40
2 – Streets Of Las Vegas – 3:54
3 – When God Ran – 4:57
4 – Susie Said, Yeah! – 3:15
5 – To Fill Our Empty Hearts – 4:22
6 – Back To Basics – 4:23
7 – Can I Get To You From Here – 3:44
8 – Whoever Touches You – 3:36
9 – Marching On – 3:20
10 – Hold Me – 4:47

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Roland Young
Bass – Neil Stubenhaus
Creative Director – Tom Willett
Drums, Percussion – John Robinson
Executive-Producer, Management – Brad Burkhart
Guitar – Dann Huff
Keyboards – Alan Pasqua, Charlie Olins
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Dennis Mackay
Percussion – Keith Edwards
Photography By – Mark Hanauer
Producer – Dan Posthuma
Recorded By – Daniel Garcia, David Schober, John “Beverly” Jones
Recorded By, Producer [Associate Producer] – Jeremy Smith

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios
Recorded At – Music Grinder Studios
Recorded At – Redwing Studios
Recorded At – Mad Hatter Studios
Recorded At – Suma Recording Studio
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – Δ26991
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Suburban Madness Music
Published By – Meadowgreen Music Company

Bonnie Bramlett – Step By Step – 1981

Bonnie Bramlett was a well known performer long before her foray into Christian music. Bramlett became a Christian in the late 70’s and signed a deal with Refuge records shortly. This is the only album from that relationship. In fact it was Bramlett’s last album until 2002. This album sold well in Christian circles and was well received. Refuge was hoping for a crossover with secular sales but it didn’t happen, most likely due to a distribution deal with Benson records who had no proper secular distribution network. This album has a strong southern feel and it’s host of high quality studio musicians makes it very high quality. Joe English appeared, as he did on so many albums of the era, as the drummer. Trivia note is that some labels Side 2 was printed incorrectly by substituting the number 4 with the number 5 on the last track.

Tracklist
1 – Givin’ It Up – 3:17
2 – Back Out On The Streets – 3:15
3 – For The Love Of It – 3:55
4 – Let It Flow – 3:27
5 – Whispering Hope – 2:46
6 – Step By Step – 3:39
7 – White Dove – 3:36
8 – Sweet Rose Of Sharon – 4:36
9 – Joy – 3:51

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bobby Jones, Bonnie Bramlett, Donna McElroy, Gary Moreno, The New Life Singers, Vicki Hampton
Bass – Bob Wray, Larry Paxton
Drums – Joe English
Engineer – Scott Hendricks
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – Jon Goin, Kenny Mims
Keyboards – John Rosasco, Mitch Humphries
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Producer – Greg Nelson
Saxophone – Donnie Sanders
Synthesizer – Alan Steinberger

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.

Geoff Moore and The Distance – A Place To Stand – 1988

After 3 successful solo albums this was Geoff’s first album as Geoff Moore + The Distance. The album was produced by Billy Smiley from White Heart. You can feel Billy’s influence on the album but with Geoff’s raspy voice and Dale Oliver rock guitar style it’s not just a White Heart wanna be album. Instead it’s a solid Rock / Pop effort. I was hooked on the album after the first listen. Go To The Moon stands out to me as the best Rock & Roll track.

Tracklist
1 – A Place To Stand – 4:53
2 – Go To The Moon – 4:11
3 – Heart And Soul – 4:29
4 – Outsiders – 4:34
5 – On A Night Like This – 3:54
6 – I Come Out Fighting – 4:03
7 – Tender Hearts – 4:53
8 – Calling Londontown – 4:35
9 – You’ve Heard It Before – 4:04
10 – One Of Us – 4:17

Credits
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Dave Mullen, Geoff Moore, Rick Florian
Band [The Distance Is:], Bass – Arlin Troyer
Band [The Distance Is:], Drums – Lang Bliss
Band [The Distance Is:], Guitar – Dale Oliver
Band [The Distance Is:], Keyboards – Tom Reynolds
Design – 5 Penguins Design, Inc.
Engineer [Assistant] – Billy Whittington, Lang Bliss, Scott Davis
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Billy Smiley, David Schober
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Billy Smiley
Recorded By – David Schober
Recorded By [Additional] – Bill Deaton, Brent King
Vocals – Geoff Moore

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Mixed At – Center Stage Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Martin Noyes Publishing
Published By – Screen Gems-EMI Music Publishing
Published By – Undone Tunes
Published By – Sparrow Song
Published By – New Wings Music
Published By – Greg Nelson Music

Various – Underground Metal 1 – 1988

Regency Records released this Metal sampler in 1988. It featured some lesser known Metal artists of the time. Most of the songs were available on the artists respective albums. However the Chosen Stranger song is unreleased. The Torn Flesh song was only available on a difficult to find demo. The Paragon track was only released on the Paragon Just Believe Demo. The Mercy Rule track is unreleased. If you are a Metal fan of the time this is an important album due to these tracks.

Tracklist
1 – Bjorn Stiggson – Come On – 5:28
2 – Armada – But It’s Only Rock And Roll – 3:42
3 – Chosen Stranger – So Glad – 4:33
4 – Paradox – Ruler 3:28
5 – Torn Flesh – No Surfin’ In Hell – 4:18
6 – Watchmen – Fear No Evil – 4:55
7 – Chariot – Step Into The Light – 3:34
8 – Paragon – Why Are There So Many Sinners – 5:24
9 – Mercy Rule – Cities Are Burning – 4:04

Originating Album
Bjorn Stiggson – Come On – (Together With Friends)
Armada – But It’s Only Rock And Roll (Frontline)
Chosen Stranger – So Glad (Unreleased)
Paradox – Ruler (Paradox – Ruler)
Torn Flesh – No Surfin’ In Hell (Love Kills Demo)
Watchmen – Fear No Evil (Fear No Evil)
Chariot – Step Into The Light (Step Into Light)
Paragon – Why Are There So Many Sinners (Just Believe Demo)
Mercy Rule – Cities Are Burning (Unreleased)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Regency Records
Copyright (c) – Regency Records
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering

Credits
Executive-Producer – David Malme, John Moore
Illustration – Greg Zook