This was an early teaser release from Michael of 4 tracks from his future self titled album. These have completely different mixes/production than the album and I’ll be blunt…… these versions are better. Not just a little better but substantially better. I have no idea why these initial versions were rejected but it has just solidified my opinion that music industry people that make such decisions aren’t any better qualified to make those decisions than you and I. On the opening track “I Think You Hear Me Knockin'” is a single on the EP but on the album it’s just a good filler track. Anyway I’m glad I was encouraged to grab this one out of the stack for a listen. While I love Michael’s solo album I far prefer the tracks as they were produced here. The lesson for record companies that they will not listen to? Leave stuff alone, sometimes the best route of action is to just stop.
Tracklist 1 – I Think You Hear Me Knockin’ – 3:42 2 – All I Wanna Do Is Love You – 4:21 3 – Tomorrow, Tonight – 4:18 4 – Someday – 4:30
This album from Darrell is actually a pretty important one. It usually gets lost in the shuffle of his many albums but this album would steer his direction for much of the rest of his career. The event was rather small but if you follow his next several albums the addition of Glenn Kaiser to this album is very important. It also helped shape Darrell sound on upcoming albums as he drifted away from traditional rock and concentrated on blues rock. He starts the album with “Never Been To The Seminary” at it sets the tone for the rest of the album both musically and lyrically. If you follow my writing you know I have a love for Darrell’s music and I have in the past counted him as a friend. One of the real standouts on this album for me was the drumming of Michael Fickling. This was his first album with Darrell and while he was a little known studio musician this album really displayed his skills. Unfortunately we lost Michael suddenly in March of 2018 at the age of 65. Listen for his work it really fits with Glenn’s guitar and Darrell’s harp. Oh and yes I know that track 7 is spelt wrong. Just as it was, so shall it be.
Tracklist 1 – Never Been To The Seminary – 4:22 2 – Beautiful City – 3:38 3 – Trimmed & Burnin’ – 2:28 4 – You Know It Ain’t Right – 3:39 5 – Ain’t No Need – 7:03 6 – God’s Radar – 3:45 7 – It Takes God To Built A Home – 3:18 8 – I Know Jesus Can – 4:15 9 – Swing Low – 4:17 10 – The Mission – 5:02 11 – Never Heard A Man – 4:16
Credits Art Direction – Huurdeman, De Kemp Backing Vocals – Darrell Mansfield Bass – Matthew Chapman Coordinator – Gerrit aan ‘t Goor Design – Hotline Drums – Michael Fickling Guitar – Shawn Jones Keyboards – Phil Kristianson Lead Guitar [Additional] – Glenn Kaiser Management [Booking Agent] – Crossbow Productions Photography By – Florian Lem Producer, Harmonica, Lead Vocals – Darrell Mansfield Rhythm Guitar [Additional] – Glenn Kaiser Technician – Heyke Noordhof
This is Adrian’s 9th studio album but this one isn’t quite as easy listening as his previous albums. I would even venture to say there’s 4 or 5 AOR tracks on this album. We recently got the entire Snell record collection and I simply can not believe how many albums this guy did. But here’s my question. How does a guy who had over 24 albums on major labels, most of which are in the easy listening category…… how did he never have a CCM single? I mean mathematically should have had quite a few. Don’t tell me it’s because of talent because if he didn’t have any talent he wouldn’t have had record deals for over 20 albums. I can point to several artists who were talented who could only get a one album deal. This guy had over 20 record deals. I don’t know, I’m just baffled at this. I’ve asked a few artists about it and they had no idea and were quite surprised also. They had nothing but good to say about Adrian. Oh well back to the album I kind of like this one, I’m generally not a fan of his work because it’s not my style but this album has a couple really good tracks. If you prefer his easy listening worship oriented style there’s lots of that here too so let’s call this one a cross over album.
Tracklist 1 – Who’s Laughing Now – 3:20 2 – Still Your Heart – 4:50 3 – Light On The Road – 3:55 4 – Rejoice – 3:50 5 – Shelter From The Storm – 4:05 6 – Start Over – 3:00 7 – Heart Of The Father – 4:29 8 – Come In From The World – 2:57 9 – Midnight Awake – 3:22 10 – Fill My Life – 3:55
Credits Arranged By [String & Track], Bass – Tim Smith Arranged By [Track], Keyboards, Synthesizer – John Lawry Backing Vocals – Alician McInnes, Barry Crompton, Mo Stanway, Tom Douglas Design, Typography – Wagstaff Design Associates Drums – Joe English Electric Guitar – George Cocchini, Norman Barrett Engineer [Overdubs & Vocals] – Colin Owen Engineer [Overdubs & Vocals], Acoustic Guitar – Terry Rowley Engineer [Tracks] – Joe Wilson Executive-Producer, Backing Vocals – John Pac Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Adrian Snell Mastered By – Jim Loyd Mixed By – Bob Clark Photography By – Slideffects Producer – Ray Nenow Saxophone – Donnie “Sax” Sanders
I going to guess that no one recognizes the name Kurt Howell so come on and head down the rabbit hole with me. In the mid to late 80’s there was a collection of Christian artist working in the studios around Nashville. Kurt was often in that community and the studio musicians on this album are almost all from that community. So while this is a secular album it’s a great group of Christian artists. Kurt was better known to some as a member of Southern Pacific who were together from 1983 to 1991 and actually were pretty successful including an appearance with Emmylou Harris at Farm Aid 1985 though Kurt didn’t join the band until after that. Once that band split Kurt cut this one solo album. This however was not a country album, this is a pop rock album that had the magic hands of Michael Omartian in the production booth. Strangely the next chapter in Kurt’s career was another country band, Burnin’ Daylight. I have no idea how this album came about but I really like it. I don’t know what the official single was but I pick “Do The Rubber Neck”. It’s a great tune that I think would have done well on the radio. I’m willing to guess very few of you have heard this one but I think you should give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Let’s Run With It – 3:51 2 – We’ll Find The Way – 4:14 3 – Does Love Not Open Your Eyes – 4:41 4 – I’m Over You – 4:39 5 – Dedicating Everything To You – 4:44 6 – Do The Rubber Neck – 4:44 7 – Labor Of Love – 4:40 8 – Keep Telling My Heart – 4:32 9 – Cold As A Stone – 4:09 10 – Don’t Throw Love Away – 5:23
Credits Backing Vocals – Joe Pizzulo, Robert White Johnson, Tommy Funderburk Drums – Paul Leim Electric Guitar – Chris Rodrigues, Michael Landau, Neal Schon, Steve Lukather Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Dean Parks Horns – Daniel Higgins, David Boruff, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft Keyboards – Phil Naish Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Michael Omartian Producer – Michael Omartian Vocals, Keyboards – Kurt Howell
This is Paul Janz’s 3rd solo album. It was released in Canada, the U.S., and Europe but it only did well in Canada. At this point in his life he was generally putting out secular albums. That said the same year as this his family did put out a Christian album on their family label Janz Team that Paul sang on. The album did quite well in Canada with “Every Little Tear” peaking at #5 on the charts. “Rocket to My Heart” and “Stand” also charted in the teens. I am from Canada and remember the album well. Paul was one of the most popular Canadian artists of the period. This is a great 80’s Pop album and a must hear.
Tracklist 1 – Every Little Tear – 4:08 2 – Hold Me Tender – 4:44 3 – Rocket To My Heart – 3:44 4 – Almost Heaven – 4:22 5 – Stand – 4:56 6 – Stuck On You – 4:05 7 – Love Walks In – 4:14 8 – One Lovin’ Touch – 4:37 9 – Darling Drive – 3:30 10 – Saddle Up – 4:03
Credits Art Direction – Richard Frankel Bass – Mike Hill Co-producer, Vocals, Synth Bass, Arranged By, Lyrics By, Music By, Written-By – Paul Janz Design – Art Hotel, Inc., Brian Johnson Drum Programming – Jim Bralower, Paul Janz Drums – Michael Root Engineer [Second Engineer] – Alex Rodriguez, Beemer, Brett Newman, Chris Puram, Chris Taylor, Leon Grandos, Marc Ramaer, Mike Tacci, Nick Els Guitar – Tim McKenzie Keyboards – Paul Janz, Phil Chanel, Rob Bailey Management – Michael Godin Management Mastered By – Howie Weinberg Percussion – Jim McGillveray Photography By – Graham Law Producer – Bill Drescher Programmed By – Rob Bailey Recorded By, Mixed By – Bill Drescher, Patrick Glover Saxophone – Tom Colclough
This is Paul Field’s second solo album. While it was advertised as an Easter Musical I’ve listened to the album about 3 times now and I struggle with the “musical” part. Musically this album is all over the place. There are some almost worship oriented tracks that are just okay, a few upbeat tracks that are pretty good, and one rock track, “Chasing Shadows” which is a great rock track, and I mean great. It really doesn’t even fit on the album. The album was only released in the U.K. so I’m guessing most of us this side of the pond have never even heard it. The album was rerecorded in 1986 by a group of Australian artists and it is often mistakenly attributed to Paul though he was not on the album. This is another great album that most of us missed so give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Daybreak – 4:08 2 – It’s You – 3:09 3 – Chasing Shadows – 2:47 4 – Walking Into The Wind – 3:44 5 – I Believe – 4:05 6 – Stony Ground – 4:15 7 – Make Me A Mountain – 3:20 8 – All Down To You – 6:33 9 – Peace Like A River – 2:43 10 – Grow In Grace – 3:06 11 – Daybreak (Reprise) – 1:20
Credits Bass – John G. Perry Design [Sleeve], Photography – Ian Dillon Drums – Ian Moseley Electric Guitar – Tom Blades Engineer – Andy Geirus Keyboards, Arranged By – Dave Cooke Vocals – Edwina Lawrie, John Daniels, Julie Moon, Mark Williamson Written-By, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Producer, Arranged By, Liner Notes – Paul Field
RPM falls in the category of a band of Christians as opposed to a Christian band. The band consisted of Jimmie Lee Sloas (Dogs Of Peace & Imperials), Mark Gendel, Robert White Johnson, Tommy Wells (First Gear). Jimmie and Tommy had already been headliners in the Christian music industry while Robert & Mark had been studio musicians in the Christian industry. I have no idea how this album ended up getting backing from EMI records but all 4 were well established studio musicians so maybe they were one of those groups put together by the record company. That’s just a guess. The album was well received and the first single “A Legend Never Dies” apparently charted but I was unable to find the position. “Rendezvous” also singled but gained further recognition when covered by the British band Tygers of Pan Tang on their 1982 album The Cage who did a great version. Their first major live performance was at the KLOL Rockfest at Houston’s Astrodome complex before 20,000 fans. Apparently they had four encores which is pretty impressive. I can easily see why they would be so popular live. The album leans a little more AOR but as I understand it their live performances were far more rock oriented. I wish I had heard of and heard these guys back in the day but alas I missed them somehow. They did get a second album deal from Warner and that one is coming to our channel soon.
Tracklist 1 – A Legend Never Dies -4:13 2 – 2 + 2 -3:19 3 – It Don’t Feel The Same -4:08 4 – Rendezvous -3:28 5 – Envy -4:52 6 – You -3:46 7 – Firestarter -4:41 8 – Don’t Make It Hard -3:07 9 – Video Games -4:20 10 – I’m A Wreck -4:30
Credits Art Direction – Bill Burks Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Jimmie Lee Sloas Cover, Design – Amy Nagasawa Drums, Backing Vocals – Tommy Wells Guitar, Guitar [Synthesizer], Backing Vocals – Mark Gendel Lead Vocals – Bob Johnson Management – Norman Epstein Mastered By – Ken Perry Photography By [Band] – Allan Messer Photography By [Cover] – David Brandt Producer, Engineer – Brent Maher Synthesizer [Programming] – Kevin Kent
If you want to talk obscure Christian releases this one is a winner. This album is by Geri Karlstrom, who you might know better as Geri Baird and her husband Ben Karlstrom. This one is actually so obscure that I had no idea it existed and I was probably one of the biggest Geri Baird fans of the decade. I only stumbled on it while researching another Canadian band. So we have some idea who Geri is as she had a solo album in the 80’s but who is her husband Ben. Ben is a Canadian producer, engineer, and musician. Apparently he can play just about any instrument including the mixing board so I suspect he played most the instruments on this album but I do not have a proper list of credits for the album. Now let’s discuss the album. It has an excellent radio friendly pop feel that leans towards rock. Geri’s vocals of course are the centerpiece of the album. The opening track “Praise To His Name” is my pick for the single and easily would have played well on Christian radio. The rest of the album leans a little more to the slow side but is easily listened to. Ben takes the reigns for “I Want To Believe It” and hits it out of the park for the albums second single. I really think this album would have done well if a label had picked it up. Geri of course went on to record a few more albums over the years but they leaned to secular topics and issues as Geri fought hard to raise awareness of eating disorders. Ben continues to work in the music industry but unfortunately God called Geri home in January of 2025 and the world became a little less bright that day. Thanks to Mike Breuer who was kind enough to send us a copy of the album from his collection.
Tracklist 1 – Praise To His Name 2 – You Read My Heart 3 – Following You 4 – Jesus Is The Keeper 5 – I Will Be There 6 – All God’s People 7 – I Want To Believe It 8 – You Are My King 9 – Open Your Heart 10 – Give It To The Savior
Credits Vocals – Geri Karlstrom Production, Instruments – Ben Carlson
This is the second album from Mark Williamson. It can be a little complicated to figure out Marks work as he released albums under several names. Mark Williamson And Friends, Mark Williamson Band, TRW, Bridge 2 Far, and Lyrix are all a version of Mark. Most of us in North America were introduced to him because Larry Norman released his Lyrix album but I was not aware of his catalog of work until we started this project. This is mainly because most of his albums were not even released in North America and this is one of those albums. So Far So Good has a solid seventies sound and you can start to hear a bit of a transition over to his later 80’s sound. It’s mainly an easy listening album but there’s a few Rock tracks like Join The Revolution for example which features Norman Barratt’s excellent guitar work. Of interest on this album is also that this is the first album Chris Eaton had played on and he also wrote a couple tracks.
Tracklist 1 – Hold On Me – 3:28 2 – Living Is Easy – 4:47 3 – I Need You – 4:59 4 – Susanne – 5:00 5 – Join The Revolution – 3:09 6 – Promises – 4:31 7 – You Gotta Get Up – 2:45 8 – Stockholm Song – 4:15 9 – Keepin’ On – 3:17 10 – Favour – 5:49
Credits Steve Richards/Spud Spurling – bass Malcolm Garrett – drums Pete Thompson – drums Rick Godsall – keyboards Colin Owen – synthesizer Chris Eaton – acoustic piano Tony Boyens – fender rhodes Norman Barrett/John Smith – e.guitar Mark Williamson – a.guitar) Hugh Thomas – sax) John Perry/Stu Calver/Muff Murfin/Chris Eaton/Alyson McCinnes/Sue McClellan/Mark – background vocals
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Marshall Morgan & Scott Recorded At – The Old Smithy Recording Studio Mastered At – Tape One
This album was recorded live at Cornerstone Festival, IL on July 6, 1991. This was in the ending day of OBP. They we’re out at this time supporting their “I Scream Sunday” album and this concert featured a few tracks from the album. Now I’m going to be honest here, I do not care for power punk. This style of music is just not for me. That said I had huge respect for the band because they took so much crap from the Christian community and even the industry for daring to do this style. They always took it with a smile and sent a message in their music. Even this concert they performed the protest the king song “Rock The Casbah.” A perfect choice for them. As for the album the tracks are well chosen and I think you’ll find most of your favourites. If I was to nitpick at the album is would again be the engineering. As I have said before a live mix and an album mix are two completely different things. At the time this was recorded it wasn’t so easy to produce one mix for the concert and a separate mix for the album. Yes it was possible but it wasn’t cheap from an equipment standpoint. The album definitely uses that live mix and you can tell because it falls a little flat on your home stereo. Anyway I still think it’s a great album and a must own for OBP fans.
Tracklist 1 – Prelude: Green Acres Theme – 1:30 2 – Take A Look At Yourself – 4:47 3 – Hey Punk – 1:39 4 – Smash The Guitar – 4:27 5 – I Scream Sunday – 3:25 6 – Red River – 5:10 7 – Judas Kiss – 2:57 8 – Cut Your Hair – 5:20 9 – Bowl Of Wrath – 2:53 10 – Isaiah 6 – 4:25 11 – Let’s Be Frank – 1:47 12 – Altar Ego – 2:22 13 – Swine Flew – 3:12 14 – Godarchy – 2:44 15 – Kosher – 3:50 16 – Ice Cream Sundae – 2:40 17 – Looney Tune – 1:40 18 – Rock The Casbah – 3:39 19 – Never Forget The Cross – 5:21
Credits Art Direction – Roz Bass Guitar, Vocals – Daniel Tucek Crew [Stage Crew] – Aaron Baker, Chris Culver, Greg, Jamie Cervantes, Matt Williamson, Stephen Wagers Design – John Flynn Drums, Vocals – Phillip Owens Engineer [Assistant] – Kathy Yore, Timothy R. Powell Engineer [Audio Engineer] – Roger Heiss Engineer [Live Sound Engineer] – Ed Bilach Engineer [Monitor] – Greg Jaques Executive-Producer – Mark Maxwell Guitar, Vocals – Paul Q-Pek Lead Vocals [Lead Screamer], Vocals – Carey “Kosher” Womack Mastered By – Ken Love Mixed By – Billy Smiley, Lee Groitzsch Photography By – Mike Tabor Producer – Billy Smiley Recorded By – Metro Mobile Location Recording Stage Manager – Dick Randall Stage Manager [Stage Direction], Effects [Special Effects], Crew [Master Roadie] – Nelson West Technician [Guitar] – Brian Wooten, Russell Smith, Sam Nunes, Steve Allen
