Albums – Page 71 – Real 80s CCM

Steve Arrington – Dancin’ In The Key Of Life – 1985

After spending several years as vocalist and drummer with the popular funk/soul act, Slave, Steve Arrington left for a solo career. His debut is filled with infectious, danceable and gospel centric songs. The first time I heard this album was at a Christian nightclub that was popular in orange Country, CA during the mid-80’s called The Lighthouse. They played the first cut, “Feel So Real” with its infectious Latin rhythms and non-stop groove. I bought it the next day at Maranatha village, the only bookstore in the country that was carrying it at the time. This is by no means an asterisk (*) release as it pure Gospel throughout. The title track continues the driving rhythm and dance beats. This love song is as infectious as they come. Here Arrington compares the loving human relationship to the never-ending dance and worship before the Lord. He is blatant about his love for God and the need to worship. The music is non-stop and completely authentic to the era. In all honesty, this is the album I wish Phillip Bailey would have recorded. Of all of the musical genres, legitimate dance/funk/soul was sorely lacking in Christian music then and now. Only Jon Gibson came KYMS radio jumped all over this album at the time and played several cuts. Not only the two previously mentioned hits, but also the Holy Ghost driven, “Turn Up the Love.” Arrington would later go on to become a Pastor. He still dabbles occasionally in funk and soul music, doing occasional shows with friends and former music associates.

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

Tracklist
1 – Feel So Real – 5:08
2 – Dancin’ In The Key Of Life – 4:55
3 – She Just Don’t Know – 5:16
4 – Willie Mae – 6:00
5 – Gasoline – 6:09
6 – Stand With Me – 4:43
7 – Brown Baby Boy – 4:50
8 – Turn Up The Love – 4:34

Credits
Steve Arrington – Main Vocal, Vocal Backing, Keyboards
India Arrington, Dani Johnson, Marti McCall, Pattie Brooks, Michael Terry, Wilmer Raglin – Vocal Backing
George Johnson – Guitars and Electric Bass
Eric Williams – Guitars
Anthony Johnson, Carlos Murguia, William F. Zimmerman, Joey Gallo, Ramsey Embick – Keyboards
Paulinho Da Costa – Percussion
Freddie Hubbard – Trumpet
Stella Castellucci – Harp

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Atlantic Records
Published By – Konglather Publishing
Published By – Motor Music Co.
Published By – Cheyenne Publishing
Published By – Secret Agent Man Music
Published By – JRG Music
Published By – Aurora Borealis Music
Published By – Polyglot Music
Published By – Aris Music
Recorded At – Devonshire Studios
Recorded At – Dawnbreakers Recording Studios
Mixed At – Dawnbreakers Recording Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Produced For – Producers Alliance

The Young Bros. – High Energy Rock – 1978

I only found this album because it was requested. I have no idea who the Young Brothers were or even if they were officially a Christian band. That said the album is full of Christian lyrics so were gonna call it Christian. This was the only album from the brothers and I can’t find that they ever did any other projects. What we have here is a solid southern rock album with overtones of ZZ Top on some tracks and early DA on others. As I said I know nothing about this band so we will just have to enjoy this great 70’s Rock album.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XSKQc3SlfmzUGVMkG1etcIX

Tracklist
1 – Come Alive – 3:19
2 – Touched – 2:43
3 – Excited – 2:47
4 – The Answer – 3:03
5 – Suffering Man – 3:02
6 – If It Isn’t One Thing It’s Another – 2:38
7 – Bus Stop – 3:43
8 – Hinder – 3:02
9 – Say You Know Love – 2:34
10 – Just Setting My Soul Free – 4:20
11 – Space Child – 2:55

Credits
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Ronnie Young
Drums – Kenny Mooney
Engineer, Recorded By – Mike Grimm
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Allan Young
Mastered By, Engineer – Kevin Vogts
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Terry Young

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – The Young Bros. Residence
Published By – Grimm Diversified Music
Mastered At – Diskwerks

Compassion All Star Band – 1 By 1 Live! – 1989

The Compassion All Star Band was a collection of great CCM artists recorded live at 1989’s Creation Festival. The album was a fund raiser for the charity organization Compassion International and though recorded in June the album includes a few “Christmas” songs as the album was scheduled as a Christmas release. The band was Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Margaret Becker, Rick Cua, Joe English, Mike Mead and John Andrew Schriner. I had read about this album but honestly hadn’t listened to it when it was released. That’s too bad because I really enjoyed it. It’s not a musical wonder by any stretch as I’m guessing there wasn’t much rehearsal BUT that’s what makes projects like this so great. The unpolished sound gives the tracks more meaning and you can really get a feel for what was a fantastic performance. Strangely the crescendo track “Who Will Save The Children” had to actually be recorded in studio as the concert was rained out. These types of compilation albums are my favourites and it’s too bad CCM music didn’t have more of them.

Tracklist
1 – Randy Stonehill – Defender – 3:022
2 – Rick Cua – You Can’t Stand Too Tall – 4:07
3 – Margaret Becker – Sacred Fire – 7:06
4 – John Andrew Schreiner – Silent Night – 4:54
5 – Randy Stonehill – Christmas Must Be Tonight – 3:58
6 – Margaret Becker – Find Me – 3:31
7 – Joe English – Yield To The Spirit – 4:18
8 – Phil Keaggy & Randy Stonehill – Ain’t Got No – 3:35
9 – Randy Stonehill – Crossroads – 6:12
10 – Randy Stonehill – Rap – 5:11
11 – Randy Stonehill & Phil Keaggy – Who Will Save The Children – 5:04

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Rick Cua
Co-producer [Production Assistance] – John Andrew Schreiner
Crew [Stage Assistance] – Bill Goings
Design [Cover Design] – Kugizaki Design, Inc.
Directed By [Musical Director] – Lynn Nichols
Drums, Percussion – Mike Mead
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Joe English
Engineer – Gary Heddon
Engineer [Additional] – Jim Kaiser
Engineer [Live Monitor Engineer] – Jody Nachtigal
Engineer [Live Sound Engineer] – Mike Nachtigal
Executive-Producer – Devlin Donaldson
Guitar, Vocals – Margaret Becker, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill
Keyboards, Vocals – John Andrew Schreiner
Photography By [Cover Photos] – Russ Harrington
Photography By [Inside Photos] – Keith Baum
Producer – Gary Heddon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Compassion International
Copyright © – Compassion International
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Published By – Stonehillian Music
Published By – Word Music, Inc.
Published By – Undone Tunes
Published By – Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.
Published By – MCA Music
Published By – His Eyes Music
Published By – John Andrew Schreiner Music
Published By – Medicine Hat Music
Published By – Norman J. Clayton Publishing Co.
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Tourniquet – Stop The Bleeding – 1990

This is the first album from Tourniquet who had just formed earlier in the year in Los Angeles. Intense records must have really seen something in the band as they got their first album out shortly after the band formed. The band consisted of Ted Kirkpatrick, Guy Ritter, and Gary Lenaire. Strangely studio musician Mark Lewis played several of the lead guitar tracks including solo’s. I find this a little odd as usually a band doesn’t run out and immediately hire someone to play lead guitar. Maybe this was something the label wanted and the band agreed to just to get published. Roger Martinez, of Vengeance Rising is given co-producer credit but according to Guy Ritter he had noting to do with the album which was actually produced by Bill Metoyer of Metal Blade Records’. The album is your usual thrash metal with perhaps better vocal tracks then most. HM Magazine described the album as “unlike anything else on the market at the time”. I have no idea what album they were listening to but there were other thrash albums out at this time and this one certainly didn’t stand out to me. Anyway of you’re a thrasher this is one for you.

Tracklist
1 – The Test For Leprosy – 4:39
2 – Ready Or Not – 3:31
3 – Ark Of Suffering – 4:16
4 – Tears Of Korah – 6:20
5 – The Threshing Floor – 4:13
6 – You Get What You Pray For – 3:23
7 – Swarming Spirits – 3:24
8 – Whitewashed Tomb – 4:22
9 – Somnambulism – 4:39
10 – Harlot Widow And The Virgin Bride – 7:46

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Artwork [Visual Performance Art] – Devino
Bass – Gary Lenaire, Ted Kirkpatrick
Bass [Additional] – Erik Jan James
Design Concept [Logo Concept] – Jim Martin, Tourniquet
Drums, Vocals – Ted Kirkpatrick
Engineer [Assistant] – Eric Kibbe
Engineer, Mixed By – Gordon Shumway
Guitar [Additional] – Mark Lewis
Guitar, Vocals – Gary Lenaire
Illustration – Ken Taufer
Layout – Joe Potter
Other [Hair Styles] – Charmeine Ellison, Cherie Sunn, Lisa Meloeny
Photography By – Jim Muth
Producer – Roger Martinez, Tourniquet
Vocals – Guy Ritter

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Published By – Broken Songs

Silverwind – By His Spirit – 1985

The third album from Silverwind takes up where the first album left off. Yes I know that’s not the correct order but I feel this album fit’s in better there. Their second album was far better than this one. Yes there’s still the ABBA sound that so many bought the album for but it’s just not as good as A Song In The Night. As I’ve said before these albums were not geared to me so my opinion is a bit jaded over all. Other than that I don’t really have much to say about the album. Unfortunately with the exception of their ABBA sound I don’t really feel there was much here to make the album stand out.

Tracklist
1 – Go Tell The World – 4:07
2 – By His Spirit – 3:20
3 – I’m Gonna Follow You – 2:59
4 – Thank You Lord – 2:42
5 – Breaking Through – 3:08
6 – Heaven Is Being With You – 3:56
7 – Only Jesus – 3:29
8 – I Will Give Him Glory – 3:37
9 – Praise Anthem – 2:02
10 – Shout Hosanna – 3:31

Credits
Arranged By – Georgian Banov, John Schreiner
Backing Vocals – Frank Hernandez, Georgian Banov, John Schreiner, Sue Ellen Jacobson, Winnie Banov
Bass – Leon Gaer
Cover [Album Cover Design] – Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Drums [Programmed By] – John Schreiner
Engineer – Biff Vincent, Skip Konte
Executive-Producer – Tony Salerno
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Martin Resch, Prince Robinson
Keyboards – John Schreiner
Photography By – Mark Hanauer
Producer – John Schreiner
Producer [Assistant] – Georgian Banov
Tom Tom, Cymbal – Paul Baun
Vocals – Betsy Hernandez, Georgian Banov, Patty Gramling

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Made By – Shorewood Packaging
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging

Ken Tamplin – Tamplin – 1993

This is Ken’s 3rd album and wow is this a great album. This is a straight up in your face Rock & Roll album. Unfortunately I missed this one back when it came out but it easily would have been playing at top volume with the windows down in my Dodge Charger in 1993. I can honestly say that this is probably in my top 100 CCM albums. That said I haven’t listened to it repeatedly for more than a week so maybe it will wane but I doubt it. What really surprises me me about the album is that the band were essentially all studio musicians. While I truly believe studio musicians are often the best musicians around and album of them can sound a little loose and unrehearsed at time. Not this album it sounds like the band has been together for years. Anyway I’ve gone on long enough, just listen to the album.

Tracklist
1 – Dancing On A Volcano – 4:19
2 – Slave Trade – 4:15
3 – Testify – 5:28
4 – Mystery Train – 4:25
5 – Don’t Let The Sky Fall On Me – 6:23
6 – In The Lap Of Legends – 4:25
7 – When The Clock Runs Down – 5:22
8 – Get Out Of My Sun – 4:32
9 – All The King’s Horses – 5:31
10 – Movers And Shakers – 4:51
11 – Suspicious Eyes – 4:20

Credits
Bass – Robert Kent
Drums – David Raven
Harmonica – Tony Murga
Lead Guitar – Scott Van Zen
Mastered By – John Matousek
Organ – Roger Mielke
Percussion – Scott Breadman
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Ken Tamplin

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Benson Music Group, Inc.
Distributed By – R.G. Mitchell Family Books, Inc.
Recorded At – Micronote Studios
Recorded At – The Village
Recorded At – A&M Studios
Recorded At – Pacific Coast Recording
Mixed At – Pacific Coast Recording
Mastered At – Masterworks, Los Angeles

Greg X Volz – The Exodus – 1991

Greg describes this album as “A loosely-bound concept album beckoning the listener ‘out of Egypt'”. I can hear that the album has a “concept” kind of flow but I struggled to hear the message he is trying to portray. I really have no idea how well this album was received but I’ll be honest, I’m just not feeling this album. I’m not saying it’s a bad album just not one of his best but maybe I’m just being picky. There are a couple really good tracks but I’m missing that Rock & Roll feel of his previous solo albums. But I’m just thinking now that perhaps that’s what Greg was aiming for. Anyway the album definitely does deserve to be listened to and individually there are some real good tracks.

Tracklist
1 – What Then – 5:24
2 – Set Up (To Take A Fall) – 4:08
3 – Man Overboard – 3:23
4 – In The Course Of Time – 5:48
5 – Marching On – 4:35
6 – Freedom Train – 4:41
7 – The Exodus – 4:38
8 – On Bended Knees – 5:07
9 – Come To Me – 4:37
10 – Standin’ – 3:51

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Chris Rodriguez
Arranged By – Carl Marsh
Backing Vocals – Dan Keen, GXV, John Hodge
Bass – Gary Lunn, Jimmy Lee Sloas
Co-producer – Greg X Volz
Design [Cover Design & Logo] – Jolly Design
Drums – Marvin Steinberg
Guitar – Chris Rodriguez, Jerry McPherson
Guitar [Guitar Solo] – J. R. McNeely
Keyboards – Carl Marsh, Gary Lunn
Layout – Becky Volz
Mastered By – Ken Love
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – River Records
Copyright © – River Records
Distributed By – Spectra, Inc.
Distributed By – Christian Marketing
Distributed By – Christian Marketing Limited
Distributed By – Maranatha Record Company
Recorded At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Recorded At – Scrimshaw Sound
Recorded At – Allies Recording Studio
Mixed At – Asaph Recording Studio
Mixed At – Duckworth Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Xavier Music
Published By – Scripture In Song
Published By – Maranatha Music
Published By – Meadowgreen Music
Published By – GIA Publications, Inc.
Published By – Dimension Music

The Predators – The Predators – 1982

Throughout the 80’s The Predators released three albums of authentic, frantic and believable new wave/pop punk rock geared directly at the lost but from a distinctly Christian worldview. Two of the albums will make this list, including this, the debut from 1982. I did not have a chance to hear them for several years after this released because of the limited distribution in the US and even more limited Christian Bookstores willing to carry the album. Though not as strong as the follow up, Social Decay, this release does have more energy and a distinctive garage appeal. Borrowing liberally from the post punk and new wave of England at the time, the band forged a trail few would follow. Not only high energy and driving rhythms, but a social awareness of topics that ranged from racism to personal vanity to emotional and mental struggles. The album kicks off with “Sunday Boy,” a fun punk rocker dealing with maintaining faith amidst the insanity that surrounds us in the culture. It also serves as a stark warning to the lost. “You Better Run” is more reminiscent of the pop side of Undercover’s first two albums. In fact, the lead vocals are eerily similar to Bill Walden. Again, the theme that runs throughout the album of warning of a short life and need for Christ, is present here. “Don’t Burn That Cross” deal openly and obviously with racism. It is couched in a world music rhythm similar to The Police. It is a tough and unflinching song, especially for the time it was released. “Maybe Tomorrow” remains a favorite some 40 years later. It is the most commercially accessible song on the album and Christian radio most likely would have embraced it in some areas if it was available.

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

Tracklist
1 – Sunday Boy – 2:42
2 – Man Of The War – 3:12
3 – Don’t Burn That Cross – 4:43
4 – Don’t Mess Around – 3:41
5 – Maybe Tomorrow – 3:50
6 – Never Said A Word – 2:50
7 – Plastic Surgeon – 3:11
8 – Emotional Upset – 4:17
9 – Where You’re Going – 4:42
10 – You Better Run – 2:52
11 – Drift Away – 6:06

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Chris Thompson
Drums – Francis Johnson
Guitar – Kelvin Allwood
Keyboards – Christopher Norton
Lacquer Cut By – BilBo
Plated By – PAG
Producer – John Pantry
Vocals – Kevin Smith

Companies, etc.
Lacquer Cut at – Tape One

Amy Grant – Heart In Motion – 1991

This may be the most successful CCM album of all time. It made it to #10 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the Christian albums chart for 32 weeks. It also went 5 times platinum in the United States, selling over five million copies. Her biggest hit “Baby Baby” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also received a nomination for the Grammy Awards of Album of the Year but lost out to Unforgettable… with Love by Natalie Cole. I’m not the biggest Amy Grant fan but she was robbed of that Grammy and I personally feel there was some internal politics in play. But aside from maybe the numbers you knew this was a very successful album already. So as I struggle to write something about this album that others haven’t covered all I could find was some interesting names on the credits. Dann Huff played some guitar and as usual Michael Omartian was heavily involved in the album. The credits actually appear to include just about everyone in the Nashville music scene. Obviously Myrrh and A&M Records pulled out all the stops for this album and I shudder to think of the production costs. But as it went 5 times platinum and sure those costs were well covered.

Tracklist
1 – Good For Me – 3:59
2 – Baby Baby – 3:57
3 – Every Heartbeat – 3:32
4 – That’s What Love Is For – 4:17
5 – Ask Me – 3:51
6 – Galileo – 4:19
7 – You’re Not Alone – 3:49
8 – Hats – 4:09
9 – I Will Remember You – 5:00
10 – How Can We See That Far – 4:26
11 – Hope Set High – 2:48

Credits
Amy Grant – Executive Producer, Songwriter, Vocals
David Ahlert – Engineer
Jeff Balding – Mixed
Brown Bannister – Producer
Steven Bishir – Engineer
Michael Blanton – Executive Producer
Robbie Buchanan – Keyboards
Gary Chapman – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Terry Christian – Engineer, Mixed
Simon Climie – Songwriter
Gardner Cole – Songwriter
Todd Culros – Engineer
Bill Deaton – Engineer
Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals
Mark Douthit – Saxophone
Chris Eaton – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Rob Fisher – Songwriter
Kim Fleming – Background Vocals
Barry Green – Trombone
Jay Gruska – Songwriter
Mark Hammond – Drums, Percussion Programming
Vicki Hampton – Background Vocals
Mike Haynes – Trumpet
Ron Hemby – Background Vocals
Tom Hemby – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Kurt Howell – Background Vocals
Dann Huff – Guitars
Gordon Kennedy – Guitars
Don Kirkpatrick – Guitars
Wayne Kirkpatrick – Songwriter
Sam Levine – Baritone Saxophone
Laura Livingston – Engineer
Bob Loftus – Engineer
Chris MacDonald – Horns Arranger
Pat MacDougall – Mixed
Brian Malouf – Mixed
Blair Masters – Keyboards
Chris McDonald – Horn Arranger
Donna McElroy – Background Vocals
Chris McHugh – Drums
Jerry McPherson – Guitars
Todd Moore – Production Assistance, Engineer
Dennis Morgan – Songwriter
Cliff Norrell – Mixed
Michael Omartian – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drum Sequencing
Charlie Peacock – Songwriter, Horns Arranger, Keyboards, Programming
Kelly Pribble – Engineer
David Raven – Drums
Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals
Susanne Schwartz – Background Vocals
Tommy Sims – Bass
Tom Snow – Songwriter
Brian Tankersley – Synth Programming
Keith Thomas – Producer, Songwriter, Synthesizers, Bass, Drums, Percussion Programming, Background Vocals
Mimi Verner – Songwriter
Bill Whittington – Engineer
Rick Will – Engineer

Commissioned – Go Tell Somebody – 1986

I’ll be honest I have never even heard of Commissioned before but again I believe I grew up in a Funk free zone. That said I found this album to be more easy listening than funk but it is classified as a funk album. This was the second album from Commissioned and I think they turned down the funk a little bit for this one. This album peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Top Gospel albums chart which is pretty good for a second album but it is indicative of the quality of this album. There are 7 more albums by these guys so expect to hear more of them.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XRgP3bTTSfJ8dfbQDCjRQXx

Tracklist
1 – Victory – 4:59
2 – Love Isn’t Love – 5:13
3 – Go Tell Somebody – 4:43
4 – Cry On – 5:09
5 – Who Do Men Say I Am – 4:32
6 – Hide The Word – 4:51
7 – Learn To Pray – 4:01
8 – Running Back To You – 4:45

Credits
Fred Hammond – Vocals, Bass Guitar, Synclavier, Synthesizer
Keith Staten – Vocals
Mitchell Jones – Vocals
Karl Reid – Vocals
Michael Brooks – Keyboards, Piano, Horn Arrangements, Synthesizer, Synclavier, Roland Synthesizer, WX7 Wind Controller, Percussion
Michael Williams – Drums, Latin Percussion, Percussion
Eric Brice – Electric Guitar
Earl J. Wright – Keyboards, DX7, Moog Synthesizer, Synthesizer
Michael Wright – Electric Guitar
Michael J. Powell – Classical Guitar

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.