Category: Albums

Bob Dylan – Saved – 1980

“Saved” was Bob Dylan’s second “born again” album. This series, starting with “Slow Train Coming” in 1979, stretches up to the disputed territory of “Infidels” in 1983. It’s a pretty short period of Bob history but a pivotal one that serves as one of the Great Walls of Before and After in his career.

It starts out with a traditional country gospel number, A Satisfied Mind, that was sung by a lot of cowboys before Bob got his hands on it. Maybe this is a leftover influence from his Nashville Skyline or other previous endeavours. Porter Wagoner had a pretty good run with it in 1957.

There is no country music on this album though. The opening track is a strained, rock influenced plea that begs you to listen to the whole album. There are a lot of soul-styled tracks, such as Saved, Solid Rock, and Pressing On. It’s also a lot of jangly piano rock, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Sheffield, Alabama.

One of the great mysteries of Bob’s born again albums is how earnest they all are. Every bit is on the nose and every lyric so convincing you can’t believe anything but what you’re hearing. And then for some 75 other albums he only hints at spirituality.

Don’t be fooled though, the Gospel according to Bob started some twenty years before this album. His early lyrics, and his later lyrics all talk about God and make direct references to the divine and our human relationship to it.

So with this one, enjoy the pleasure of Bob actually perhaps talking about what he’s talking about for once. Less metaphor in one sense, and more on the nose.
That doesn’t keep him from writing fantastic poetry throughout though.
“Covenant woman, got a contract with the Lord…”
“I’ve been broken, shattered like an empty cup / I’m just waiting on the Lord to rebuild and fill me up / And I know He will do it ’cause He’s faithful and He’s true / He must have loved me so much to send me someone as fine as you”

Now the spiritual talk and divine relationships cross over into human relationships. Nearly the opposite of his “secular” writings.

Lastly, let’s remember Bob’s voice. He has used several different voicings through his career, and this one is fairly nasal, putting some people off. But remember to ask your most highly trained singing friends and they will confirm – he knows how to sing. This is just how he does it. He puts every part of every word where he wants it and it works.

    Tracklist
    1 – A Satisfied Mind – 1:58
    2 – Saved – 4:00
    3 – Covenant Woman – 6:03
    4 – What Can I Do For You? – 5:54
    5 – Solid Rock – 3:55
    6 – Pressing On – 5:11
    7 – In The Garden – 5:58
    8 – Saving Grace – 5:01
    9 – Are You Ready – 4:42

    Credits
    Artwork [Cover] – Tony Wright
    Bass – Tim Drummond
    Drums – Jim Keltner
    Engineer – Gregg Hamm
    Engineer [Assistant] – Mary Beth McLemore
    Guitar – Fred Tackett
    Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica – Bob Dylan
    Keyboards – Spooner Oldham
    Keyboards, Vocals – Terry Young
    Mastered By [Engineer] – Bobby Hata
    Mastered By [Supervisor] – Paul Wexler
    Photography By – Arthur Rosato
    Producer – Barry Beckett, Jerry Wexler
    Vocals – Clydie King, Mona Lisa Young, Regina Havis

    Companies, etc.
    Manufactured By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
    Distributed By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
    Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc.
    Copyright © – CBS Inc.
    Recorded At – Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
    Mastered At – Amigo Studios
    Lacquer Cut At – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Don Mills, ON

    Scott Anderson – Somebody Loves You – 1989

    This is Scott’s first album and while it is lesser known artist this was a great album. I really don’t know much about how Scott got into CCM but I have spoken to him very briefly about his current work. Some tracks have a great blues feel that I have been told becomes more prominent on his next album. The album also has a great sense of humour and while 80’s humour doesn’t always translate to today it stands well on this album. Some times I try to point out a best track but in this case the album really works best when listened to as a whole.

    Tracklist
    1 – Somebody Loves You – 3:58
    2 – I Ain’t Clowning Around (No More With God) – 3:12
    3 – I Believe In Him – 4:55
    4 – Give It All You Got – 3:53
    5 – I Forgot – 4:25
    6 – Penny Arcade – 1:55
    7 – Too Cool For Sunday School – 5:11
    8 – I’m Not That Kind Of Guy – 4:56
    9 – Peanut Butter And Jelly – 3:12
    10 – What I’m Living For – 3:42
    11 – I Belong To You – 4:45

    Ketty Lester – I Saw Love – 1984

    60’s crooner Ketty Lester actually retired from the music industry in the early 70’s after a pretty successful career including 5 charting singles with “Love Letters” making it to #2 on the R & B charts. She actually quit music to concentrate on her acting career where many remember her as Hester-Sue Terhune on Little House on the Prairie. She did however return to the studio to produce this gospel album in 1984. While this is a pretty run of the mill 80’s soul gospel album with excellent vocals it is actually a very important album in the CCM industry. Hidden in the soul tracks is the track “Let’s Talk About Jesus” which is the first female gospel rap song. Now admittedly she is not a rap artist and this is not a rap album but this one track is unlike anything on this album and unlike anything she had ever done before. It is my firm belief that of this album had been released on a CCM label and not a soul label we would all know this track as it is an excellent example of early rap that was not being done in the CCM industry. So if your listening to this album as a whole you’re going to be a bit surprised when you get to track 10.

    Tracklist
    1 – One Day At A Time – 3:49
    2 – Jesus Laid His Hands On Me – 2:33
    3 – The Children – 3:09
    4 – Jesus, You Touched Me – 3:20
    5 – She’d Never Heard Of Anyone Called Jesus – 3:17
    6 – I Saw Love – 3:19
    7 – Have You Heard – 2:10
    8 – When I Saw Jesus – 3:32
    9 – Jesus Here I Am Again – 2:42
    10 – Let’s Talk About Jesus – 3:40

    Gary Chapman – Everyday Man – 1987

    This is Gary’s 3rd album and my personal favourite. While his wife at the time, Amy Grant, was with Myrrh Records, Gary cut this album for Reunion Records. Reunion was trying to turn it up a notch at this point in history and this album was a huge help. This album showed a rockier side of Gary and there are some great pop tracks on this album. The album is still a little heavy on the ballad’s but this is Gary Chapman so he’s forgiven. Ballad’s after all were his cash cow. “I Love That Girl”, written by Randy Stonehill, could have easily singled on commercial radio but unfortunately Gary didn’t have the crossover success of his wife. I should also point out that this is a prime example of why you don’t ever put out a song with your girls name in it because like the internet, music is forever and you’re stuck with it for life. All joking aside that song is begging for a country cover as I think it has top 20 written all over it. Anyway if you avoided this on back in the 80’s like I did give it a listen now, it’s pretty good.

    Tracklist
    1 – Everyday Man – 3:33
    2 – When Where Together (Love’s So Strong) – 3:42
    3 – Love History – 4:55
    4 – Breakin’ Hearts – 4:47
    5 – Love Like Blood – 4:09
    6 – Around The World – 3:52
    7 – The Hurt Is Worth The Chance – 3:52
    8 – Love That Girl – 4:41
    9 – Cecil, (Life Goes On) – 6:09
    10 – Your Love Stays With Me – 3:07

    Credits
    Art Direction – Bill Brunt, Mary Hamilton
    Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Amy Grant, Chris Harris, Gary Chapman, Ricky Skaggs, Wayne Kirkpatrick
    Bass – Mike Brignardello
    Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Kimberly Smith, Steve Lindsey
    Drums, Percussion – Keith Edwards
    Engineer [Assistant] – Ben Williams, Billy Whittington, Carey Summers, Dave Parker, Jean Kinney, Jeff Coppadge, Keith Odle, Michael Koreiba
    Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton
    Guitar [Guitars] – Jerry McPherson
    Guitar [Guitars], Pedal Steel Guitar – Gary Chapman
    Keyboards – Michael W. Smith, Phil Naish, Shane Keister
    Mandolin – Mark O’Connor
    Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
    Mixed By – Brent King, Frank Filipetti, Jeff Balding
    Overdubbed By [Overdubs Recorded By] – Brent King, Gene Eichelberger, James Baird, Jeff Balding, Joe Scaife
    Percussion [Additional] – Terry McMillan
    Photography By – Chuck Kuhn
    Producer – Brown Bannister, Gary Chapman, Mark Wright
    Recorded By – Gene Eichelberger, Jeff Balding, Joe Scaife
    Stylist – Mary Beth Felts
    Written-By – Gary Chapman

    Companies, etc.
    Copyright © – BMG Music
    Phonographic Copyright ℗ – BMG Music
    Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
    Distributed By – Word, Inc.
    Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
    Distributed By – Word Records Limited
    Recorded At – The Music Mill, Nashville, TN
    Recorded At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
    Overdubbed At – The Music Mill, Nashville, TN
    Overdubbed At – Riverock Studio
    Overdubbed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
    Overdubbed At – OmniSound Studios
    Overdubbed At – GroundStar Studios, Nashville
    Overdubbed At – Masterfonics
    Mixed At – Masterfonics
    Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
    Mixed At – The Music Mill, Nashville, TN
    Mastered At – Masterdisk Corp.

    The Rhythm Praise Band – Cruisin – 1980

    Here we go with another band I can’t find any info about. This album was released on Tunesmith who were well known for finding obscure artists and this one is no exception. Though a Canadian label this is most likely a U.S. based band due to the Spanish content on the album. They were managed out of Colorado so that might be a clue also. The album has a seventies rock feel to it with, as I said, a Spanish flair to it in spots including a Spanish track. I really liked the album and am surprised I didn’t see it back in the 80’s as we were Tunesmith addicts and with this cover I know we would have bought this one if we had seen it. Too bad we missed it back then because this is an excellent album and definitely deserves to be listened to.

    Tracklist
    1 – Cruisin With My Lord – 3:36
    2 – Lori’s Song – 3:10
    3 – Where Is The Love – 3:21
    4 – Prepara Tu Alma – 3:59
    5 – Jesus That I Know – 3:28
    6 – You’re Blind – 3:23
    7 – He Is The Light – 4:39
    8 – I Can Do – 3:01
    9 – Riding The Line – 3:28
    10 – You’re His Puppet – 2:45

    Credits
    Producer – Bobby Murrieta
    Executive Producer – Jim Stengel & Brian Van Cleave
    Keyboards & Synthesizers – Bobby Murrieta
    Lead & Rhythm Guitar – Armando Nunez & Kenny Milton
    Bass Guitar – Bobby Murrieta & Kenny Milton
    Drums & Percussion – Jim DeBilzan, Linn-Drum Computer
    Vocals – The Rhythm Praise Band
    Additional Background vocals – Neal Burum

    Companies, etc.
    Recorded & Mixed at Scott’s Music & Prosound Clovis, New Mexico ; Eaglear Productions, Greeley, Colorado
    Mastered by LRS

    Trilojē – Trilojē – 1984

    What if I told you there was an album with Joe English on drums, Dann Huff on guitar, and Steve Camp on Keyboards you would be very interested right? Well believe it or not this is that album but don’t get too excited because this album features three pretty well unknown artists. As near as I can figure out vocalists Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel, and Joan Anderson were background vocalists for Steve Camp and Steve decided to produce an album for them. Most of the crew for this album were from Steve’s crew and I can only imagine this was all envisioned by Steve. All that said regardless of this recipe for success this was a one off album that didn’t really sell all that well. First of all the name they chose was pretty poor. I assume it was some sort of play on there being 3 members in the “band”. The album is very strongly Easy Listening and is nothing remarkable. I don’t deny they are great vocalists but the album just doesn’t have a hook to keep you listening. It is a fairly good album but nothing remarkable.

    Tracklist
    1 – In All Your Ways – 3:28
    2 – Break Away – 3:04
    3 – Lead Me To Life – 3:43
    4 – Stolen Love – 3:12
    5 – One Heart – 2:45
    6 – Light Your Candle – 4:10
    7 – Faith By Faith – 3:02
    8 – Strong Love – 3:10
    9 – Capture My Heart – 3:28
    10 – Down The Road – 2:36

    Credits
    Basses – Tim Smith
    Drums & Percussion – Joe English
    Engineered by – Hank Newberger, Wally Grant, Peter Braden & Paul Klingberg
    Executive Producer – Steve Wyer
    Guitars – Dann Huff, Jeff Oliver, George Cocchini & Paul Brannon
    Produced by – Steve Camp
    Sax Solo – Dennis Solee
    String Arrangements – John Rosasco
    Synthesizers – Rhett Lawrence, John Rosasco & Steve Camp
    Vocals & Vocal Arrangements by Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel & Joan Anderson

    Companies, etc.
    Recorded at The Gold Mine, Nashville, TN & Chicago Recording Co., Chicago, IL.
    Additional Recording at Weddington Studio, North Hollywood, CA
    Mixed at Chicago Recording Co., Chicago, IL.
    Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc, North Hollywood, CA

    Michael Card – The Beginning – 1989

    The 9th studio album from Michael Card is another like the others. That’s not as negative as it sounds as this was the magic that Card did. He put out albums very consistently and every one had great tracks so his fans constantly had new material to listen to. This album was successful with 3 charting CCM hits. Jubilee made it to #1, Lift Up The Suffering Symbol to #5, and They Called Him Laughter to #15. You just can’t argue with the success Card had. Anyway not much more to say about the album, if you like Card you will like this album. If you’re not a fan of easy listening than this one isn’t for you.

    Tracklist
    1 – The Beginning – 5:03
    2 – In The Wilderness – 3:11
    3 – Jubilee – 2:42
    4 – Lift Up The Suffering Symbol – 3:32
    5 – The Word Is So Near – 2:17
    6 – Meditation #3 Shema – 4:13
    7 – God Will Provide A Lamb – 4:06
    8 – They Called Him Laughter – 3:05
    9 – Asleep On Holy Ground – 5:15
    10 – A Face That Shone – 3:21
    11 – Barocha – 2:43

    Credits
    Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Alan Moore, Bergen White
    Art Direction – Barbara Hearn
    Concertmaster, Directed By [Director] – Gavyn Wright
    Conductor [The Ambrosian Singers And Orchestra] – Bergen White
    Design – Larry Vigon
    Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Barry Dixon, John Kunz
    Mastered By – Denny Purcell
    Musician, Acoustic Guitar – Michael Card
    Musician, Bass – Craig Nelson, Gary Lunn
    Musician, Drum Programming – Gary Lunn
    Musician, Drums, Percussion – Paul Leim
    Musician, Piano – Michael Card, Phil Naish
    Musician, Synthesizer – Phil Naish
    Photography By [Front Cover Photography] – Merlyn Rosenberg
    Photography By [Photography Of Michael Card] – Mark Tucker
    Producer – Norbert Putnam
    Recorded By, Mixed By – JB , Norbert Putnam, Willie Pevear
    Vocals [Vocalists] – Ashley Cleveland, Bergen White, Michael Card, The Ambrosian Singers

    Companies, etc.
    Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
    Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
    Produced For – Mole End Productions
    Recorded At – Digital Recorders
    Recorded At – Abbey Road Studios
    Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
    Published By – Birdwing Music
    Published By – Word Music (UK)
    Published By – Whole Armor Publishing
    Published By – LITA Music
    Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
    Distributed By – Pila Music
    Distributed By – 3XM
    Distributed By – Finngospel
    Distributed By – Sephora Diffusion
    Distributed By – Emmaus
    Distributed By – GMI Records (3)
    Distributed By – Filadelfia Forlag
    Distributed By – La Sorgente Music
    Distributed By – Master Music (5)
    Distributed By – Grace Music (2)
    Distributed By – Master-Vision-S.A.
    Distributed By – Viva Music (4)
    Distributed By – Kir Music
    Printed By – Sleeveprint
    Made By – Sleeveprint
    Pressed By – CBS, Haarlem

    Paul Smith – Back To Who I Am – 1989

    This is Paul’s 3rd solo album after leaving the Imperials and his 5th solo album over all. While he had tons of success I think this might be his most successful album as far as chart positioning goes. The album had 4 charting singles, “Back To Who I Am”, “It’s Alright”, “Bigger Than Life”, and “Beat Of A Different Heart”, all of which singled at #2 or #3. To have 4 singles in the top 3 is absolutely stunning. He also had a great studio band for this album including Paul Brannon (Joe English Band) and Gary Lunn (White Heart). As for the album well it’s a rather light Pop album in the similar vein as the Imperials at the time. When I see an album titled “Back To Who I Am” I always wonder what the artist was thinking at the time. This was well after he left the Imperials and he had a good relationship with them so I don’t think it referred to that so I’m just left to wonder. So this is a pretty good album, not really my style but I appreciate a good album in any style.

    Tracklist
    1 – Back To Who I Am – 5:36
    2 – Beat Of A Different Heart – 5:17
    3 – Bigger Than Life – 5:31
    4 – Silence Isn’t Golden Anymore – 6:08
    5 – Homesick For Eden – 4:47
    6 – The Lion Roars – 5:15
    7 – It’s Alright – 5:21
    8 – Comforter – 4:44
    9 – Hunger And Thirst – 5:01
    10 – So Satisfied – 4:44

    Credits
    Arranged By – Joe Hogue
    Art Direction – Terri Short
    Backing Vocals – Joe Hogue, Marabeth Jordan, Marsha Wells, Michelle Wagner, Paul Smith
    Bass – Gary Lunn
    Design – Bill Brunt Designs
    Drums – Jonathan David Brown
    Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
    Guitar – Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
    Keyboards – Joe Hogue
    Mastered By – Hank Williams
    Percussion – Eric Darken
    Photography By – Russ Harrington
    Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown

    Companies, etc.
    Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
    Copyright © – Word, Inc.
    Recorded At – Johnny dB’s Basement
    Mixed At – Johnny dB’s Basement
    Mastered At – Mastermix
    Made By – Discovery Systems

    Scott Smith – Face To Face – 1984

    To say I was surprised by this album is an understatement. This is a funk-jazz album which is most definitely not my preferred genre but I love this album. The production on this album is one of the best I have heard from this era which is why I think the album appeals to me so much. Scott is an all around musician but he really stands out on trumpet on this album. This is one of those odd albums where the titled artist doesn’t provide vocals. All the vocalists are guest performers and I think every one of them nailed it. Even though Scott would appear on over 100 albums this is his only personal album. This is such a great album I am amazed they didn’t try it again but I don’t know how well it sold so maybe low sales were the problem. Too bad because I for one would like more.

    Tracklist
    1 – Leave It Up To Him – 4:59
    2 – You’re Too Late – 3:54
    3 – The Vision – 4:07
    4 – Face To Face – 4:58
    5 – What Happened – 4:08
    6 – Give Him Thanks – 3:45
    7 – Set Free – 4:16
    8 – The Prince Of The Dark – 4:20
    9 – What You Mean To Me – 4:58

    Credits
    Acoustic Guitar – James Harrah
    Background Vocals – Alfie Silas, Carvin Winans, Debbie McClendon, Edith Lyons, Howard McCrary, Howard Smith, Ivory Stone, Linda McCrary, Ronald Winans, Shari Larson
    Bass – Abraham Laboriel Sr, Leon Gaer
    Drums – Bill Maxwell, Lynn Coulter, Willie Ornelas
    Drums (programming) – Scott V Smith
    Guitar James Harrah, Snuffy Walden
    Keyboards – Kevin Bassinson, Michael Ruff, Scott V Smith
    Percussion – Alex Acuna, Bill Maxwell, Lynn Coulter
    Programming – Rhett Lawrence
    Sax – Eric Marienthal
    Synthesizer – Rhett Lawrence
    Trombone – Alan Kaplan, Andy Martin
    Trumpet – Charles Davis, Larry Hall, Scott Smith
    Vocals – Benjamin Winans, Howard Smith, Marvin Winans, Michael Ruff, Stephen Tavani, Vonda Shepard
    Woodwinds – Kim Hutchcroft

    Companies, etc.
    Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc.
    Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
    Published By – Libris Music

    Divine Right – Powerchange – 1988

    This is the second self released album from Kevin Brandow recording as Divine Right. Again he played all of the instruments and recorded it himself. He had Dave Hoffis help him with the mix and while the mix is good the final production is not that great. We have done our best to make it a little better quality but there’s only so much you can do with a 30 some year old cassette. As for the album I think it’s better than his first album showing some maturity in his guitar playing and if I had to pick a favourite track I would go for the title track as it has the most commercially viable sound. Kevin would go on to do a stint with Petra so his skills were recognized in the industry but for some reason he couldn’t get together with a record company for his own work. Really too bad because I would have liked to hear a polished commercial album from him. There is one odd thing about this album in that the final track, that is just a series of guitar solos, did not appear on all copies of the cassette. I don’t know if this was a technical error or something intentional but it’s interesting.

    Tracklist
    1 – White Hammer
    2 – All I’ve Got
    3 – Powerchange
    4 – The Force Within
    5 – Love Won Another
    6 – Too Hot To Touch
    7 – Lumen Naturale
    8 – On My Way
    9 – The Pearl
    10 – Holy Smokes

    Credits
    Instruments and vocals – Kevin Brandow
    Vocals on “Love Won Another” – Dave Hoffis
    Producer – Kevin Brandow, Dave Hoffis
    Recorded and mixed – Dave Hoffis, Kevin Brandow,
    Cover design – Mike Bennet