Category: Albums

Petra – Unseen Power – 1991

Petra was still going strong in 1991 with this their thirteenth studio album. They turned up the Rock and Roll sound on this one and this album has a far more Arena Rock sound than their previous work due in no small part to the production of the Elefante brothers. It is said that Bob Hartman was dragged to this sound by the Elefante brothers but apparently he was happy with the final sound. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1992 and the Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song “Destiny” in 1993. I would never have thought they could have won the Dove award but they did. While “Destiny” won the Dove award I actually prefer “Secret Weapon” which has a great arena rock sound which may have been a little late in 1991 but it’s a great rock anthem. Again Arena Rock is not my preferred genre but this is a great album and I still enjoy listening to it.

Tracklist
1 – Destiny – 4:31
2 – Who’s On The Lord’s Side – 3:53
3 – Ready, Willing And Able – 4:14
4 – Hand On My Heart – 4:26
5 – I Need To Hear From You – 4:04
6 – Dance – 3:45
7 – Secret Weapon – 4:01
8 – Sight Unseen – 3:57
9 – Hey World – 3:51
10 – In The Likeness Of You – 4:51

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Arranged By – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante, John Lawry
Art Direction – Ed Goble, Loren Balman, Patrick Pollei
Backing Vocals [Addtional Background Vocals] – Alfie Silas, Alfred McCrary, Doug Beiden, Howard McCrary, Jamie Rowe, Olivia McClurkin, Perry Morgan, Rob Rock, Ron Gollner, Rose Stone, Sara Tennison, Tony Palacios
Bass – Ronny Cates
Coordinator [Art Production Coordinator] – Amy Linde
Design – Michael Goldenberg, Patrick Pollei, Steve Fryer
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards – John Lawry
Management – Management-Moress-Nanas-Golden
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Niel Kernon
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely
Other [Hair] – Helena Occhipinti
Other [Make-Up] – Margaret Kimura
Other [Stylit] – Keiki Mingus
Photography By [Band And Individual Photography] – Jeff Katz
Photography By [Cover Concept Photography] – Neill Whitlock
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Vocals – John Schlitt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.

Children Of The Day – Come To The Waters – 1971

With a gift of $900 four young “hippy” converts went into a studio with friend Buck Herring and recorded what many claim is the first “group” album in CCM history and the Jesus Movement and Music in Southern California was born. Predating Love Song’s classic debut by nearly a year, Come to the Waters by Children of the Day birthed a genre and a “scene” in Southern California that would not be duplicated. And before the band finished their decade long career, they would also be a part of CCM’s first great scandal. Four friends from Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa joined forces to create a tight harmony driven folk quartet and called themselves, Children of the day. The name of the band also comes from a line in one of the songs on the debut album. The album would also contain one of the true classic anthems of the generation and possibly the most popular worship song of the Jesus Music era. Leader and songwriter Marsha Carter and sister Wendy along with friends Peter Jacobs and Russ Stevens joined forces to create an American folk band that was even recognized and received critical acclaim from those outside the tine Jesus Music movement. Carter and Steven would marry soon after the albums release. They began performing regularly at coffee shops, Calvary Chapel Churches and elsewhere throughout the southern California region. Immediately requests for their music poured in and the quartet approached Pastor Chuck Smith about borrowing some money to record their debut album. That album would be the first on Maranatha Music, though its catalog number would be 777. The Everlasting Living Jesus Music Concert would actually be released first as this album was held up until the compilation album was released, though the finishing of the album was several months before the compilation. Come to the Waters starts with a beautiful acoustic mid-tempo ballad called “New Life” and would serve as the definitive sound for the project and the group. Acoustic piano and limited electric instruments support brilliantly tight harmonies with all four members sharing lead vocals throughout. Buck Herring would recreate a similar sound with 2nd Chapter of Acts. The acoustic piano solo is wonderful when one considers the limited budget and the fact that their use of the piano was limited by Larry Norman breaking the same piano during his recording session at the same studio.

“As a Child” sports a classical intro and a contemplative, worshipful sound throughout. The six-minute song shows the diversity that is found throughout the album with its more classical approach both musically and vocally. While the following track, “Children of the Day,” has a more acoustic folk rock sound similar to The Seekers or even the Monkees. Interestingly one would expect a Mamas and the papa sound, but it really isn’t there as the vocals are more classical sounding than “California cool.” The vocal bridge on this song is a great evidence of this. The male vocals take front and center stage on “The Search.” Written at a time and for a generation that was constantly searching for truth or the next high, the song is perfect snapshot of that generation. Here again Herrings piano arrangement is just perfect. “Two Hands” is a Tommy Coomes/Chuck Butler composition that would also be later recorded by Love Song on their debut. The arrangement is similar on both versions. The rockiest (and nearly progressive) “Jesus Lives” is a real standout both musically and vocally. I can only imagine how “radical” this must have sounded in 1970. There are even a few vocal “issues” left in that are actually endearing and creates more of a live sound. A little Bach follows with the a capella “All Breathing Life.” Again the groups musical and vocal versatility shines through here. Imagine all those rock music critics confused by some classical a capella vocals. Brilliant. Especially considering the two sisters were still in High School. “Jesus” would have worked perfectly on a Love song album as well. The arrangement and vocals just sound like Love Song, especially the transition at the two-minute mark. Even vocally Peter Jacobs sounds a bit like Tommy Coomes on this one. The album closes with a song that would be covered by more artists during the 70’s than just about any other song outside of “Easter Song.” It is also the song from which the album receives its name and was used at countless seaside baptisms over the years. Yet the song has had several critics because of the questionable theology it contains. The song, “For Those Tears I Died,” became an anthem for an entire generation though it was written by Carter when she was just 16. It is a very sentimental ballad that has Jesus proclaiming that He died for the tears accompanying repentance. The song contains the line “Come to the waters,” and that has made it such a popular baptism hymn.

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

Tracklist
1 – New Life – 4:18
2 – As A Child – 6:03
3 – Children Of The Day – 2:23
4 – The Search – 5:27
5 – Two Hands – 3:59
6 – Jesus Lives – 3:51
7 – All Breathing Life – 2:14
8 – Jesus – 3:58
9 – For Those Tears I Died – 5:10

Credits
Design – Kernie/Malone
Drums – John Mehler
Engineer – Buck Herring
Flute – Linda Conner
Musician – Bill Keene, Frank Chavez, Larry Oppenheim
Performer – Marsha Carter, Pete Jacobs, Russ Stevens, Wendy Carter
Photography By – Gary Conniff
Producer – Holy Spirit

Exodus – The Turning Point – 1984

The band Exodus started out in 1981 in Oak Ridge TN at a summer camp when Dennis Willard and John Hughes came together to form a band . There were quite a few members over the years but Dennis and John were the steadfast members. The band played the usual local circuit of youth groups and summer camps. Soon they struck a one record deal with Morada Records and headed into Big Mama Recording Studio to record this little known gem. The band supported the album by opening for Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart, David Meece, Andrus Blackwood and Co. and others. But alas real life caught up to the band so they made their way into the workforce. Tim Fischer and Dave Williams both went on to work for the Department of Energy at the infamous Oak Rudge facility and Jeff Stooksbury went on to be an EMT and firefighter. John Hughes, Dennis Willard and David Williams continue to make music on their record label entitled “Boardroom Records” and have released a few singles over the years. Point of trivia of the band is that an early member Chris Latham was formerly married to Trisha Yearwood. Brushes with greatness. As for the album it is fantastic. I definitely get a Reo Speedwagon feel but with a little less polish which just makes it better and the track, “The Turning Point” is definitely going into my regular rotation. Chances are you missed this one back in the day so give it a listen today, you won’t be disappointed. If you did hear it back in the day you might notice a bit of a different sound for our version as I will admit we have polished it up a bit as the copy we received was fairly hollow.

Tracklist
1 – Greater – 4:00
2 – Every Time – 2:53
3 – Same Old Sign – 2:35
4 – Praise To The Father – 4:19
5 – Here I Am – 4:22
6 – The Turning Point – 3:06
7 – Man With The Key – 3:30
8 – Promised Land – 2:42
9 – Light To The Right – 3:47
10 – You’re The One – 3:27

Credits
Bass, Keyboards, Vocals – Jeff Stooksbury
Drums, Percussion – Tim Fischer
Keyboards, Vocals – John Hughes
Lead Guitar, Vocals – David Williams
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Willard

Sparks – Through Flood & Fire – 1990

This is the second offering from Greg and Rebecca as “Sparks” and what an offering it was. This is the second of two album deal with Reunion Records but I’m going to get straight to the point now. This is such a great album I’m so sad I didn’t hear it is 1990. The song writing is fantastic and Greg’s acoustic guitar work really turned my ears. I don’t really need to say anything more about Rebecca’s vocals as they speak for themselves. It is a little strange to me that they left Joshua’s Song to the final track as in my opinion it’s the best track on the album. Maybe it’s the reward for listening to the while album but personally that would have been the lead track for me. That said the album is structured to get better and better as you listen so maybe that was the strategy. There are definitely a couple tracks here going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love – 1:08
2 – I Can’t Dance – 3:46
3 – Leaving A Legacy – 4:43
4 – Whisper Your Love – 3:57
5 – The World – 4:10
6 – Jesus Rescues Me – 4:49
7 – Work For Love – 4:32
8 – You Can Count On Me – 4:28
9 – I Would Die (For You) – 4:31
10 – Things Will Be Different – 4:25
11 – Joshua’s Song – 4:18

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocals – Greg Sparks
Bass – Tommy Sims
Drums – Mike Radowski
Electric Guitar – James Hollihan
Percussion, Lead Vocals – Rebecca Ed Sparks

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Glass Mastered At – DADC
Pressed By – DADC

Found Free – Specially Purchased Individually Wrapped – 1982

This was the last gasp for Found Free. They had a one record deal with Greentree but this album appears to have been self released. I’m a little unsure who was in the band at this point and the liner notes are a little fuzzy. We do know that Greg Sparks and Rebecca Ed were there, but I don’t believe they were married yet and also Keith Lancaster. These 3 would go on to form Bash-n-The Code so I’ve seen it said that this version of Found Free was an early version of Bash. I can’t tell you much more about the history of this album so lets turn to the music. The album is very well produced has a great funk/soul sound. The album is heavy on the harmonies which it hurts it a little in my opinion because there isn’t a stand out vocalist. The album would have been better if they had just let Rebecca sing. Anyway I quite like the album though I don’t think there’s anything here to go in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – It’s So Good – 4:15
2 – Hope – 4:21
3 – Front Lines – 3:59
4 – I Need You Lord – 4:00
5 – Just Like a Child – 3:43
6 – Individually Wrapped – 4:12
7 – Don’t We Need To Know – 4:44
8 – Hold On To Me – 3:21
9 – Sing Solo – 3:25
10 – Miracles – 3:25
11 – It’s So Good (Reprise) – 0:54

Credits
Band – Greg Sparks
Band – Rebecca Ed
Band – Keith Lancaster
Art Direction, Cover – Randy Rogers
Engineer – David Starobin, Glen Barrett, Travis Turk

Connie Scott – Forever Young – 1989

This is Connie’s 7th album and probably one of her best. In the Canadian market she was at the top of the female CCM vocalist market. She returned to the studio with Roy Salmond as her producer. At the time of producing this album Roy was working on two other albums so I am assuming the studio was pretty busy. Many of the same studio musicians are on all three albums and I have spoken with someone who was in the studio at the time and said it was a very positive experience. This album is a great pop album that really displayed what Connie was capable of vocally. It’s easily as good if not better than what was being released in the Canadian market at the time. I do have one small criticism of the album though. It features a cover of Dylan’s forever young which was also chosen as the title track and I simply do not like the arrangement. I know Connie had nothing to do with it and I’m pretty sure it was Roy’s idea but it just doesn’t work for me. I may be biased because it is one of my favourite Dylan tracks but I just think the arrangement needed a little more edge. But my opinion has never made a successful album so I’ll leave it to Roy. The album was only released in Canada and Australia so it appears Sparrow records had abandoned Connie at this point. Too bad because I think this album would have done well in the U.S. market.

Tracklist
1 – Wild Horse Running – 4:20
2 – The World’s Last Night – 3:51
3 – Who Do You Give Your Heart To – 4:22
4 – Will You Follow – 3:48
5 – All That He Wants – 5:27
6 – The Longest Road – 4:49
7 – Cover Feelings – 5:16
8 – When Morning Gilds The Skies – 3:04
9 – The Coming Dawn – 4:32
10 – Forever Young – 3:27

Credits
Chris Cooke – Children’s Chorus
Connie Scott – Vocal Arrangement, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Daryl Bennett – Cymbals, Percussion
Dave Deviller – Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Rhythm)
Dave Pickell – Piano
Dave Slagter – Mixing
Donny Hackett – Composer
Doug Edwards – Bass
Gary Tole – Engineer, Mixing
Grant Saip – Executive Producer
Gregory Ström – Choir/Chorus
Harris Van Berkel – Guitar
Jim Woodyard – Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Acoustic)
Ken “Hiwatt” Marshall – Assistant Engineer
Larry Mah – Assistant Engineer
Mark Gersmehl – Composer
Michael Hart – Dobro, Dulcimer
Miles Hill – Bass
Nancy Yeasting – Art Direction, Design
Nichole Taylor – Children’s Chorus
Peter Wisstoff – Choir/Chorus, Composer, Vocals (Background)
Phil Robertson – Cymbals, Drums
Roy Salmond – Arranger, Choir/Chorus, Composer, Drum Programming, Guitar (Acoustic), Keyboard Programming, Producer, Programming, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
Sherie René Scott – Choir/Chorus
Tom Baker – Mastering
Tom Howard – Piano, String Arrangements, String Conductor, Strings

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Image 7 Records Inc
Manufactured By – Image 7 Records Inc
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Image 7 Records Inc
Copyright © – Image 7 Records Inc

Charlie And Jill LeBlanc – Keep Pressing On – 1985

Charlie And Jill LeBlanc are a husband and wife team that have made many albums but I never heard of them. They have self released some where in the area of 10 albums. That’s pretty impressive when you think about it. Most bands might put out the money for one or two albums but not this many. That shows real dedication to the their work. They are still making music and ministering and they “specialize” in grief ministry now unfortunately because of the loss of their son in 2009. As for the album it’s a easy listening offering and honestly I was quite surprised at the quality. This was their first full length album and it’s really good. It’s not my particular style of music but I listened to it a couple times today in the background and found it very soothing. If you want to learn more about their ministry and especially if you’re struggling with grief head over to their webpage – https://charlieandjill.com/

Tracklist
1 – Always Faithful – 4:22
2 – Listen To His Heart – 4:28
3 – If God Be For Us – 3:50
4 – O Give Thanks – 4:14
5 – One With The Lord – 6:38
6 – Keep Pressing On – 3:52
7 – Crucified With Christ – 3:58
8 – Seeing By Faith – 5:08
9 – Born Again – 4:40
10 – Rest In The Lord – 6:06

Credits
Artwork – Bob Levine, Mark Illig, Mark Wiseman, Wiseman Design
Backing Vocals – Charlie And Jill LeBlanc
Bass – Jay Hungerford
Co-producer – Charlie And Jill LeBlanc
Drums – Carl Albrecht
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – John Hayes
Engineer – Curt Taipale, Tom Brooks
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Tom Brooks
Photography By – Rick Meoli
Producer – Tom Brooks
Saxophone – Mike Karpowicz

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Joyful Word Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Joyful Word Music
Produced For – Joyful Word Music
Recorded At – New Earth Productions, Inc.
Recorded At – Grace Studios (2)
Recorded At – Earth City Studios, St. Louis, MO

Craig Ginn – Look Beyond – 1988

This is one of the best CCM pop albums I’ve ever heard but I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard it. Let’s start out with a bit of background. Craig Ginn was born in Churchill MB but his music career started in Winnipeg MB. The original Craig Ginn Band started in the mid 80’s with Craig’s wife, Carla, Paul Kutcher, and Sam Kennedy. They were well known in the Winnipeg Christian scene playing coffee houses, youth conventions, and church events. People from Winnipeg will probably remember them appearing frequently at The Heartline Cafe, a coffee house in the basement at Fort Garry MB church.

This version of the band however never recorded in the studio. This version came to an end when Craig moved to Alberta but this wasn’t the end of Craig’s music. I don’t know the backstory but Craig ended up in the studio with producer Roy Salmond at the same time as he was recording albums for Connie Scott and Hope Sterling, both of whom make appearances on this album. Paul from the original band also makes an appearance as well as Craig’s wife of course. From that studio appearance came this album. I do not know how many of these were recorded or distributed but other than this copy I have never heard or seen one and there is no mention of this album anywhere on the entire internet. We added it to Discogs so at least it’s there now. I do know that the lead track made it onto a sampler released by a local radio station in Edmonton AB. The album is very very good and I’m a bit baffled how this couldn’t find a label release. It is pop oriented but Craig’s vocals are fantastic and distinctive enough that I would have thought some record company would have jumped on this especially with Roy Salmond producing it. Unfortunately it didn’t so no one ever heard it. Craig did record a second Christian album which we have but I don’t have a date or any info on that album. Craig continues to make music today. He has two albums that concentrate on his indigenous background and education of indigenous issues through music.

Tracklist
1 – Easily Manipulated
2 – His Promise
3 – It Takes Heart
4 – Is There Someone?
5 – Soothe The Wounds
6 – Never Say It
7 – Real Time
8 – Everything I’ve Got
9 – Restore Me
10 – This Need
11 – Help Me See Through Your Eyes
12 – My Jesus I Love Thee

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Programmed By, Keyboards, Sequenced By, Backing Vocals, Producer – Roy Salmond
Backing Vocals – Carla Ginn, Cecile Laroche, Connie Scott, Donny Hackett, Hope Sterling, Joani Bye, Paul Kutcher, Pete Wistoff
Bass Guitar – Brian Newcombe, Rene Worst
Drums – Daryl Bennett, Jerry Adolphe
Flugelhorn, Lead Vocals – Craig Ginn
Guitar – Brett Wade, Carl Strempler, Harris Van Berkel
Guitar, Classical Guitar – Dane DeViller
Piano – Dave Pickell
Recorded By, Mixed By – Gary Tole
Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Dave Slagter
Saxophone – Ian Putz

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Inside Trax Studio
Mixed At – Inside Trax Studio
Produced At – Whitewater Productions, Vancouver, BC

R.K. Fraser – Heroes – 1985

I can not find very much information about R.K. Fraser. I do know this was his only Christian album though he did have 2 albums in the 70’s that I have not listened to yet. The album was on Bright Star Records which was a division of Kerygma Records, Kerry Livgren’s label. The album was also associated with the American Coalition of Traditional Values (ACTV). Fraser was a Vietnam vet serving in 1969 and 1970. This fact helps explain the rather odd album cover which makes sense once you realize he was wearing face camouflage as was done in Vietnam. The album contains a pretty good cover of John Denver’s Annie’s Song. The album is a pretty easy listening pop album that was probably more oriented at our parents than us. Anyway it’s a pretty good album and while little known those who did have it seem to have great memories of it.

Tracklist
1 – Knockin’ At Your Door
2 – In God We Trust
3 – All Roads Lead To You
4 – Galilee
5 – Heroes
6 – Cold Cold Night
7 – Annie’s Song
8 – Light Up The Sky
9 – I Wish I Was Home

Bride – Snakes In The Playground – 1992

Snakes in the Playground is the fifth studio album from Bride. Strangely many of the reviews for this album say “it was their breakthrough album”. I am assuming most these reviewers actually had no idea about Christian metal. Bride was well established and already revered as one of the best Metal acts of the period. That said it was a great album and I think everyone recognized that including the Dove Awards who gave it 2 nominations for “Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year” which they won for 1992 (Rattlesnake) and 1993 (Psychedelic Super Jesus). Interestingly the album featured several guest musicians, Peter Furler and John James from the Newsboys, Rick Florian from White Heart for backing vocals, Greg Martin from the Kentucky Headhunters, Rick Elias, and Derek Jan from Novella for some solo guitar spots. As for the naming of the album Dale Thompson gave us the story “We were in the beginning stages of recording, and took a break to drive to the store. A large reptile was lying beside our car sunbathing on the pavement. In my attempts to chase the snake away, I chased it under the car. To make matters worse, the effort to move the snake from under the car drove it up into the fender wells. We spent the next hour and a half trying to get the snake to come out. We sprayed it with the water hose, poked at it with a broom handle, even shook the car, but it would not come out. Finally, when we thought we would just have to let the snake have the car, it crawled out and back into the wooded area next to the studio.” If you were living on the moon in 1992 and missed this album it is a must listen.

Tracklist
1 – Rattlesnake – 4:34
2 – Would You Die For Me – 3:35
3 – Psychedelic Super Jesus – 4:18
4 – Fallout – 4:03
5 – Saltriver Shuffle – 0:38
6 – Dust Through A Fan – 3:08
7 – I Miss The Rain – 3:52
8 – Don’t Use Me – 4:01
9 – Picture Perfect – 4:21
10 – Love, Money – 3:48
11 – Some Things Never Change – 4:09
12 – Goodbye – 5:20

Credits
Art Direction – Toni Thigpen
Bass – Rik Foley
Design, Layout – Tufts Design Studio
Drums – Jerry McBroom
Edited By [Digital Editing] – Alan Douches
Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson
Guitar, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Cello, Viola – Troy Thompson
Illustration – Todd Tufts
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Salvatore Giglio
Recorded By, Mixed By – Salvatore Giglio
Vocals, Backing Vocals, Tambourine, Shaker – Dale Thompson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Recorded At – The Saltmine
Recorded At – West West Side Music
Mixed At – The Saltmine
Mixed At – West West Side Music
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Published By – Dawn Treader Music
Published By – Plink Publishing
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia