Albums – Page 23 – Real 80s CCM

Angie Lewis – Heart Dance – 1985

Angie set out to have a career in music and this, her first album, is the result of that work. After high school she enrolled at the University of South Alabama as a vocal performance major and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She moved to Nashville after college and soon captured the attention of Power Discs/Benson and recorded this EP. It was an immediate success and the track “Silent Weeper” climbed to #6 on the CCM charts. The album is full of great talent including Steve Taylor. It was produced by Billy Smiley of White Heart and he really nailed it in my opinion. If you like female pop music this album is a must listen. Even though this isn’t my favourite genre of music I really liked this album and listened to it a few times.

Tracklist
1 – Heartdance – 3:10
2 – Lonely Warrior – 4:16
3 – O Lord Your Love – 4:58
4 – Silent Weeper – 5:43
5 – High Rise – 3:47
6 – Be Still – 3:13

Credits
Jeff Balding – Recorded, Mixed
Mike Brignardello – Bass
Jackie Cusic – Background Vocals
Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter, Arrangements
Mark Hammond – Drums
Gary Janney – Background Vocals
Greg Jennings – Guitars
Bonnie Keen – Background Vocals
Shane Keister – Synthesizers, Percussion, Vocoder
Gordon Kennedy – Guitar Solos
Brent King – Recorded, Mixed
Angie Lewis – Songwriter, Vocals
Gary Lunn – Bass
Donna McElroy – Background Vocals
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Phil Naish – Keyboards, Synthesizer
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Brent Rowan – Guitars
Billy Smiley – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements
James Stroud – Drums
Steve Taylor – Arrangements, Background Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered

Bill Price – Brave The Proud The Few – 1986

This is the second album from Bill but I really can’t find out very much about him. I found that there are quite a few copies of this album for sale and it’s on almost all the streaming sites but that’s all I could find. I did find him on Facebook and he seems to have had a long career in the radio business and still performs mainly at his church. He might be doing more than that musically but like I said it was difficult to put the pieces together. Anyway the album is a really good pop album and the production is fantastic. It’s one that should be listened to.

Tracklist
1 – His Love Has Carried Me Away
2 – The Brave, The Proud, The Few
3 – Jesus You’re The One
4 – I Want To Thank You Lord
5 – Great Is The God Of Heaven
6 – He Takes Care Of Me
7 – Walkin’ Down The Street
8 – We’ve Got To Tell Them
9 – Steppin’ In The Shadows

Credits
Drums – Brian Willis, Brian Brickley
Bass – Rich Gooch, Mark KIngen, Bill Price
Keyboards — Gary Hemenway, Rob Farley, Scott James
Guitars, Procussion – Bill Price
Saxophone – Susie May
Background Vocals – Dave Bray, Russ Finley, Scott James, Curt Cassingham, Jeff Michel, Linda Price, Melani Bray, Laura Evitt, Martin Woodrow, Bill Price
Engineers – Scott James, Curt Cassingham
Mix – Scott James
Produced by – Scott James and Bill Price

Companies, etc.
Recorded at – Northstar Recording Studio

Diller & Anderson – Diller & Anderson – 1983

Diller & Anderson are Ronnie Lee Diller and Steve Anderson. The duo met up in 1975 and soon after started a band called Radiance. Radiance enjoyed some success in the NW USA but never put an album out. In 1980 the guys left the band to work as a duo. They quickly recorded this album and self released it. The album starts out early 80’s country rock but then transitions to more of an early 80’s easy listening album. All in all it’s a pretty good album and I’m pretty sure we would have been happy listening to this one in 1983 if it had been available to us. As I understand it their next 2 albums are much more rock oriented but I haven’t heard either of them yet but I am looking forward to hearing them.

Tracklist
1 – Fallin’ Fallin’ – 3:20
2 – Hearts A Fire – 3:32
3 – Annabelle – 3:52
4 – Valuable – 3:12
5 – Tarnished Treasures – 4:35
6 – Makebeliever – 4:05
7 – Sweet Jesus – 3:14
8 – The Way, The Truth & The Life – 3:17
9 – Echo Of Your Voice – 3:35
10 – Everybody’s Gonna Bow To Him – 4:30

Avion – Live – 1987

Avion Live is Sydney band Avion’s swansong independent release. The album was dedicated to the memory of the late Evan Murray, the band’s previous keyboard player who died in a motor vehicle accident. This album captures what they did best – performing their own particular brand of AOR live. The band’s last studio album, White Noise, features very strongly, as 7 of its tracks are performed live. Only 3 tracks from the band’s self-titled album are featured, which leaves the following 4 songs that, to my knowledge, have never been recorded – Long Night, Ransom, Money Or Love, and The Bigger You Are. On Being’s music editor, Vic Campbell, wrote: ‘These 14 tracks – five recorded in September ’86 at Sydney Entertainment Centre, the others at Selina’s in June ’87 – serve as a powerful reminder of this now-defunct Aussie band of talented rock ‘n’ roll Christians. Avion came so close to achieving widespread commercial success. This cassette-only release is a genuine collector’s item.’ (On Being, May 1989)

Tracklist
1 – Long Night – 3:34
2 – Where Do We Go From Here – 3:17
3 – In My Mind – 3:38
4 – Ships – 5:14
5 – Secrets – 4:06
6 – Warrior – 5:00
7 – Ransom – 4:09
8 – On And On – 5:06
9 – Money Or Love – 3:37
10 – Berlin Wall – 3:56
11 – Celebration – 4:17
12 – I Need You – 4:46
13 – The Bigger You Are – 4:15
14 – Never Too Late – 4:29

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kendall Waller
Drums, Vocals – John Waller
Guitar, Vocals – Paul Gannell
Keyboards – Evan Murray
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Randall Waller
Producer, Engineer – John McConnell
Recorded By – Wyn Wynyard
Remix – John McConnell

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Selina’s Nightclub
Recorded At – Sydney Entertainment Centre

Glad – Captured in Time – 1982

This was Glad’s 3rd album. It sold very well and even had to have a 2nd pressing. That 2nd pressing had a much better cover but was not a gatefold like the first pressing. I’m a little surprised it had a second pressing as it only had one CCM charting single. “Anywhere I Go” made it to #12 for 10 weeks. Any album with a CCM charting single is good but Glad was much more used to having 2, 3, or more singles. The album is pretty god and still has that easy listening 70’s sound which normally spelled success on the CCM charts. That said like I said it was a popular release and sold well but for some reason the CCM charts didn’t treat it as that popular.

Tracklist
1 – Good News – 3:59
2 – Light Up Your World – 4:02
3 – Anywhere I Go – 3:54
4 – Two Are Better Than One – 3:16
5 – Beautiful Love Song – 3:39
6 – Real Life – 3:21
7 – Hide Myself In You – 3:39
8 – Joy Comes In The Morning – 3:48
9 – Savior – 4:25
10 – Be Ye Glad – 4:41

Credits
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Dennis Solee
Booking – Logsdon Associates, Paul K. Logsdon
Crew [Live Sound] – Julie Kauflin
Crew [Road Manager] – Nancy Nalle
Drums – Art Noble
Engineer – Joe Hardy
Executive-Producer – George King
Handclaps – John Hampton
Lead Vocals, Bass – Don Nalle
Lead Vocals, Percussion – Ed Nalle
Management – George King, Olde Towne Productions
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Photography By – Bob Schatz, Michael Borum*
Producer – Ed Nalle, Joe Hardy
Rhythm Guitar – Jon Goin
Vocals, Keyboards – Bob Kauflin
Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Mark Baldwin

Companies, etc.
Record Company – John T. Benson Pub. Co.
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Mixed At – Ardent Studios
Mastered At – Ardent Studios
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Greentree Records
Copyright © – Greentree Records
Copyright © – Paragon Music Corp.
Copyright © – Lifesong Music Press
Copyright © – Gotz Music
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Lifesong Music Press
Published By – Gotz Music

David And The Giants – Almost Midnight – 1980

While this is David & The Giants 4th Christian album it’s the one where I started listening and in my opinion is there best album. It has the original version of “Almost Midnight” which is much better than the 1985 remake which is probably the better known version. This album also welcomed back Keith Thibodeaux on drums. He was the original drummer for the band but left during their Christian transition but he’s back and you can tell as on this album I think the band was much tighter. A bit of trivia about Keith is that he played “Little Ricky” on the I Love Lucy show. Anyway here’s a great rock album that was perfectly timed for 1980.

Tracklist
1 – Almost Midnight – 2:55
2 – Keep On Keeping On – 3:47
3 – Keep On Singing My Song – 2:45
4 – Thank You Lord (For Coming Into My Heart) – 3:12
5 – Upper Room Experience (Recorded Live) – 6:02
6 – The Well (Will Never Run Dry) – 4:32
7 – Ten Miles High – 2:22
8 – Borrowed Time – 5:48
9 – Holy Rain (Recorded Live) – 5:15
10 – Daddy – 4:30

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Clayborn Huff
Cover – Jim Paris
Drums – Keith Thibodeaux
Engineer – David Huff, David Yelveton (tracks: A5,B4), Rayborn Huff
Guitar, Mandolin, Piano, Vocals – David Huff
Harmonica – Lance Appleton
Organ, Synthesizer [Arp Quadra, Poly Korg], Strings [String Ensemble], Backing Band – Rayborn Huff
Piano, Synthesizer [Quadra], Backing Vocals – Gerald Hagan
Producer – David And The Giants
Written-By – Clayborn Huff, David Huff, Rayborn Huff

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Huff Studios

Guardian – The Yellow And Black Attack Is Back – 1998

This is a rather odd release. in 1998 Guardian released their own version of the Stryper original cassette “The Yellow And Black Attack” EP from 1984. Not one or two tracks but the entire 6 song EP. Also strangely it’s not their interpretation of the songs but almost exact copies. It was a private release which I imagine was the only option considering they directly covered someone else’s album. Even the CD visuals are all inspired by Stryper. I really don’t have much else to tell you about the album. The covers are excellent and well if you’re either a Guardian or Stryper fan this one is a must listen.

Tracklist
1 – Loud N Clear – 3:42
2 – From Wrong To Right – 4:00
3 – You Know What To Do – 4:54
4 – Co’Mon Rock – 3:49
5 – You Won’t Be Lonely – 3:51
6 – Loving You – 4:22

Credits
Design [Original Design] – Kewi Dee
Liner Notes – Brett Christensen
Mastered By – Damon Riley
Mixed By – Russ Long, Tony Palacios
Producer [Produced By] – Guardian, Tony Palacios
Recorded By – Tony Palacios

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – M8 Distribution
Recorded At – G-Man Studios
Mixed At – The Carport
Mastered At – F2 Supersonic
Designed At – Moustafa Graphics
Designed At – www.whydigi.com
Published By – Amgine Music
Published By – Bug Music

Michael Peace – Loud-N-Clear – 1990

After 3 albums Reunion Records decided the time was right to release a live album but unfortunately I can’t find any information on where and when it was required. It’s a great collection of Michael’s most popular tracks and while this is not a genre of music I like I have to admit that I quite enjoyed this album. It’s a lot of fun and Michael is a great performer. It should be noted that Michael was in the process of earning a B.S. degree in Mass Media/Speech Communications from State University of New York at Brockport at the time of this tour. It should also say that Micheal said that God told him “to minister by faith and not charge a fee.” Thus, he only made $1,000-2,500 per concert. Nice to see that.

Tracklist
1 – Ad Lib – 4:11
2 – Rrrock It Right (Let’s Get Busy) – 4:45
3 – J-E-S-U-S – 4:04
4 – Vigilante Of The Rhyme – 4:30
5 – I’ll See You There – 3:30
6 – Solid Rock – 5:22
7 – That’s Right – 4:09
8 – He’s The Baddest – 4:40
9 – Livin’ On The Edge – 7:21
10 – (The New) Solid Rock Crew – 6:27
11 – On The Throne – 2:25
12 – Rock Your World – 4:06

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson
Cover [Cover Coordination], Production Manager [Production Assistant] – D.L. Rhodes
Design – B. Middleworth
Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Mixed By – Chuck Zwicky
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer [Production Assistant] – Tedd Tjornhom
Producer, Arranged By – Dez Dickerson
Programmed By – Tedd Tjornhom
Recorded By – Alan Dusel
Technician [Assistant Live Technician] – Ross Wullenweber

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Produced For – 3D Productions
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Glass Mastered At – Disctronics H – 112877

Thomas Steven Smith – Fresh Start – 1980

This is the third album for Thomas Steven Smith who released his first 2 albums using his nickname Moose Smith. Strangely for an artist with 4 albums I really can’t find much about him. There are a few notes around the interwebs of people who saw him in concert saying how great he was but that’s about all I can find. So let’s talk about the album. It has a great 70’s sound and feel. It’s not particularly my style but there’s a couple tracks I quite liked. “You’ve Gotta Hear It To Believe It” is a great rock tune that deserves to be heard and “Loco Boy Made Good” also had a great seventies rock sound. I’m looking forward to hearing his other albums as there is some real talent here. It is absolutely the wrong cover for the album but it does have a cool 3d effect which makes it stand out.

Tracklist
1 – Love Will Find A Way – 3:28
2 – And When All Is Said And Done – 2:50
3 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 2:39
4 – Loco Boy Made Good – 3:50
5 – Anything Worth Doin’ Is Worth Doin’ Right – 3:57
6 – There Is A Way – 4:07
7 – Turn Around And See – 2:46
8 – Fresh Start – 3:26
9 – One Song – 4:04
10 – You’ve Gotta Hear It To Believe It – 3:03

Credits
Art Direction – Michael Harris Design
Engineer – Brian Tankersley, Paul Mills
Executive-Producer – Phil Brower
Horn [Arrangements] – Fletch Wiley
Photography By – Michael Borum
Producer – Fletch Wiley
Synthesizer [Programming] – Paul Mills

Rick Crawford – Be Still My Heart – 1989

Rick was in one of the Scepter bands and I only found out about him because of this. While researching the band I discovered that he had 2 solo albums. This is the first of those albums. The cover of this album had me expecting a light rock album but, well, it’s not. He tries rock on the track Front Line but his vocals just don’t work. Get A Bible also leans rock and he does a little better on this one but still not great. That said this is a really good song that should have had a cover version by someone. To be clear I’m not saying he’s not a good vocalist in fact I think he’s a very good vocalist but Rock & Roll doesn’t work for him which is just as well because this is an easy listening album and a pretty good one. Interestingly the album was produced by Matthew Ward which probably helped out it’s easy listening quality.

Tracklist
1 – Love Is – 4:00
2 – Come, Lord Jesus – 4:19
3 – Rescue Me – 4:27
4 – There Is A Rock – 3:34
5 – Jesus Paid It All – 4:56
6 – Front Line – 3:53
7 – All Things – 3:24
8 – Does Anybody Love The Lord? – 4:10
9 – Be Still My Heart – 5:02
10 – Get A Bible – 3:52

Credits
Engineer – Greg Hunt
Producer – Matthew Ward
Written-By – Rick Crawford

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Live Oak Records
Copyright © – Live Oak Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited