Category: Albums

Mark Farner – Some Kind Of Wonderful – 1991

This was Farner’s 3rd and final album with Frontline Records. In fact this would be his last album on a major label though he did continue getting his music out there on smaller labels/self releases. Interestingly he chose to cover his Grand Funk Railroad’s cover of “Some Kind Of Wonderful” which he rewrote as an evangelical song and it is pretty darn good. The rest of the album is an excellent selection of Rock & Roll tracks in the spirit of Grand Funk. While Mark didn’t have a regular band he did stick to the same studio musicians for his band and usually toured with them. So we have another great Rock & Roll album that is a must listen if straight up rock is your thing. Mark is another unappreciated artist of the period who could have easily made a fortune in the secular industry but chose to make almost nothing in the Christian market.

Tracklist
1 – Some Kind Of Wonderful – 4:46
2 – Love From Above – 4:10
3 – Without You – 4:50
4 – Not Yet – 4:43
5 – Attitude Of Gratitude – 3:41
6 – All The Way – 4:19
7 – With Me Anywhere – 4:13
8 – Conflict – 3:55
9 – The Vision – 4:18
10 – Well Done – 4:23

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bill Baumgart, Jean McClain, Lawrence Buckner, Mark Farner, Mike Maple
Bass – Lawrence Buckner
Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Beth Jahnsen
Drums – Mike Maple
Engineer – Bill Baumgart, Dave Jahnsen
Keyboards – Tim Heintz
Lead Guitar – Arnaldo Vilches, Glenn Pearce
Lead Vocals [Additional] – Lawrence Buckner
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen
Photography By – Wayne Armstrong
Producer – Bill Baumgart
Saxophone [Sax], Flute – Brandon Fields

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Record Company – Frontline Music Group
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Produced For – Asylomar Productions
Published By – Righteous Rock
Published By – Dandelion Music

David And The Giants – Distant Journey – 1990

In a proper world David And The Giants would be touring today playing medium sized venues all over North America and Europe. Unfortunately that’s not how things turned out and the world turned their backs on great Christian artists from the 80’s and instead they are playing the Church circuit. There was a variety of reasons but that’s for another day. What I’m saying is that they had over 20 albums and were a mainstay of the Christian music scene and they deserve proper recognition. As for the album it’s another great rock pop album from the Huff family. This was the first album with Lance Huff (David’s son) replacing Keith Thibodeaux (Keith did return in 2006 for select concerts and albums). I never got a chance to see them live back in the day and I really wish I could have as their music is right up my alley.

Tracklist
1 – Never Had It So Good – 4:08
2 – Time On My Side – 4:01
3 – Anchored Deep – 4:33
4 – Always On My Mind – 4:19
5 – Do You Feel What I Feel – 4:51
6 – Quiet Faith – 3:34
7 – Tear It Down – 3:48
8 – Let Go Let God – 4:27
9 – Can’t Live Without You – 3:42
10 – Distant Journey – 3:42
11 – Won’t Stop Believing – 4:17
12 – Easy Loving You – 3:49

Credits
Backing Vocals – Clayborn Huff, David Huff, Kellye Huff, Rayborn Huff, Tim Pedigo
Bass Guitar – Clayborn Huff
Design – Barbara Keller
Drums – Lance Huff
Engineer – David Huff, Rayborn Huff, Scott Carter
Guitar – David Huff
Harmonica – Rayborn Huff
Keyboards – Rayborn Huff
Lead Vocals – David Huff
Mandolin – David Huff
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Lance Huff
Photography By – Harold Head
Producer – David Huff
Programmed By – Rayborn Huff
Programmed By [Additional] – Nate Sabin
Saxophone – David Huff

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Giant Records
Copyright © – Giant Records
Recorded At – Huff Recording Studios
Mastered At – Mastermix
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-008848

Prophecy – Take It To The Streets – 1982 – Full Album

There was a huge Gospel soul music scene in LA in the 80’s that is not often spoken of by the mainstream CCM movement. Several LA groups released self produced albums and they sold well in the soul music community. This is one of those oddball albums. It was self produced but appears to have been well known at the time. Most of the musicians on this album were/are accomplished studio musicians so there’s no shortage of talent here. Unfortunately any more information on this group has been lost to time. This was the only full length album we would get from Prophecy but they did have a 3 track single released in 1984 which is even more obscure. Anyway this is a great soul album and if that’s your style of music this is one to listen to.

Tracklist
1 – Never Be Ashamed – 4:38
2 – He’s My God – 4:07
3 – Do You Keep His Commandments – 4:04
4 – The Race Of Life – 4:38
5 – Oh How I Love That Name – 5:12
6 – Take It To The Streets – 2:58
7 – He Died For You And I – 5:15
8 – Somebody’s Watching You – 4:31

Credits
Drums – George Bell
Electric Piano – Rodney Friend
Engineer – Tony Modster
Engineer, Mixed By – Monty Seward
Executive-Producer, Design [Cover] – David Moch
Guitar – Ernie Jefferson
Horns – Arthur Manley, Reggie Young, Rodney Taylor
Mixed By – Phillip Nicholas
Percussion – Nathan Alford
Piano – Beverly Calvin
Producer – Karvin Johnson
Producer, Written-By, Bass, Mixed By – J.R. Edmonds
Strings – Gail Winn, John Sims, Joseph Taylor, Yvette Devereaux
Vocals [Extra] – Brenda “Halloway” Davis, “Nicholas”

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Creative Gospel Inc.
Published By – Mojeco
Published By – Cojemo
Recorded At – C.B.A. Recording Studios
Lacquer Cut At – K Disc Mastering

Trade Secret – Trade Secret – 1987

I’m going to preface this by saying I can not find anything about this group so I’m only pulling information essentially from the album sleeve. The band first came to my attention when I found one of their tracks on The Strait Tapes – Volume III. I subsequently discovered they had a demo in 1986 and an album in 1987. This is that 1987 album. The band appears to be a group of studio musicians that came together. They all have a pretty good appearance record performing on some great U.K. CCM classics. As for the album it is a strong Pop performance with very strong vocals from Julie Moon (Costello). This is another one that was only released in the U.K. but is easily good enough to have had a worldwide release but it was not on an international label. Edge Records never really had proper U.S. distribution which I find odd considering they were a Sub-label of Kingsway Music which we’re a pretty big label. Chances are most of you have never heard this one so take the time to give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Tragedy – 3:06
2 – Say – 3:23
3 – You’re Here – 4:37
4 – With or Without You – 3:43
5 – What Y’Gonna Do – 3:33
6 – Don’t Take No (For An Answer) – 3:52
7 – This Time – 3:55
8 – Stand By Me – 3:54
9 – Searching For Heaven – 5:00
10 – If I Don’t Have You – 4:20

Credits
Backing Vocals – Belinda Moon, Julie Moon, Mal Pope
Bass – Les Moir
Design – James Kessell
Drums – Bobby Clarke
Guitar – Neil Costello
Keyboards – Mal Pope
Mixed By – Les Moir, Neil Costello
Percussion – Karlos Edwards
Photography By – Branka Jukić
Producer – Mal Pope, Neil Costello
Saxophone – Dave Fitzgerald*
Voice – Julie Moon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Copyright © – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Recorded At – ICC Studios
Distributed By – Kingsway Music, Nye Toner, Finngospel, Sephora Diffusion, La Sorgente Music, GMI Records, Master Music, Master-Vision-S.A., Kir Music, Premier Music, Viva Music

Dieter Falk – Instrumental Journey – 1987

I recently listened to Falk’s second album and really liked it. This is his first album but I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much. I’m a little confused at this album because it appears it was first released in 1985 in Germany with the title “This Time” on Pila Records. It appears it was re-released in 1987 with this title on Myrrh. I was originally thinking that the 1985 release was a German release and this was the English release. One problem with that is that it’s an instrumental album so there wouldn’t be a need for releases in different language. Anyway let’s discuss the album quickly. It is another synth album with a lot of great synth instrumental tracks. I don’t think it’s as good as his second release but it is good but nothing here is going in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Now Thank We All Our God – 3:00
2 – Jesus, Priceless Treasure – 5:17
3 – You And Me – 2:39
4 – Praise To The Lord Thee Almighty – 3:27
5 – Exalt Thy Name My Soul – 1:36
6 – Come Holy Ghost – 3:07
7 – Nobody Knows – 3:34
8 – Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying – 2:37
9 – Don’t Run Away – 3:52
10 – Angelika’s Song – 3:30

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Werner Hucks
Arranged By – Dieter Falk
Bass – Hemi Jost
Drums – Martin Stoeck
Engineer [Assistant] – Andreas Claus
Flugelhorn – Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey
Flute – Arnd Schuler
Guitar – Lothar Kosse
Keyboards, Producer – Dieter Falk
Percussion – Thomas Adam
Photography By – Volker Rittinghaus
Programmed By – Thomas Adam
Recorded By – Michael Obst
Recorder – Conny Ende
Remix – John Guess
Trumpet – Chuck Findley
Trumpet [Piccolo Trumpet] – Jerry Hey

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pila Music
Copyright © – Pila Music

Lloyd Bustard – Private Soul – 1991

I don’t really know too much about Bustard, but it appears he had been writing for David & The Giants for a few years in the late 80s. As this album was put out on their label I’m assuming David Huff was behind the project. All the musicians on the album are Huffs, and David produced the album. Other than that I can’t tell you much about Bustard. This is his only album of the era, though he did self-produce a couple albums in the 2000s. As for the album, it’s a pretty good pop album that leans a little more to the mellow side, but I really liked it. This is one of those albums that everyone probably missed, but it’s pretty good and deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – God Came Near – 4:31
2 – I Know The Feeling – 4:03
3 – When The Son Comes Down – 4:21
4 – You’re My Only Hope – 4:17
5 – Lose The Battle Win The War – 3:31
6 – Praise Is The Answer – 4:02
7 – Man After God’s Own Heart – 3:40
8 – Everything To Me – 3:47
9 – Amen Hallelujah – 3:51
10 – Praise Him Face To Face – 4:25

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Nate Sabin
Art Direction, Design – Scott Elia
Backing Vocals – David Huff, James Bolton, Kellye Huff, Lloyd Bustard, Tim Pedigo, Vicky Yohe
Bass Guitar – Clayborn Huff
Drums – Lance Huff
Engineer – David Huff, Rayborn Huff, Scott Carter
Guitar – David Huff
Keyboards – Nate Sabin, Rayborn Huff
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Musical Assistance – Scott Carter
Photography By – Harold Head
Producer – David Huff
Remix – David Huff
Saxophone – David Huff

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Mastermix
Recorded At – Huff Recording Studios
Published By – Huff, Huff And Huff Publishing
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-010834

White Ray – The First Sin – 1989

White Ray was the name for Killed By Cain before they were signed to their first record deal. They had a few demo’s and this is their second one. I don’t really know much about the history of the band but the guys over at Christian Tape Underground say they had connections with Bride and yes you can hear it here. I’ll be honest I far prefer this work to their Killed By Cain work. This has a throaty sound and is close to arena rock in some places. As I always say, this genre of music wasn’t for me but these guys were tight and knew what they were doing. There was so much talent in the Christian Metal genre it still surprises me as I never listened to it in the day. Matthew Hunt over at Retroactive Records released all of the White Ray demo’s on CD in 2019 so this recording is around in the used market. Anyway here’s some raw metal done right.

Images courtesy of – Christian Tape Underground

Tracklist
1 – The First Sin – 5:05
2 – Blood On My Hands – 4:38
3 – Charades Behind the Glass – 5:10
4 – To Die Is To Gain – 4:53

Credits
John Warren – Vocals
Anthony Bowling – Guitar
Steve Curtsinger – Bass
Shaun Hansbrough – Drums

Connie Scott – Live To Tell – 1992

This was the final studio album we would get from Connie. In Christmas of 1992 Connie was touring again with David Meece and she decided that it was time to come off the road and settled into married life just outside of Vancouver with her husband Grant and two boys Kellen and Linden. In October of 2007 the Gospel Music Association of Canada honored Connie’s pioneering efforts in Christian music by presenting her with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. This album followed the successful recipe that Producer Roy Salmond had applied on her previous 5 albums. It’s another great pop album with strong vocals and great songwriting. Connie was one of the greatest female Christian vocalists of the era but unfortunately she never got the recognition she should have as she was always overshadowed by larger U.S. artists even if she was a far better vocalist.

Tracklist
1 – Walk To The Well – 4:20
2 – Healing Waters – 5:04
3 – Little Joey Run – 4:21
4 – Angels – 4:22
5 – Play This Game – 5:16
6 – Starting Now – 4:30
7 – Inside My Piano – 4:25
8 – You Were Falling In Love With Me – 4:05
9 – Waiting In Cars – 4:21
10 – Don’t Ever Stop Believin’ – 3:34
11 – I Lift Up My Voice – 5:05

Credits
Arranged By – Roy Salmond
Arranged By [Vocals] – Connie Scott, Roy Salmond
Art Direction, Sleeve – Nancy S Yeasting
Executive-Producer – Grant Saip
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Photography By – Jane Weitzel Studios
Producer – Roy Salmond
Recorded By, Mixed By – David R H Slagter

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Image 7 Music Inc.
Copyright © – Image 7 Music Inc.
Manufactured By – Image 7 Music Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Made By – Disque Americ
Produced For – Whitewater Productions, Richmond, B.C.
Recorded At – Whitewater Studio
Mixed At – Whitewater Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc

The Maranatha Singers – The Praise Album – 1974

This is not the type of album we would normally upload as it is more Worship oriented. That said The Maranatha Singers are part of CCM history. If you don’t know The Maranatha! Singers were the in-house choir of praise & worship label Maranatha! Music and featured many artists that we would know better for their future Rock oriented releases. On this album alone are Chuck Girard, Erick Nelson, John Mehler, and many more. This album turned into a series of 20 albums but this one is rather famous for the Karen Lafferty song “Seek Ye First”. So while this may not be what we usually listen to it’s still an important piece of CCM history.

Tracklist
1 – Heavenly Father – 3:39
2 – Father I Adore You – 2:31
3 – Praise The Lord – 4:50
4 – Praise The Lord Together – 1:15
5 – Thy Loving Kindness – 2:12
6 – Set My Spirit Free – 3:43
7 – Bring My Body Closer – 3:28
8 – Love (One Another) – 3:02
9 – Seek Ye First/Matt 6:33 – 2:45
10 – Cause Me To Come 2:36
11 – Holy, Thou Art Holy – 2:36
12 – Peace Give I To Thee – 3:03

Credits
Arranged By [String And Horn Arrangements] – Pete Jacobs
Design [Album Design], Artwork By – Kernie Erickson, Neal Buchanan
Horns – Bob Lund, Brooks Grier, John McIntyre, Kris Holmes, Ron Minor
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Musician – Bill Bradford, Bill Sprouse, Bruce Herring, Chuck Girard, Dana Angle, Dave Rios, Denny Stahl, Erick Nelson, Ernie Rettino, Gary Arthur, Jan Luxumbourg, Jay Truax, John Mehler, John Wickham, Karen Lafferty, Linda Broadbent, Marsha Stevens, Mike Fickling, Nancy Hawthorne, Pete Jacobs, Russ Stevens, Terrye Coelho, Tom Stipe, Tom Coomes, Wendy Carter
Photography By [Cover Photo] – David Burgin
Producer – Tom Coomes
Strings – Al Barr, Bobby Bruce, George Poole, John Santulio, Mark Kovacs, Nate Gershman, Walt Wiemeyer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Nia – Carry Me – 1989

Here we go with another European artist I never heard of. This is actually her third album, but she has several more, making her an artist I should have heard of. I have not listened to her first 2 albums yet, but this one is great. It’s a solid female pop album that leans a little more easy listening. No, it’s not a bunch of number one hits, but it is good. Nia is a great singer, and these are some great songs here. I have no idea who wrote them because there are no credits on the album, and information about this album is pretty sparse. This, however, was her last album until 1997, as the industry became difficult for her. She was hit with a plethora of rumours that we will not repeat, but Nia says they were all untrue, but they tarnished her view of the industry. She did overcome this nonsense and released another album in 1997 and several after that.

Tracklist
1 – Christian – 3:58
2 – Seek – 4:02
3 – Don’t Look Down – 3:19
4 – Rumours – 2:45
5 – The Way Ahead – 2:42
6 – Covered – 3:36
7 – Tears That Fall – 2:56
8 – Carry Me – 3:47
9 – Pray For Me – 3:37
10 – We Will Love You – 3:17

Credits
Bass – Tim Harries
Drum Programming – Martin Neil
Drums – Carl McGregor
Guitar – Ian Price
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Nia
Producer, Arranged By – Steve Thompson

Companies, etc.
Licensed To – Mega Production – MPCD 202
Distributed By – Grand Slam Europe