Various – The Strait Tapes – Volume II – 1985

This is the second of a series of tapes that were published by Strait which was the Greenbelt Newspaper that came out Bi Monthly in the 80’s. This is the second in the series released in 1985. While there are a few less rare tracks this volume it makes up for it with quantity. 18 tracks is pretty darn good for a compilation cassette. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did. This compilation was also released in Australia but with some modifications. Missing were Sheila Walsh – Send Me, Phil and John – The Wasted Years, and Steve Scott – Sound of Waves. Added was a great track from Idea – Take Us. Strangely the cover for the Australian version actually showed that the Walsh and Phil and John track were on the cassette but they were not.

1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero (Alien Brain 1985)
2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age (Victims of the Age 1982)
3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent (Vox Humana 1984)
4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me (Don’t Hide Your Heart 1985)
5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason (Love Beyond Reason 1985)
6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones (from Visions 1985)
7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel (from Quiet Night 1984)
8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City (from The Fat Band 7-inch 1983)
9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves (12” mix)
(Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us (previously unreleased)
10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone (Obsessions EP 2011)
11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass (Lie Down in the Grass 1985)
12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years (extended remixed version from Count Me Out 1983)
13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back (previously unreleased)
14 – Pieces – Robot System (Face 2 Face 1985)
15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got (Dancing with Danger 1984)
16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take (The Front 1985)
17 – Avalon – Flags (not The Aussie Avalon, released on 7″ in 1984)
18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills (Rock of Offense 1984)

Tracklist
1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero – 4:12
2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age – 3:13
3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent – 3:00
4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me – 3:30
5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason – 5:33
6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones – 3:03
7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel – 4:07
8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City – 2:47
9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves – 4:26
(Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us – 3:08
10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone – 4:18
11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass – 3:26
12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years – 2:58
13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back – 3:50
14 – Pieces – Robot System – 3:44
15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got – 3:51
16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take – 3:22
17 – Avalon – Flags – 4:22
18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills – 3:38

The Wauhob Family – Country Style Revival – 1982

Many of you may be wondering why we would upload this album. Well read on and you will learn the lore of this album. The Wauhob’s released this album in 1982 as a fund raiser for their church. In 1984 a DJ at Christian station KBRJ in Los Angeles discovered the album and started playing it. The album took off and though it was self released more copies were printed. A tongue in cheek review was also carried in the Wittenburg times by Tom Gulotta (Daniel Amos Producer) and that also contributed to the album taking off. The Wauhob’s came to LA where they played several concerts and as they say the rest is history and the album became a cult favourite particularly in the LA area. I’ve even heard that Terry Taylor loves it. If you’ve never heard it it’s a must listen, especially once.

Tracklist
1 – One More River – 2:07
2 – The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor – 2:40
3 – Old Camp Meetin’ Time – 1:55
4 – Through It All – 1:55
5 – He Looked Beyond My Fault – 2:56
6 – Jesus Is Coming Soon – 2:57
7 – I’ll Soon Be Gone – 2:03
8 – Put Your Hand In The Hand – 2:35
9 – All In Him – 2:21
10 – Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus – 3:20

Credits
Engineer: Tom Renfro
Produced by Ted Wauhob
Lead Guitar- Robert Wauhob, Sr.
Bass- Gregg French
Steel Guitar- Denny Smith
Banjo- Ted Wauhob
Harmonica- Tom Renfro
Drums- Thomas Wauhob
Lead Singer- Ted Wauhob
Vocals- Grace Wauhob

Companies, etc.
Recorded at: Flood Music Studio, Sioux City, Iowa

The Exkursions – The Exkursions – 1971

Here we have one of the original Jesus music bands started by the legendary Mike Johnson. Originating out of Chicago the band laid the ground work for bands like Resurrection band playing in schools and coffee houses across the city. In 1971 they finally recorded and album but unfortunate they had to self release it as no record company was biting. What resulted was an album of strong 70’s rock with a more blues styling. You can just feel and hear the future influence on Rez on “It’s Been Set Down”. To me this is one of the few Jesus rock albums that has a significant period correct Cream and Hendrix sound. This was the only release from the band and we were lucky that Born Twice Records re-released it in 2011. If you want to hear where Christian rock originated this album is a great example.

Tracklist
1 – Picture Woman – 5:25
2 – Dry Ground – 3:49
3 – Baby You Lied – 6:03
4 – What Happened To Me – 2:37
5 – Third Eye – 4:50
6 – You & Me – 4:55
7 – It’s Been Set Down – 4:47
8 – Would You Believe – 4:17

Credits
Artwork – Dan Downs, Greg Waslo
Bass – Leon Wilson (2)
Drums – Fyl Jonzen
Engineer – Fyl Jonzen
Guitar – Mike Johnson (13)
Photography By, Cover, Design – Bill Metzger (2)
Vocals – Mike Johnson (13)

Companies, etc.
Pressed By – RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis

The Technos – Foreign Land – 1985

1985 came with a new name for The Techno Twins to simply The Technos. It seems like Steve and Bev were never happy with their band name as they were constantly changing it. The name may have changed but the sound is the same with a keyboard heavy pop sound. This was a doubt their most successful album with the single “Foreign Land” produced by Joe Glasman reaching the top 10 of the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. They also released a few version of Foreign Land with an extended and also a Dub mix. We’ll be sure to upload those too. Anyway this is the Techno album you need to hear as it’s probably their best work.

Tracklist
1 – Falling In Love – 3:07
2 – Spirit Of The Thing – 3:03
3 – Prisoner Of Love – 3:15
4 – Crying In The Rain – 4:05
5 – Visions Of The Night – 3:24
6 – Foreign Land – 3:09
7 – Nightime Heaven – 3:24
8 – Lunatic Republic – 4:04
9 – Clowns On The Ground – 3:24
10 – Slow Boats To China – 3:52

Credits
Producer – Joe Glasman
Arranged By [Rhythms] – Steve Fairnie
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bev Sage
Producer – Joe Glasman Vocals – Bev Sage, Steve Fairnie
Written-By – Bev Sage
Written-By – Garry Hughes
Written-By – Joe Glasman
Written-By – Steve Fairnie

Michael Omartian – The Race – 1991

So we have about 500 albums we still have to upload to YouTube and sometimes the selection of what album to do next takes a funny turn. This is one of those albums. For some reason I said to myself hey lets listen to this Michael Omartian album. Now normally Michael would not be one of my go to albums as I’m not really a fan of his usual style of music. Imagine my surprise when I picked up this great pop album. Strangely this was pretty well Michael’s last solo project though he did some work in the 2000’s. I’m a little mystified as I think this is his best album yet. It’s not piano heavy at all and he just seems to play keyboards without trying to stand out. If you usually find Michael’s music a bit dull give this one a listen. I think you’ll be surprised.

Tracklist
1 – Faithful Forever – 4:35
2 – Heartbreak City – 5:28
3 – Let My Heart Be The First To Know – 3:48
4 – Kingdoms – 4:32
5 – Cry From The East – 6:29
6 – Alone – 5:05
7 – Last Night On Earth – 5:01
8 – Morning Light – 5:45
9 – Burn It Up – 3:42
10 – Kingdoms (Instrumental Reprise) – 3:20

Credits
David Ahlert – Engineer
David Boruff – Saxophone
Raymone Carter – Background Vocals
Terry Christian – Engineer, Mixed
Bryan Duncan – Background Vocals
Alice Echols – Background Vocals
Steve Hall – Engineer, Mastered
Jean Johnson – Background Vocals
Don Kirkpatrick – Guitar
Michael Omartian – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Drum Programming, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
David Raven – Drums
Susanne Schwartz – Background Vocals
Stephen Tavani – Background Vocals

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Epic
Distributed By – Epic
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Sound House, North Hollywood, CA
Mixed At – Sound House, North Hollywood, CA
Mastered At – Future Disc
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDP-073855

Undercover – Forum – 1994

I was considering saying that this album was the real end to Undercover but I’m pretty sure their fans will eviscerate me. That said I actually like this album so my statement is more historical that commentary. For this album Rob Gallas took over lead vocals from Sim Wilson who left the band. Though I read several reviews that did not like his vocals I thought they were okay. Not as good as Wilson but still pretty good. Anyway I can see that I liked this album much more than the critics. I really like the style and feel of the album. I think Rob’s vocals were a great sound for them. But the album didn’t do well and their label was in trouble so this would mark the end of an era. Yes I know there were more albums but I think this is the one that marked the end.

Tracklist
1 – Spill – 4:41
2 – The Moon And The Blue Around – 5:19
3 – Forum (Lullaby) – 7:32
4 – Symbol – 4:36
5 – Carmenita – 3:44
6 – Whoa Nelly – 4:09
7 – Pocket Full Of Money – 4:34
8 – The Overlook (Hosanna) – 3:45
9 – (Tell Me) Everything About You – 4:00
10 – Union – 4:55

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Darin Beaman
Band [Undercover], Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Gym Nicholson
Band [Undercover], Bass, Organ, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Keyboards – Ojo Taylor
Band [With], Vocals – Rob Gallas
Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Photography By – Mark Takeuchi
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Ojo Taylor
Recorded By – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WAL
Copyright © – WAL
Record Company – Word Records & Music
Recorded At – The Green Room
Mixed At – The Mixing Lab
Mixed At – Desert Moon
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Manufactured By – JVC
Published By – PU Music
Published By – My Devotion Music
Published By – Dayspring Music

Phil & John – Reunion Of The Heart/Shine Like America – 1991

Strangely in the U.S. this album was called “Reunion Of The Heart” but in the U.K. it was called “Shine Like America”. Continuing on the strange Phil & John were from the U.K. and the album was recorded in the U.K. so where did Shine Like America come into play? The U.K. release was on What? Records which was a joint label owned by Word and A&M so maybe someone at A&M came up with this idea. Well it doesn’t effect the quality of the album which of course is great because Phil & John were great artists. This album is more their easy listening pop style than their humour style. They we’re likely trying to recreate the success of Lonely Dancer but didn’t quite make it although “Reunion Of The Heart” did make it to #22 on the CCM charts.

Tracklist
1 – My Potential – 4:33
2 – Wait Patiently For Me – 4:10
3 – Reunion Of The Heart – 4:25
4 – Jennifer Jones – 4:14
5 – Fire Of Ambition – 4:16
6 – Quiet Storm – 4:43
7 – Every Little Step I Take – 4:09
8 – Don’t “Shoot Them Down” In Flames – 4:14
9 – Sweet Rose Tuesday – 4:02
10 – Shine Like America – 3:59
11 – April Rain – 3:33

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Backing Vocals – Miriam Stockley
Design – James Kessell
Executive-Producer – David Bruce
Photography By – Simon Anderson
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Engineer, Mixed By – Neil Costello
Producer, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals – Chris Eaton
Saxophone – Martin Green
Vocals – John Hartley, Phil Baggaley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Music Shed
Mixed At – The Music Shed
Edited At – The Digital Audio Co.

Code Of Ethics – Visual Paradox – 1991

This is the first album from Code Of Ethics though they have a demo put out in 1990 that we have been unable to find it. The lineup for the band on this album is as mysterious as the rest of their albums. The credits list Barry Blazs as the sole performer but history says that Eric Switzer and Mark Tanner also performed on the album. This whole issue of who was on the albums continues through the history of the band and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I believe Barry Blazs was a little difficult to work with. Anyway lets talk about the album. R.E.X. Music liked what they heard on the demo and quickly wanted to get an album out. The album has their trademark synth pop sound. That wasn’t a common sound in the Christian genre so these guys were actually a bit of a risk. Personally I think the risk was putting a 1985 sounding album in 1991 but we’re talking about the Christian genre where that was okay. Anyway get your dance shoes on and enjoy this great album.

Tracklist
1 – One Way – 4:10
2 – Through Your Eyes – 5:01
3 – I Need Your Love – 2:54
4 – Heaven Help Me – 4:18
5 – Greater Love – 5:36
6 – Hold Me – 4:39
7 – Breaking Down – 3:49
8 – Taking You Down – 4:18
9 – Visual Paradox – 3:45
10 – Being With You – 4:02

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Jeff Spencer
Engineer – Danny Drak
Engineer [Assistant] – Ben Debiase, Ed Marx
Executive-Producer – Doug Mann
Mixed By – Jeff Alford
Mixed By [Mix Consultant] – Rick Brainer
Performer [Code Of Ethics Is] – Barry Blazs
Producer, Written-By – Barry Blazs, Gerald Josef
Remix – John Jaszcz

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright © – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Distributed By – Starsong Communications
Recorded At – Bethesda Christian Cathedral Studio
Mixed At – Mangum Alford Studios
Remixed At – Studio A, Dearborn Heights, MI
Designed At – Sudden Images Studio
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Copyright © – Starstruck Music

Out Of Darkness – Out Of Darkness – 1970

Out Of Darkness is without a doubt one of the OG Jesus Music bands. Unfortunately they were not initially released in North America so I’m not to sure how many of us from this side of the pond would have heard of them. They were together from 1968 to 1974 and recorded 2 albums. This one was released in 1970 and the second one wasn’t released until 1993 when Plankton Records got heir paws on the live recording. Bruce Duncan and Tim Anderson had previously worked on Pauline Filby’s 1969 album “Show Me A Rainbow” so yes we’re talking about the OG of Christian music here. This album has more of a progressive rock sound than most 70’s Jesus Music and quite frankly stands out from the crowd because of it. If you’re a fan of 70’s music you will love this one.

Tracklist
1 – Us – 0:54
2 – Thank You Lord – 3:14
3 – On Solid Rock – 4:00
4 – Wings Of The Morning – 3:29
5 – Moses – 2:46
6 – Lemonade And Peanuts – 2:40
7 – Closing In On Me – 4:10
8 – Who Is To Blame – 3:16
9 – Hustle Bustle – 2:25
10 – Dreamaway – Stevie’s Song – 3:13
11 – There You See A Stranger – 3:47
12 – Homeland – 5:17
13 – Light – 3:55

Credits
Bass – Bruce Duncan
Bass, Percussion, Piano – Carl Grant
Drums, Percussion – Tim Anderson
Guitar, Vocals, Written-By – Wray Powell

Keith Green – I Only Want To See You There – 1983

This was the first album released after Keith’s untimely death. It is a compilation album but includes a few previously unreleased live cuts which is why we are uploading it to YouTube. We generally don’t upload compilation albums unless they have some bonus material such as this one does. The album was also released with a booklet insert which you can see on our web-page. It is full of industry people relating their Keith Green stories.

Tracklist
1 – Introduction – 2:00
2 – My Eyes Are Dry – 3:08
3 – Trials Turned To Gold – 3:29
4 – O Lord, You’re Beautiful – 4:37
5 – You Are The One – 2:39
6 – Song To My Parents (I Only Want To See You There) – 4:15
7 – Until That Final Day – 4:37
8 – If You Love The Lord – 7:20
9 – Pledge My Head To Heaven – 3:00
10 – Draw Me – 4:35
11 – Stained Glass – 2:49
12 – Altar Call – 4:20

Credits
Art Direction – Stan Evenson Design
Coordinator [Cover Coordination] – B. Charlyne Hinesley
Engineer [Assembly and remixes] – Winn Kutz
Illustration – James Henry
Liner Notes – Billy Ray Hearn
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer, Liner Notes – Bill Maxwell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Recorded At – Olympic Studios
Engineered At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Published By – Ears To Hear Music
Published By – April Music Inc.