Category: Albums

Terry Ross Altman – Crosswalk – 1977

Here’s a self produced and released gem from 1977. The album is a mix of Jesus music and progressive rock with one of the more progressive tracks being over 10 minutes long. Interestingly Terry was able to get Greg Hough (Petra) to join him on a few tracks. Greg played the solos, on Anthem and Crosswalk, and a little bit at the end of Let God Arise but other than that the entire album is Terry. The first time I listened to this album I really got that old Petra vibe but after I was lucky enough to have a chat with Terry I decided to re-listen to the album and quite frankly it stands alone. The must hear track is “Theopsychosophy Blues” which is a great fun track and did get some limited airplay. This was all we ever got from Terry who told me he had written a second album but was called to spoken word ministry before the album got any further. Pity, I for one would have liked to have heard more from him.

Tracklist
1 – Anthem – 6:45
2 – Glory In This – 5:33
3 – Theopsychosophy Blues – 1:34
4 – Let God Arise – 6:19
5 – So Much Joy – 2:46
6 – Crosswalk – 6:11
7 – Under Your Hands (Play Me) – 11:07

Credits
Bass – John Nanos
Design – Dona Nanos
Drums – Ed Kotowski
Guitar – Greg Hough
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – Terry Ross Altman
Photography By – Henry Posner
Producer [Assistant] – Rich Riehl
Producer [Assistant], Mixed By – Gary Hedden
Saxophone – Jim Koerber
Vocals – Carla Thompson
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Claudia Porter
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer – Terry Ross Altman

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Spiritsword Music, Inc.
Mixed At – Hedden West Studios

Good News – Good News – 1975

Good News was a band, an album and a song. They were also one of the most talented bands of the Jesus Music era with a line-up that included David Diggs, Bill Batstone, Erick Nelson and a 16 year Bob Carlisle. Though released through Maranatha Music the album was actually recorded independently and there seems to be a sense of freedom in the recording that shows.They would do a follow up “studio band” album in that they never intended to tour to support the second album and recorded just for the purpose of releasing new material. the second album featured Keith Green on piano. The title track was written by Beau MacDougall is a great 70’s pop number with more guitars than the church was accustomed to at the time. But being a band led by Erick Nelson, piano was to be a prominent instrument and the whole album is very piano based and reminds many of Keith Green musically. Lead vocals are shared between Nelson and Yvonne Lewis. Her pretty alto voice is reminiscent of Karen Carpenter and Michelle Pillar which is significant given Nelson’s later project with Pillar that is a true classic in the industry called The Misfit. Most of the songs are common Jesus Music themes of unity, social responsibility of the Church, evangelism and the rapture. The latter seemed to be an official prerequisite for any official Jesus Music release. “Tear Down the Walls” is a great, blues influenced straight ahead rock song common for the time and fit in with what was happening in pop music for the time. “Never Knew” follows the same footsteps as the title track while the album closer, “Why,” is the perfect “altar call” finisher in the vein of Keith Green. The album follows a back and forth rotation of upbeat songs followed by a ballad. Most of the rockier songs’ vocals are handled by Nelson while the ballads are divided up between Lewis and Nelson. Nelson would go on to be an important figure in the birthing of CCM with the aforementioned “The Misfit” album. Batstone would remain a prominent figure in CCM until today as a leading voice in the world of worship music. Diggs has been a major producer, songwriter and jazz musician with a longlist of credits. Carlisle went on the record the biggest song in CCM history with Butterfly Kisses as well as being the lead singer Christian “supergroup” Allies.

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

Tracklist
1 – Good News – 4:20
2 – Carry Me Along – 3:25
3 – Going Home – 3:20
4 – Tear Down The Walls – 4:18
5 – Picking Up The Pieces – 3:55
6 – Never Knew – 4:00
7 – Follow You – 3:25
8 – Rock Of Ages – 3:52
9 – Why Must You Go – 3:10
10 – Jimmy – 3:20

Credits
Arranged By, Conductor [Conducted By] – David Diggs
Artwork [Art] – Neal Buchanan
Composed By – Erick Nelson, Joy Strange
Electric Guitar – Anthony Dean
Engineer [Engineered By] – Billy Taylor
Handclaps – Eddie Espinosa
Performer – Bill Batstone, David Diggs, Erick Nelson, Yvonne Lewis
Photography By – Scot Lockwood
Photography By [Photo Tinting] – John Carreon
Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Chuck Girard, Eddie Espinosa

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Erick Martin Nelson
Copyright © – Joy Strange
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s

Mylon & Broken Heart – Crank It Up – 1990

Unfortunately this is the final album for Mylon & Broken Heart. Mylon did put out one more album in 1992 but this was really the last show for them. Mylon was still recovering from his heart attack in 1989 but the band did tour in support of this album so it doesn’t look like it was a messy breakup. Instead it looks like they went out as friends. The band didn’t do much after this though guitarist David Payton did release an album in 1991 which I just got my hands on but have not listened to yet. As for this album it’s yet another excellent Rock & Roll album that we came to expect of them. In fact I think this album may have some of their best Rock tunes. If you only have time for one track I truly recommend “World Changer” which is a kicker Rock & Roll track.

Tracklist
1 – Crank It Up – 3:44
2 – Denomination Demolition – 3:18
3 – New Attitude – 3:53
4 – Letter From The Front – 4:51
5 – Give It Away – 4:27
6 – Shower The People – 4:03
7 – Dancing In The Light – 3:05
8 – Heaven – 4:06
9 – World Changer – 3:39
10 – Going Home – 4:41

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Mike McCarty
Backing Vocals – Michael Gleason
Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Bentley
Drum Programming – Scott Meeder
Drums – Ben Hewitt
Engineer – Jeff Brugger, Joe Neal, Kurt Bush, Larry Rust, Ricky Keller, Russ Fowler, Tag George
Engineer, Guitar – Sonny Lallerstedt
Engineer, Mixed By, Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Joe Hardy
Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Trent Argante
Keyboards – Oliver Wells
Keyboards, Programmed By – Cheryl Rogers
Keyboards, Vocals – Marshall Pratt
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Percussion – John Hampton
Photography By – Jimmy Collins
Producer – Joe Hardy, Scott Allen
Producer, Vocals – Mylon LeFevre
Vocals [Rock Vocal Ululation And Terpsichore] – The Techless Abandon Men’s Chorus

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Country Road Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Recorded At – Twelve Oaks Studio
Recorded At – Southern Tracks
Recorded At – Doppler Studios
Recorded At – Southern Living At Its Finest
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Dan Peek – Electro Voice – 1986

This was Dan’s third solo album and easily his most successful. The first single “Lonely People” reached #2 on the contemporary Christian music chart. Rather oddly this was actually a cover of his song he wrote and performed with his original group, America, in 1975. The second single “Electro-Voice” also charted on the CCM Adult chart. As for the album it’s a pretty good pop album. Somehow I missed this one in the 80’s which is too bad as I think I would have really liked it.

Tracklist
1 – Electro-Voice – 4:09
2 – A New Song – 3:08
3 – Solid Ground – 2:30
4 – Not My Will – 4:00
5 – Lonely People – 2:56
6 – His Master’s Voice – 2:42
7 – I’ll Be Coming Home – 3:45
8 – Open Up Your Heart – 3:26
9 – The Rapture – 3:16
10 – All Things Work Together For Good – 3:41

Debby Boone – With My Song – 1980

This was Debby’s first foray into Christian music. As with most things she did it was very successful. She had also recorded and released a secular album the same year. For most artists this would be a lot of work but keep in mind these songs are all put together then Debby just comes in and cuts the vocal track. While not the most effort it is a recipe for success for many female artists. Speaking of success this album received a Dove Awards for Best Album by a Secular Artist and a Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance. The album was pretty dull for me but lets be clear this isn’t my style. The closing track is a bit of a surprise as it’s a Dylan cover that also came out in 1980. It’s a pretty good cover, not my style but well done.

Tracklist
1 – Sweet Adoration – 2:52
2 – If Ever – 4:32
3 – With Every Breath – 2:20
4 – With My Song – 4:38
5 – I Am Stone – 4:32
6 – Lord, I Believe – 3:17
7 – Morningstar – 4:43
8 – A New Song – 3:33
9 – A Twenty-Third Psalm – 2:48
10 – Holy Father – 3:59
11 – Sixty Second Sonata – 1:22
12 – What Can I Do For You – 2:58

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Billy Capps, Billy Walker, Don Roth, Johnny Christopher, Pete Bordaneli, Steve Kara
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Leland Sklar
Drums – Paul Leim
Electric Guitar – Billy Walker, Tim May
Harp – Cindy Reynolds
Horns – Bill Puett, Denis Solee, Dennis Good, Don Sheffield, Eberhard Roman, George Tidwell, Ricky Ricks
Oboe – Bob Taylor
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Piano – John Hobbs, Larry Muhoberac
Producer – Brown Bannister
Strings – Shelley Kurland
Synthesizer – Shane Keister

Companies, etc.
Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Erick Nelson – Picking Up The Pieces – 1980

Erick released this greatest hits package in 1980. It features his work as a solo artist as well as his work with band Good News and Michele Pillar. There is one fresh track on the album “Jesus Is Calling”. Of note on the album is his and Michelle’s cover of “LOve Hurts” that we usually identify as a Nazareth song though actually it was first releasd by the Everly Brothers. The following is the original source of the tracks;
1, 5 – Good News – Good News
2 – Various – Maranatha! 2
3, 6 – Erick Nelson – Flow River Flow
4 – The Maranatha Singers – The Praise Album
8, 9, 10 – Erick Nelson And Michele Pillar – The Misfit
11 – Various – Hosanna
Track 7 recorded for this compilation.

Tracklist
1 – Good News – Picking Up The Pieces
2 – Erick Nelson – He Lives
3 – Erick Nelson – Soldiers Of The Cross
4 – The Maranatha Singers – Set My Spirit Free
5 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – Jimmy
6 – Erick Nelson – Flow River Flow
7 – Erick Nelson – Jesus Is Calling
8 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – Martyr Song
9 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – Love Hurts/He Gave Me Love
10 – Erick Nelson and Michele Pillar – The Misfit
11 – Erick Nelson – Fairest Lord Jesus

Credits
Artwork, Design – Neal Buchanan
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Bill Batstone, Darrell Cook, Erick Nelson, Henry Davis, John Belles
Cover, Photography By – Gary Null
Drums – Bill Maxwell, David Diggs, John Mehler, John Raines, Keith Edwards, Mike Fickling
Electric Piano – Erick Nelson
Engineer – Bill Taylor, Buddy King, Chris Taylor, Dan Willard, Jonathan Brown, Marc Piscitelli
Guitar – Craig Stevens, Hadley Hockensmith, John Wickham, Randy Mitchell
Piano – Erick Nelson, Harlan Rogers
Producer – Erick Nelson, Good News, Harlan Rogers, Jonathan Brown, Lenny Roberts, Peter Jacobs, Tom Stipe, Tom Coomes
Vocals – Erick Nelson

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Recorded At – Larrabee Sound Studios
Recorded At – Maranatha! Studio
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Remixed At – Maranatha! Studio
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Erick Nelson
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Published By – Maranatha Music
Published By – House Of Bryant Publishing

Two Hearts – Stand Your Ground – 1992

Two Hearts are the husband and wife team of Michael Hodge and Carrie McDowell. Michael was a very talented studio musician and Carrie had released an album on Motown records in 1987 and actually had a top 40 hit with “Uh Uh, No, No Casual Sex”. Carrie next showed up in 1989 on a Maranatha! Music sampler with a fantastic cover version of Randy Stonehill’s “Shut De Do” which was the song that started my hunt to learn more about her. This is a solid pop album and Carrie handles most the vocal work and Michael mainly handles the guitar work but does supply some vocals. Definitely well worth a listen if you missed it back in the 90’s.

Tracklist
1 – Hold On Me – 4:03
2 – Celebrate New Life – 3:54
3 – Stand Your Ground – 4:06
4 – Holy Fire – 3:38
5 – Miracles – 3:33
6 – Promise Me Tonight – 4:40
7 – Are You Ready? – 3:29
8 – Heaven Help Me – 3:40
9 – Teach Me How – 3:25
10 – Heaven Help Me (Instrumental Mix) – 2:23

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson
Backing Vocals – Carrie Hodge, Cris Willis, Guy Penrod, Michael Hodge, Robert Street, Vicky Hampton, Yvonne Hodges
Bass, Drums, Keyboards – Brian Tankersley
Creative Director – Toni Thigpen
Design – L. Franke
Executive-Producer – Jeff Moseley
Guitar, Vocals – Michael Hodge
Keyboards [Additional] – Bo Cooper, Don Koch, John Andrew Schreiner, Michael James, Paul Mills, Phil Kristianson
Lead Vocals – Carrie Hodge
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Brian Tankersley
Recorded By, Mixed By – Brian Tankersley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Designed At – Jackson Design
Produced For – GBT Music
Recorded At – GBT Studio
Recorded At – Quad Recording Studios
Recorded At – Reflections Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Allies Recording Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Mastered At – Mastermix

Avion – White Noise – 1986

Apart from his excellent vocal contribution (as well as some guitaring) on David Zaffiro’s Surrender Absolute (1992) album, from Randall Waller’s second solo album, Midnight Fire, onwards his focus changed from the Christian music market to the mainstream music world. This is clearly evident on Avion’s well-produced second and last studio album, White Noise, released on the mainstream EMI label. Forming in 1981, Avion was an Australian band that was beset with hardship and tragedy of one kind and another. Even though they had a few appearances on Australia’s national music show Countdown, Australian rock historian Ian MacFarlane states that they were ‘met with virtual indifference at home’ (Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop). The great singles the band released suffered from a lack of airplay. Apart from a loyal Sydney fan base, the band’s biggest supporters came from North America who appreciated the band’s melodic, American-influenced AOR. Band member and keyboardist, Evan Murray, died in a car accident in late ’87. The band called it a day soon after. The album contained the following 3 singles – We’ve Got Secrets (1985), Celebration (1986), and Berlin Wall (1987). Berlin Wall addresses the detrimental effect of the wall on the city’s residents that divided Berlin into East and West Berlin. The album has two relationship songs – Elle and Ships. Elle is about a couple where one member is pushing the relationship to the next level before the other member is ready for that level of commitment. Ships is about a song of unrequited love, using the saying ‘Ships passing in the night’ to great effect. One of my favourite tracks, Calm Before The Storm, has the strongest Christian connotations about heaven coming down to earth. The only change in personnel for this album was Paul Gannell who replaced Martyn Toole on guitar.

Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger

Tracklist
1 – Celebration – 4:05
2 – Berlin Wall – 3:35
3 – Elle – 3:56
4 – In My Mind – 3:33
5 – Ships – 4:45
6 – We’ve Got Secrets – 3:58
7 – Calm Before The Storm – 4:41
8 – The Next Big Thing – 3:24
9 – On & On – 4:50
10 – Never Too Late – 3:55

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Kendall Waller
Drums, Backing Vocals – John Waller
Engineer – Peter Cobbin, Richard Lush
Engineer [Assisted By] – Tony Espie
Engineer [Assisted By], Mixed By [Assisted By] – Greg Henderson
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Paul Gannell
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Randall Waller
Mixed By – Clive Shakespeare, John Bee, Randall Waller, Spencer Lee
Piano, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Evan Murray
Producer – Clive Shakespeare), Peter Dawkins, Randall Waller
Producer, Engineer – Ross Cockle
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Peter Blyton
Producer, Mixed By – Avion

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – EMI Studios 301
Produced At – AAV
Engineered At – AAV
Mixed At – Albert Studios

Fletch Wiley – Nightwatch – 1981

I knew Fletch better as a producer than a performer. In fact I had no idea he had even released any albums until I stumbled on this one. While I absolutely love his work as a producer I’m not so excited with his performer role. It’s not that this album is bad it’s just that it’s not that good. I have seen this quite a few times when a producer tries to release their own album. That said the album is a little more easy listening than the cover would imply though the trumpet should have gave it away. The album has covers of both “Are You Ready?” by Pacific Gas & Electric and People Get Ready by The Impressions/Curtis Mayfield. Both covers are okay but nothing special. Of course after Darrell Mansfield covered People Get Ready all other covers pale in comparison.

Tracklist
1 – Fiesta – 6:30
2 – Are You Ready – 3:53
3 – Started Right – 4:01
4 – I Am That I Am – 3:51
5 – Nightwatch – 6:14
6 – People Get Ready – 4:30
7 – Joy Dance – 4:31
8 – On My Way Home – 5:53

Credits
Backing Vocals – Andrae Crouch, Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, The McCrary’s
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Brian Tankersley
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Flute, Clavinet – Fletch Wiley
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry McPherson
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, Larry Muhoberac
Mastered By – Greg Calbi
Mixed By – Brian Tankersley, Fletch Wiley
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Producer, Arranged By – Fletch Wiley
Synthesizer – Paul Mills

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Star Song Records
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records

Koinonia – More Than A Feelin’ – 1983

This is the one that started it all for Koinonia. The band formed in 1980 and were probably one of the first Christian bands to play their particular fusion jazz style. While the band were somewhat popular in North America they were huge Scandinavia where their style of music was really well received. Personally I don’t care that much for the style but they do it well and I always appreciate well done music even if it’s not my style.

Tracklist
1 – More Than A Feelin’ – 5:29
2 – Rescue – 4:24
3 – Graceful – 4:32
4 – Cuando – 3:59
5 – Divina – 4:09
6 – Give Your Love – 5:29
7 – Valentine – 5:35
8 – Funky Bumpkins – 4:43
9 – On My Way Home – 5:31

Credits
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Bill Schnee
Guitar – Dean Parks, Hadley Hockensmith
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers
Photography By – David Randle
Producer – Bill Schnee
Synthesizer – Michael Omartian
Vocals – Abraham Laboriel, Bill Maxwell, Harlan Rogers, Russ Taff
Woodwind – John Phillips (6), Justo Almario

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Key Of The Moment Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Breaker Records
Distributed By – MCA Distributing Corporation