Illustrator appears to be a new version of Eternity Express. Nathan Gaub, Dan Gaub, Mark Matthews,Kirk Allen are all from Eternity Express and this version is joined by Dawndee Gaub. I’ll be honest that there is a pretty different sound here than Eternity Express. The album is much more pop oriented and quite frankly much better than the previous Eternity Express album. One last point is that neither this version or the original Eternity Express ever had a charting single on the CCM charts. How is that even possible?
Tracklist 1 – Lonely Hearts For Sale – 4:21 2 – Love’s Not Your Enemy – 4:15 3 – Hidden Pain – 4:04 4 – Let It Go – 3:20 5 – Out Of Time – 3:28 6 – Don’t Change Your Heart – 4:46 7 – Gina – 4:37 8 – Holding On – 4:25 9 – End Of The Line – 4:53
Credits Drums, Percussion [Electronic] – Kirk Allen Engineer – Steven Ford, Wes McGuire Engineer [Additional Assistance] – Mike Buster Mixed By – Win Kutz Producer – Illustrator Vocals, Bass Guitar, Keyboards – Mark Matthews Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion – Dan Gaub Vocals, Keyboards – Dawndee Gaub Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth & Computer] – Nathan Gaub
I truly believe that this album is one of the most important albums in the CCM genre. This was the introductory album from Servant and also the introductory for the Tunesmith record label. I vividly remember my first listen to this album and while there were some CCM Rock & Roll albums out already I would argue they weren’t quite what this album was with perhaps the exception of Gentle Faith. Servant formed out of a commune on Vancouver Island Canada called “Highway Missionary Society”. Several members came together to start a group called “Higher Ground” but quickly changed the name to Servant. it took a few years but the band struck a deal with startup record label Praise Industries. Somehow they got now famous producer Bob Rock to produce the album and you can strongly hear his influence. Unfortunately the deal for them would only be 2 albums as there was some dispute between the band and the label. I’m aware of several bands that had issues with Praise Industries so I think I know where the fault fell. This album is in my personal top 10 but this might just be because of the point in my life I heard it. Is t in your top 10?
Tracklist 1 – Shallow Water – 5:05 2 – Rich Man – 3:45 3 – Here Comes David – 3:34 4 – Rejoice – 4:22 5 – Jesus Star – 3:32 6 – Water Grave – 4:52 7 – Cup Of Water – 4:52 8 – Holy Roller Blues – 3:32 9 – Fly Away – 3:52
Credits Owen Brock – Songwriter, Rhythm Guitar, Background Vocals Sandie Brock – Songwriter, Piano, Synthesizer, Congas, Lead Vocals Bob Brooks – Producer Brady Carbol – Songwriter Steve Chapman – Songwriter David Eden – Songwriter Pat Glover – Assistant Engineer Joe Grier – Songwriter Sammy Hagar – Songwriter Bob Hardy – Percussion, Lead Vocals David Holmes – Drums, Background Vocals Rob Martens – Bass, Background Vocals Bob Rock – Engineer Bruce Wright – Songwriter, Lead Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer, Background Vocals
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Praise Records Distributed By – Praise Records
Angie started out her professional career singing with the Continental Singers. She also appeared with Roby Duke and Tim Miner and her first album here was actually produced by Tim. The album was pretty successful and she did get a CCM single though it only got to #35 (Forever Mine). Personally I think the album is great. There are some mellow tracks I didn’t like so much but the upbeat stuff is great. It’s easily as good as anything Paula Abdul did. I say that because the style is similar to Paula. I’m looking forward to listening to her second album soon.
Tracklist 1 – Need Somebody – 4:00 2 – Wake Up – 4:11 3 – Whatchu Need – 3:31 4 – The Game – 4:39 5 – Today – 4:38 6 – Sunny Side – 4:34 7 – Reminders – 4:11 8 – Living Proof – 5:08 9 – With You – 4:07 10 – Forever Mine – 3:54
Credits Angie Alan – Songwriter, Vocals Loren Bieg – Choir Vocals Paul Boone – Choir Vocals Nicole Bruce – Choir Vocals Sharon Burton – Choir Vocals Kim Dexter – Background Vocals David Ebensberger – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Choir Vocals Barry Hogan – Choir Vocals Dennis Holt – Drums Ron Jones – Saxophone Mike McIntyre – Choir Vocals Tim Miner – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Songwriter, Guitars, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Background Vocals Cindy Cruse Ratcliff – Songwriter, Background Vocals Barbara Ross – Choir Vocals Tommy Sims – Bass Mark Stitts – Engineer, Guitars Mike Stitts – Engineer, Programming, Background and Choir Vocals Robert Till – Choir Vocals Mike Wilson – Background and Choir Vocals Bernard Wright – Producer, Keyboards, Programming, Background and Choir Vocals
This is the second album from Acappella. It was again released on Keith Lancaster private label though Word did re-release it 1992. This album did do something very rare in that it had a CCM charting single which is very rare for a private label release. “A Cappella” made it to #29 which should be respected. By this point in the history of Acappella Keith had it developing into a ministry as opposed to just a group. As for the album, well, if you like A Cappella you’ll like the album. Am I the only one that thinks the album cover looks like a metal album?
