I knew Fletch better as a producer than a performer. In fact I had no idea he had even released any albums until I stumbled on this one. While I absolutely love his work as a producer I’m not so excited with his performer role. It’s not that this album is bad it’s just that it’s not that good. I have seen this quite a few times when a producer tries to release their own album. That said the album is a little more easy listening than the cover would imply though the trumpet should have gave it away. The album has covers of both “Are You Ready?” by Pacific Gas & Electric and People Get Ready by The Impressions/Curtis Mayfield. Both covers are okay but nothing special. Of course after Darrell Mansfield covered People Get Ready all other covers pale in comparison.
Tracklist 1 – Fiesta – 6:30 2 – Are You Ready – 3:53 3 – Started Right – 4:01 4 – I Am That I Am – 3:51 5 – Nightwatch – 6:14 6 – People Get Ready – 4:30 7 – Joy Dance – 4:31 8 – On My Way Home – 5:53
Credits Backing Vocals – Andrae Crouch, Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, The McCrary’s Bass – Abraham Laboriel Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Brian Tankersley Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Flute, Clavinet – Fletch Wiley Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry McPherson Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, Larry Muhoberac Mastered By – Greg Calbi Mixed By – Brian Tankersley, Fletch Wiley Percussion – Alex Acuña Producer, Arranged By – Fletch Wiley Synthesizer – Paul Mills
This is the one that started it all for Koinonia. The band formed in 1980 and were probably one of the first Christian bands to play their particular fusion jazz style. While the band were somewhat popular in North America they were huge Scandinavia where their style of music was really well received. Personally I don’t care that much for the style but they do it well and I always appreciate well done music even if it’s not my style.
Tracklist 1 – More Than A Feelin’ – 5:29 2 – Rescue – 4:24 3 – Graceful – 4:32 4 – Cuando – 3:59 5 – Divina – 4:09 6 – Give Your Love – 5:29 7 – Valentine – 5:35 8 – Funky Bumpkins – 4:43 9 – On My Way Home – 5:31
Credits Bass – Abraham Laboriel Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell Engineer – Bill Schnee Guitar – Dean Parks, Hadley Hockensmith Keyboards – Harlan Rogers Photography By – David Randle Producer – Bill Schnee Synthesizer – Michael Omartian Vocals – Abraham Laboriel, Bill Maxwell, Harlan Rogers, Russ Taff Woodwind – John Phillips (6), Justo Almario
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
