Category: Albums

Michele Pillar – Look Who Loves You Now – 1984

This was Michele’s 3rd solo album and probably her most successful. This album was also picked up and distributed by Capitol records for/with Sparrow Records. I do not believe it was pressed under the Capitol label so I suspect this was a distribution arrangement. The album had 3 charting singles with “Look Who Loves You Now” making it to #1. She also received 2 Grammy nominations, Best Gospel Performance, Female, and Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group. Unfortunately she did not win either losing out in the female category to Amy Grant who won way too many Grammy’s in my opinion. But that’s a whole other rant. Larry Carlton produced and played most of the instruments on the album. Larry was not active in the CCM community and as near as I can tell had nothing to do with Christian music as a whole so I believe his involvement was a business decision. This album would also see her step away from her solo career until 1991 as well as her record deal with Sparrow. She had some family drama in 1988 so her disappearance from then on is understood but not much is written about her disappearance from this album until then. She did not disappear entirely she did a fair amount of work with Steve Camp and appeared on his albums. Anyway historically this is one of the great all time female vocalist albums so it should really be on your playlist. Oh and she should have won the Grammy.

Tracklist
1 – Each Day He Gives Me – 3:30
2 – Look Who Loves You Now – 3:19
3 – He’ll Shine His Light On You – 3:06
4 – Just Take A Step – 3:33
5 – Emotions Wound Us So – 3:15
6 – Wandering The Night – 4:13
7 – To Worship You – 3:29
8 – Here We Go – 3:50
9 – One Day Like Him – 3:20
10 – I Want To Make A Difference – 3:27

Credits
Backing Vocals – Joe Chemay (tracks: A1, B1), Joey Scarbury (tracks: A1, B1), Larry Carlton (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B2, B3, B4, B5), Michele Pillar (tracks: A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, B4)
Bass – Larry Carlton (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B2, B3, B4, B5)
Design [Album Jacket] – Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Design [Lyric Sheet] – Steve Cox
Drum Programming [DMX] – John Ferraro (tracks: A3), Larry Carlton (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B3)
Drums – John Ferraro (tracks: A3), Larry Carlton (tracks: A2, A3, A5, B2, B3)
Electronic Drums [Simmons Drums] – John Ferraro (tracks: A1, B1, B4)
Guitar – Larry Carlton (tracks: All)
Horns – Don Markese (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B4), Mic Gillette (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B4)
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Hal Sacks, Michael Verdick
Percussion – Michael Fisher (tracks: All)
Photography By – Lisa Powers
Piano [Acoustic] – Brian Mann (tracks: B1), Larry Carlton (tracks: A2)
Producer, Arranged By – Larry Carlton
Recorded By – Hal Sacks, Larry Carlton
Synthesizer – Brian Mann (tracks: A1, B1), Larry Carlton (tracks: All)

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Room 335, Hollywood
Mixed At – Channel Recording
Mastered At – Future Disc

Mark Heard – Ashes and Light – 1984

This was Mark’s seventh album but it was actually released out of order. It was recorded after “Mosaics” but for some reason Home Sweet Home Records wanted it released first. My personal opinion is that it is a better album so of course they wanted it out first but that’s just my opinion of the reason. Bruce Brown at CCM Magazine described the album as an “acoustic effort”. I don’t really understand what album he was listening to as while there may be an emphasis on acoustic instruments on some tracks this album is not and “acoustic effort” in my opinion. It has a Dylanesque light rock/folk feel to me and in my opinion is one of Mark’s best albums. That said Bruce’s further review of the album is pretty spot on so I’m not entirely bashing the guy. There are often comparisons of this album to T-Bone Burnett and while T-Bone was not involved with the album (that we know of) David Mansfield had a strong presence on the album and of course David and T-Bone worked together for years. Mark notes on the liner notes that the album is dedicated to the memory of Francis A. Schaeffer.

Tracklist
1 – The Winds Of Time – 3:56
2 – True Confessions – 3:30
3 – I Know What It’s Like To Be Loved – 3:34
4 – Washed To The Sea – 3:18
5 – We Believe So Well – 3:26
6 – Straw Men – 3:57
7 – Age Of The Broken Heart – 4:13
8 – Can’t See Light – 4:56
9 – Threw It Away – 4:00
10 – In Spite Of Himself – 3:05

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Pat Terry (tracks: B4)
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica, Accordion [Accordian], Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Mark Heard
Arranged By – Mark Heard
Art Direction [Art Director] – Tim Alderson
Backing Vocals – Dave De Coup Crank, Dori Howard
Bass – Bill Batstone, Mark Heard (tracks: A4, B4)
Cover [Concept] – Mark Heard, Stewart Ivester
Drums – Dave McSparran
Electric Guitar – Pat Terry (tracks: A4)
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Dan Reed
Engineer, Mixed By – Mark Heard
Fiddle, Dobro – David Mansfield
Lead Guitar – David Mansfield (tracks: B4)
Organ [Hammond] – Carl Pickhardt
Percussion – Harry Stinson
Photography By [Cover], Artwork – Stewart Ivester
Producer – Mark Heard
Synthesizer – Mark Heard (tracks: A2), Pat Terry (tracks: A5, B1, B5), Tom Howard (tracks: A3, A5, B3)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records
Copyright (c) – Bug & Bear Music
Copyright (c) – Word Music
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Published By – Bug & Bear Music
Published By – Word Music
Engineered At – Fingerprint Recorders
Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders

White Heart – Live At Six Flags – 1986

This White Heart live album was recorded on April 20 1984 at Six Flags Over Texas. Confusingly the album “Chris Christian With Whiteheart – Live At Six Flags” was recorded on the same day and released at the same time. This appeared to be the brilliant thinking of Chris Christian and I’m at a loss to see how he thought this was a good idea. Anyway I have covered the Chris Christian album previously so I was interested to hear how this one compared. This album is definitely more upbeat but it feels like the band definitely turned it down for this event. The same day as this was recorded the Imperials played so between these 3 concerts this was definitely the most upbeat. The album is enjoyable and the music is good but usually live albums turn things up a notch but in this case it appears they turned it down a notch. That said it is nice to hear the original band lineup play the songs that brought them onto the CCM scene and if you’re a White Heart fan you’ll probably enjoy the album but it’s certainly not the best live album I ever heard and in fact is not even in the top 20.

Tracklist
1 – Sing Unto The Lamb – 3:20
2 – Carried Away (Safe On The Wings Of The Lord) – 4:15
3 – Nothing Can Take This Love – 6:35
4 – We Are His Hands – 3:50
5 – Hosanna – 3:50
6 – Undercover – 3:58
7 – Quiet Love – 4:00
8 – Vital Signs – 5:27
9 – Carry On – 3:35
10 – He’s Returning – 2:50

Credits
John Allman – Engineer
Jeff Balding – Engineer
Steven Curtis Chapman – Songwriter
Chris Christian – Executive Producer, Engineer
Scott Douglas – Vocals
Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals
Wally Grant – Engineer
Dann Huff – Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals
David Huff – Drums, Percussion
Dan Humann – Engineer, Mixed
Gary Lunn – Songwriter, Bass
Jack Joseph Puig – Engineer
Billy Smiley – Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals
White Heart – Producer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Recorded At – Six Flags Over Texas
Overdubbed At – Gold Mine Studio East
Overdubbed At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Bug & Bear Music
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.

Avion – Avion – 1983

A few decades before he would grace the stage nightly with country mega-star Shania Twain, guitarist and vocalist Randall Waller lead his band Avion with amazing guitars and vocals. The band would release two albums and Waller would release a solo project under the “Larry Norman Presents” banner on Tunesmith Records. In 1983 the band would release its first album on 1983 and despite great songs, top notch production and radio friendly image and music, the album just didn’t go anywhere. There are so many great songs here produced so incredibly well it becomes another one of those great frustrations in the music world. Several songs also appear on Waller’s “Midnight Fire.” Straight ahead early 80’s rock with a touch of southern rock thrown in for fans of the Eagles (Long Run), Aerosmith, Loverboy and 38 Special. I Need You, Lady of the Night and Always waiting are those that also appear on Waller’s solo album, but appear here with slightly different arrangements and significantly better production. “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” remains a favorite some 30 years later with it’s great rhythm guitar riff and sexy vocals. Waller commands the vocal stage so well it’s really amazing he never broke into the mainstream. The album can be a tough find but well worth the effort.

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

Tracklist
1 – I Need You – 3:51
2 – Diamond Eyes – 4:17
3 – Lady Of The Night – 2:58
4 – We Can Try – 3:24
5 – Warrior – 4:34
6 – Never Let Me Go – 4:27
7 – Where Do We Go From Here – 3:40
8 – Always Waiting – 3:32
9 – Who’s Crying Now – 3:06
10 – Once Bitten, Twice Shy – 3:19

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Kendall Waller
Drums, Backing Vocals – John Waller
Guitar – Martyn Toole
Keyboards – Evan Murray
Producer – Chris Gilbey
Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Randall Waller

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – RCA Records
Copyright (c) – RCA Inc.
Distributed By – RCA Inc.
Manufactured By – RCA Inc.

Matthew Ward – Armed & Dangerous – 1986

This was Ward’s second solo album. All songs were written by Ward and keyboard player, Jim Tenneboe. The album definitely has a more rock feel than his work with 2nd Chapter of Acts or his previous solo album. Supporting that Rock sound and partly responsible for it is guitarist Dann Huff (White Heart). The album only had one single however which was “Love” which made it to #14. The album is pretty good with strong keyboards and guitar but was a little thrifty on the content with only 8 tracks. Personally at times I don’t think Ward’s voice matches the songs but I’m nitpicking because it’s a really good album.

Tracklist
1 – Red And Yellow, Black And White – 3:38
2 – Trust In You – 4:18
3 – By Your Side – 4:26
4 – Armed And Dangerous – 4:12
5 – Glory To God – 3:44
6 – Moment By Moment – 3:53
7 – Put On The Armour – 4:01
8 – Love – 4:58

Credits
Arranged By – Jim Tenneboe, Matthew Ward
Art Direction, Design – Bradley Grose
Artwork By [Cover Concept] – Bradley Grose, Buddy Owens
Backing Vocals – Eric Tagg, Matthew Ward
Bass – Lee Jones
Drums – Mike Baird
Engineer – Greg Hunt
Engineer [2nd] – Daffydd Morgan
Guitar – Dann Huff
Horns – Chuck Smith, Keith Jourdan, Kim Hutchcroft, René Saenz
Keyboards, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Jim Tenneboe
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Constance Ashley
Photography By [Back Cover Photo] – Marty Justice
Producer – Matthew Ward
Saxophone [Sax Solos] – Kim Hutchcroft

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Live Oak Records
Copyright (c) – Live Oak Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – ElectroSound Los Angeles – ∆ 27319
Recorded At – Rosewood Studio
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Copyright (c) – Megin’s College Fund Music
Copyright (c) – Midi Mouse Music
Published By – Megin’s College Fund Music
Published By – Midi Mouse Music

Russ Taff – A Christmas Song – 1992

Russ Taff gives us his version of several traditional Christmas tracks both Christian and secular. Included is his version of “What A Wonderful World” which is not really a traditional Christmas song but works well on this album and others have used it on their Christmas albums.

