Category: Albums

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

Wild Blue Yonder Featuring Crystal Lewis – Wild Blue Yonder – 1986/1995

Wild Blue Yonder were a new incarnation of the CCM Rockabilly band The Lifters minus Rex Harvey and of course the addition of Crystal Lewis doing lead vocals. The album essentially came out on Crystal’s 17th birthday so ignore the “she was 15” stuff on the internet. The album was released September 9th 1986 and her birthday is September 11th 1969. Both Terry Taylor and Rob Watson from DA were involved in the project and they bring some quality production to the album. The album has a Rockabilly sound in places and is often referred to as Cow-punk but it’s not really Cow-punk in my opinion. It’s just a fun 80’s album with Rockabilly influences though Crystal’s vocals are so strong she really dominates the album almost making you forget about the rest of the band. The album was re-released in 1995 with 2 bonus tracks (this upload is that 1995 release) and is catalogued as being a Crystal Lewis album titled Wild Blue Yonder.

Tracklist
1 – Just One Look – 3:49
2 – You And Me – 3:07
3 – This Love’s For Real – 4:05
4 – Where Can I Go (Bonus Track) – 2:24
5 – Heart Beat – 2:34
6 – Over The Rainbow – 3:20
7 – Every Day (Bonus Track) – 3:23
8 – Only One – 3:42
9 – Revival Meeting – 2:35
10 – You’re My Love – 3:19
11 – Only You – 2:45
12 – Crying Eyes – 3:07
13 – If I Could Write A Poem – 5:01

Credits
Art Direction, Layout [Original] – Phillip Kim
Artwork By [Logo] – Dave Gibson
Artwork, Design [New] – Timothy McCaig
Backing Vocals – Terry Taylor
Bass – Paul Martin
Drums – Joey Mitchell
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Chris Brigandi
Pedal Steel Guitar – Garry Brandon
Photography By – Brian Ray
Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals – Rob Watson
Producer – Terry Taylor
Remastered By – Dave Hackbarth
Remix – Chris Brigandi, Gene Eugene
Vocals – Crystal Lewis

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Metro One, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Metro One, Inc.
Distributed By – Diamante Distribution
Glass Mastered At – Disctronics USA – 131230

Steve Camp – After God’s Own Heart – 1987

Steve’s 9th album was perhaps one of his most successful. Of course in the Christian music market successful and good are two different things. Steve turned it way down for this album. It is much more easy listening and in my opinion it is just boring. The quality of the music is really good as usual from Camp but there’s just no real Rock & Roll here. That said the album was wildly successful with 3 top 10 singles, “Whatever You Ask” #1, “Come To The Lord” #5, and “After God’s Own Heart” #3. “The Church Is All Of You” also made it to #37. Not too shabby I agree. The album also had Steve’s version of “Revive Us, O Lord”, which he co-wrote with Carman. Carman released his version of the song on his 1985 album, “The Champion” which made it to #2 on the charts. The CD release had an absolutely horrible bonus track “Hopeless Sinners, Helpless Saints”. Sorry if you liked it but I couldn’t stand it. Based on the charts this was a wildly successful album I agree but I just wish there was a little more Rock & Roll.

Tracklist
1 – Come To The Lord – 3:22
2 – The Church Is All Of You – 5:31
3 – Whatever You Ask – 4:07
4 – Who Knows – 4:12
5 – When I Survey The Wondrous Cross – 5:27
6 – Nothing To Prove – 4:38
7 – After God’s Own Heart – 5:16
8 – If It Wasn’t For The Grace Of God – 4:37
9 – Revive Us, O Lord – 5:12
10 – Till These Earthly Days Shall End – 4:02

CD Bonus Track
11 – Hopeless Sinners, Helpless Saints – 5:12

Credits
Alto Saxophone – Alan Palmer
Backing Vocals – Bob Bennett, Bob Carlisle, Bridgette Evans, Kim Maxfield, Margaret Becker, Mark Williamson, Michele Pillar, Pete Carlson, Steve Camp, Steve Lively, Tamara Champlin, Tommy Funderburk
Baritone Saxophone – Mark Watters
Bass – Joe Chemey (tracks: B4), Leland Sklar (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, B2, B3, B5)
Drum Machine [SP12 Drum Machine], Programmed By [Synth Programming] – Steve Camp
Drums, Percussion, Drum Programming – John Robinson
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Bart Stevens, Joe Schiff, Koji Egawa, Larry Mah, Wade Jaynes
Guitar – Dann Huff
Keyboards, Organ [Hammond B3 Organ], Conductor [Brass Section Conducted By] – John Rosasco
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth Programming] – Allen Pasqua, Smitty Price
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Mixed By – Bill Schnee
Producer, Arranged By – Steve Camp
Producer, Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Rosasco
Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Tammy Allcock
Recorded By – David Schober, Gabe Veltri, Terry Christian
Soloist [Guitar] – Dann Huff (tracks: A3)
Soloist [Hammond B3 Organ] – John Rosasco (tracks: A3)
Soloist [Piano Solo] – Allen Pasqua (tracks: A4), John Rosasco (tracks: A5)
Soloist [Tenor Saxophone] – Alan Palmer (tracks: A2), Brandon Fields (tracks: A3)
Technician [Music Preperation] – Bill Francis
Tenor Saxophone – Jon Clarke
Trumpet – Dan Fernero, John Fumo

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Recorded At – Ocean Way Recording
Recorded At – Mad Hatter Studios
Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios
Mixed At – Bill Schnee Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

David Meece – Are You Ready? – 1980

The term “classic” gets thrown around a lot, both here and elsewhere, when trying to discuss the world of music. Often it’s a term meant to designate a song that’s just really good, but it should be used to describe something with true lasting value. A song the remains viable and important decades later. When one uses the latter, more significant definition, the number of truly “classic” songs becomes much more limited. Very few artists have ever truly written a “classic” song. But in 1980 one young singer-songwriter did just that. David Meece was a popular late comer to the Jesus Music movement and is more closely associated with the burgeoning CCM world. His high pitched voice (think a Gibb brother) and stylized pop (think ABBA) made him a safe and family friendly CCM music star. Sometime after 1980’s “Are You Ready” the term would be superstar. After 9 very strong pop (disco even) songs and great and memorable ballads came the albums finale, “We Are The Reason.” The song would become on of the most popular songs in CCM history and would easily rank in the Top 5 of all time classic songs. There has yet to be a Christmas or Easter when the song is not reprised somewhere and some way. It really is a beautiful and well written song. Feeling a little like a Barry Manilow ballad with the key change and all, the song is dynamic and emotional. Starting slow and building into a great crescendo, it has struck a musical and emotional core for over three decades now. Great song and closes a great album, the best in Meece’s career.

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

Tracklist
1 – Follow You – 2:55
2 – Peace In My Heart – 2:50
3 – Comin’ Back – 3:02
4 – Gospel Train – 2:48
5 – Love One Another – 5:18
6 – Are You Ready? – 3:59
7 – Just A Little More Time – 4:07
8 – Have A Little Talk – 3:39
9 – Satan, Just Leave Me Alone – 2:48
10 – We Are The Reason – 4:43

Credits
Brown Bannister – Producer
Kathleen E. Berk – Bagpipe
Michael Blanton – Executive Producer
Mike Brignardello – Bass
Clay Caire – Drum Overdubs
Eddie DeGarmo – Piano, Rhodes, Synthesizers
Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals
Becky Foster – Background Vocals
Leon Gaer – Bass
Bob Gelotte – Drums
Jon Goin – Electric Guitar
John Hampton – Drums
Ron Huff – String Arranger
Greg Huffman – Drum Corp
Shane Keister – Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Special Effects
Dana Key – Guitars
Patti Leatherwood – Background Vocals
Paul Leim – Drums
Terry McMillan – Percussion
David Meece – Songwriter, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Harlan Rogers – Piano, Synthesizers
Buddy Skipper – Horn Arranger
Denis Solee – Saxophone, Lyricon, Flute
Keith Thomas – Background Vocals
Billy Walker – Electric Guitar
Jack Williams – Bass

Companies, etc.
Published By – Word Music (2)
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Darrell Mansfield – Live At Flevo – 1991

This Live Darrell Mansfield album was recorded live at the 1990 Flevo Totaal Music Festival. Darrell really should be listened to live to appreciate. I enjoy all his studio work don’t get me wrong but really his work is best live. Most these tracks will come up again and again on Darrell’s many live albums but these are earlier versions so some of them are done differently than he would do later.

Tracklist
1 – You Got To Move – 2:00
2 – No More Blues – 3:25
3 – Million Dollar Feelin’ – 7:40
4 – I Was Running – 2:43
5 – Thunder & Lightning – 4:57
6 – Jesus Coming Soon – 6:31
7 – Stand By Me – 5:30
8 – Biblestudy – 8:07

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Eric Turner
Design – Gransch Bakker Design
Drums, Vocals – Greg Eckler
Engineer – Roel Toering
Guitar [Lead], Vocals – Bob Anglin
Harmonica, Lead Vocals – Darrell Mansfield
Mixed By – Charles Everaars, Gerrit aan ‘t Goor
Photography By – Datafoto

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Asaph Records
Copyright (c) – Asaph Records

Halo – Halo – 1990

Halo, which apparently stands for “Heavenly Angelic Light Orchestra”, were a great hard rock/metal band out of Alabama. They formed in 1980 and strangely had a non Christian drummer, Mike Graham, who was also only 14 years old while the rest of the band was in the area of 21 years old. He did come to Christ in a couple years but I find it odd someone would ask a 14 year old non Christian drummer to join their adult Christian band. But whatever, it all seemed to work out. The band played for the next 9 years without a record deal. A demo tape got to Bob Hartman (Petra) and he started to mentor the band. Bob finally got them a record deal in 1989 with the Elefante brothers over at Pakaderm Records. This album was then recorded with much involvement of the Elefante’s and released in 1990. Best description of the sound would be a power Rock & Roll band which some (including me) might consider to be light metal. This is one that definitely deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Jesus Music – 4:20
2 – Lord Of All – 4:39
3 – Good Feeling – 4:13
4 – Soul Searcher – 4:35
5 – Skyrocket – 3:45
6 – Lose To Live – 4:33
7 – Sing (Of His Glory) – 4:21
8 – Language Barrier – 5:09
9 – Time To Run – 4:01
10 – Timeless – 1:07

Credits
Arranged By [Additional] – Bob Hartman (tracks: 3, 4, 8)
Backing Vocals – John Elefante
Band [Halo], Drums, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Mike Graham
Band [Halo], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Keith Mims
Band [Halo], Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar – Scott Springer
Cover, Illustration, Layout – Robert Fischer
Drums – David Raven (tracks: 5)
Engineer, Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Guitar – Dino Elefante, Glen Pierce, Tony Palacios (tracks: 5)
Keyboards – John Elefante
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Piano – John Schreiner (tracks: 4, 8)
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Vocals [Duet] – John Elefante (tracks: 5), Scott Springer (tracks: 5)

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pakaderm Records
Copyright (c) – Pakaderm Records
Published By – Benefante Music
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Michael And Stormie Omartian – The Builder – 1980

Husband and Wife team Michael And Stormie Omartian bring us their second album together. I have to admit that I listened to this album very heavily back in the early 80’s (Don’t judge me). When I was reading up on this album I was very surprised that it wasn’t more popular. It didn’t seem to make anyone’s best albums list and there is almost no mention of it on most CCM album sites. I was further surprised that there was no charting single on this album. This really surprised me as there are several tracks on this album that should have charted. Maybe I’m just over evaluating the album but really I thought it was much better than all this. I remember that “Big Time” was on a lot of our mixed tapes from the period and I have fond memories of it. Did you miss this album back in 1980? If you did and you like AOR you really should give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Charlie’s Dream – 3:53
2 – The Only Thing Missing Is You – 3:58
3 – The Builder – 3:53
4 – Mr. Trash Man – 3:40
5 – Anything You Ask Of Me – 3:50
6 – Dr. Jesus – 4:20
7 – Big Time – 5:02
8 – Half Past Three – 3:20
9 – End Times – 5:53

Credits
Art Direction – Dennis Hill
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Concept By [Album] – Stormie Omartian
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Congas – Alex Acuna
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer – John Guess
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Percussion – Michael Omartian
Lead Guitar, Soloist – Jay Graydon, Phil Keaggy
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Michael And Stormie Omartian
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By [Back Cover] – Harry Langdon
Photography By, Layout – Bob Anderson
Producer, Arranged By – Michael Omartian
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Stephen Hague
Saxophone – Jackie Kelso
Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Kim Hutchcroft
Trombone – Lou McCreary
Trumpet – Chuck Finley, Steve Madeao
Written-By – Stormie And Michael Omartian

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Jennifudy Studios
Recorded At – Hollywood Central Recorders
Mixed At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios
Produced For – Rhema Productions