Category: Albums

Amy Grant – Unguarded – 1985

Unguarded is the sixth studio album from Amy and was release by both Myrrh and A&M records. The Wiki entry for this album is incorrect as it states “It is Grant’s first album released by A&M”. Her previous album “Straight Ahead” had been released on both Myrrh and A&M and several previous albums were later re-released by A&M. Now it is true on this release that A&M was able to get this album a lot of secular play at record companies which is probable another fine example of payola. If you don’t know what that was look it up and yes it did exist well in to 80’s, I witnessed it. That said this is probably my favourite Amy album which is no small feat considering my musical taste. I do remember this album in our music room and even remember a tune or two making it onto a mixed tape though likely the emergency glove box tape. If you were a player in the 80’s you know what I mean. It was the #1 Contemporary Christian album of 1985 and spawned singles on both secular and Christian radio. I was surprised when researching this album that it never actually had a #1 single. It had two #2’s and was a very successful album but strangely no #1 hit. Anyway, sit back and enjoy Amy’s best pop album, at least that’s my opinion.

Tracklist
1 – Love Of Another Kind – 3:22
2 – Find A Way – 3:28
3 – Everywhere I Go – 4:12
4 – I Love You – 4:25
5 – Stepping In Your Shoes – 4:37
6 – Fight – 4:42
7 – Wise Up – 3:51
8 – Who To Listen To – 4:22
9 – Sharayah – 4:53
10 – The Prodigal (I’ll Be Waiting) – 5:10

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Jon Goin (tracks: B5)
Backing Vocals – Amy Grant (tracks: A2, A3), Bill Champlin (tracks: A1, B2), Chris Eaton (tracks: A5), Chris Harris (2) (tracks: B3), Diana Hanna* (tracks: A1, A3, B3), Donna McElroy (tracks: B3), Gary Chapman (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B3), Gary Pigg (tracks: B3), Kim Fleming (tracks: B3), Richard Page (tracks: A4, B4), Steve George (tracks: A4, B4), Tom Kelly (tracks: A2, A4, B1, B4), Tommy Funderburk (tracks: A1, A2, B1, B2)
Bass – Mike Brignardello (tracks: A2 to A5, B1 to B4)
Drums – Paul Leim
Electric Guitar – Dan Huff, Jon Goin (tracks: A2, A3, A5, B1, B3, B4), Michael Landau (tracks: A2, A4, B2, B4), Paul Jackson, Jr. (tracks: B2)
Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig
Executive Producer – Dan Harrell, Gary Chapman, Michael Blanton
Keyboards – Shane Keister (tracks: A5)
Other [Explosion] – Shane Keister (tracks: A2)
Other [Music Stand] – Gary Pigg (tracks: B3)
Other [Scream] – Chris Harris (tracks: A1), Gary Pigg (tracks: A1), Kathy Burdick (tracks: A1)
Percussion – Lenny Castro (tracks: A2, B1, B3, B5)
Piano – Robbie Buchanan (tracks: B5), Shane Keister (tracks: A1)
Producer – Brown Bannister
Synthesizer – Michael W. Smith (tracks: A2, A3, B3), Robbie Buchanan (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1 to B3, B5), Shane Keister (tracks: A1, A3, B1 to B4)
Synthesizer, Saxophone – Larry Williams (tracks: B2)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word Records Limited
Copyright (c) – Word Records Limited
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc.

Honeytree – Maranatha Marathon – 1979

Honeytree (was was actually just Nancy Henigbaum) decided to turn it up a notch for this album. Don’t be expecting any Rez covers but given her previous work she really did turn it up for this albums. Peter York, Richard Souther, and Herb Melton from “A Band Called David” provided the musician work for the album and you can hear their influence. There is a track on the album called “Righteous Rock And Roll”. Do not accidentally listen to this song expecting an actual Rock song. I’m not saying it’s bad, just saying it ain’t my version of Rock & Roll. In a sign of things to come in the industry Al Perkins contributed some steel guitar. If you’re a fan of Nancy you’ll like this album but beware it is decidedly easy listening 70’s.