1 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 4:34
2 – Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:57
3 – The Christmas Song – 2:19
4 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – 4:01
5 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas – 4:01
6 – Let It Snow, Let It Snow – 2:39
7 – White Christmas – 3:51
8 – What Child Is This? – 2:41
9 – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – 4:07
10 – What A Wonderful World – 2:27

Credits
Bass – Byron House
Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – John Darnall
Drums, Bells [Sleigh Bells] – John Hammond
Executive-Producer – John Huie
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Piano, Vibraphone [Vibes] – Matt Rollings
Producer, Arranged By, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Recorded By, Mixed By – James Hollihan, Jr.
Recorded By [Strings Recorded By] – Lynn Fuston
Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Strings – The Nashville String Machine
Trumpet – Mike Haynes

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Produced For – Russ Taff Productions
Recorded At – Interociter Studio, Nashville, TN
Mixed At – Interociter Studio, Nashville, TN
Mastered At – Mastermix
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Scarlet Red – Don’t Dance With Danger – 1989

Scarlet Red started out as a secular band called Lust but upon the drummer becoming saved they actually broke up. The story goes that the entire band became saved but not together but instead each separately and then came back together and chose a new name that honoured the blood of Christ. This appears to be the only album, they released which is too bad because it’s a pretty good commercial metal album. Personally I always liked my hard rock/metal with a female lead so this band fits well with my taste. Like I said this is a very commercial metal band and wit the female lead vocals it’s an album that must have played well.

Tracklist
1 – You Live Fast – 4:48
2 – Cry Out – 2:47
3 – Never – 3:33
4 – Knock Down The Walls – 4:06
5 – Fight Fire – 2:47
6 – Don’t Dance With Danger – 3:21
7 – Lost And Found – 2:42
8 – Hold On To Love – 4:20
9 – Why – 3:37
10 – Break The Chains – 3:57

Credits
Bass – Jeff Warner
Cover – Jim Null
Drums – Davy Ledford
Guitar – Curtis Lee
Photography By – Dennis Carney
Producer – Armand John Petri
Vocals – Danis

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal
Copyright (c) – Pure Metal
Distributed By – Mainroads Music Group

Brush Arbor – I Will Follow – 1983

This was the 7th album from longtime CCM/Jesus Music band Brush Arbor. Though they released 10 albums through the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s they only had two chart singles. This album includes one of them, “I Will Follow” which made it to #29. Though this album was released in 1983 the album has a distinctly 70’s sound and structure. The song’s vary from country, rock, easy listening, and bluegrass. Like I say it’s a rather typical 70’s Jesus Music album. This however isn’t a criticism, I actually enjoyed the album and the track “Praise His Name” might actually make it into my regular daily rotation. The real treat of the album however are the last 2 tracks which are live bluegrass songs. Personally I think they’re the real stand out of the album and is probably what the band did/does best.

Tracklist
1 – Then Came You – 3:02
2 – Have I Got A Story For You – 2:26
3 – Love Is All I Need – 3:14
4 – Praise His Name – 3:09
5 – I Will Follow – 2:56
6 – I Got You – 2:30
7 – It’s All Right – 2:48
8 – Psalm 103 – 4:05
9 – Dancin’ With The Angels – 2:00
10 – Let’s All Go Down To The River – 3:10

Credits
Arranged By – Brush Arbor, Michael Lloyd
Cover, Design – Susan K. Blatman
Engineer – Carmine Rubino
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Performer – Dale Cooper, David Rose, Jim Rice, Joe Rice, Kevin Watkins
Photography – David Randle
Producer – Michael Lloyd

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word Records Limited
Copyright (c) – Word Records Limited

The Violet Burning – Chosen – 1989

This was the first album from The Violet Burning. The band filled a gap in CCM music for alternative new wave performance music. Their style of music was not really anything new but the fact that they mixed in a bit of performance art did make them different. This album wasn’t all that well received but I think that might have had more to do with the style of the music than the quality as I think this is a sound that was still struggling to get a foot hold in the CCM market. That said their second album was very well received and is consistently ranked in the top 100 CCM albums of all time. At this time in my personal life this is exactly the style of music I was listening to in the secular market so I thought I would really enjoy this album. Unfortunately I felt this album was just trying a little too hard. It just didn’t feel like a natural performance. That said the quality of musicianship is very high but the vocals are average for this style. All in all a pretty good album but really it was their next album that knocked it out of the park.

Tracklist
1 – There Is Nowhere Else – 4:30
2 – If You Let Me – 3:41
3 – I Will Always Stand By You – 4:31
4 – Rise Like The Lion – 4:37
5 – Love Is The Loaded Gun – 4:47
6 – The Killing – 6:47
7 – The Last Ones – 5:09
8 – Groove Baby – White Soul – 3:16
9 – Violet – 3:56
10 – Sweet Mercy – 4:16
11 – Heart Wide Open – 4:01
12 – New Breed Children Rise – 3:15

Credits
Arranged By – The Violets
Backing Vocals [Additional Backing Voices] – Chris Lizotte, Gary Are Williams, Jaime Record, Lance Whitson, Leslie Dupré, Lorri Dupré, Michael Ann Arce, Nena, Sean Wimber
Band [The Violet Burning], Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Kirt Gentry
Band [The Violet Burning], Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Lonnie Tubbs
Band [The Violet Burning], Vocals, Guitar [Guitars], Backing Vocals – Michael J. Pritzl
Engineer [Engineered By] – Chris Wimber
Guest [With], Bass Guitar [Additional Bass Guitars], Backing Vocals – Scott Tubbs
Guest [With], Guitar [Additional Guitars], Backing Vocals – Glenn Pearce
Guest [With], Guitar [Additional Guitars], Bass [Fretless Basses], Backing Vocals – Shawn Tubbs
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Jeff Dykehouse
Musician [Additional Musicians], Guitar – Dave Koval
Musician [Additional Musicians], Keyboards – Rob Watson
Musician [Additional Musicians], Piano, Keyboards – Sue Costantini
Photography By [Cover Photograph] – Vince Limongelli
Photography By [Portraits] – Tracy Albrecht
Producer [Produced By] – Chris Wimber, The Violets
Songwriter [All Songs Written By] – Michael J. Pritzl (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 to 12)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Vineyard Ministries International
Copyright (c) – Vineyard Ministries International
Distributed By – Frontline Music Group
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Recorded At – Vineyard Studios
Mixed At – Vineyard Studios

Freeway – Freeway – 1981

I was unable to find any information on this band. This album was released on the obscure Canadian Label, “New Born Records”, which was a sister label to Tunesmith Records. Though this album was only released in Canada I actually suspect the band was from California as it was recorded and mixed at Studio Masters Recording Studios in West Hollywood California. It was actually Engineered by Tim Jaquette who worked with several well known CCM artists. But that’s all I can find and none of the members appear to have worked on any other projects. Anyway let’s talk about the album. It’s a strong Funk/Jazz album with a style that wasn’t very common in the industry. It’s actually well done and this style did have a market so it’s too bad we didn’t get any more from them. So if you like your CCM with some funk this one is for you.

Tracklist
1 – Freeway – 4:52
2 – Help Me Make It Through – 2:20
3 – It’s So Dark – 3:40
4 – Living Crazy – 2:55
5 – Change Your Ways – 4:40
6 – Child Of The King – 4:45
7 – You Can Be So Happy – 3:05
8 – I Need Your Love – 3:38
9 – Are You Gonna Worry? – 3:30
10 – I Need To Know – 3:22

Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – Larry Rench
Engineer, Mixed By – Tim Jacquette*
Musician – Brian Houston (2), Don Dial, Mary Maybee, Paul Maybee, Ricky Washington*, Sam Mazzola
Producer, Written-By, Arranged By [Horns] – Artie Dison

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Soundhouse Studios
Mixed At – Soundhouse Studios
Published By – Noteworthy Pub. Co.