Category: Albums

Fraction – Moon Blood 1971/1999 – Full Album

We don’t often publish 70’s bands with no connection to the 80’s but this band is an exception due to how good it is. If you have one of the original copies of this album your pretty lucky as it is said that it only had 200 copies pressed and it sells in excess of $1000. That is a very small pressing and I wonder why a record label didn’t grab this release and give it a full release given the quality of it. I can only guess is that it just simply never crossed anyone’s desk. This is probably the best 70’s album I have ever heard. These guys were good, very good. Strangely none of them ever went on to do anything else. This completely mystifies me. Anyway it had several re-releases in the 90’s forward and a CD release in 1999 included 3 bonus tracks which we have included. Thanks to David Lowman for letting me know about this excellent album.

Tracklist
1 – Sanc-Divided – 3:51
2 – Come Out Of Her – 4:56
3 – Eye Of The Hurricane – 8:56
4 – Sons Come To Birth – 5:27
5 – This Bird (Sky High) – 8:11
CD Bonus Tracks
6 – Prisms – 4:23
7 – Dawning Light – 4:40
8 – Intercessor’s Blues – 3:55

Credits
Bass – Vic Hemme
Engineer [Recording] – Frank Kejmar
Guitar – Bob Meinel, Don Swanson
Percussion – Curt Swanson
Photography By – John Stanchfield
Producer – Fraction
Vocals, Concept By, Design – Jim Beach

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Modern Album, Burbank
Recorded At – Whitney Recording Studios

Paul Smith – Child Of The Father – 1978

Paul Smith of course is best known for being in the Imperials. He did go on to a solo career after the Imperials but this little known album came before he joined the Imperials. When I say little known it’s because this album does not appear to have been on a label. It appears Paul self released this album so I am assuming no one ever heard of it. Strangely it appears to be highly collectable with copies fetching $300. I have listened to the album and there is nothing here that is deserving of that price tag but it is a good album if you like that 70’s easy listening style.

Tracklist
1 – Yes, I Know – 4:37
2 – Singin’ Through The Rain – 3:17
3 – Before I Knew – 4:27
4 – Child Of The Father – 3:32
5 – One More Day – 5:44
6 – Now I See The Man – 3:09
7 – Lonely People Serenade – 6:07
8 – Let There Still Be Love – 3:48
9 – Always – 4:23

Credits
Arranged By – Robert Sterling
Backing Vocals – Suite Lady
Backing Vocals [Suite Lady] – Cindy Vaughn, Denise Griffith, Gail Quillan, Jean Seal, Jean Secliffe
Bass – Andy Rae
Design – Nancy Perry
Drums, Percussion – Robert Sterling
Engineer – Bob Sullivan
Guitar – Bob Thomas
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Shane Keister
Liner Notes – Charles F. Brown
Mixed By [Assistant] – Charles F. Brown
Photography By – Tim Henry
Producer – Robert Sterling
Saxophone – Greg Bashara
Trombone – Anne Broaddus, David Carter
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Mark Nally

Companies, etc.
Published By – Glorysound Publishing
Published By – Home Sweet Home Publishing
Published By – John T. Benson Publishing
Published By – PostScript Music
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Sunset-Burnet Studios

X-Sinner – Get it – 1989

X-Sinner was formed in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop in Orange County California. It also appears to have been the first album released on the Elefante brothers label Pakaderm Records. I can’t think of a better intro album for a new label. X-Sinner’s comparison to AC DC is rather obvious but they are more than that I would argue. I can definitely hear some original ideas and they didn’t just copy AC DC as often accused. To say the album was well received is an understatement as they were named the favourite new band of 1989 by the readers of HM Magazine. If the intro track doesn’t hook you then there’s something wrong with you. My only complaint about the band is that I wish they would have some out earlier in the 80’s but you can’t really blame the band for that. The album is perfectly produced by the Elefante brothers and is one of my personal favourite CCM albums of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XQCg4GcEEd9t19zUMHDV2J-

Tracklist
1 – Medicine – 3:22
2 – Steppin’ On Toes – 3:28
3 – Hearts On Fire – 4:13
4 – No Way In – 3:43
5 – Get It – 4:18
6 – Accountable – 4:13
7 – Walking Evil – 4:48
8 – Lift Him Up – 3:13
9 – Kick ‘Em Out – 3:17
10 – Livin’ On The Edge – 4:07