Tracklist
1 – Maranatha Marathon
2 – The Pilgrim
3 – Live For Jesus
4 – That’s When We Learn To Fly
5 – Father Lift Me Up
6 – Righteous Rock And Roll
7 – Psalm 57
8 – Bethel
9 – Go To Church
10 – Do You Love Me

Credits
Engineer, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Executive-Producer – Buddy Huey
Mastered By – Kevin Gray
Producer, Arranged By – Jim Stipech
Recorded By – Rick Donaldson

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Location Recording Service
Engineered At – Martinsound
Mixed At – Martinsound
Recorded At – Soundcastle

The DeGarmo & Key Band – No Turning Back – Live – 1982

This 1982 release from The Degarmo & Key Band was required listening in the early 80’s. Recorded in Oklahoma City, OK, this album sold very well and was a must have in every CCM listener’s library. The album is a great representation of their first 4 studio albums and ranges from an acoustic guitar cut or two, a strong blues song, a rather odd bass solo cut, and lots of Rock and Roll. I actually was able to attend one of the concerts on this tour and I remember really enjoying it. Perhaps one of the most Rock & Roll shows I had seen to that point.

Tracklist
1 – Light Of The World – 3:58
2 – Go Tell Them – 3:52
3 – Stella, This Ain’t Hollywood – 3:21
4 – When He Comes Back – 3:01
5 – Jericho – 4:44
6 – Alleyways Of Strife – 4:06
7 – Mary – 2:54
8 – Wayfaring Stranger – 3:40
9 – Bass Solo – 3:00
10 – Enchiridion – 1:50
11 – Long Distance Runner – 4:30
12 – Matter Of Time – 4:55
13 – Emmanuel – 7:27
14 – Oklahoma Blues – 6:08
15 – Preacher I’ll Need A Friend – 5:56
16 – Over And Over – 3:45
17 – Let Him Help You Today – 9:25
18 – Love One Another – 3:50
19 – I Have Decided – 3:20

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt
Bass, Vocals – Tommy Cathey
Drums – Greg Morrow
Engineer – Malcolm H. Harper Jr.
Engineer [Road Engineer] – Chris Taylor
Guitar, Vocals – Tony Pilcher
Illustration – Tracy Britt
Lighting Director – Jimmy Taylor
Management – Dan Brock Associates
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Mixed By [Monitor Mix] – David Knight
Photography By [Backcover] – Vernon L. Gowdy III
Photography By [Inside] – Larry Dixon
Producer, Keyboards, Vocals, Mixed By – Ed DeGarmo
Producer, Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mixed By – Dana Key
Producer, Mixed By – Dan Brock
Production Manager [Concert Productions By] – Darlene Brock
Recorded By [Recording Crew] – Mason Harlow, Paul Stutz
Stage Manager – Terry Mackie

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lamb & Lion Records
Copyright (c) – Lamb & Lion Records
Produced For – Mint Productions (2)
Mixed At – Ardent Studios
Mastered At – Ardent Mastering

Russ Taff – Russ Taff – 1987

Now I will admit that I didn’t listen to this album in the 80’s because I didn’t really like Russ Taff. Boy did I miss a great album because this is a strong pop album with some fantastic hits. The opening tune “Shake” is a great Rock & Roll song and the album also has a very good cover of “I Still Believe” by The Call. I don’t know for sure but this has to be one of Russ Taff’s most successful albums. It spawned 5 singles with “Walk Between The Lines” making it to #1 and even pushing The Call cover “I Still Believe” up to #5 which is quite surprising given that this is a straight out Rock & Roll cut. Dann Huff (White Heart) joins in on guitar on a few tracks and you hear his influence. Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band & Lyrix) sings backup on a few tracks as does Charlie Peacock. Great bunch of artists to push this album pretty high on my liked list.

Tracklist
1 – Shake – 4:21
2 – Walk Between The Lines – 5:33
3 – Believe In Love – 5:03
4 – Down In The Lowlands – 5:08
5 – This Love Is Strong – 4:59
6 – I Still Believe – 4:31
7 – Steal Away – 0:43
8 – (Living On The) Edge Of Time – 3:41
9 – Higher – 4:54
10 – Breathe Life Into Me – 4:24
11 – Healing Touch – 4:42

Artists
Harry Browning – Vocals (Background)
Robbie Buchanan – Synthesizer
Lenny Castro – Percussion
Bill Champlin – Vocals (Background)
Tamara Champlin – Vocals (Background)
Nathan East – Bass
Chris Eaton – Composer
Tommy Funderburk – Vocals (Background)
James Hollihan, Jr. – Composer
James Newton Howard – Composer, Synthesizer
Dann Huff – Guitar (Electric)
Paul Jackson, Jr. – Guitar (Electric)
Michael Landau – Composer, Guitar (Electric)
Paul Leim – Drums
Lynn Nichols – Vocals (Background)
Jack Joseph Puig – Producer
Neil Stubenhaus – Bass
Russ Taff – Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Carmen Twitty – Vocals (Background)
Tata Vega – Vocals (Background)
Larry Williams – Saxophone

Credits
Art Direction – Joan Tankersley
Cover, Design [Logo Design] – Joan Tankersley, Patrick Pollei
Crew [Studio Crew] – Bernadette B., Deborah Klein, Leeza Jillian Tender
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Joan Tankersley, Lynn Nichols
Engineer [Assisted By] – Bart Stevens, Billy Whittington*, Julie Last, Koji, Steve Ford, Wade Jaynes
Executive-Producer – Lynn Nichols
Management – Zach Glickman
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Photography By – Phillip Dixon
Producer [Produced By] – Jack Joseph Puig
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Technician [Technical Assistants] – Mike Wambsgans, Steve Hazelton

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.
Made By – Digital Audio Disc Corp.
Manufactured By – DADC – DIDX-2775
Recorded At – Shnaze Studio
Recorded At – Ocean Way Recording
Engineered At – The Hop
Engineered At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Engineered At – Wayne Cook Studios
Engineered At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Sacred Warrior – Master’s Command – 1989

This was the second album from Sacred Warrior and the same line up gave us another album much like their first one. The band decided to produce this one themselves and did a pretty good job. I can hear a few spots where I think they could have done better but over all they did a good job. The album takes up where the last one left off and if you liked the first one you’ll like this one. Vocals from Rey Parra are excellent and Bruce Swift’s guitar screams. If I did have to pick out an improvement after the first album I would say it’s the drumming. I don’t know if Tony Velasquez’s drumming improved or if it was a result of the self production but the drumming is excellent where on their first album it was just good.

Tracklist
1 – Master’s Command – 4:53
2 – Beyond The Mountain – 4:25
3 – Evil Lurks – 4:26
4 – Bound In Chains – 3:45
5 – Unfailing Love – 5:31
6 – Paradise – 5:21
7 – Uncontrolled – 3:47
8 – Many Will Come – 3:53
9 – Onward Warriors – 3:13
10 – The Flood – 4:15
11 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 4:27

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Steve Watkins
Drums – Tony Velasquez
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Guitar – Bruce Swift
Illustration – John Dickenson
Keyboards – Rick Macias
Photography By – Michael Seeley
Producer – Dave Jahnsen, Sacred Warrior
Vocals – Rey Parra
Written-By [All Songs By] – Bruce Swift, Rey Parra, Rick Macias, Steve Watkins (2), Tony Velasquez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records (10)
Copyright (c) – Intense Records (10)
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – Mixing Lab A
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Sheila Walsh – Shadowlands – 1986

This was Sheila’s 7th album and her first after fleeing Sparrow Records for Myrrh Records. She definitely upped her Pop sound for this album and it’s actually a great album. The record company may have changed but the different tracks for the UK vs US releases continued. The UK version contained “I Hope And I Pray” instead of “Christian”. That said both tracks were included on the CD release and we are using that CD release. I have never understood why this occurred so frequently on her albums compared to others. The album was very well received receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance by a Female but unfortunately Sandi Patti won the category with an easy listening album, no surprise there. The album spawned 4 singles with “Christian” doing the best peaking at #4. Reading through the comments I noticed that Mark Williamson from the Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix sang some background vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Sand in the Hand – 3:43
2 – Ship of Love – 3:59
3 – Keeper of the Key – 3:49
4 – The Hungry Night – 4:13
5 – Valley of Tears – 4:35
6 – Christian – 4:17
7 – Big Boy Now – 4:48
8 – Last Word in Love – 4:13
9 – What Do You Know (That I Don’t) – 5:29
10 – Never Give It Up – 4:05
11 – I Hope and I Pray – 3:46

Credits
Barry Blue – Producer
Simon Brenner – Songwriter
Matthew Cang – Guitar, Bass
Mel Collins – Saxophone
Lance Demers – Songwriter
Gavin Harrison – Drums
Sheelagh Lippell – Songwriter
London Community – Gospel Choir
Annie McCaig – Background Vocals
Jon Moss – Songwriter
Lynn Arthur Nichols – Executive Producer
Richard Osborne – Producer, Arrangements, Programming, Guitars
Mick Parker – Keyboards
Don Snow – Background Vocals
Alvin Stardust – Duet Vocal
Jon Sweet – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements
Rod Trott – Songwriter
Sheila Walsh – Vocals
Mark Williamson – Background Vocals

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Swot Productions
Recorded At – Swot Studios
Mixed At – Swot Studios
Recorded At – Aosis Studios
Mixed At – Aosis Studios
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.

Ishmael – The Charge Of The Light Brigade – 1975

I know you’ve always said I wish Ishmael United did an album with After The Fire. OK no one ever actually said that but here it is anyway. This is a fantastic album. It has that quirky Ishmael sound a lot of us would grow to love. You probably never heard of this album but there’s a reason. As explained by Ken Scott (The Archivist by Ken Scott, 4th Edition)…

“Probably one of the most controversial Ishmael albums and banned from a large chain of Christian bookshops due to the song content. The lyrics graphically announced of the dangers of occult, the stupidity of preaching to seagulls and the problems of Church unity. Oh yes, and the first and last album that is likely to contain a song called ‘I am just a Charismatic’. The Ishmael ‘dry humour’ which was added to help lighten some of the subject matter proved to be very unfunny to the less jovial Christians of the day.”

Well that explains that. Low and behold it has a Rock & Roll song., “Sixth Virgin” which id a style we never heard from Ishmael or ATF for that matter. Personally my favourite track is the ballad “Spiritual Stagnation” which was years ahead in it’s styling, remember it was 1975.

Tracklist
1 – Charge Of The Light Brigade – 3:40
2 – Spiritual Stagnation – 4:21
3 – Mission To Seagulls – 3:21
4 – Simon And The Gypsy – 3:12
5 – I Am Just A Charismatic – 2:50
6 – Laodecean Church – 3:18
7 – Christian Straitjacket – 3:18
8 – Sixth Virgin – 3:32
9 – King Of Glory – 5:10
10 – Amen And Praise De Lord – 5:20

Credits
Design – Dave Gillard (2), Geoff Gillard
Songwriter – Ian (alias Ishmael)
Band – After The Fire

Companies, etc.
Published By – Thankyou Music – 1975
Published By – Word (Uk) Ltd. – 1975
Pressed By – Tranco Limited
Designed At – Gillard Bros Graphics

Petra – Back to the Street – 1986

This was the 8th studio album from Petra and the first with lead singer John Schlitt who replaced Greg X. Volz. It was also the first album produced by the Elefante brothers as the bands previous producer Jonathan David Brown left the band with Greg X. Volz. By the time the band had found John Schlitt most of the music had already been recorded so it was a relatively simple process to get the album done. Back to the Street was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Performance by a Gospel Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus but did not win. It was won by Larnelle Harris & Sandi Patti for “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”. Personally Petra should have won this Grammy but even by 1986 the industry had a difficult time recognizing it’s rock element. John Schlitt’s vocals gave this album a more Rock feel but it still sat squarely in the Pop category for me.

Tracklist
1 – Back To The Street – 4:12
2 – You Are I Am – 3:08
3 – Shakin’ The House – 4:28
4 – King’s Ransom – 4:18
5 – Whole World – 4:50
6 – Another Crossroad – 3:50
7 – Run For Cover – 3:15
8 – Fool’s Gold – 4:48
9 – Altar Ego – 4:43
10 – Thankful Heart – 3:17

Credits
Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Art Direction – Bill Brunt, Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – John Elefante, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Mark Kelly
Bass – Mark Kelly
Concept By – Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Cover [Cover Design] – Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Guitar [Guitars] – Bob Hartman
Illustration – Randy Rogers
Keyboards – John Lawry
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – John Elefante
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Photography By – Bill Brunt, Ron Keith, Scott Bonner
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Programmed By [Fairlight Programming] – John Lawry

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios

Sweet Comfort Band – Hearts of Fire! – 1981

Hearts of Fire is the 4th studio releases from Sweet Comfort Band and the start of a new direction. While their previous release “Hold on Tight” had been met by many reviewers with a yawn Hearts of Fire was very well received. Vocals were pretty well taken over by Bryan Duncan who had a much better Rock & Roll voice than Randy Thomas. The album was more upbeat and had a more “80’s” feel and it was also a bit more cutting edge due to plenty of lyrics to a broader group of issues, something relatively rare for albums of this period. This album was a personal; favourite of mine in 1981 and I remember many hours cruising in cars listening to “Isabel”.

Tracklist
1 – Isabel – 4:08
2 – You Can Make It – 2:44
3 – They Just Go On – 3:34
4 – The Road – 3:49
5 – Feel Like Singin’ – 3:32
6 – Now Or Never – 3:33
7 – Can You Help Me? – 3:50
8 – Contender – 3:10
9 – Just Like Me – 2:47
10 – You Need A Reason – 3:16

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Bob Bennett
Bass [Alembic] – Kevin Thomson
Concertmaster, Violin [Solo] – Doug Cameron
Design, Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Drums, Vocals – Rick Thomson
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Randy Thomas
Engineer [Assistant] – Bobby Gerber, Chip Orlando, Mike Wambsgangs
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Photography By [Inner Sleeve] – Alan Bergman
Piano, Keyboards [Prophet 5], Vocals – Bryan Duncan
Producer, Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano [Rhodes], Keyboards [Prophet 5], Organ [Hammond], Percussion, Handclaps, Arranged By [String & Horn] – David Diggs
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Saxophone, Flute – David Boruff
Saxophone, Flute, Tenor Saxophone [Solos] – Jim Coile
Trombone – Alan Kaplan
Trumpet – Larry Hall, Ollie Mitchell

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Sound Labs, Hollywood
Recorded At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Farrell & Farrell – Manifesto – 1986

I’ll be honest about this album. I didn’t listen to it in the 80’s so this week was the first time I heard it. It’s actually quite good. I thought Farrell and Farrell were essentially an easy listening team but this album is in fact is a pop album. This was also their last album on Star Song before moving over to Dayspring (Word). Anyway I don’t know much about what the Farrell’s were up to in this period as little is actually written about them. Interestingly David Robbins provided some vocals on the album but was better known as a lead singer for Mastedon and X-Sinner. What was he doing on a pop album?

Tracklist
1 – Launch Window – 4:25
2 – Captain Video – 3:35
3 – Manifesto – 3:50
4 – The Possible Dream – 4:29
5 – Fair Companion – 3:35
6 – Corazon (Loving Heart) – 3:28
7 – First Love – 4:09
8 – Hidden Agenda – 4:07
9 – Hearts And Minds – 3:30
10 – People All Over The World – 5:27

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Dave Rogers
Bass – Jimmie Lee Sloas
Contractor – Nat Peck
Drums – Chad Cromwell
Engineer – Bill Whittington, Daniel Johnson, Danny Johnson, Dick Lewzey, John Hampton, Michael D. Clute, Pat Taylor, Steve Price
Executive Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Ron W. Griffin
Keyboards, Guitar – Michael Demus
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Niko Lyras
Orchestra – The London Studio Orchestra
Producer, Arranged By, Mixed By, Programmed By, Keyboards, Vocals – Carl Marsh
Producer, Vocals – Bob Farrell
Vocals – David Robbins, Jayne Farrell, Ron Hemby

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Ardent Recordings, Inc.
Recorded At – Sounds Unreel Studios
Recorded At – CTS Studios
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Stage III
Recorded At – Cotton Row Recording Studio
Mixed At – Cotton Row Recording Studio