Apparently Jamie Rowe and some of the rest of the band were fluent in Spanish and decided to release a few albums in Spanish for the Mexican and South American market. One of the things I have learnt through this project is that CCM music was huge in South America. In fact Brazil has the 3rd most listeners on our YouTube channel followed by Mexico placing them above The U.K. and Australia. Most of these tracks are actually just Spanish covers of previous tracks but the went back into the studio to re-cut the music. I really like Spanish music and was delighted to discover these Spanish Guardian releases. The quality is fantastic and these tracks do not come off as just a new language cover.
Tracklist 1 – Que El Mundo De Su Gloria Llene – 5:02 2 – Todos Vamos Ja – 4:52 3 – Te Veo en el Cielo – 4:39 4 – El Capitán – 4:21 5 – ¿Sabes Que Es El Amor? – 4:51 6 – Nunca Te Diré Adiós – 4:54 7 – Toma Tu Cruz – 4:49 8 – Uno Para el Otro – 4:03 9 – Como el Sol – 5:24 10 – Creo en Ti – 5:10
I am full convinced that more than even the Beatles, the most influential band on Jesus Music was The Eagles. The Way, Parable, Daniel Amos and countless others always seem to be compared to The Eagles. My thesis is that they country/folk/rock was considered “safer” within Church walls than the Beatles, Beach Boys and Rolling Stones. That being said the band that pulled off the comparison best was easily Bethlehem. The songwriting seems legitimate and band leader, Danny Daniels, had the perfect voice for the job. The band released one album on Maranatha Music in 1978 and disbanded shortly after. One reviewer noted that “Desert Song” was a dead ringer for “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” and he was right on. The band separated itself during its short tenure by incredible musicianship, wonderful harmonies and very memorable songs. The album also sported some of the finest production for the time with Jonathan Brown, Tom Stipe and Al Perkins. Side One is more melodic and pop/country influenced while side two demonstrates a bit more rock and creative influence. This is most notable on the album closer, Pilgrim, which features lengthy instrumental breaks, a wall of backing vocals and a more progressive arrangement. Side two also contain a personal and fan favorite, Night Rider, which has more in common with The Outlaws than the Eagles with a great story telling vocal and big chorus. Themes on the album are very consistent with music from the era with songs of repentance, community and more than a few obligatory “end times” songs. Of all of the bands from that era, Bethlehem was a notch above most on nearly all fronts from songwriting and production to musicianship and performance. Daniels went on to a great solo career as many of his solo albums are worth owning.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Think It Over – 3:50 2 – Lover – 4:02 3 – Desert Song – 3:41 4 – Holy Ghost Blues – 2:39 5 – Dead Reckoning – 3:47 6 – Night Rider – 3:04 7 – This Road – 3:16 8 – No Good Excuses – 4:02 9 – Just A Prayer Away – 3:57 10 – Pilgrims – 4:43
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Danny Daniels Artwork [Leather Tooling] – Al Dugas Backing Vocals – Bethlehem, Bob Bennett, Cindy Simmons, Dan McCleery, Danny Daniels, Dom Franco, Gary Arthur, Jerry Chamberlain, John Falcone, John Wickham, Julie Paulsen, Kelly Willard, Lewis McVay, Lisa Irwin, Perry Hildebrant, Richie Furay, Sharon McLaughlin, Tom Coomes Banjo – Don Gerber Bass – John Falcone Clavinet – Randy Rigby Cowbell – Dan McCleery Design [Album], Art Direction, Layout – Neal Buchanan Dobro – Dom Franco Drums – Dan McCleery Electric Guitar – Danny Daniels, Randy Rigby Electric Piano – Randy Rigby Engineer – Al Perkins, Jonathan Brown, Peter Gregg Guitar [Pull-String Guitar] – Al Perkins Harmonica – Frank Loomis Keyboards – Randy Rigby Lead Guitar – Randy Rigby, Randy Rigby Lead Vocals – Danny Daniel, Dom Franco Mastered By – Bob Carbone Mixed By – Al Perkins, Jonathan Brown Percussion – Dan McCleery Photography By – Sam Emerson Photography By [Insert] – Mike Shoup Photography By [Tinting] – Neal* Piano [Acoustic Piano] – Randy Rigby Producer – Al Perkins, Tom Stipe Steel Guitar – Dom Franco Vocals – Dan McCleery, Danny Daniels, Dom Franco, John Falcone, Randy Rigby
Donn is one of my favourite soul artists at this point and I’m not a big soul music guy. This is his second album on Myrrh produced by David Diggs which was a recipe for success. This album had a CCM single with “The Keeper Of My Love” making it to #7. After this album David Diggs tried to get Donn onto a secular label with a secular release but unfortunately this didn’t work out so we didn’t hear from Donn again until 1992. He probably should have continued his Christian format as he was very good and you can hear that he was getting better every album.
Tracklist 1 – Believe – 3:44 2 – You’re The One – 4:25 3 – The Keeper Of My Love – 3:37 4 – Where Are You Going? – 3:59 5 – Something’ ‘Bout The Things You Do – 2:54 6 – How Can I Help But Love You – 3:02 7 – When He Comes – 4:02 8 – Any Other Love – 3:58 9 – You Are My Light – 3:27 10 – Don’t Lose Your Dream – 3:20
Credits Arranged By [Strings], Arranged By [Horns], Arranged By [Track], Arranged By [Vocals] – David Diggs Bass – Leon Gaer, Louis Johnson Drums – Ed Greene Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Prophet] – David Diggs Flugelhorn, Soloist – Larry Hall Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr. Lead Vocals – Donn Thomas, Edie Lehmann Piano – Charles Williams
This is Danny’s first solo album. Previously he was in Bethlehem and they had released a single album on Maranatha! Music in 1978. This album is pretty easy listening and you can hear that 70’s influence wandering in and out of several tracks. I wouldn’t say the album has a Rock feel but you can hear some pretty good rock influences especially on “Victims Of Pride” Strangely after this album Danny took a hiatus from making albums instead writing and working in the studio for other artists. Interestingly he wrote several excellent soul tracks performed by soul artists. Anyway he did eventually put out more album, and lots of them, when he returned to the studio in 1991. Bit of trivia for the album is that Rob Watson did some of the keyboard work and Jerry Chamberlain did some backing vocals for the album. Both of them from Daniel Amos of course.
Tracklist 1 – She’s A Dreamer – 2:53 2 – Snow – 4:07 3 – Flyer – 3:44 4 – Morning Sun – 4:03 5 – Victims Of Pride – 4:50 6 – Rainbow – 5:40 7 – Standing Together – 4:21 8 – It’s Your Love – 4:35 9 – Sailing On Silver – 3:42
Credits Danny Daniels – Vocal, Produced & Arranged Randy Rigby – Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Lead Guitar, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3, Produced & Arranged Jim Fletcher – Bass Dave Spurr – Drums Rob Watson – Grand Piano, Fender Rhodes, Propher 5 & Hammond B3 Enrique Cabasa – Percussion Sherry Heath, Jerry Chamberlain, Jim Fletcher – Background vocals Jack Little – Rice Can Thom Roy – Engineer
Companies, etc. Recorded at Whitefield Studios, Santa Ana, California
Most of us know of Ken from Eternity Express but there’s much more to the story. In 1957 Ken and his family hit the road as a travelling tent ministry. When Ken would appear in a town his revival meetings would feature the Ken Gaub Family Singers but in the afternoons Eternity Express would hit the high schools at lunch and play their brand of Christian rock. This album however is a few moments of his ministry preaching. It is very strong on the humour and shows us that Ken had a great ministry voice. Unfortunately Ken passed away in 2023 so thankfully were left with this album so we can listen to his speaking talent. This album was released on a Canadian label so many of you may not have heard it before.
There is very little info on this album out there but I have put together a few things. The band included husband and wife team John & Sue Ritter. They went on to record another album in 1994 that included a couple tracks from this album. Unfortunately it is even more obscure than this album. Sue was a prolific writer in the 80’s and 90’s having written several Christian books. As for the album it’s kind of a mix of styles including some Ska and some new wave. I hear a lot of talent here and I wish they would have recorded another album which this lineup. The album was produced by Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) but this was relatively early in his career and I don’t think he was a strong producer at this point. Maybe a more experienced producer could have lead this band to a more consistent album. That aside I actually really like this album for some reason. I definitely hear some things I like here.
Tracklist 1 – Laugh – 2:33 2 – Someone’s Hero – 3:41 3 – Face To Face – 3:01 4 – One Way Love – 3:47 5 – Bad Boy At School – 3:24 6 – Second Time Around – 3:10 7 – Shadows Falling – 3:13 8 – Rebel – 3:03 9 – The Moon Shines Red – 3:50 10 – Movin’ On – 2:17
Credits John Ritter = Lead Vocals, Guitar, Writter Sue Ritter = Lead Vocals, Keyboard, Writter Andy Clark = Guitar, Vocals. Paul Raper = Bass, Vocals. Jo Stephens = Drums, Vocals. Mark Williamson – Produce, Engineer Vladimir Vanazzawith & Max Waxahotti – Mix Wesley Mahan & Quest Graphics – Album Art
Companies, etc. All songs published through Thankyou Music. Kingsway Music record company
This is the second album from Billy. It is a little more pop oriented than his first album and while not as successful it is a better album. While it had 2 CCM charting singles Out Of The Blue only made it to #31 but A Heart Like Mine made it to #3. Strangely the two tracks are almost identical and I really question what Billy was thinking as he is a fantastic song writer. Did he not hear how close these 2 songs are? Anyway those aren’t the best tracks on the album anyway, just the 2 that CCM charts liked and really they had no idea about music. Most of the rest of the album is good quality Pop songs but my favourite track is Invisible Hand in which I can almost hear David Edwards, such a great song.
Tracklist 1 – Rock the Planet – 3:30 2 – Love Has No Eyes – 4:38 3 – YMISIM – 4:51 4 – A Heart Like Mine – 3:44 5 – Invisible Hand – 4:13 6 – Phantom Living – 4:36 7 – Out of the Blue – 3:47 8 – Centered on You – 4:07 9 – Better Days – 4:52
The story of Fred Rerun Berry is actually quite interesting. Born Fred Allen Berry Fred actually officially changed his name to Fred Rerun Berry. This is because he was well known for his appearance as a supporting cast member on the TV show “What’s Happening!!”. He actually had a career before the show having appeared on both Saturday Night Live and Soul Train as a dancer with the Los Angeles–based dance troupe The Lockers. Unfortunately Fred struggled with alcohol and drug addiction throughout the late 80’s but in 1991 had an awakening and embraced Christianity in fact becoming a Baptist minister. He took time the same year to actually record an album. The album is a great Soul Pop album and I was actually quite surprised how good it was considering Fred wasn’t previously known as a singer. Unfortunately Fred passed away in 2003 and this was the only album we ever got from him. Interesting piece of trivia form the album is that Rex Carroll (Whitecross) played guitar on the album. Certainly a departure from his usually hard rock sound. I fully suggest giving this one a listen, it’s a nice piece of little known CCM history.
Tracklist 1 – Surrender – 3:42 2 – The Lord Is My Rock – 3:38 3 – Always On Time – 3:12 4 – Pray On It – 4:57 5 – Let God Save The City – 5:49 6 – I’ve Got The Victory – 3:03 7 – Lay Your Hands On Me Lord – 3:55 8 – Stop This World – 2:41 9 – Tough Love – 4:06 10 – Forever – 4:58 11 – Always On Time (Reprise) – 0:48
Credits Arranged By [Horn] – Dave Kneupper Arranged By [Percussion] – Dave Kneupper Drum Programming [Additional] – John Miceli Drums, Drum Programming, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tony Miceli Executive-Producer – Kevin J. Wessner, Rick Brockner Guitar – Rex Carroll Lead Vocals – Fred Rerun Berry* Mixed By – John Miceli, Tony Miceli Producer – Tony Miceli Programmed By [Synclavier] – Dave Kneupper, John Miceli, Tony Miceli Saxophone, Flute – John Amato
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Spectra, Inc. Distributed By – Christian Marketing Canada, Ltd. Made By – U.S. Optical Disc Recorded At – Starke Lake Studios
After the split of Barren Cross in 1994 Mike Lee got together with Kai Reiss. I can’t find any work by Kai before this project but I suspect he was involved in the technical side of the industry at the time. On the CD cover bass and drums were credited to fake names with images of a dog. The album has several dog references both in the artwork and in the music. It doesn’t really come off that good but I have always hated albums with gimmicks. The album sound has a hard rock 90’s feel without getting to close to grunge (thank god) and Mike’s vocals are on full display. He really is a great vocalist. Anyway this would be a one off project which is too bad because it’s pretty good and I would have liked to have heard more.
Tracklist 1 – Ugly – 4:21 2 – Wanna-maker – 3:04 3 – I Got My Head Stuck In The Cupboard – 3:37 4 – Row Your Boat – 4:03 5 – Fleas Of A Thousand Camels – 3:06 6 – To Die For – 3:42 7 – Turn Back Time – 4:23 8 – Home On The Rage – 3:28 9 – Slow Melt – 5:15 10 – Icebone – 4:40 11 – Andre’s Song – 5:20 12 – Wingless Plane – 2:47 13 – Untitled Bonus Track – 2:13
Credits Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Bass, Keyboards – Kai Reiss Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Mike Lee Bass [Additional] – Mark Williams Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Mike Lee Engineer [Assistant] – David Reiss, Jason S. Schusster*, Mike Lee Graphics, Design – T Vasabhuti Illustration – Carolyn Kunkel Mastered By – Doug Doyle Photography By – Darleen Dils Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By] – Kai Reiss
To say this album was not well received would be an understatement. Guardian had garnered a strong following of their Metal/Hard Rock sound. I really don’t understand what either the band or the Elefante brothers were thinking. I feel sorry for their fans thinking they were buying a hard rock album and they got this instead. Now it should be said the band were successful with this sound and had many more albums with what I assume were new fans of the band. Personally I don’t mind when a band evolves but in this case they changed not evolved. As for the album it’s actually pretty good as the band avoided the grunge sound that was becoming popular but instead went with a pop sound. As I was never a fan of either of the bands styles I can enjoy both sounds equally but wow, it really was a slap in the face to their hard rock roots.
Tracklist 1 – The Way Home Back – 4:31 2 – Endless Summer – 4:32 3 – C’mon Everyone – 4:48 4 – Like The Sun – 5:19 5 – Rich Man Over The Line – 4:03 6 – Your Love – 4:47 7 – Don’t Say That It’s Over – 4:47 8 – See You In Heaven – 4:39 9 – Let The Whole World – 5:02 10 – Preacher And The Bear – 3:15 11 – Still On My Mind – 3:45 12 – Why Don’t We – 1:28
Credits A&R – Mark Maxwell Arranged By, Directed By – Tom Howard Art Direction, Design – Diana Barnes Band [Guardian Is], Bass, Vocals – David Bach Band [Guardian Is], Drums, Vocals – Karl Ney Band [Guardian Is], Guitar, Vocals – Tony Palacios Band [Guardian Is], Lead Vocals – Jamie Rowe Bass [Additional], Guitar [Additional Nashville Guitar] – J.R. McNeely Clarinet – Matt Davich Design – David Bach Drums [Additional] – Jon Knox Drums [Additional], Mellotron, Keyboards [Assorted Digital Claviers] – John Elefante Engineer, Mixed By – J.R. McNeely Management – Marc Whitmore Mastered By – Ken Love Photography By – Michael Wilson Piano – Michael W. Smith Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante Strings – The Nashville String Machine Trombone – Bill Huber Trumpet – David Balph
