The second album from Saint is often considered their best by their hardcore fans. They definitely turned up the Metal for this album. The only lineup change was the drummer with Brian Willis replacing Mike Lowery. Strangely the band went through a drummer every album for their first six albums. While I personally loved their first album, and consider it my favourite, most never even heard of it. Instead this was their first exposure to Saint. The album cover was a little controversial with it’s depiction of beasts but I believe they were trying to represent “Time’s End” visually with a depiction of the Antichrist, at least that’s my theory. The cover was well received by Christian Metal heads partly because it resembled a secular cover which is also just my theory. Anyway this was one of the original CCM metal albums and deserves a place in infamy because of that. The album was reissued several times over the years. The 2002 version contains Live Cornerstone tracks as a bonus and is apparently very well remixed.
Tracklist 1 – In The Night – 3:25 2 – Island Prisoner – 4:18 3 – Through You – 4:13 4 – Space Cruiser – 5:15 5 – Times End – 4:42 6 – Primed And Ready – 3:47 7 – Destroyers – 3:17 8 – Phantom Of The Galaxy – 2:34 9 – Steel Killer – 3:43
Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Richard Lynch
Cover – Jeff Spencer
Drums – Brian Willis
Engineer – Dave “R” Lore
Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – John Mahan
Lead Vocals – Josh Kramer
Producer – John Mahan, Richard Lynch
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Nimbus, Virginia Distributed By – Refuge Music Group Recorded At – Falcon Studios Published By – Snellsong
Scarlet Rayne was a late 80’s metal band out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They released a 3 track demo in the late 80’s but at this time we are unable to find a copy. The internet tells me that they actually turned down a record deal and instead chose to release this album independently. They released 1000 CD’s and 1500 Cassettes. Not big numbers but it must have been well received as they became quite popular. The internet also tells me that after some personnel changes they changed names to SolScape and recorded a second album but unfortunately the band split and never released the album. This album was reissued in 2008 by Arkeyn Steel Records with 4 bonus tracks. We have included those bonus tracks here. As for the album it’s a fairly commercial Metal sound but the vocals do stand out as being well above average for the time of the recording. Pretty good metal album here and if that’s your style of choice you should definitely give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Scarlet Rayne – 5:58 2 – Alpha & Omega – 4:41 3 – Tales Of The Lost – 4:31 4 – Covered Fear – 5:40 5 – C.F.C. – 4:40 6 – Sands Of Time – 6:50 7 – Through Eyes Of The Past – 6:51 8 – Midnight Excursion – 0:41 Bonus Tracks 9 – Razorback – 4:12 10 – Lost Meaning – 5:04 11 – Lions Den – 3:18 12 – How Now – 3:59
Dallas Holm, Tim Sheppard, and Phil Johnson first came together in 1981 and put out a self titled album. At the time they were all under contract to Greentree Records so there was no contractual issues to work out. They had to wait until 1989 to put out a second album as along the way they were under contract to different record companies and this can cause unsurmountable legal issues. In 1989 none of them were under a contract so they were able to record a follow up album. This is that album. I actually consider them to be a supergroup as they were 3 very top ranked vocalists. Now you normally wouldn’t apply the term supergroup when it comes to the worship genre but I think they deserve it. The album was fairly successful on the CCM charts with “Feel Every Heartbeat” making it to #3 and “Soldiers Again” just poking on to the charts at #40. If you’re a fan of worship oriented music don’t miss out on listening to this one, I’m guessing you’ll love it.
Tracklist 1 – Feel Every Heartbeat – 4:25 2 – Give Me This Water – 4:31 3 – Fighter – 3:13 4 – Standin’ There – 4:00 5 – Child In His Arms – 4:02 6 – Run For The Finish Line – 3:36 7 – City – 4:16 8 – Wisdom – 4:57 9 – I Can See Your House – 3:06 10 – Soldiers Again – 4:17
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Mark Baldwin Arranged By – Smitty Price Art Direction – Amy Linde, Terri Short Bass – Gary Lunn Cello – John Catchings Design – Ken Spradley Drums, Percussion – Dennis Holt Electric Guitar – Jerry McPhearson, Mark Baldwin Engineer [Additional] – JB, Smitty Price Engineer [Assistant] – John Harley, John Kunz, Michael Vasquez Keyboards – Reed Arvin, Smitty Price Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Neill Whitlock Producer – Neal Joseph Recorded By [Vocals] – Paul Mills Recorded By, Mixed By – JB Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Dallas Sound Lab Recorded At – Digital Recorders Recorded At – BDR Sound Mixed At – Dallas Sound Lab Mastered At – Mastermix
This album was our introduction to The Call. Well in my case it honestly it was their second album, I missed this one almost entirely. Actually I think a lot of people missed this first album which is a pity because it’s actually very good. There isn’t much information on the formative years of The Call but we do know they formed in 1980 in Santa Cruz, California. The original lineup was Michael Been (lead vocals, guitar), Scott Musick (drums), Tom Ferrier (guitar), and Greg Freeman (bass). Steve Huddleston (keyboards) joined 1981. This album would set the sound we would come to love but this album only did moderately well and didn’t rank in the U.S. top 100 album chart. It just didn’t have a breakout single, that would wait for their second album. The chosen single was “There’s A Heart Here” but really I think “Bandits” would have been a much better choice but who am I to question the record company gurus. Anyway if you joined The Call on their second album be sure to take the time to listen to this one and hear where it all started.
