I guess it’s rather silly to point out that this is a live album from Don Francisco but I have to open the paragraph some way. It was recorded at the Huffman Assembly of God in Birmingham, AL on September 20, 1982 and released later that year. At this point in his career Don was established as THE folk artist of CCM music. At the time this album came out I was not a big fan of folk music but I liked this album. Let that be a testament to how good it is. In fact I would say it is probably one of the best live albums of the 80’s regardless of style. I can honestly say that I would have loved to have seen him live as it sounds like it was a really good show. Years later I have listened to most of his albums now and most of the versions he did live are the best versions of these songs.
Tracklist 1 – Since I Met Him I Can See – 3:24 2 – Got To Tell Somebody – 5:11 3 – Jesus Is The Lord Of The Way I Feel – 2:34 4 – Steeple Song – 3:01 5 – I’ll Never Let Go Of Your Hand – 3:28 6 – Adam – 4:30 7 – I Don’t Care Where You’ve Been Sleeping – 3:12 8 – Give Your Heart A Home – 3:52 9 – Too Small A Price – 5:52 10 – Christmas Song – 2:44 11 – Come And Follow Me – 4:10 12 – I Could Never Promise You – 3:03 13 – Love Is Not A Feeling – 1:57 14 – Beautiful To Me – 4:22 15 – The Package – 3:08 16 – Jehoshaphat – 3:01 17 – Closer To Jesus – 3:22 18 – He’s Alive – 4:50
Credits Art Direction, Design – Bill Barnes, Randy Martin Backing Vocals – Duann Hall, Gary Dunham Bass, Acoustic Guitar – Louie Hall Engineer – Noah White Executive-Producer – Michael B. Suttle Keyboards – Gary Dunham Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Don Francisco Mastered By – Ken Perry Mixed By [Remixed By] – Louie Hall Photography By – Dean Dixon Producer – Don Francisco, Louie Hall
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Mixed At – Spectrum Recording Studios, Birmingham, AL Mastered At – Masterfonics
Larry was a member of Grinderswitch through the 70’s and early 80s. They were a southern rock band and toured with all the big names of the style and time. Larry left the band in the mid 80’s and started his solo career. This is his first solo album. Larry brought a sound to CCM music that was needed in the period. Yes their were some blues bands but not of this caliber. Quite frankly this album is as good as anything in the secular market at the time. Playing harmonica on the album is Buddy Greene who is probably second only to Darrell Mansfield as a harmonica player. The rest of the band is a who’s who of some of the best studio musicians in the CCM genre of the time. I am really surprised at how good they were at the blues as none of them had actually recorded in that style that I can find any way. This album does a rather odd track though. The intro end exit track “Sanctified Blues” is exactly the same song but with the stereo tracks reversed. Have to admit that’s a first.
Tracklist 1 – Sanctified Blues – 1:30 2 – Lost Ship – 3:21 3 – Love Ain’t What You Say – 2:56 4 – Cool Rain – 3:34 5 – I Gave Jesus My Blues – 4:20 6 – Shuffle On Home – 2:49 7 – One Night – 3:31 8 – Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven – 3:38 9 – Friend In Jesus – 4:34 10 – Sanctified Blues – 1:30
Credits Art Direction – Michael Pierce Artwork [Handwriting] – Michael Pierce Backing Vocals – Ava Aldridge, D. Bergen White, Cindy Richardson, Dorothy Moore, Lisa Silver, Wendy Suits Bass – David Hood, Ed Cain, Michael Joyce, Michael Rhodes Design Concept [Album Cover Concept] – Gary F. Montgomery, Michael Pierce Drums – Eddie Bayers, James Stroud, Roger Hawkins, Willie Smith Engineer – Pat McMakin, Paul Hornsby, Steve Melton Executive-Producer – Gary F. Montgomery Guitar – Larry Byrom, Steve Gibson Harmonica – Buddy Greene Horns – Charles Rose, Don Sheffield, Harvey Thompson, Jim Horn Keyboards – Kenny Smith, Mitch Humphries, Randy McCormick Lead Guitar – Jimmy Nalls, Larry Byrom, Larry Howard Lead Vocals – Larry Howard Piano – Randy McCormick Producer – Bucky Jones, Gary F. Montgomery, Larry Howard, Pat McMakin Rhythm Guitar – Jimmy Nalls, Larry Byrom, Larry Howard Saxophone – Elbert Durham, Jim Horn, Ronnie Eades Slide Guitar – Jimmy Nalls Synthesizer – Randy McCormick Vocals – Bob Bailey, John Whittaker, Larry Howard, Robin Johnson
Roots is Jan’s 3rd solo album and was released in the U.S. by Refuge Records. Jan was far better known in Scandinavia than in North America but he deserved to be better known in North America. This album is a straight up Rock & Roll album and Hard Rock albums were what I was listening to at the time. Unfortunately I grew up in Canada where we struggled to hear the complete catalogue of U.S. artists never mind foreign acts. Anyway, I this this is Jan’s best album and I wish so much I had heard it back in the 80’s. At least I have the opportunity to enjoy it now.
Tracklist 1 – I Can’t Fly – 3:11 2 – How Do You Know – 3:21 3 – That’s Why I Long For Tomorrow – 3:49 4 – So Good To Be Me – 3:32 5 – And The Show Goes On – 4:37 6 – Lie Is Not Truth – 4:02 7 – Looking For You – 3:10 8 – For Real – 4:11 9 – Lighthouse – 3:40 10 – I’m Going Home – 3:27
Credits Bass – Dave Markee , Rick Cua Drums – David Dix, Henry Spinetti Executive-Producer – John Pac Guitar – Freddie Salem, Norman Barratt Photography By – Jan Pethrus Producer – Jan Groth, Ray Nenow Written-By – Jan Groth
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
This album is very tough for me. As readers of the original blog can attest, the Nashville music machine that put out very similar sounding, country infused, safe pop music was never in my wheelhouse. For decades the same singers, songwriters, record companies would put out similar sounding albums and then take home armfuls of Dove Awards. It was an industry that gave the “Rap Dove Award” to Carman! So, as a result, I came to this album very , very late. The first few Steven Curtis Chapman albums were so wrapped up in that world, that when “The Great Adventure” was released I just ignored it. I knew that hits that were incessantly on Christian radio and as a record representative that sold accompaniment cassettes, I knew virtually every song. But they meant very little to me. It wasn’t until I began the painstaking process of creating the original “Top 500” blog that I decided to familiarize myself with the album and tried to listen with new ears. It still did not make the original blog, but I did gain a higher level of respect for the singer/songwriter himself. I then saw Chapman in a solo acoustic concert several years ago where he performed several of the songs from this album with just his guitar, and even acapella. I started to discover the songs behind the processed production and my appreciation grew even more. But albums have to be judged according to their time and the way they were produced. And so the album is included here. But let’s be honest upfront…”Got to Be True” is just an awful, awful song! Most are very, very familiar with the bigger hits from the album like the title track, “Where We Belong,” and “Go There With You.” All are deserving of their success and I struggle to really be too critical here. For me the John Mellencamp ( or was he Cougar then?) inspired “That’s Paradise” is the stand out cut on the album. If Chapman only didn’t have such a pleasant voice, it could have been a mainstream radio single. Chapman also really shines here and throughout his career when accompanied by a more simple, sparse production as heard on “Don’t Let the Fire Die.” Chapman excels on simple ballads, especially when they are more focused on relational issues. “Maria” falls into the same category. Even this song has just too much going on musically. A stripped down acoustic guitar and nothing else would have been plenty. “Hearts Cry” is the very best example of what I am referring. No strings needed! With “The Great Adventure” Chapman truly broke as an artist. He had quite a bit of previous success, but this album was certified gold pretty quickly and brought previous albums along with it. It was from this point that the Gospel Music Association just backed up the Dove Award delivery truck to the Chapman estate annually. This isn’t the last album to be discussed here, but it is the one that fit the most securely in the Nashville Music Machine category, but worthy or more.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Prologue – 2:37 2 – The Great Adventure – 4:35 3 – Where We Belong – 4:19 4 – Go There With You – 5:21 5 – That’s Paradise – 4:59 6 – Don’t Let The Fire Die – 4:48 7 – Got To B Tru – 4:18 8 – Walk With The Wise – 4:34 9 – Maria – 5:01 10 – Still Called Today – 6:00 11 – Heart’s Cry – 5:10
Credits Accordion – Jo-El Sonnier Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Steven Curtis Chapman Arranged By [Strings, Brass], Conductor – Don Wyrtzen, J.A.C. Redford Backing Vocals – Brent Lamb, Chris Rodriguez, Herb Chapman, Kip Raines, Lionel Cartwright, Mark Heimermann, Ricky Skaggs, Steven Curtis Chapman, Trace Balin Backing Vocals [Yells] – Chad Ballantyne, Chris Moore, Herb Chapman, James Isaac Elliott, Jason Cole, Marty Funderburk, Phil Naish, Steve Charles, Steven Curtis Chapman, Todd Robbins Bass – Jackie Street Contractor [Orchestra] – Carl Gorodetzky Design – Carol Bobolts, Red Herring Design Dobro – Scott Sanders Drum Programming – Mark Hammond Drums – Paul Leim Engineer – Ronnie Brookshire Engineer [Additional] – Carry Summers, Patrick Kelly, Steve Bishir Engineer [Assistant] – Carry Summers, John Kunz, Patrick Kelly, Todd Robbins Executive-Producer – Peter York Guitar – Dann Huff, Jerry McPherson Keyboards – Phil Naish Lap Steel Guitar, Dobro [Additional] – Rusty Young Mixed By – Bill Deaton, Ronnie Brookshire Orchestra – The Nashville String Machine Photography By – Frank W. Ockenfels Piano – Cheryl Rogers Producer – Phil Naish Rap, Guest – Toby McKeehan Soprano Saxophone – Mark Douthit Vocals [Duet] – BeBe Winans
To say Ken was a music generator in the CCM industry is an understatement. He had 7 albums in the 70’s and 5 albums in the 80’s. This album came out in 1980. The problem with a performer putting out this many albums is that they get lost due to volume. This however was one of Ken’s best 80’s albums. Strangely over a career of more than 20 albums Ken never had a CCM charting single. Now this is silly as his style is exactly what CCM was looking for on their charts. How he never had a charting single is completely beyond me but I think we can rest assured there was more to the story. CCM was well known to have manipulate their charts and if you need any proof, Ken is the proof. Anyway this is a great upbeat worship album so if that is your style and no one ever suggested you listen to this album be sure to give a listen now.
Tracklist 1 – Don’t Tell Me – 4:26 2 – Is There A Place For Dreaming? – 5:58 3 – Those Love Songs – 3:21 4 – I Saw You – 4:29 5 – Kingdom In The Streets – 6:59 6 – Barn Builder – 3:20 7 – By The Waters Of Luxury – 4:39 8 – Corner Drugstore Jesus – 6:04
Credits Arranged By – Bill Pursell, Engineer – Brian Tankersley, Paul Mills, Phil York Mastered By – Eric Tomlinson, John Mayfield Producer – Kurt Kaiser Words By, Music By – Jane Medema Words By, Music By, Sleeve Notes – Ken Medema
This is the sixth in the series of well known easy listening Maranatha! Music samplers. Seems strange now to see Daniel Amos and Sweet Comfort (Band) on a sampler like this. Below are the original albums with the tracks.
1 – Karen Lafferty – Beautiful Day – Sweet Communion 2 – Bruce Herring – Perfect Will – Unreleased 3 – Sweet Comfort – Somebody Loves You – Sweet Comfort 4 – Aslan – Who Loves The Lonely – Unreleased 5 – Erick Nelson – He Gave Me Love – The Misfit 6 – Parable – The Plain Truth – Illustrations 7 – Bethlehem – Desert Songs – Bethlehem 8 – Becky Ugartechea – Nightengale – Unreleased 9 – Daniel Amos – Father’s Arms – Shotgun Angel 10 – Bob & Joy Cull – Sail Away – Windborne
Tracklist 1 – Karen Lafferty – Beautiful Day – 4:21 2 – Bruce Herring – Perfect Will – 3:51 3 – Sweet Comfort – Somebody Loves You – 3:01 4 – Aslan – Who Loves The Lonely – 3:54 5 – Erick Nelson – He Gave Me Love – 3:55 6 – Parable – The Plain Truth – 3:33 7 – Bethlehem – Desert Songs – 3:40 8 – Becky Ugartechea – Nightengale – 3:53 9 – Daniel Amos – Father’s Arms – 4:23 10 – Bob & Joy Cull – Sail Away – 4:15
This is the only true solo album from Norman Barratt which I found surprising considering how many albums he has in one form or another. The album highlights his guitar skills throughout and he also put in part time duty producing the album. Norman only signed on 2 artists to help with the album, Mark Olly on drums, and Steve Boyce on keyboards. While the album only has 8 tracks you get your money’s worth because there isn’t a track shorter that 4:30. While the album was only released in Europe in 1988 Refuge Records did a deal to release it in the U.S. in 1991.
Tracklist 1 – The Last Night – 5:20 2 – I Know Where You Are – 4:24 3 – I Can See It In Your Eyes – 5:01 4 – How I Know – 6:16 5 – Automatic Life – 5:36 6 – Still Waitin’ – 4:32 7 – When The Night Comes – 4:48 8 – Sing A New Song – 5:23
Credits Cover [Cover Design] – Ron Bryant-Funnell Engineer [Assistant] – Bob Little, Damon Gough Guitar, Backing Vocals, Producer, Lead Vocals, Mixed By, Engineer [Assistant], Programmed By [Programming], Written-By – Norman Barratt Keyboards, Producer, Mixed By, Engineer, Programmed By [Programming] – Steve Boyce-Buckley Management – Bill Hampson Percussion [Additional] – Mark Olly Photography By – Johan Van Loo Producer [Vocals Produced By] – Trevor Taylor (tracks: 4) Software Instrument [Guitar f.x. And Programs Supplied By] – Neil Costello Technician [Technical Assistant] – Stephen Naughton
This is the final album from Scott in the 80’s and it was also his most successful. The track “Brother to Brother”, a duet with Michael Card, made it to #22 and while there wasn’t a second single there were several tracks that could have in my opinion. The album was produced by David Eastman and British recording star Melanie sang several background vocals. Undoubtedly the album was popular due to appearances from Michael Card but it is a great stand alone album and Scott should be proud of this one.
Tracklist 1 – Brother to Brother – 3:45 2 – Things We Leave Behind – 3:27 3 – Jesus – 3:45 4 – Road To Heaven – 3:41 5 – Isolation – 4:14 6 – How Could I Answer You – 4:44 7 – Perfect Prayer – 3:20 8 – Suffer The Children – 3:00 9 – Eye To Eye – 3:56 10 – Melody Of Praise – 3:48
I first met Linda Elias at the Frontline Records offices some time in 1989 when Brian Tong (VP) and Mike MacLane (Marketing and A&R) asked me to come over and hear a new artist they had just signed. His name was Rick Elias. I was working for the Benson Company (Frontline’s distributor) and had just moved back from a year in the Washington DC area. Over the years I had grown accustomed to going by the office regularly (when working for Maranatha Village) and listening to the newest music. This was different. This time they called me. There must have been something very special about this new signee, Rick Elias. Much will be discussed regarding Rick as time goes on! And there was! It was there I first met Linda. She was one of the kindest people I had met and I instantly enjoyed talking to her and discovered that she was part of the Confessions (Rick’s band) and had this great, melodic pop voice that was very much in tune with what was happening in music at the time. A little Belinda Carlisle and a little Susanna Hoffs with a sweetness to the voice. I was very excited to hear Linda’s solo project, “The Meaning of Love,” and it did not disappoint. Immediately the album kicks off with a Belinda Carlisle like title track. Like most of the album the song was written by Linda and Rick. Most of the album stays within this same lane, except a real standout with “Your’s and Mine,” a duet with her esteemed singer songwriter husband, Rick. This tune should have been a legitimate mainstream radio hit. The juxtaposition of Linda’s sweet, at times lilty voice and Rick’s strained and edgy style worked so well together. The blatant Gospel message, though, most likely would have doomed it. Special kudos to great sax solo by Li’l Stevie Crum. Solid throughout, it unfortunately was the only release for Linda.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – The Meaning Of Love – 3:38 2 – Don’t Ever Stop – 3:22 3 – Miracle – 3:25 4 – Make My Heart Like Yours – 4:12 5 – My Only One – 3:27 6 – Don’t Take Your Love Away – 4:20 7 – All I Can Do – 4:06 8 – Your’s And Mine – 3:30 9 – Where There’s Love – 3:49 10 – I Believe In You – 3:17
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Rick Elias Backing Vocals – Dave Jahnsen, Julie Robbins, Linda Elias, Rick Elias Bass Guitar – Kelly Burns Design – Lark Drums – Doug Mathews Electric Guitar – Glenn Pearce Engineer – Dave Jahnsen Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Gavin Morkel Keyboards – Linda Elias, Tim Elias Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen, Rick Elias Photography By – Kevin Break Piano – Michele Garcia Producer – Rick Elias Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Tim Elias Soprano Saxophone – Lil Stevie Crum (tracks: 8) Vocals – Linda Elias
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Wonderland Copyright (c) – Wonderland Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – McCrummy Music Studio Mixed At – Mixing Lab A Mastered At – Future Disc Manufactured By – JVC
This was Tom’s first album. Myrrh / Word Records took a real chance on Tom as he was actually Catholic and not evangelical. I’m actually quite surprised they took this chance but it was a good idea as he was quite well received. He had been working in secular music with no success and his faith called him to do Christian music. This album is a little heavy on the worship tracks and strangely none of them singled. Several were certainly good enough for the CCM charts but I suspect there was some hesitance due to his denomination. There are a few good pop tracks and I really like “I Know What Love’s About”. CCM needed more songs like this. HIs next album is better and much better known so if you liked his second album, Shadowboxing, you should give this one a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Walk That Talk 2 – The Call 3 – Messiah 4 – (You’re Only As) Sick As Your Secrets 5 – Piece Of The Mountaintop 6 – HGT (Heavy Guilt Trip) 7 – Thank You For Loving Me 8 – I Know What Love’s About 9 – Live On In My Love 10 – Just Passing Through
