This may actually be the first live Jesus music worship album ever. Agape Force and Candle came together to record this live worship album in the Agape Force gymnasium at their ranch in Garden Valley, Texas. As for the album it is exactly what you are expecting after reading after the first sentence. Not particularly my style of album but I wasn’t attending worship services in the south in 1978. For what it is it’s a pretty good album and gives us a little insight into what was happening in the southwest U.S. southwest Jesus music scene in the late 70’s. It should be noted that I have arranged the track in a slightly different way that the album presented them as I think it better represents the flow of the album.
Tracklist 1 – Soldiers Of The Army – 2:38 2 – Stay On The Battlefield – 2:23 3 – I Will Sing – 2:50 4 – Fill Me Now – 2:10 5 – Lord Of Hosts – 2:00 6 – Glory To God In The Highest – 1:51 7 – Glory, Jesus, Glory – 1:43 8 – I Want To Be In Service For Jesus – 3:48 9 – The Lord Is My Strength – 2:14 10 – Lay Hold – 2:33 11 – The Steadfast Love – 1:43 12 – Living Fire – 2:02 13 – Hallelujah Song – 2:14 14 – Worthy – 3:00 15 – The Greatest Thing – 4:16 16 – Higher, Higher – 3:38
Credits Artwork By, Design – Mark Pendergrass Bass – Frank Hernandez Engineer – Paul Christensen Executive Producer – Tony Salerno Guitar [Acoustic] – Frank Atcheson, Frank Hernandez, Gabriel Arosemena, Mike Milligan Piano – Kathy Salerno Producer [& Musical Director], Liner Notes – Billy Ray Hearn Voice – Betsy Jacobson, Mike Milligan
Companies, etc. Mixed At – Martinsound Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparrow Records, Inc.
This was David’s 3rd album and really it was his breakthrough album as it had his first 2 CCM singles. “I Can’t Believe It’s True” made it to #2 and “Never Gonna Serve Anyone Else” made it to #9. The album relies a little less on David’s piano and uses quite a lot of keyboards with Bobby Ogdin, and Shane Keister joining David on keyboards. While having a little less piano makes the album more likeable for me I have to admit that his piano is so good I found myself missing it. Strangely the UK release of the album had a completely different and better cover in my opinion.
Tracklist 1 – I Can’t Believe It’s True – 2:59 2 – God Holds The Future – 3:56 3 – Never Gonna Serve Anyone Else – 3:16 4 – Everybody Needs A Little Help – 3:52 5 – All The Time – 4:26 6 – Love Is The Reason (We’re Here Tonight) – 3:58 7 – All I Can Do – 3:00 8 – Sunshine Jesus – 2:53 9 – Oh So Wonderful – 3:42 10 – He’ll Take Care Of You – 2:55
Credits Arranged By [Horns] – Buddy Skipper Arranged By [Strings] – Bergen White Bass – Jack Williams, Steve Schaffer Drums – Kenny Buttrey, Kenny Malone, Roger Clark Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton Guitar – Chris Smith, Jon Goin, Larry Byram Keyboards – Bobby Ogdin, David Meece, Shane Keister Percussion – Farrell Morris, Terry McMillian Producer – Brown Bannister Saxophone – Quittman Dennis
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc. Produced For – Chris Christian Productions Published By – Word Music Published By – Bug & Bear Music Mastered At – Masterfonics
Michele grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Nashville in 1984 to begin her music career. She was signed as a staff songwriter with Meadowgreen Music Publishers in 1985 and in 1989 Benson signed Michele to a recording contract and this is the first album from that contract. It goes without saying that I missed this album back in the 80’s so this was the first time I heard this album. Quite frankly it didn’t sound that great to me. I just found it a little dull. But when I looked up how well the album did and I was surprised that it actually had 5 charting CCM singles with “Love’s On The Other Side” making it to #4. I re-listened to that track and it is a good track but I think it’s just too easy listening for my taste. One thing I will give Michele credit for is that she actually wrote her songs. This is a rare thing for a lot of female CCM artists of the era as usually the writing was left to songwriters. Interestingly the track “Psalm 1” had been written for Kim Hill and was a #1 hit for her a year earlier.
Tracklist 1 – I Care For You – 3:45 2 – In The Quiet – 3:52 3 – You’re Beautiful – 3:59 4 – Love’s On The Other Side – 3:59 5 – Holy One – 4:23 6 – Psalm 1 – 3:55 7 – Whatever You Ask – 5:01 8 – Simple Devoted And True – 3:03 9 – You Are So Good To Me – 3:03 10 – Patiently – 4:14
Credits Arranged By – Bret Teegarden, Jonathan David Brown, Michele Wagner Art Direction, Design – Jackson Design Backing Vocals – Joe Hogue, JDB, Michael James Murphy, Michele Wagner Bass – Gary Lunn, Jonathan David Brown Drums – Jonathan David Brown Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary Guitar – Jerry McPherson, Mark Baldwin, Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby Keyboards – Bret Teegarden, Michele Wagner Keyboards [Additional Overdubs] – Jonathan David Brown Keyboards [Overdubs], Strings [Overdubs] – Carl Marsh Mastered By – Ken Love Percussion – Eric Darken Photography By – Peter Nash Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
This was the first of 2 albums from Australian band Cascade. It’s a solid seventies effort and one of very few examples of Australian Jesus music. I can’t really find much on the band but guitarist Mark Punch did go one to be Musician of The Year at the CMAA (Country Music Association of Australia) Awards in 2011. The album is a little heavy on the flute for my liking and they even actually credit 2 flute players. That said the album is pretty good and I look forward to hearing their second album.
Tracklist 1 – Danielle – 2:30 2 – Emmanuel – 4:23 3 – Born A Man – 3:12 4 – Sometimes I Feel I Could Say – 4:24 5 – The Bay – 4:34 6 – Rainbows – 3:34 7 – Taken By Surprise – 4:28 8 – The Room – 3:23 9 – Living In A Fallen World – 4:43 10 – A Taste Of Heaven (For Keith Gowan) – 3:15
Credits Bass Guitar – Al Freeman Drums – Nick Lister Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Mark Punch Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Steve Wyatt Engineer – Paul Rich Flute – Doug Foskett Flute, Blues Harp – Peter (Sid) Sinclair Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Malcolm Barnett Percussion – Doug Gallagher Producer, Arranged By, Mixed By – Steve Wyatt Songwriter – Malcolm Barnett Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – John Uebel
Companies, etc. Pressed By – EMI Custom Records – YPRX 1619 Recorded At – Unison Studios, Rozelle Mixed At – Unison Studios, Rozelle
I really couldn’t find out much about Sea Stone and I actually only stumbled across them because this was Simon Law’s (Fresh Claim) first band. I have discovered that they had a bit of a cult following and re-released the album on CD in 2010. As for the album it has a pretty good seventies sound and has some excellent guitar work. All in all it’s a pretty good 70’s album and I’m pretty sure of you like that era of Christian music you’ll like this album.
Tracklist 1 – Brand New Day – 4:37 2 – Rolling Stone – 3:24 3 – Helping Hand – 5:53 4 – Waves Of Loneliness – 5:56 5 – Foolish Hero – 4:20 6 – Unborn Child – 4:40 7 – Precious Dream – 7:37 8 – Wake Up – 6:23
Credits Bass – Nigel Gibbons Composed By – Eric Lives Drums – Paul Reynolds Engineer, Mixed By, Producer – Brook Trickett Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Simon Law Keyboards, Vocals, Design – Mags Parry Mastered By – Pete Norman Photography – Elwin Cockett, Eric Lives Producer – Sea Stone
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Soundtree Studios Mastered At – RCA Studios, London
Most of us who loved David Edwards first 2 albums were left wanting for more. In 2001 David re-released his first 2 albums along with 11 bonus tracks on 2 CDs. These are those bonus tracks. They are a mix of demo’s, unmixed tracks, and 2 live tracks. Of the unreleased tracks the winner is “You Got Me Now” which I would have loved to hear on an album. One thing about this album is when you listen to the rough unmixed tracks you can really appreciated what mixing and production does for an album. I have to admit that most of the bonus tracks are pretty rough but it’s nice to have them anyway. The real treat on the album is the 2 live tracks which are better produced.
Tracklist 1 – Part Of Yesterday (Unmixed Demo) – 3:54 2 – You Got Me Now (Unmixed Demo) – 3:58 3 – Disposable Love (Unmixed Rough Track) – 2:31 4 – Nagging Optimism (Unmixed Rough Track) – 2:45 5 – Tongue Is A Fire (Unmixed Disco Version) – 3:59 6 – The Feeling Part (Live At Greenbelt) – 3:00 7 – Commercial Suicide (Live At Calvary Chapel) – 4:35 8 – Befriended (2-Track Demo) – 3:21 9 – Hope Lies Still (2-Track Demo) – 3:30 10 – Friend Of Old (Demo) – 4:28 11 – By The Way Of The Sea (A “New” Christmas Song) – 5:20
Well here’s the 1983 offering from the Talbot brothers. It’s pretty standard fare for them but there is a highlight on this album. The title track actually has an Eagles feel and it sounds like something from back in their Mason Proffit days. It’s actually good enough for me to add it to my regular rotation. The music may be Eagles but the lyrics are typical of what you would expect form them. That said this may actually be one of their best tracks since the Mason Proffit days.
Tracklist 1 – No Longer Strangers – 4:08 2 – He Is Risen – 2:42 3 – We Will Rise – 4:07 4 – Silence – 3:34 5 – Nature And Grace – 3:30 6 – Holy Father – 3:37 7 – Isaiah 58 – 5:06 8 – Lady Poverty – 4:10 9 – Hear Us Oh Lord – 4:10 10 – Few Be The Lovers – 4:22
Credits Arranged By [Orchestra] – Lee Holdridge Bass – Abraham Laboriel Cover – Stan Evenson Design Cover [Coordination] – B. Charlyne Hinesley Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Darrel Powell, Mike Ross-Trevor Executive-Producer – Billy Ray Hearn Guitar, Vocals, Co-producer, Arranged By [Vocals] – John Michael Talbot, Terry Talbot Mastered By – Ken Pennell, Steve Hall Orchestra – National Philharmonic Orchestra Of London Performer – National Philharmonic Orchestra Of London Photography By – Mark Hanauer Written-By – John Michael Talbot, Terry Talbot
Australian band, Glass Canoe’s one & only self-titled album was released by 2 different record labels – Australian label Nightlight Records in 1991 and South African label Transistor Music in 1992. The song order varies considerably, with the South African release (which we have uploaded) having 2 extra tracks – The Tempest and She Heals Me. Peter Beveridge, who is an artist in his own right, was at the production helm and it shows. Lead vocalist, Tony Williams, released his own self-titled EP back in 1987. Acoustic and electric guitarist, David Holmes, released his debut solo album, Taking Ground, in 1991. Bass guitarist, Andrew James, was one of the original members of Australian mainstream band Midnight Oil. Other band members were Phil Saddleton on drums, and Colin Webber on keyboard. Give this album a listen if you like the pub/club rock of bands like Priority Paid and Surprise. The album has some great rock anthems (Kingdom of Nothing) and rock ballads (She Heals Me). Recommended tracks: Violence of Love and Days of our Youth.
Tracklist 1 – Fierce – 4:03 2 – Violence Of Love – 3:40 3 – Days Of Our Youth – 3:44 4 – The Tempest – 3:21 5 – Fire – 4:18 6 – Dancing In The Teeth Of Catastrophe – 4:05 7 – Kingdom Of Nothing – 3:38 8 – Still The Night – 3:43 9 – World Gone Crazy – 3:36 10 – She Heals Me – 4:10 11 – Umbrella – 3:36 12 – Wayfarers – 4:38
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – David Holmes Arranged By [Brass], Keyboards, Sequenced By – Colin Webber Bass Guitar – Andrew James Blues Harp – Jim Conway Co-producer – Glass Canoe Drums, Drum Programming – Phil Saddleton Engineer – Colin Webber Engineer, Mixed By – Guy Gray Harmony Vocals – Shauna Jensen Harmony Vocals, Saxophone, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Sequenced By, Arranged By – David Butts Keyboards, Sequenced By, Arranged By – Peter Beveridge Mandolin, Violin – Wayne Goodwin Mastered By – Don Bartley Producer – Peter Beveridge Written-By, Lead Vocals, Piano, Keyboards – Tony Williams
Companies, etc. Marketed By – Transistor Music Distributed By – Tusk Music Licensed From – Jewel Music (Australia) Pty. Limited Printed By – Interpak Recorded At – Nightlight Studios Recorded At – EMI Studios 301 Recorded At – Rich Studios Mastered At – EMI Studios 301
There are only two artists in the history of CCM that I wish would come out from hiding and release a new album. The first is Steve Taylor and i understand the whole “trying to make a movie” clap trap, but enough already! The second is David Edwards and I would prefer the latter to the former if I had to choose just one to release an album. Two rock efforts, a lullaby album and a collection of Christmas carols is simply not enough; especially when the artists is simply this amazing. The debut album will be discussed later. Here we will look at the sophomore release that suffered from no sophomore jinx. A little darker, more musically refined and chock full of pop music goodness, this album will go down as the greatest crime in CCM history. He should have been a rock star and this album should have made him a household name. Hell, there’s even a great wedding song and that always meant success in the early 80’s in CCM! Musically that album is a bit the Knack and a bit Billy Joel. More rock than new wave and more smart than quirky. Perhaps it was all those songs about “love” on the album that caused it’s doom; just like one sweet little lady told me when she wanted to return the album to the store I was working at by asking “what does love have to do with Jesus anyway?” Edwards walks the listener through the many feelings, struggles and circumstances that come about when love is either absent or twisted. “Anything But Love” describes how lust clouds the heart from seeing reality, while “Someone to Trust” pictured the opposite reality. It’s a great wedding and I should know, it was in mine! “The Feeling Part” addresses the mistake Christians make by not addressing the reality of romance and feelings in relationships, both with God and with one another. “How Could You Throw It All away?” should have made Edwards a star. sadly it just kicks off side 2 with a great reminder that love is worth holding on to. “Break the Big One” deals with the scar of abortion when sexual love is removed from its Biblical context of marriage. The album closes with two songs that, though not connected on the recording, are completely inseparable. “Girls Like You” expresses the anger of a broken heart and the vindictive feelings associated with being the “dumped.” Kind of like the losers version of Ben Fold’s “Song for the Dumped.” “Girls” is followed by possibly Edwards’ finest composition, “A Fools Condition.” The song recounts the story of a young (naive?) and sexually tempted boy who falls for and is captured by a dead and decaying woman who only possesses a beautiful outer appearance. Borrowing from the writings of George MacDonald (this wouldn’t be the last time), Edwards’ protagonist is consumed by the appearance and loses his soul as a result. Brilliantly conceived, wonderfully presented and utterly unforgettable. I went nearly two decades unable to listen to it until Edwards released the album himself on CD, and was singing along by the first line. This album is the definition of an AYSO!
Contributor – David Lowman https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Anything But Love – 3:43 2 – Someone To Trust – 3:09 3 – The Feeling Part – 4:55 4 – Watch Over Your Heart – 3:19 5 – How Could You Throw It All Away – 4:37 6 – Break The Big One – 3:38 7 – Put Me Down – 3:06 8 – All I Want – 3:10 9 – True Confession – 2:50 10 – Girls Like You – 2:18 11 – A Fool’s Condition – 5:17
Credits Acoustic Guitar – David Edwards Alto Saxophone – Irv Cox Arranged By, Programmed By [Synthesizer], Backing Vocals, Written By, Composed By – David Edwards Art Direction – Barbara LeVan Backing Vocals – Randy Stonehill, Suzan Curly Bass, Backing Vocals – John Trujillo Cello – John Walz Drums, Percussion – Rick Geragi Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Dan Jacob Marimba – Guy Shiffman Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Piano – David Edwards Producer, Keyboards, Arranged By, Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Barry M. Kaye Recorded By, Mixed By – Britt Bacon Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Jay Leslie
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright – Word, Inc. Copyright – Word, Inc. Published By – Mountain Park Music Published By – Dayspring Music Recorded At – Skyline Recording Mixed At – Skyline Recording Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. 25877
You probably know John as the keyboardist for Petra or perhaps for his work with Joe English but this album shows he can stand alone. In fact I would argue that this album might even be better than his albums with Petra. This is a strong keyboard pop album which might have been just a little dated in 1990 but so was the while Christian music scene to be honest. Unfortunately this is all we would get from John as far as solo albums go except for a self release in the late 90’s. His latest work has him in on the CPR project in 2017 and he has been doing some production work. The title track on this one is going in my regular rotation for sure.
Tracklist 1 – Media Alert – 3:48 2 – Video Logic – 4:36 3 – The Whole World Is Crying Tonight – 4:20 4 – Stars In The Night – 4:33 5 – Time Will Tell – 5:09 6 – Radio – Ology – 4:07 7 – Decalogue – 3:45 8 – Can’t Break A Broken Heart – 4:52 9 – Ice Walls – 4:08 10 – Something Wonderful – 5:16
Credits Art Direction – Toni Thigpen Backing Vocals – Bill Strickler, Dan Keen, John Schlitt, Tina Keil Design – Tufts Design Studio Executive-Producer – Darrell A. Harris Guitar – Paul Brannon Mastered By – Ken Love Music By – Danny Kingen, Dwight Liles, John Lawry Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer [Lead Vocals], Recorded By, Mixed By, Drum Programming [Additional] – Bret Teegarden Producer, Arranged By, Producer [Lead Vocals], Arranged By [Background Vocals], Recorded By, Instruments, Drum Programming, Vocals, Backing Vocals – John Lawry Recorded By – Jeff Gallup Vocals – Stefanie Lawry Words By – Danny Kingen, Dwight Liles, John Lawry, Linda Lang, Mark Hauth
