This was Bryn’s 5th album but only his second to be released in North America. This album was in some way facilitated by Larry Norman but I have no idea what the arrangement was between him and Star Song and I can’t find any details on it. The album did well in all markets due in part to the quality of the backup band which was introduced as the “The Eric Clapton Band”. In reality the musicians had all played with Eric Clapton, but I think it was a bit of a stretch to call them the Eric Clapton Band. That said, they are a fantastic backup band and this album is fantastic and it ranks as one of my top 10 80’s CCM albums.
Tracklist
1 – The Gap – 4:54
2 – Egypt – 3:59
3 – I Can Do Things – 2:51
4 – New World Coming – 3:02
5 – It Would Have Been Me – 4:21
6 – Power Of The Holy Spirit – 2:51
7 – More Of You – 3:51
8 – New Jerusalem – 5:19
9 – No Time – 2:39
10 – Send Down The Rain – 4:53
Credits
Bass, Mandocello – Dave Markee
Design [Sleeve] – Phil Thomson
Drums – Henry Spinetti
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Keyboards – Chris Stainton
Percussion – Bruce Rowland
Producer – Bryn Haworth, Dave Markee
Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Harp [Harpolek] – Bryn Haworth
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Distributed By – Word
The second release from Idle Cure doubled down on their first album. Hard rock rifts and vocals return to give us another great hard rock album. This album featured improved lyrics and slightly better vocals, likely due to improved engineering. In fact I would say the entire album had improved engineering. The album did not include original guitarist Chuck King, who had left to co-form the band Shout. It appears that David Huff (White Heart) providing the drumming for the album and the drumming on the album is very good. It nails that Arena Rock sound from the 80’s.
Tracklist 1 – Just Believe It – 3:49 2 – Barter Mercy – 4:18 3 – Frontline – 4:06 4 – So Many Faces – 3:36 5 – Hungry Hearts – 4:02 6 – One For The Money – 3:30 7 – How Long – 3:55 8 – Runnin’ – 4:01 9 – Draw The Line – 3:19
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Band [Idle Cure Is], Guitar [Guitars] – Mark Ambrose Band [Idle Cure Is], Keyboards – Pete Lomakin Band [Idle Cure Is], Vocals – Steve Shannon Co-producer [Co-Produced By] – Tim Heintz Design Concept [Cover Concept By] – Idle Cure Engineer [Engineered By] – Dave Jahnsen Musician [Additional Musicians], Backing Vocals – Bill Baumgart, Bob Carlisle Musician [Additional Musicians], Drums – David Huff* Musician [Additional Musicians], Keyboards – Tim Heintz Musician [Additional Musicians], Lead Guitar – Tim Pierce Musician [Additional Musicians], Saxophone – Eric Marienthal Photography By – Michael Seeley Photography By [Back Cover Photo By] – Eddie Huff Producer [Produced By] – Bill Baumgart
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records Copyright (c) – Frontline Records Distributed By – The Benson Company Published By – Broken Songs Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Dino Kartsonakis returns with his album for 1979. Not much more than that to say. Dino’s piano work is among the best and his ability to put together medleys is spectacular. This album is just Dino and his piano with two 15 minute tracks.
Tracklist Side 1 Medley: O Come Let Us Adore Him / We Have Come Into This House / He’s The Savior Of My Soul / Oh How I Love Jesus / I Love To Tell The Story / There’s Something About That Name / His Name Is Wonderful / My Jesus, I Love Thee / Jesus Is All The World To Me / All Day Song / To God Be The Glory / O That Will Be Glory For Me / Amazing Grace
Side 2 Medley: How Great Thou Art / Great Is They Faithfulness / Let’s Just Praise The Lord / Yesterday, Today, And Tomorrow / I Came To Praise The Lord / ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus / Heavenly Father I Appreciate You / Pass It On / I’d Rather Have Jesus / The Love Of God / No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus / Alleluia / Oh, How He Loves You And Me / Victory In Jesus / O Come Let Us Adore Him
This album is kind of an odd one. This is actually The Joe English Band minus Joe English, well kind of. Considering Joe played drums on 4 of the 9 tracks I think this is best described as The Joe English Band without Joe on vocals. Vocal duties were taken over by John Lawry. The album distinctly sounds like other Joe English work and there’s no mistaking who’s playing here. I’ll be honest the album just strikes me as a little off. I can’t decide if I don’t like John’s vocals or if it just sounds wrong to hear this music without Joe singing. I have argued it both ways with myself and I am leaning that John’s vocals are just a little weak. That said there is nothing wrong with this album and if you like Joe you are probably going to like this album.
Tracklist 1 – Jesus Is Saviour – 3:39 2 – Faith Walk – 4:04 3 – Hard Times – 3:47 4 – Victory – 3:57 5 – Nowhere To Run – 2:55 6 – River Of Life – 4:41 7 – Hold On – 3:15 8 – Words Of The Wise – 4:00 9 – Albola (A Little Bit Of L.A.) – 3:42
Credits Lisa Bevill – Choir and Background Vocals Brenda Brannon – Choir Vocals Paul Brannon – Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Vocals Jay C. Coble, Jr. – Trumpet George Cocchini – Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Vocals Tom Douglas – Songwriter James Isaac Elliott – Songwriter Phil Elliott – Songwriter, Background Vocals Joe English – Drums Mike Feller – Drums Tom Flora – Background Vocals Mark Helstein – Choir Vocals Angie Innis – Choir Vocals John Lawry – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals Sam Levine – Saxophone Fred Lewis – Songwriter Chris McCollum – Engineer Doug Moffet – Saxophone Ray Nenow – Executive Producer Gary Pigg – Background Vocals Roddy Smith – Songwriter Tim Smith – Producer, Songwriter, Bass Dave Spear – Choir Vocals Lisa Tucker – Choir Vocals Hank Williams – Mastered Ned Wimmer – Choir Vocals
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Refuge Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Published By – Raybren Music Published By – Quietlane Music Published By – Prairie Moon Music Recorded At – Great Circle Sound Mastered At – Mastermix
This album is often referred to as Randy’s lost album. Recorded in the UK in 1973 Randy had either 10 or 20 copies pressed depending on which story you read. It then sat lost until 1999 when Larry Norman got the rights to it and rereleased it on CD along with an extra track. What we have here is a pretty typical Randy album. Mainly he plays his acoustic guitar and as is to be expected from Randy several of the tracks have a strong humour element. The tracks are not directly CCM and apparently Randy was trying to put together a collection for the secular market. I actually think it could have done well in the early 70’s in the U.K. but I guess it just never got a pressing deal with a label. If you are a fan of Randy’s quirky fun side this album is definitely for you.
Tracklist 1 – Get Me Out Of Hollywood – 2:52 2 – Back To California – 3:54 3 – Lately Mary – 2:06 4 – Jamey’s Blues – 3:36 5 – Puppet Strings – 4:26 6 – Strange Youth – 3:45 7 – Strangest Feeling – 2:56 8 – East Coast Lady – 3:09 9 – One Man’s Blues – 2:53 10 – Vegetables – 2:45 11 – Blind Minstrel – 3:24
Credits Arranged By [Brass Arranged By] – Roger Ball Arranged By [Strings Arranged By] – Del Newman Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Jon Miller, Rod Edwards, Roger Hand Bass Guitar – Bruce Lynch Drums – Chris Karan, Clem Cattini (tracks: 2, 5) Electric Guitar – Bob Wilson Engineer – Bill Price Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Gareth Edwards Graphics, Photography By, Layout, Liner Notes – Larry Norman Harmony Vocals [Harmonies] – Rod Edwards, Roger Hand Keyboards, Synthesizer – Rod Edwards Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Randy Stonehill Pedal Steel Guitar – B.J. Cole Percussion – Ray Cooper, Tony Carr (tracks: 2) Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Randy Stonehill
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Triumvirate, Ltd. Copyright (c) – Solid Rock Records Distributed By – Solid Rock Records Record Company – Solid Rock Productions, Inc. Recorded At – Air Studios
Is their a more powerful or intense female vocalist in the world than Lone Justice’s Maria McKee. If there is I have never heard her. Once the opening question, “Should I go North?” is belted out at full velocity this amazing record never loses ferocity and passion. All this is wrapped up in cowpunk like country rock the defies comparison. The first single “Ways to Be Wicked” penned by Tom Petty was sorely misunderstood by many in Christian market that ventured out and bought the project based on reviews in many Christian Music publications. But one cut from the album, the finale, “You Are the Light” found its way onto many Christian Rock radio shows as well as Orange County’s famous KYMS. The beautiful country tinged ballad is a stunning and memorable tune reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Stark, stunning and instantly emotional and authentic. They would follow this with the more commercial and “Christian” sounding album, “Shelter,” that will be discussed later.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – East Of Eden – 2:36 2 – After The Flood – 3:38 3 – Ways To Be Wicked – 3:26 4 – Don’t Toss Us Away – 4:19 5 – Working Late – 2:44 6 – Sweet, Sweet Baby (I’m Falling) – 4:10 7 – Pass It On – 3:38 8 – Wait ‘Til We Get Home – 3:17 9 – Soap, Soup And Salvation – 4:01 10 – You Are The Light – 3:59
Credits Art Direction – Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff, Paula Greif Bass – Marvin Etzioni Design – Jeri McManus Drums – Don Heffington Engineer – Shelly Yakus Guitar – Ryan Hedgecock Management – Carlyne Majer Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – David Thoener (tracks: B4), Don Smith (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3), Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B5), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B3) Photography By – Deborah Turbeville Piano, Organ – Benmont Tench Producer – Jimmy Iovine Production Manager [Coordinator] – Janet Weber Recorded By – Greg Edward (tracks: A4, B1, B2), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A3, B3), Shelly Yakus (tracks: A1, A2, A5, B5), Thom Panunzio (tracks: B4) Vocals – Maria McKee
Companies, etc. Distributed By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd. Manufactured By – WEA Music Of Canada, Ltd. Recorded At – Power Station Recorded At – Sunset Sound Recorded At – Amigo Studios Recorded At – Rumbo Recorders Overdubbed At – Sunset Sound Overdubbed At – The Village Recorder Overdubbed At – Amigo Studios Overdubbed At – Rumbo Recorders Overdubbed At – Studio 55, Los Angeles Mastered At – Precision Lacquer Mixed At – The Village Recorder Mixed At – Rumbo Recorders Mixed At – Sound City Studios
I was completely unable to find out any information on this 5 piece band out of the U.K. They self produced and released this album in 1982 and it appears they have a few fans out there as I actually had a request for it on our YouTube channel. None of the band appear to have gone on to do anything else except for keyboardist Steve Preston who did appear on a 1992 Rob Newey album. The album is mainly rock ballads which is a bit different as most albums have 1 or 2 Rock ballads but this album has several. The track “The Dealer” shows some real talent from these guys with some smokin guitar work.
Tracklist 1 – In The Town/In The City – 2:43 2 – Come Praise – 4:45 3 – The Darkest Night – 3:20 4 – Galilee – 4:26 5 – He´s Alive – 3:12 6 – The Dealer – 4:05 7 – Jehovah – 3:45 8 – Living´s Easy – 4:00 9 – I Thank You Lord – 5:12
Credits Bass – David Lewis Drums, Backing Vocals, Concept By [Cover] – Andrew Shortman Guitar – Gerwin Howley Keyboards – Steve Preston Lead Vocals, Guitar – Denvyl Lewis Mixed By – Mike Newbourn Producer, Mixed By – 20/20 Vision
Companies, etc. Recorded At – ICC Studios Copyright (c) – Daybreak Music Ltd
This is the second studio album by Vengeance Rising. It follows the same path of thrash metal as their first album. It is often considered their best album and I’ve read a few reviews that said it was the best Christian thrash album ever. Apparently it’s good enough that it crossed over into secular fans. As I’ve said before when It comes to this style I have no idea if it’s good or not as it’s all I can do to listen to it’s once. The lyrics are very biblical based (when I could understand them) which I found surprising but their is one exception track and that’s a rather odd cover of Deep Purples’ Space Truckin’. I’m not criticizing I just struggle to figure out the reason for this track. Anyway here it is, apparently the best Christian Thrash Metal album their is.
Tracklist 1 – Warfare – 4:50 2 – Can’t Get Out – 3:50 3 – Cut Into Pieces – 3:15 4 – Frontal Lobotomy – 4:05 5 – Herod’s Violent Death – 3:07 6 – The Whipping Post – 8:40 7 – Arise – 4:50 8 – Space Truck’In – 5:00 9 – Out Of The Will – 2:04 10 – The Wrath To Come – 2:43 11 – Into The Abyss – 8:18 12 – Among The Dead – 3:03 13 – Interruption – 0:50
Credits Arranged By – Vengeance Rising Bass – Roger Dale Martin Drums – Glenn Mancaruso Engineer, Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Doug Thieme, Larry Farkas Mastered By – Eddie Schreyer Producer, Mixed By – Ron Goudie Vocals – Roger Martinez
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records Copyright (c) – Intense Records Recorded At – The Mixing Lab Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
This is the second posthumous album from Keith Green. The highlight of the album is the track “The Prodigal Son Suite” which was part of a Rock Opera that Keith was writing but unfortunately was interrupted by his death in 1982. The album featured a multipage booklet from Keith’s Ministry “Last Days Ministry”. It details the history of Last Day’s Ministry and is actually a pretty good read. The album is typical Keith and needless to say if your a fan of his work you will love this album as it is very well produced as usual.
Tracklist 1 – I Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven – 3:19 2 – Lord I’m Gonna Love You – 2:46 3 – The Prodigal Son Suite – 12:03 4 – Keep All That Junk To Yourself – 3:23 5 – Open Your Eyes – 4:02 6 – Love With Me (Melody’s Song) – 3:15 7 – Only By Following Jesus – 3:10 8 – Song For Josiah – 6:12
Credits Arranged By [Strings, Orchestra], Conductor, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Organ – Harlan Rogers Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] – Last Days Ministries, Pretty Good Graphics Backing Vocals – Alphanette Silas*, Howard Smith, Keith Green (2), Linda McCrary, Maxi Anderson Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Hadley Hockensmith Co-producer – Melody Green Engineer – Peter Granet Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Orchestra – The London Philharmonic Orchestra Photography – Jerry Melrose Piano [Acoustic] – Keith Green (2) Producer, Drums, Percussion – Bill Maxwell Written-By – Keith Green (2) (tracks: A1 to B1, B3 to B5), Melody Green (tracks: A1, B1, B2, B4)
Companies, etc. Distributed By – MCA Distributing Corporation
I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I learned about this album. I remember the album from late 89 as it was all over secular radio. What I did not learn is that the Huff brothers (White Heart) were two of the driving forces behind it. Joining them was studio musician Alan Pasqua who had mainly worked secular projects but had a fair amount of CCM albums in his credits too. Also joining them was studio musician Mike Brignardello who mainly did CCM projects at the time. So apparently these guys came together and decided to do a secular project and this is it. This was the first project after the Huff brothers left White Heart but I don’t know if they left to do this project or if they left and then decided to do this project. This is a fantastic Hard Rock album and if you ever doubted Dann Huff’s guitar prowess this album should dispel that. The album had a big single, “I’ll See You in My Dreams” though the second single, “I’m a Believer”, was better but did not chart as well. I’d love to hear the story of how this album came about but I couldn’t find any reliable explanations on the internet. Anyway if you like your Rock Hard and or your Metal light this is definitely the album for you.
Tracklist 1 – I’m A Believer – 5:44 2 – Innocent Days – 5:16 3 – I Can’t Get Close Enough – 6:06 4 – I’ll See You In My Dreams – 4:46 5 – No Way Out – 4:03 6 – Shake Me Up – 4:16 7 – It Takes Two – 4:58 8 – Stranger To Me – 5:57 9 – Hold Back The Night – 4:11 10 – Love Welcome Home – 4:51 11 – The Big Pitch – 5:07
Credits Backing Vocals [Additional] – Lea Hart, Peter Howarth, Terry Thomas Bass, Vocals – Mike Brignardello Drums, Vocals – David Huff* Keyboards, Vocals – Alan Pasqua Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dann Huff Mastered By – Arnie Acosta Mixed By – Rafe McKenna (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11), Terry Thomas (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11) Mixed By [Assistant] – Jon Mallison (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11) Producer [Produced By] – Terry Thomas Recorded By – Rafe McKenna Recorded By [Assistant at Farmyard Recording Studio] – Derek Murphy Recorded By [Assistant at Master Rock Studios] – Helen Woodward Recorded By [Assistant at Ridge Farm Studios] – Paul Cuddeford
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&M Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – A&M Records, Inc. Recorded At – Ridge Farm Studios Recorded At – Farmyard Studios Recorded At – Master Rock Studios Mixed At – Livingston Studios Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios Manufactured By – Digital Audio Disc Corp. – DIDX-005359
