Category: Albums

The Bond – Won By One – 1987

This is yet another Geoff Mann project. Geoff must have been a pretty busy guy because he must have put out 10 albums using different names in the mid 80’s. As I said in a previous review of his work I am sorry I didn’t know about him in the 80’s as his music is exactly what I was listening to back then. As near as I can tell this album was only released in the UK which is probably why I never heard of him. Geoff is joined by Dave Mortimer, and Steve Ridley to form “The Bond”. It’s another excellent new wave album but less conceptual than his other work I have listened to.

Tracklist
1 – Trumpet Call – 5:58
2 – Rest Assured – 4:11
3 – New – 3:59
4 – Cry Out – 4:37
5 – His Love – 4:18
6 – Too Modern – 4:59
7 – After The Storm – 6:03
8 – Certainly – 5:47
9 – Willy Welsh – 8:04

Credits
Backing Vocals [Backing Voices], Keyboards, Wind [Wind Instruments] – Steve Ridley
Bass Guitar – Adrian Cathcart
Engineer – Clive Davenport
Guitar [Ghastly Green Gibson] – Dave Mortimer
Lyrics By – Geoff Mann
Mastered By – Jack Adams
Music By [Music Written], Arranged By, Performer – Dave Mortimer, Geoff Mann, Steve Ridley
Producer – Clive Davenport, The Bond
Voice [Voices], Guitar [Wobbly/Non-Wobbly Guitars], Programmed By, Drum Programming [Realtime Drum Machines] – Geoff Mann
Written-By – Dave Mortimer
Written-By [Songs By] – Geoff Mann

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Marshall Pickering Records
Copyright © – Marshall Pickering Records
Copyright © – Geoff Mann
Recorded At – Charter Studio

The Strawmen – At Home – 1994/1996

So The Strawmen are/were a version of The 77s or at least that’s the traditional view. Whether you consider them that way or not is up to you. The band is/was Mark Harmon and Dave Leonhardt, the bass player and rhythm guitarist for The 77s. They were joined by Mark’s brother Bill on Guitar. It has been reported that this album gave a spark to Mike Roe and Aaron Smith to get the band back together with Mark and Dave. As such this album is kind of held out as a 77s album by a lot of people. Several of the tracks were subsequently re-recorded for the 77s album “Pray Naked”. Bottom line is that you are a 77s fan then this album is a must listen to as it was pivotal in the 77s history in the mid 90’s. The original CD Release had 13 tracks. The 1996 re-release only had 11 of those original tracks but had 4 bonus tracks. Our release here has all of the tracks for a total of 17.

Tracklist
1 – Sometimes – 3:53
2 – Phony Eyes – 4:55
3 – Deep End – 3:49
4 – Come Back – 3:31
5 – Rattles – 3:42
6 – Hard To Say – 4:21
7 – Rant & Rave – 4:11
8 – Hate’m – 4:01
9 – Sometimes (Vocal Mix) – 3:10
10 – Let Love Live – 3:24
11 – The Chop – 3:24
12 – Holy Hold – 3:45
13 – Raging Tomb – 6:23
14 – Talk To Me – 3:48
15 – Ray Of Hope – 3:49
16 – Pick Up The Pieces – 4:26
17 – If We’re So Innocent – 4:00

Credits
Artwork [Cover Art By] – Jimmy Abegg
Bass, Programmed By [Programming], Backing Vocals – Mark Harmon
Guitar [Guitars], Backing Vocals – David Leonhardt
Lead Vocals, Guitar [Guitars], Backing Vocals – Bill Harmon
Liner Notes – Bill Harmon
Written-By [All Songs By] – Strawmen

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Fools Of The World
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Fools Of The World
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-021258

Shack of Peasants – Classic Blues Volume 1 – 1993

I’m not really sure of where this album came from but wow what an album. It was released on Crystal Lewis’s new label shortly after the label was formed. I’m just guessing here but maybe a few artists came together to help out the new label. Anyway what a great album to have n your new label. The album features the vocals of Crystal Lewis, Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell, and Lanny Cordola. That’s some pretty good vocalists. The album is a mix of old and new blues songs. How can you not be excited about Darrell and Crystal singing a track together. Also there is a volume 2 so we get even more.

Tracklist
1 – Gwine Dig A Hole To Put The Devil In – Featuring – Lanny Cordola – 2:26
2 – Gonna Sit On The Banks Of The River – Featuring – Philip Bardowell – 2:59
3 – I Shall Not Be Moved – Featuring – Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell – 2:31
4 – Stand By Me – Featuring – Crystal Lewis – 2:41
5 – Death Has No Mercy Seat – Featuring – Darrell Mansfield – 3:33
6 – Tears Of Faith – 3:36
7 – Nobody’s Fault But Mine – Featuring – Darrell Mansfield – 2:18
8 – Down On Me – 2:26
9 – Cincinnati Flow Rag – Featuring – Lanny Cordola – 2:29
10 – Denomination Blues – Featuring – Lanny Cordola, Philip Bardowell – 2:29
11 – Glory Glory Hallelujah – Featuring – Crystal Lewis – 3:04
12 – Tribute – Featuring – Crystal Lewis, Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell – 4:16

Credits
Philip Bardowell – Vocals
Lanny Cordola – Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin, Tambourine, Vocals
Rev. Gary Davis – Songwriter
Gary Thomas Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Bass Harmonica, Accordion, Vocals
Taso Kotsos – Tambourine, Snare Drum, Shaker, Woodblock, Finger Cymbals, Shaker, Triangle
Huddie Ledbetter – Songwriter
Crystal Lewis – Vocals
Darrell Mansfield – Harmonica, Vocals
Paul McIntire – Fiddle
Allegra Parks – Vocals
Fletcher Quigley – Vocals
Sandra Stevens – Vocals
Chuck Wright – Bass

Illustrator – Somewhere In The World – 1989

For those who didn’t know Illustrator is essentially a new and improved version of Eternity Express. This is their second and last album under this name. Well actually they did release an album in 2011 to be factual. This album is a rather typical but well done late 80’s AOR album. It is said that though uncredited Dann Huff played some of the guitar tracks but I have no way to know if this is true or just rumour. As with their other album this was a much improved version of Eternity Express and this album like their other definitely deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – New Way to Love – 3:53
2 – Dying to Meet You – 3:57
3 – Hold My Heart – 4:58
4 – Cryin’ Time – 4:44
5 – I Surrender – 4:21
6 – Help is on It’s Way – 3:40
7 – Listen – 4:00
8 – Should’A Been Love – 4:30
9 – Feels Like – 4:32
10 – Carry the Cross – 3:44

Credits
Art Direction – Loren Johnson
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Angie Alan, Cindy Cruse, David Ebensberger, Tim Miner
Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Mark Matthews
Design, Layout – Teresa Pratt
Drums, Vocals – Kirk Allen
Executive-Producer – Freddie Piro
Guitar, Vocals – Dan Gaub
Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Nathan Gaub
Keyboards, Vocals – Dawndee Gaub
Producer, Engineer – Win Kutz
Saxophone – Randy Lee

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Ocean Records
Copyright © – Ocean Records
Recorded At – Nick’s Place Recording Studio
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Eagle Mountain Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Wakefield Manufacturing – 47497

The Stand – Heartbreak Town – 1990

I really can’t find too much information on The Stand. This is their introductory album and it was the first release on Wonderland Records which was a short-lived sub-label of Word records. In places the album almost has an British Invasion sound from the early 80’s and yet in other spots has a resemblance to The Rembrandts. The album includes one of the best covers of Amazing Grace in the genre. Even though Mark Robertson was in this band he also put an album in the industrial band Under Midnight. As for the album I loved it. It is easily one of the best albums form this time period and will definitely go into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Heartbreak Town – 4:50
2 – Everyday – 4:36
3 – Every Dream – 4:25
4 – Reign Of Truth – 3:57
5 – Amazing Grace – 3:22
6 – Eyes Of Love – 3:45
7 – I’m Calling You – 4:19
8 – J146 – 5:55
9 – Heart’s Cry – 3:54
10 – Don’t Look Back – 4:34

Credits
Backing Vocals – Caesar Kalinowski, Christopher Mosher, Dave Palmer, Leah Thomas, Mark Robertson, Michelle Thompson, Tony Valenziano
Bass, Vocals – Mark Robertson
Drums, Vocals [Additional] – Dan Holter
Engineer [Second] – Christopher Mosher
Keyboards, MIDI Controller – Christopher Mosher
Lead Guitar – Paz Vega
Lead Vocals, Guitar [6 String & 9 String], Acoustic Guitar, Drum [Tambo] – Tony Valenziano
Mastered By – Eddie Schryer
Producer – Mark Robertson, Tony Valenziano
Producer, Executive-Producer, Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski

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

Crystal Lewis – Joy – 1989

This is Crystal’s second solo album. It solidified her new more worship oriented style though “Come Together” is still a pretty rockin tune and probably the best example of what Crystal can do vocally on the album. As for the rest of the album I found it a little dull. But to tell the truth I was a huge fan of her previous work so this change in style didn’t work for me personally. That said the album is excellent for this style and no one can ever argue that Crystal’s voice is one of the best in the industry.

Tracklist
1 – Leave It Up To Him – 3:13
2 – God Is Somebody – 4:17
3 – You Didn’t Have To Do It – 4:56
4 – Monday Comes – 4:13
5 – It’s Real – 3:51
6 – Come Together – 4:56
7 – Better Day – 3:53
8 – Bloodstained Pages – 3:51
9 – There’s Always Time For You – 3:32
10 – Bring Peace Today – 5:20
11 – Monday Comes (Alternative Mix) – 3:48

Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Crystal Lewis
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Debbie McClendon, Fred White, Howard McCrary, Jackie Gouche, Maxie Anderson, Phyllis St. James
Bass – Andrew Gouche, Larry “Clyde” Simpson
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Guitar – James Harrah, Marty Walsh
Guitar [Lead] – Tony Palacios
Guitar [Rhythm], Drums [Overdubs] – Brian Ray
Keyboards, Technician [Technical Support] – James Werning
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – Doug Rider
Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Crystal Lewis
Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards – Gene Eugene
Producer, Arranged By, Sequenced By [Synth] – Scott V. Smith
Programmed By [Synth] – Bill Pearson, Rhett Lawrence
Saxophone – Dan Michaels
Synthesizer [Overdubs] – Michael Ruff
Vocals – Crystal Lewis

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – Frontline Records
Recorded At – “Rhett’s Place” Studio
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B

Under Midnight – Under Midnight – 1992

This is the first “industrial” album I have heard in the Christian genre. This was a style of music I listened to heavily in the secular world in the mid 80’s. I was surprised that it took until 1992 for this sound to show up in the Christian genre. I’m not saying this was the first in the genre but I can’t find one earlier than this. The album is actually Caesar Kalinowski, and Mark Robertson who were both in The Stand. Caesar was a pretty popular producer in the CCM scene through the 80’s. Anyway we have here an industrial concept album. The album tells a sci-fi dystopian future story and the tracks tell a great story. It solidly stays in the Christian genre including a couple alter calls. I was able to find several reviews from secular reviewers that loved the album and they said they tolerated the Christian content as it was so good. Personally I think it is pretty good and is easily as good as anything secular I listened to in the mid 80’s.

Tracklist
1 – Babylon USA – 4:11
2 – Die To Myself – 4:03
3 – Love, Pain, Truth, Fire – 4:30
4 – New Way – 4:34
5 – Cybervision – 4:42
6 – Learning To Fly – 3:52
7 – Two Worlds, One Cry – 4:53
8 – In A Mirror Dimly – 3:34
9 – Who Am I? – 5:03
10 – Fear And Trembling – 4:35
11 – Yes, I Am – 4:33
12 – Arise – 3:55

Credits
Backing Vocals – Michelle Thompson, Tony Valenziano
Backing Vocals, Vocals [Guest] – Beki Hemingway
Design, Photography By – Lark
Executive-Producer – C.Kalinowski, P. Gavin Morkel
Guitar [Additional] – Kurt Bachman
Producer, Written-By, Performer, Backing Vocals – D.B. Allen, Frankie
Programmed By [Additional] – Luke Mazzeri, Max Hsu
Written-By [Co-Written By] Track 7 – Max Hsu

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

Towne Cryer – Against All Evil – 1992

I often hear this album referred to thrash metal but really I think it leans more to dark metal. What makes this band unique is that they had a female vocalist which was quite rare n this genre. For these guys it worked and it worked well. You probably already know that this is not one of my preferred genres. In fact Thrash is one of my most hated but quite frankly there is something different about this album. There are several tracks here that I kind of like. I would like to have heard lead vocalist Gena do some straight up Metal/Hard Rock, I think I would have really liked that.

Tracklist
1 – Shadow Of Death – 3:08
2 – Stone Cold Heart – 3:45
3 – Hound Of Heaven – 4:46
4 – Free – 3:29
5 – Seek Life – 2:54
6 – Time Ran Out – 4:31
7 – Lights – 4:12
8 – Sacrifice Of The Lamb – 5:04
9 – Let Go – 4:07

Credits
Bass – Gary Ottosi
Drums – Ron McClure
Guitar – Jerry Rotz, Steve Metzger
Vocals – Gena McClure

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Nehemiah Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Nehemiah Ministries Music
Copyright © – Nehemiah Records

Brush Arbor – Hero – 1981

A quick confession right off the bat. I had no idea Bruch Arbor existed in the 80’s. I don’t know how this is even possible as they were relatively huge. Sure their sound was not what we really liked but we had lots of albums from artists that weren’t really our style. So how did they slip past us? I have no idea. I guess it was just a product of growing up in a small town with one Christian music store so we got what we got. Anyway this is their album for 1981. It’s mainly easy listening with hints of country. All in all a pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – Only For The Love Of The Lord – 2:42
2 – Come Back Home – 3:56
3 – Witness – 2:36
4 – All I Want To Be – 3:08
5 – Hero – 2:10
6 – Hey There Stranger – 3:42
7 – Running – 3:07
8 – Trust In The Lord – 1:58
9 – God Is Good – 2:58
10 – St. Peter – 2:19
11 – Rescue Me – 3:10

Credits
Acoustic Bass – David Rose
Arranged By – Brush Arbor, John D’Andrea
Art Direction – Paul Gross
Banjo – Jim Rice
Bass Guitar – David Rose
Design Concept – Bill Lightner
Drums – Kevin Watkins
Engineer – Carmine Rubino
Engineer [Assistant] – Jim Crosby
Guitar – Jim Rice, Joe Rice
Lead Guitar – Dale Cooper
Lead Vocals – Jim Rice, Joe Rice
Mandolin – Joe Rice
Mastered By – Bill Lightner
Percussion – Kevin Watkins
Photography By – Lisa Diamond, Phil Fewsmith
Producer – Michael Lloyd
Sleeve – Dennis Hill
Vocals – Dale Cooper, David Rose, Kevin Watkins

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Myrrh Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △25044
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – John T. Benson Pub. Co.
Published By – House Of Hits
Published By – Happiedayle Music
Published By – Warner-Tamerlane

77s – Eighty Eight – 1991

77s finally give us a live album which was recorded on March 12, 1988 at the Warehouse in Sacramento, CA. The album gives us live versions of all their hits along with a fascinating cover of “Over Under Sideways Down” by the The Yardbirds.

Tracklist
1 – Perfect Blues – 6:00
2 – I Can’t Get Over It – 6:10
3 – Wild Blue – 5:45
4 – Mary And The Baby Elvis – 4:25
5 – Closer – 5:23
6 – Where It’s At – 4:53
7 – The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride Of Life – 3:57
8 – Over Under Sideways Down – 2:56
9 – Mercy Mercy – 11:15
10 – You Don’t Scare Me – 12:20
11 – I Could Laugh – 12:30

Credits
Bass Guitar – Mark Harmon
Bass, Guitar, Voice – Jan Eric
Coordinator [Project Conceived and Coordinated by] – Shalom Aberly
Drums [Forever Pounding & Thrashing] – Aaron Smith
Grand Piano – David Leonhardt
Keyboards, Guitar, Voice – Mark Tootle
Mixed By – Steve Griffith
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Roger Smith
Post Production – Kirt Shearer
Producer – Mike Roe
Recorded By – Daryl Zachman
Voice, Guitar, Harmonica [Mouth Organ] – Mike Roe

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Brainstorm Artists International
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Brainstorm Artists International
Published By – Fools Of The World Ltd.
Published By – 7 And 7 Is Music
Published By – Yardbirds Music Ltd.
Recorded At – The Warehouse, Sacramento
Mixed At – The Music Annex
Produced For – Gaga Productions
Produced At – Paradise Studios, Sacramento, CA
Mastered At – Fantasy Studios
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.