Category: Albums

Terry Talbot – Face To Face – 1985

I find it so difficult to review Terry’s albums. To me they all sound very similar as I just don’t love his style of music. That said I have great respect for Terry as an artist. He put out an album almost every year through the 80’s which is a lot of work considering he writes almost all of his songs. HIs guitar work is also very good so I really hate saying “Here’s another Terry album ……” He really deserves more of my respect but I just struggle with his style but that’s a personal problem. There are a few upbeat tracks on this album that I thought were pretty good but his vocals just don’t suit them in my opinion. Anyway Here’s another Terry album for his fans and I know he has lots of them.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XTlQ1GI92GcEiDzA0sakxp3

Tracklist
1 – Face To Face – 3:40
2 – Mighty Rushing Wind – 4:14
3 – So As You’ve Done – 4:18
4 – I Have Overcome – 4:17
5 – The Christ – 4:22
6 – Lay Down The Stones – 3:56
7 – Father’s House – 4:06
8 – Narrow Is The Gate – 4:20
9 – Greater Things – 4:49

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Terry Talbot
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Design – Jim Shanman (tracks: Lyric Sheet), Stan Evenson (tracks: Album Jacket)
Design [Album Jacket Design By] – Stan Evenson Design, Inc.*
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Dulcimer – Carol Koening
Engineer – Mike Ross-Trevor, Ron Capone, Win Kutz
Executive-Producer – John Michael Talbot
Mastered By – Herb Melton, Steve Hall
Orchestrated By – Denney Bouchard
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Photography By – Raul Vega
Producer – Terry Talbot
Songwriter – Terry Talbot
Synthesizer – Denney Bouchard
Twelve-String Guitar – John Michael Talbot (tracks: A1, B2), Terry Talbot
Vocals – Howard Smith, Karla Thibodeau, Steve Amerson, Tata Vega, Terry Talbot, Wendy Talbot

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Westwind Studio
Recorded At – CBS Studios, London
Remixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – Future Disc
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
Copyright © – Birdwing Music
Published By – The Sparrow Corporation
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation

Michael Sweet – Michael Sweet – 1994

This was the first solo album from Michael after leaving Stryper in 1992. He actually had a demo in 1992 and a few tracks from it made it onto this album. I was really surprised when I first listened to this album. I was expecting something much heavier but this is a rock/pop album and a damn good one. I have criticized Stryper in the past as I think they rode the “we’re heavy metal” horse a little too much. But after listening to this album I think I might have been wrong. This album shows some real talent by Michael and quite frankly the songwriting is excellent. The album was produced by Gregg Fulkerson (Blue Tears) and he also wrote 4 of the tracks. He also provided some guitar and keyboard work. All in all this is a really good album and while I shied away from it at first I’m really happy I took the time to listen to it. There’s a few tracks here that are going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Together – 4:10
2 – Take Me Home – 4:40
3 – Tomorrow, Tonight – 4:37
4 – All This And Heaven Too – 4:07
5 – Someday – 4:52
6 – J.E.S.U.S. – 4:27
7 – All I Wanna Do (Is Love You) – 4:06
8 – Forever Yours – 4:24
9 – I Think You Hear Me Knockin’ – 3:56
10 – Ain’t No Safe Way – 3:14

Credits
Art Direction – Connie Harrington
Artwork By [Hair] – Debbie Frayer
Artwork By [Make-up] – Kyle Sweet
Backing Vocals, Organ [Additional], Keyboards, Programmed By – Doug Beiden
Bass Guitar – Michael Spears
Co-producer – Doug Beiden
Design – The Riordon Design Group Inc.
Drums, Percussion – Jamie Wollam
Engineer, Mixed By – Doug Beiden
Executive-Producer – Troy J. VanLiere
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Programmed By – Michael Sweet
Management – Rendy Lovelady Artist Management
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Gregg Fulkerson, Michael Sweet
Rhythm Guitar, Organ, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Gregg Fulkerson
Written-By – Gregg Fulkerson, Michael Sweet

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Benson Music Group, Inc.
Copyright © – Benson Music Group, Inc.
Distributed By – Benson Music Group, Inc.
Distributed By – R.G. Mitchell Family Books, Inc.
Published By – LifeSong Music Press
Published By – Sweet Milena Music
Published By – Fulkersongs
Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
Published By – Could Be Music
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Recorded At – Sound Revolution
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering

Eric Champion – Eric Champion – 1990

This is Eric’s first album and he came into CCM with a bang. Well not really a bang but more of a keyboard entrance. This was my first exposure to him and I really like this album. That said me liking this album is not really a good thing. I love this album because of it’s mid 80’s sound but the problem is that the album came out in 1990. Personally i feel it was a few years late but in CCM that’s not really a big deal. This album has a real mid 80’s pop feel with overtures of Prince. Some reviewers say there’s a feel of Michael Jackson which I can see musically but not vocally. In fact Eric owns his vocals and as such I’m going to stop comparing him to other artists.

Tracklist
1 – Forever Love – 4:38
2 – Brother, Brother – 5:20
3 – Peaceful – 6:16
4 – We Are The Young – 6:05
5 – River’s Edge – 5:32
6 – Everyday People – 7:29
7 – Heaven On Earth – 5:04
8 – Friends In High Places – 4:29
9 – Ready And Willing – 3:44
10 – Above It All – 4:21

Credits
Art Direction [Associate Art Director] – Roz
Art Direction, Design, Artwork [Logo] – F2 Design
Engineer – Paul Salveson, Ronnie Brookshire
Engineer [Overdub Engineer] – Jon Carey
Executive-Producer, Mixed By, Keyboards – Chris Christian
Guitar – Jerry McPherson
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Paul Salveson, Ronnie Brookshire
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer, Mixed By, Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming], Backing Vocals – Eric Champion
Production Manager [Production Coordinaton] – Michelle Hodges
Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Snare [Snare Fills] – John Hammond
Voice [Lord’s Prayer On] – Michelle Hodges
Voice [People Yelling And Screaming At Each Other On] – Michelle Hodges, Ronnie Brookshire, Tim Craft

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Home Sweet Home Records
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Pressed By – Disctronics S
Made By – Player Print & Design
Printed By – Player Print & Design
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio, Dallas, TX
Mastered At – Future Disc

Split Level – glo.bal – 1997

Originating from the fruitful music motherland of Ireland in the mid-1980’s, Split Level with a pop riven alternative band that fit right into the mold of British music of the day. For fans of The Baby’s, The Tubes, The Imitators et al, the band garnered a decent following in Europe, though struggled to really breakthrough in the states. After moving to England the band found itself releasing an independent project that sounded more like demos before releasing the highly coveted, “Sons of Liberty” on the British imprint of What? Records. The band would exist for nearly two decades, but only release albums occasionally. The album spotlighted here is their final studio project, “glo.bal.” Released through Pamplin Music (where artists went to die), the album was only a blip on the rock/alternative scene even in the US. Limited marketing and a sound that didn’t fit the accepted sound of Christian music at the time (acoustic folk or hardcore), this was the least “European” sounding album of their career. It is also ranks among their best. “Everything” kicks off the record with what should have been the biggest rock radio hit. Easily palatable to fans of The Elms, Smalltown Poets and Seven Day Jesus, the song has a monster hook chorus and radio friendly vibe. Occasionally the melody got lost in questionable production, where the distortion of the guitar overplays its hand and distracts from the melody. Such is the case with “Twister,” which could have been a mainstream radio single in the early 90’s. The best chance for mainstream Christian radio airplay is the mid-tempo ballad, “Emily.” Touches of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Blind Melon, Dinosaur Jr. and other similar bands with a hooky chorus driven be bass and acoustic guitar. The order of songs is really interesting. Starting with more melodic pop rock, the album becomes much more experimental and introspective as it closes. And much mellower. The second half of the album could easily been released under the moniker, Smalltown Poets. Great acoustic rock with smart melodies. In a way, the band seemed to hit its stride in finding an identity that could have proven successful in the states, but it would unfortunately serve as the last studio project as only a live album would be released a few years later.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XTnA74LwitjIv4HYPs0coXE

Tracklist
1 – Everything – 3:58
2 – Twister – 3:58
3 – Emily – 3:54
4 – Healed – 4:40
5 – The Things I Do – 3:54
6 – Shrinking Brain – 3:38
7 – Circles – 5:45
8 – If I Should Leave – 4:46
9 – Fly – 2:53
10 – Pinlight – 4:25
11 – Got Your Number – 3:09

Credits
$B Dash 3 – Musician
David Bach – Art Direction
Rob Craner – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Dan Donovan – Art Direction
Rick Elias – Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Chris Grainger – Mixing Assistant
Russ Long – Engineer, Mixing, Percussion, Theremin
Phil Madeira – Musician
Trevor Michael – Studio Assistant
Ben Pearson – Photography
Gary Randall – Executive Producer
Mark Roth – Cover Design, Photography
Split Level – Primary Artist
Hank Williams – Mastering

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Pila Music
Manufactured By – Pila Music
Record Company – Organic Records
Distributed By – Pamplin Music

Phillip Sandifer – Never Steal The Show – 1981

Phillip Sandifer wrote and recorded this album while a student at University Of Texas at Austin. It was recorded on a very tight budget and Phil retained the rights to the album. Retaining the rights to his music is something Phil was well known for and was due in part to his relationship with his godfather, Dallas lawyer Shannon Jones who helped bring the Buddy Holly bill. This effort to retain rights doesn’t appear to have hurt his career as he was very successful. This album was self released but some sort of deal was cut with Urgent records for it to be released on their label. This is a great easy listening album and was very popular for very good reason.

Tracklist
1 – Detour – 3:06
2 – Always Have The Time – 2:56
3 – You Are The Cause – 2:54
4 – Lessons – 3:54
5 – Given Back To You – 1:28
6 – Open Up – 2:59
7 – Another Day – 2:38
8 – Simply I Love You – 3:47
9 – Never Steal The Show – 2:49
10 – Purity – 4:18

Credits
Arranged By, Orchestrated By, Backing Vocals, Conductor, Producer – Gary Powell
Art Direction – Steve Freeman
Backing Vocals – Chris Crawford, Mike Sandifer, Tom Cantrell
Bass – Spencer Starnes
Cello – Mary Ann Dresser
Drums – John Treanor
Guitar – Mark Lang
Guitar, Backing Vocals, Engineer, Producer – Larry Seyer
Guitar, Backing Vocals, Written-By, Composed By – Phillip Sandifer
Keyboards – Bill Ginn, Neil Pederson, Tony Taliaferro
Mastered By – Stan Ricker
Percussion – James Fenner
Photography By – Sandy Wilson
Viola – Doug Tabony, Ed Lawrence, Shirley Blair
Violin – Dorothy Goodenough
Woodwind – John Mills

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – PSP Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – PSP Records
Produced For – GP Studio Productions
Published By – Jesmax Music
Recorded At – Austin Recording Studio
Mixed At – Austin Recording Studio
Mastered At – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

Crystavox – The Bottom Line – 1992

This is the second and last album from Crystavox as they broke up shortly after it was released. I was quite surprised while I was researching this album that most reviews were either very positive or very negative. Personally I think it’s a pretty good album. It has a nice commercial metal feel and sits nicely amongst the metal albums of the day and I would rank it above average for the time. Luckily for their fans the band reunited and signed with Roxx Productions, who released a compilation album and DVD, “The 20 Year Mix”. In 2018 this album was reissued on a limited vinyl run of 500 pieces. 350 in black vinyl and 150 in translucent red.

Tracklist
1 – The Big Picture – 3:33
2 – Break Down The Wall – 4:41
3 – Rise Up – 4:59
4 – Snakes In The Grass – 3:44
5 – Stick To Your Guns – 3:34
6 – Paradise – 4:45
7 – Cry Out – 2:57
8 – Shame – 4:40
9 – Rockin’ A Hard Place – 5:46
10 – No Boundaries – 3:57

Credits
Bass Guitar – Brent Ford
Design, Layout – Fred Helm
Drums, Percussion – Fred Helm
Engineer – Loren Holmquist, Michael Geiser
Lead Guitar – George Ochoa
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Tony Lopez
Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Mixed By – Adam Lee Kemp, John Sarappo, Loren Holmquist
Music By – Crystavox
Photography By – Andrew Watrous
Producer – Adam Lee Kemp, Loren Holmquist
Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Keyboards – Loren Holmquist
Vocals [Additional Vocals] – Jamie Rowe
Vocals, Keyboards, Lyrics By – Adam Lee Kemp

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Ocean Entertainment, Inc.
Copyright © – Ocean Entertainment, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Ocean Studios
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – Digital Bros.

Steve Green – He Holds The Keys – 1985

This is Steve’s second solo album and it follows along with his previous album. Quite frankly it’s hard to believe he was a member of White Heart at one point. I say this because Steve turned to a very Easy Listening style. Now let’s be fair, he’s very good at this style and he was very popular in that genre. This is the album that made him very well know and he actually received the Dove Award for Male Vocalist of the Year in the CCM category. So if you like your CCM music in the worship style this album is for you.

Tracklist
1 – Praise To The King – 2:30
2 – Celebrate His Good Life – 3:18
3 – He Holds The Keys – 5:25
4 – The Lord Is Lifted Up – 3:11
5 – That’s Where The Joy Comes From – 3:12
6 – I Can See (On The Emmaus Road) – 5:30
7 – Honor The Lord – 2:26
8 – When His Kingdom Comes – 5:42
9 – Touch Your People Once Again – 3:58

Credits
Bass – Craig E. Nelson
Conductor [Strings] – Alan Moore, Greg Nelson
Drums – James Stroud, Mark Hammond
Engineer – Ed Seay
Engineer [Assistant] – Tom Harding
Guitar – Jon Goin, Pete Bordonali
Keyboards [Synthesizers] – David Innis, Shane Keister
Mastered By – Herb Melton, Steve Hall
Orchestrated By – Alan Moore
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Piano – Bill George, David Huntsinger
Producer – Greg Nelson
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine

Q. Stone – Pink On Blue – 1990

Finland’s Q. Stone are back with their 2nd album or 3rd if you count their album with Larry Norman. It picks up where their debut left off. It’s a fantastic blues album and quite frankly other than Larry Howard no one touches these guys in the blues genre. The only change in line up was Max Tabell joining on keyboards. It does not appear this album was released outside of Europe and I’m completely mystified how these guys weren’t huge in North America. Oh well I long ago quit trying to figure out the record industry.

Tracklist
1 – Waiting For The Dawn – 4:43
2 – You Should Know – 3:49
3 – Shake The Tree – 4:01
4 – Walk In The Rain – 3:25
5 – Farewell Berlin – 3:43
6 – Freedom (Knocking On Your Door) – 2:47
7 – Rocking Chair – 3:56
8 – Western Paradise – 5:28
9 – Talking About Love – 5:02
10 – Air Pie – 4:49
11 – Get Up – 3:06
12 – Rusty Bells – 4:17
13 – Just Dust – 4:35
14 – One Moment – 5:25

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Max Tabell
Backing Vocals – Hessu Silvennoinen, Mikko Löytty, Sami Ruusukallio
Bass – Mikko Löytty
Design, Photography By – Stefan Bremer
Drums – Sakari Löytty
Engineer [Assistant] – Sakke Löytty, Timo Kuisma
Guitar, Vocals – Heikki Silvennoinen
Keyboards – Max Tabell
Mixed By – Peter Iversen
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone [Solo] – Tom Timko
Baritone Saxophone – Stephen MacKenzie Kupka
Tenor Saxophone – Emilio Castillo
Trumpet – Greg Adams, Lee Thornburg
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Producer – Hessu Silvennoinen, Sakke Löytty
Recorded By [JJ-Studio] – Hessu Silvennoinen*, Juuso Nordlund, Sakke Löytty, Timo Kuisma
Recorded By [Royal Music Studio] – Benny Lundin, Hessu Silvennoinen, Timo Kuisma
Vocals – Mikko Kuustonen

Companies, etc.
Glass Mastered at – DADC Austria
Copyright © – CBS Records OY
Copyright © – CBS Inc.
Distributed By – CBS Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records OY
Recorded At – Studio JJ
Recorded At – Royal Music Studio
Mixed At – Puk Recording Studios
Published By – Royal/Dale Music
Published By – Warner/Chappell Music Scandinavia AB

Steve Arrington – Dancin’ In The Key Of Life – 1985

After spending several years as vocalist and drummer with the popular funk/soul act, Slave, Steve Arrington left for a solo career. His debut is filled with infectious, danceable and gospel centric songs. The first time I heard this album was at a Christian nightclub that was popular in orange Country, CA during the mid-80’s called The Lighthouse. They played the first cut, “Feel So Real” with its infectious Latin rhythms and non-stop groove. I bought it the next day at Maranatha village, the only bookstore in the country that was carrying it at the time. This is by no means an asterisk (*) release as it pure Gospel throughout. The title track continues the driving rhythm and dance beats. This love song is as infectious as they come. Here Arrington compares the loving human relationship to the never-ending dance and worship before the Lord. He is blatant about his love for God and the need to worship. The music is non-stop and completely authentic to the era. In all honesty, this is the album I wish Phillip Bailey would have recorded. Of all of the musical genres, legitimate dance/funk/soul was sorely lacking in Christian music then and now. Only Jon Gibson came KYMS radio jumped all over this album at the time and played several cuts. Not only the two previously mentioned hits, but also the Holy Ghost driven, “Turn Up the Love.” Arrington would later go on to become a Pastor. He still dabbles occasionally in funk and soul music, doing occasional shows with friends and former music associates.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Feel So Real – 5:08
2 – Dancin’ In The Key Of Life – 4:55
3 – She Just Don’t Know – 5:16
4 – Willie Mae – 6:00
5 – Gasoline – 6:09
6 – Stand With Me – 4:43
7 – Brown Baby Boy – 4:50
8 – Turn Up The Love – 4:34

Credits
Steve Arrington – Main Vocal, Vocal Backing, Keyboards
India Arrington, Dani Johnson, Marti McCall, Pattie Brooks, Michael Terry, Wilmer Raglin – Vocal Backing
George Johnson – Guitars and Electric Bass
Eric Williams – Guitars
Anthony Johnson, Carlos Murguia, William F. Zimmerman, Joey Gallo, Ramsey Embick – Keyboards
Paulinho Da Costa – Percussion
Freddie Hubbard – Trumpet
Stella Castellucci – Harp

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Atlantic Records
Published By – Konglather Publishing
Published By – Motor Music Co.
Published By – Cheyenne Publishing
Published By – Secret Agent Man Music
Published By – JRG Music
Published By – Aurora Borealis Music
Published By – Polyglot Music
Published By – Aris Music
Recorded At – Devonshire Studios
Recorded At – Dawnbreakers Recording Studios
Mixed At – Dawnbreakers Recording Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Produced For – Producers Alliance

The Young Bros. – High Energy Rock – 1978

I only found this album because it was requested. I have no idea who the Young Brothers were or even if they were officially a Christian band. That said the album is full of Christian lyrics so were gonna call it Christian. This was the only album from the brothers and I can’t find that they ever did any other projects. What we have here is a solid southern rock album with overtones of ZZ Top on some tracks and early DA on others. As I said I know nothing about this band so we will just have to enjoy this great 70’s Rock album.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XSKQc3SlfmzUGVMkG1etcIX

Tracklist
1 – Come Alive – 3:19
2 – Touched – 2:43
3 – Excited – 2:47
4 – The Answer – 3:03
5 – Suffering Man – 3:02
6 – If It Isn’t One Thing It’s Another – 2:38
7 – Bus Stop – 3:43
8 – Hinder – 3:02
9 – Say You Know Love – 2:34
10 – Just Setting My Soul Free – 4:20
11 – Space Child – 2:55

Credits
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Ronnie Young
Drums – Kenny Mooney
Engineer, Recorded By – Mike Grimm
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Allan Young
Mastered By, Engineer – Kevin Vogts
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Terry Young

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – The Young Bros. Residence
Published By – Grimm Diversified Music
Mastered At – Diskwerks