I was quite surprised when I first listened to this album. I have heard Thomas’s follow up album to this one and quite liked it’s synth heavy pop sound. This album has nothing in common with that album. This is an instrumental jazz album and quite frankly I don’t like it. I don’t deny that there is a ton of talent here but this album is not what CCM was looking for at the time. I can’t find any info on how well it sold so I’m guessing not well. As I said there is no shortage of talent here but to put out an album for a niche part of a niche market just seems odd to me. Thomas was one of the best studio musicians of the time and must have had tons of contacts in the industry but chose to do a jazz album instead of something a little more trendy. That said if you do like instrumental jazz you’ll love this one and it’s probably the best instrumental jazz album of the era, not that it had much competition in this category.
Tracklist 1 – Road To Paradise – 3:32 2 – I Can’t Believe It’s True – 2:24 3 – Midnight Celebration – 4:15 4 – Made To Love You – 3:18 5 – Livin’ Without Your Love – 3:09 6 – The Heartmender – 3:45 7 – Changes – 5:43 8 – One More Song For You – 3:40
Credits Arranged By [Strings] – John Darnall Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt Bass – Bob Wray Drums, Percussion – Mark Hammond Engineer [Recording] – Jeff Balding Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph Flugelhorn – Terry Townson Guitar [Acoustic], Electric Guitar – Jon Goin Mastered By – Hank Williams Mixed By – Bill Schnee Percussion – Terry McMillan Photography By – Mike Borum Producer, Arranged By, Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Prophet V, Oberheim], Electric Piano – Keith Thomas Strings – The Kris Wilkinson Strings Woodwind – Mark Douthit
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
This was Kenny Mark’s third album and was kind of a breakthrough album. Mark’s first two albums received very little airplay as the lyrics and style went a little to far for Christian radio. However this album got heavy radio play in part due to it being better material and also in part to Christian radio was finally growing up and allowing more upbeat pop songs. The album produced 3 singles. Soul Reviver spent 9 weeks on the charts peaking at #35. Heroes was on the charts for 17 weeks peaking at #27 and Friends made it to #21 and was on the charts for 8 weeks. However the best song on the album “The Party’s Over” received no airplay as the JPM count was too low (Jesus Per Minute). Anyway, it’s a great Pop album and the music video for The Party’s Over was excellent.
1 – Life After High School – 3:57
2 – Attitude – 2:53
3 – It Doesn’t Hurt That Much – 4:51
4 – Heroes – 4:28
5 – It’s A Good Thing – 3:33
6 – The Party’s Over – 4:27
7 – Heart Trouble – 4:28
8 – Soul Reviver – 4:33
9 – Friends – 3:40
Credits Art Direction – Keith Hunter (2), Thomas Ryan Design Concept By [Cover Concept] – Pamela Marks Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Willie Pevear Engineer [Assistant] – Alan Henry, Chris Hammond Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph Producer – Bubba Smith (2) Recorded By, Mixed By – David Schober
Companies, etc. Record Company – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Bullet Recording Mixed At – Bullet Recording Mastered At – Masterdisk Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – △27138
The second album from Gideon’s Army heard them stray from their 70’s influenced sound to a very pop oriented hard rock sound. I was actually surprised at their new sound. The first album was pretty good but nothing special but this album does have something special. Admittedly this is a very commercial sound but wow is it well done. This album would have fit in perfectly with the commercial radio Metal/Rock sound of the era. I’m actually kind of surprised I had never heard of these guy’s back in the 80’s. This album they switched over to A&R Records who were essentially a all in one place to record, produce, and press an album. I don’t believe they had any distribution deals for this album so I don’t know how widely it was heard. Luckily it was re-released in 2013 by Retroactive Records. I am assuming most of you missed this one in 1986 so today’s the day you should listen to it so you don’t miss out.
Tracklist 1 – Moment By Moment – 3:33 2 – It’s Your Love – 4:20 3 – Warriors Of Love – 4:26 4 – No Fun – 3:44 5 – I Know Someone – 4:18 6 – Runaway – 4:19 7 – I Know You Could See – 3:33 8 – Video – 4:55 9 – Backsliding Brother – 4:27 10 – Face To Face – 4:01
Credits Jerry Anderson – Drums, Vocals Dave Angeles – Lead Guitar Ron Davis – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Producer Mark Greves – Bass, Blues Harp, Vocals Joseph Linn – Percussion Tom Long – Synthesizer Doug Naruo – Piano, Hammond B-3, Percussion, Arp String, Oberheim, Sequential Nor Sivad – Effects
Sometime around 1987 I was working at a very large and popular christian Bookstore in Southern California when a copy of Billboard Magazine came across my desk. Along the bottom of the front page was an ad for an artist on A&M Records. The slogan on the ad was something like, “There’s Nothing Funny About the End of the World.” I was intrigued. I immediately called my local one-stop mainstream distributor and asked about the project. He hadn’t heard about but did make a couple calls for me. It would be released a few weeks later, but he did call the next day and said he got an advanced copy of the album for my to review before ordering. I drove over right away and put the CD in my car. The content seemed “Christian” to me but i had no real proof the artist was a Christian. Songs were about faith and the title track mentioned Babylon and Armageddon. I ordered some for the store despite the “hell” word being present and not receiving any confirmation about the faith of the artist. It sold well. In fact, it sold extremely well. My staff loved it and pushed and I don’t think a customer came in that didn’t hear something about it one way or the other. It charted in CCM Magazine just because of our sales alone. About a month later i received a phone call. On the other end of the line was a man with a very low voice and calm demeanor. He introduced himself as Michael Anderson and asked why in the world was i selling his record at a Christian Bookstore. I was a bit stunned and taken aback. “Don’t get me wrong,” he said, “I just wanted to know how you knew I was a Christian?” As I found out later his manager told him the album charted in CCM Magazine and that was because of the sales from one store. He tracked down the store and called. That started a friendship that would last for several years. My wife and I would travel to Hollywood regularly to hang out with Michael and his wife. In fact, we were invited by Michael his wife’s birthday party at an amazing gourmet Japanese restaurant in Bel Air and were seated at a table with Michael and Stormie Omartian. Michael’s debut project on A&M Records is a powerful, straight ahead Americana rock and roll in the same vein as the best from John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen but with a more blues and country influenced sound. Anderson’s voice will huff, puff, spit, scream and squeal with an edge that pierces as it communicates with passion few have reviled. On higher notes he is known to have his voice crack in trademark fashion. But on the mellower tunes he can bring it down to soft, almost Barry White-like smooth growl. Anderson would record two releases for the mainstream market on A&M and then two projects for the Christian market on Forefront. He made his way there after I gave a copy of this album to Eddie DeGarmo at a Benson records sales conference.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Sound Alarm – 5:31 2 – I Know That You Can Stand – 5:14 3 – I Need You – 4:51 4 – Until You Loved Me – 3:49 5 – Sanctuary – 5:43 6 – Little Bit O’ Love – 4:24 7 – Memphis Radio – 4:47 8 – Soweto Soul – 4:03 9 – Shine A Light – 4:49 10 – Time To Go Home – 5:10
Credits Backing Vocals – Toni Anderson Bass, Backing Vocals – Buck Silvertone Drums – Chad Cromwell Guitar – Josh Sklair Harmonica – Jimmy Z Producer, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Terry Manning Vocals, Guitar – Michael Anderson
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&M Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – A&M Records, Inc. Distributed By – PolyGram Made By – PolyGram Recorded At – Ardent Studios Recorded At – Alpha Sound Mixed At – Ardent Studios Mixed At – Alpha Sound Mastered At – Masterdisk Published By – Atlantic Recording Corporation Published By – Cadillac Pink Music
Featuring Kemper Crabb, Arkangel’s “Warrior” has become one of the most sought after and expensive collector’s item’s in CCM history. From the stunning album artwork to the brilliant art rock performed perfectly, there is really no doubt as to why this is such a sought after project. The artwork and the music conjure up images of Tolkein and “middle Earth,” crusades and knights in shining armor. Primarily a moody and melodic (and dare I say worshipful), there are moments of hard and progressive rock rock. Labeled often a progressive rock masterpiece, art rock is a better label. More thoughtful and contemplative than its contemporaries, Crabb revels in the classical, meditative and majestic musical styles employed. Crabb also demonstrates a diversity of musical taste and instrumentation, with nearly 40 instruments represented on the project with Crabb responsible for playing roughly 30 of them. On a side note, I believe fans of Daniel Amos’ “Shotgun Angel” will find quite a bit to like here. Not as country rock or Beatlesque, but there is a similarity in musical and artistic expression found here. Despite the clear artistic endeavor the album is lyrically very “Christian” and Gospel centered. The title track would later be covered by Caedmon’s Call on their first worship album and works as an introduction to the feel and sound of the entire project. Paradox is just a great acoustic rock song, perfectly suited for its day to be a mainstream radio hit, if not the blatant Jesus content. It should be noted here just how well produced the album is. Given that it was released on the burgeoning Star Song label with a distinctly limited budget, the album sounds fantastic. Vocals are clear, strings are ample and the instrumentation is more than just solid, but at times exquisite. Bekah Crabb adds vocals on a few songs as well. The heaviest number is the nearly six minute “Morning Anthem.” Taking the worshipful lyrical cue from “Warrior,” Morning Anthem is a stunning rocker that calls the worshippers to dance before the Lord. heavy, harmonic and powerful. For the time it would rank amongst the “heavier” songs in CCM and one of the truly rare instances of progressive rock in the genre. There was never a follow up to this amazing project and that is a real shame. Another journey to Middle Earth spiritually and metaphorically would have been a great delight. But alas, like most of the most progressive and artistic endeavors in CCM, it never found an audience. Though some 30 years later that limited audience is willing to part with large sums of money to discover (or rediscover) this amazing project.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Pange Lingua Certaminis – 0:43 2 – Warrior / March Of The Ents – 4:22 3 – Dwelling Place – 4:32 4 – Paradox (Disciple’s Song) – 3:19 5 – Realization – 2:56 6 – Praises In The Old Tongue – 1:21 7 – Greater Love – 3:16 8 – Ex Nihilo – 2:00 9 – Morning’s Anthem – 5:46 10 – Elohim Considers Antedeluvia – 1:44 11 – The Nephilim Disembodied – 0:39 12 – Ark – 4:29 13 – Beastia Ex Machina – 0:39 14 – To A Sleeping Infidel – 3:22 15 – Morning’s Anthem Reprise – 0:22
Credits Richard Conine – Keyboards, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Background Vocals Bekah Crabb – Autoharp, Vocals Kemper Crabb – Producer, Songwriter, Guitar, Lute, Recorder, Drums, Percussion, Kalimba, Dulcimer, Bass, Vocals Philip Dorflinger – Ent Voices Jimmy Hotz – Producer, Engineer David Marshall – Producer, Arrangements, Guitar, Bass, Vocals Michael Miller – Ent Voices Paul Mills – Engineer Randy M. Sanchez – Drums Brian Tankersley – Bass, Background Vocals Andy White – Bagpipes Steve Young – Violin, Keyboards
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Joyeuse Garde Recordings Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders Mixed At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
This was Rick’s first album after the formation of his new label “United Christian Alliance”. Well technically he did release a compilation album first but I generally don’t classify compilation albums the same. Unfortunately the label didn’t appear to have been a success having only ever signed one artist, Morgan Cryar, and only to a one album deal. I am assuming Rick was seeing the decline of the CCM market and thought he could step in and help but alas the industry was in a decline that was not within artists reach to fix. Rick also produced this album and did a real good job. If the industry hadn’t been tailing off I think he could have done some real good production work. The album itself is pretty good but suffered from lack of distribution. I hadn’t heard any of Rick’s later work and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a good pop rock album and had the industry been healthier it likely would have had a few singles. “Build A Bridge” definitely would have been a fan favorite and a top 40 single.
Tracklist 1 – Italo Americano – 4:17 2 – Never Give Up – 4:07 3 – High Country – 3:57 4 – Slow Salin’ – 4:32 5 – Build A Bridge – 3:26 6 – Brothers & Sisters – 3:52 7 – Whenever I – 2:59 8 – Can’t Come Down – 3:28 9 – I Know You’ll Be There – 4:08 10 – Bull By The Horns – 4:05 11 – Italo Americano (Reprise) – 0:49
Credits Leonard Ahlstrom – Songwriter Larry Arlotta – Piano Mike Caputy – Drums Chris Carmichael – Violin, Cello George Cocchini – Guitars Rick Cua – Producer, Songwriter, Bass, Vocals Tony DeCrescenzo – Translation Bob Halligan, Jr. – Songwriter, Background Vocals Robert White Johnson – Background Vocals Andreas Krause – Technical Assistance Tom Lane – Acoustic Guitar Randy Leroy – Mastered Russ Long – Engineer, Mixed Phil Madeira – B3 Will McFarlane – Guitars Terry McMillan – Harmonica Mike Mead – Drums Dino Pastin – Accordion Dave Perkins – Engineer, Guitars Emedin Rivera – Percussion Pino Squillace – Translation
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Salt Incorporated Music, Inc. Copyright (c) – Salt Incorporated Music, Inc. Recorded At – Dave’s Garden Of Eden Recorded At – The Carport Mixed At – The Carport Mastered At – Final Stage Mastering
Joshua Perahia is back for his second album with a new lineup for Joshua including new vocalist Jeff Fenholt. The album was initially released in 1985 and did well in Europe but was little known in North America. It was reissued in 1992 completely rerecorded except for the vocals. Does that even count as a reissue? Joshua also added a new track, “Show Me the Way”, with vocals by Robyn Kyle Basauri. Robyn’s vocals were also added to “Loveshock” which was originally performed by Ken Tamplin. The recording we offer here is that 1992 reissue. I have not been able to find a copy of the original album so I’m unable to contrast it for you but I understand that this version is much much better. The album has been reissued over the years utilizing the 1992 version. Of interest on the album is a cover of The Yardbirds “Heart Full Of Soul”. It’s an interesting rework but I can’t say it better or worse than the original as the 2 styles are too far apart to compare. I know some people were looking forward to this one and were proud to have it.
Tracklist 1 – Surrender Love – 4:32 2 – Heart Full Of Soul – 4:33 3 – Your Love Is Gone – 4:19 4 – Stay Alive – 4:44 5 – Rockin’ The World – 4:42 6 – Back To The Rock – 3:36 7 – Hold On – 4:06 8 – Show Me The Way – 4:24 9 – Loveshock – 5:10 10 – Rockin’ The World (Reprise) – 0:51
Credits Artwork – Noah Elias Backing Vocals – Bryan Fleming, Eric Tuttobene, Jeff Fenholt, Joshua Perahia, Ken Price, Robin Kyle Bass – Loren Robinson Co-producer – Charles Gates Drums – Craig Ostbo, Joe Galletta, Joe Tafoya Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – John Sarappo Guitar, Bass – Joshua Perahia Keyboards – Patrick Bradley Photography By – Andrew Watrous Producer – Joshua Perahia Vocals – Jeff Fenholt, Robin Kyle
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Ocean Records Copyright (c) – Ocean Records Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc.
We have uploaded this album to YouTube on the day after B.J. Thomas passed away. This is 1 of 2 albums B.J. released in 1981. I was looking through his discography to pick an album and I was struck by how much work this man did. Most years he would release 2 albums and there’s even a few years where he released 3. This album is a collection of traditional hymns arranged and performed by BJ. Of all his albums this one seemed the best to honor his passing.
Tracklist 1 – Amazing Grace – 3:32 2 – His Eye Is On The Sparrow – 3:47 3 – The Unclouded Day – 2:56 4 – In The Garden – 3:05 5 – You’ll Never Walk Alone – 3:06 6 – The Old Rugged Cross – 3:04 7 – Just A Closer Walk With Thee – 3:33 8 – I Believe – 2:30 9 – Just As I Am – 3:14 10 – Beyond The Sunset – 3:05
Credits Arranged By [Strings] – Bill Justis Backing Vocals – The Jordanaires Bass – Bob Moore Design – Dennis HilL Drums – Gene Chrisman, Jerry Carrigan Engineer – Al Pachucki Guitar – Andy Reiss, Bill Hullett, Billy Sanford, Harold Bradley, Phil Baugh, Ray Edenton Photography By [Cover] – Russ Busby Piano – Charles Cochran, Hargus “Pig” Robbins Producer – Pete Drake Steel Guitar – Pete Drake Strings – Byron Bach, Carl Gorodetzky, Conni Ellisor, Dennis Molchon*, Gary Vanosdale, George Binkley, Marvin Chantry, Roy Christensen, Samuel Terranova, Sheldon Kurland
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Pete’s Place Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. Produced For – Pete Drake Productions, Inc. Record Company – Word, Inc. Published By – CanaanLand Music Published By – The Rodeheaver Co. Published By – T.B. Harms Co. Published By – Tro-Cromwell Music, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
This is Dana’s first solo album. It follows Eddie DeGarmo’s solo album in 1988. DeGarmo & Key were still a group but apparently the guys felt the need to do a solo effort. I listened to Eddie’s album back to back with this one and I gotta say I think this one is better. Dana is a far better vocalist and I think his songwriting is better. Looking at other reviews I think most people preferred Eddie’s album but not me sorry. The real highlight of the album is a cover of Larry Norman’s “The Outlaw” which was also released on the Larry Norman tribute album “One Way (The Songs Of Larry Norman)” and actually singled at #15 on the CCM charts. The album had 2 other singles, Up From The Dead made it to #7 and Pray For Peace to #6. This is another album I really liked and there’s a few cuts here that might end up in my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – We Need A Savior – 3:57 2 – The Outlaw – 4:27 3 – Bow Down – 3:58 4 – Sister (It’s A Mean World) – 2:52 5 – Come To Me – 3:23 6 – Live In The Light – 3:09 7 – Prelude: Here, There Or In The Air – 0:35 8 – Pray For Peace – 3:42 9 – Kingdom Of Grace – 4:10 10 – The Death – 1:49 11 – Up From The Dead – 3:41 12 – Here, There Or In The Air – 4:12
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson Design – B. Middleworth, Jackson Design Engineer [Additional] – Billy Whittington (tracks: 11), Rusty McFarland (tracks: 6) Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dana Key Mastered By – Hank Williams Mixed By – John Hampton Photography By – Ken Crenshaw Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Ron W. Griffin
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Produced For – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Copyright (c) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Published By – DKB Music Published By – Straw Bed Music Published By – Glenwood Music Corp. Recorded At – OmniSound Studios Recorded At – Crosstown Recorders Recorded At – Ardent Studios Mastered At – Mastermix
In 1988 Eddie DeGarmo was instrumental in the opening of ForeFront Records. I am guessing that he did this solo album to help jumpstart the label. Dana Key also did a solo album in 1990 which also went on ForeFront. Eddie assembled a group of studio musicians for this album but you can tell it was on a new label as most of them weren’t really first call material. Not that they are bad but it’s rather obvious that this is a group of people not under contract to another record company. As for the album I was a little surprised it wasn’t a little more keyboard oriented. Instead it is a blues rock album with an emphasis on guitar riffs. I think it’s a pretty good album but without Dana you can tell it’s just not quite as good without their team work. That said it deserves to be listened to.
Tracklist 1 – Heaven’s 911 – 3:40 2 – Stayin’ on the High Road – 4:51 3 – Feels Good to Be Forgiven – 4:47 4 – Pickin’ Up the Pieces – 4:58 5 – Turn On Heaven’s Power – 4:08 6 – Goodbye Mr. Heartache – 3:48 7 – Thank You – 3:39 8 – I Believe – 3:52 9 – Faith Like a Rock – 4:20 10 – I Ain’t Gonna Lose – 4:58 11 – I Wanna Praise You – 5:07 12 – Yes Indeed – 3:18
Credits Art Direction – Connie Sneed Backing Vocals – Helen Gray, Phyllis Duncan Bass – Warren Pease Design – Camille Engel Advertising Drums – Willy Lucius Engineer [Additional] – James Craft Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock Guitar – Greg Redding*, Jack Holder Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Eddie DeGarmo Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Dave Hawkins Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Ron W. Griffin Saxophone – Andrew Love Trumpet – Ben Cauley
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Copyright (c) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Published By – DKB Music Recorded At – Crosstown Recorders Remixed At – Crosstown Recorders Mastered At – Mastermix Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
