Albums – Page 67 – Real 80s CCM

Lone Justice – Lone Justice – 1985

Is their a more powerful or intense female vocalist in the world than Lone Justice’s Maria McKee. If there is I have never heard her. Once the opening question, “Should I go North?” is belted out at full velocity this amazing record never loses ferocity and passion. All this is wrapped up in cowpunk like country rock the defies comparison. The first single “Ways to Be Wicked” penned by Tom Petty was sorely misunderstood by many in Christian market that ventured out and bought the project based on reviews in many Christian Music publications. But one cut from the album, the finale, “You Are the Light” found its way onto many Christian Rock radio shows as well as Orange County’s famous KYMS. The beautiful country tinged ballad is a stunning and memorable tune reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Stark, stunning and instantly emotional and authentic. They would follow this with the more commercial and “Christian” sounding album, “Shelter,” that will be discussed later.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – East Of Eden – 2:36
2 – After The Flood – 3:38
3 – Ways To Be Wicked – 3:26
4 – Don’t Toss Us Away – 4:19
5 – Working Late – 2:44
6 – Sweet, Sweet Baby (I’m Falling) – 4:10
7 – Pass It On – 3:38
8 – Wait ‘Til We Get Home – 3:17
9 – Soap, Soup And Salvation – 4:01
10 – You Are The Light – 3:59

Credits
Art Direction – Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff, Paula Greif
Bass – Marvin Etzioni
Design – Jeri McManus
Drums – Don Heffington
Engineer – Shelly Yakus
Guitar – Ryan Hedgecock
Management – Carlyne Majer
Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen
Mixed By – David Thoener (tracks: B4), Don Smith (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3), Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B5), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3)
Photography By – Deborah Turbeville
Piano, Organ – Benmont Tench
Producer – Jimmy Iovine
Production Manager [Coordinator] – Janet Weber
Recorded By – Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B2), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A3, B3), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1, A2, A5, B5), Thom Panunzio (tracks: B4)
Vocals – Maria McKee

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.
Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd.
Recorded At – Power Station
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – Amigo Studios
Recorded At – Rumbo Recorders
Overdubbed At – Sunset Sound
Overdubbed At – The Village Recorder
Overdubbed At – Amigo Studios
Overdubbed At – Rumbo Recorders
Overdubbed At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Mastered At – Precision Lacquer
Mixed At – The Village Recorder
Mixed At – Rumbo Recorders
Mixed At – Sound City Studios

20/20 Vision – In The Town/In The City – 1982

I was completely unable to find out any information on this 5 piece band out of the U.K. They self produced and released this album in 1982 and it appears they have a few fans out there as I actually had a request for it on our YouTube channel. None of the band appear to have gone on to do anything else except for keyboardist Steve Preston who did appear on a 1992 Rob Newey album. The album is mainly rock ballads which is a bit different as most albums have 1 or 2 Rock ballads but this album has several. The track “The Dealer” shows some real talent from these guys with some smokin guitar work.

Tracklist
1 – In The Town/In The City – 2:43
2 – Come Praise – 4:45
3 – The Darkest Night – 3:20
4 – Galilee – 4:26
5 – He´s Alive – 3:12
6 – The Dealer – 4:05
7 – Jehovah – 3:45
8 – Living´s Easy – 4:00
9 – I Thank You Lord – 5:12

Credits
Bass – David Lewis
Drums, Backing Vocals, Concept By [Cover] – Andrew Shortman
Guitar – Gerwin Howley
Keyboards – Steve Preston
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Denvyl Lewis
Mixed By – Mike Newbourn
Producer, Mixed By – 20/20 Vision

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – ICC Studios
Copyright (c) – Daybreak Music Ltd

Vengeance Rising – Once Dead – 1990

This is the second studio album by Vengeance Rising. It follows the same path of thrash metal as their first album. It is often considered their best album and I’ve read a few reviews that said it was the best Christian thrash album ever. Apparently it’s good enough that it crossed over into secular fans. As I’ve said before when It comes to this style I have no idea if it’s good or not as it’s all I can do to listen to it’s once. The lyrics are very biblical based (when I could understand them) which I found surprising but their is one exception track and that’s a rather odd cover of Deep Purples’ Space Truckin’. I’m not criticizing I just struggle to figure out the reason for this track. Anyway here it is, apparently the best Christian Thrash Metal album their is.

Tracklist
1 – Warfare – 4:50
2 – Can’t Get Out – 3:50
3 – Cut Into Pieces – 3:15
4 – Frontal Lobotomy – 4:05
5 – Herod’s Violent Death – 3:07
6 – The Whipping Post – 8:40
7 – Arise – 4:50
8 – Space Truck’In – 5:00
9 – Out Of The Will – 2:04
10 – The Wrath To Come – 2:43
11 – Into The Abyss – 8:18
12 – Among The Dead – 3:03
13 – Interruption – 0:50

Credits
Arranged By – Vengeance Rising
Bass – Roger Dale Martin
Drums – Glenn Mancaruso
Engineer, Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen
Guitar – Doug Thieme, Larry Farkas
Mastered By – Eddie Schreyer
Producer, Mixed By – Ron Goudie
Vocals – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records
Copyright (c) – Intense Records
Recorded At – The Mixing Lab
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Keith Green – The Prodigal Son – 1983

This is the second posthumous album from Keith Green. The highlight of the album is the track “The Prodigal Son Suite” which was part of a Rock Opera that Keith was writing but unfortunately was interrupted by his death in 1982. The album featured a multipage booklet from Keith’s Ministry “Last Days Ministry”. It details the history of Last Day’s Ministry and is actually a pretty good read. The album is typical Keith and needless to say if your a fan of his work you will love this album as it is very well produced as usual.

Tracklist
1 – I Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven – 3:19
2 – Lord I’m Gonna Love You – 2:46
3 – The Prodigal Son Suite – 12:03
4 – Keep All That Junk To Yourself – 3:23
5 – Open Your Eyes – 4:02
6 – Love With Me (Melody’s Song) – 3:15
7 – Only By Following Jesus – 3:10
8 – Song For Josiah – 6:12

Credits
Arranged By [Strings, Orchestra], Conductor, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Organ – Harlan Rogers
Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] – Last Days Ministries, Pretty Good Graphics
Backing Vocals – Alphanette Silas*, Howard Smith, Keith Green (2), Linda McCrary, Maxi Anderson
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Hadley Hockensmith
Co-producer – Melody Green
Engineer – Peter Granet
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Orchestra – The London Philharmonic Orchestra
Photography – Jerry Melrose
Piano [Acoustic] – Keith Green (2)
Producer, Drums, Percussion – Bill Maxwell
Written-By – Keith Green (2) (tracks: A1 to B1, B3 to B5), Melody Green (tracks: A1, B1, B2, B4)

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – MCA Distributing Corporation

Giant – Last Of The Runaways – 1989

I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I learned about this album. I remember the album from late 89 as it was all over secular radio. What I did not learn is that the Huff brothers (White Heart) were two of the driving forces behind it. Joining them was studio musician Alan Pasqua who had mainly worked secular projects but had a fair amount of CCM albums in his credits too. Also joining them was studio musician Mike Brignardello who mainly did CCM projects at the time. So apparently these guys came together and decided to do a secular project and this is it. This was the first project after the Huff brothers left White Heart but I don’t know if they left to do this project or if they left and then decided to do this project. This is a fantastic Hard Rock album and if you ever doubted Dann Huff’s guitar prowess this album should dispel that. The album had a big single, “I’ll See You in My Dreams” though the second single, “I’m a Believer”, was better but did not chart as well. I’d love to hear the story of how this album came about but I couldn’t find any reliable explanations on the internet. Anyway if you like your Rock Hard and or your Metal light this is definitely the album for you.

Tracklist
1 – I’m A Believer – 5:44
2 – Innocent Days – 5:16
3 – I Can’t Get Close Enough – 6:06
4 – I’ll See You In My Dreams – 4:46
5 – No Way Out – 4:03
6 – Shake Me Up – 4:16
7 – It Takes Two – 4:58
8 – Stranger To Me – 5:57
9 – Hold Back The Night – 4:11
10 – Love Welcome Home – 4:51
11 – The Big Pitch – 5:07

Credits
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Lea Hart, Peter Howarth, Terry Thomas
Bass, Vocals – Mike Brignardello
Drums, Vocals – David Huff*
Keyboards, Vocals – Alan Pasqua
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dann Huff
Mastered By – Arnie Acosta
Mixed By – Rafe McKenna (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11), Terry Thomas (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11)
Mixed By [Assistant] – Jon Mallison (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11)
Producer [Produced By] – Terry Thomas
Recorded By – Rafe McKenna
Recorded By [Assistant at Farmyard Recording Studio] – Derek Murphy
Recorded By [Assistant at Master Rock Studios] – Helen Woodward
Recorded By [Assistant at Ridge Farm Studios] – Paul Cuddeford

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&M Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – A&M Records, Inc.
Recorded At – Ridge Farm Studios
Recorded At – Farmyard Studios
Recorded At – Master Rock Studios
Mixed At – Livingston Studios
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios
Manufactured By – Digital Audio Disc Corp. – DIDX-005359

Darrell Mansfield – Get Ready – 1980/1992

Several months ago someone asked me if there were and “jam albums” in CCM. Off the top of my head I struggled to come up with any according to my friends definition. What was being sought after was a rock and roll album that wasn’t afraid to have the musicians take over a song for a while and letting each instrument have it’s share of the spotlight. Get Ready is such an album! The average song lasts longer then 5 minutes with a very simple blues verse chorus structure which leaves ample time for long instrumental jams featuring guitar and harmonica (Mansfield’s instrument of choice). Solos are loud and long and a heavy blues influence. The album was actually released on Polydor and had very limited Christian distribution when originally released. There was hope of Mansfield breaking into mainstream AOR radio but it never really happened despite relatively positive reviews. It may have had to do with the very evangelistic lyrics, something artists has never compromised on. The title track sounds like something from Dylan’s “Saved” album with a gospel choir accompanying the great guitar work. There are no ballads on the original 8 song release and only one song that could be categorized as “pop.” This would be the last album before Eric Turner would be added to the band n guitar. Turner’s heavier rock influence would be felt on future releases, but here it is original guitarists, Dennis Carothers, who handles the slide and electric lead perfectly. Fans of blues and southern rock like Molly Hatchet, 30 Special, Lynard Skynard and the Allman Brothers will find something here to like, In fact, this is the album I originally hoped Rick Cua would have made with the Outlaws influence. Mansfield’s importance to Jesus Music and later CCM should not be understated, even though he primarily remained a Southern California regional star. Along with Glen Kaiser Mansfield single-handedly kept the influence of blues music alive in CCM.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Get Ready – 4:45
2 – Mr. Rock ‘N’ Roll – 4:08
3 – Above The Water – 5:17
4 – Billy Joe – 3:45
5 – Heaven Southwestern – 6:45
6 – Never Be The Same – 3:37
7 – Power Of Love – 4:18
8 – Life Saver – 4:57
CD Bonus Tracks
9 – Not Far Away – 4:18
10 – When The Curtain Falls – 3:47
11 – Flow Like A River – 4:56

Credits
Backing Vocals – Biff Vincent (tracks: 1 to 8), Bryan Duncan (tracks: 1 to 8), Christina Dent (tracks: 1 to 8), Kathy Hazzard (tracks: 1 to 8), Katy Mahoney (tracks: 1 to 8), Lisa Whitcomb (tracks: 1 to 8), Robin Glick (tracks: 1to 8), Rosemary Butler, Scott Galbraith (2) (tracks: 1 to 8), Susan Curley (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Charlie Sousa (tracks: 1 to 8)
Bass, Vocals – Jimmy Perez (tracks: 1 to 8)
Drums – Bill Maxwell (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Donny Vosburgh (tracks: 1 to 8), Paul Angers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Anthony Dean (2) (tracks: 1 to 8)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Corothers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Percussion – Alex Acuña (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Producer – Skip Konte (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Slide Guitar – Jerry Swallow (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 1 to 8), Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 9, 10, 11)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Polydor Incorporated
Manufactured By – Polydor Incorporated
Marketed By – Polydor Incorporated
Recorded At – International Automated Media
Mixed At – International Automated Media
Mastered At – International Automated Media
Pressed By – Bestway Products Inc.

Daniel Amos – Fearful Symmetry – 1986

It is amazing to consider that within a year the conclusion of the Alarma Chronicles will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. 25 years ago one of the most impressive, ambitious and amazing four album series came to an end with a work of sheer art. Each album was unique musically with Fearful Symmetry being the darkest, brooding and mysterious of the four. Following the significantly more new wave “pop” of Vox Humana, FS was shocking, intriguing and…well…fearful. The majority of the album deals with darker subjects like death, pain and loss and the musical soundscape of ethereal vocals and sweeping and weeping keyboards envelope the listener in the dark cloud of the content. That is not to say that the album is replete of hope or grace, but actually just the opposite. It is through the valley of this projects the light that does shine through appears that much brighter. Terry Scott Taylor’s admiration of and inspiration by William Blake is the strongest on this project. From the album title to the most haunting song, Sleep Silent Child, the album is filled with images and direct quotations from Blake. The album does close with the stunningly simple and beautiful lullaby or sorts, Beautiful One. This one hearkens back to Taylor’s solo projects with the sing-songy simplicity and lush keyboard strings and Taylor’s lilting higher register. It is the perfect ending to the “chronicles” as it’s message about the eternal hope of all Christians to find themselves in the arms of the Beautiful One upon their death. I remember when the album was released the number of complaints we received were almost exclusively related to the naked man (from the waist up) on the album cover. Those that complained obviously never listened to nor understood the content of the project or the complaints may have been drastically different. More keyboard driven and music less guitar oriented. the album reflected much of the European alternative music of the day like Depeche Mode, Alphaville, etc but also shows reflections of art rock music of Genesis and Pink Floyd. Not immediately accessible or as warmly received as the first four projects, the album eventually became regarded as one of the best of the Daniel Amos catalog.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – A Sigh For You – 3:58
2 – The Pool – 3:47
3 – Sleep Silent Child – 4:38
4 – Neverland Ballroom – 3:17
5 – Strong Points, Weak Points – 3:55
6 – Instruction Thru Film – 3:20
7 – When Moonlight Sleeps (On The Frosted Hill) – 3:55
8 – Sudden Heaven – 3:23
9 – Shadow Catcher – 4:32
10 – Beautiful One – 3:33

Credits
Arranged By [All Arrangements By] – DA
Art Direction, Layout – Mr. Ed (McTaggart)
Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis (tracks: B2, B5), Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A5, B5)
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – DA
Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Ed McTaggart
Electric Bass, Double Bass [Upright Bass], Bass [Electric Twelve-String Bass], Guitar [Guitars] – Tim Chandler
Keyboards, Snare [Snares] – Rob Watson (tracks: A3)
Lead Guitar [Lead Guitars], E-Bow [E-Bo], Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Organ [Pump Organ], Dulcimer, Mandolin – Greg Flesch
Mastered By – John Matousek
Narrator – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: B1)
Percussion – Alex MacDougall (tracks: B2, B5)
Photography By [Band Photos By] – Linda Dillon Baley
Photography By [Photographics By] – Ken Baley
Photography By, Photography By [Photographics By] – Derrill Bazzy
Producer – DA, Terry Taylor
Recorded By, Mixed By – Dave Hackbarth, Doug Doyle, Terry Taylor
Synth [Synth Treatments] – Dave Hackbarth (tracks: A1, B3), Doug Doyle (tracks: A1, B3)
Text By [¡Alarma! Chronicles Text Volume 4 By] – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Vocals, Guitar [Guitars], Harmonica, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Distributed By – The Master’s Collection
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records (3)
Published By – Broken Songs
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Hitsville

Chris Lizotte – Chris Lizotte And Soul Motion – 1992

Chris Lizotte was part of the Wild Blue Yonder/Crystal Lewis group of friends in the late 80’s. He did not play with Wild Blue Yonder but did several albums with Crystal Lewis who actually helped with this album cover. This is Chris’s second album and is probably the best Christian Blues album I have heard up to this point. The album has a couple tracks that distinctly remind me of Stevie Ray Vaughn and the closing track actually reminds me of a Guns N’ Roses ballad. Interesting point of trivia is that Chris Wimber (The Lifesavors) produced this album. All in all probably one of the best CCM albums I have ever heard and definitely in my top 50.

Tracklist
1 – You Keep On Givin’ To Me – 3:52
2 – When It Dawned On Me – 4:19
3 – Change My Heart Oh God – 5:26
4 – Brother It’s Alright – 3:58
5 – Don’t Let My Heart Turn Back To Stone – 4:38
6 – Shine Your Light – 4:15
7 – Come Unto Me – 5:43
8 – At The Cross Of Jesus – 4:58
9 – I Cried Like A Baby – 2:45
10 – Tell Me – 4:49

Credits
Bass – Paul Martin
Cover [Cover Writing] – Crystal Lewis-Ray
Drums, Percussion – Brian Eichler
Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Raymond McDonald
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Dykhouse
Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Chris Lizotte
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Stephen Anderson (tracks: 1, 4)
Organ [Hammond Organ], Piano, Resonator Guitar [Dobro], Accordion, Backing Vocals – Kevin Prosch
Photography, Art Direction – Brian Ray (2)
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Chris Wimber
Technician [Guitar Technician] – Shawn Tubbs

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Vineyard Music Group
Copyright (c) – Vineyard Music Group
Recorded At – Vineyard Studios (2)
Mastered At – Future Disc

Leviticus – Stå Och Titta På – 1982

Leviticus formed in 1981 when brothers Kjell and Håkan Andersson came together with Björn Stigsson. In 1982 they released this 4 song EP as their first offering. It was recorded entirely in Swedish and was only released in Sweden. It is comprised of strong keyboard oriented heavy metal. Björn’s guitar is very strong and aside from the production quality the band was album ready at this point and in fact recorded their first album very quickly after this release. Luckily the EP was re-released as part of the 2000 “The Strongest Power” CD release. This is where it started for Leviticus and you can hear that they were a strong band right from their start.

Tracklist
1 – Stå Och Titta På – 5:13
2 – Följ Mig – 4:05
3 – Leva Som Han Lär – 4:24
4 – Min Mästare – 7:31

Credits
Drums, Percussion – Kjell Andersson
Engineer – Thomas Gertz
Guitar, Vocals, Lyrics By, Music By, Guitar Synthesizer – Björn Stigsson
Illustration, Design – Inge Vidare
Photography By – Lars Lindgren
Producer – Leviticus
Synthesizer [Moog Taurus], Vocals, Bass – Håkan Andersson

Companies, etc.
Printed By – SIB-Tryck, Tumba
Recorded At – Studio Bastun
Distributed By – Gummessons

Koinonia – Frontline – 1986

This was Koinonia’s 4th release and as with their other albums it wasn’t very successful in North America but was a big hit in Europe. This album is almost entirely instrumental except for “Making Room” and “Señor”. I am guessing this is a result of the jazz style but the vocals are so good it’s too bad they didn’t do more. As with their previous albums this album has a strong Jazz Fusion sound and they were probably the best Christian artists in this style. That said I don’t think their were many CCM bands doing this style. Their next album was far more mainstream so this is the end of an era for their listeners and fans. This is one I missed in the 80’s so I’m glad I got a chance now to enjoy it.

Tracklist
1 – Gazoot – 4:30
2 – Chuncho – 6:20
3 – Greatest Love – 4:48
4 – Frontline – 5:13
5 – Señor – 4:21
6 – You Can’t Hide – 4:34
7 – Around The Corner (Runt Hornet) – 3:55
8 – Easy Morning – 4:22
9 – Making Room – 4:09

Credits
Arranged By – Koinonia
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Don Murray
Executive-Producer, Producer – Greg Mathieson
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers
Producer – Koinonia
Saxophone, Flute – Justo Almario
Synthesizer [Programming] – Greg Mathieson, Smitty Price
Vocals – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: B1, B5), Alex Acuña (tracks: B1), Diana Neciosup-Acuña* (tracks: B1), Harlan Rogers (tracks: B1), Howard Smith (tracks: B1), Tata Vega (tracks: B1, B5)

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering