Overdrive were an late 80’s, early 90’s Christian Metal band from Blacksburg/Radford VA. In 2006 they re-released their work in remembrance of the passing of their drummer Bobby “The Basher” Collins. Overdrive were never officially signed to a label but did get a track on a Benson Records sampler in 1991. Unfortunately it was removed from the sampler due to some foolishness over the use of the word “saints”. Unfortunately foolish things like this often kept quality bands like Overdrive from getting their music to us. The band did however get a chance to share their music by playing the 1990 and 1991 Cornerstone festival in Illinois. Their music is for sale at the link below.
Tracks 1 – Bring Out The Big Guns – 3:42 2 – Hellbound – 4:25 3 – Shelter And Strength – 3:57 4 – Living Sacrifice – 4:40 5 – Mark My Words – 4:35 6 – Rodent of the Piper – 6:22 7 – Crusade – 4:34 8 – When the Saints – 4:51 9 – Standing in Line – 5:08 10 – Light a Candle for Me 6:36 11 – You Need a Friend – 5:37 12 – Applause – 0:46
This was Michael’s 3rd studio album and at this point in his music career he wasn’t afraid to make his lyrics a little more challenging to Christians. That said while his lyrics are a little edgy, they are somewhat prose rather than poetry. With the release of this album his music and lyric style is well established and even though this is an worship style album the quality is there.
Track Listing: 1 – Scandalon – 4:00 2 – What Will It Take To Keep You From Jesus – 3:41 3 – The Lamb Is A Lion – 2:52 4 – The Nazarene – 2:40 5 – The Gentle Healer – 2:02 6 – Meditation / Baptism – 5:29 7 – The Wedding – 2:46 8 – Forgiving Eyes – 4:07 9 – God’s Own Fool – 3:16 10 – Jesus Let Us Come To Know You – 1:59
Credits: Arranged By, Conductor – Alan Moore (3) (tracks: B1, B3, B4) Bass – Norbert Putnam (tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3, B4) Cello – John Catchings (tracks: A1, A2, B2, B5) Concertmaster – Gavyn Wright Design – Buddy Jackson Drums, Percussion – Larry Londin (tracks: A1, A3, B3, B4) Featuring – John Catchings – Cellist Flute – Jim Horn (tracks: B1) Guitar – Jon Goin (tracks: A1 to A3) Orchestrated By – Alan Moore Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer, Recorded By – Norbert Putnam Synthesizer – Dave Innis (tracks: A2) Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Piano, Drums [Digital Drums], Congas – Michael Card
The second album from DeGarmo & Key was a bit of a transition album.
Their first album had a good rock, blues feel. This album had that also but started to incorporate more keyboards. I believe this album established the “Degarmo & Key sound.
As I re-listened to this album after not hearing it for several years I was struck that it came out in 1979 but I hear almost no remnants of the Jesus music era that was coming to an end at that time. Actually in my opinion this album was 3 or 4 years ahead of its time.
There are so many songs on this album that lived forever that I consider it one of the best CCM albums of all time.
Track Listing:
1 – Jericho – 4:34
2 – Livin’ On The Edge Of Dyin’ – 4:33
3 – Go Tell Them – 3:52
4 – Bad Livin’ – 4:36
5 – Enchiridion – 1:36
6 – Long Distance Runner – 4:09
7 – Let Him Help You Today – 4:15
8 – I Never Knew You – 4:04
9 – Mary – 3:03
Credits:
Art Direction, Design – Kristen Kasell
Bass – Ken Porter
Drums – Terry Moxley
Engineer – Joseph Hardy
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dana Key
Keyboards – Edward De Garmo
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Photography By – Gary Heery
Photography By [Inner Sleeve Photo] – Kristen Kasell
Producer – Dana Key, Edward De Garmo, Joseph Hardy
Recorder – Carl Marsh
Saxophone – Lewis Collins
White Heart’s second album, Vital Signs was a masterpiece of finely produced songs. The band self-produced, with executive help from Chris Christian. The album was released on Chris Christian’s Home Sweet Home Records.
The opening song, “Sing Unto The Lamb” is a big sounding song that would qualify for a modern major Broadway number. The vocals stay true to this big performance sound all the way through the album, which is one of the things that made White Heart so popular. Standout tracks include the high energy “Carried Away” and power ballad “Let Your First Thought Be Love.”
The album was recorded in Nashville and attracted a who’s who of contributing artists. The closing song, “We Are His Hands” includes a choir with (among others) Bob Farrell (of Farrell and Farrell), Scott Wesley Brown, David Meece, Amy Grant, Steve Green, Russ Taff, Chris Christian and Kathy Troccoli. We Are His Hands was their first number one radio single.
Former lead singer, Scott Douglas went to prison in 1986. White Heart continued on with a new lead singer after this album, Rick Florian who was allegedly promoted from roadie to lead singer all at once. Florian remained in the lead post throughout the rest of White Heart’s existence.
Track Listing:
1 – Sing Unto The Lamb – 3:15
2 – Draw The Line – 4:38
3 – Walking In The Light – 3:56
4 – Carried Away (Safe On The Wings Of The Lord) – 4:19
5 – Quiet Love – 3:52
6 – Following The King – 4:05
7 – Let Your First Thought Be Love – 3:51
8 – Undercover – 3:54
9 – Vital Signs – 3:50
10 – We Are His Hands – 4:13
Credits:
Arranged By – Billy Smiley, Dann Huff, Mark Gersmehl
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Ronn Huff
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt
Bass Guitar – Gary Lunn
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Bill Brunt, Mark Tucker
Design Concept [Vital Signs Concept] – Kent Hunter
Drums, Percussion – David Huff*
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Bill Deaton, Brent King, Mike Psanos
Engineer [Assistant] – Doug Sarrett
Executive-Producer – Chris Christian
Graphics [Vital Signs Logo] – Ken Wolgemuth, Ken Wolgemuth
Graphics [White Heart Logo] – Ellen Hodnett, Ellen Hodnett
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Billy Smiley
Producer – White Heart
Recorded By – Jeff Balding
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Dann Huff
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, Craig Nelson, Dennis Molchan, Gary Vanosdale, David Boyle*, Pam Vanosdale*, Phyllis Hiltz*, Roy Christensen, The Nashville String Machine, Walt Schwede*
Synthesizer, Piano, Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Vocals – Scott Douglas
This was the first studio album from Common Bond though there was a highly produced Demo and an EP previous.
Guest appearances on this album included Jerry Chamberlain from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Terry Taylor also from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Lost Dogs.
The album is a well produced (Doug Doyle) album with a heavy New Wave sound. This is another lost album from the 80’s that should have been far better known.
Track Listing:
1 – Matter Of Time – 4:37
2 – I’m In Control – 2:45
3 – Heaven Is Calling – 2:51
4 – Bittersweet – 3:48
5 – Yshua – 3:05
6 – My Direction – 3:50
7 – Savor My Saviour – 2:40
8 – The Dickens – 3:50
9 – For You – 2:30
10 – Imagining – 3:20
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Durham
Backing Vocals – Bruce Swift, Jerry Chamberlain, Ken Samuels, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor
Bass Guitar – Ken Samuels
Cover – Terl Bryant
Design – Ed McTaggart
Drums – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1)
Electric Guitar – Steve Durham
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Bobby Salsedo, Doug Doyle
Guitar [Solo] – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A4, B5)
Layout – Ed McTaggart
Lead Vocals – Ken Samuels
Percussion – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1, A5)
Photography By – Craig Incardone
Producer – Doug Doyle
Written-By – Ken Samuels
The 4th studio album from Resurrection Band picked up where Colours left off.
It continues their trademark hard rock sound utilizing new wave keyboard styling. The albums continue their social commentary with songs about materialism (Elavator Muzik), disabilities (The Chair), and divorce (Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore).
As usual Resurrection Band bucked the Christian music trends by doing their own thing.
Track Listing:
1 – Stark/Spare – 3:42
2 – Elevator Muzik – 1:55
3 – Alienated – 2:02
4 – Can’t Get You Outta My Mind – 2:52
5 – The Chair – 5:06
6 – Can’t Do It On My Own – 2:50
7 – First Degree Apathy – 3:03
8 – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 4:23
9 – The Crossing – 3:48
10 – Little Children – 2:36
11 – Lovin’ You – 3:29
Credits:
Artwork [Inside Art], Layout – Dick Randall
Bass [Fretless Bass], Synthesizer – Jim Denton
Concept By [Album Cover Concept By] – JPUSA Graphics
Cover [Outside Cover Art] – Janet Cameron
Drums – John Herrin
Engineer – Phil Bonanno
Guitar, Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Stu Heiss
Mixed By [Mix Down] – Phil Roger
Other [Lead Snoring] – Tom Cameron
Producer – Roger Heiss
Producer, Mixed By [Mix Down] – Resurrection Band
Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Vocals, Guitar [Solo], Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Glenn Kaiser
In researching this album I was surprised by the polar opposite reviews I read. It was either loved or hated.
The general consensus was that this was a jumping off point for Steve Rowe who later went on to be a member of the far more popular Mortification.
My take on the album is that the mix was horrible. It feels like the engineer was trying to give the album a Hard Rock sound when in reality it was a Heavy Metal/Thrash album, leaning closer to Thrash.
I was not impressed with the vocals either but that wasn’t the fault of the mix. That said the album does have a spot in the genre so some will probably love this album.
Track Listing:
1 – Mystical Thieves – 8:05
2 – Crossfire – 4:15
3 – City Streets – 4:35
4 – Metal Missionary – 5:25
5 – Children Of Sorrow – 3:54
6 – Searching – 5:30
7 – Fast Lane – 3:52
8 – Babylon – 7:00
Credits:
Artwork [Cover] – Jan Alphic, John Alphic
Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts, Groans And Squeals] – Mark (B.B) Hamilton
Bass [Bass Grinding], Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Steve Rowe
Drums, Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Errol Willenburg
Engineer – John Bosua
Engineer [Assistant] – Andrew Horne, David Asender, Mark Donaldson
Graphics – Mike Maxwell
Guitar [Guitar Abuse], Backing Vocals [Backup Grunts] – Murray Adams
Keyboards, Wind [Lead] – Gary Shepherd
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Steve Johnson
Management – Allan Thomas
Photography By – Colin Mann, Natalie Smith
Producer – John Bosua, Lightforce
This album was Jeff Johnson’s 4th album though album one and two had a very limited release.
It was the first album where he would team up with Sandy Simpson. It is for the main part an easy listening album with strong audio effects and synthesizer.
The opening track is a vocal story telling piece that is very well done. It was also the first album for his best known song Someday Sunday which he would go on to rework and re release throughout further albums.
Track Listing:
1 – The First Sleep – 2:21
2 – Through The Door – 4:10
3 – The Golden Key – 5:09
4 – The Morning Glory – 3:59
5 – Chan Fang-Sheng (Sailing Homeward) – 5:06
6 – Stuck On Mars – 3:21
7 – The Jupiter Effect – 6:07
8 – Someday, Sunday – 3:34
9 – The Last Sleep – 4:04
10 – Winding Road – 6:31
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Sandy Simpson
Artwork – David Hastings (2), Kathy Hastings
Autoharp – Sandy Simpson
Backing Vocals – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Effects [Sound Effects] – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Electric Guitar – Sandy Simpson
Electric Piano – Jeff Johnson
Harpsichord – Jeff Johnson
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
Percussion [Seasonal] – Sandy Simpson
Piano [Acoustic] – Jeff Johnson
Synthesizer – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson
This was Larry’s first album after leaving “People”. This album was initially released on Capitol Records but Capitol said it didn’t reach sales objectives and Larry was dropped by them.
Larry immediately negotiated a distribution deal with Benson Records who put the album in Christian book stores and sales picked up.
The folk/rock sound of the album was fairly well received by the Christian music listener and this album is generally regarded as the first Christian rock album as opposed to the Jesus Music of the day.
The album was denounced by evangelists Bob Larson, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jerry Falwell all of which continued the diatribe that rock music was of the devil. Whether you like the album or not it has to be agreed that it started a new movement in Christian music.
The digital download version contains 3 bonus tracks.
Track Listing (Digital Version):
1 – You Can’t Take Away The Lord – 2:11
2 – I Don’t Believe In Miracles – 3:11
3 – Moses In The Wilderness – 3:13
4 – Walking Backwards Down The Stairs – 2:45
5 – Ha Ha World – 3:25
6 – Sweet Sweet Song Of Salvation – 3:53
7 – Forget Your Hexagram – 2:23
8 – The Last Supper – 3:14
9 – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 3:15
10 – Nothing Really Changes – 3:18
11 – Postlude – 2:14
12 – You Can’t Take Away the Lord (Demo – Bonus Track) – 2:08
13 – Sweet Song of Salvation (Live – Bonus Track) – 5:23
14 – Nothing Really Changes (Demo – Bonus Track) – 2:32
Track Listing (Vinyl version – Canada):
1 – You Can’t Take Away The Lord – 2:11
2 – I Don’t Believe In Miracles – 3:11
3 – Moses In The Wilderness – 3:13
4 – Walking Backwards Down The Stairs – 2:45
5 – Ha Ha World – 3:25
6 – Sweet Sweet Song Of Salvation – 3:53
7 – Forget Your Hexagram – 2:23
8 – The Last Supper – 3:14
9 – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 3:15
10 – Nothing Really Changes – 3:18
11 – Postlude – 2:14
Credits:
Arranged By – Tony Harris
Concept By [Conceived By], Written-By, Performer, Mixed By – Larry Norman
Design [Album Design] – David Coleman
Producer – Hal Yoergler
This was the 4th studio album from Servant and their first on their own short lived label, Roof Top records.
This album continued their progression as a great 80’s CCM Rock & Roll band. The songwriting was excellent and Sandie Brock’s voice was developing to a more Fleetwood Mac sound.
Many reviewers say she was sounding like Steve Nicks on this album by I don’t actually agree. Sandie’s voice is very distinctive and stands on it’s own.
Over all the album adds a little more electronics but holds steady as a great Rock & Roll album.
Track Listing:
1 – Burning Bridges – 3:57
2 – Thank God – 4:33
3 – Fall Out – 4:30
4 – Now Is The Time – 2:56
5 – Holding On To You – 3:58
6 – Heart To Heart – 3:13
7 – Gauges – 3:02
8 – Something Right For You – 3:24
9 – Tied Down – 3:58
10 – Can’t Go Back – 3:08
Credits:
Artwork – Rob Jaffe
Bass – Rob Martens
Drums – David Holmes
Keyboards – Matt Spransy
Lead Guitar – Bruce Wright
Photography By – Christopher Briscoe
Producer – Jonathan David Brown
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Owen Brock
Vocals – Bob Hardy, Sandie Brock
