T-Bone changes it up a bit for this album. It’s essentially an acoustic guitar country album. That said T-Bone is one of those artists that it is difficult to squeeze into a particular style category. I categorize all music flowing through the studio here but in the end I have given up on categorizing T-Bone. Instead I have just categorized all his work as T-Bone. I had to do a similar thing with Larry Norman. So far that’s the only 2 artists I have done this with. The album has a bit of an odd label lineage. It was first rereleased on Dot Records which is a pretty oddball label but just the nest year it ended up on MCA Records. Finally it showed up on Universal which is just odd. Anyway if You’re a T-Bone fan you will like this one but if this is the first T-Bone album you have listened to I suspect you won’t enjoy it much and quite frankly it’s not really representative of his work so give a different album a listen before deciding if you like him or not.
Tracklist 1 – River Of Love – 3:30 2 – Poison Love – 2:33 3 – Shake Yourself Loose – 3:00 4 – No Love At All – 2:54 5 – Annabelle Lee – 5:01 6 – I Remember (Instrumental) – 2:21 7 – I Remember – 3:39 8 – Little Daughter – 3:29 9 – Oh No Darling – 3:49 10 – Time – 4:59 11 – Little Daughter (Instrumental) – 3:23 12 – Song To A Dead Man – 3:34 13 – Bird That I Held In My Hand – 3:04
Credits Dobro, Lap Steel Guitar – Jerry Douglas Double Bass [String Bass] – Jerry Scheff Fiddle – Byron Berline Guitar, Accordion, Vocals – David Hidalgo Producer – David Miner Recorded By – Rik Pekkonen Snare – Steve Duncan Vocals – Billy Swan
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – MCA Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – MCA Records, Inc. Manufactured By – MCA Records Canada Distributed By – MCA Records Canada
This was Russ’s first album after leaving the Imperials and I’m pretty sure it’s success confirmed to him that he had made the right decision by going solo. The lead single “We Will Stand” sat at #1 on the CCM charts for 15 weeks. That’s a pretty respectable first album single. He also won the 1983 Grammy award for Best Male Gospel Performance. As for the album I’m pretty sure Myrrh records pulled out all the stops as the production quality and over all quality of the album is very high. If your a fan of Russ’s albums after this one you might be surprised a bit at how mellow this one is. It is definitely a transition of styles from the Imperials to his more rock style on subsequent albums. We did get a hint of what was to come with “Inside Look” which is actually a pretty darn good Rock track. While this album doesn’t make many “Best of the 80’s” lists I think it probably deserves a spot.
Tracklist 1 – Tell Them – 4:23 2 – Walls Of Glass – 3:57 3 – I Want To Change – 5:05 4 – Pure In Heart – 3:59 5 – We Will Stand – 4:37 6 – Jeremiah – 4:02 7 – Inside Look – 4:01 8 – Just Believe – 4:26 9 – Kathryn’s Song – 4:24 10 – Unto The Lamb – 2:42
Credits Mike Baird – Drums Laury Boone Browning – Choir, Background Vocals Bonnie Bramlett – Background Vocals Raymond Brown – Songwriter Harry Browning – Choir Robbie Buchanan – Songwriter, Synthesizer Bass, Rhodes, Synthesizer Don Cason – Choir Lenny Castro – Percussion Bill Champlin – Background Vocals Tamara Champlin – Background Vocals Cynthia Clawson – Choir Ragan Courtney – Choir Charlotte Crossley – Background Vocals Nathan East – Bass Daniel Garcia – Assistant Engineer Bill George – Songwriter, Rhodes Gary Grant – Horns John Hammond – Drums Joann Harris – Background Vocals Susan Pyron Heard – Choir Jerry Hey – Horn Arrangements, Horns James Hollihan – Songwriter, Guitar Richard Hopkins – Bass Abraham Laboriel – Bass Michael Landau – Guitar David Lasley – Background Vocals, Choir Charlie Loper – Horns Arnold McCuller – Choir, Background Vocals Dony McGuire – Background Vocals Bobby Messano – Choir James Newton Howard – Songwriter, Piano, Synthesizer Michael Omartian – Songwriter, Piano, Rhodes, Synthesizer Stormie Omartian – Songwriter Jeff Porcaro – Drums Frank Previte – Choir, Background Vocals Jack Joseph Puig – Vocal Production, Engineer Reba Rambo – Background Vocals Patti Roberts – Songwriter Doug Sax – Mastered Bill Schnee – Producer, Engineer David Schober – Assistant Engineer Russ Taff – Songwriter, Vocals Tori Taff – Songwriter, Choir Keith Thomas – Songwriter Carmen Twillie – Background Vocals Marty Walsh – Guitar Ernie Watts – Horns, Sax Solo Gary Whitlock – Choir
