Category: Albums

Mylon & Broken Heart – Big World – 1989

It was 1989 and time for another Mylon LeFevre album. In the late 80’s Mylon was consistently putting an album out every year. His offering for 1989 was another successful album. It actually received a Grammy nomination for “Best Gospel Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus” but lost out to Daniel Winans. Having listened to both albums I believe Mylon’s was better but I wasn’t an academy voting member. The album spawned 3 singles with “Jesus, It’s You” making it to #1, “Movin’ On” to #12, and “Love Comes Down” to #22. While touring with Whiteheart in support of this album Mylon suffered a heart attack. Ironically the tour was called the Heart Attack tour, you can’t make up irony like that. It should be noted that he continued touring in the Philippines in 1990 against his doctor’s advice. Doctors stated that Mylon’s previous involvement with alcohol and drugs had a large role in his heart attack. As for the album I think it was toned down a bit from his previous release but still has some good Rock tracks on it.

Tracklist
1 – Big World – 5:11
2 – Love Comes Down – 3:12
3 – Falling In Love – 3:36
4 – Face To Face – 4:21
5 – Jesus, It’s You – 4:26
6 – Turn The Tables On Me – 4:02
7 – Remember The Future – 3:57
8 – Let Love Conquer – 4:15
9 – The Distance – 3:09
10 – Movin’ On – 4:21

Credits
Art Direction – Mike McCarty, Toni Thigpen
Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Bentley
Coordinator [Ministry Coordinator & Booking] – Greg Menza
Design, Illustration – Mike McCarty
Electronic Drums [Digital Drums], Vocals – Ben Hewitt
Engineer – Greg Archilla, Joe Hardy, Ricky Keller
Engineer [Stage Sound Engineer] – Dave Wagner
Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Trent Argante
Keyboards, Vocals – Paul Joseph
Lighting [Technician] – Darin Pope
Lighting Director [And Lighting Designer] – Michael Murden
Management [Road Manager], Engineer [House Sound Engineer] – Clay Spivey
Mixed By – Joe Hardy
Photography By – Jimmy Collins
Producer – Joe Hardy, Mylon LeFevre
Programmed By [Fairlight Programming] – Joe Hardy
Stage Manager [And Rigging And Pyrotechnics] – “Punky” Higginbotham*
Vocals, Guitar – Mylon LeFevre

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Jerome Olds Music
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Recorded At – Southern Tracks
Recorded At – Southern Living Studios
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Isaac Air Freight – Snooze Ya Looze – 1981

This is the 4th sketch comedy album from Isaac Air Freight also known as Dan Rupple, Dave Toole, and Larry Watt. These albums were a lot of fun to listen to, and hearing the jokes again, and the great comedic performances is a great trip down memory lane. Still fun to listen to now.

Tracklist
1 – People Say The Darndest Things – 6:20
2 – Leave It To The Squirrellie – 11:43
3 – Time Wasters Looks At TV – 5:37
4 – Pilgrim Race – 4:15
5 – Spec’s O’Keefe In The Case Of The Missing First Love – 18:21

Credits
Cover – David Schiedt, Tom Obbema
Engineer – David Schober
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – David Schober
Photography By – Tom Obbema
Producer – Dan Rupple, Dave Toole
Technician [Sound Technician] – Tom Obbema
Written by – Dan Rupple, Dave Toole, Larry Watt

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music
Published By – Maranatha! Music
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios

Daniel Band – Running Out Of Time – 1988

This was the final studio album from Daniel Band. While I prefer Straight Ahead this album probably comes 2nd for me. It is a quite heavy rock/metal album with a variety of sub styles through the album. I was actually a little surprised at the varying styles but it works. Now the one complaint about this album from everyone was the poor production quality. Luckily it was re-released in 2012 with new mastering and a bonus track. This upload is that version. In 1990 Toni Rossi put out a blues album “Love In The City”. In October 2011, the band was awarded the GMA (Gospel Music Association of Canada) Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing their influence on Christian rock. Anyway, if you like your metal with a strong commercial feel this is your kind of album.

Tracklist
1 – Black Or White – 3:02
2 – Sins Of The Heart – 3:22
3 – Hold On – 3:19
4 – Long Time – 5:11
5 – Party In Heaven – 2:58
6 – We Need Love – 3:50
7 – Greedy Little Hands – 3:50
8 – Things Are Changin’ – 4:03
9 – Running Out Of Time – 4:14
2012 Bonus Track
10 – One – 4:23

Credits
Cover, Illustration – Mellissa McCarthy
Drums – Matt DelDuca
Layout – Jeff Spencer
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Tony Rossi
Lead Vocals – Tony Rossi (tracks: B4)
Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar, Harmony Vocals – Dan McCabe
Mastered By – George Graves
Producer – Daniel Band
Producer, Engineer – Mark Wright
Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards – Bill Findlay

Benny Hester – Legacy – 1983

This was Benny’s best forgotten album. When I read the bio’s on Benny it always seems this album is ignored. I’m a little confused by this as it did have 2 charting singles, Legacy made it to #5, and Melody Man made it to #40. Admittedly that’s not a stunning album but a #5 single shouldn’t be ignored. I know at the time it wasn’t ignored but for some reason history has kind of forgotten about it. One thing that was odd about this album is that at the same time Michael Card came out with an album with the same name. Normally I would have considered this a rather large error but in this case Card was on a relatively smaller label and I doubt that either company knew this was going to happen. By the way The Card album was more successful but in my opinion not as good.

Tracklist
1 – Legacy – 4:44
2 – Closer – 4:39
3 – It Took So Long – 4:30
4 – Melody Man – 3:19
5 – Sensitive Heart – 3:28
6 – Caught Away – 5:08
7 – Out Of The Natural – 3:38
8 – Nobody’s Listening – 4:05
9 – Footprints – 3:54
10 – These Things Were Done By You – 1:53

Credits
Bass – David Coy
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Design – Dennis Hill
Drums, Percussion – Paul Bahn
Guitar, Vocals – Benny Hester
Keyboards – Michael Omartian (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B3)
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Jeff Lams
Lead Guitar – Tony Sena
Orchestrated By, Conductor – Michael Omartian
Photography By – Aaron Rapoport
Producer – Benny Hester, John Guess
Recorded By – John Guess

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse
Made By – Garrod & Lofthouse

Ojo – Relative – 1988

Strangely of all the work Ojo did over the years this is his only solo album. Considering his name is on so many Christian albums I found this surprising. He put this album out while still working with Undercover and I’m a bit surprised he found the time. Also strange is that Michael Knott (Lifesavers) sang lead vocals on the track “The Witch Hunt” which some consider the proper single to the album though “Give Your Children Wisdom” was the official single. A side note that “The Witch Hunt” is not a cover of the Petra song by the same name. Also vocally interesting is that Terry Taylor sang lead on the “He Fell In The Water” track. I guess this is as good a place as any other to state that Ojo has left the faith and is now a Agnostic Professor. sigh Anyway this is a great New Wave album and sounds similar to what Undercover was doing at the time.

Tracklist
1 – (Give Me) A Moment Of Your Time – 5:55
2 – Animals And Trees – 4:30
3 – Sha Nu Mi – 5:20
4 – Box Of Treasures – 4:06
5 – The Fire Rising – 2:46
6 – The Witch Hunt – 3:56
7 – Give Your Children Wisdom – 3:38
8 – The Dance Of The Secret People – 5:04
9 – He Fell In The Water – 3:53
10 – Love In Wonder – 4:43

Credits
Art Direction – Norman Fog
Artwork By [Drawing] – Benjamin Taylor
Backing Vocals – Dave Hackbarth (tracks: 6), Gary Olson (3) (tracks: 3, 6, 7), Gene Eugene (tracks: 2, 9), Inki Svensson (tracks: 1 to 3, 6, 7, 9, 10), Joey-Jon Taylor (Squid) (tracks: 9), Marie McGilvray (tracks: 1, 3, 7, 10), Mark Krischak (tracks: 7), Riki Michele (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 10), Skylar (7) (tracks: 1)
Congas – Nathan Alford, Jr. (tracks: 8)
Drums [Hand Drums With Joey] – Nathan Alford, Jr. (tracks: 4)
Edited By, Mastered By – John Matousek
Engineer [2nd Engineer] – Dave Hackbarth, Glenn Holland
Engineer [Engineered By] – Gene, Joey
Guitar – Gene Eugene (tracks: 9), Greg Lawless (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10), Joey Taylor* (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 9)
Guitar [Including The Lead] – Marky Schrock (tracks: 6)
Percussion [Additional] – Nathan Alford, Jr.
Photography By – Brian Ray
Recorded By [Congas] – Mike Mierau
Shaker, Bells [Jingle Bells], Percussion [Assorted Percussion] – Nathan Alford, Jr. (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8)
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer [Produced By], Performer [Performed By] – Joey Taylor

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Broken Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Brainstorm Artists International Inc.
Copyright (c) – Brainstorm Artists International Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Neverland Studios
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Edited At – Hitsville
Mastered At – Hitsville
Pressed By – Discovery Systems
Published By – B-1 Music

Ellen B – Prince Of Peace – 1988

I had a difficult time finding out much about Ellen B. I was able to learn that they were from Sweden and this was their second album thus the Swedish name of the album “Två”. The album was initially released in Swedish (with some English songs) in 1987 and then released in the United States, U.K. and Australia using the title Prince Of Peace in 1988. Unfortunately this was the end of our exposure to them and I really think that’s too bad as there was a lot of talent here. We have uploaded both the Swedish and English version of this fantastic album.

Tracklist
1 – Don’t End The Night – 4:39
2 – Real Man – 3:10
3 – As Long As She’s Living – 6:31
4 – The Rainbow – 3:21
5 – Time’s Running Away – 4:48
6 – Prince Of Peace – 4:27
7 – Man With Many Names – 4:10
8 – Water Into Wine – 4:02
9 – No Forgetting You – 5:27
10 – Peace Of Mind – 4:49

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Eriksson
Design – Carl Åkesson
Drums, Percussion – Per Hedtjärn
Engineer – Micke Lyander
Guitar – Lasse Olsson
Keyboards – Robert Wirensjö
Management [Projektledning] – Lasse Petersson
Mixed By – Christer Sjöblom, Kenneth Eriksson
Photography By – Henrik Brundin
Producer – Kenneth Eriksson
Vocals – Lasse Nilsson Wihk

Companies, etc.
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg
Lacquer Cut At – Polar Mastering
Pressed By – Audiodisc AB
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Cantio Records
Copyright (c) – Cantio Records
Copyright (c) – Gilmour Records
Copyright (c) – Alarma Records
Recorded At – Sandkvie Studio
Mixed At – Supreme Studio

Ellen B – Två – 1987

I had a difficult time finding out much about Ellen B. I was able to learn that they were from Sweden and this was their second album thus the Swedish name of the album “Två”. The album was initially released in Swedish (with some English songs) in 1987 and then released in the United States, U.K. and Australia using the title Prince Of Peace in 1988. Unfortunately this was the end of our exposure to them and I really think that’s too bad as there was a lot of talent here. We have uploaded both the Swedish and English version of this fantastic album.

Tracklist
1 – Don’t End The Night – 4:35
2 – Bra Karl – 3:07
3 – Nu När Hon Lever – 6:28
4 – Regnbågen – 3:20
5 – Tiden Rinner I Väg – 4:50
6 – Fredsfurste – 4:25
7 – Man Med Många Namm – 4:47
8 – Water Into Wine – 4:01
9 – Aldrig Glömma Dig – 5:28
10 – Lugnet Växer – 4:50

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Eriksson
Design – Carl Åkesson
Drums, Percussion – Per Hedtjärn
Engineer – Micke Lyander
Guitar – Lasse Olsson
Keyboards – Robert Wirensjö
Management [Projektledning] – Lasse Petersson
Mixed By – Christer Sjöblom, Kenneth Eriksson
Photography By – Henrik Brundin
Producer – Kenneth Eriksson
Vocals – Lasse Nilsson Wihk

Companies, etc.
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg
Lacquer Cut At – Polar Mastering
Pressed By – Audiodisc AB
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Cantio Records
Copyright (c) – Cantio Records
Copyright (c) – Gilmour Records
Copyright (c) – Alarma Records
Recorded At – Sandkvie Studio
Mixed At – Supreme Studio

Terry Scott Taylor – Knowledge & Innocence – 1986

One would never expect an album about death to be so beautiful and uplifting. Born out of the ashed of the death of his grandfather and miscarriage of his first child, Knowledge and Innocence is the prettiest and sweetest album in Terry Scott Taylor’s lengthy and fabled career. Delayed for what seems like an eternity, when the album finally came out in 1986, the album did what was probably expected; TST’s rabid fan base ate it up and the majority of CCM and Christian radio never noticed it’s passing. Oddly enough, it remains possibly the most commercial and accessible album in Taylor’s repertoire. Lush, beautiful, stunning, haunting and completely unforgettable. The only negative is the computerized and electronic instrumentation, especially the drums. This though possibly adds to the other-worldly feel of the project. That’s a plus since the album focuses so much on “the other world.” Dancing on Light and Song of Innocence should have been radio favorites. The latter features a duet with long time friend randy Stonehill. Oddly enough, considering the long term friendship and partnership between these two men over the years, this was the first time they sang a duet together. Taylor’s love for his grandfather is prevalent here and on other recording. But here we see a glimpse of the softer, loving father side of Taylor as he addresses the loss of a child before birth. Songs like Light Princess delve into the heart of an artist unlike others. There is a wonderful tension between loss and the future reunion awaiting those who are left that creates a beautiful and faithful listening experience.

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

Tracklist
1 – Dancing On Light – 4:54
2 – (Out Of) The Wild Wood – 5:43
3 – Here He Comes, Second Time – 3:06
4 – Waiting – 3:08
5 – Picture Of You – 3:56
6 – Song Of Innocence – 3:48
7 – The Old Time Gospel Camp Meeting Hour – 0:37
8 – The Riders Of The Western Skies (Medley) – 3:15
9 – Picture Of “U” (Reprise) – 1:43
10 – Ever After – 3:32
11 – Home Movies – 1:17
12 – One More Time – 3:41
13 – Baby’s Heartbeat (6 Months) – 0:15
14 – Light Princess – 3:59
15 – (Inner Cut) Waiting (Reprise) – 1:14

Credits
Arranged By [All Arrangements] – Rob, Terry
Arranged By [Gospel Medley Adaption & Vocal Arrangements By] – Rob
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Rob Watson (tracks: 11, 13)
Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Beau MacDougal, Bob Bennett (3), Chuck Girard, Jay Truax, Jerry Chamberlain, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, Tom Howard, Tom Coomes
Bass Guitar – Tim Chandler (tracks: 7)
Design Concept [Cover & Inner Sleeve Art Concepts] – Terry
Drums – Ed McTaggart (tracks: 2), Terl Bryant (tracks: 9)
Electric Guitar – Greg Flesch (tracks: 4, 7), Tim Chandler (tracks: 4)
Engineer [Engineered By] – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Lenny Wagonmaster (tracks: 1)
Guitar [Nylon String] – Greg Flesch (tracks: 5, 14)
Illustration – Jon Fraze
Illustration [Lyric Illustrations] – Connie Watson
Keyboards, Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Guitar [Guitars], Backing Vocals [B.G.V.’s], Bass, Percussion – Rob Watson
Lead Vocals [Duet], Acoustic Guitar – Randy Stonehill (tracks: 6)
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By [Reprise & Incidental Arrangements] – Terry Scott Taylor
Mastered By – John Matousek
Percussion – Alex MacDougal (tracks: 5), Terl Bryant (tracks: 1, 4, 7)
Photography By – Doug Doyle
Producer [Produced By] – Rob Watson, Terry Taylor
Remastered By [Digital Re-mastering By] – Doug Doyle
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Terry Taylor (tracks: 3 to 14)

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Record Company – Alternative Music Group
Produced For – R.B. Productions
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Motown Recording Studios
Remastered At – Digital Brothers
Designed At – Stunt Productions
Published By – Snellsongs
Pressed By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 30177

Michael W Smith – I 2 (Eye) – 1988

Michael W. Smith is back with his 5th album and wow what an album it was. Full disclaimer, I do not like AOR BUT even I think this is a fantastic album. It sold Platinum and was #1 on the Top Contemporary Christian charts. It actually had 7 top 10 singles including 2 #1’s and 2 #2’s. Here is all of them;

Pray For Me #1
The Throne #1
On The Other Side #2
Hand Of Providence #2
I Miss The Way #4
Live And Learn #7
I Hear Leesha #7

This album had a much younger feel than earlier albums but it was approaching the end of the 80’s and that was acceptable at this point in Christian AOR music. I’m not really going to get too deep into the album as I am guessing most of you either had it or listened to it. If not I do suggest you take the time to listen to it. Reading through the credits I noticed Dann Huff (White Heart) played guitar and here’s the real surprise, Michael Sweet & Oz Fox did some background vocals. I’m not really too sure what track they appeared on but I was pretty surprised to find them here.

Tracklist
1 – Hand Of Providence – 4:33
2 – Secret Ambition – 6:26
3 – On The Other Side – 3:40
4 – All You’re Missin’ Is A Heartache – 5:39
5 – I Miss The Way – 4:35
6 – Live And Learn – 6:17
7 – I Hear Leesha – 5:26
8 – Help You Find Your Way – 5:28
9 – Ashton – 3:17
10 – The Throne – 6:49
11 – Pray For Me – 3:52

Credits
Michael W. Smith – keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals (2, 3, 6, 7, 10), horn arrangement (6), drum programming (9)
Dann Huff – guitars (1–8)
Chris Rodriguez – guitars (1, 3, 5, 6, 8), background vocals (4, 6, 8, 11)
Jerry McPherson – guitars (2, 4, 9, 10), acoustic guitar (7)
Billy Sprague – acoustic guitar (11)
Tom Hemby – guitars (6, 8, 10, 11), bass guitar (9, 11)
Mike Brignardello – bass guitar (1–5, 7, 8)
Tommy Sims – bass guitar (6)
Gary Lunn – bass guitar (10)
Paul Leim – drums (1–4, 6, 7, 8, 10)
Terry McMillan – percussion (1, 3, 5, 7, 8), harmonica (1)
Mark Hammond – drum programming (11)
Ronn Huff – string arrangements (5)
Mark O’Connor – fiddles and mandolins (9)
Wayne Kirkpatrick – background vocals (1–8, 10), acoustic guitar (3), drum programming (9)
Chris Harris – background vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10), recitation (6)
Mark Heimmerman – background vocals (2, 5)
Billy Simon – background vocals (4)
Michael Sweet – background vocals (4)
Oz Fox – background vocals (4)

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – MCA Distributing Corporation
Copyright (c) – Reunion Records, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records, Inc.
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Deer Valley Studio, Franklin, TN
Recorded At – The Castle Recording Studios
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Mixed At – Masterfonics
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – O’Ryan Music, Inc.
Published By – Emily Boothe, Inc.
Published By – Riverstone Music, Inc.
Published By – Whitney Katherine Music, Inc.

David Meece – Count The Cost – 1983

While I was researching this album I discovered that very few people were discussing this album. It’s almost as if people are saying “This is his 6th album” and that’s it. I’m kind of surprised because personally I think it’s probably his second best album (I think “Are You Ready?” was his best). The album is keyboard/Piano heavy which is to be expected as David Meece is a classically trained concert pianist. That said I don’t think David was comfortable with synth at this time as he had Michael W. Smith and Shane Keister step in to help in that area. The track that stands out to me is the title track. I absolutely love studio musician Jon Goin’s guitar riffs on this track. I think it would have been fun if David and Jon had tried a real Rock & Roll song as it really does sound like Jon could have handled that role. I also think David could have written some real Rock & Roll as he was an excellent songwriter and I get the feeling he enjoyed a good rock song.

Tracklist
1 – Gloria – 3:59
2 – Making My Life Brand New – 4:19
3 – Falling Down – 3:04
4 – Pressing On – 3:46
5 – Some People They Never Believe – 3:22
6 – Count The Cost – 2:51
7 – I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without You – 5:10
8 – Today Is The Day – 2:29
9 – And You Know It’s Right – 4:25
10 – Replace It With Your Love – 4:00

Credits
Arranged By – Alan Moore
Backing Vocals – Diana DeWitt, Donna McElroy, Gary Pigg, Jackie Cusic, Kim Fleming
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig
Engineer [Assistant] – Don Cobb
English Horn – Bobby Taylor
Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton
Flugelhorn, Trumpet [Piccolo Trumpet] – John Rommel
Guitar – Jon Goin
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Photography By [Album Photo] – Michael Borum
Producer – Brown Bannister

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Myrrh Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ 26087
Published By – Meece Music
Published By – Full Armor Publishing Co
Published By – Whole Armor Publishing Co.
Published By – Handrail Music
Published By – Meadowgreen Music Co.
Recorded At – Caribou Ranch
Recorded At – Bullet Recording
Recorded At – Sound Stage Studios
Remixed At – The Bennett House
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab