There’s not much info out there on Message but it was a project by Allan Butt and Pat Merchant. It was self released and as such there aren’t many copies out there and if you have one it’s worth a fair amount of money. None of the artists involved ever did another project that I can find. This is rather surprising as it’s a really good album. It’s easily as good as most albums from the 70’s that I have listened to. But this isn’t really surprising as I’ve always thought that the record companies really were confused with what to do with music from the Jesus movement of the 70’s. If you like 70’s stuff I suspect you’ll love this one.
Tracklist 1 – I Dreamed I Saw Jesus – 2:40 2 – Highway 45 – 5:07 3 – Changing Up My Lines – 2:43 4 – Coming Soon – 2:23 5 – Should’ve Followed Jesus – 2:43 6 – Thank You Jesus – 4:22 7 – He Was A Carpenter – 4:17 8 – Crucify – 3:17 9 – It’s Hard To Be A Christian – 3:16 10 – Sailing Home – 4:31
Credits Allan Butt – Guitar, Vocals, Recorder Pat Merchant – Harp, Vocals, Lead Guitar, Slide Robin Barnett – Drums David Dealfe – Bass Rick Cagle – Backup Vocals Buddy Philen – Producer
This is volume 2 of the ¡Alarma! Chronicles. Between volume 1 and 2 of the Chronicles they switched record labels and got a new bass player. Terry Taylor’s guidance clearly held things together though. This release is peak 80s culture. It fit the model of what was happening in music at the time, even if nothing of the sort was happening in CCM outside of DA. This visionary album was on par with everything else in the scene at the time, but limited by being marketed to the CCM audience.
Tracklist 1 – Hollow Man – – 2:15 2 – Mall (All Over The World) – 3:13 3 – Real Girls – 2:57 4 – New Car! – 2:00 5 – Do Big Boys Cry – 2:05 6 – Youth With A Machine – 2:42 7 – The Double – 3:50 8 – Distance And Direction – 2:48 9 – Memory Lane – 3:48 10 – Angels Tuck You In – 2:38 11 – Little Crosses – 2:35 12 – Autographs For The Sick – 1:40 13 – I Didn’t Build It For Me – 2:48 14 – Here I Am – 3:18 15 – Hollow Man (Reprise) – 0:43
Credits Arranged By [Keyboards] – Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tom Howard Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Backing Vocals [Occasional] – Derald Daugherty, Dori “Game Show Girl” Howard, Emelia Emulator, Janet McTaggart, Mark Cook (2), Randy Stonehill, The Three Women From Istanbul, Tom Howard Bass Guitar – Marty Dieckmeyer (tracks: 1), Tim Chandler Bass Guitar [8-string] – Tim Chandler Bass Guitar [Fretless] – Tim Chandler Drums [Skins, Tubs, Traps] – Ed McTaggart Engineer – Thom Roy Engineer [Second] – Derald Daugherty* Keyboards – Jeff Lams (tracks: 3,13), Mark Cook (2) (tracks: 8), Marty Dieckmeyer (tracks: 1), Rob Watson (tracks: 2,3,5 to 7,14), Tom Howard (tracks: 4,7,9 to 11,14) Lead Guitar – Jerry Chamberlain Lead Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: 11), Terry Taylor Mastered By – Steve Hall Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Performer [Da Is] – Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Producer – Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor Remastered By – Doug Doyle Rhythm Guitar – Terry Taylor Saxophone – Bill Colton
One of my favourite parts of this project is that sometimes I am introduced to artists I didn’t know anything about and this is one of those artists. The reason I have never heard of him is because his 5 albums were only released in the U.K. I have no idea why his albums weren’t picked up by a North American label but they weren’t. It was insinuated to me that this was due to ICC Records not playing nicely with others but I don’t know if that’s true. Anyway this is a great album. It has a solid 80’s feel and I quite enjoyed it. Unfortunately it was released in 1991 which leaves it a little late for it’s style but that wasn’t that important in the CCM genre. If you only have time for one track listen to “Battle Lines” which is actually a pretty good Rock & Roll track.
Tracklist 1 – Hold On To The Love – 5:13 2 – Runnin’ Hard Tonight – 3:45 3 – Hardened Heart – 4:12 4 – Must Be More – 4:19 5 – The Call Home – 5:25 6 – The Master’s Voice – 4:41 7 – Be My Guide – 4:24 8 – Only To Be My Servant – 4:38 9 – Small Price To Pay – 4:11 10 – Battle Lines – 4:14
Credits Coordinator [Project] – Peter Martin Engineer, Mixed By, Sampler – Matthias Kaufmann Producer [Assistant], Engineer, Organ [Lezly Speaker Operation], Sampler – Mike Newbon Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Sequencer, Drum Programming, Sampler – Johnny Markin
After Larry was convinced to close Solid Rock Records he made his way to England with his father and started Phydeaux records. This was either the first or second album he released on that label. It’s a live album but were not really too sure where or when it was recorded and I don’t think even Larry knew. He printed on the album cover “This album contains ten songs from a three hour concert. It is reproduced exactly as the audience heard it, with no studio overdubs, no stereo enhancement, noise gates, etc. It is raw, real, and electronically unretouched.” As much as he tries to make the lack of production a selling point for the album I sincerely doubt the source material was capable of being remixed. I’m willing to bet it was a single track recorded right out of the mixing board. Anyway this is a great opportunity for us to hear some early Larry in his live environment.
Tracklist 1 – Jonny’s Blues – 3:03 2 – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus – 4:53 3 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll – 3:28 4 – I’ve Seached All Around The World – 3:34 5 – Watch What You’re Doing – 6:31 6 – Soul On Fire – 6:33 7 – Shot Down – 1:56 8 – Song For A Small Circle Of Friends – 3:09 9 – Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music – 2:51 10 – Let That Tape Keep Rolling – 5:24 11 – I Wish We’d All Been Ready – 5:45
Credits Bass Guitar – Dave Coy Drums – Alex McDougall Electric Guitar – Jon Linn Guitar – Mark Heard Piano – Tom Howard Vocals, Written-By – Larry Norman
This album was released in 1988 as a 6 song live EP recorded at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts in Boston on April 26, 1988. There had been a lag in the bands popularity so some record executive though the answer would be a live EP. I don’t quite understand why they didn’t just release a full length concert album but more on that later. The EP did not have any of their early hits and had songs that the public were probably less familiar with. Strangely a 2000 re-release had 14 tracks from the concert. Re-issues before and after this one are only the 6 original tracks. We have uploaded the full 14 track version for you to enjoy here. Live is where The Alarm really shined and while the album did not do that well I think it is some of their best work.
Tracklist 1 – Strength – 6:41 2 – Knife Edge – 4:54 3 – Newtown Jericho – 5:17 4 – Permanence In Change -5:08 5 – Dawn Chorus – 6:48 6 – Blaze Of Glory – 5:02 7 – Bound For Glory – 3:23 8 – Hallowed Ground – 3:52 9 – One Step Closer To Home – 5:34 10 – Shelter – 3:30 11 – Rain In The Summertime – 6:05 12 – Rescue Me – 8:35 13 – Spirit Of ’76 – 8:42 14 – We Are The Light – 3:44
Credits Art Direction – Nick Egan Bass – Eddie MacDonald Design – Tracy Veal Drums – Nigel Twist Guitar – Dave Sharp Keyboards – Mark Taylor Mixed By, Engineer – Elliot Scheiner Photography By – Cary Lander, Ebet Roberts Producer – Gary Katz Vocals – Mike Peters
This album was recorded right when Haworth started worked with the SW London Vineyard developing their worship and prison ministry. I always consider artists who do prison ministry to be one notch above others. Prison ministry is very difficult and just getting into a prison to play music is very labour intensive and requires a level of dedication few artists have. As for the album well it can best be classified as a rock album with some blues tracks but Haworth is really one of those artists that is difficult to pigeon hole into a genre. The album may also have the best version ever of Joy, Joy, Joy. Yes the one from Sunday School. The album was released on Edge records but strangely it was picked up and re-released by Refuge Records in 1991.
Tracklist 1 – We’re All One (’89) – 4:04 2 – Cover For Me – 3:26 3 – I Serve A Risen Saviour – 3:27 4 – Two Worlds – 4:11 5 – Give Me Your Heart – 5:04 6 – Joy, Joy, Joy – 3:27 7 – Word Of Our God – 4:24 8 – Waiting – 4:18 9 – Is This Love ? – 4:45 10 – Hurt People – 4:25 11 – Love, Acceptance And Forgiveness – 6:29
This was the second album from Adrian and it picks up right up where the last one left off. Adrian was a solid performer of worship / easy listening at this point in his career and few others did it as well as him. Now to be clear this is not my style of music but I know good music when I hear it and this is going to lead to my rant. How on gods green earth did Adrian never have a CCM charting single. He had 23 albums of which I’ve heard several now and I am completely dumbfounded at how he never had a song on the charts. I know I have ranted about the charts being very selective before but this has to be one of the best examples of people being blacklisted from the charts. I have no idea why Adrian was blacklisted but honestly it’s rather obvious that he was. Anyway this is an excellent 70’s vibe worship album and if that’s your style I’m sure you will agree with me that this is an excellent album.
Tracklist 1 – Prelude – 4:25 2 – This Land – 2:47 3 – By The Waters Of Babylon (Psalm 137) – 4:54 4 – Father, Saviour, Lord – 3:32 5 – City Bound – 2:50 6 – Goodbye October – 4:30 7 – Summer Song – 2:52 8 – Jesus, I’m Alone – 3:22 9 – Jesus Is My Song – 2:45 10 – And In The Morning – 3:25
Credits Art Direction – Phil Thomson Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Voice [Heathen Shouts], Handclaps – Gerry Page Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Ken Parr Design Concept [Sleeve Concept By], Illustration – Eugene Press Drums, Percussion – Bernard Shaw, Keith Entwistle Engineer – Andy Kidd, Dave Cooke, Helmut Kaufmann French Horn – Gordon Carr Lyrics By – Adrian Snell Music By – Adrian Snell Photography By – David McQuitty Piano, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Keyboards [Elka Rhapsody], Synthesizer [String & Moog Synthesizers], Arranged By – Joe King Piano, Electric Piano, Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Classical Guitar, Keyboards [Elka Rhapsody], Synthesizer [String & Moog Synthesizers], Percussion [Jawbone], Vocals – Adrian Snell Producer – John Pantry Vocals [Female Vocals] – Elisabeth Kaufmann
Companies, etc. Record Company – Dove Records Recorded At – ICC Studios Made By – Robert Stace Printed By – Robert Stace Published By – Thankyou Music Lacquer Cut At – Pye Studios
I completely missed the Newsboys era in CCM music so every time I post one of their albums it is the first time I have heard it. I really enjoyed this album when I listened to it. It has a solid sound and my only criticism is that it kind of switches from Pop to New Wave to Rock so it’s a little inconsistent but that’s a weak criticism because the album is well done. Strangely this album didn’t do very good. In fact it would be a few more albums before the band would become the powerhouse they are known as. I subconsciously considered Newboys the New Kids On The Block of CCM but that’s entirely not true. These guys had some talent and I would have really liked them back in the late 80’s early 90’s.
Tracklist 1 – Stand Up For Jesus – 3:47 2 – In The End – 3:14 3 – Simple Man – 3:43 4 – All I Can See – 4:51 5 – Ten Thousand Miles – 3:54 6 – Somethin’s Missing – 2:45 7 – Get Up For Love – 3:15 8 – Sea Of Love – 3:13 9 – Love You Tomorrow – 3:33 10 – Victory – 4:16
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Sonny Lallerstedt Bass – Sean Taylor Drums, Vocals – Peter Furler Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson, Jeff Moseley Guitar – Jonathan Geange Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Michael Gleason Lead Vocals – John James Mastered By – Denny Purcell Other [L.D., A.D., Koala Caller] – Steve Campbell Producer – Michael Gleason Recorded By – Sonny Lallerstedt Technician [Drum Tech] – David Perdikis Written-By – Newsboys
This is an interesting project from Randy but not for the music as much as for who was the band. Rob Watson and Tim Chandler from DA are here as well as Rick Elias and drums were handled by long time LA studio musician David Raven. That’s quite the band and you can hear all their influences through the album. This album has in my opinion some of Randy’s best writing though with so many albums that’s kind of a silly thing to say. Strangely the album didn’t have a CCM single but then again while Randy indeed did have CCM singles he had very few considering the volume of his work. The CCM charts never really supported Randy’s work.
Tracklist 1 – Wonderama – 6:20 2 – I Will Follow – 3:00 3 – Barbie Nation – 4:57 4 – Don’t Be Sad – 4:15 5 – Rachel Delevoryas – 3:19 6 – Intermission At The Wonderama – 1:05 7 – Great Big Stupid World – 5:47 8 – Sing In Portuguese – 4:05 9 – Mice & Men – 3:13 10 – The Lost Parade – 4:14 11 – Lantern In The Snow – 4:36 12 – Wonderama Postlude – 0:42
Credits Arranged By [Strings & Horn], Written-By [String & Horn Arrangements Written By], Conductor [String & Horn Arrangements Conducted By] – Rob Watson Art Direction [Art Director] – Roz Artwork, Design – Court Patton, Tom Gulotta Bass – Tim Chandler Drums – David Raven Guitar [Guitars] – Rick Elias Keyboards – Rob Watson Lead Vocals, Guitar [Guitars] – Randy Stonehill Concept By – Court Patton, Terry Taylor, Tom Gulotta Executive-Producer – Mark Maxwell, Ray Ware Mastered By – Steve Hall Photography By – Linda Krikorian, Nic Nacca Producer [Produced By], Directed By – Terry Taylor Recorded By – G. Eugene
This is another album from Praise records out of Vancouver BC Canada. Because of this it is almost impossible to find out anything about it. Also as usual this is a fantastic artist that didn’t get the exposure he deserved. This is a frequent problem with Praise as they were able to put albums out but had no promotional skills or abilities at all. They were also very bad at paying artists which is anther story for another day. Just to be clear I have no idea if Jerry ever got paid, I’m basing that comment on MANY conversations with other Praise records clients. Anyway, what we have here is a pretty good album. It leans easy listening but there’s a couple pretty good pop tracks. With some proper promotion I can see this album having had a CCM single. While I was not able to find out much about Jerry at the time I am happy to let you know he is still making music and has a web page with some of it. While not my style of music it’s very well done and I admit to tapping my toes to a couple of tracks. If you ever read this Jerry keep it up.
Tracklist 1 – Give It Up – 3:46 2 – Why Do I Feel This Way – 3:36 3 – Livin’ Without A Reason – 3:00 4 – With My Music – 3:42 5 – Hold Fast – 3:42 6 – It’s You I Love – 3:22 7 – The Only Thing That Matters – 2:45 8 – Just A Really – 3:47 9 – Close Friends – 2:59 10 – Got To Tell You – 4:45
Credits Arranged By – Gerhart Von Delden Engineer – Nigel Blagborne Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Doug Wong Mixed By – Jerry Proppe, Nigel Blagborne Producer – Lorbi
