Category: Albums

Imitators – Once and for All – 1985

Back in the days of working for KYMS I used to run the board for a pre-recorded “rock” show called The Ground Floor. The show changed names to “The Edge” and was hosted by Gord Driver who was an engineer and music producer. At some point Driver decide to start a record company. The label was short lived but did preoduce a few really good releases. There was a great jazz band called Razz, a powerful alternative/punk band called Modern Mission and the most successful, a new wave keyboard driven band called The Imitators. There only full length album, Once and For All, showed a great deal of promise but was never followed up as the band moved to New Jersey, fell into financial hardship and disbanded. Driven by a keyboard centered similar to the Psychedelic Furs, Flock of Seagulls and a touch of Duran Duran type vocals. Fans of the Christian Band 4-4-1 would find something to like here as well. Nothing too heavy, though some controversy was stirred up over the lyrics to one song that discussed Christian Youth caught in sexual sin. Realizing early on that they were “preaching to the choir” they placed the lyrical focus on encouraging a Godly lifestyle amongst the Christian Youth they were performing for on a regular basis. So lyrical content swirled around issues youth group kids could relate to.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Within You – 3:27
2 – Idols – 3:57
3 – Got To Feel The Fire – 3:17
4 – I’ll Keep Holding On – 3:13
5 – Children Of The Lie – 4:21
6 – Sometimes (I Think I’m Never Gonna Make It) – 3:27
7 – Get A Little Bit Closer – 3:57
8 – The Writing’s On The Wall – 3:17
9 – Once And For All – 3:13

Credits
Bass – Robert Villegas
Design [Cover Design], Layout – Ed McTaggart
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – The Imitators
Drum Programming [Linn Drum] – Dave Spurr (tracks: B3)
Drums – Richard Cabrera
Engineer, Mixed By – Gord Driver
Guitar – David Price
Keyboards, Vocals – Philip Mason
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Performer [Imitators Is] – Barry Edge, David Price, Philip Mason, Richard Cabrera, Robert Villegas
Photography By – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Gord Driver, The Imitators
Vocals, Guitar – Barry Edge

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Lexicon
Mixed At – Asaph Recording
Mastered At – Future Disc
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Exile Records
Copyright (c) – Exile Records

Ghoti Hook – Songs We Didn’t Write – 1998

So what does a band do when their songwriter leaves the band to go back to school? They put out an album of covers, problem solved. OK I’m not sure that’s exactly why they put out this album but that is the official timeline leading up to it. The album contains cover versions of songs both from secular and Christian music. I’m not really too sure what the point of the album was but I suspect they were just having a bit of fun. I can only imagine the nightmare this album was as far as licensing goes. Anyway it’s a fun album filled with punked up versions of mainly 80’s songs (but not all) that is fun to listen to but I wouldn’t take it too seriously.

Tracklist
1 – I Love Rock And Roll – 2:53
2 – Earth Angel – 2:10
3 – True Faith – 4:12
4 – Just What I Needed – 2:43
5 – Friends – 3:37
6 – Acquiesce – 3:25
7 – I See Red – 3:51
8 – Walking On Sunshine – 3:25
9 – The Guitar Song – 3:57
10 – Hey Nonny Nonny – 3:11
11 – On The Road Again – 2:04
12 – Where Is My Mind? – 3:36
13 – Burnin’ Love – 3:15
14 – The Invisible Man – 2:09
15 – Untitled (Hidden Track) – 1:30

Credits
Bass – Christian Ergueta
Drums – Adam Neubauer
Executive-Producer – Brandon Ebel
Guitar – Jamie Tolosa
Mastered By – Brian Gardner
Producer – Ghoti Hook
Producer, Engineer – Kevin 131
Vocals, Guitar – Joel Timothy Bell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Tooth & Nail Records
Copyright (c) – Tooth & Nail Records

Guardian – First Watch – 1989

This was the first studio album from Guardian though they did have a demo using the name Fusion and another using the name Gardian. They inked the deal for this album in 1985 with Enigma Records but the wheels of production and release moved very slowly. The album was to be produced by Oz Fox from Stryper and he wasn’t immediately available. Recording did finish in 1988 but then for some reason it didn’t get released until 1989. Quite frankly Enigma really screwed this one up. By the time this album came out they should have been on their follow up album and another tour but the screw ups over at Enigma cost themselves and the band a lot of success and the resulting money. To top this all off Enigma did a short run of the album making it difficult for people to get their hands on. This was a great metal album and if it had been properly promoted, pressed, and distributed it might have been one of the biggest Christian Metal releases. I’m not even going to bother telling you about the album, give it a listen, I know you will be impressed. Another annoying thing Enigma did was to put 2 extra tracks on the CD release. This idea wasn’t’ unique to Enigma, lots of others did it but it was a dumb idea.

Tracklist
1 – I’ll Never Leave You – 4:32
2 – Mystery Man – 4:07
3 – Livin’ For The Promise – 4:09
4 – Miracle – 4:56
5 – Saints Battalion – 3:47
6 – Kingdom Of Rock – 3:25
7 – The Good Life – 4:41
8 – One Of A Kind – 3:33
9 – World Without Love – 3:56
10 – Rock In Victory – 3:50
—CD Bonus Tracks—
11 – Hyperdrive – 4:17
12 – Marching On – 3:55

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Dean Van Eimeren
Backing Vocals [Additional Backing Vocals] – Oz Fox
Bass – David Bach (2)
Drums – Rikk Hart
Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Allen Isaacs, Gene Eugene, Jeff Simmons
Engineer [Assistent Engineer], Coordinator [Studio Coordination] – Dave Hackbarth, Dino Elefante
Engineer, Mixed By – Dan Nebenzal
Keyboards – Brent Jeffers
Lead Guitar – Tony Palacios
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Paul Cawley
Mastered By – Eddy Schreyer
Mixed By, Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Mike Mierau
Photography By – Steve Cooper
Producer, Mixed By – Oz Fox
Vocals – David Bach, Tony Palacios

Companies, etc.
Record Company – The Benson Company, Inc.
Made By – Discovery Systems

The Archers – Things We Deeply Feel – 1975

This is the fourth album from the Archer brothers and their first on Light Records. Things We Deeply Feel is the last album to feature female vocalist Nancye Short who sings lead on “It Wouldn’t Be Enough”. This song put The Archers on the map as it became a #1 on the Adult contemporary charts. The album also spawned a few other singles but “It Wouldn’t Be Enough” was the money track. Light records spent a lot of money on the studio band and also an embossed album cover that must have cost a fortune at the time. The album also contains the most countrified song they ever did, “You Are My Inspiration”. While this was a very successful album and Nancye was an excellent vocalist I prefer their albums once sister Janice joined the band.

Tracklist
1 – Music (He Brings A New Song) – 3:35
2 – Giver Of Life – 3:27
3 – Sit Yourself Down – 2:54
4 – Lord, You’ve Been Good To Me – 2:47
5 – It Wouldn’t Be Enough – 3:59
6 – I’m With Jesus – 3:15
7 – Brand New Day – 3:31
8 – You Are My Inspiration – 2:58
9 – If You Can’t Believe In Love (You Don’t Believe In Anything At All) – 3:17
10 – It’s Love To Me – 3:01
11 – Praise Him – 2:52

Credits
Arranged By [Rhythm Charts] – Bobby Sisco
Arranged By [Strings/Brass] – Clark Gassman
Bass – Leland Sklar
Drums – Ed Green, Hal Blaine
Engineer – Jerry Barnes
Fiddle [Electric] – Harold Hensley
Guitar – Ben Benay, Dan Ferguson, Jay Graydon, Lee Ritenour
Keyboards – David Paich
Liner Notes – Ralph Carmichael
Percussion – Allan Estes
Performer [Uncredited] – Billy Masters
Producer – Bill Cole
Steel Guitar – Red Rhodes
Synthesizer [Moog] – Clark Gassman
Vocals [Uncredited] – Nancye Short, Steve Archer, Tim Archer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Western Recorders

Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet – Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet – 1972

This is the first of two albums by Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet. The second one is the one most people know about but this is where it started. Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet were one one of the first bands signed to the new Myrrh records. Most of the early Myrhh bands leaned to the easy listening style but these guys were a straight up Rock & Roll band. The album has the standard seventies Jesus Music album structure. Some great rock tunes, a couple ballads, and the mandatory country song, but these guys did it well. Here’s the real trivia about this album. Playing harmonica was Dave Edwards who would later become known to us as David Edwards the New Wave CCM pioneer.

Tracklist
1 – Suddenly – 3:35
2 – Back Home – 4:08
3 – Long Time Comin’ – 3:50
4 – Love Song – 4:03
5 – Denominations – 2:43
6 – Nick Of Time – 2:19
7 – Don’t Shine It On – 4:10
8 – Lord It’s In Your Hands – 3:55
9 – Satisfied – 4:50
10 – Real Peace – 4:35

Credits
Bass Guitar – Greg Prough
Drums, Percussion – Rick Frye
Engineer – Paul Elmore
Fiddle – Richie Yenoukian
Harmonica – Dave Edwards
Keyboards – Steve Kennedy
Lead Guitar – John Pantano
Lead Vocals – Ron Salsbury
Photography By [Cover Photo] – Eric Skipsey
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Rhythm Guitar – Ron Salsbury
Trombone – Bid Wallace
Vocals – Greg Prough, John Pantano

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. – 1972
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles

WhiteHeart – HotLine – 1985

This was the 3rd studio album from WhiteHeart and there were a few firsts and lasts as far as band members went. It was the last for Scott Douglas & David Huff, and the first for Gordon Kennedy. This was also the first album for them on Home Sweet Home Records, a label owned by Chris Christian. The same year as this album came out Douglas was charged with aggravated sexual battery and was sentenced to prison in early 1986. In my opinion this would have killed any Christian Band but somehow they survived this. I can not imagine the horror in the band when they found out about Douglas’s actions. How they worked though this is absolutely beyond me and the fact they soldiered on is really a testament to the fortitude of the band members. The album had 2 CCM singles with “Jerusalem” making it to #3, and “In His Name” making it to #19.

Tracklist
1 – Hotline – 4:14
2 – Gotta Be A Believer – 4:21
3 – Jerusalem – 3:50
4 – Turn The Page – 4:55
5 – She’s A Runaway – 3:40
6 – Heroes – 4:36
7 – In His Name – 4:14
8 – The Victory – 4:22
9 – Walls – 2:35
10 – Keep Fighting The Fight – 3:08

Credits
Art Direction – Bill Brunt
Bass – Gary Lunn
Drums – David Huff
Engineer – Bob Graves (tracks: B4)
Engineer [Second On Tracks] – Clarke Schleicher
Engineer [Second] – David Pierce, Sam Bailey
Executive Producer – Chris Christian
Guitar, Producer, Keyboards – Billy Smiley
Lead Guitar – Gordon Kennedy
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Music By, Words By – Mark Gersmehl (tracks: A2 to B5)
Percussion – David Huff
Photography By – Mark Tucker, Ron Keith, Scott Bonner
Producer, Vocals, Keyboards – Mark Gersmehl
Recorded By, Mixed By – Brent King
Vocals – Billy Smiley, Gordon Kennedy, Scott Douglas
Words By – Billy Smiley (tracks: A1 to B1, B3, B4), Mark Gersmehl (tracks: A2, A3, A5 to B5)
Words By, Music By – Dana Key (tracks: A3), Eddie DeGarmo (tracks: A3), Gordon Kennedy (tracks: B3), Larry W. Stewart (tracks: B3), Scott Douglas (tracks: A1)

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Mastermix
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio
Overdubbed At – Gold Mine Studio
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – Δ26727
Published By – Paragon Music
Published By – Bug & Bear Music
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Hall-Clement Publications
Published By – Yellow Jacket Music, Inc.
Published By – Welk Music Group
Published By – Chris Christian Music

In-3D – No Glasses Needed – 1985

This is the first of two albums from IN 3D. If I had to describe the style of this album I would say it’s the Police with a little heavier guitar presence. That said, this band definitely had their own style. Really this band should have had more success than they did as the lyrics and music are extremely well done. David Lowman on his comprehensive website “CCM’s 500 Best Albums Of All Time” ranks this album as #219 and says that In-3D might be the only band that only recorded 2 albums and both were included in his list. I probably would have ranked it a little higher but not everyone has exactly the same taste and #219 is a very respectable showing. If you only have time to listen to one song from this album I would suggest “Under My Umbrella”. Point of trivia about this album is that Glen Kaiser (of Rez Band) contributed some of the guitar tracks and you can pick it out on some tracks.

Track Listing:
1 – Livin’ In The Real World – 3:47
2 – Neurotica – 0:24
3 – Just One Question – 3:03
4 – Can’t Stop – 3:13
5 – Please No – 4:25
6 – Lookin’ To You – 3:40
7 – Under My Umbrella – 3:54
8 – It’s Up To You – 2:37
9 – Memories Of A Man (Playin’ The Game) – 3:19
10 – Never Again – 3:56
11 – Goin’ On (Separate Planes) – 4:01
12 – Exit 47 – 1:00

Credits:
Jon de Fincher – Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals
Larry Duttmer – Drums
Glenn Kaiser – Guitar
Mike Kroell – Drums
Todd Moriarty – Drums
Nail – Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
James Neave – Songwriter, Bass, Lead Vocals
Jeff Pollard – Background Vocals

Steve Camp – It’s A Dying World – 1984

This was Steve’s final album with Myrrh records. Strangely Myrrh chose to release it after he had already released a new album with his new label. There has to be a story there somewhere. Also strangely the track “Light Your Candle” is both on this album and the “Fire and Ice” album. The versions are slightly different but this is the first version he recorded. Also very strange about this album is that it did not have a single on the CCM charts. I really feel that behind the scenes there’s a real story behind this album. The album actually has a bit of a dark feeling to me. Several of the songs have a negative feel about Steve’s opinion of the world at this time of his life. Now that said this album is also said to have some of his best songwriting which I guess makes sense as he was actually writing about serious issues. Norman Barratt supplied lead guitar work on the album and his work stands out as usual. All in all a pretty good album from Steve but not one of my personal favourites.

Tracklist
1 – Holding On To You – 3:43
2 – Don’t Wanna Be Friends – 3:18
3 – It’s A Dying World – 3:49
4 – You Comfort Me – 3:20
5 – You Know What’s Right – 3:19
6 – Light Your Candle – 3:19
7 – I Don’t Live By Chance – 3:25
8 – Tongue Is A Fire – 5:04
9 – Can You Sleep Tonight – 3:53
10 – Man Does Not Live – 3:27

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Camp
Arranged By – Barratt Band, Steve Camp
Art Direction [Production] – Dlorah L. Abdi
Artwork [Special Airbrush Effects] – Roy Harwood
Backing Vocals – Diane Thiel, Joan Anderson, Steve Camp
Bass – Larry Tomaso
Design, Design Concept [Cover And Sleeve Design And Concept] – Camille Brown
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Electric Guitar – Norman Barratt
Executive-Producer – Steven C. Wyer
Keyboards, Piano – Dave Morris
Mixed By – Hank Neuberger, Steve Camp
Mixed By [Mix-down Engineer] – Hank Neuberger
Photography By [Cover Background And Sleeve Photos] – Steve G.S. Morgan
Photography By [Cover People Photos] – Phillip Radcliffe
Producer – Steve Camp

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Mixed At – Chicago Recording Company

Sweet Comfort Band – The Waiting Is Over – 2013

In 2010 Sweet Comfort Band headed into the studio for the first time since 1983. It was the original lineup with the exception of Kevin Thomson who was ill and unfortunately passed away in May of 2010. Stepping of for Kevin was his son, Elijah Thomson. It took 3 years for this album to come together and the name “The Waiting Is Over” was not only appropriate for the fans but the band also. I’ll be honest that most of the time I don’t really care for reunion albums as often they feel rushed and thrown together. This album does not fall in that trap. It is very well done, the songs are well written and showcase the bands longtime skills. My only hesitation about the album is that I feel like I am listening to a Bryan Duncan album rather than a SCB album. I admit however that this might be because we listened to so many of Bryan’s albums after SCB disbanded. All in all a very very good album and one that will go into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Lay It All On The Line – 4:55
2 – Something Else Is Going On Here – 4:08
3 – Nothing Can Separate Us – 4:24
4 – Do You Love Me – 4:48
5 – Rock Steady – 3:43
6 – Then I Remember – 4:37
7 – All In God’s Hands – 4:11
8 – The Waiting Is Over – 3:54
9 – All Stand Together – 3:42
10 – Where Do We Go From Here – 4:21
11 – In The Light Of Heaven – 4:57

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Game Flash DM
Band [Sweet Comfort Band], Drums, Vocals – Rick Thomson
Band [Sweet Comfort Band], Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Randy Thomas
Band [Sweet Comfort Band], Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Bryan Duncan
Coordinator [Album Cover Coordinator] – Alice Thomson
Coordinator [Album/Business Coordinator] – Alice Thomson
Engineer [Additional Engineers] – Alice Thomson, Anthony Thomas, David Lopez
Executive-Producer – Rick Thomson
Mastered By – Reuben Choen
Musician [Musicians], Backing Vocals – Alice Thomson, Bob Carlisle, Bryan Duncan, Randy Thomas, Rick Thomson
Musician [Musicians], Bass [Additional Bass] – Matt Bissonette (tracks: 9)
Musician [Musicians], Bass Guitar – Elijah Thomson
Musician [Musicians], Choir – Chrystal Holly Matthews, LaNiece McKay, Linda Pringle, Michael Washington, Rickey Grundy, Shervonne Wells
Musician [Musicians], Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Bob Soma, David Lopez, Joshua Thomson
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Alto Saxophone – Greg Vail
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Saxophone – Scott Martin
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Trombone – Wendell Kelly
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Trumpet – Lee Thornburg
Musician [Musicians], Keyboards – James Q. Wright, James Raymond, Kenneth Crouch, Rob Rinderer, Tim Bullock
Musician [Musicians], Percussion – Dio Saucedo
Photography By – Mark Jordan

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Copyright (c) – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Distributed By – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Manufactured By – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Recorded At – Shelter Sound Studios
Mixed At – Shelter Sound Studios
Mastered At – Lurssen Mastering
Published By – Slam Duncan Music
Published By – I Love Lori Music
Published By – Shelter Sound Publishing
Published By – We Fly Music
Published By – Dogs In Space Music
Published By – Robster Music
Published By – Franklin Industries Publishing
Pressed By – Digital Flex Media

Amy Grant – Lead Me On – 1988

This was the 7th studio album from Amy and at this point I’m pretty sure this was just mechanical for her. Someone writes music, Amy came up with a lyric idea and a songwriter would put it all together. Fade out to next song. I’m not saying it’s a bad album but there was just no standout here for me. The lead track 1974 does have a bit of personality but the rest of the album is filler aimed straight at the CCM charts. In respect to the Amy Grant fans out there this album was very well received by her Christian fans but it did poorly on the secular music charts which I am guessing was a bit of a surprise to A&M Records. Strangely the CD version of the album had 2 extra tracks but this was the age where record companies were doing some very odd things in relation to CD releases. The album had 6 charting singles on the CCM charts including three #1’s. So even given my criticism the reality is that this album continued her recipe of success and that can not be argued even by me.

Tracklist
1 – 1974 – 4:22
2 – Lead Me On – 5:35
3 – Shadows – 5:24
4 – Saved By Love – 4:38
5 – Faithless Heart – 5:10
6 – What About The Love – 5:23
7 – If These Walls Could Speak – 5:42
8 – All Right – 4:23
9 – Wait For The Healing – 5:36
10 – Sure Enough – 4:00
11 – If You Have To Go Away – 4:01
12 – Say Once More – 4:54

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bill Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Chris Eaton, Chris Harris (2), Chris Rodriguez, Dave Perkins, Donna McElroy, Gary Chapman, Randy Stonehill, Russ Taff, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer – Jeff Balding
Executive-Producer – David Enderle, Gary Chapman, Michael Blanton
Guitar – Dann Huff, Jerry McPherson
Keyboards – Shane Keister
Mixed By – Marc DeSisto, Shelly Yakus
Photography By – Eika Aoshima
Producer – Brown Bannister
Synthesizer [B-3] – Benmont Tench
Written-By – Amy Grant (tracks: 1 to 5, 8, 9, 11, 12)