Category: Albums

Roby Duke – Come Let Us Reason – 1984

This is Roby’s second album and his first on Good News Records. While his first album was a budget affair this one had some money. The album is mainly an easy listening project with a couple of 80’s pop songs for the younger audience. The album had 2 CCM charting tracks, “Come Let Us Reason” made it to #11, and “Watching For You” made it to #35. Looking through the credits it was interesting to note that Dann Huff played some of the guitar tracks. I swear Dann was on almost every CCM album in this period. Also interestingly credited for background vocals was Mister Mister. I can hear their sound on several tracks but truthfully I have no idea what tracks they helped out on.

Tracklist
1 – Come Let Us Reason – 3:38
2 – All Lost – 3:31
3 – I’m Persuaded – 3:44
4 – Watching For You – 3:58
5 – Fight The Fight – 3:15
6 – Win Or Lose (Callin’) – 4:00
7 – Here I Am – 3:49
8 – Closer To You – 3:14
9 – Lay It Down – 3:39
10 – There Is Just One Way – 3:34

Credits
Arranged By – Harlan Rogers, John Schreiner, Roby Duke
Arranged By [String Arragements] – Harlan Rogers
Art Direction – Dan Lienart
Backing Vocals – Kelly Willard, Mister Mister, Richard Page, Roby Duke, Steve George
Bass – John Patitucci, Nathan East
Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Roby Duke
Concept By [Album Concept] – Roby Duke
Coordinator [Production] – Teri Piro
Drum Programming [TR 606 Roland] – Roby Duke
Drums – Bob Wilson
Engineer [Assistant] – Steven Ford, Todd Van Etten
Engineer [Technical] – Tom Ferguson
Executive-Producer – Freddie Piro
Guitar – Dann Huff, Wayne Brasel
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, John Schreiner
Lighting – Dan Lienart, Teri Piro, Wendy Duke
Other [Chief Hoser] – Heeb Lee Otter
Other [Cover – Sax] – Harry “The Ferg” Browning alias Dewey Jack
Other [Location Provided By] – Bill Cole, Shirley Cole
Photography By – David Randle
Producer, Engineer – Win Kutz
Saxophone – Larry Williams
Synthesizer – Larry Williams, Roby Duke

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Good News Records
Copyright © – Good News Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ26424
Lacquer Cut At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – Δ6422
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s

First Call – Somethin’ Takes Over – 1987

This is the third album from First Call. It features the same lineup as their previous two albums and the magic continued with this combo. The album had 4 top 10 CCM charting singles including “The Reason We Sing” which sat at #1 for 6 weeks. The other three top 10 singles were, O Sifuni Mungu at #9, Back To His Heart at #10, and Lord Of All also at #10. The band actually never thought they would be as popular as they were and in fact when they started they just wanted to put out a Christmas album while still working on their solo careers. This album is a more worship oriented album and while not my style there is no denying that its a great album.

Tracklist
1 – The Comin’ Of The Lord – 3:21
2 – Somethin’ Takes Over – 3:23
3 – The Reason We Sing – 3:33
4 – Billy On The Boulevard – 4:14
5 – Forever In His Care – 4:03
6 – O Sifuni Mungu (All Creatures Of Our God And King) – 5:41
7 – The Look – 4:46
8 – Back To His Heart – 3:05
9 – Double Talk – 4:17
10 – Lord Of All – 4:59

Credits
Wayne Berry – Songwriter
George Binkley III – Strings
Mike Brignardello – Bass
Jonathan David Brown – Engineer
Cole Burgess – Contractor, Alto Sax
Paul Butcher – Trumpet
Paul Butcher – Trumpet
J.T. Cantwell – Engineer
John Chisum – Songwriter
John Darnall – Acoustic Guitar
Randall Dennis – Songwriter
Mark Douthit – Soprano & Alto Sax
Connie Ellisor – Strings
First Call – Vocal Arrangements
Carl Gorodetzky – Strings
Barry Green – Trombone
Mark Hammond – Drums, Percussion
Mike Haynes – Trumpet
Tom Hemby – Guitar
Robert Heuer – Horn
JB Baird – Engineer, Mixed
Neal Joseph – Producer
Bonnie Keen – Vocals
Shane Keister – Songwriter
Lee Larrison – Strings
Les Mas – Vocal Percussion
Sam Levine – Alto Sax
David Maddux – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Piano, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Vocals
Ted Madsen – Strings
Asukulu Yunu Makalay – Songwriter
Pam Mark Hall – Songwriter
Rich Mayes – Bass Trombone
Tom McAninch – Horn
Marty McCall – Songwriter, Vocals
Paul McCusker – Songwriter
Chris McDonald – Trombone
Phill McHugh – Songwriter
Jerry McPherson – Guitar
Doug Moffet – Tenor Sax
Dennis Molchan – Strings
Laura Molyneaux – Strings
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Mmunga Mwenebulongo Mulongoy – Songwriter
Nashville String Machine – Strings
Craig Nelson – Acoustic Bass
John David Parker – Mix Assistant
Bill Pearce – Trombone
Brett Perry – Assistant Engineer
Rick Ricker – Horn
John Rommel – Trumpet
Clarke Schleicher – Engineer
Pam Sixfin – Strings
Buddy Skipper – Tenor Sax
Chris Teal – Strings
Keith Thomas – Track Arrangements, Programming, Keyboards
Becky Thurman – Songwriter
Geoff Thurman – Songwriter
Dick Tunney – Songwriter
Melodie Tunney – Songwriter, Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Mixed At – 16th Avenue Sound
Recorded At – The Lawrence Welk “Champagne” Studio, Nashville, TN.
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Audio Media Recorders
Mastered At – Mastermix
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.

Xavier – Xavier – 1982

This is an interesting album historically speaking. In 1979 Petra recorded their Washes Whiter Than album at the Bee Jay Recording Studio. That studio is owned by Eric Schabacker. The story goes that Eric was impressed with Greg X. Volz’s vocals and subsequently wanted Greg to record an album of songs written by him. Apparently it took a few years for the idea to work itself out but here is Greg doing a selection of songs written by Eric Schabacker. The album even featured Chip Meyers and Joel Balin who worked on the Washes Whiter Than album. The album was released using Greg’s middle name as the title and artist name and only 1000 copies were printed making it very rare. Eric produced the project but for some reason used the name Jonathan Fitzwilliam. Putting aside all the strangeness of the album it’s a pretty straight forward secular pop album. It’s actually pretty good and I think it might have sold well as a proper release but given the legalities of record deals and contracts it probably could never be properly released.

Tracklist
1 – Outside Lookin’ In – 3:09
2 – Heart Songs – 4:23
3 – The Next Move Is Yours – 3:38
4 – If You Come To Me – 4:27
5 – Falling In Love With Me Again – 4:02
6 – Don’t Look Back – 3:25
7 – Someone Needing Someone – 3:09
8 – Last Song – 3:57
9 – Who Loves You – 3:18
10 – You Still Got The Time – 3:10
11 – Waiting For You – 3:31
12 – I Believe In You – 4:47

Credits
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Carol Becker Yarian, Teresa Atwell, Tracey Balin
Bass – Chip Meyers
Cover [Cover Art] – John Beardsley
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Jonathan Fitzwilliam
Drums – Randy Nichols
Engineer – Andy deGanahl, Bill Vermillion, Dana Cornock
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Bill Vermillion
Guitar [Guitars] – Joel Balin
Keyboards, Arranged By [String Arrangements] – George Atwell
Lead Guitar [2nd Lead Guitar] – Bruce Brookshire
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Xavier
Mastered By – Jack Hunt, Larry Boden
Producer – Jonathan Fitzwilliam
Producer [Produced By … With Special Assistance From] – George Atwell, Xavier
Written-By – Jacqueline St. Laurent (tracks: A1), Jonathan Fitzwilliam

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – BeeJay Recording
Recorded At – Bee Jay Recording Studio
Mastered At – JVC Cutting Center
Published By – Schabraf

Sonseed – First Fruit – 1981

This band/album are one of the strangest stories in Christian music. Sonseed were a Christian band formed in 1978 at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, New York. Yes this was a catholic band. They came together to play songs at the 75th anniversary of the church. Several members from that day continued on and in 1981 recorded and self released this album. Okay nothing strange there but in 2009 someone uploaded to YouTube an appearance the band had made on a local religious television show. The song they uploaded was “Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine” which is a real catchy ska track and the YouTube video took off with millions of views. The Arena Rock Recording Company soon put out an EP featuring 5 tracks from the album. They subsequently re-released the entire album in 2023. There was apparently some argument as to whether the album even existed in 2009 but indeed it did and here it is today. There are countless articles all over the internet about the band and if you’re interested it makes some great reading. As for the album it mainly has a great 70’s sound and I loved it instantly upon listening to it. It even has a really good cover of “Sail On” by the Imperials. I assume it never really got any attention in the industry as the band were catholic which is too bad, people would have loved it.

Tracklist
1 – Born Of The Flesh – 2:27
2 – Another Kind Of Love Song – 3:15
3 – Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine – 2:43
4 – The Gospel Ship – 3:01
5 – Sonseed – 2:52
6 – The Opened Door – 2:58
7 – Sail On – 2:12
8 – Oh Happy Day – 3:37
9 – Gettin’ Back – 2:36
10 – And The Father Will Dance – 2:48
11 – Say Yes – 2:21

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Frank Esposito
Backing Vocals – Anne Lessing, Jimmy Archer, Joe Ciccone, Melody M. Sorrentino
Design – Angela Marie Franco
Design [Logo] – Joe Ciccone
Drums – Nicky Sciarra
Engineer – Audie Lebensfeld, Joe Marciano
Lead Vocals – Steve Musso
Percussion – Tommy Zawacki
Producer – Patricia Costagliola
Twelve-String Guitar – Karen Archer

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Systems Two

Generation – Brutal Reality – 1993

This is another project from Caesar Kalinowski & Mark Robertson of The Stand. I really enjoyed The Stand albums but this one not so much. I guess this would be best described as industrial thrash. I do like the Indus trail sound but not the thrash element. That said this album was well received and well timed. Most music was going the way of grunge and most metal heads did not like that transition. So a thrash album in 1993 was well timed and a good business decision. I have read some other reviews of this album and most reviewers agree that it is an excellent album and they love the addition of the industrial sound into the thrash sound. Personally it’s not my cup of tea but I admit that it’s probably a pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – Alive – 4:10
2 – Retro-Vision – 0:53
3 – Believe In Miracles – 3:38
4 – I Live In Flesh – 5:01
5 – Revolutionism – 3:34
6 – Nothing To Give – 4:06
7 – RM. 101 – 0:38
8 – Still You Died – 3:57
9 – Chemikill – 4:38
10 – Hunger – 4:52
11 – Psalm 69 – 4:23

Credits
Artwork, Design – Nucleus
Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By, Producer [Additional] – Mark Robertson
Edited By – Ian Eskelin
Engineer [2nd] – Max Hsu
Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Peter Gavin Morkel
Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By, Producer, Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski
Lead Guitar – Bruce Franklin
Mastered By – Tom Baker
Vocals, Guitar – Randy Kerkman

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Future Disc
Recorded At – The Sonic Temple
Mixed At – The Sonic Temple

Barratt Band – Voice – 1983

This is the final album from the Barratt Band. The lineup changed slightly from their first album with Dave Engel replacing Russell Caldwell on drums. This album is fantastic as was their first one and it is the epitome of what my group of friends listened to in 1983. Of course we didn’t actually listen to this one because it as only released in the UK and NZ & Australia. Why their albums were not released in North America is completely beyond me. They both are excellent and I’m positive would have sold well. The sound is a Pop Rock sound and I guarantee you’ll enjoy this one.

Tracklist
1 – December – 6:13
2 – Stereo – 6:28
3 – Computer Failure – 2:52
4 – Loud Silence – 5:09
5 – Play My Guitar – 5:39
6 – Exit Through Exit – 3:07
7 – Being Alive – 3:17
8 – The Voice – 7:32

Credits
Bass – Dave Markee, Les Williams
Drums – Dave Engels
Engineer – Derek Murray
Guitar, Vocals – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Producer – Norman Barratt
Written-By – Dave Morris, Norman Barratt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Chapel Lane Productions
Distributed By – Concorde Productions

Larry Norman – One Night In Norway – 1991/2023

Larry’s brother has supplies us with another gem from the 90’s. It was recorded during a one month period when Larry toured Norway and Sweden. The band is made up of students or teachers at Vikens folkehøyskole Gjøvik Norway with the exception of Bjørn Gran and Urs Wenck-Wolff. Larry’s live releases aren’t usually known to have good audio but in this case the audio is fantastic. Because of this and the excellent choice of tracks this may very well be the best live recording of Larry. Note that the bandcamp download of this album has 5 additional tracks but is missing one track from the album due to silly Bandcamp policies. All tracks, album and Bandcamp, are included here.

Tracklist
1 – Twelve Good Men – 3:18
2 – Christmastime – 3:44
3 – I Am Waiting – Day-O – 2:16
4 – Six Sixty Six – 2:36
5 – If I Were A Singer – 4:09
6 – A Note From Mr. God – 4:08
7 – Diamonds – 1:15
8 – One Way – 3:14
9 – Strong Love, Strange Peace – 3:05
10 – I Am A Servant – 3:04
11 – Walking Backwards Down The Stairs – 3:08
12 – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus – 3:44
13 – I Don’t Believe In Miracles – 3:47
14 – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 7:27
15 – Sweet Song Of Salvation – 8:27
16 – The Dog And The Flower – 3:22
17 – He Really Loves You – 4:22
18 – Messiah – 5:10
19 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll – 4:19

Credits
Bass – Jan Terje Haukeland
Cello – Siv Havåg
Choir – Astrid Kloster, Siri Gjære
Cover – Forma Design
Drums – Jan Inge “Jango” Nilsen
Guitar – Frode Håland, Kjetil Draugedalen
Harmonica – Bjørn Gran
Mastered By – Jason Carter
Photography By [Live Photo] – Arne Fred Solbekk
Project Manager – Morten Skjævestad
Promotion [Concert Promoter] – Georg Hansen
Synth – Gunnar Ekornås
Technician [Sound] – Oslo Lydverker
Viola – Urs Wenk-Wolff
Violin [Violin 1] – Elna Selle
Violin [Violin 2] – Camilla Bing-Jakobsen
Vocals Larry NOrman

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Seaside Records
Copyright © – Stiftelsen Skjærgårdsgospel
Published By – Solid Rock Records

The Pat Terry Group – Sweet Music – 1977

This is the 3rd album from The Pat Terry band and their most successful. This album has the only CCM charting single for the band, “I Feel Free” which made it to #25. While I usually struggle with the CCM chart choices this time I’m in full agreement as it’s a great track. The album has a 70’s feel and sound and is probably one of my favourite 70’s albums. The album was produced by the legendary producer Al Perkins and Matthew Ward helped out with background vocals and handclaps on a couple tracks.

Tracklist
1 – Ladder Of Love – 3:26
2 – To Me For You – 3:17
3 – I Feel Free – 3:24
4 – Wonder Of Your Love – 2:36
5 – Sweet Music – 3:18
6 – One Step Closer – 3:24
7 – Never Lose A Minute – 2:48
8 – New New New – 4:30
9 – You – 3:02
10 – Melody For You – 3:32
11 – Things I Never Knew – 3:51

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Pat Terry
Arranged By [Strings] – Jim Stipech
Art Direction – Bill Weaver
Bass Guitar – Randy Bugg
Clarinet – Mike Carnahan
Concertmaster – Glenn Grab
Conductor [Strings] – Jim Stipech
Design – D. M. Gaadt
Drums – Chet McCracken
Engineer [Assistant] – Ken Jacob
Handclaps – Kirk Herring, Matthew Ward, Pat Terry, Randy Bugg, Sonny Lallerstedt
Illustration – D. M. Gaadt
Keyboards – Pat Terry
Lead Guitar [Acoustic And Electric] – Sonny Lallerstedt
Lead Vocals – Pat Terry
Mastered By – Lanky Linstrot
Percussion – Chet McCracken
Photography By – Bill Wages
Producer – Al Perkins
Saxophone – Mike Carnahan
Steel Guitar – Al Perkins
Trombone – Mike Egan
Vocals – Randy Bugg, Sonny Lallerstedt
Vocals [Additional] – Matthew Ward

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word Music, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Designed At – Noah’s Art, Ink
Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Location Recording Service
Mastered At – ABC Recording Studios

The Predators – Offensive – 1988

This is the final album from The Predators (they did come back together in 2011 for a modern release). It was self released and only available on Cassette as far as I can tell. By this album all that was left from the original band was drummer Francis Johnson and of course lead vocalist Kevin Smith. This album drifts away from their new wave pop sound to pretty strait up AOR pop album. At the urging of Kevin Smith’s daughter the band came back together in Sept. 2008 and had a private night of playing their oldies. Subsequently a version of the band did come back together to record a new album which was independently released in 2011. I look forward to giving it a listen but today I’m going to give this album another listen. If you want to read a definitive interview with the band head over to https://downthelinezine.com/archives/the-predators/

Tracklist
1 – Your World – 3:57
2 – No Connection – 3:03
3 – Fallen Angel – 4:07
4 – Nothing At All – 3:05
5 – Built On Sand – 6:27
6 – Love You To Death – 3:23
7 – Dead On Arrival – 3:56
8 – Lies (The Human Jungle) – 5:05
9 – Don’t Laugh At Me Now – 4:08
10 – Rescue Me – 4:17

Credits
Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Producer – Andy Rayner
Drums, Percussion – Francis Johnson
Engineer – Lol Cooper
Guitar – Paul Truswell
Lead Vocals, Percussion – Kevin Smith

Rapid Flight – Music To ROCK Your Soul – 1983

There’s not much to say about this album because no one knows anything about this band. They self released this 4 track EP in 1983 though it has a 70’s sound and feel. It’s pretty good but probably a bit dated in 1983. And that’s it, I can’t tell you anymore, I don’t even know who’s in the band. Even David Lowman has no info on this album and if he has no info then there’s none to be had. So if you are 70’s style loved this one is definitely for you.

Tracklist
1 – Creation Crowned – 5:18
2 – My Son – 3:30
3 – Reach Out – 4:53
4 – Words Create – 3:15

Credits
Producer – Dan Westerbeck, Rapid Flight

Companies, etc.
Pressed By – Artist’s Recording Co. – 830443