Credits
Art Direction – Terry Degraff
Band [X-Sinner Is], Bass – Rob Kniep
Band [X-Sinner Is], Drums – Michael Buckner
Band [X-Sinner Is], Guitar – Greg Bishop
Band [X-Sinner Is], Vocals – David Robbins
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Graphics [Title] – Noah’s Art
Layout – John Shaffer
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals – Dino Elefante
Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals, Keyboards – John Elefante
Musician [Additional], Drums – David Raven
Photography By [Cover] – Jodi Summer
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Written-By – Robbins* (tracks: 1 to 9), Bishop* (tracks: 1 to 9)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pakaderm Records
Copyright © – Pakaderm Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Commissioned – I’m Going On – 1985

Commissioned was formed in 1982 in Detroit Michigan. The six original members were Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Keith Staten, Karl Reid, Michael Brooks, and Michael Williams but by the time this first album was put out the members had adjusted slightly. If I had to classify them as a group I would say they are the soul version of the Imperials. This album was very well received and Light records made an excellent decision to release this one. My understanding is that the album was recorded without a record deal and was shopped around. Light Records would go on to release 4 more albums by the band before they moved on to Benson. The album itself is an excellent light soul album that was prefect for the time it was released.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Going On – 3:51
2 – ‘Tis So Sweet – 4:14
3 – I Can See Jesus – 4:40
4 – Unworthy – 4:34
5 – You’ve Got A Friend – 3:56
6 – The City – 3:55
7 – Giving My Problems (To You) – 4:26
8 – Surely We Need Him – 4:35

Credits
Fred Hammond – Vocals, Bass
Keith Staten – Vocals
Mitchell Jones – Vocals
Karl Reid – Vocals
Michael Brooks – Keyboards
Michael Williams – Drums
Scotti Jones – percussions

Michael W. Smith – The Live Set – 1987

Recorded at The Civic Theatre, Des Moines, Iowa and The Civic Center Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia here’s probably Micheal W. Smiths best album. That said I always love live albums and Michael definitely turned it up a notch when appearing live. I don’t really care for his albums as they are a little too mellow for me but this album I have been listening to.

Tracklist
1 – Nothin’ But The Blood – 3:38
2 – Lamu – 8:27
3 – You’re Alright – 4:39
4 – Could He Be The Messiah – 5:02
5 – Rocketown – 6:13
6 – Emily – 3:45
7 – I Know – 4:23
8 – Friends – 3:59
9 – Old Enough To Know – 5:57
10 – Pursuit Of The Dream – 6:01
11 – Be Strong And Courageous – 4:15
12 – You Need A Savior – 6:24

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Heather Brown
Artwork By [Cover Painting] – Robert Meecham
Bass – Chris Harris
Drums – David Huff
Edited By [Audio Sweetening] – Blaine Stewart
Engineer [Claire House] – Bob Weibel
Engineer [Monitor] – Keith Carroll
Executive Producer – Dan Harrell, Jeff Moseley, Michael Blanton
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Keyboards – Mark Heimermann, Michael W. Smith
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Photography – Tim Campbell
Producer – Michael W. Smith
Production Manager, Engineer [House Sound], Engineer – Chris Taylor
Recorded By [Location Audio Reel Sound Recorders], Engineer [Additional Audio Engineered By] – Malcolm Harper

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – BMG Music
Distributed By – BMG Music

Dion – Inside Job – 1980

This is Dion’s first Christian album. He was a huge artist through the 60’s and 70’s perhaps best known as Dion & The Belmonts and Dion & The Wanderers. I have to make a confession that my friends and I didn’t listen to Dion. I remember that we were aware of him but for some reason he just never made it onto our playlists (cassettes in the day). This is further confusing because I think all of us grew up with Dion in our homes in the 60’s and early 70’s. It is odd that I know his secular work better than his Christian work. I am going to further confess that I had not listened to this album before writing this review. Now the reason I am going on about this is that this album is great, I would have loved it in 1980. I do love Dion’s 60’s work but this album sounds more like his 70’s work and I think it’s darn good too. So my apologies to Dion for not listening to him at the time but I’m making up for it now.

Tracklist
1 – I Believe (Sweet Lord Jesus) – 3:34
2 – He’s The One – 5:02
3 – Center Of My Life – 4:28
4 – The Truth Will Set You Free – 6:10
5 – Gonna Be Ready – 3:39
6 – Old Souvenirs – 3:51
7 – New Jersey Wife – 3:54
8 – Man In The Glass – 4:21
9 – Sweet Surrender – 4:33

Credits
Art Direction [Cover Art Direction] – Dennis Hill
Bass – George “Chocolate” Perry
Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Eric Schilling, Paul Harris
Drums, Percussion – Jose Galdo*
Engineer – Eric Schilling
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Jim Peterson
Guitar – Dion DiMucci, Tony Battaglia
Keyboards – Paul Harris
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Other [Cross Presented By] – August DiMucci
Photography By [Cover Photographs] – John Miller
Photography By [Cross Photograph] – Dion DiMucci
Producer [Produced By] – Dion

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Salt Productions
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.
Recorded At – Bayshore Recording Studios

The Call – Let The Day Begin – 1989

I have written this elsewhere on several occasions and will repeat it again here: Michael Been was the single most impressive and passionate lead vocalist to ever grace a rock and roll stage. Others may bellow, scream and prance about, but Been could stand perfectly still and show little or no emotion and still drive me to tears with the sheer passion and believability of his voice. The rich baritone that could elevate to staggering heights of emotion has simply not been matched. I miss him… Let the Day Begin was the 6th album from The Call and carried the band into the 1990’s with what should have been the coming out party. Rock radio loved the title track, making it the bands only number one single, but it just wasn’t to be. It is one of the great mysteries of rock and roll music that a band like The Call could never break into the mainstream music fans consciousness despite a consistently impressive output of amazing music. This album was that one shot. It was filled with radio friendly rock music with a slight alternative twist that seemed reared and ready for success. The first four songs (Let the Day Begin, Run, Surrender and When) should have been runaway hits and appeared on several movie soundtracks. Been’s history in Christian music is actually relatively unknown. His first known appearance (that I am familiar with) is playing bass on the first two Barry McGuire albums as well as being a musician for 2nd Chapter of Acts. He regularly appeared on Jesus Music/CCM albums before creating The Call and heading into a more mainstream world. But his Biblical worldview is present here and on every able he was connected with. It should not difficult to see the hope, grace and mercy that poured from his been and voice. Yes, he will be missed. Greatly!

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

Tracklist
1 – Let The Day Begin – 3:50
2 – You Run – 5:34
3 – Surrender – 4:07
4 – When – 5:18
5 – Jealousy – 5:38
6 – Same Ol’ Story – 3:36
7 – For Love – 6:13
8 – Closer – 5:00
9 – Communication – 5:38
10 – Watch – 4:16
11 – Uncovered – 2:24

Credits
Art Direction – J.A.
Design – Jeanne Bradshaw
Drums, Vocals – Scott Musick
Engineer [Assistant] – Matthew “Boomer” LaMonica, Paul Dieter
Engineer [Studio Monitor] – Gary Sanguinet
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Michael Been
Guitar, Vocals – Tom Ferrier
Keyboards, Vocals – Jim Goodwin
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Photography By – Richard Corman
Producer – Jim Goodwin, Michael Been
Recorded By [Additional Recording] – Ed Cherney
Recorded By, Mixed By – Rob Eaton
Supervised By [Equipment Supervision] – Mike Smith
Technician [Guitar Techs] – Edd Kolakowski, Rich Modica

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – MCA Records, Inc.
Copyright © – MCA Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – Cinram
Manufactured For – MCA Records Canada
Distributed By – MCA Records Canada

Steve Camp – For Every Man – 1981

This is Steve’s 3rd album. It is a little more uptempo than his previous release but for the main part follows right along with his previous work. It contains one of Steve’s best known songs, “Run to the Battle”. Keith Thomas wrote or co wrote several tracks and you can hear his heavy influence on the album. I going to have to classify this album as “also came out in 1981” but really it deserves more recognition than that as it is a pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – Jesus On Our Side – 3:25
2 – Gimme What It Takes – 3:29
3 – Farther And Higher – 3:16
4 – Jesus Drawing Me – 4:12
5 – The Net Of Peter – 4:10
6 – Thank You – 3:25
7 – The Only Story (Written In My Life) – 2:36
8 – You Just Talk To Me – 3:40
9 – Run To The Battle – 3:46
10 – Back In The Furnace – 4:48
11 – For Every Man – 1:20

Credits
Richard Achor – Engineer
Joane Anderson – Background Vocals
John Bolt – Engineer
Steve Camp – Songwriter, Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Piano, Lead and Background Vocals
Danny Carden – Handclaps
Doana Cooper – Background Vocals
Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals
Steve Dokken – Bass
Jerry Evans – Handclaps
Carol Frazier – Songwriter
Rob Frazier – Songwriter
Sonny Garrish – Steel Guitar
Jon Goin – Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Randy Hammel – Synthesizer
Mark Hammond – Drums
Ben Harris – Engineer
Don Hart – String Arranger
Randy Holland – Engineer
Russ Hollingsworth – Songwriter
Neal Joseph – Executive Producer
Paul Libman – Horn Arranger
Kenny Malone – Drums
Howard McCrary – Songwriter, Wurlitzer, Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer, Organ, Background Vocals
Terry McMillan – Percussion
Hank Neuberger – Co-Producer, Engineer, Songwriter
Larry Paxton – Bass
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Denis Solee – Flutes, Saxophone
Russ Taff – Duet and Background Vocals
Diane Thiel – Background Vocals
Kevin Thiel – Background Vocals
Denise Thomas – Songwriter, Handclaps
Keith Thomas – Producer, Songwriter, Fender Rhodes, Acoustic Piano, Handclaps, Background Vocals
D. Bergen White – String Arranger
Hank Williams – Mastered
Bob Wray – Bass

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – GroundStar Laboratories
Remixed At – Chicago Recording Company
Recorded At – Lower Level Studio
Recorded At – The Gold Mine, Brentwood, TN
Recorded At – Pinebrook Recording Studio
Mastered At – Woodland Mastering
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Bridge 2 Far – Bridge 2 Far – 1989

In 1989 Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) put out an album with John Robinson on a secular label. This appears to have been a one off idea with musical support with some excellent studio musicians. Chris Eaton did write a few of the tracks so there’s also that connection to CCM. The album is a solid AOR project and the 2 artists work very well together. I am a big Mark Williamson fan but I did not know about this album until it was sent to me. I don’t know if I would say it’s his best work but it is definitely good and it’s always exciting to find “bonus” work from an artist you love.

Tracklist
1 – Heaven On Earth – 4:22
2 – I Must Be Blind – 4:14
3 – Say You Will – 3:55
4 – Anyone Out There – 4:52
5 – Caught Inside Your Heart – 4:52
6 – We Got A Way – 4:18
7 – Hold You Tonight – 5:03
8 – Straight To The Heart – 4:22
9 – This Is Killing Me – 4:52

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey
Bass – Freddie Washington, Neil Stubenhaus
Drums, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Producer – John Robinson
Electric Guitar – Michael Landau, Steve Lukather
Executive-Producer – Brad Westering
Guitar – Al McKay, Clem Clempson, Marty Walsh
Keyboards – Aaron Zigman, Alan Shacklock, David Paich, John Van Tongeren, Larry Williams, Richard Souther
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Producer – Mark Williamson
Mixed By – Chris Lord-Alge
Piano – David Paich
Producer – Alan Shacklock
Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Saxophone [Solos] – Kirk Whalum
Trumpet – Dan Higgins, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Vocals [Additional] – Chris Eaton, Lance Ellington

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS –

Whooz It – Rock Along – 1989

I have to admit that I am a little confused by this album. It’s an album of covers by relatively unknown artists. Well that’s not actually true I guess. Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) sings a couple tracks, and Dennis Holt (AD) plays drums and the rest seem to be relatively successful studio musicians. I really have no idea what the idea was behind this album other than to put out some Rock versions of some songs that weren’t really Rock. That said it covers “The Rock That Doesn’t Roll” that was definitely a Rock song. The strangest thing on the album is a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Man Gave Names To All The Animals” which is actually pretty good. I actually like a lot of the tracks but I think my favourite is a cover of Randy Stonehill’s “Shut De Do”. Give this one a listen if for no other reason than it’s nice to hear some of these songs with a different arrangement.

Tracklist
1 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll (Larry Norman) – Gene Miller – 3:43
2 – Shut De Do (Randy Stonehill) – Carrie McDowell – 3:23
3 – Can’t Do Nothin’ Without Jesus’ Love (Darrell Mansfield) – Mark Williamson – 3:23
4 – Jesus Is Calling (Erick Nelson) – Christi Jacobs – 3:26
5 – Man Gave Names To All The Animals (Bob Dylan) – Moses Toth – 3:18
6 – Take Me Closer (Phil Keaggy) – Marty Walsh – 3:41
7 – I Love You Lord – Laurie Klein – 3:28
8 – Say It Like It Is – (Alwyn Wall, Malcolm Wild) – Mark Williamson – 3:24
9 – The Flood – Sumner Mering – 3:12
10 – Take No Chances (Love Song) – Gene Miller – 3:58

Credits
Art Direction – Terry De Graff
Bass – Glen C. Holmen
Design – Bradley Grose
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Jim Scheffler, Steve Vidger, Thom Roy, Wally Grant
Executive-Producer – Tom Coomes
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Brad Cole
Percussion, Art Direction – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Roby Duke
Vocals – Angel Smythe, Elizabeth King, John Randall, Julie Bonney, Linda Punt, Moses Toth, Troy Kennedy

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Recorded At – Wayne Cook Studios
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Frontpage Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering