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 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
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
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
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.
Along with Julie Miller, Leslie (Sam) Phillips is the only female artist to have four albums included on this list. It was very close to five but Powder Room Politics was a deal breaker. Phillips began her career singing backing vocals for other LA based Myrrh artists like Randy Stonehill, David Edwards and Mark Heard. It was while singing backing vocals on Mark Heards classic “Victims of the Age” album that she heard the song “Heart of Hearts” that she would cover on this album and would become her first of several career hits. As much as the label would push her as the Christian Cyndi Lauper, only a few cuts from Dancing With Danger would really qualify. The only comparison was the high pitched, young girl sounding voice (similar to Julie Miller in many ways), for Leslie was more rock than pop and more lyricist than entertainer. BSN is filled with so many amazing and lasting songs that there actually no real forgettable songs. Michael Landua’s impressive guitar work (similar to Dann Huff and Steve Lukather) was unfortunately lost often in Jack Joseph Puig’s mixes. I have often wondered if the record company requested that the album be softened in the mix as it has been a constant frustration just how such impressive guitar work would be so stifled in the production. Songs like Hourglass, Heart in Me, Bring Me Through and He’s Gonna Hear You Crying deliver the rock goods that deserve a remix and remastering at some point. Phillips also proved early that she could bring a ballad with passion and transparency sorely lacking from female artists at the time. I’m Finding became a huge radio hit while the title track and Heart of Hearts show the strength of an artists that is rarely seen on a debut project. Phillips would go one to be one of the important, prominent and perplexing artist in CCM history,
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Hourglass – 3:28 2 – Gina – 3:24 3 – Put Your Heart In Me – 4:00 4 – I’m Finding – 3:23 5 – Beyond Saturday Night – 4:27 6 – Bring Me Through – 4:43 7 – Heart Of Hearts – 3:14 8 – Will They Love Him – 4:31 9 – He’s Gonna Hear You Cryin’ – 3:10 10 – Let Me Give – 3:42
Credits Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Brian Duncan, Leslie Phillips Bass – Leland Sklar, Nathan East Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Susan Pyron Design [Album Design] – Paradise Graphics, Paul Gross, Steve Elowe Drums – Carlos Vega Executive-Producer – Doug Corbin Guitar – Michael Landau, Randy Thomas Keyboards – John Schreiner, John Hobbs, Robbie Buchanan Liner Notes – Davin Seay, Leslie Mastered By – Doug Sax, Mike Reese Photography By – Aaron Rapoport Producer, Recorded By – Jack Joseph Puig Synthesizer – John Schreiner, John Hobbs
Companies, etc. Record Company – Myrrh Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ25989 Published By – Word Music (2) Published By – Cutting Edge Music Published By – Maranatha! Music Published By – Bug & Bear Music Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Recorded At – Goldmine West Recorded At – Mama Jo’s Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
After the dissolution of Daniel Band Guitarist/Vocalist Toni Rossi did a couple of solo projects. This is the first of those 2 projects. If you like Daniel Band you should like this album. It has a Hard Rock sound and is not that far a departure from Daniel Band. It does have a blues feel in places which Rossi does extremely well. It appears that Rossi put together an entirely new band for this project as no members of Daniel Band are credited as contributing to the album. The album was partly produced by Wolf Hassel who Canadians might be familiar with as he was in Sheriff and Frozen Ghost. I can’t find any other connection of him to Christian music so this was probably more of a professional arrangement. Toni did do one more album after this one using the moniker “TRB” (Toni Rossi Band).
Tracklist 1 – Down Where The Love Grows – 3:55 2 – Sooner Or Later – 5:03 3 – Ain’t Nobody Gonna – 4:00 4 – Not What It Seems – 3:24 5 – Love In The City – 5:37 6 – Candles – 0:48 7 – Higher – 4:53 8 – I.C.Y. – 4:38 9 – Love Followed Me Home – 4:23 10 – One Way Inn – 4:11 11 – Dry The Tears – 4:38
Credits Toni Rossi – Vocals, Guitars, Backing vocals Frank Catrambone – Drums Lynn Fuhr – Backing Vocals David Graham – Keyboards, Backing vocals John Hughes – Drums Wayne Morgan – Bass, Backing vocals Sam Sundarsingh – Backing vocals Steven Jones – Cover Design, Illustrations Michael Sarracini – Engineer, Producer Wolf D. Hassel – Producer
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Spectra Distribution Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
This is the 1994 CD re-release of the Randy Stonehill album “The Sky Is Falling”. Larry seemed to take forever to re-release this album on CD but let’s remember that the album was originally recorded in 1977 but Larry didn’t get around to releasing it until 1980. This album marked the end of the relationship between Randy and Larry as they went their separate ways. It’s never been confirmed but I think we can pretty well assume the friendship ended because Larry was seeing Randy’s wife behind his back. Again I’m not saying that was the reason but I think it’s a safe assumption. The album has a couple stand out tracks, “The Great American Cure” is one of Larry’s great comedy tunes and my favourite track is “Trouble Coming”, a great Rock & Roll tune. Tom Howard is all over the album on keyboards and you can hear his great work very clear. The CD features bonus material none of which really stood out for me but perhaps the better mix of “Teen King”. The Greenbelt performance of “Good News” was also a pleasant surprise.
Tracklist
1 – One True Love – 4:17
2 – Bad Fruit – 5:08
3 – Jamey’s Got The Blues – 4:08
4 – Through The Glass Darkly – 5:53
5 – The Great American Cure – 3:59
6 – Venezuela – 7:01
7 – Emily – 5:41
8 – Trouble Coming – 4:48
9 – Counterfeit King [Alternate Mix] – 5:16
10 – Teen King [Alternate Mix] – 4:42
11 – Postcards From The Heart [Letter To My Family] – 5:19
12 – King Of Hearts [The Orchestral Version] – 3:14
13 – Good News [Live From Greenbelt] – 4:54
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Arranged By – Larry Norman
Artwork – Larry Norman
Autoharp – Larry Norman
Backing Vocals – Sarah Finch
Bass – Dave Coy
Bass – Billy Batstone
Design – Larry Norman
Drums – Alex MacDougall, Peter Johnson
Electric Bass – Larry Norman
Electric Guitar – Jon Linn, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Engineer – Andrew “Just Like That” Johns, Ken Suesov
Graphics – Heidi And Co. Graphics
Graphics [Graphic Printing] – Dan Meireis
Harmonica – Larry Norman
Harmony Vocals – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Keyboards – Tom Howard
Koto – Larry Norman
Layout [CD Booklet] – Makasiyowin, Overmeyer
Lead Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Marimba – Larry Norman
Mixed By – Ken Suesov
Orchestra – Tom Howard
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Photography – Larry Norman
Piano – Larry Norman, Tom Howard
Producer – Larry Norman
Slide Guitar – Jon Linn
Songwriter – Randy Stonehill
Steel Drums – Larry Norman
Synth [Moog] – Tom Howard
Vocals – Steve Scott
Companies, etc.
Published By – King Of Hearts
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Solid Rock Records
Copyright (c) – Solid Rock Records
Copyright (c) – Street Level Records
Manufactured By – Creative Sound Corp.
Distributed By – Sonrise Music Co.
Printed By – L. Grafix
Glass Mastered At – Technicolor – 100944
This is the 1994 CD re-release of the Randy Stonehill album “The Sky Is Falling”. Larry seemed to take forever to re-release this album on CD but let’s remember that the album was originally recorded in 1977 but Larry didn’t get around to releasing it until 1980. This album marked the end of the relationship between Randy and Larry as they went their separate ways. It’s never been confirmed but I think we can pretty well assume the friendship ended because Larry was seeing Randy’s wife behind his back. Again I’m not saying that was the reason but I think it’s a safe assumption. The album has a couple stand out tracks, “The Great American Cure” is one of Larry’s great comedy tunes and my favourite track is “Trouble Coming”, a great Rock & Roll tune. Tom Howard is all over the album on keyboards and you can hear his great work very clear. The CD features bonus material none of which really stood out for me but perhaps the better mix of “Teen King”. The Greenbelt performance of “Good News” was also a pleasant surprise.
Tracklist 1 – One True Love – 4:17 2 – Bad Fruit – 5:08 3 – Jamey’s Got The Blues – 4:08 4 – Through The Glass Darkly – 5:53 5 – The Great American Cure – 3:59 6 – Venezuela – 7:01 7 – Emily – 5:41 8 – Trouble Coming – 4:48 9 – Counterfeit King [Alternate Mix] – 5:16 10 – Teen King [Alternate Mix] – 4:42 11 – Postcards From The Heart [Letter To My Family] – 5:19 12 – King Of Hearts [The Orchestral Version] – 3:14 13 – Good News [Live From Greenbelt] – 4:54
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill Arranged By – Larry Norman Artwork – Larry Norman Autoharp – Larry Norman Backing Vocals – Sarah Finch Bass – Dave Coy Bass – Billy Batstone Design – Larry Norman Drums – Alex MacDougall, Peter Johnson Electric Bass – Larry Norman Electric Guitar – Jon Linn, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill Engineer – Andrew “Just Like That” Johns, Ken Suesov Graphics – Heidi And Co. Graphics Graphics [Graphic Printing] – Dan Meireis Harmonica – Larry Norman Harmony Vocals – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill Keyboards – Tom Howard Koto – Larry Norman Layout [CD Booklet] – Makasiyowin, Overmeyer Lead Vocals – Randy Stonehill Marimba – Larry Norman Mixed By – Ken Suesov Orchestra – Tom Howard Percussion – Alex MacDougall Photography – Larry Norman Piano – Larry Norman, Tom Howard Producer – Larry Norman Slide Guitar – Jon Linn Songwriter – Randy Stonehill Steel Drums – Larry Norman Synth [Moog] – Tom Howard Vocals – Steve Scott
Companies, etc. Published By – King Of Hearts Phonographic Copyright (p) – Solid Rock Records Copyright (c) – Solid Rock Records Copyright (c) – Street Level Records Manufactured By – Creative Sound Corp. Distributed By – Sonrise Music Co. Printed By – L. Grafix Glass Mastered At – Technicolor – 100944
This was the first on label release for Barren Cross. They had released a self produced EP “Believe” in 1985 that was well received so Star Song gave them a one album deal. They went back into the studio and recorded 3 more tracks to add to their previous 6 songs from the EP. Dino Elefante sat down and mixed it all up for this release. I’m relatively sure Star Song was watching the success of Stryper at this time so they wanted to jump head long into the Metal scene. That said this album does not really compare to Stryper. It is much less commercial sounding and has a much more raw metal sound. I didn’t listen to this style of music back then but I’d be interested to know how Stryper fans reacted to this album. It must have been well received overall as Enigma Records immediately signed the band up for 2 albums. This album was re-released in 1990 by Medusa Records (a division of The Enigma Records) with 6 bonus live tracks (this is the version here).
Tracklist
1 – Dying Day – 3:27
2 – He Loves You – 4:32
3 – It’s All Come True – 4:02
4 – Believe – 2:16
5 – Going Nowhere – 3:47
6 – Killer Of The Unborn (Live) – 3:56
7 – Rock For The King – 5:03
8 – Give Your Life – 2:53
9 – Just A Touch – 3:27
10 – Light The Flame – 5:22
11 – Dead Lock (Live) – 4:20
12 – Cultic Regimes (Live) – 2:47
13 – He Loves You (Live) – 4:13
14 – Living Dead (Live) – 7:11
15 – Heaven Or Nothing (Live) – 4:59
Credits
Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Jim LaVerde
Concept By [Cover] – Barren Cross
Drums – Steve Whitaker
Engineer [Second] – Matt Cerbin, Mike Miereu
Guitar – Ray Parris
Other [Hair] – Carla
Other [Make-up] – Lisa Kawasaki
Photography By – Ken Baley, Linda Dillon Baley
Producer, Engineer – Dino Elefante
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Mike Lee
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Pressed By – Discovery Systems
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
