Albums – Page 65 – Real 80s CCM

Albrecht, Roley And Moore – Take It To The People – 1980

This was the final album from this trio and while they did have a charting single on their previous album this one didn’t achieve very much success. I think it’s a pretty good album but 1980 was a transition time for CCM music and they didn’t appear to be making that transition. Albrecht and Moore appear to have retired but Roley went on to form City Limits. As for the album it’s a solid 70’s effort and quite freckly I really like it.

Tracklist
1 – Confrontations – 3:39
2 – Take It To The People – 2:55
3 – Sonlight Feel On Me – 4:29
4 – Looking For A Lifetime Love – 3:27
5 – Living Nightdream – 3:39
6 – Cross On Over – 3:42
7 – Son Of Man – 2:54
8 – Someone Is Waiting – 4:14
9 – Letter To Laura – 3:24
10 – I’m On My Way – 4:07

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Al Moore, Michael Jon Albrecht, Scott Roley
Arranged By [Rhythm], Keyboards – Richard Souther
Art Direction – Stan Evenson
Bass – David MacKay
Design Concept – Linda E. Reksten
Drums, Percussion – Dallas Taylor
Electric Guitar – Randy Mitchell, Rick Vito
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Bobby Warford
Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig, Tom Trefethen
Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow
Executive-Producer, Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Greg Nelson
Lacquer Cut By – Steve Hall
Photography By [Cover & Liner] – Donald Miller
Photography By [Group] – Robert Blakeman
Producer, Arranged By [Rhythm], Pedal Steel Guitar – Al Perkins

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Spirit Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Spirit Records
Manufactured By – Hartsong Corporation
Distributed By – Hartsong Corporation
Recorded At – Soundcastle
Recorded At – Martinsound
Lacquer Cut At – MCA Recording Studios

Parable – Illustrations – 1977

One of the often overlooked “Maranatha Bands” of the 1970’s was Parable. They recorded two albums before disbanding. Parable was lead by Chuck Butler, who had previously been a part of the band Country Faith, one of the great Jesus Music bands to never have recorded a full album despite great responses for the songs they had recorded on many different samplers. The first album, More Than Words, was more folk-rock with a country feel. Imagine The Eagles with a male and female lead vocals. the album was very well received. After The Way disbanded guitar virtuoso John Wickham joined the band for this second album and added a significantly more rock sound with some amazing guitar work. Stylistically the band went more pop with a rock emphasis and may remind some readers of early Servant and Petra. But it was really the guitar work that set the album apart along with very strong writing with very memorable hooks. There’s a reason and Come Untangled kick the album off with a strong rock emphasis and straight ahead evangelical messages before “The City” slows things down, at least initially. Sounding similar to a The Eagles or Chicago ballad before kicking into gear and finishing with one of the best guitar solos in Christian Music to that point. The only other albums at that time with such great guitar work were those by Phil Keaggy and Paul Clark. Female vocalist Lisa Faye Irwin takes the reins on several songs including “A Friend,” a song very reminiscent of Servant from the same era. The album is very consistent and memorable throughout, though side 2 is noticeably mellower than side 1, with very impressive production for the time, and far superior to most of the music coming out of Maranatha Music at that time. Both albums have been re-released on CD be the group and is still available as best as I can tell.

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

Tracklist
1 – There’s A Reason – 4:30
2 – Come Untangled – 3:24
3 – The City – 5:27
4 – A Friend – 3:23
5 – The Plain Truth – 3:34
6 – Act 3 – 3:55
7 – The Promise – 3:20
8 – Ladder Song – 4:24
9 – Got To Decide – 3:54
10 – A Prayer – 4:08

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Kim Hutchcroft
Arranged By [Strings] – Jim Stipec
Art Direction – Neal Buchanan
Bass Guitar – Gary Arthur
Drums – Don Kobayashi
Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig, Jonathan David Brown
Guest [Vocals] – Becky Ugartechea, Virgil Beckham
Handclaps – Malcolm & The Honeys
Horns – Allen Gregory, Glen Myerscough, Kim Hutchcroft
Illustration – Larry McAdams
Keyboards – Alan DiCato
Layout – Neal Buchanan
Lead Guitar – John Wickham
Lead Vocals – Chuck Butler, Lisa Faye Irwin
Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Organ [B3] – Mike Escalante
Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Donnie K.
Producer – Tommy Coomes
Rhythm Guitar – Chuck Butler
Vocals – Alan DiCato, Gary Arthur, John Wickham
Written By – C. Butler

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Martinsound
Mixed At – Martinsound
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ22675

Illustrator – Illustrator – 1987

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

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

Servant – Shallow Water – 1979

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 Alan – Angie Alan – 1990

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

Acappella – Conquerors – 1986

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

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Masterfonics, Inc.

The Gaither Vocal Band – One X 1 – 1986

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

Nigel Compton – Life Goes On – 1980

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

Credits
Producer, Arranged By – Peter Beveridge

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Nightlight Music

Richie Furay – I Still Have Dreams – 1979

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

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Elektra/Asylum Records
Copyright © – Elektra/Asylum Records
Manufactured By – Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records
Recorded At – The Sound Factory
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-14353
Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-14354

4 Him – 4Him – 1990

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

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Benson Company, Inc.
Copyright © – The Benson Company, Inc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Distributed By – R.G. Mitchell Family Books
Made By – Digital Audio Disc Corp. – DIDX 007013
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-007013
Produced For – Fun Attic Productions
Recorded At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Mixed At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix