This is Bryn’s 4th album and while his previous album “Grand Arrival” was released in the U.S. I can’t find any record of this one being released outside of Europe and Japan. I was a big fan of Bryn in the 80’s but where I lived the only album available to us was “Pass It On” and “The Gap”. It is great that all these years later I can listen to his other work. This is a rather atypical album from Bryn and falls in line with most of his work. As such there aren’t any real outstanding track but I found Bryn’s version of the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody pretty good but he did it as an instrumental and I think he should have done the vocals too.
Tracklist 1 – Keep The Ball Rolling – 4:02 2 – First Time – 3:52 3 – Let Me Love You – 4:22 4 – Standing On The Rock – 3:59 5 – City Boy – 6:00 6 – Party Girl – 2:12 7 – Luxury Liner – 3:29 8 – Unchained Melody – 4:02 9 – Unemployment Blues – 3:58 10 – Working For Love – 4:35
Credits Arranged By [Brass] – Lyle Harper Arranged By [Strings] – Ted Astley Baritone Saxophone – Bud Beadle Bass – Dave Markee Drums – Henry Spinetti Keyboards – Pete Wingfield Percussion – Simon Morton Producer – Doug Bennett, Jon Astley Saxophone – Jim Cuomo Saxophone, Flute – Mel Collins, Steve Gregory Trombone – Terry Hellyer Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Martin Drover Vocals, Guitar – Bryn Haworth
This is Vicki’s second album though her first one isn’t well known as it was self released. This album was the first of a 3 album deal she had with Giant Records, a label created by David and the Giants. The album is a relatively easy listening project which really focusses on her vocal skills. I understand the album didn’t sell all that well which as me a little confused because this is a very well done album. The production is crisp and on point, her vocals are excellent, and the quality overall is quite high. That said some albums do well and some don’t, often it has nothing to do with quality. Anyway if you’re a fan of easy listening genre of CCM this is a must listen.
Tracklist 1 – You Can’t Stop The Morning 2 – Everlasting Love 3 – Comforter 4 – Whosoever Will 5 – The Mercy Seat 6 – When I’m With You 7 – Always 8 – Prisoner 9 – I’d Trade A Lifetime 10 – All Through The Night
Before this album Then there was four years of silence from Krikorian. He continued to write songs for others and had begun building friendships with many of the “disenfranchised” Christian artists who did not fit the mold of popular CCM like Leslie Phillips, T-Bone Burnett and Mark Heard. He had songs placed on mainstream Christian artists albums like Benny Hester and Burnett and Heard recorded some of his music. In 1985 some close friends of these artist that were working at the Myrrh Los Angeles offices started a sub-label in connection with A&M Records called What? Records. The label’s purpose was to be a home to artist who did not fit the CCM mold and would be a haven for more commercial, mainstream oriented artists with spiritual messages. The label was short-lived but released four of the greatest albums in Christian music including two from Tonio K, Mark Heard’s “iDEoLa” and Dave Perkins’ “The Innocence.” The theme of loves lost and found is not new. But in those silent four years a change took place in Krikorian. The beliefs he had for years became faith. According to the interview I had with him right after of the release of “Romeo Unchained” he had discovered grace for the first time in his life. He had also found love. The real kind. And rather than songs of frustration, anger and revenge, there are songs of grace, commitment and hope. That does not mean that he pushed aside the caustic wit and smart and stinging lyrics. Here the pen is pointed against a world that wants to tear down and destroy the love God has provided. The victim of Tonio K’s previous work are now the ones he defends. The whole album appears to be a picture of the juxtaposition of true love and the facade the world offers. I should also note that “Romeo Unchained” may have one of the best album covers ever. The images of half a man as mannequin, the made up attractive woman and iron display the struggles of modern women and the battle for the real and eternal they seek. All with K-9 (Tonio K.) observing this turmoil. There is a little story about K-9 I will mention later. The album was highly praised in both secular and Christian circles. Rolling Stone Magazine would even rave that it was the best Bob Dylan album since Bob Dylan lost interest in pop music. T-Bone Burnett handled much of the production and cast of LA heavyweights lent their talents in the studio including David Mansfield (Dylan) and David Miner (T-Bone Burnett) and David Raven and Tim Chandler of DA/Swirling Eddies.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – True Confessions – 3:40 2 – Perfect World – 4:12 3 – Romeo And Jane – 3:46 4 – You Belong With Me – 4:50 5 – Impressed – 4:24 6 – I Handle Snakes – 3:36 7 – Emotional War Games – 3:53 8 – Living Doll – 3:44 9 – You Don’t Belong Here – 5:51 10 – You Will Go Free – 6:37
Credits Art Direction, Layout – Tim Alderson Backing Vocals – Rick Neigher, T-Bone Burnett Bass – David Miner, Eric Gotthelf, Phil Chen, Rick Neigher, Tim Chandler Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Penny Payne Design Concept [Visual Concepts], Photography By – Linda Myers Drum Programming – Rick Neigher, T-Bone Burnett Drums – Burleigh Drummond, Freddy Alwag, Ron Aston Engineer – Billy Taylor, Joe Chiccarelli, Larold Rebhun, Mark Heard, Nick Van Maarth, Rick Neigher Engineer [Assistant Engineering] – Carolyn Collins, Joe Borja, Judy Clapp, Peter Doell, Steve Himelfarb Guitar – Billy Steele, Charlie Sexton, Daryl Caraco, Nick Van Maarth, Peter Banks, Rick Neigher, T-Bone Burnett, Tonio K. Horns – Little Effort, Phil Kenzie Management – Gary Heaton Management Mandocello, Violin – David Mansfield Mandolin [Mandocello], Violin – David Mansfield Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Mixed By – Ed Thacker (tracks: A5, B3, B4), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B2) Other [Assistant Engineering] – Milton Other [Cover Girl] – Lisa Taylor Percussion – Burleigh Drummond, Efrain Toro Synthesizer – Bob Rose, Dave Aston, David Lewis, Rick Neigher Technician [Productive Trouble-Shooting] – T-Bone Burnett Vocals [Featured Vocalist] – Tonio K.
Companies, etc. Produced For – Vogue Productions (2) Recorded At – Lawrence Welk’s Champagne Recorders, Hollywood, CA. Recorded At – Baby’O Recorders Recorded At – Eldorado Recording Studios Recorded At – Cherokee Studios Recorded At – Hitman Studios Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders Recorded At – Redwing Studios Mixed At – Capitol Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc. Record Company – What? Records Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc. Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.
This is Wayne’s third album and was really the one that gave us a glimpse of what was to come for him. While he had a CCM charting single on his previous album this album is where he really broke out with 3 CCM charting singles. “New Lives For Old” made it to #5, “The Sacrifice” to #6, and “People Of God made it to #21. This would be the album that put Wayne on the path to superstardom in the CCM genre. Oh and did I mention he was still producing all The Harvest albums at this point. Pretty good to be producing another bands successful albums while putting out your own and touring. At this point Wayne was certainly one of the hardest working members of the industry. The album continues his easy listening style but that genre of CCM was where most the money was so I don’t blame him.
Tracklist 1 – All The King’s Men – 4:02 2 – The Sacrifice – 4:48 3 – Roll On – 3:09 4 – People Of God – 3:03 5 – Take All Of Me – 3:54 6 – New Lives For Old – 5:19 7 – Never Give Up – 4:05 8 – In Those Eyes – 4:37 9 – The Greatest Is Love – 4:13 10 – Light Of The World – 3:01
Credits Accordion – Jim Alderman Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Don Wyrtzen Art Direction – Bob McConnell Bass Guitar – Darrell Cook Classical Guitar – Rex Thomas Drums – Keith Edwards, Terry Westbrook Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Jerry McPhereson Engineer [Strings] – Bob Whyley Executive-Producer – Phil Brower Mastered By – JL Percussion – Russell Dunlap Photography By – Ken Kim Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – Allen Mesko Producer, Arranged By, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Wayne Watson Producer, Arranged By, Engineer, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Brian Tankersley Recorder – Fletch Wiley Synthesizer [Yamaha CS-80] – Paul Mills
Well it’s time for some Jazz infused seventies soul again. I’m still unable to find any background on the band but this album included member Rick Riso who is relatively well known as far as CCM goes. So we will have to stick to talking abut the album. I actually prefer this one to their second album as it seems a little mo0re raw which makes this style sound a little more interesting. If you like your CCM a little funky and pretty soulful this is the one for you.
Tracklist 1 – The New Has Come – 4:01 2 – I Feel Secure – 4:05 3 – Jesus Died For Me – 3:49 4 – I Love My Jesus – 3:39 5 – My Savior’s Love – 4:20 6 – Set Your Mind – 4:03 7 – Take My Yoke Upon You – 3:24 8 – Fill Me With Your Spirit – 3:53 9 – Wings Of Salvation – 3:54 10 – Live In Jesus’ Light – 4:03
Credits Rick Riso – Vocals & Guitars Si Simonson – Keyboards Jim DeLong – Drums & Percussion
Companies, etc. Record Company – Light Records Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc. Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc. Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
This is a great early 70’s recording of a group of Siblings from Canada and if you are a fan of this era of CCM you will recognize the two brothers, Donnie and Michael, as the main members of legendary Canadian band Salvation Air Force. They are joined on this album by their sisters Jeanne and Judy and their father Rev. Don E. Gossett produced the album rounding out the family affair. At this time of this recording the siblings were performing across western Canada and being welcomed into several churches and while I grew up in western Canada unfortunately they never visited my church. This album is pretty easy listening but does have a very good cover of Oh Happy Day made famous by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Donnie and Michael would go on to have a more Rock & Roll oriented career in the industry but unfortunately Michael passed away in 2019. Donnie continues to make and perform music to this day and has a pretty popular YouTube channel. If you like your 70’s CCM on the easy listening side this is one you need to listen to.
Tracklist 1 – The Man – 5:02 2 – My God Can Do Anything – 2:05 3 – Prepare My Heart – 2:21 4 – Had It Not Been – 2:23 5 – Oh Happy Day – 5:34 6 – I’ve Got Confidence – 3:45 7 – My Jesus Is All – 2:40 8 – Sheltered In The Arms Of God – 2:36 9 – Introduction To A Friend – 1:21 10 – Pass Me Not – 4:17 11 – Give Me Jesus – 1:46
Credits Backing Vocals – Jeanne Gossett Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Michael Gossett Drums – Chuck Kenyon Engineer – Mike Flicker, Si Garber, Terry Gottlieb Executive Producer – Rev. Don E. Gossett Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals – Donnie Gossett Lead Vocals – Judy Gossett Photography – Dick Reynolds Piano – Cheryl Holmes Rhythm Guitar – Leon Rogers
This is the second album from Scott. His first album was self released but this one was a one album deal with Gary Paxton’s Newpax records which led to a more lucrative deal with Sparrow records for his next album. While Scott was very successful on the CCM charts this album didn’t have any charting singles. This has more to do with it being on Newpax records than the quality of the record. Had this been released on Sparrow “I Am A Christian” would have easily been a top 10 single. This song is actually still a favourite of his fans all these years later. The album as you can imagine has an easy listening sound which is Scott’s style. The album also has seventies feels on several tracks and for the time and genre was a great album.
Tracklist 1 – Rejoice – 3:53 2 – Excuses – 3:39 3 – The Lone Ranger – 3:20 4 – He Has Returned – 3:22 5 – Super Star – 4:53 6 – I Am A Christian – 3:53 7 – Walk Your Talk – 3:08 8 – I Love You – 2:58 9 – Ride The Wild Horses – 3:14 10 – Love One Another – 6:29
Credits Art Direction, Design – Michael Harris Bass – Jack Williams, Steve Schaffer Drums – Jerry Carrigan Guitar – Dale Sellers, Reggie Young, Steve Gibson Keyboards – Buddy Skipper, Ron Oates, Shane Keister Photography By – Craig Sterling Photography By [Back Cover] – Michael G. Borum Producer – Bob MacKenzie, Gary S. Paxton Producer [Assistant], Liner Notes – Randy Matthews
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Sound Stage Studios Recorded At – Pinebrook Recording Studio Mastered At – Masterfonics Pressed By – GRT Record Pressing
Here’s the 6th album from Geoff Moore and The Distance and it’s another home run. The guys definitely had their sound perfected at this point and knew exactly what their fans wanted. There were a few baseball themed albums in the 80’s and it’s nice to see that these guys continued that theme into the 90’s. The album was pretty successful on the CCM charts with the title track making it to #24 which is pretty surprising because it’s a pretty upbeat song for those charts. “Tell Me Again” and “The Vow” also charted at #6 and #24 respectively. They also produced a music video for the title track which is fun to watch. Another great album from one of my favourite groups.
Tracklist 1 – Home Run – 4:10 2 – New Americans – 5:11 3 – Evidence Of God – 5:42 4 – Best Days – 4:30 5 – The Vow – 4:08 6 – Love Will Save The Day – 3:50 7 – Born To Be – 4:03 8 – Come Near To Me – 5:08 9 – Tell Me Again – 4:36 10 – Nothing To Hide – 4:54 11 – We Are Waiting – 4:38
Credits Geof Barkley – Songwriter, Keyboards, Choir Vocals Richie Biggs – Engineer Dan Brock – Executive Producer Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer, Mixed Steven Curtis Chapman – Songwriter Chuck Conner – Drums, Choir Vocals Eric Darken – Percussion Eddie DeGarmo – Executive Producer Dave Dillbeck – Engineer Michael Gleason – Keyboards John Hampton – Engineer Chris Harris – Bass, Announcer Dann Huff – Guitar Gordon Kennedy – Guitar Ken Love – Mastered Phil Madeira – Songwriter Blair Masters – Keyboards Shawn McLean – Second Engineer Roscoe Meek – Songwriter, Acoustic and Electric Guitars Michael Mellett – Background Vocals Geoff Moore – Songwriter, Vocals Gary Mullet – Bass Phil Naish – Producer, Keyboards, Umpire Jimmie Lee Sloas – Producer, Songwriter, Bass Bart Stevens – Second Engineer Randy Thomas – Guitar Rick Will – Mixed
Beam is a band from the Netherlands that Larry toured with in 1998 on a European tour. The studio sessions “Breathe In, Breathe Out” were released as a double CD, revealing their rehearsals for the tour. This is a live recording, also noted as “Flevo 2” on the CD itself. Larry’s “Live at Flevo” with Q-Stone was a success and this recording is just as good as that one. Again, Larry is fronting a tight band here, and a more modern sounding one than the 60s groups he built up in the past to perform material from the People! years and the trilogy albums that followed that. This is a solid 90s sounding band backing Larry on some of his classic songs as well as some newer ones from that era. “God part 3” is a rock version here. We have heard Larry perform and record it in almost every style imaginable, from solo acoustic/folk to studio versions with some bite. Beam adds something here that isn’t in any of the other recordings with upgraded guitar riffs. “Six Sixty Six” is changed from a 70s folk song into a 90s grunge ballad with Larry’s distinctive voice still adorning. The closing track is Larry and Beam covering “Jesus Freak” which was a 90s anthem thanks to both DC Talk and Newsboys. “Shot Down” is remembered as a piano rock song from its original In Another Land release, however there is no piano here. Beam’s full guitar sound make a great update on this classic.
Tracklist 1 – Heaven Wants To Bless You – 4:57 2 – God Part 3 – 4:09 3 – Six Sixty Six – 6:06 4 – Shot Down – 2:23 5 – Let The Rain Fall Down – 7:29 6 – Sweet Song Of Salvation – 4:58 7 – Goodbye, Farewell – 4:00 8 – Let It Go – 6:20 9 – Bombs – 8:03 10 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll – 4:56 11 – Jesus Freak – 6:08
Credits Bass Guitar – Hans Sigmond Design [Booklet] – Jason Carter, Wavelength Drums – Gert Koudijs Engineer – Johan Van Loo Executive-Producer – Gerrit aan’t Goor Harmony Vocals – Beam Lead Guitar – Robert Riekerk Lead Vocals – Larry Norman Mastered By – Sander van der Heiden Mixed By – Johnny Hulst, Larry Norman Photography By – Bea Riekerk, David Carter, Nathalie Riekerk Producer – Larry Norman Promotion [Concert] – Gerrit aan’t Goor Recorded By – Alpha Mobile Studio Rhythm Guitar – Tommy Riekerk
Companies, etc. Distributed By – GMI Music Partners Produced For – Solid Rock Records Produced For – The Street Level Cafe Produced For – White Trash Communications Published By – Ordure Blancu Music Published By – Universal Published By – Alliance 4K Mixed At – Hulst Recording Studio Zwolle Mastered At – Wisseloord Studios
This is a very simple 2 side 2 track cassette that was sold by DC Talk before Kevin Max even joined the group. It is purported to have sold 3000 copies when Toby and Michael performed the song Heavenbound for their fellow students at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987. It was copied countless times and spread through the CCM industry and the band shortly after prepared a proper 10 track demo.