Tracklist 1 – War Weary World – 4:18 2 – There’s A Heart Here – 2:56 3 – Doubt – 4:19 4 – This Is Life – 3:06 5 – Fulham Blues – 3:13 6 – Who’s That Man – 3:05 7 – Upperbirth – 3:38 8 – Bandits – 3:28 9 – Flesh And Steel – 4:54 10 – Unbearable – 2:37 11 – Waiting For The End – 5:15
Credits Bass, Vocals – Greg Freeman Drums, Vocals – Scott Musick Engineer – Hugh Padgham Engineer [Assistant] – Andy Lyden, Howard Grey, Steve Prestage Guitar, Vocals – Tom Ferrier Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards – Michael Been Producer – Hugh Padgham Synthesizer, Piano, Saxophone – Garth Hudson Written-By – Michael Been
This is Leslie Phillips first album using the moniker Sam Phillips. It is also her first release in the secular music stream. Much has been written of her departure from the Christian music market but I will quote her instead of offering my opinion. In an interview with Enio Chiola in 2011 this is what she stated “I found out through that whole process that I wanted to learn how to write songs and make music better than I had before, and I realized that a lot of the fundamentalist people didn’t care about that, or were judgmental about that. It seemed that they had a very utilitarian view of art. That art was only to serve one purpose, which was to get across their point of view, and I didn’t agree.” I think I can safely say there were “artistic differences” between her and Myrrh records. For her first pop album T-Bone Burnett came on board to produce and the result is probably the best cross over album of any artist. It is no surprise to my regular readers that I am a huge T-Bone fan and this album is one of those reasons. After this album came out T-Bone and Leslie/Sam confirmed they were in a relationship and they did marry a year later.
Tracklist 1 – I Don’t Want To Fall In Love – 2:50 2 – I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye To You – 3:18 3 – Flame – 2:33 4 – Remorse – 3:43 5 – What Do I Do – 3:52 6 – I Can’t Stop Crying – 3:17 7 – Holding On To The Earth – 3:00 8 – She Can’t Tell Time – 3:35 9 – What You Don’t Want To Hear – 2:59 10 – Out Of Time – 4:26
Credits Arranged By – T Bone Burnett (tracks: 5), Van Dyke Parks, Van Dyke Parks (tracks: 5) Bass – Jerry Scheff Cello, Double Bass [String Bass] – Buell Niedlinger Coordinator [Production Co-ordinator] – Tim Davis Drum Machine – Ralph Forbes Drums – Mickey Curry, Steve Jordan Engineer [Assistant] – Brian Soucy, Clif Norrel, Dave Knight Harpsichord, Harmonium, Bass – David Miner Mastered By – Howie Weinberg Mixed By – Kevin Killen Organ – Mike Utley Percussion, Drums – Alex Acuña Producer, Guitar, Mandocello, Marxophone – T-Bone Burnett Recorded By – Rik Pekkonen Recorded By [Additional Recording] – Tchad Blake Recorded By [Assistant] – Mike Ross Trumpet – Darrel Leonard Written-By – Sam Phillips (tracks: 1 to 10), T Bone Burnett (tracks: 7, 8)
After a wonderful debut and solid sophomore effort something happened to Margaret Becker that would change the direction of her musical progression for the better and help her create one of the truly great female rock albums in CCM history. Someone introduced her to Charlie Peacock. With Peacock’s help Becker created “Immigrant’s Daughter,” a thoughtful, and rock filled pop album with alternative underpinnings. Sounding now a little more like Annie Lennox than Ann Wilson, Becker’s vocal chops expanded and sounded more current and original. Subdued when needed and blowing up when necessary, her vocals here would not be matched until much later on some independent releases. Also with Peacock’s oversight, the songwriting became more introspective and universal. Christian themes combined with real human experiences to create a more passionate and authentic record. The personal expression is found immediately with the title track and continues throughout the project. The album also sounded more “current” and pulled Becker out of the “Chick Rocker” track and allowed to expand and grow as an artist and songwriter. Wonderful rockers and paired with ballads and “modern” musical expressions that also found radio to be quite responsive. Not every ballad has to be “These dreams” or “Alone” as sometimes the softer side provides a more memorable and authentic experience. There are so many strong songs here but a few worth receiving special notation include: Solomon’s Shoes, This Is My Passion, Stay Close to Me and the title track. The cover of “People Get Ready” is also a nice touch to close the album.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Immigrant’s Daughter – 4:25 2 – This Is My Passion – 4:03 3 – Stay Close To Me – 3:08 4 – The Hunger Stays – 4:06 5 – Just Come In – 4:25 6 – I Commit – 4:22 7 – Honesty – 3:44 8 – Solomon’s Shoes – 3:13 9 – Laugh A Little – 3:42 10 – People Get Ready – 3:39
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jimmy Abegg, Margaret Becker Art Direction – Barbara Hearn, Larry Vigon Backing Vocals – Annie Stocking, Brent Bourgeois, Charlie Peacock, Jeanie Tracy, Margaret Becker, Vince Ebo Bass – Larry Tagg Design – Larry Vigon Studio Drums – Mike Urbano Electric Guitar – Jimmy Abegg Engineer [Additional] – Bill Deaton, David Houston Executive-Producer – Peter York Liner Notes – Margaret Becker Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Jeff Balding Mixed By [Assistant] – Derek Marcil, Jared Held Organ [Hammond B-3] – Roger Smith Photography By – Mark Tucker Piano, Keyboards – Charlie Peacock Producer, Arranged By – Charlie Peacock Recorded By – Rick Sanchez Recorded By [Assistant] – Jim “Watts” Vereecke Written-By – Charlie Peacock (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9), Curtis Mayfield (tracks: 10), Leonard Ahlstrom (tracks: 6), Margaret Becker (tracks: 1 to 9), Mike Demus (tracks: 6)
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Studio D Recorded At – Moon Studios, Sacramento Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation Published By – His Eyes Music Published By – SBK Blackwood Music Inc. Published By – Andi Beat Goes On Music Published By – Paragon Music Corp. Published By – Sunday Shoes Music Published By – Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
There’s not a lot of information on where Peter Beveridge came from (not physically as I know he’s from Australia). This was his introductory album and I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it is. The opening track is one that I would never have imagined would have been released in 1980 CCM. It appears it was only released in Australia and Canada and I am not surprised no U.S. label wanted to touch it. The lead track “To Hell and Back” probably sealed it’s U.S. opportunities. That said it is a fantastic rock tune with a great message. Unfortunately the album settles down after this track and has an easy listening Jazz and funk sound. For a first CCM album Peter deserves credit. This is a great album that most of us probably missed in the 80’s so thank goodness we can listen to it now.
Tracklist 1 – To Hell And Back – 3:48 2 – Trusting – 4:11 3 – Loving Again – 3:53 4 – Crown Of Thorns – 3:58 5 – A Prayer Trilogy – 4:11 6 – Heaven Or Hell – 4:34 7 – See A Tear – 3:43 8 – For Me To Know – 4:28 9 – Help The Man – 2:34 10 – How Can You Love Me? – 3:10
Credits Arranged By – Gilbert Beveridge, Peter Beveridge Artwork By, Layout – Graham Chaseling Backing Vocals – John McConnel, Mike Haughton, Naomi Warne Lyrics By – Debra Walker, Peter Beveridge Lyrics By, Music By – Gilbert Beveridge Mixed By, Recorded By – Ross McGregor Music By – Peter Beveridge Percussion – Bruce McCormac Photography By – Roger Hanlon Synthesizer, Producer, Piano [Acoustic Piano], Electric Guitar, Concept By [Cover], Backing Vocals – Peter Beveridge
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Nightlight Music Pty Ltd. Copyright (c) – Rhema Music Recorded At – Axent Studios Mixed At – Axent Studios Produced For – Nightlight Music
This is the second of 2 children’s albums done by Terry Taylor and Greg Flesch. This one is centered on a skateboarding theme with a story line of competing in said sport. Apparently this idea didn’t get much traction but I commend them for trying. This project didn’t age very well but it may have been cool in the 80’s if I was 10 years old.
Tracklist 1 – Megamouth Theme – 3:12 2 – You’re One In A Million – 4:24 3 – We’re Bad, That’s Good, and We’re Ugly (Viper’s Theme) – 5:22 4 – Quantized (Be a Good Sport) – 4:03 5 – Practice Makes Gnarly (Spinner’s Song) – 5:47 6 – Viper’s Theme Part 2 (Megamouth’s Answer) – 7:03 7 – Ready, Steady, Go – 8:00 8 – Tubin’ It – 1:21 9 – Getting Vertical (By Trustin’ The Lord) – 22:35
Credits Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart Cover – John Dickenson Engineer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Doug Doyle Illustration – June Valentine Mastered By – John Matousek Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By, Mixed By, Instruments, Written-By, Concept By – Greg Flesch Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By, Mixed By, Written-By, Concept By, Voice Actor – Terry Taylor Vocals – Amy Watson, Lisa Grimaud*, Nancy Hanson, Nancy Marquez Voice Actor, Vocals – Dan Rupple, Dennis Bowen, Diane Meador-Pemelton, Scott Rummell
Companies, etc. Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Ransom was started in the mid-eighties as First Aid by bassist Michael Ciado and vocalist Lisa Faxon. The band changed names and produced a 3 song demo in 1988 as Ransom. Shortly after that Intense Records signed them and this is the result. Ransom was one of the few Christian metal bands with a female singer so they stood out on that front. The album has a strong commercial metal sound and is actually quite heavy with ballads which was odd in this genre at the time. I believe that generally ballads were put on albums because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Ransom however actually seemed to like ballads and put more effort into them. As for the album it’s very well produced and all the instrumentation is really good. Songwriting is a little weak at times but this is a first album so that’s not uncommon. Personally I rank it a little better than most reviews of the time but I have always preferred my metal with a commercial slant. The album was re-mastered and re-issued on Intense Millennium Records in 2011 and they included the 3 tracks from their demo as a bonus. I have read that the drummer listed as Randy Kantor was actually Joseph Galletta from Shout but I can’t actually confirm this and there’s some confusion on the issue on different web sites.
Tracklist 1 – Lasting Love – 4:26 2 – Rumors – 4:22 3 – Memories Of You – 3:18 4 – Fool That I Am – 4:26 5 – Break Into Darkness – 3:01 6 – Tonight – 4:17 7 – Etched In Stone – 3:42 8 – Fallen Angel – 5:07 9 – Your Broken Heart – 3:56 10 – I’ll Never Leave You – 4:31 11 – When I Die – 2:44
Credits Art Direction, Design – Ed Mctaggart Backing Vocals [Additional] – J.J. Honeycutt, Michael Jolly, Steve Manning Backing Vocals [Additional], Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Doug Beiden Backing Vocals [Additional], Keyboards [Additional] – Jim Morris Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael Ciado Drums – Randy Kantor Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tony Ortiz Keyboards – Brent Jeffers (tracks: 6) Mastered By – John Matousek Photography By – Michael Seeley Producer, Engineer, Keyboards [Additional Musician] – Jim Morris Technician [Technical Director] – Tracy Henry Vocals, Backing Vocals – Lisa Faxon
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records (10) Copyright (c) – Intense Records (10) Recorded At – Mixing Lab A Mixed At – Mixing Lab A Recorded At – Mixing Lab B Mixed At – Mixing Lab B Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia Mastered At – Soundworks West
This 1984 release from harvest was their last on the Milk & Honey label before switching to Greentree Records. This album is pretty well much like their others as their worship style music didn’t really change much from album to album. This album had 4 charting singles with The Battle Is The Lord’s climbing the highest at #9. Really the album did not do as well as they usually did in the period. I of course listened to the album and I didn’t find it any better or worse than their other albums of the time. Of course this isn’t really my forte style of music but I thought it was pretty good as worship albums go.
Tracklist 1 – The Battle Is The Lord’s – 2:50 2 – Burn Me With Your Love – 3:30 3 – The Court Of The Gentiles – 6:10 4 – On The Water – 3:20 5 – Creator’s Song – 3:35 6 – Get Me To The River – 3:03 7 – One Thing I Ask – 3:20 8 – The Name Of Jesus – 2:45 9 – Know That I Am God – 4:55 10 – Voices – 4:30
Credits Bass Guitar – Brian Tankersley, John Scudder Conductor – Wayne Watson Drums – Mark Hammond Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Jon Goin French Horn – Bruce Kenny Percussion – Russell Dunlap Performer – Jerry Williams Performer, Piano – Ed Kerr Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – John Schreiner Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Kirk Whalum Synthesizer – Paul Mills Trumpet – Fletch Wiley
