Seawind – Seawind – 1980

This is the 4th studio album from Seawind and strangely enough their second self titled album. I’m a little unsure as to why they have 2 self titled albums. This occasionally happens when the first one was on a small label with limited distribution but their first album was on CTI records which was a pretty good sized label. Anyway that aside Bob and Pauline Wilson give us an excellent Funk album here. The Seawind Horns are featured of course though you may remember them better as the horn section for the Sweet Comfort Band albums of this era. I’ll be honest I’m not really the biggest fan of Bob and Pauline so I wasn’t expecting too much f this album. Boy was I wrong. This is a fantastic Funk album and while that’s not usually my style this one is so good I liked it anyway. So even if Funk isn’t your thing you should give this one a listen. A well done album in any style is always refreshing to hear.

Tracklist
1 – What Cha Doin’ – 4:35
2 – The Two Of Us – 3:49
3 – Love Him, Love Her – 3:26
4 – Everything Needs Love – 5:46
5 – Shout – 4:26
6 – Still In Love – 3:53
7 – Pra Vosé – 4:16
8 – I Need Your Love – 3:54
9 – Long, Long Time – 3:58

Credits
Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Seawind
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Bill Reichenbach, Jerry Hey
Art Direction – Chuck Beeson
Bass – Ken Wild
Concertmaster – Sid Sharp
Drums, Percussion – Bob Wilson
Engineer – Tommy Vicari
Engineer [Assistant] – Erik Zobler
Guitar – Bud Nuanez
Illustration – Chris Hopkins, Willardson And White
Keyboards – Larry Williams
Management [Seawind Personal Management And Direction] – Barry Menes, Blue Johnson
Mastered By – Brian Gardner
Mixed By – Tommy Vicari
Mixed By [Assistant] – Wally Buck
Musician [Guest], Backing Vocals – Carl Carlwell, George Duke, Greg Walker, Josie James, Lynn Davis
Musician [Guest], Guitar – Roland Bautista
Musician [Guest], Keyboards – George Duke
Musician [Guest], Percussion – Airto, Paulinho DaCosta
Musician [Guest], Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Musician [Guest], Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Jerry Hey
Musician [Guest], Woodwind – Gary Herbig
Other [Pauline’s Wardrobe By] – Shelley Kaleinanionalani Salzer
Producer – George Duke
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Pauline Wilson
Woodwind – Kim Hutchcroft

Companies, etc.
Produced For – George Duke Enterprises
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&M Records, Inc.
Copyright © – A&M Records, Inc.
Recorded At – Westlake Studios
Recorded At – Le Gonks West
Recorded At – Sound Labs, Hollywood
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – United Western Studios
Mixed At – Fantasy Studios
Mastered At – Allen Zentz Mastering
Published By – Seawind Music Inc.
Published By – Black Bandana
Published By – Brass Heart Music
Mastered At – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute

Pam Mark Hall – Never Fades Away – 1980

This was Pam’s third album and was a bit of a departure from her to previous style to the style we would more closely connect with her. It is a solid early 80’s pop offering though I will say I don’t think she was comfortable with the style as the album is just missing a little something. Of course later Pam would be a master of the pop style and have several successful albums. The album was produced by Fletch Wiley who was producing more worship oriented albums at the time so it was a bit of a new style for him too. Of note on the album Marty McCall helps with duet vocals on “Little Miss Much Afraid”. All in all a pretty good pop album but just missing a bit of edge but don’t be discouraged from listening to it.

Tracklist
1 – Gonna Love You – 2:47
2 – Strength To Be Weak – 4:16
3 – Your Book – 4:15
4 – Little Miss Much Afraid – 3:42
5 – Never Fades Away – 2:52
6 – Who Taught You The Game? – 3:30
7 – Two Worlds – 3:45
8 – Lord Of The Starfields – 4:20
9 – Burning In My Heart – 2:15
10 – If Ever – 3:59

Credits
Backing Vocals – Craig Smith
Bass – Roscoe Beck
Drums, Percussion – Keith Edwards
Engineer – Brian Tankersley
Guitar – Jerry McPherson
Keyboards – Larry Williams
Lead Vocals, Songwriter, Guitar – Pam Mark Hall
Percussion – Fig Newton
Producer, Arranged By – Fletch Wiley
Synthesizer, Engineer – Paul Mills
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Tillman
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Marty McCall

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song Records
Copyright © – Star Song Records

Randall Waller – Oasis – 1978

Oasis is Randall Waller’s solo debut. It’s the first of two solo albums, released before the formation of Lionheart in 1981, the precursor band to Avion. Being an Australia-only release, the first Randall Waller album most people are familiar with is the outstanding ‘Midnight Fire’ album which was recorded in the US, and produced by the late Jon Linn (guitarist on albums by Larry Norman, Chuck Girard, Randy Stonehill, and Mark Heard). There’s a world of difference between the two. Oasis is mainly aimed for those who are already believers. It contains a numbers of Randall’s original worship songs – You Are The One, Just Can’t Explain, and Praise Song, to name a few. Oasis is a more laid-back, predominantly acoustic/soft rock project. The opening track, Friends In High Places, Storm In The Sky, and I Want You really appeal to the rocker in me, but they are the exception to the overall rule. Randall’s excellent guitaring in Friends In High Places reminds me of guitar greats, the late Gary Moore and Carlos Santana. Other album highlights are Randall’s good remakes of John Michael Talbot’s Would You Crucify Him and Phil Keaggy’s Things I Will Do. Well worth giving this a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Friends In High Places – 7:19
2 – You Are The One – 3:25
3 – Things I Will Do – 3:26
4 – Just Can’t Explain It – 2:15
5 – Would You Crucify Him – 4:48
6 – Foot Of The Mountain/Lord You’re Blowin’ My Mind – 6:01
7 – Storm In The Sky – 5:23
8 – What Must I Do – 2:33
9 – I Want You – 4:41
10 – Praise Song – 1:46

Credits
Alto Saxophone – Michael Houghton
Arranged By – Randall Waller
Bass – Roger Hanlon
Design – Ngaire Waller
Directed By – Steve Wyatt
Drums – Rob McMurry
Engineer – Chris Neal
Flute – Michael Houghton
Guitar – Randall Waller
Lead Vocals – Randall Waller
Piano – Steve Wyatt
Producer – Bob Goodfellow
Synthesizer – Chris Neal

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Airborne Studios

Imperials – Sail On – 1977

This album was the start of the Russ Taff era of the Imperials. I was going to say this this is was unarguably their most successful era but in retrospect they had so many era’s that I”m not sure I can say which is their most successful. I think my favourite era was the Paul Smith era but I think this was due to timing as opposed to quality. My actual only criticism of this album is the cover. I think they were going for the singers in a spotlight on a dark stage but instead it just came out all dark and boring. Not the best artwork in my opinion. The album was produced by Chris Christian who was just really coming into his own at this point and this is a very well produced album.

Tracklist
1 – Water Grave – 3:56
2 – Satisfaction Guaranteed – 3:50
3 – Gotta Watch, Gotta Pray – 3:08
4 – More Each Day – 3:28
5 – There Will Never Be Any Peace – 2:59
6 – Sail On – 3:30
7 – Keep On Walking – 2:52
8 – Sonlight – 3:03
9 – Bread On The Water – 3:08
10 – Try Again – 2:59

Credits
Lanny Avery – Engineer
Brown Bannister – Engineer, Bells
Peter Bordonali – Guitars
Jerry Carrigan – Drums
Annie Chapman – Songwriter
Steve Chapman – Songwriter
Chris Christian – Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Banjo
Steve Gibson – Guitars
Janny Grein – Songwriter
Bill Grine – Songwriter
James Hollihan – Songwriter
Archie Jordan – Arranger
Shane Keister – Keyboards
Kenny Malone – Drums
Armond Morales – Vocals
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Jim Murray – Songwriter, Vocals
Bobby Ogdin – Keyboards
Joe Osborn – Bass
Billy Puett – Horns
Eugene Record – Songwriter
Terry Robinson – Songwriter
Steve Schaeffer – Bass
Don Sheffield – Horns
Sheldon Kurland – Strings
Tim Sheppard – Songwriter
Buddy Skipper – Horns
Shanon Smith – Engineer
Denis Solee – Saxophone
Russ Taff – Songwriter, Vocals
Travis Turk – Engineer
D. Bergen White – Arranger
David Will – Vocals
Jack Williams – Bass
Bobby Wood – Keyboards
Reggie Young – Guitars

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Home Sweet Home Productions
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Overdubbed At – Sound Stage Studios
Overdubbed At – Jack Clement Recording Studios
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

The 2nd Chapter Of Acts – In The Volume Of The Book – 1975

This is the second studio album from The 2nd Chapter of acts who after this would simplify their name to just 2nd Chapter of Acts. Myrrh records was happy to have them back as their first album sold well. Phil Keaggy joins the best lineup of the band on guitar again and you can start to hear his skill level. Point of trivia about this album is that Michael Been (The Call) played Bass on some tracks. As for the album it’s a pretty easy listening album with strong 70’s vibes but if you want to hear Keaggy attack a Rock track listen to “Yahweh” which is not easy listening.

Tracklist
1 – Start Every Day With A Smile – 0:54
2 – Yahweh – 3:07
3 – Something Tells Me – 3:29
4 – The Grey Song – 1:56
5 – Now That I Belong To You – 4:04
6 – Ps. 63 – 1:51
7 – Prince Song – 2:51
8 – Morning Comes When You Call – 3:10
9 – Borrowed Time – 2:30
10 – Last Day Of My Life – 3:08
11 – Hey, Whatcha’ Say – 3:20
12 – Keep On Shinin’ – 3:13
13 – I Can’t Get Near You – 2:18

Credits
Michael Been – Bass
Jesse Cosio – Songwriter
Emery Gordy – Bass
Jay Graydon – Guitars
Nelly Greisen – Songwriter, Vocals
Annie Herring – Songwriter, Piano, Percussion, Vocals
Buck Herring – Producer, Engineer
David Hungate – Bass
Phil Keaggy – Guitars and Guitar Solos
David Kemper – Drums
Michael Omartian – Arranger, Piano, Organ, Aarpvark, Percussion
Larry Rolando – Guitars
Richard Souther – Songwriter
Danny Timms – Organ
Matthew Ward – Songwriter, Vocals

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Sunwest Recording Studios
Mastered At – Artisan Sound Recorders
Copyright © – Latter Rain Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Published By – Latter Rain Music

John Pantry – Empty Handed – 1978

So I’ll straight up admit I never hears of John before this album made its way across my desktop. He’s actually fairly well known and has a great history with music. In the 60’s he was in a fantastic obscure secular 60’s band called Peter & The Wolves (Not the recent Canadian version). I went back and listened to his work back them and it’s great. Later in the 80’s he was with a band called Fresh Air that had one album that I am feverishly looking for. Anyway this appears to have been his first Christian album and it is great. It has an early 70’s feel and a late 60’s feel on a few tracks. So if you missed this one back in the day give it a listen, it’s pretty darn good.

Tracklist
1 – Strong Love – 3:31
2 – Empty Handed – 3:17
3 – He Will Take Great Care – 3:12
4 – Will I Ever Get Over This – 3:18
5 – Reigning In My Heart – 3:53
6 – Behold I Stand At The Door And Knock – 2:35
7 – Slip Off Your Shoes – 3:22
8 – God Is Moving On – 3:25
9 – Sweat Healer – 3:57
10 – Priceless – 3:24

Credits
Backing Vocals – Elizabeth Kaufmann, Gwen Murray
Bass – Paul Cobbold
Design [sleeve] – Chris Bourne
Drums – Mike Wade
Engineer – Andy Kidd, Dave Aston
Guitar – Mo Witham
Saxophone, Flute – Robert McKay
Vocals, Keyboards, Producer, Written-By – John Pantry

Companies, etc.
Published By – Thank You Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Recorded At – ICC Studios

Michael W. Smith – Go West Young Man – 1990

This was Michael’s “crossover” album. Man I hate that term but unfortunately it is appropriate for this album as it actually had very solid mainstream success. The single “Place in This World” peaked at #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. What actually makes this even more impressive is that it did it on a Christian label. Often when a Christian artists had success on the mainstream charts it’s partially because a secular label co-released the album, but not this time, Michael earned the ranking fair and square. As for the album it’s probably some of his best work and while a little over produced it’s a solid album with several very good tracks. Personally I think the title track is the single but it would not have done as well on radio.

Tracklist
1 – Go West Young Man – 4:00
2 – Love Crusade – 4:23
3 – Place In This World – 4:01
4 – For You – 4:08
5 – How Long Will Be Too Long – 4:35
6 – Seed To Sow – 6:13
7 – Cross My Heart – 4:35
8 – Emily – 4:17
9 – Agnus Dei – 5:08
10 – 1990~ – 1:39

Credits
A&R – Don Donahue, Richard Headen
Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The African Children’s Choir] – Michael W. Smith
Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The American Boychoir] – Ronn Huff
Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Chris McDonald
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – Ronn Huff
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, Deb Rhodes
Artwork By [Styling] – Mary Jane Starke
Choir [The African Children’s Choir] – “Moses” Benjamin Walusimbi, Alex Ndahura, Alpha Bugembe, Angelina Tushemereirwe, Barbara Kayaga, Bernett Kwesigomo, Edward Kizito, Eliphaz Isiko, Faruk Luyinda, Harriett Nalugo, Hope Namatovu, Isack Kalule, Israel Musoke, Jackie Nayiga, James Ndyanabo, Jane Babirye, Joseph Serwada, Josephine Nakato, Margaret Ndagire, Monika Muyodi, Niima Asiimwe, Rebecca Namuju, Sarah Nakayiza, Timothy Kabogere
Choir [The American Boychoir] – Aaron Cassidy, Benjamin Eley, Cameron Kruger, Charles Evans, Christopher Korenjak, David Listenberger, Evan Burris, Evan Weber, Kenneth Votapka, Lance Wiliford, Mitch Beeler, Nathan Wadley, Richard Lee, Scott Couper
Co-producer – Bryan Lenox
Concertmaster, Contractor – Carl Gorodetzky
Conductor [The African Children’s Choir Director] – Gertrude Kafeero
Conductor [The American Boychoir] – James H. Litton
Design – B. Middleworth
Edited By – Nick Palladino
Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Dave Murphy, Don Martin, Pasquale DelVillagio, Pat Hutchinson, Patrick Kelly
Engineer [Engineered By] – Bill Deaton, Billy Whittington, Brent King, Bret Teegarden, Bryan Lenox
Executive-Producer [Executive Producers] – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings
Featuring – The African Children’s Choir, The American Boychoir, The Nashville String Machine
Management [Exclusive Management And Direction] – Blanton \ Harrell, Inc.
Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen
Mixed By – Humberto Gatica
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Alejandro Rodriguez, David Parker
Other [MWS Personal Assistant] – Elizabeth Leighton Jones
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer [MWS Vocals Produced By] – Wayne Kirkpatrick
Producer [Produced By] – Michael W. Smith
Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Bryan Lenox, MWS, Mike Lawler, Tommy Sims, Trace Scarborough
Recorded By [Strings] – Brett King
Recorded By [The American Boychoir] – Rick Rowe
Soloist – Nathan Wadley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Edited At – Scene Three, Inc.
Mastered At – Precision Mastering
Recorded At – BMG Recording Studios
Recorded At – Treasure Isle Recorders
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – The Benson Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Digital Recorders
Recorded At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Recorded At – Deer Valley Studio, Franklin, TN
Recorded At – Soundtrek Studios
Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Copyright © – O’Ryan Music, Inc.
Copyright © – Emily Boothe, Inc.
Copyright © – Age To Age Music, Inc.
Copyright © – Whitney Katherine Music, Inc.

David Meece – Learning To Trust – 1989

This is David’s 10th album and his first with Star Song/Sparrow and that’s the reason I dislike this excellent album. Okay let me explain. It is obvious that Star Song threw a TON of money at this album. The production list is like something from a mainstream platinum album. So what’s the problem you ask. The album is way way over produced. I mean there are some great tracks on this album. “When I Was Seventeen” is an excellent track with an excellent guitar track BUT it is just too smooth. It needs to be rough with a Bryan Adams feel not the smooth calculated and way over mixed version we get. Another example of what’s wrong with this album is that David, one of the best pianists in the world, only plays keyboards on 2 tracks. What? The album instead chooses to center around his vocals which quite frankly are secondary to his keyboard skills. Okay but is it a good album? Yes it’s a very good album and there are some timeless tracks but I just wish it was a little more raw.

Tracklist
1 – Prelude (Instrumental) – 0:34
2 – When I Was Seventeen – 4:26
3 – Learning To Trust – 4:59
4 – To Know Him – 3:48
5 – To The Glory Of God – 4:01
6 – The Man With The Nail Scars – 4:47
7 – Interlude In B Minor (Instrumental) – 0:55
8 – This Time – 4:43
9 – When All Colors Turn To Love – 4:11
10 – Somebody’s Calling Your Name – 5:05
11 – The Rest Of My Life – 3:56

Credits
Backing Vocals – Chris Eaton, Chris Rodriguez, Donna McElroy, Gordon Kennedy, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Vickie Hampton, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bass – Jimmie Lee Sloas, Mike Brignardello, Tommy Sims
Bass [Programming] – Shane Keister
Design – Janice Watson
Director Of Photography – Joan Tankersley
Drum Programming – Shane Keister
Drums – Chris McHugh, Paul Leim
Engineer – Jeff Balding
Engineer [Assistant] – Byron House, Carry Summers, Jeff Borders, Roy Gamble, Shawn McLean, Steve Bishir
Engineer [Overdubs] – Brown Bannister
Guitar – Gordon Kennedy, Jerry McPherson, Tom Hemby, Wayne Scott Farley
Keyboards – David Meece, Phil Naish, Shane Keister, Tommy Dorsey
Keyboards [Additional] – David Meece
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Billy Whittington, Jeff Balding, Nick Fromme
Mixed By [Assistant] – John David Parker
Percussion – Chris McHugh, Paul Leim, Terry McMillan
Photography By – Eika Aoshima
Producer – Brown Bannister, Shane Keister
Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Richard Headen
Tom Tom, Cymbal – Chris McHugh

Companies, etc.
Produced For – RBI Productions
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – The Castle Recording Studios
Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Copyright © – Star Song
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Published By – Meece Music
Published By – Arose Music

The Archers – Keep Singin That Love Song – 1974

This is the first album that The Archers recorded with Impact Records. They did re-release their first album with Impact but Impact were not involved with that album other than that. Impact had Bob MacKenzie step in and do the production for the album. They all obviously meshed together well as the album had 2 number one hits, “Little Flowers” and “Jesus, He Is The Son Of God”. This is the album that really introduced The Archers to the world but strangely they couldn’t follow it up with Impact as they switched over to Light Records after this album. Anyway if your an Archers fan this is the one that actually started it all even though it wasn’t their first album.

Tracklist
1 – Keep Singin’ That Love Song – 2:50
2 – Truth, Peace And Joy – 3:21
3 – He Washed My Sins Away – 2:34
4 – Children – 3:11
5 – Jesus (He Is The Son Of God) – 3:00
6 – Thank You, Lord Jesus – 3:51
7 – Little Flowers – 4:16
8 – Soul Down – 3:00
9 – He Loves You – 2:42
10 – There Is A Light – 3:38

Credits
Don Aldridge – Songwriter
Steve Archer – Vocals
Tim Archer – Vocals
The Archers – Vocal Arrangements
Andrae Crouch – Songwriter
Stu Evans – Engineer
Jon Ferrin – Songwriter
Toby Foster – Remix Engineer, Mastered
Lee Hazen – Remix Engineer
Phil Johnson – Songwriter
Danny Lee – Songwriter
Bob MacKenzie – Producer
Billy Masters – Songwriter, Vocals
Nancye Short – Songwriter, Vocals
Bob Sisco – Vocal and Instrumental Arrangements

Scott Springer – Hello Forever – 1993

This album is often called the 3 album from Halo but it is not. Scott Springer is indeed joined by Halo drummer Mike Graham but the rest of the band is absent. Furthermore I don’t feel it has the same sound as Halo. It is much more AOR oriented. As with the Halo albums this one is produed by the Elefante brothers and as usual the production is top notch and as is common on their albums they pitched in on instruments and song writing. Personally I preferred the Halo albums but this album stands strong on it’s own. This album will go down as one of the poorest album covers of 1993 as it almost insinuates this is a swing album or something The cover was done by David Bach (Guardian) and I’ve seen his other work and it all seemed good, but I feel he missed on this one.

Tracklist
1 – Anytime – 3:55
2 – Hello Forever – 4:31
3 – Behold The Lamb – 4:40
4 – Psycho Babble – 4:05
5 – The Victory – 4:29
6 – His Name Is Jesus – 4:56
7 – Stand Up – 4:14
8 – On My Knees – 4:17
9 – Promises – 4:39
10 – Wounded Soldier – 4:10

Credits
Art Direction, Design – David Bach
Backing Vocals – Dave Amato, Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, John Elefante, Sarah Tennison, Scott Springer
Bass – E.L. McNeely, Jack Mack, John Pierce
Drums – David Raven, Mike Graham
Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante
Guitar – Dino Elefante, E.L. McNeely, Glenn Pearce
Keyboards – John Andrew Schreiner, John Elefante
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Neil Kernon
Photography By – Ben Pearson
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Written-By – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, John Elefante, Mike Graham, Scott Springer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pakaderm Records, bWord, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Nelson Word Ltd.
Made By – Nimbus
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering