Albums – Page 32 – Real 80s CCM

Zion (OR) – Cry Out – 1987

There are several “Zion”s in the CCM market. This is the one from Jacksonville, Oregon. They were an excellent Pop Rock band that released two self financed albums. This is the second one of those albums. I’m a little mystified how these guys didn’t get a record deal. They are really good in my opinion. The vocals are shared between Dave Day and Linda Holt Morrison. I’m a big fan of Dave’s vocals but I struggle with Linda’s. That said I think it could be fixed in post production but what do I know. I don’t like Sandie Brock from Servants vocals either so I think it comes down to personal preference. My other small criticism is that the tracks are a touch long but again that would be fixed in post production. But lets toss all that aside because this is a great album and it’s pretty well engineered. The credits say it was mastered by Steve Hall. I don’t know if it’s THE Steve Hall but if it is wow, he’s one of the best. Anyway this is a great Pop Rock album and there are a couple tracks here that are going on my playlist for sure.

Tracklist
1 – Cry Out – 5:10
2 – The Edge – 4:03
3 – Kidz – 5:31
4 – Take My Life – 5:46
5 – Heaven Help Us – 6:17
6 – Rad – 4:16
7 – Love You To Life – 4:43
8 – I’ll Be There – 5:57

Credits
Bass, Vocals, Guitar – Larry Wick
Drums, Percussion – John Scott Armas
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dave Day
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Producer – Jeff Bates
Lead Vocals – Linda Holt Morrison
Mastered By – Steve Hall

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Starlight Recording, Applegate, Oregon
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Crosstalk Music
Published By – D-Day Music

Split Level – Sons Of Liberty – 1987

This is the second album from Split Level and what a great album it is. Their first album was released on a label I’ve never heard of and can’t find any record of, Big Feet Records. I also can’t find a copy of the album. The band went into the studio with Andy McCarroll who was about to produce his first album. Reportedly when the album came out the band said the album didn’t sound like them. I just watched a live cut of them and I think it did represent them well. Maybe the band wasn’t used to a studio album toning down the rawness that band has live. From the one track I saw live the album is a pretty good representation. Anyway the album was popular and the band kept on touring and playing gigs where they thought they could reach people who wouldn’t normally listen to Christian music. It should be noted that the released album track order was not the same as the album label. I have no idea if this was intentional or a gimmick but here we’ve presented the tracks in to order on the record label. Word only released the album in the U.K. and why they did that is beyond me. I’m sure this album would have done well in the North American market.

Tracklist
1 – Land Of Freedom – 3:45
2 – Peace Of Home – 3:02
3 – I Will Live – 3:25
4 – Into The Fire – 3:40
5 – It Won’t Be Long – 4:27
6 – Sons Of Liberty – 3:58
7 – View Of A World – 3:48
8 – Desertland – 3:21
9 – God Is – 4:13
10 – Dove – 3:54

Credits
Design – James Kessell
Keyboards – Brian Jones
Keyboards, Programmed By [Engineering Programming] – Enda Walsh
Mixed By – Neil Costello, Pat McCarthy
Photography By – Jim Loring
Photography By [Additional] – Branka Jukić
Producer – Andy McCarroll
Vocals, Bass Guitar – Derek Currie
Vocals, Drums – Barry Kennedy
Vocals, Guitar – Adrian Thompson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Gap Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word (UK) Ltd.
Mixed At – ICC Studios
Recorded At – Homestead Studios
Copyright © – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright © – Gap Music (2)
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging
Made By – Shorewood Packaging
Mixed At – Windmill Lane Studios

Prism – Green – 1988

Usually I bash Chris Harris and Mark Heimermann and their Prism projects but not this time. As I’ve been processing CCM artist’s Christmas albums this week more and more of them sounded like the record company recorded a bunch of Christmas carol arrangements and then invited a CCM artist in to sing them. None of these albums had a feel of the artist and quite frankly the arrangements sound like any album I could buy at Walmart for 99¢ in December. But not this album. Chris and Mark actually sat down and wrote some excellent arrangements for these tracks and did some great vocals. I have no idea who else was involved with this project but it is great as far as Christmas albums go. Many of these tracks will go on my Christmas playlist this year.

1 – Joy To The World – 3:41
2 – O Holy Night – 4:05
3 – Snowdrift / Silent Night – 5:09
4 – White Christmas – 4:22
5 – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – 2:01
6 – Away In A Manager – 4:33
7 – O Come All Ye Faithful – 4:52
8 – The First Noel – 3:25
9 – Angels We Have Heard On High – 3:16
10 – Only Love (Will Last Forever) – 4:09

Steve Green – Joy To The World – 1987

Here’s a collection of Christmas tracks that the record company put together for Steve Green to sing. I say this because this is about the 3rd CCM artist Christmas album I’ve listened to that had nothing contemporary about it and doesn’t seem to have that touch from the artist. That said it’s an okay album but it won’t go on my Christmas playlist.

Tracklist
1 – Joy To The World – 2:25
2 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:41
3 – Angels From The Realms Of Glory / O Come, All Ye Faithful – 3:06
4 – Silent Night, Holy Night – 3:19
5 – The Birthday Of A King / O Holy Night – 4:24
6 – Jesus Is Born – 3:24
7 – Messiah Medley – 3:16
8 – Rest – 4:09
9 – Adorar Al Niño (Go And Worship Jesus) – 2:08
10 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel / Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne – 4:21

Credits
Arranged By [Percussion Arrangement] – Don Hart
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements] – Greg Nelson, Phil Naish
Arranged By [String Arrangement] – Don Hart
Arranged By [String and Vocal Arrangements] – Alan Moore
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Don Hart
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement], Conductor – David T. Clydesdale
Arranged By, Orchestrated By, Conductor – David T. Clydesdale
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Bass – Craig Nelson
Contractor [Background Vocalists] – Beverly Darnall
Contractor [Orchestra] – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine
Design – Jackson Design
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer – Brent King
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Whittington, David Murphy
Engineer, Mixed By – Bob Clark
Guitar – Jon Goin, Mark Casstevens
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Photography By – Steven A. Heller
Piano [Acoustic], Harpsichord – David Huntsinger
Producer – Greg Nelson
Sleeve Notes – Steve Green

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Word Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Mixed At – Great Circle Sound
Published By – LCS Songs
Published By – Pamela Kay Music
Published By – Beckengus Music
Published By – River Oaks Music
Published By – New Wings Music
Published By – Greg Nelson Music

Michael W. Smith – Christmas – 1989

Okay just right off the bat I’m going to clarify that this album is in no way contemporary. It is 100% classical or whatever you want to call this genre. If you like Michael’s piano playing you MIGHT like this album but quite frankly it doesn’t fit in as CCM music in any way shape or form. It is Michael W. Smith so we thought we would upload it anyway but I can guarantee that after the work needed to upload this album I will likely never listen to it again.

Tracklist
1 – Overture/O Come All Ye Faithful – 5:38
2 – Lux Venit – 3:28
3 – Anthem For Christmas – 3:11
4 – First Snowfall – 2:44
5 – Christ The Messiah – 3:59
6 – No Eye Had Seen – 2:53
7 – All Is Well – 4:08
8 – Memoirs: A Trilogy – 4:28
9 – Gloria – 5:03
10 – Silent Night – 1:33

Credits
Arranged By [Choral Arangements] – Ronn Huff
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor [Orchestra] – Ronn Huff
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Brent King, Danny Garcia, Scott Macminn
Engineer [Assistant] – Bryan Lenox, Joe Kraus, Steve Charles
Engineer, Mixed By – Billy Whittington
Executive Producer – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings
Featuring – The Nashville Festival Orchestra, Nashville String Machine
Mastered By – Ron Lewter
Producer – Michael W. Smith, Ronn Huff
Producer [Orchestra & Choir] – Mark Laycock
Recorded By [Orchestra] – Brent King

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Reunion Records, Inc.
Made By – Discovery Systems
Published By – O’Ryan Music, Inc.
Published By – Tapestry, Inc.
Published By – Age To Age Music, Inc.
Published By – Annie Merle Music
Published By – Gaither Music Company
Published By – Emily Boothe, Inc.
Recorded At – War Memorial Auditorium
Recorded At – Martinsound
Recorded At – Sigma Sound Studios
Recorded At – Digital Recorders
Recorded At – Deer Valley Studio, Franklin, TN
Mixed At – Deer Valley Studio, Franklin, TN
Edited At – Digital Associates
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Truth – Your Heart Is Where Christmas Is Found – 1989

A very very expanded version of Truth plays some Christmas tracks in medley and full length versions. They included some non traditional songs whch gives the album a very rounded appeal for a Chrsitmas album.

Tracklist
1 – Celebration Of Joy – 3:35
2 – Caroler’s Song – 3:29
3 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / We Wish You A Merry Christmas – 4:26
4 – Your Heart Is Where Christmas Is Found – 4:00
5 – O Come, All Ye Faithful – 5:03
6 – Silver Bells / Carol Of The Bells – 3:55
7 – The Way He Came – 4:16
8 – Sleigh Ride – 3:08
9 – Carol Medley – 4:11
10 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel / Emmanuel – 4:51

Credits
Arranged By – David Maddux, David Clydesdale, Don Hart, Steven V. Taylor
Art Direction – Katherine DeVault Design
Bass – Gary Lunn
Directed By [Director] – Roger Breland
Drums – Mark Hammond
Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary
Guitar – Jon Goin
Keyboards – David Huntsinger
Orchestra – Nashville String Machine
Performer [TRUTH Is] – Alicia Williamson, Amy Thomas, Andy Chrisman, Brian Smith, Christi Bovee, Cynthia Snelling, Dana Cappillino, Ellen Schoppert, Gina Walker, Glen George, Roger Breland*, Kevin Rizzo, Kirk Sullivan, Lanny Cox, Mark Bovee, Mark Childers, Mark Harris, Marty Magehee, Mike Cole, Mike Thomas, Mike Walker, Sharon Childers, Steve Schoppert, Tim Ranson
Photography By – Jim DeVault Photography
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Steven V. Taylor
Recorded By, Mixed By – Mike Psanos

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Benson Company, Inc.
Copyright © – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Mixed At – Great Circle Sound
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Distributed By – Mitchell Family Books, Inc.
Published By – John T. Benson Publishing Co., Inc.
Published By – TRC Music
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – EMI Feist Catalog, Inc.
Published By – Word Music, Inc.
Published By – Paramount Music
Published By – Mills Music, Inc.

First Call – An Evening In December – 1985

A selection of Christmas songs from First Call featuring David Maddux done in A Cappella. Nothing outstanding here except for the fact that it was done A Cappella.

Tracklist
1 – An Evening In December – 4:53
2 – Christmas Medley – 4:15
3 – Starlight – 3:06
4 – How Great Our Joy! – 1:45
5 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel – 3:05
6 – The First Noel – 2:33
7 – One Small Child – 3:02
8 – When Jesus Was A Tiny Baby – 3:07
9 – Lo! How A Rose E’re Blooming – 1:16
10 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 3:43
11 – The New Twelve Days Of Christmas/We Wish You A Merry Christmas – 5:02

Credits
Arranged By – D. Maddux
Art Direction, Illustration – McConnell Graphics
Co-producer – David Maddux
Engineer [Sound] – Lynn Fuston, Tom Harding
Engineer, Mixed By – Ed Seay
Executive-Producer – Don Cason, Neal Joseph
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Performer – David Maddux, First Call
Performer [First Call Is] – Bonnie Keen, Marty McCall, Melodie Tunney
Producer – Steven V. Taylor

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Treasure Isle Recorders
Mastered At – Mastermix
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Epic
Distributed By – Epic

Chuck Girard – Heart Of Christmas – 2001

Here’s a collection of Christmas favourites by Chuck Girard many of which have updated arrangements. Of interest is Jingle Bells with Christian lyrics and a more modern version of Oh Holy Night. There is also a traditional version of Oh Holy Night.

Tracklist
1 – Jingle Bells – 3:15
2 – We Three Kings – 4:42
3 – What Child Is This – 4:21
4 – Silent Night – 6:37
5 – Oh Holy Night – 5:02
6 – Heart Of Christmas – 4:23
7 – The First Noel – 4:33
8 – Mary’s Boy Child – 5:19
9 – Away In A Manger / Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem – 4:36
10 – In The Bleak Mid-Winter – 4:26
11 – Oh Holy Night – 5:24

Credits
Co-producer, Arranged By – Karen Girard
Producer, Arranged By – Chuck Girard

Surprise – Fish!!! – 1989

Australian band Surprise actually started out in the early 80’s as Surprise Surprise. They actually appeared on and won an episode of the Australian version of Star Search performing Walking with a Zombie. That win actually paid for some recording sessions. When 2 members left they changed the name to just a single Surprise. They did have a demo but we haven’t found it yet. So here is their first album on label Refuge. The album is just simply fantastic. It has more a mid 80’s sound than a late 80’s sound but never mind it’s fantastic. I was actually surprised to find out that this very well produced album was actually David Simpfendorfer first attempt at production. He produced both Surprise albums and very little else. Kind of surprising because I thought he did a great job. Anyway this is definitely a must listen if you liked mid 80’s new wave.

Tracklist
1 – Waits For Me – 3:44
2 – Captains Of Industry – 3:33
3 – Take This Hand – 2:53
4 – Wastin’ Time – 3:31
5 – Do You Believe? – 2:57
6 – Omo Bob – 3:07
7 – This Generation – 2:53
8 – Head In The Clouds – 2:09
9 – Better Days – 3:58
10 – Ignorance – 2:55
11 – Freedom – 2:10
12 – Think About That – 1:34

Credits
Backing Vocals – Allan Dowthwaite, David Welch, Malcolm Kiely
Bass – Malcolm Kiely
Drums – Allan Dowthwaite
Engineer – Dave Simpfendorfer
Guitar – Alexander MacDonald
Keyboards – David Welch
Mixed By – Jeff Todd
Photography By – Brad Sutcliffe
Producer – Dave Simpfendorfer, Surprise
Vocals – Alexander MacDonald, Catherine Ryan, Lisa Parsons

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Windwood Studios

Lasse Edin & The Outsiders – Unbounded Land – 1990

I’ll say honestly I’m a little confused how the Edin Adahl gang decided what albums were solo projects and what were group albums. This project includes Lars Edin obviously but also Frank Ådahl and Simon Ådahl and was produced by Bertil Edin. Anyway Lars was the lead on this project and wrote the music for seven of the tracks while Svenerid Dahl wrote the lyrics for those seven tracks. Simon Adahl wrote one track and strangely but pretty cool are two tracks written by Jeff Lynn as performed by ELO. I don’t really know too much about the project other than that but it’s a pretty good album. It has a bit of an early Edin-Ådahl feel and sound though it is produced better than those early projects.

Tracklist
1 – Summer and Lightning – 3:52
2 – Without Love – 2:54
3 – Right on Time – 3:44
4 – Cause I Need You – 3:46
5 – Unbounded Land – 4:02
6 – Bleeding Heart – 3:33
7 – Stepping Out – 3:27
8 – Confusion – 3:19
9 – I’m the One – 3:55
10 – Waste of Time – 2:58

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar – Simon Ådahl
Arranged By – Lasse Edin, Tommy Kaså
Backing Vocals – Frank Ådahl, Lasse Edin, Simon Ådahl
Bass – Tomas Axelsson, Urban Hedin
Design – Carl Åkesson
Drum Programming – Frank Ådahl
Drums – Johan Franzon
Engineer – Bertil Edin
Guitar, Lead Guitar – Tommy Kaså
Keyboards – Frank Ådahl, Jörgen Ingeström
Photography By – Magnus Elgquist
Producer – Bertil Edin, Lasse Edin
Steel Guitar – Per-Olof Larsson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Cantio Records
Copyright © – Cantio Records
Published By – EMI Songs Scandinavia AB
Published By – Cantio Music
Recorded At – Edin Music Studio
Pressed By – CD Plant MFG
Glass Mastered At – CDM