Tracklist 1 – We Bow Down – 2:22 2 – More Than Conquerors – 2:57 3 – A Cappella – 2:36 4 – Create In Me – 2:30 5 – Everybody Praise – 2:05 6 – Army Of The Lord – 2:53 7 – Amazing Grace – 2:05 8 – Once In A Lifetime Love – 3:02 9 – We Will Glorify – 2:09 10 – John The Revelator – 2:19
Credits Cover – John Laws Engineer – Dan Knowles Mastered By – Glenn Meadows Photography By – John Laws Producer – Keith Lancaster Vocals – Rodney Britt, Keith Lancaster
This version of The New Gaither Vocal Band (now just called The Gaither Vocal Band) consisted of Larnelle Harris, Michael English, Gary McSpadden, and Bill Gaither. I was thinking this might be their best lineup but I think its just because this is their most pop album. As usual it did well on the CCM charts with three top 10 singles. “The Lord Of Hosts” made it to #4, “Can’t Stop Talking About Him” to #1, and “Forever” to #7. Personally I don’t really feel the album had 3 top 10 singles but we all know the CCM charts favoured this kind of acts. But I don’t want to be too critical of the album as I actually did enjoy it.
Tracklist 1 – The Lord Of Hosts – 3:20 2 – Can’t Stop Talking About Him – 4:44 3 – Look Up – 3:39 4 – Lamb Of God – 3:53 5 – Glorious Morning – 4:07 6 – One By One – 4:05 7 – Things That Last Forever – 4:13 8 – Fool For Lesser Things – 3:26 9 – Forever – 3:44 10 – I Walked Today Where Jesus Walks – 4:49
Credits Cover, Design – Jerry Joyner Executive-Producer – Ken Harding Photography By – Peter Nash Producer – Billy Smiley, Keith Thomas Recorded By, Mixed By – Jeff Balding Vocals – Larnelle Harris, Michael English, Gary McSpadden, Bill Gaither
This is another one of those mystery albums. Our version is on Canadian label New Born Records (Praise Industries Corp.). That said it was mixed in Australia and produced by Peter Beveridge and there appears to be an Australian release. With that limited info I’m guessing Nigel is actually Australian. The album has a distinctly 70’s sound and is rather mellow. But it’s pretty good if you like the style.
Tracklist 1 – Life Goes On – 5:22 2 – Rachael – 3:05 3 – Only Jesus – 3:55 4 – Seam Of Gold – 3:03 5 – Emmaus Road – 4:43 6 – Cochran Fair – 3:47 7 – Take Me Home – 4:00 8 – Still You Go On – 4:26 9 – God Still Loves You – 3:07 10 – Dance With The King – 1:34
This was the final album from Richie on Asylum Records. He had promised them that the album wouldn’t be overt Christian but instead would have Christian overtones. I think Richie held to hs agreement with Asylum but the albums just didn’t sell well so that was it for this record deal. Richie of course would continue on with Myrhh. The title track did actually get some airplay but overall the album didn’t do well. I am a little surprised at this as I think the album is pretty good and certainly as good as most secular work ut at the time. It bridges that late 70’s sound into the 80’s and does it pretty good actually. Oh well we all know Christian artists at the time struggled with secular releases.
Tracklist 01 – Oooh Child – 3:25 02 – Lonely Too Long – 3:28 03 – Island Love – 3:33 04 – Come On – 3:07 05 – I Was A Fool – 4:12 06 – I Still Have Dreams – 3:25 07 – Satisfied – 3:55 08 – Headin’ South – 3:46 09 – Oh Mary – 2:57 10 – What’s The Matter, Please? – 3:32
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Richie Furay Art Direction, Design – Ron Coro Bass – Leland Sklar Drums, Percussion – Russell Kunkel Electric Guitar – Dan Dugmore, Waddy Wachtel Keyboards – Craig Doerge Mastered By – Doug Sax Photography By – Jim Shea Producer, Recorded By – Val Garay Recorded By [Assistant] – George Ybarra, Niko Bolas
in 1989 A rep from Benson Records attended several Truth concerts. He approached the 4 male members about a new 4 member vocal group/project. This album is the first of many albums from that group. To say it worked is an understatement as the first single, “Where There Is Faith”, went to #1 for eight weeks. The second single “He Will Be There For You” made it to #4, and the third single “Couldn’t We Stand” made it to #3. I think they could have put out more singles but they really rushed out a second album. This was the start of a very successful run of 11 albums for 4Him. As for the album it has an Imperials feel but maybe with a little better production quality. Has a nice AOR pop sound and feel.
Tracklist 1 – Couldn’t We Stand – 4:01 2 – Stay Forever – 4:06 3 – When I Need You Most – 3:56 4 – Do Right – 3:57 5 – He Will Be There For You – 4:38 6 – Where There Is Faith – 4:56 7 – Living Water, Bread Of Life – 3:54 8 – Life Goes On – 3:38 9 – When I Am Gone – 4:18
Credits David Angell – Strings Mark Baldwin – Rhythm Guitar George Binkley III – Strings Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer Jonathan David Brown – Producer, Mixed Paula Carpenter – Songwriter Andy Chrisman – Vocals Dave Clark – Songwriter David Davidson – Strings Paul Davis – Songwriter Dennis Dearing – Guitar Solos Donna Douglas – Songwriter Connie Ellisor – Strings Lynn Fuston – Engineer Randy Garmon – Assistant Engineer Jim Grosjean – Strings Mark Hammond – Drums Brian Hardin – Engineer Chris Harris – Producer Mark Harris – Songwriter, Vocals Mark Heimermann – Producer, Keyboards, Bass David Huntsinger – Keyboards Andy Ivey – Executive Producer Don Koch – Producer, Songwriter, Rhythm Arrangements, Keyboards Anthony Lamarchina – Strings Ken Love – Mastered Gary Lunn – Bass, Drum Programming Ted Madsen – Strings Marty Magehee – Vocals Carl Marsh – Arrangements, Keyboards David Martin – Songwriter Russell Mauldin – String Arrangements Jerry McPherson – Guitars Dennis Molchan – Strings David Murphy – Engineer Steve Pinkston – Engineer Billy Simon – Songwriter Pam Sixfin – Strings Billy Smiley – Songwriter Marvin Steinberg – Drums Kirk Sullivan – Vocals Mark Tanner – Strings Chris Teal – Strings Kristen Wilkinson – Strings
Well we have kind of an interesting album from Randy here. The first 7 tracks are all original new tracks and the second 7 are live acoustic cuts from Randy’s concerts. The intro track “Didn’t It Rain” sounds like Randy’s interpretation of the famous song of the same name by Sister Rosetta Tharpe to me. The track “Old Clothes” was co-written by David Edwards and you can definitely hear the David influence. Oddly “Giovanni Audiori” is given co-writing credits on “Faithful”. This is a pseudonym for Mark Heard who is also credited on the rest of the album using his real name. To round out the Solid Rock people Tom Howard also helped out on the album. The live tracks are acoustic tracks that Randy of course kills it on. His sense of humour really is second to none in the industry. I never got a chance to see Randy in concert and that’s something I strongly regret. The whole album is worth owning just to hear the 11 plus minute live version of “Shut De Do” which is an example of Randy’s comedic brilliance.
Tracklist 1 – Faithful – 3:24 2 – Didn’t It Rain – 6:11 3 – Born To Love – 4:27 4 – Breath Of God – 2:59 5 – The History In Your Eyes – 4:31 6 – Can Hell Burn Hot Enough 4:07 7 – Old Clothes – 4:03 8 – Keep Me Runnin’ – 5:49 9 – Turning Thirty – 4:39 10 – Ramada Inn – 4:00 11 – Shut De Do – 11:35 12 – Hymn – 4:33 13 – Good News – 8:00 14 – I’ll Remember You – 3:43
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Art Direction – Hipke, Inc. Art Direction [Associate Art Director] – Roz Roos Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain, Pam Dwinell, Randy Stonehill, Sharon McCall Bass – Bill Batstone, Mark Heard Bass [Acoustic] – David Miner Bass [Fretless] – Bill Batstone Drums – David Raven Electric Guitar – Mark Heard Engineer [Second Engineer] – Brian Soucy Executive-Producer – Ray Ware, Tom Willett Keyboards – Mark Heard Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Mark Heard Percussion – Brad Dutz Photography – David Roth Piano – Ken Medema (tracks: 7) Producer – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Recorded By – Mark Heard Strings, Arranged By – Tom Howard (tracks: 7) Synthesizer – Tom Howard (tracks: 1,4) Vocals – Randy Stonehill Written-By – Randy Stonehill (tracks: except 1, 7)
I figured I would introduce this album by quoting Mylons statement about the album. “FROM 1980 TO 1990 “BROKEN HEART” AND I RELEASED 10 ALBUMS, SOLD A MILLION RECORDS, AND TRAVELLED A MILLION MILES WORLDWIDE LEADING OVER 180.000 IN DECISIONS FOR CHRIST. BUT IN 1991. THE ORIGINAL MINISTRY VISION THAT GOD GAVE US HAD BEEN COMPLETED. AT THAT POINT OUR LIVES HAD BECOME OUT OF BALANCE BECAUSE WE WERE SPENDING MORE TIME MAKING HIM KNOWN THAN KNOWING HIM. SO WE TOOK A YEAR TO SEEK GOD AND COMMIT TO KNOWING HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES. I NEEDED TO HEAR HIS VOICE CLEARLY AND NEEDED TO RECEIVE MY INSTRUCTIONS. I NEEDED A FRESH VISION AND DIRECTION FROM THE LORD, AND AS I GOT QUIET, GOD MET WITH ME IN AN INCREDIBLE NEW WAY. THE RESULTS OF THAT SABBATICAL ARE THESE 11 SONGS WE CALL FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE. THIS ALBUM IS THE REFLECTION OF THE CHANGES GOD MADE IN ME, MY FAMILY, AND MY BAND BY THE PROMISES AND PROVISIONS IN HIS WORD. THESE SONGS SIMPLY TESTIFY TO GOD’S POWER, LOVE, AND FAITHFULNESS TO US. PRAISE GOD FOR THE VICTORY WE HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS. HE IS LORD! I FEEL LIKE A NEW MAN AND I THANK GOD FOR THIS NEW DIRECTION, NEW FRIENDS. NEW MUSIC, AND HIS FRESH NEW ANOINTING. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR. LOVE, MYLON”
Well there it is, now we know why this album exists. First lets talk about the positives of this album. It had 4 singles on the CCM charts, “Invincible Love” went to #1, “Closer Than A Friend” also made it to #1, “Give Thanks” made it to #6, and “Faithful” made it to #29. That’s actually pretty good. Any album with 2 #1 singles is a huge success. Now the downside. If you look at the album cover that indicates where were headed with this album. It is certainly not the Mylon that we were more accustomed to but instead a pretty AOR oriented album. Strangely it was also the end of his albums until 2003. Mylon however stayed very active. To quote Wikipedia “LeFevre increasingly turned to preaching and teaching as his vocation. He and his wife Christi minister in about 75 churches a year. He has also spoken at motorcycle rallies, NASCAR owner/driver chapel services, NFL and NBA chapel services, and in Russia, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico.” Bottom line this is a pretty mellow album for Mylon but if you want to hear a little of the Mylon we all loved check out “Callin’ Down Fire” which is easily the best track on the album.
Tracklist 1 – Invincible Love – 5:05 2 – The Name Of The Lord – 4:12 3 – Holy Is The Lord – 3:37 4 – The Power Of Love – 3:40 5 – Don’t Say It’s Over – 4:10 6 – Give Thanks – 3:58 7 – Closer Than A Friend – 4:59 8 – Humble Yourself – 3:55 9 – Masterpeace – 4:47 10 – Callin’ Down Fire – 4:08 11 – Faithful – 4:59
Credits Bass – Anthony Sallee, Joe Hardy Bass, Vocals – Paul Chapman Creative Director – Toni Thigpen Design, Layout – Jackson Design Drums – Ben Hewitt, Liberty DeVitto Drums, Vocals – Tony Miller Edited By [Digital], Mixed By [Mixing Coordination] – Leland Bennett Engineer – Dave Wagner, Scott Allen Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Sal Oliveri, Skip Benicky Executive-Producer – Jeff Moseley, Stan Moser Guitar – Joe Hardy, Steven Curtis Chapman Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle – Ricky Skaggs Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Skip Benicky Keyboards, Vocals – Sal Oliveri Liner Notes – Mylon LeFevre Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Win Kutz Percussion – Carlos Jorge Photography By [Photo Of Mylon LeFevre] – Russ Harrington Producer – Mylon LeFevre, Scott Allen Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Ben Hewitt, Cheryl Rogers, Joe Hardy, Joey Holder, Larry Rust, Rick Crow, Sal Oliveri, Scott Allen Saxophone – Todd Nystrom Vocals – 4Him, Carman, Dez Dickerson, Kenneth Bentley, Larry Rust, Michael English, Michael Gleason, Michael W. Smith, Ricky Skaggs, Steven Curtis Chapman
