Category: Albums

Norman Barratt And Dave Morris – Rock For All Ages – 1984

This is an album I was waiting to hear for years. It was never released in North America and is almost impossible to find over here but a friend of the channel did find a copy and was kind enough to share it with us. I am a big fan of these guys so I was very excited to hear an album they called” Rock For All Ages”. Unfortunately this album would be better described as “Rock for the aged” Actually that’s not even true because I’m getting pretty aged and I love Rock & Roll. Unfortunately this album is not Rock & Roll. My initial listening was straight up disappointment. Norman and Dave have done some great Rock & Roll over the years BUT this is a easy listening album that is barely on the fringes of Rock. But wait all is not lost. Once I got over the disappointment and listening to the album a third time it stated to grow on me. By the fourth time through I really liked it though it still isn’t my preferred style. So if this one disappoints you the first time through be sure to give is a few more tries and maybe like me you’ll come to appreciate it.

Tracklist
1 – Jerusalem
2 – I Will Serve You
3 – Evensong
4 – Lord We Thank You
5 – Jacqueline Louise
6 – Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring
7 – On My Way Home
8 – Tribute
9 – Winds O’er The Sea

Credits
Engineer – Derek Murray
Guitar, Vocals – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Producer – Dave Morris, Derek Murray, Norman Barratt
Written-By – Dave Morris, Norman Barratt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright © – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Published By – Heaven Music
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Recorded At – St. John’s Church, Shobdon

Heirborn – Heirborn – 1979

Here’s a great 5 man band out of Spokane WA. This is their first of two albums. It was Originally self released but was picked up by Praise records for their New Born label. The band has a great 70’s sound that leaned more Light Rock but the track Devil’s Friend was a real rocker. Not really much else I can tell you about them as they are a rather obscure band that I didn’t hear of back in the day even though they were on a label we followed closely. My best guess is that the label didn’t do much distribution on the album.

Tracklist
1 – Long Long Way
2 – How Long
3 – Pretty Lady
4 – One Nighter
5 – Good Samaritan
6 – Pearly Gates
7 – Devil’s Friend
8 – Walkin’ In Darkness
9 – Comin’ Home
10 – Soul’s Desire
11 – Heirborn

Credits
Rob Neuschwander – Drums, Vocals, Percussion
Dave Wold – Fender Rhodes, Piano, A.R.P., Vocals
Ben Mayo – Fender Bass, Vocals
Michael Lehnen – Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, A.R.P., Percussion
Dick Ellis – Engineer, Mixdown
Mike Dwyer – Mixdown

Companies, etc.
Recorded and Mixed at – Sounds Unlimited Studios
Mastered at – KM Records Burbank, California

Lisa Daggs – Who Are You – 1991

Lisa had started her music career in Nashville working the studio circuit but did not get any album credits. She then started working with the Lowell Lundstrom ministry. In 1991 she self released this, her first album. I don’t know if the Lundstroms financed it and I don’t even know who is on it or produced it. In fact I know very little about it so it’s one we just have to listen to see what it’s like and it’s pretty good. The production is pretty good but it’s a pretty easy listening album so if you are Rock oriented this one probably isn’t for you. Lisa would go on to have a lengthy music career with several albums and appearances. She is still releasing music and you can check it out on her website. https://www.lisadaggs.net/

Tracklist
1 – Who Are You
2 – Your Love Stays With Me
3 – We Exalt You
4 – He Really Cares About You
5 – You’ve Never Given Up On Me
6 – Nobody Loves Me Like You
7 – Pickin’ Up The Pieces
8 – Rest In Me
9 – Purify Us Lord
10 – Until Day Four

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends – Motel Shot – 1971

Including this album on our channel is a little bit of a stretch. We are adding it to provide context of where Bonnie Bramlett came from. She was actually had a very successful secular career in “Delaney & Bonnie” which was her and her husband Delaney. This album is one they released of entirely gospel songs so I thought it might be a good fit for the channel. This album actually reached number 13 on the Hot 100 from July 14 to 24, 1971, and was Billboard’s number 67 single of 1971. The band and their marriage ended in 1972 in part, according to Bonnie, due to drug use. Bonnie then had a solo career spanning 4 albums before her Christian release in 1981. I found the following story about Bonnie on Wikipedia and thought it would be fun to share. “While on tour with Stills in 1979, Bramlett punched Elvis Costello in the face at a hotel bar in Columbus, Ohio, after Costello referred to James Brown as a “jive-ass nier” and Ray Charles a “blind, ignorant nier.” Bramlett having brought his remarks to the attention of the press, Costello apologized at a press conference in New York City a few days later, stating he had been drunk and had been trying to be obnoxious in order to bring the conversation to a swift conclusion. According to Costello, “it became necessary for me to outrage these people with about the most obnoxious and offensive remarks that I could muster.”

Tracklist
1 – Where The Soul Never Dies – 3:25
2 – Will The Circle Be Unbroken – 2:42
3 – Rock Of Ages – 2:15
4 – Long Road Ahead – 3:25
5 – Faded Love – 4:03
6 – Talkin’ About Jesus – 6:40
7 – Come On In My Kitchen – 2:43
8 – Don’t Deceive Me – 3:53
9 – Never Ending Song Of Love – 3:20
10 – Sing My Way Home – 4:07
11 – Going Down The Road Feeling Bad – 5:10
12 – Lonesome & Long Way From Home – 4:00

Credits
Alto Vocals – Iva Bramlett
Engineer – Bruce Botnick, Lewis Peters, Richard Moore
Musician – Eddie James, Jim Keltner
Musician, Vocals – Ben Benay, Bobby Whitlock, Bonnie Bramlett, Carl Radle, Dave Mason, Delaney Bramlett, Duane Allman, Gram Parsons, Jay York, John Hartford, Kenny Gradney, Leon Russell, Sandy Konikoff
Photography By, Design [Album Design] – Barry Feinstein, Tom Wilkes
Photography, Design – Camouflage Productions
Producer, Arranged By – Delaney Bramlett

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Warner Bros. Records Of Canada, Ltd.
Distributed By – Warner Bros. Records Of Canada, Ltd.
Published By – Delbon
Published By – Cotillion
Published By – Metric
Published By – Hill & Range
Published By – Noma
Published By – Nice Songs
Published By – Tideland
Published By – Skyhill
Produced For – Delbon Productions
Printed By – Ever Reddy
Lacquer Cut At – RCA Studios, Toronto

Al Denson – The Battle Is On – 1988

This is Al Denton’s second album and was self released on his own label same as he did for his first. This album however is as good as anything else available at the time. What I mean is that this album is one of the best self released albums I have ever heard. The material is fantastic, the studio work is excellent, and the production is top notch. The album was produced by Paul Mills and Kemper Crabb and you can hear their talents. I have no idea who was in the studio other than Jerry McPherson but this was a great team of musicians. The albums leans more to light rock but I will say that “This Ice” is headed into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Nothing Can Separate Us
2 – Thin Ice
3 – As You Are
4 – The Battle Is On
5 – Two Wrongs Tonight
6 – Do The Same
7 – We Can Make A Difference
8 – Cut To The Heart
9 – Burning Bridges
10 – In His Sanctuary

Marcos Witt – Proyecto AA – 1990

Here’s another one for our Spanish listeners. We uploaded his 3rd album last month and it was well received so today we’re visiting his 5th album. This album was widely praised for modernizing Spanish-language Christian music with a pop-rock and ballad-infused sound. To me the album leans more easy listening than his earlier work but he was switch9ing to more of a worship oriented artist. The album was a collaborative effort with musician and producer Cesar Garza, who brought a high level of programming and arrangement to the music. The album also showcases the work of various talented Mexican songwriters.

Tracklist
1 – Te Exaltamos – 4:38
2 – Hoy Levantamos Tu Nombre – 2:19
3 – Yeshúa – 3:12
4 – Me Gozaré – 3:15
5 – Restaurarás El Santo Lugar – 2:07
6 – Él Es Mi Rey – 3:59
7 – Renuévame – 4:05
8 – A Cristo, Solo A Cristo – 3:42
9 – Porque Tú Eres Bueno – 2:46
10 – Maravilloso Dios – 2:21
11 – Al Estar Aquí – 4:03
12 – Quiero Levantar Mis Manos – 4:26

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Jose Perez
Arranged By – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Jose Perez, Marcos Witt
Backing Vocals – Eliezer Gallegos, Elvira Garza, Jose Perez, Lorena Warren, Marcos Witt, Nicky Garza, Nolita Warren, Rodolfo Orozco
Electric Bass, Engineer – Luis Chi-Sing
Executive-Producer, Piano – Marcos Witt
Graphic Design – Raquel Barrientos
Guitar – Gerray West
Mixed By – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Gerray West, Luis Chi-Sing, Raul Angel Taboada “Salomon”
Percussion – Alejandro Díaz, Cesar Eduardo Garza
Producer – Cesar Eduardo Garza, Gerray West, Marcos Witt
Recorded By, Synthesizer, Electric Organ, Drum Programming – Cesar Eduardo Garza
Technician – Raul Angel Taboada “Salomon”

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CanZion Producciones, Inc.
Copyright © – CanZion Producciones, Inc.
Distributed By – CanZion Group LP

Bruce Cockburn – Stealing Fire – 1984

Stealing Fire is probably Bruce Cockburn’s most “commercial” and accessible project in an illustrative career spanning four decades. That’s not to say it is in any way hit radio ready. It remains, though, one of Cockburn’s most influential and memorable projects. Even Christian radio in some circles picked up some of the songs for regular rotation. After a trip to Central America Cockburn returned with a world music influence and a suitcase full of songs of passion, pain, anger and grace. All that poured out into this wonderful record. The album is most noted for the semi-hit “If I Had a Rocket Launcher.” The always peace-minded Cockburn was so distraught over the victims of war in Central America that even he would cry out in anger against the perpetrators. Many were offended by the final of the song in which Cockburn exclaims that if he had a rocket launcher, “some sonofabitch would die.” Lost in the violent outburst was the fact that in circumstances as evil as those he was experiencing, even the most peaceful of man would be driven to this sort of outburst. Brilliant song! The first track, “Lovers In a Dangerous Time,” should have been a radio hit and was later covered by Barenaked Ladies. One line in particular inspired U2’s Bono would would add it the song “God Part II” in which he says “I heard a singer on the radio late last night/Says he’s gonna kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight.” That line is one of the my favorite and most memorable Cockburn lines. Bono is not the only fan of Cockburn as many consider him one of the great songwriters of this generation. “Making Contact” made it’s way onto some more daring Christian radio station. The world music influenced melody worked well on radio and the chorus was utterly unforgettable. On a dark and difficult album this one light moment clearly stands out. “Making contact/Swimming in an ocean of love.” It is hard to ignore Cockburn’s far left political stand. It is also hard to ignore the truth, grace, passion and purpose with which he writes and performs. On Stealing Fire that is a wonderful blend of all of these and more and for the uninitiated, it’s one of the two or three best places to start.

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

Tracklist
1 – Lovers In A Dangerous Time – 4:06
2 – Maybe The Poet – 4:53
3 – Sahara Gold – 4:31
4 – Making Contact – 3:46
5 – Peggy’s Kitchen Wall – 3:42
6 – To Raise The Morning Star – 5:52
7 – Nicaragua – 4:47
8 – If I Had A Rocket Launcher – 4:59
9 – Dust And Diesel – 5:24

Credits
Art Direction – Bart Schoales
Bass, Chapman Stick [Stick] – Fergus Marsh
Drums – Miche Pouliot
Engineer – John Naslen
Engineer [Assisted By] – Ron Searles
Guitar, Voice – Bruce Cockburn
Keyboards – Jon Goldsmith
Management [Direction] – The Finkelstein Management Company Limited
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Painting [Cover] – Blair Dawson
Percussion – Chi Sharpe
Photography By – George Whiteside
Producer – Jon Goldsmith, Kerry Crawford
Words By, Music By – Bruce Cockburn

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – High Romance Music Ltd.
Copyright © – High Romance Music Ltd.
Manufactured By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Distributed By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Published By – Golden Mountain Music Corp.
Copyright © – Golden Mountain Music Corp.
Recorded At – Manta Sound
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Don Mills, ON
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging Corp. Of Canada Ltd.
Lacquer Cut At – The Mastering Lab

The Living Sacrifice Band – A Call To Brokeness- 1980

This is the third and last album from The Living Sacrifice Band out of Spokane WA. Apparently they went through a few name changes starting out as Last Call of Shiloh, then Living Sacrifice, and finally as Living Sacrifice Band. They also released one album as The Last Call Of Shiloh. They released this album on Shekinah records which was a micro label out of Oceanport, NJ. The album has a progressive seventies Rock sound and feel and features the multiple instruments you would expect on a progressive album. Side one is more Rock oriented while side 2 is a little more mellow. Pretty good album here that you have probably never heard of due to it’s obscurity so if that 70’s progressive style is your thing this one is for you.

Tracklist
1 – Hallelujah
2 – Resurrection
3 – Woman At The Well
4 – Marriage Supper Of The Lamb
5 – Ezekiel 38 & 39
6 – Armegeddon
7 – Raging Sea
8 – A Call To Brokeness

Credits
Rob Neuschwander – drums, vocals, bass
John Murray – vocals, harmonica, guitar, bass
Diane Murray – vocals
Doug Houser – vocals, flute
Heidi Nelson – vocals, piano
John Rosenberry – vocals, guitar

Charles Johnson & The Revivers – There Is A Guarantee In Jesus – 1986

Charles Johnson might have been better known as a member of soul gospel group The Sensational Nightingales who actually started up in the 40’s. This is another group that was huge in the soul side of the industry and unknown on the rock side of the industry. Charles started up this group after he left The Sensational Nightingales in the early 80’s. This album has been classified as Soul but really it had more of a 50’s feel than soul but admittedly sometimes those 2 genres melt together. Anyway needless to say I never heard this one before finding it in our stack which is really too bad because this is a great album with a fun 50’s feel.

Tracklist
1 – There Is A Guarantee In Jesus – 4:45
2 – I’ve Been Sealed – 4:10
3 – I’ll See You In The Rapture – 4:25
4 – It’s Time To Go Back Home – 3:39
5 – My Friend Jesus – 4:32
6 – I Can’t Even Walk – 4:33
7 – Giving You A Warning Sinner – 3:45

Credits
Bass Guitar – Richard A. Luster
Drums – Mark Williams
Keyboards – Roger Fortner
Lead Guitar – Darrell Luster
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Tim Greene
Rhythm Guitar – Charles Johnson

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Mountain Top Studios

Imperials – Songs Of Christmas – 1998

This is the Imperials 2nd Christmas album. While their first one was very very popular, this one, not so much. In part it is because they self released it so it probably only sold through their mail order program. This was a period that the Imperials were struggling with record labels. The album is traditional Christmas songs done in a very traditional quartet style. It’s not even in the same ballpark as their first album but I don’t think they wanted it to be.

Tracklist
1 – Sleigh Ride
2 – White Christmas
3 – Silent Night
4 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel
5 – I Have Seen The Light
6 – The Christmas Song
7 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
8 – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
9 – What Child Is This
10 – Hark The Herald Angels Sing