Formed in 1989 in San Diego, California Crystavox was quick into the studio to get this album out to us. Now keep in mind I’m not the biggest fan of Metal but this is an album I can listen to. Now it’s probably due to the commercial feel but this really is a good album and is probably one of my favourite metal albums. Of particular note is “It’s All Right (To Rock N’ Roll)”. There are so many bands that have done a song exactly along these lines but this is probably one of the best. It comes off as a real song and doesn’t have a cliché feel to it at all. It’s a great Rock & Roll track and made it right into my regular rotation. Given the quality of this album I can’t wait to hear their next one.
Tracklist 1 – Sacrifice – 3:49 2 – Power Games – 4:22 3 – Wear It Out – 2:41 4 – Turn It On – 4:15 5 – Home Again – 4:53 6 – All The Way – 4:07 7 – It’s All Right – 4:13 8 – All Around The World – 3:18 9 – Never Give In – 4:15 10 – Tough Boys – 4:27
Credits Bass Guitar – Leo Correla Drums – Fred Helm Keyboards – Loren Holmquist Lead Guitar – Tony Lopez Rhythm Guitar – Loren Holmquist Vocals – Adam Lee Kemp
I assume John’s Songs For Worship Volume I sold pretty well so they did a Songs For Worship Volume II. Of course as the first one was actually name Volume I they probably had plans for this one all along. There isn’t really too much I can say about this album because it’s just a collection of worship songs and as such there really isn’t any stand out tracks. That’s not a bad thing for a worship album so it’s not a criticism. I suspect the album was met with a bit of a yawn however as it didn’t even garner a CCM single. Oh well this is a great Sunday worship album if you like that kind of thing.
Tracklist 1 – Taste And See – 2:31 2 – Lord, Every Nation On Earth Shall Adore You – 4:13 3 – Jesus Prayer – 2:44 4 – Lord Have Mercy – 1:46 5 – Glory To God – 3:06 6 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 2:35 7 – The Spirit Of The Lord – 3:18 8 – Father, I Put My Life In Your Hands – 3:47 9 – Lamb Of God – 2:23 10 – I Am The Ressurection – 4:18 11 – Let Us Sing To The Lord – 2:51
Credits Design [Lyric Sheet Design] – Steve Cox Engineer [Orchestra Recorded And Mixed] – Mike Ross-Trevor Engineer [Solos And Guitar] – Ron Capone Engineer [Vocals] – Bill Cobb Photography By [Cover] – Edd Anthony Producer, Arranged By, Orchestrated By, Conductor – Phil Perkins Producer, Written By, Guitar, Vocals – John Michael Talbot Vocals – Bekah Crabb, Carole Butler, Craig Smith, Ed Koharchick, Irene Davis, Jeanne Mitchell, Jo McGinty, John Peter Slauson, Kemper Crabb, Ken Pennell
This is the fourth album for Petra. It marked a pretty substantial shake up in the band. First we had the departure of Rob Frazier then Mark Kelly and John Slick joined the band. This album also marked Greg X. Volz’s taking on full time vocal duties. I assume all these changes were as a result of the poor showing of the previous album “Washes Whiter Than”. Personally I think this was the best lineup the band had. The album was more Rock oriented than their previous work and most pf the 70’s sound is gone. “The Coloring Song” was a huge success reaching #1 and is commonly heard in worship services to this day. That said it is not representative of what is actually a Rock album. I read that the band toured in support of Servant for this album but I distinctly remember them being the main act when I saw them in 1981 but I can’t remember who the opening act was. Point of trivia, the album cover was the first with Petra’s signature flying guitar.
Tracklist 1 – The Coloring Song – 2:52 2 – Chameleon – 5:47 3 – Angel Of Light – 4:21 4 – Killing My Old Man – 3:46 5 – Without Him We Can Do Nothing – 3:26 6 – Never Say Die – 3:42 7 – I Can Be Friends With You – 4:12 8 – For Annie – 4:24 9 – Father Of Lights – 3:02 10 – Praise Ye The Lord – 3:18
Credits Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – Jonathan David Brown, Petra Bass, Backing Vocals – Mark Kelly Drums, Percussion – Keith Edwards Guitar – Bob Hartman Illustration – Randy Rogers Keyboards, Backing Vocals – John Slick Layout – Mary Ann Smith Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz Mastered By – Steve Hall Percussion – Alex MacDougall Photography By [Sleeve] – Diane McLaughlin Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown Trombone – Joe Miller Trumpet – Bob Welborn
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders Overdubbed At – Martinsound, Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Whitefield Studios Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
This is the third album from Rick and his first with Sparrow records. We get a hint of bad things to come from Ric as he transitioned to a more Easy Listening sound. I’m not saying Easy Listening is bad, I’m just saying if you were a fan of Rick’s at this point you probably weren’t a fan of his later work. That said there are still some great Rock & Roll tunes on this album. Probably the best track on the album is “Don’t Say Suicide” as it was a bit of a touchy subject and I’ll be honest I loved songs that talked to their listeners. Maybe just maybe this song prevented a self deletion. Relatively unknown guitarist Jock Guthrie does a great job on the track. I also quite liked the title track as it had a more of a early 80’s rock feel. anyway this is a good Pop Rock album with some good guitar work. Definitely a must listen to from the era.
Tracklist 1 – Don’t Say Suicide – 3:30 2 – You’re My Road – 3:54 3 – One Child In Pain – 3:40 4 – We Are The Chosen – 3:51 5 – You’ve Only Got One Life – 3:40 6 – House Calls – 3:14 7 – Runaway – 3:33 8 – We Are Yours – 3:22 9 – The Old Man – 4:12 10 – Cant’ Stop – 3:07
Credits Jeff Balding – Engineer Niles Borop – Songwriter Barbara Catanzaro – Background Vocals Lisa Cates – Percussion Buz Cua – Guitar Diane Cua – Songwriter Rick Cua – Producer, Songwriter, Bass, Vocals Ron DeRollo – Guitar David Dix – Drums Rob Frazier – Background Vocals Jock Guthrie – Guitar, Background Vocals Bob Halligan, Jr. – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Background Vocals Jim Horn – Saxophone Richard Langford – Background Vocals Dwight Liles – Songwriter Chris McCollum – Engineer Mike Mead – Drums, Background Vocals Dino Pastin – Synthesizer Programming Janna Pastin – Background Vocals Dave Perkins – Songwriter, Engineer, Guitar, Background Vocals Brett Perry – Assistant Engineer Sam Tritico – Synthesizer Programming Wendy Waldman – Duet (We Are Yours) Peter York – Guitar
Companies, etc. Produced For – Koo-Ah Productions Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio Recorded At – Oak Hill Assembly
Not to be in any confused with CCM stalwarts, Caedmon’s Call, this is Caedmon, a progressive, medieval folk, blues, Celtic, jazz quintet from Edinburgh University that unleashed a completely original and creative project embraced a both sides of the pond and both sides of the music realm, garnering great reviews in Christian and mainstream publications. The group started off as a trio of veterinary students that primarily performed traditional British folk tunes and Church hymns and spirituals. The group expanded, as did their repertoire. They played with Water Into Wine, After the Fire, Larry Norman among other Jesus Music artists of the 70’s in Britain. But like many contemporaries…they disappeared quickly. Though the desire for the music has prompted a few re-releases over the years. Whether it’s the Celtic like folky number, “Ten Maidens fair” that kicks off the album or the moody, folky jazz tune, “Man Maker” that follows, the production is top notch, the quality of musicianship, originality and harmonies are simply compelling. Male and female lead vocals trade off with each song and often within each song. But one of the more compelling aspects is the vocal arrangements. There is really a lot going on here. “Sea Song” starts off like an old British shanty, then moves into a progressive rock like instrumental section with a killer guitar solo. The beautifully returns to its roots. Other true stand out tracks include “Living in the Sunshine” and “Columbas’ Song.” This a truly a brilliant gem that most likely would appear much higher on this list of I didn’t come to it so much later in life. I assume if I had owned this throughout its life cycle it would appear much higher on this list. I expect complaints from many claiming it deserves a higher ranking and an equal amount revealing they have never heard of it. The latter would do well to track it down as a phenomenal re-release with vastly improved sonics took place in the past year or so.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Ten Maidens Fair – 4:17 2 – Maker Man – 3:25 3 – Death Of A Fox – 4:18 4 – Sea Song – 5:35 5 – Aslan – 4:15 6 – Living In The Sunshine – 3:27 7 – Storm – 6:06 8 – Columba’s Song – 2:21 9 – Smile On Your Face – 4:35 10 – Caedmon’s Hymn – 4:15 11 – Give Me Jesus – 6:45 12 – Beyond The Second Mile – 4:15
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jim Bisset Acoustic Guitar, Spoons [Spoon And Teacup] – Ken Patterson Vocals – Angela Naylor Vocals, Bass Guitar – Sam Wilson Vocals, Electric Guitar – Jim Bisset Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Other [etc] – Simon Jaquet Vocals, Piano, Cello – Ken Patterson
This is the album that started it all for Kathy and for Reunion Records. But lets start a few years earlier. Kathy grew up Catholic but became born again in 1978. She had been working in the music industry struggling to get noticed. Kathy got her break in 1980 when she opened for Glad at her own church. Ed Nalle from Glad took note of her voice and approached her about cutting a demo with his band. Ed shopped that demo to Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell who reportedly were thinking of starting a new record label. This album became the first album on that label, Reunion Records. The release was a smashing success and the album is reportedly the best-selling debut album by a CCM female artist. That said the album only had one charting single with “Stubborn Love” peaking at #2. In my opinion “You’re All I Need To Get By”, a cover of a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrellduet hit, was the best track on the album. But this was 1982 and no way were the CCM chart people going to allow a secular cover to chart. The whole album is great for this genre of CCM music and is easily as good as anything Amy Grant was doing at the time. You probably heard this one in the 80’s so today’s a great day to listen to it again for the memories.
Tracklist 1 – You’re All I Need To Get By – 4:02 2 – Hand In Hand – 3:40 3 – All I Must Do – 3:47 4 – It’s The Small Things – 3:20 5 – Lord I Need You Now – 4:03 6 – There’s Still Time – 3:42 7 – Once In A Lifetime Love – 4:44 8 – Stubborn Love – 4:29 9 – It’s Your Love – 4:22 10 – Love Of My Life – 3:57
Credits Arranged By [Strings] – Alan Moore Bass – Craig Nelson, Mike Brignardello Design [Album] – Dennis Hill Drums – Keith Edwards Engineer – Gene Eichelberger Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Mike Blanton Guitar – Dann Huff, Jon Goin Harp – Cindy Reynolds Keyboards – Gerrit Wilson, Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister Liner Notes – Brown Bannister Mastered By [Runout Etch] – Hank Williams Overdubbed By – Bob Clark Percussion – Mark Morris Photography By [Back] – Mark Pleasant, Wade Jaynes Photography By [Front] – Mike Borum Producer – Brown Bannister Saxophone – Dennis Solee Synthesizer – Shane Keister Vocals – Denny Henson, Diana Dewitt, Donna McElroy, Greg Guidry, Kim Flemming, Sandy Guidry
This was the 2nd album from Paradise and they dialed the funk back a bit for this one. That said don’t worry there’s enough funk here for everyone. Originally recorded for Ebony Records in the U.K. (Paradise is a U.K. band) it was picked up ion North America by Onyx International Records. Apparently it sold well but it’s relatively difficult to find these days and I just say a NOS version for sale for $350 U.S. YIKES!!! I mean it’s a good album but it’s not $350 good. If you really need a copy I’m happy to let you know that it was reissued in the U.K. on CD in 2013. Anyway we don’t post many funk albums but sometimes one slips through the cracks when I particularly like it.
Tracklist 1 – World’s Midnight – 4:58 2 – Here And Now – 3:16 3 – Never Will Turn Back – 3:42 4 – Your Love – 3:34 5 – Something Wonderful – 4:05 6 – Stop And Think – 5:15 7 – Life Assurance – 3:25 8 – Success – 3:11 9 – I’m Going Away – 4:03 10 – Quiet Times – 4:07
This is the third album from Sacred Warrior and perhaps their strangest. Not strange in musical style as it’s pretty well your standard late 80’s metal album but instead it’s the structure and message of the album that’s different. The songs follow a story of child abuse from the eyes of the abused. The tracks are structured to tell a story of abuse until both the abused and the abuser come to God in the end. I’ll give them and their label, Intense Records, credit. This is a touchy issue today never mind in 1990 so it was a pretty gutsy idea. That said the album should be listened to in the proper order of the tracks. The band obviously worked on this whole concept very hard but I feel they may not have worked as hard on the music. There isn’t really a standout track and they all kind of meld together. Then again that might be a good thing as it causes you to concentrate a little harder on the message.
Tracklist 1 – No Happy Endings – 5:09 2 – Little Secrets – 6:18 3 – Standing Free – 5:00 4 – Are You Ready – 3:05 5 – Minister By Night – 3:35 6 – Miss Linda – 4:51 7 – In The Night – 5:58 8 – Warriors – 3:13 9 – Wicked Generation – 4:44 10 – War Torn Hero – 4:57
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass – Steve Watkins Drums – Tony Velazquez Engineer [ADD] – Steve Weeder Engineer, Mixed By – Harry Witz Guitar – Bruce Swift Keyboards – Rick Macias Layout – Joe Potter Photography By – Basement Art Inc. Producer – Jim Homan Vocals – Ray Parra Vocals [Additional] – Alysha Villareal, Bruce Swift, Jim Homan, Kristi Pollock, Rey Parra, Steve Watkins, Steve Weeder Written-By – Bruce Swift, Rey Parra, Rick Macias, Steve Watkins, Tony Velasquez
This was the fourth and final album from Wendy and Mary who were Mary Rice Hopkins and Wendy Hofheimer. Well actually at the time of this album Wendy was going by Wendy Talbot as she was married to their producer and well known CCM artist Terry Talbot. That said sometime in 1985 Wendy divorced Terry and actually married Don Francisco. You just know there’s a great gossip story there. Anyway I’m just speculating but as they broke up as a duo right around this time I can’t help but to think it was a factor. That said they did get back together in 1995 to record together again. As for Mary she went on to write several children’s songs and books. Both apparently attempted solo careers but neither were very successful with the only album produced by Wendy in 2001. I will admit I had never heard of these ladies in the 80’s but I am now fascinated by the whole drama of their undoing. I bet it’s a great story.
Tracklist 1 – Battle Of The Heart – 3:31 2 – Around The Walls – 3:19 3 – No Other Name – 2:36 4 – I Am My Beloved’s – 2:58 5 – In Your Footsteps – 2:58 6 – Lullaby For Grown-Ups – 2:40 7 – If I Could Love You Better – 3:36 8 – You Are My Righteousness – 2:52 9 – Sword And Shield – 3:43 10 – He Who Dwells – 3:43 11 – Sing Alleluia – 2:15
Credits Arranged By, Synthesizer, Programmed By [Synthesizers] – Denny Bouchard Bass – Abraham Laboriel Design [Album Jacket] – Stan Evenson Design Inc. Drums – Billy Maxwell Mastered By – Herb Melton, Steve Hall Photography By – Edward Alfano Producer, Arranged By [Additional], Engineer [Additional] – Terry Talbot Programmed By [Fairlight] – Rhett Lawrence Recorded By, Remix – Ron Capone Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By [Additional] – Mary Hopkins (2), Wendy Talbot
This album marked Rich’s start to a more country sound. It opens with a beautiful A cappella where he is joined by Ashley Cleveland and Pam Tillis and is the highlight of the album to me. That said the CCM charts disagreed with me. The album had 3 top 10 CCM singles, “While The Nations Rage”, “Alrightokuhhuhamen”, and “My One Thing” with “While The Nations Rage” made it to number 1. It also had 2 other single that lingered around the middle of the charts, “First Family” and “Somewhere”. 5 singles on one album is pretty darn good but that said I’m neither here nor there on the album. It’s not bad, it’s not great. To me it just feels like it’s there. This is probably no fault of the album but instead just my personal taste. This album is where Christian music was headed at the time and if anything Rich was actually ahead of the trend.
Tracklist 1 – I Will Sing – 1:28 2 – Hope To Carry On – 2:35 3 – While The Nations Rage – 4:55 4 – First Family – 3:09 5 – Alrightokuhhuhamen – 4:15 6 – Higher Education And The Book Of Love – 4:53 7 – Bound To Come Some Trouble – 3:40 8 – The Love Of God – 2:52 9 – My One Thing – 3:49 10 – Somewhere – 4:36 11 – The Love Of God (Reprise) – 0:47
Credits Rich Mullins – lead vocals, acoustic piano, hammered dulcimer Reed Arvin – keyboards, Synclavier, string arrangements Jerry McPherson – guitars, mandolin Mark O’Connor – mandolin, fiddle Tom Hemby – guitar solo Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass Danny O’Lannerghty – bass Paul Leim – drums Bill Sinclair – harmonica Ed Calle – saxophone Kris Wilkinson – string contractor Ashley Cleveland – featured vocals Pam Tillis – featured vocals Richard Gibson – backing vocals Donny Monk – backing vocals Guy Penrod – backing vocals Jon Sherberg – backing vocals Gary Smith – backing vocals Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals Bonnie Keen – backing vocals Marabeth Jordan – backing vocals Marty McCall – backing vocals Margaret Becker – backing vocals
