Billy and Sarah Gaines met and began singing together in 1974. They married in 1977 and played churches and coffeehouses across Virginia. From 1977 to 1980 they also sang in a group called Living Sacrifice and got an appearance on The 700 Club in 1978. In 1985 they moved to Nashville where Billy took a job as a Security Job until he got a contract for his songwriting. Shortly after Benson records offered them a recording contract and this album was recorded and released. Though they were better known for the R&B style Benson decided they were better suited for a more easy listening sound that would sell more broadly. Luckily they would return to that R&B sound in a couple albums but Benson was right about this sound at this point as the album was hugely successful. It had 4 CCM charting singles with one of them making in into the top 10. As for the album it is a little too easy listening for me but I know quality when I hear it and this is some quality music.
Tracklist 1 – He’s Risen In Me – 3:23 2 – You Are Faithful – 3:50 3 – I Am Convinced – 2:45 4 – The Part That No One Sees – 4:29 5 – In His Eyes – 3:40 6 – Turned My Mourning Into Dancing – 2:30 7 – No Greater Love – 3:34 8 – Glory To God In The Highest – 3:09 9 – Come Drink At My Table – 4:39 10 – Then The World Will Know – 3:55
Credits Billy Gaines – Vocals Sarah Gaines – Vocals Jon Goin – Guitars Mark Hammond – Drums Marty McCall – Background Vocals Greg Nelson – Producer
This is Al’s third or fourth album. The history is a little unclear as his previous albums were all self released so there aren’t well known. This album however is what most people think of as his first album as it was the first one on a label and with proper distribution. Al was one of those people that played music his whole life wit his first public performance at age 5 where he played “Bridge Over Troubled Water” on piano. At age of 18 Al played piano for Bob Hope’s USO tour as well as Kenny Rogers. That’s some pretty good history right there. In 1981 he released a 7″ single with 2 tracks that I am completely unable to find but it appeared to be secular judging from the song titles. He provided music at Southern Baptist Youth Conventions conferences and obviously became a hit with the youth movement and in this time as I said he release 2 or 3 albums. He then signed with Benson records which brings us to this album. I would say it’s a softrock album but there’s a couple tracks that pop his sound pretty good. The album had 3 CCM charting singles with “Peace Be Still” doing the best at #12 but it was his next album that really took off. I’m looking forward to hearing that one next.
Tracklist 1 – Reckless Heart – 3:15 2 – Love Is Taking Hold – 4:57 3 – Heaven Knows My Name – 3:34 4 – Right Where You Are – 5:08 5 – On The Upbeat – 3:45 6 – Strong Love – 3:29 7 – It Takes The Strong To Surrender – 4:08 8 – Warm Place In A Cold World – 4:29 9 – Faces And Names – 3:56 10 – Peace Be Still – 4:03
Credits Backing Vocals – Chris Harris, Don Nalle, Ed Nalle, Gary Janney, Guy Penrod, Mark Heimermann, Mike Eldred, Michele Wagner, Rob Neal Bass – Jackie Street, Lee Jones Design – Joel Anderson Drums, Percussion – Mark Hammond Engineer – David Murphy, John Yandell, Keith Compton, Ronnie Brookshire Guitar – Mark Baldwin, Tim Norris Keyboards – Phil Naish Producer, Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary Trumpet, Soloist – George Tidwell
This was Darrell’s 5th album (his first was with Gentle Faith). Most people believe “Revelation” was his breakthrough album but I would argue this one is. This one established his blues rock sound that many people we’re hungering for in the mid 80’s. The album also contains a new version of his Gentle Faith song “Jerusalem”. This is a song that Darrell is very proud of and has reworked several times over the years and there’s even a music video for it out there. I guess the big hit of the album would have been “Radio” which Darrell played religiously at his live shows through the 80’s and 90’s. Personally I am not the biggest fan of the production of this album and I’ve changed it up slightly to a bit of a fuller sound. This is one album that we spent hours listening to back in 1983 and it’s one we love to this day.
Tracklist 1 – Lay Down This World – 1:07 2 – No More Blues – 3:40 3 – Hard Times – 3:26 4 – The Vision – 5:05 5 – Radio – 3:52 6 – Walk Across Heaven – 4:14 7 – Empty Hearts – 4:05 8 – Can’t Do Nothin’ Without Jesus Love – 3:55 9 – Jerusalem – 3:42 10 – Have You Been Listenin’ – 1:25
Credits Art Direction – Alex MacDougall Backing Vocals – Anthony Dean, Jeff Nicholson, Rosemary Butler, Tom Howard, Virgil Beckham Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Charlie Souza, Jeff Nicholson, John Patitucci Design [Album Design] – Gary DeLacy, Rick Griffin Drums – Bill Lordan, Billy Maxwell, Paul Angers Engineer – Brook Johnson, Chris Taylor, Linda Schaffer, Willie Harlan Guitar – Anthony Dean, Dennis Carothers, Don Gerber, Eric Turner, Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry Swallow, Steve Kara, Virgil Beckham Keyboards – Dave Garland, Harlan Rogers, Tom Howard Lead Vocals, Harmonica [Harp] – Darrell Mansfield Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Percussion – Alex Acu a Photography By – Linda Baily, Scott Lockwood, Valerie Sutter Producer – Darrell Mansfield, Tommy Coomes, Virgil Beckham
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&S Records Copyright (c) – A&S Records Recorded At – Rocshire Studios,I.A.M. Studios, Irvine, Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Rocshire Studios,I.A.M. Studios, Irvine Mastered At – A&M Studios
4HIM followed up on their wildly successful first album with this wildly successful second album. It pretty well follows the same recipe as their first album but with a little more sizzle. The album had 4 CCM charting singles with 3 of the 4 making it into the top 10. “A Man You Would Write About” mad it up to #2 and was followed by “Over The Horizon” which only made it to #12. The next two singles “Why?” and “He Never Changes” made it to #1 and $4. 4HIM was probably Benson’s biggest selling artist and they did a great job of promoting them. So if you liked their first album your likely going to love this one too.
Tracklist 1 – He Never Changes – 4:28 2 – Puzzles – 4:40 3 – Why? – 4:54 4 – When The Walls Come Down – 4:20 5 – Chisel Meets The Stone – 4:49 6 – Face The Nation – 4:35 7 – Over The Horizon – 4:01 8 – A Man You Would Write About – 4:53 9 – When I Get Home – 3:56 10 – Every Reason To Believe – 3:35 11 – Take Me To The Place – 4:41 12 – When I Get Home (Reprise) – 2:29
Credits Art Direction – Connie Harrington Backing Vocals [Additional] – Billy Simon Bass [Upright] – Craig Nelson Contractor – Kristin Wilkinson Design – Red’s Catfish Drum Programming, Programmed By [Bass] – Gary Lunn Drums – Kenny Malone, Mark Hammond, Gary Lunn Edited By – Bret Teegarden Engineer – Bret Teegarden, Rick Will, Ronnie Brookshire, Steve Pinkston, Executive-Producer – Andy Ivey Guitar – Dennis Dearing, Jerry McPherson, Tom Hemby Keyboards – Don Koch, Mark Heimermann Mandolin – Tom Hemby Mastered By – Hank Williams Mixed By – Andy Ivey, Bret Teegarden Orchestra – Bob Mason, Carl Gorodetzky, Craig Nelson, David Angell, David Davidson, Dennis Molchan, Jim Grosjean, John Catchings, Kristin Wilkinson, Laura Molyneaux, Lee Larrison, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Pamela Sixfin, Ted Madsen Orchestrated By – Russell Mauldin Photography By – Russ Harrington Piano – Reed Arvin Producer – Chris Harris, Don Koch, Reed Arvin Programmed By [Synclavier] – Reed Arvin Recorded By – Lynn Fuston Vocals [Additional] – Chris Harris, Mark Heimermann
So if you think Denny Correll was, well, a little boring here is the proof he could actually rock. Denny was still doing some secular work after he joined Love Song and this is one of them and while this is not an overtly CCM album there is a common Christian theme throughout the album. The band also included guitarist Anthony Dean who worked with Darrell Mansfield for years. This is a great 70’s style Rock & Roll album that had a worldwide release and I’m a little surprised it’s not better known. The single of course was “Good Old Rock And Roll” which was picked entirely based on it’s name because it’s probably the weakest track on the album. There are many better tracks that could have been chosen and then perhaps we would have heard of this album. So here’s a little known piece of Denny Correll history that deserves to be listened to.
Tracklist 1 – Good Old Rock And Roll – 2:45 2 – Tell Me Why – 3:25 3 – Save The Country – 3:05 4 – What Ya Gonna Do? – 3:03 5 – We Can Make It – 3:08 6 – Red Man – 4:45 7 – Southern Bound – 2:39 8 – Clap Your Hands – 2:56 9 – Hold On – 2:47 10 – New Day’s Coming – 4:03 11 – Children Of The Mountain – 4:56
Credits Drums – Bobby Guidotti Guitar – Anthony Dean, James Daniel Vocals – Denny Correll
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc. Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Although most of the material here isn’t CCM, it is Steve Bell’s early work, which makes it interesting enough for us. “Help Me Lord” is a notable exception but most of the tracks are love songs of one sort or another. It’s a collection of pop-y folk-y songs that sound a little more 70s than 80s. There are plenty of harmonies, and Steve’s strong guitar work is on display here. Elias, Schritt & Bell were a group that Steve played with before starting his solo career, making Christian music for a few decades, and winning a few Juno awards and nominations along the way, as well as various other awards. This was recorded in “Studio 11” at the CBC studios in Winnipeg and released by the CBC. The group did not have any follow up recordings, but did tour locally. Steve released his first solo album in 1989.
Tracklist 1 – Awakening – 3:01 2 – Feelin’ Just Fine – 3:32 3 – Jenny – 2:36 4 – Once In A While – 3:31 5 – Never Too Late – 3:52 6 – Wipe The Tears – 3:32 7 – Kristy – 3:34 8 – So Long – 3:09 9 – Maureen – 1:47 10 – Help Me Lord – 3:15
Credits Alto Saxophone – John Schritt Bass – Gary Stefaniuk Co-producer – Andre LaRiviere, Norm Dugas Drums – Gord Metcalfe (tracks: Once In A while), Gord Osland Electric Guitar – Paul O’Neill Executive Producer – Mark Goldman Flute – John Schritt Guitar – Steve Bell, Tim Elias Keyboards – Norm Dugas Percussion – Paul Cerilli Vocals – John Schritt, Steve Bell, Tim Elias
Companies, etc. Produced For – Radio Canada International Published By – R.E.S.B. Publishing Recorded At – CBC Studio 11, Winnipeg
This is Paul’s 8th album but it had a first for him. The album had his first CCM charting single with “Tell Them All” making it to #18. Paul certainly had many great songs before this but finally CCM saw fit to put him on the charts. As usual however the charting single is not the best track on the album. That would be “Here To Stay” which is an excellent duet with Kelly Willard. It’s a much better track that should have singled. The album has a Soft Rock sound with a jazzy feel in places and is pretty good but a little repetitive in places. While a good album this is not his best work as his 70’s work was phenomenal but his 80’s work was more mainstream.
Tracklist 1 – Tell Them All – 3:12 2 – Breakaway – 4:54 3 – Broken Fool – 3:12 4 – One You Love – 3:45 5 – He’ll Use Me – 3:33 6 – Every Breath – 3:54 7 – Here To Stay – 3:48 8 – Hold On – 4:09 9 – Distant Shore – 3:17 10 – More Than Survivors – 5:06
Credits A&R – Neal Joseph Acoustic Guitar, Guitar, Electric Guitar – Curt Bartlett Artwork, Design – Paul Gross Bass [Fretted], Bass [Fretless] – Lee Jones Design [Inner Sleeve] – Dennis Hill Drums, Percussion – Jim Delong Engineer – Bobby Cotton Engineer [Additional] – Bill Maxwell, Chris Bauer, Peter Haden Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Photography By – Scott Hensel Piano, Electric Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Producer, Engineer, Written-By – Paul Clark Saxophone, Flute, Synthesizer – Dan Mardock
Fernando was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico but spent parts of his youth in Ecuador and Barbados as his father was employed by the United States Department of State. He attended University of New Mexico and received his bachelor’s degree in music education. Some of you are saying, hey this album came out in 2000. Actually this album was first released in 1991 on small Christian label Urgent. As his popularity grew the album was rereleased in 2000 on Discovery House Music. Though Fernando is an accomplished piano player the album does not concentrate on his piano playing and is instead a full instrument suite album. It leans to easy Listening but is enjoyable and musically sound. As for Fernando he would go on to record many more albums as well as serve as worship leader at Anglican and Evangelical Churches. He is active and touring today and you can find out where he’s playing next on his website.
Tracklist 1 – Through The Fire – 4:46 2 – Night Of Your Return – 4:41 3 – Walking On The Water – 4:40 4 – Father Of My Heart – 4:10 5 – A Son Of Your Love – 4:30 6 – Into The Morning – 4:43 7 – In A Welcome Field – 4:23 8 – Chimayo – 3:41 9 – ‘Til I Reach My Home – 4:52 10 – Lord, I Want To Be Like Jesus – 3:48
Credits Ben Rodgers – Engineer, Mixing Eddie Ashworth – Engineer Fernando Ortega – Composer, Primary Artist Gordon Garrison – Engineer Herb Schucher – Drums John Schreiner – Composer, Producer Mike Reese – Mastering Phillip Sandifer – Executive Producer
The day after Christmas, 2007 Roby Duke suffered a heart attack and went home to be with the Lord. Two days before this he was sharing the stage with his musician son. Many, if not most, in the world of CCM did not know of his passing, nor did many even remember what a wonderful artist they had in their midst for three decades. He was 51 years old. Never did Roby Duke fit the mold of pop star. He did not posses those album cover gracing good looks, he didn’t create music for “today” and he didn’t fit the Nashville scene. Even the rerelease of this great album sported a new cover without his picture and just a painting of a guitar! Though growing up in Mississippi he wrote and performed the music of a Californian wearing an Hawaiian shirt and looking more like a Jimmy Buffet fan that a killer jazz and soul musician and singer. His greatest accomplishment may have been never sounding like he was part of the Nashville machine. In 1980 he signed with Songbird records, a joint effort between Sparrow Records and MCA for artists with a decidedly mainstream sound or potential. Roby Duke’s music was so out-of-place in CCM, with its clear soulful and jazz influence and a cool factor that was through the roof. The album sported a host of who’s who musicians and vocalists including Hadley Hockensmith, Marty Walsh, Harlan Rogers, Keith Edwards, Dan Huff, Alex MacDougall and Rob Watson. How can anyone go wrong with two members of Daniel Amos and nearly the totality of Koinonia? CCM sweetheart Kelly Willard also appears on a great duet. Produced by the legendary Jonathan David Brown, the only artist even close was Bruce Hibbard who also added some songwriting support for the project. Tom Keene’s string arrangements are just flawless. The album also marked the increased involvement of the great Wally Grant, another engineer/producer that deserves a heap of praise for his amazing tenure of work. From songwriting to performance this is nearly a perfect album!
Kicking of the a simple electric keyboard and silky vocals “Love Is Here to Stay” makes a quick transition into a killer jazz groove that doesn’t let up for another ten songs. Driven by Hockensmith’s funky riff and the killer brass section the song is the definition of “put the top down” California coast jazz.
“Time to Stand” shows the strength of Duke as songwriter and vocalist. The simple arrangement is carried by Duke’s voice and Patitucci’s amazing bass line. This song oozes with cool.
“Season’s of Change” remains my personal favorite of all of Duke’s great songs here and elsewhere. Live this song was great as Duke was a very underrated guitar player and his upbringing on the bass lead to a “thumping” style acoustic guitar playing that was a real treasure live. This song lent itself to a great live “thumping guitar” experience. It was also one of the three or four songs from the album that stayed on rotation at KYMS for many years.
The ballad, “Carpenter” shows exactly what a great song in the hands (or throat) of a master can be like. The vocal inflections and willingness to let the song’s nuances deliver the feeling is shown perfectly here. There are times when his vocals are restrained in order to make the bigger moments work as well as they do in such a simple and lovely song.
For some reason the re-issue of this album replaced the title “Feel It Comin’” with “You Love Me.” It a great song and features Kelly Willard on a duet. Not sure why the change?
What should have become a praise and worship staple, “O Magnify the Lord” was just a bit too “jazzy” I guess. Lyrically it is nearly straight Scripture and the breezy Seawind like jazz arrangement is just stunning. Here we also get a taste of just how smooth and cool Harlan Roger’s keyboard work can be.
“Can’t Stop Runnin’” is a Bruce Hibbard composition that Marty McCall and Fireworks also performed. “Love is Here to Stay” is also a Hibbard tune. That funky yet smooth groove here just works perfectly.
“Rested in Your Love” is my favorite ballad from the album. Keene’s string arrangement works so nicely in support of Duke’s soulful sound.
The title track returns to the killer groove that are the hallmark of Duke’s music. The chorus just sticks with you and the backing vocals on the chorus really move the song. I still remember roller skating at Christian music night to this song. It’s disco tinged groove combined with the great jazz infusion is very good memory stimulator. The song, like the whole album creates an image of not only a time but a place in history.
The album closer, “Promised Land” is Duke’s finest vocals on the album. There is an emotional tinge that really shines through on this plaintive call of the Gospel presented in the lyrics. This, coupled with Brown’s best backing vocal production and arrangement, makes this call believable, authentic and musically realized. It has a real Bob Bennett quality to it. The slow vocal fade at the end just stays with you.
For all the criticism CCM has thrust upon it (some justified, some not) it is the lack of any real understanding of history and those that went before us a generation previous that frustrates me the most. This, I believe, stems from a Church (universal) that thinks Church History started when their Pastor graduated from Bible School. There is little to no sense of history within the halls of Christendom, so why should the music it creates reflect something different?
I should know better…
That is a such a shame!
But despite that the album remains of the best ever recorded in CCM and more than deserving of its placement in this list.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Love Is Here To Stay – 3:59 2 – Time To Stand – 3:46 3 – Seasons Of Change – 4:55 4 – Carpenter (Do What You Got To Do) – 4:15 5 – Feel It Comin’ – 3:19 6 – O’ Magnify The Lord – 3:40 7 – Can’t Stop Runnin’ – 3:34 8 – Rested In Your Love – 3:37 9 – Not The Same – 3:57 10 – Promised Land – 4:15
Credits Arranged By – Harlan Rogers, John Patitucci, Jonathan Brown, Roby Duke Art Direction – George Osaki Bass – John Patitucci Drums – Keith Edwards Engineer – Walley Grant Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Marty Walsh Keyboards – Harlan Rogers Lead Vocals – Roby Duke Mastered By – Steve Hall Percussion – Alex MacDougall Photography By – Alan Bergman Producer – Jonathan David Brown Saxophone – Michael Carnahan Synthesizer – Rob Watson Trombone – Doug Wintz Trumpet – Ralf Rickert
This is the second album from Bob and Jayne and Word records (The distributor) promoted it like crazy. It included the enduring hit “Boundless Love” (originally written and released by Dennis Loewen) which made it to #13 on the CCM charts. The bigger hit on the album was actually “All You Need” which climbed to #3. This track featured Amy Grant on background vocals which must have had something to do with the albums producer Brown Bannister. Bob said in an interview that he sought out Bannister after hearing Amy’s first album. Brown listen to some of the Farrell’s first album and wanted to do this album. They headed into Gold Mine Studios in Nashville, which was owned by Chris Christian, and cut the album. Farrell & Farrell are not exactly my preferred genre but they always seemed to have the ability to get a few tracks on each album that I liked. Most of this album is soft rock but there’s a few tracks that keep me interested. This in one of the CCM era albums that everyone should listen to.
Tracklist 1 – I Couldn’t Live Without You – 3:44 2 – Fallen – 3:55 3 – Put More Love In Me – 3:23 4 – Can’t Ask Anything More – 2:27 5 – Boundless Love – 3:34 6 – No Need – 3:04 7 – Find It In The Word – 2:52 8 – Jailhouse Rock (Acts 16:16-34) – 1:50 9 – All You Need – 4:44 10 – Scars – 4:12 11 – A Place In His Heart For You – 3:03
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jon Goin, Larry Byrom, Ron Elder Backing Vocals – Amy Grant, Ava Gardner, Cindy Richardson, Marie Clark Bass – Jack Williams, Jerry Bridges, Mike Leach Congas, Bongos – Terry McMillan Cymbal – Terry McMillan Drums – Kenny Malone, Roger Clark Electric Guitar – Jon Goin, Larry Byrom Electric Piano – Randy Goodrum, Bobby Ogden, Shane Keister Flugelhorn – Harrison Calloway, Jr. Flute – Quittman Dennis Horn – Charles Rose, Harrison Calloway, Jr., Harvey Thompson, Ron Eades Lead Vocals – Bob Farrell, Jayne Farrell Lyricon – Quittman Dennis Organ – Shane Keister Percussion – Roger Clark, Terry McMillan Piano [Acoustic Piano] – Bobby Ogden, Randy Goodrum, Shane Keister Strings – Shelly Kurland Strings Synthesizer – Shane Keister Saxophone, Lyricon – Quittman Dennis Trombone – Charles Rose
