Ephraim were a 5 piece band out of Minnesota and this sums up everything I know about them. This was their only album and none of its members ever appeared to go on and do anything recorded. So let’s move on to the album. It’s great!!! As far as format goes it is your typical Jesus music album but very well done. It has the usual assortment of Rock, Country, Bluegrass and a funk tune mixed in for good measure. Quite frankly it’s so well done I am amazed I have never heard of these guys. The album appears to have been a very limited release so I guess that’s the reason but surely someone at the big CCM labels heard this album. Anyway if you’re a fan of early Daniel Amos I think you’ll love this album. Oh and the cover is excellent!!!
Tracklist
1 – Long Hard Ride
2 – Round Like A Donut
3 – He Loves Me
4 – Closed On Sunday
5 – He’s the One
6 – Night Life
7 – The River Song
8 – The Lone Ranger
9 – Breakdown
10 – Psalm 117
Credits
Bass – Dean Nelson
Drums, Percussion – Rick Naylor
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Percussion, Twelve-String Guitar – John “Woody” Manias
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar – Daren John Hastings
Piano, Synthesizer, Organ, Harmonica, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Tim Oberg
In 1986 Mylon & Broken Heart released a “crossover” album using the Moniker Look Up on Columbia Records. Personally this is my favourite album from them. While the album isn’t overtly Christian it does contain a remixed version “Peace Begins Within” from the We Believe album and a cover of DeGarmo and Key’s “Love is All You Need”. The cover version by the way is just excellent. I’m a little confused as to why this was done as by 86 we already knew this crossover stuff didn’t really work. Now even more confusing is the list of guests on this album. Dana Key, Dave Perkins, Ed DeGarmo, Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Kerry Livgren, and Philip Bailey. That’s quite the lineup of Christian artists for a secular album. The last strange thing is that the album was produced by Dana Key, Ed DeGarmo, and Joe Hardy. But hey it worked, great album.
Tracklist
1 – It’s Alright With Me – 3:52
2 – Love Is All You Need – 3:15
3 – Peace Begins Within – 4:01
4 – San Francisco – 4:08
5 – I Wish I Hadn’t – 2:31
6 – The Gunfighter – 3:37
7 – Heart Of Iron – 4:19
8 – Saturday Night – 3:51
9 – Got To Get Used To It – 3:05
Credits
Band [Look Up Is], Bass, Vocals – Kenny Bentley
Band [Look Up Is], Drums [Digital Drums], Percussion – Ben Hewitt
Band [Look Up Is], Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Michael Tyrell, Scott Allen
Band [Look Up Is], Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Vocals – Paul Joseph
Band [Look Up Is], Vocals, Guitar [Guitars] – Mylon LeFevre
Engineer [Engineered By] – Joe Hardy
Guest [Special Guests] – The Bar-Kays, Dana Key, Dave Perkins, Ed DeGarmo, Jimi Jamison, Kerry Livgren, Philip Bailey
Legal [Legal Representation] – Joel A. Katz
Mixed By – Joe Hardy
Photography By – Jimmy Collins
Producer [Produced By] – Dana Key (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B4), Ed DeGarmo* (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B4), Joe Hardy (tracks: All), Mylon LeFevre (tracks: All)
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Manufactured By – CBS Records
Manufactured By – CBS Inc.
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA
Distributed By – CBS Records
Distributed By – CBS Inc.
Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
This is actually a bit of a mystifying project. Present History is Darlene Zschech and Peter Beveridge. It is on an independent label which I am guessing was Peters personal label as this was the only release it ever had. It was recorded and released in Australia in 1990. It was released on LP and CD but it’s the CD that is so interesting. There is an original release with 10 tracks. Then there is a release with 2 bonus tracks. Then there is a release with the bonus tracks and 3 hidden tracks (this is that version). It was also released in Germany, Japan, Spain, and Europe. Peter had a CCM career before this album and Darlene had a CCM career after this album. The bonus and hidden tracks consist of remixes and or extended versions. Kind of surprising as we were pretty well done with the fascination of extended versions by 1990. Anyway it’s a solid pop album and I quite like it. Love the Roll Over Beethoven track. Contributing artists were David Evans and Randall Waller (Avion).
Tracklist
1 – Always – 3:30
2 – Freedom – 3:19
3 – City Streets – 4:20
4 – Roll Over Beethoven – 3:28
5 – Open Your Eyes – 4:53
6 – Only Ones – 4:02
7 – Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye /Luke’s Song) – 5:01
8 – Dreams – 5:12
9 – Counterfeit City – 3:55
10 – No Doubt – 3:44
Bonus Tracks
11 – Freedom (Extended Mix) – 5:18
12 – Always (The Soul – History Mix) – 6:14
Hidden Tracks
13 – Always (Club – History Mix) – 5:03
14 – Always (Extended Mix) – 5:23
15 – Roll Over Beethoven (Extended Mix) – 5:30
Credits
Engineer – Guy Gray
Lead Vocals – Darlene Zschech
Producer – Peter Beveridge
Backing vocals – David Evans, Randall Waller
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Nightlight Music Pty Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Nightlight Music Pty Ltd.
Recorded At – EMI Studios 301
Recorded At – Rhinoceros Studios
Recorded At – Rich Studios
Recorded At – Nightlight Studios
Mixed At – Arco Studios
Mastered At – EMI Studios 301
Glass Mastered At – Disctronics USA – 113252
Michael Bloodgood and the rest of the Bloodgood gang hit us with this excellent Live album recorded at Lincoln Auditorium In their hometown of Seattle, Washington. This album was also available in a video format and apparently it was quite the show. This is Volume 1 of a 2 part series of this concert. Michael really shines in the live environment and I think his vocals are actually better live then studio. The album is very well mixed which is usually pretty tricky on live albums but the engineer really pulled it off on this one. If you want your favorite Bloodood tunes turned up to 12 this is the album for you.
Tracklist
1 – Out Of The Darkness – 3:54
2 – Do Or Die – 2:23
3 – It’s Alright – 4:01
4 – Hey You! – 4:15
5 – Alone In Suicide – 4:06
6 – She’s Gone – 4:12
7 – Heaven On Earth – 3:43
8 – Shakin’ It – 2:49
9 – Soldier Of Peace – 3:35
10 – America – 3:50
11 – Never Be The Same – 3:45
12 – Medley – 5:50
Demon On The Run
Killing The Beast
Battle Of The Flesh
Black Snake
Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Angel Kinssies, Dan Grant, David Schueller, Ed Robinson, Eric Beaver, Joyce Carlsen, Kara Murphy, Marilyn Bloodgood, Michael Bloodgood, Paul Jackson, Roger Cleven, Teri Tamas
Bass Guitar – Michael Bloodgood
Drums – Kevin Whisler
Engineer – Tom Hall
Executive Producer – Steve White
Lead Guitar – Paul Jackson
Lead Vocals – Les Carlsen
Mixed By – Tom Hall
Photography By – Karen Moskowitz
Producer – Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood
Written-By – David Zaffiro (tracks: A5 to B2, B6.1 to B6.3), James W. Taylor (tracks: B6.3), Kevin Whisler (tracks: A3), Les Carlsen (tracks: A2, A3, A4, A6, B1, B2, B4, B5), Michael Bloodgood (tracks: A1 to A4, B3 to B5, B6.4), Paul Jackson (19) (tracks: A3,B6.1)
In my opinion this was the best album from Sheila. Keep in mind I am very Rock/Pop oriented. This album was much more pop than her previous work and after this album she seemed to settle into the easy listening category. As I sat down to re-listen to this album for the first time in probably 35 years I was quite surprised how poppy this album was. For some reason her easy listening albums stick out in my head but really it should have been this one. The album did spawned two singles. Mystery peaked at #19 and, Star Song made it to # 21. Really this album deserved to do better.
Tracklist
1 – Turn, Turn, Turn, – 3:59
2 – Mystery – 3:26
3 – Sunset Skies – 4:36
4 – Private Life – 3:28
5 – Yes He Lives – 4:05
6 – Fooled By A Feelin’ – 3:45
7 – Star Song – 3:40
8 – Sleepwalking – 4:01
9 – Lonely When The Lights Go On – 3:10
10 – Fighter – 5:08
Credits
Kirk Allen – Songwriter
Keith Bessey – Engineer
Terry Britten – Songwriter
Sammy Brown – Background Vocals
Vicki Brown – Background Vocals
John Clark – Guitar
Clem Clemson – Guitar
Mel Collins – Sax
David P. Cook – Songwriter
Costa Coulouris – Songwriter
Chris Eaton – Songwriter
Paul Field – Songwriter
Graham Jarvis – Drums
Mart Jenner – Guitar
Graham Kendrick – Songwriter
Scott McClung – Songwriter
Jamie Owens-Collins – Songwriter
Craig Pruess – Producer, Arrangements, Synthesizers, Brass, Percussion, Background Vocals
Cliff Richard – Producer, Background Vocals
Pete Seeger – Songwriter
Sheila Walsh – Vocals
John Woodfield – Songwriter
This was Keaggy’s first solo album. He had cut 3 albums with Glass Harp but left in 1972 as “…spiritually we were going different directions” Keagy said. Keaggy wrote all the songs on this album while he was still with Glass Harp and I’m just guessing but I would guess these are the songs that were rejected by the rest of that band. Phil also played all the instruments on this album, a little rare for a first album. Most record companies missed the cost savings that his would offer. Anyway the album was released and sold relatively well but not well not enough for Keaggy to be a headliner and instead he toured in support of other artists like Love Song, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Paul Clark, and Nancy Honeytree. Keaggy continues to play the title track to this day in his concerts.
Tracklist
1 – This Is What The Lord Will Do For You – 2:54
2 – King Of The Jews – 2:04
3 – Walking With Our Lord – 4:17
4 – A Time And A Place – 2:44
5 – Rejoice – 4:45
6 – What A Day – 4:50
7 – Now I Can See – 5:08
8 – Behold All Things Become New – 1:18
9 – Hallelujah – 4:41
10 – I Will Sing – 3:23
Credits
Design – Linny Cobb
Engineer, Co-producer – Gary Hedden
Photography By – Bob Combs
Producer, Written-By, Arranged By, Performer – Phil Keaggy
Companies, etc.
Pressed By – United Sound (3)
Copyright (c) – New Song Productions
Phonographic Copyright (p) – New Song Productions
First of all full disclosure. I count Rob as a personal friend but remember my opinions of his works preceded my friendship with him. Off the Wall was recorded in 1984 and debuted at Cornerstone in 1985. This was Rob’s 3rd album and most days I think it was his best. Other day’s I prefer Straight Shot. This album does contain my favourite song however. Off The Wall is a straight forward Rock & Roll tune that gets your attention especially when turned up to about 11. Rob tells me “Off the Wall was written from my influence of years of prison ministry and reading graffiti off the walls of the prison”. That’s one heck of an inspiration. Rob wrote all the songs on the album and continues writing and recording great music to this day.
Tracklist
1 – Escape – 3:06
2 – Off The Wall – 3:15
3 – Resurrection Power – 3:20
4 – Only Your Love – 2:48
5 – Broken Man – 4:03
6 – Countdown – 2:54
7 – I Will Never Leave You – 3:21
8 – Turning – 3:14
9 – They Don’t Understand – 3:25
10 – The Reverend Silk – 2:23
Credits
Arranged By [Special Help On Arrangements] – Steve Morse
Bass Guitar – Kent Redd
Drums, Percussion – Buster Phillips
Engineer – David Floyd
Guitar – David Hosler (2)
Photography By, Concept By – Dill Beaty
Piano, Keyboards – David Floyd, Rob Cassels
Producer – Rick Sandidge
Vocals – David Hosler, Kent Redd, Rob Cassels
This was their fifth release, and their third and final for Light Records. D.M.Z. was the hardest rock that they had given us yet, and it fit the early 80s metal age perfectly.
Opening with a high energy track, Military Man, and pulling out a relentless guitar solo intro on White Noise, they sounded exactly like rock was supposed to in 1982.
The CCM industry at the time couldn’t figure this out but Resurrection band could.
== 1 == Military Man Military Man was the opening track and it became a signature piece for their live shows and a central part of their ceatalogue. The era was still post-Viet Nam. The movie First Blood came out in 1982, Missing in Action in 1984, and Rambo in 1985. Sympathy for soldiers was strong and Glenn’s writing reflected that. A call for pacifism was not the mainstream, but that’s what was different about the CCM world.
== 2 == Reluctance Wendi takes the lead on this song, as she does with three of the ten tracks on this album. She brought energy to the band that Glenn’s vocals, for all their intensity, could not. There were a few critics of Wendi’s vocal style, but there is no doubt she was an integral part of Rez.
== 3 == Babylon Typical Rez fashion was a hard sound like this paired with Glenn’s lyrics about human suffering. In Bablyon his desire to reach lost souls comes through again. The band had a ministry that always returned to the needs of the people, and the desire to share the gospel. At the same time, this is another great rock song from the earliest, hardest Christian rock band of substance.
== 4 == I Need Your Love A rough voice streaming out smooth vocals over a guitar ringing with a mean-streets tone is exactly what we expect from Rez Band. There is energy in the playing, the singing and the writing. This didn’t become one of their most popular tracks but it is just as strong, and a great part of the structure of this album.
== 5 == Area 312 Area 312 is the area code for Chicago’s core, in case you didn’t know. Kids that are born there, grow up there, and need to find hope there are what Rez was about. JPUSA was the birthplace of Rez, and JPUSA was essentially a commune in a needy part of Chicago.
== 6 == No Alibi Almost a hymn of confession, this connects with yet another part of the faith they professed. The process of confession is central to the Christian faith, and whether it is a formal part of your church service or not, here it is, right on your record player ready to bring you into it. Every Rez concert had an altar call where people came forward and members of the band would preach and pray with the people in small groups. This fits perfectly with their message.
== 7 == White Noise is a CCM guitar classic. I remember I was listenting to it and someone asked me, “Is this AC/DC?” I answered that no, it was Rez. “Reall? This isn’t Rez. This is For Those About To Rock.”
It wasn’t AC/DC, and I don’t think a music fan should be able to mix the two songs up, but you get the idea of what kind of music this is. It’s hard rock. It’s what the kids were doing in the 80s. Rez gave us an alternative to following the weird path of Ozzy Osborne, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, all the way to Twisted Sister. We were proud of the music we listened to because it was different, it was ours, and it was better.
== 8 == Lonely Hearts Loneliness is part of living in a city of 2 million people. It’s a different kind of loneliness, where people are surrounded and alone. Once again bringing the inner city message, this song connects.
Looking back at it from 2018, we look at this as a Tinder attempt to connect with people and finding everything hollow. Emotions stay relevant forever regardless of technology.
== 9 == The Prisoner Rez did a lot of “cause” songs. This one is written from the perspective of a wheelchair bound human being, struggling to be seen as such. I don’t know the back story but it seems clear there is one, and Glenn connected with it. Rez made a big effort to humanize marginalized people, whether it was the poor, the Black South Africans, or the wheelchair-bound.
== 10 == So In Love With You In with everything else, Resurrection Band also wrote praise songs. The Psalms are more blues (lament) than praise, but the praise is there and they never forgot to incldue some of that on their albums. This is a joyful sound, created in the style of Rez.
Tracklist
1 – Military Man – 3:39
2 – Reluctance – 2:14
3 – Babylon – 2:36
4 – I Need Your Love – 3:24
5 – Area 312 – 3:56
6 – No Alibi – 4:39
7 – White Noise – 3:41
8 – Lonely Hearts – 3:00
9 – The Prisoner – 2:54
10 – So In Love With You – 3:38
Credits
Artwork By [Other Art & Layout] – JPUSA Graphics
Artwork, Cover – Dick Randall
Bass [Fretless Bass], Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Jim Denton
Drums – John Herrin
Engineer – Roger Heiss
Guitar, Keyboards – Stu Heiss
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Photography By – Denise Omernick, Linda Dillon (2), Pat Peterson (2)
Producer – Resurrection Band
Saxophone – Steve Eisen
Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Vocals, Guitar – Glenn Kaiser
Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
This is the only known release of “Larry Norman and The Young Lions.” The Young Lions didn’t become anything else, but I believe that this was one of the records where he used his brother Charly as one of the creative musicians. Charly toured with him on the Stop This Flight Tour, and around this time was working on a career, although we never did seem much of him on his own.
The lead-out groove on side one says (in addition to the serial number ARF-864), “Larry & Charly” and the lead-out groove on side two says The Young Lions “Quiet Night.” For all I know this might mean they were the only two musicians on the album. It wouldn’t surprise me.
Most of the songs on this record are written by Tom Howard. Larry added 2 of his own tracks on each side. (Sigrid Jane, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, and two “L’etude”).
This is one of two records where Larry focused on recording Tom’s songs. The other one is “Letter of the Law” which appears in the bARCHAEOLOGY set. Larry was producing Tom and trying to promote him, unsuccessfully. He recorded some of his songs in attempt to generate some interest and popularity for Tom’s records. Tom did have a couple of moderately successful albums but then switched to doing recordings more focused on just playing piano.
Quiet Night is often referenced as “Jamaican Import” but it was available in the US direct from Phydeaux. Perhaps it was popular in Jamaica.
Tracklist
1 – Iron And Steel
2 – Shine Your Light
3 – I Found Love
4 – Let The Master Make It Right
5 – Piano L’etude
6 – Sigrid Jane
7 – Stronger Love
8 – Farther On
9 – Come On In
10 – Drum L’etude
11 – I Don’t Wanna Lose You
12 – Jesus Is The Song Inside Of Me
This is classic Mike Warnke, from what I would consider to be his peak era. His material from around this time was perfectly placed and timed, hilarious and poignant. His Gospel message was perfectly intertwined with his brand of comedy and fun at the expense of himself and his fellow Christians. Despite his later recanting of involvement in occultism, Mike gave us some great stuff. This album includes the classic “Saga of Dougie and Will” which provided no end of entertainment through all my junior high years. Every story has those memorable moments, quotable quips that you can say to your best friend to make them laugh with just a word or two.
It should be noted that Warnke was revealed as a liar and fraudster in 1991 by Cornerstone magazine. This recording is offered as a historic record of what was being listened to in the Christian community in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Credits
Edited By – Brown Bannister
Liner Notes – Rose Warnke
Photography By – John Miller
Producer – Wes Yoder
Remix – Brown Bannister