Companies, etc. Record Company – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △26106
The definitive and original Christian progressive rock album, Beyond the Crystal Sea is the masterpiece of an artist that may be one of the most important people in the history of all of rock music that very few may even be aware of.Musicians around the world have been indebted to Hotz’s work and may not even realize it. He is the inventor of the Hotz Box, Midi Vest, Atari Hotz Box, MIDI Translator and host of other commonly used and creatively important electronic advances. In fact, Hotz is also responsible for integrating 3D Graphics and manipulating their movement through computer technology. Hidden amongst his technological achievements is also a brilliant composer, arranger, instrumentalist and songwriter. his musical vision met his technological genius ion 1980’s brilliant Gospel themed “Beyond the crystal Sea.” Like much or progressive rock Hotz borrows from fantasy literature and themes and infuses them into clear Biblical messages. This album is “Art Rock” at its finest. Fans of early Genesis and experimental rock fans of Yes, King Crimson and Pink Floyd will love what Hotz creates here. Songs are complex, with intricate changes and musical instrumental breaks interspersed with more commercial rock vocal influences. But one great joy is Hotz ability to remain accessible with this album and not alienate those outside of the limited “art rock” fan base. There are layers of vocals, keyboards and guitars creating a much larger than life wall of sound. There is no doubt that modern Progressive Rock legends like Dream Theatre and Neal Morse were heavily influenced and inspired by Hotz’s work. It should also be noted that Hotz also had a hand in producing the classic Ark Angel album to be discussed later.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Observations Of A Larger Reality – 8:32 2 – Night Passage – 2:12 3 – Vision Ship – 5:35 4 – Teton – 3:18 5 – Beyond The Blues – 4:53 6 – Alpine Magic – 1:42 7 – From Love Life Did Begin – 4:37 8 – Long, Long Ago – 5:47 9 – The Gates Of Time – 3:45
Credits Artwork By [Front Cover Art By] – Bruce Eagle Backing Vocals [Vocals (Backup)] – Bob Farrell, Carol Chambers Bass – Brian Tankersley, Wayne Six Concept By [Cover Concept By] – Jimmy Hotz Drums – Gary Ingram, Rocky Mountain, Russell Dunlap Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Brian Tankersley Keyboards – Paul Mills, Phil Huston Layout – Lex Zachary Producer, Engineer – Jimmy Hotz Recorder – Kemper Crabb Remastered By – J. Powell Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards – Jimmy Hotz
Companies, etc. Remastered At – Steinhaus Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders Mixed At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Larry apparently released this album almost grudgingly because he did not have many decent live recordings from this era of his touring and there were bootlegs making the rounds that he didn’t like. Larry stopped distributing Roll Away The Stone (although he continued to encourage people to buy it if they could find it), and he considered Live At The Mac a better version of that. The combination of bad recordings and bad timing haunted Larry’s late 70s work. He was touring but never did get good recordings done with a full band. Later works like the Live At Flevo recordings made up for it in a way, but they are not the same as Larry in this era. To hear it as it was, all we have are some bootlegs and some primitive recordings. This concert was August 18, 1979 in Eugene, Oregon. This CD was released in 1998 through Solid Rock Records and apparently only 200 were made, although some later versions were evidently sold by Solid Rock that were done up as CD-R with the same packaging.
Tracklist 1 – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus – 4:58 2 – I’ve Searched All Around The World – 5:33 3 – Soul On Fire – 6:48 4 – Watch What You’re Doing – 8:36 5 – Let The Tape Keep Rolling – 5:00 6 – UFO – 10:16 7 – The Outlaw / If God Is My Father – 8:26 8 – Song For A Small Circle Of Friends – 3:37 9 – Shot Down – 2:41 10 – Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music – 2:44 11 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll / Exit – 3:25 12 – Lonely By Myself – 6:15
This is the second solo album from John Schlitt who was the Lead singer of Petra from 1986 forward. John really turned it up for this one and it is a great Rock & Roll album. It was partly produced by the Huff brothers (Giant/Whiteheart) and partly by Mark Heimermann. You can really hear the Huff influence with some tracks having killer guitar riffs and those guitar riffs were supplied by George Cocchini from the Joe English Band. This album was certain to be a success with this killer lineup. While it can certainly be said That John did some great work with Petra in my opinion he really shines with his solo work. John summed up this album by saying “This is not a safe record for me, but I like it”
Tracklist 1 – Save Me – 3:37 2 – God Is Too Big – 3:42 3 – Can’t Get Away – 4:18 4 – We Worship You – 4:12 5 – Need I Remind You – 4:15 6 – Take You On – 3:53 7 – Helping Hand – 4:49 8 – There Is Someone – 3:45 9 – I Killed A Man – 3:57 10 – Don’t Have To Take It – 3:48
Credits A&R – Bubba Smith, Lynn Keesecker Art Direction – Christy Coxe Bass Guitar – Jackie Street Design – Astrid Herbold Drums, Percussion, Overdubbed By – David Huff Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – George Cocchini Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Overdubbed By – Dann Huff Engineer [Assistant] – Mike Wrucke Engineer [Assistant], Overdubbed By – Eric Elwell Engineer, Mixed By – Joe Baldridge Keyboards – Mark Heimermann Management – Mike Keil And Associates Mastered By – Hank Williams Overdubbed By – The Dobbs, Todd Robbins Photography By – Matthew Barnes Producer – Dann Huff, David Huff (tracks: 1, 7, 8, 10), Mark Heimermann (tracks: 2 to 6, 9)
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Epic Distributed By – Epic Recorded At – Dark Horse Recording Overdubbed At – Fun Attic Studio Overdubbed At – Dobb’s Palace Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound Mastered At – Mastermix
Kreyson is a Czechoslovakia metal band started 1989 by Ladislav Křížek after he left Citron. The album was not released in North America so I have no idea how it became so popular here. Kreyson was popular in the Nordic countries as well as Czechoslovakia and actually went on to record 3 more albums in the 90’s They also reformed in the mid 2000’s and released 3 more albums. It is obvious they were very popular in their home country and I admit I had no idea there even was Christian music in Czechoslovakia. The album itself is a great metal album and I was really impressed with the quality of their work. The album has very good production but that’s not surprising as the producer is probably the top producer there was in Czechoslovakia. Eventually this album was released in more markets and today is available digitally. Thank goodness for that as this album deserves to be heard by everyone that likes this style of music.
Tracklist 1 – Kreyson – 4:05 2 – Skalp – 3:11 3 – Deep In The Night – 4:29 4 – No Blue Skies – 4:15 5 – Faraway – 4:22 6 – Angel On The Run – 3:07 7 – Dreamin’ – 3:59 8 – Golden Ark – 3:34 9 – Need You – 5:48 10 – Fade Out – 3:14
Credits Arranged By – Jan Němec, Kreyson Bass Guitar – Karel Adam Co-producer – Rolf “Rock ‘N’ Rolf” Drums – Robert Vondrovic Engineer – Jan Němec Guitar – Daniel Krob, Jaroslav Bartoň Lead Vocals – Ladislav Křížek Lyrics By – A. Winter Lyrics By [Original Czech Lyrics] – J. Krůta (tracks: A5), L. Křížek Music By – J. Bartoň (tracks: A5, B8, B10), L. Křížek Performer – Kreyson Producer – Jan Němec
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Tommü Records Recorded At – Studio M Mixed At – Studio M
This album was actually recorded in 1976 after the band split up but I am going to guess that the split was amicable. I say this because this concert was very tight. The band worked together well and didn’t miss a beat the whole concert. This indicates to me that they were well rehearsed. Bands that get back together for a concert that have hard feelings generally don’t rehearse much and often this is reflected in the concert. Generally I categorize Love Song as a worship band but this album does have a few pretty good 70’s rock tunes. Considering several members of the band went on to do Rock & Roll this shouldn’t be as much of a surprise as I found it to be. The album also included several Devotional moments which are all relevant to this day. I have chopped up this album a little different than the record company. I think it flows a little better my way.
Tracklist 1 – Intro/Front Seat, Back Seat 4:08 2 – Little Country Church 2:58 3 – The Cossack Song 4:14 4 – Manila Story (Devotional) 1:58 5 – A Love Song 2:49 6 – Two Hands 3:54 7 – Feel The Love 5:49 8 – So Thankful 3:28 9 – Since I Opened Up The Door 3:59 10 – Our Journey (Devotional) 5:00 11 – Freedom 4:15 12 – Let Us Be One 5:12 13 – Psalm 150 (Devotional) 1:19 14 – Drum Solo 8:46 15 – Jesus Puts The Song In Our Hearts 4:20 16 – Little Pilgrim 5:29 17 – The Path and the Prayer (Devotional)4:45 18 – Sometimes Alleluia 6:57 19 – Psalm 5 3:37
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Chuck Girard Bass – Jay Truax Drums – John Mehler Electric Guitar – Bob Wall, Tom Coomes Engineer – Bill Schnee Keyboards – Chuck Girard Lead Vocals – Chuck Girard, Tom Coomes Mixed By – Joe Bellamy Producer – Chuck Girard, Freddie Piro, Love Song Vocals – Bob Wall, Jay Truax, John Mehler
Companies, etc. Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse Recorded At – Paramount Northwest Theatre Recorded At – San Jose Civic Auditorium Recorded At – Warnors Theatre Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Distributed By – Word Phonographic Copyright (p) – Good News Records Copyright (c) – Good News Records
Though this album wasn’t released until 1993 it was recorded in 1986 shortly after the release of their album “Shelter”. I’m a little mystified as to why it took so long to release but perhaps it was just originally for airing on radio. But really that’s just a guess as I don’t know the history of these BBC radio concerts. I also found it odd the release was in 93 after the band had already slipped from the public eye. That said they had dedicated fans who must have been thrilled to see this album released. The album has live versions of 5 tracks from their first album, 2 tracks from Shelter, and most excitingly 4 previously unreleased tracks. Lone Justice were an excellent live band and I’m sure most of their dedicated fans hold this album as one of their favorites.
Tracklist 1 – Wait – 4:37 2 – Sweet, Sweet Baby – 5:24 3 – I Ain’t Got No Home In This World – 2:32 4 – The Gift – 4:19 5 – Wheels – 6:28 6 – Shelter – 5:07 7 – Belfry – 6:04 8 – I Found Love – 4:19 9 – Heaven – 6:28 10 – Inspiration – 3:52 11 – Sweet Jane – 9:03
Credits Bass, Vocals – Gregg Sutton Compiled By, Coordinator – Jo Bourhill Drums – Rudy Richman Guitar – Shane Fontaine Keyboards – Bruce Brody Liner Notes – Alan Gardiner Producer – Pete Dauncey Sleeve – Coles McConnell Design Vocals, Guitar – Maria McKee
Companies, etc. Record Company – BBC Enterprises Ltd. Phonographic Copyright (p) – BBC Copyright (c) – Windsong International Published By – Warner/Chappell Published By – MCA Published By – BMG Published By – Tro Essex Music Ltd. Published By – Copyright Control Published By – Screen Gems-EMI Recorded At – The Town And Country Club, London Glass Mastered At – Mayking Records
I read that “The Hope” were a new and improved version of “Hope Of Glory” who had recorded throughout the 70’s. The problem is that none of the band members are the same and it’s even on a new label. It is reasonable to assume a new label might have wanted a new more hip name but I’m a bit confused by a completely new lineup. Because of this I feel this might be an entirely different band but feel free to correct me. The band is/was made up of some great studio musicians who had many appearances throughout the 70’s & 80’s. The quality of their work makes this an excellent album. The sound is heavily 70’s and as such may have been a little late to the market. It’s not a heavy rock album but does have a few 70’s rock tracks. I am guessing many people missed this one in 1980 so give it a listen now if you like your music with a 70’s vibe.
Tracklist 1 – Tender Love – 4:38 2 – Standing On The Rock – 3:27 3 – Sunshine In My Life – 2:45 4 – Stand On What You Believe – 3:09 5 – Hills Of Morning – 4:33 6 – Which Side? – 4:28 7 – What Have You Got To Lose? – 4:12 8 – Anticipation – 3:18 9 – You Got Love – 3:43 10 – Walk In The Light – 3:11
Credits Backing Vocals – Bubba Chambers Bass Guitar, Vocals – Rick Thigpen Drums – Gary Ingram Electric Guitar – Rick Crawford Electric Guitar – Melvin Mar Keyboards – Paul Mills Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Mike Barnes Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Brian Tankersley Saxophone – Kenny Dimick
In 1982 I was a Junior in High School and had a subscription to Campus Life Magazine. One day I saw an ad for a brand new band called Prodigal that sported a very cool cover, which was a take off on Escher’s famous painting. But what was even better was that there was a pull out single for the band attached to the center of the magazine. These were all the rage during the 1970’s and often found included inside cereal boxes or even attached to the cardboard of those same cereal boxes. You had to take the very flimsy plastic disc, place it on top of a solid LP and then you could play the single. That was the first of three Prodigal releases, and all three made this list. That band was that damned good. probably better than we even realize. Prodigal is easily the most overlooked and unsung band in CCM history…PERIOD! The type of innovation already noted was what fans could expect from the band Prodigal during their short-lived three record existence. Their innovations also included being the first recipient of the Dove Award for “Video of the Year.” They were one of the few bands that continued to invest in the fledgling video marketing promotional support creating several videos per release. And even for the album in question there was what is called a “stop groove” at the end of the side 2 and a “hidden bonus track” of sorts which contained a computer code for the old Commodore 64 computer. Using a cassette drive a person could get bonus information about the album along with photos and lyrics. This may have become common with the invent of compact discs, but this was totally revolutionary in 1984. All three of their album covers were spectacular. But it was the content, both musically and lyrically, that set Prodigal above their peers for the time. Where other artist bemoaned the struggles, pain and realities of life on this spinning globe, Prodigal placed themselves within that reality and expressed those struggles from one who is intimately aware and experienced with those struggles. Where the first album stayed along the musical lines of Steely Dan and the Eagles, it was with “Electric Eye” the band became very current, and dare I say, cutting edge. Guitar driven rock and new wave synth pop merged to create a sound that was uniquely Prodigal while immediately familiar and memorable. Driving keyboard and bass that for some reason reminds me of the music from the “St. Elmo’s Fire” soundtrack. Also another unique feature is the use of three different lead singers with duties distributed according to musical style. The content on “Electric Eye” is beautifully portrayed on the album cover shown above. We have surrounded ourselves with so much to entertain us and consume our time that the difference between reality and artificial are not just blurred but rather the artificial begins to be more “real.” Note how the actual lightning through the window is faded and bland while the same lightning shown on the television set is vibrant and exiting. This is expressed in different ways on the album along with a host of other topics that are both poignant and eternal. Even the recording process was experimental. The album was recorded in an abandoned Catholic Girls school in Cincinnati using a mobile recording system built into a motor home. Band members would move from room to room to create a different acoustic sound to discover the best fit for a particular song. Lead vocalist and band leader Loyd Boldman told me that at the time the band (especially himself) was listening a lot to Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and “The River” as well as Daniel Amos and Michael Omartian. These influences shade and nuance much of what makes this record so amazing. With the knowledge guitar parts, vocal styles and overall production results make sense. The goal was to create a larger, less polished and precise studio album that the debut was. In that area the band succeeded with flying colors.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Scene Of The Crime – 4:44 2 – Fast Forward – 4:43 3 – Masks – 4:05 4 – Just What I Need – 3:08 5 – Emerald City – 3:23 6 – Electric Eye – 5:00 7 – Bobby – 3:18 8 – Shout It Out – 3:25 9 – Neon – 5:15 10 – Boxes – 3:35
Credits Arranged By – Prodigal Artwork [Additional] – A.I.R. Studio Bass – Mike Wilson Design [Cover] – Dave Workman, Loyd Boldman Design Concept [Cover] – Loyd Boldman Drums, Vocals – Dave Workman Effects [Special Sound FX] – Gary (Platinum) Platt Engineer [Assistants] – Brad Kuenning, Paul Thompson, Rytt Hershberg Graphics [Additional] – The Malone Group Guitar, Vocals – Rick Fields Keyboards, Vocals – Loyd Boldman Mastered By – Mike Fuller Mixed By [Additional Overdubs, Final Mixdown] – Gary Platt Photography By [Back Cover] – Luther Blue Photography By [Cover] – Gary Kessler Producer – Jon Phelps Recorded By – Greg McNeily Sounds, Engineer [Concert Sound] – Paul Thompson Written-By – Workman (tracks: A4, B5), Boldman (tracks: A1 to A3, A5 to B4)
Companies, etc. Recorded By – The Full Sail Dream Machine Mixed At – The Full Sail Dream Machine Engineered At – Moonlight Sound Mastered At – Criteria Recording Studios Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Published By – Between The Lines Music Phonographic Copyright (p) – Heartland Records Company Copyright (c) – Heartland Records Company
