Here is another artist that I can find very little information on. Stewart & Kyle were Alistair Stewart and Chris Kyle and this was actually their 3rd album. They actually had 5 albums so I am surprised I can’t find any info on them. It appears the album was also only released in the U.K., though I’m not positive of that. The album was released in 1980 and there appears to have been a CD release in 1989 but again I can’t prove that. I really hate it when I can’t tell you anything about an album but someone asked if we could post it so we are doing it. The album is Easy Listening / AOR and is really good. This isn’t my preferred style of music but I have to admit I listened to this album a couple times as it is really well done. I’m looking forward to finding more of their albums as I quite liked this one.
Tracklist 1 – Keep On – 4:10 2 – What Will Life Bring For Me – 3:05 3 – Hopelessly Confused – 3:58 4 – I Wish I Had All My Tomorrows – 2:36 5 – I Want To Go Home – 4:07 6 – Star – 3:02 7 – In A World – 3:19 8 – Left, Right – 3:20 9 – One Way Or Another – 4:03 10 – Robin’s Song – 4:06 11 – So Many Talk Of Love – 2:28 12 – Many Miles – 3:30
Credits Written-By – Stewart & Kyle
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Parchment Music Ltd Copyright (c) – Marshall Morgan & Scott Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pilgrim Records Copyright (c) – Pilgrim Records
Childhood friends Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key joined forces in their late teens to create music and for three decades were responsible for some of the popular CCM ever recorded. Millions of albums and millions of miles traveled. Even after they had gone their separate way musically their single minded ministry and deep, personal friendship never wavered. I had always hoped for one reunion tour. I, and everyone else, will have to wait for quite some time as earlier this year Dana Key went home to be wioth the Lord. D&K were the first band I ever used my own money to buy. It was their debut album, This Time Thru. I wore out three vinyl copies of their second album, Straight On, Their live album is one of the best live records ever recorded in CCM. And during the Summer after I graduated from High School I was eagerly anticipating their latest release. It was not what I expected. the progressive and blues infused, guitar centered rock and roll had been replaced by a heavy dose of synthesizers and strings. At first I was appalled and saddened that I had lost “my band” and that my childhood CCM heroes hadAs time went on, though, I not only earned to appreciate the album foir what it was, I actually began to love it. For what it is, it is very, very good. Top notch production, great and memorable arrangements and some very finely crafted pop tunes. And though they will never get the credit for it, they really were early pioneers in the world of modern worship music. “Let the Whole World Sing,” the monster number hit from the album is a modern worship chorus that should have been a church standard. Mission of Mercy would be the first in what I have dubbed, “The Techno Years.” Sandwiched between nearly two decades of straight ahead rock were three albums of keyboard driven pop. MoM, Communication and Commander Sozo built a substantially larger fan base for the group and expanded their ministry opportunity. Many years later I came to understand the duo was keeping with the times and would not be defined by any previous release. I learned to live with it. Of those three album the first, Mission of mercy, would be the best even though it featured the least amount of guitar. When it came right down to it, it contained the best songwriting with more than a handful of huge hits. “That the Way God Planned It” would remain a popular live song for the band while Ready or Not and When It’s Over would all top the charts. Oddly enough , for a band noted for their rock style they had always been an amazing ballad band, mainly because of Dana Key’s stunning and compassionate vocals. Of all of the songs on the album the most like their earlier music is the ballad “All the Losers.” This great song ranks up with Addey, Mary and Only the Meek Survive. It’s also the strongest song lyrically. A great record that was a record for its time and must be regarded as such. Also, when taken within that framework it is a wonderful record with wonderful songs by a wonderful and unforgettable band.
God Bless Dana Key. RIP…Rest In Paradise
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Ready Or Not – 2:47 2 – Special Kind Of Love – 3:23 3 – When It’s Over – 2:52 4 – All The Losers Win – 3:18 5 – The Gift – 2:24 6 – Fill Me Lord – 3:36 7 – Let The Whole World Sing – 3:38 8 – In His Love – 3:31 9 – Everlasting Love – 3:02 10 – You Can’t Run From Thunder – 4:14 11- That’s The Way God Planned It – 3:24
Credits Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Carl Marsh Art Direction, Design – Susan DeGarmo Drums – Greg Morrow Engineer – John Hampton Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dana Key Management – Brock & Associates Mastered By – Ken Love Percussion – Chad Crowell Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer – Dana Key, Eddie DeGarmo Producer [Vocals] – Ron W. Griffin Recorded By [Strings] – Brent King Strings – The Nashville String Machine Vocals, Bass Guitar – Tommy Cathey Vocals, Guitar – Tony Pilcher Vocals, Keyboards – Eddie DeGarmo
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Copyright (c) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Recorded At – Ardent Studios Overdubbed At – Sound Stage Studios Mastered At – Mastermix Pressed By – Discovery Systems Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Distributed By – Main Roads Music Group Distributed By – Alpha & Omega Distributors Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd. Distributed By – Concorde Distributors Ltd
The famous gorilla Koko was trained to speak in sign language on a limited basis, After experiencing an earthquake the gorilla signed the words, “Darn Floor – Big Bite” to describe the incident. The gorilla’s limited expressions and inability to fully communicate the response is compared to man’s inability to express the wonders of God and the way life is lived with its many facets and expressions on one of Daniel Amos’ most constantly impressive albums of the same name. After finally completing the four album tour de force known as the “Alarma Chronicles,” (on four separate labels mind you), the band released its second album for Frontline Records. Now without keyboardist Rob Watson and featuring an increase involvement of the ever impressive Greg Flesch, the album was less atmospheric and surreal and more earthy and rock driven. It is a brilliant, rather accessible and stunning album that would remain one of the least successful projects in the band’s history. (Well, they did use the word “darn” in the title, so what did they expect?) I almost dread reviewing anything Terry Taylor does, especially what is found under the moniker Daniel Amos for fear of fans decrying a lack of understanding on my part as to what the band and Terry were attempting to create. Quite frankly a quick perusing of Daniel Amos websites and chat boards reveal that the only acceptable Christian Music Top 10 would look something like this:
Alarma – Daniel Amos
Horrendous Disc – Daniel Amos
Mr. Beuchner’s dream – Daniel Amos
Outdoor Elvis – The Swirling Eddies
Bibleland – Daniel Amos
A Briefing for the Ascent – Terry Taylor
Shotgun Angel – Daniel Amos
Doppelganger – Daniel Amos
Let’s Spin – The Swirling Eddies
Fearful Symmetry – Daniel Amos
and so on… There is no fan base in Christian music that comes anywhere close to the passion and obsession that accompanies the fans of this amazing band. Myopic and intolerant of dissent, they know more about every little release Taylor and Co. have even been involved with and to speak with any authority on the subject without prior approval and the express written consent of Major League baseball is strictly prohibited. So, walk softly and carry a very approving stick! The other problem is that, quite often, I have no idea what a song may be about. Taylor may be one of the best read songwriters in CCM (or anywhere for that matter) and his references to obscure writers and events can leave a puzzled look on many a face. That’s not a Taylor problem, but rather a listener problem; but it also can cause some severe confusion on the listener’s part. But despite the limited success of the album and it, sometimes, obscure content, it remains one of the best of the band’s career and has a cool freshness even as I listen over and over to it in writing this review.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Return Of The Beat Menace – 2:56 2 – Strange Animals – 3:11 3 – Darn Floor – Big Bite – 4:22 4 – Earth Household – 3:49 5 – Safety Net – 3:28 6 – Pictures Of The Gone World – 2:47 7 – Divine Instant – 3:51 8 – Half Light, Epoch, And Phase – 4:15 9 – The Unattainable Earth – 3:42 10 – The Shape Of Air – 3:25
Credits Backing Vocals – Gene Eugene (tracks: B5), Jeff Crandall (tracks: B5), Maria Chandler (tracks: B5), Mike Stand (tracks: B5), Ric Alba (tracks: B5), Riki Michele (tracks: B5) Bass, Backing Vocals – Tim Chandler Co-producer – DA Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart Engineer – Doug Doyle Lead Guitar, Panpipes [Pan Flute], Concertina [Squeeze Box] – Greg Flesch Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor Lyrics By – Terry Taylor Music By – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Percussion – Alex MacDougall Producer – Terry Taylor
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records Copyright (c) – Frontline Records Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Published By – Broken Songs Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
The teen heart throb of the 50’s and 60’s becomes a troubadour for the Gospel by the 70’s and 80’s. Dion Dimucci (Dion) was a solo artist and member of Dion and the Belmonts in the early years of rock and roll and remained a chart topper for years. Ironically his two biggest hits, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer, were both about philanderers, one a woman and one a man. But right before the dawn of the 1980’s Dion had a spiritual awakening and began a lengthy career is Christian music. He released several successful albums for Dayspring Record with “I Put Away My Idols” being the most successful and most artistically satisfying. The style is closer to Dion’s 70’s folk rock style with limited 50’s rock and roll except in a novelty form. The content is very evangelical, yet never too trite or contrived. The title track is the closest to a “testimony” song as anything he recorded in CCM. “Trust in the Lord” and “Very Soon” have a very “island” sound (I wouldn’t call it reggae) similar to direction Steven Soles took but more Jimmy Buffet than Bob Marley. Most of the album is very “Scriptural” using direct Biblical references to support the message of the songs.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Here Is My Servant – 3:37 2 – Trust In The Lord – 2:59 3 – Day Of The Lord – 4:02 4 – I Put Away My Idols – 3:08 5 – Daddy – 5:00 6 – Very Soon – 4:08 7 – They Won’t Tell You – 3:38 8 – Healing – 5:14 9 – Give It Up And Surrender – 3:09 10 – My Prayer For You – 2:53
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Dion DiMucci Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Neal Bousanti Arranged By – Dion Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings], Electric Piano [Rhodes], Piano, Organ, Harp – Paul Harris Backing Vocals – Chuck Kirkpatrick, John Sambataro, Kitty Woodson, Pamela Sessody Bass – Phil Chen Congas – Walter Santos Cover, Layout, Design – Jeffery Fey Drums, Percussion – Joe Galdo Engineer – Eric Schilling Engineer [Assistant] – Jim Sessody Layout [Inner Sleeve] – Dennis Hill Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – George Terry Management – Zachary Glickman Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Photography By – Aaron Rapoport Producer – Dion DiMucci, Eric Schilling, Paul Harris Synthesizer – Tim Devine Written-By – Bob Smith (tracks: A5-B4)
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Produced For – Salt Productions, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios Mixed At – Criteria Recording Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. Designed At – Art Hotel Published By – County Line Music Published By – Skinny Zach Music Published By – Brotherly Love Productions Published By – Gold Mine Music Inc. Published By – Word Well Music Published By – Word Music
This was Dion’s 3rd Christian album. It followed pretty closely in the path of the first two but did concentrate more on the teachings of Christ rather than the misgivings of his own personal life. There really isn’t much more to say about the album. I do not mean this to be disrespectful but let’s face it, most Dion albums sound similar and are rinse and repeat. Now I’m not saying it’s a dull album, in fact it’s a good album as were all of Dion’s albums in my opinion.
Tracklist 1 – Hearts Made Of Stone – 3:58 2 – The Best – 3:29 3 – Sweet Love Of Jesus – 4:18 4 – It’s Gonna Rain – 3:35 5 – Only Jesus – 4:30 6 – Train For Glory – 3:32 7 – Thank You Lord – 3:07 8 – Sailing Ahead Of The Wind – 4:51 9 – Puttin’ On My Crown – 3:29 10 – Greater Is He – 4:12
Credits Alto Saxophone – Jeff Kirk Arranged By – Dion DiMucci (tracks: A4) Artwork By – Rick Garcia Backing Vocals – John Sambataro, Kitty Woodson Bass – Jeff Caswell Co-producer, Keyboards, Harp – Paul Harris Co-producer, Recorded By, Engineer – Eric Schilling Congas – Santos Design – Jim Osborn Drums, Percussion – Joe Galdo Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tony Battaglia Engineer – George Gomez Lead Guitar – George Gomez (tracks: A1) Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Photography By – Alan Messer Producer, Arranged By, Acoustic Guitar – Dion DiMucci Synthesizer – Reed Arvin, Ron Taylor Tenor Saxophone – Charles Chalmers Written-By – Bill Tuohy (tracks: A1), Dan Beck (tracks: B5), Dion DiMucci (tracks: A1, B2, B3, B5), John Fowler (tracks: A2), John Hanley (tracks: A5), Bob Smith (tracks: A3, B1, B4)
Companies, etc. Record Company – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Bayshore Recording Studios Mixed At – Bayshore Recording Studios
The humour continues as Mike is joined by his wife, at the time, for his 6th album.
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 Art Direction – McConnell Graphics Engineer – Carl Frost Engineer [Second] – Eric Tarleton Mastered By – Glenn Meadows Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer – Neal Joseph
Companies, etc. Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. Mastered At – Masterfonics
This is going to be a very brief description as there is very little known about this band. They were from Victoria Canada and they self released this album in 1986. That’s all I can find. It’s a Metal album which in places actually leans Hard Rock. It’s quite good and I’m a bit surprised it wasn’t picked up by one of the local area labels as there were a couple in that area of Canada. If you’re a Metal head you’ll probably like this one so take the time to give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Take Hold – 4:54 2 – Draw Close – 2:59 3 – Set Me On Fire – 3:10 4 – Psalm 139 – 3:18 5 – Prince Of Life – 3:07 6 – Fight For Your Life – 4:51 7 – Love Not The World – 4:43 8 – The Gathering – 4:19 9 – The Second Coming – 3:57
Credits Bass Guitar – Bruce Davies Drums – Steve Sawatsky Engineer – Tony Moskal Lead Vocals – Steve Satkowski Producer – Tony Moskal Vocals – Lisa Sawatsky Vocals, Guitar – Ron Willies
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Victoria’s Legacy Sound Studios, Victoria B.C.
While Mylon grew up playing Gospel music in his family band he decided to go the secular music route. He had some success in the 70’s and became well known in the industry. With that success came a somewhat rougher lifestyle than Mylon was familiar with. In 1980 Mylon came back into the fold after attending a Second Chapter of Acts concert. He actually became a janitor at his church in Atlanta, Mt. Paran Church of God. Nothing like a bit of humbling to move you to a stronger relationship with God. Mylon contacted Degarmo & Key as he wanted to enter the CCM industry and subsequently did some writing and sang backup on their “This Ain’t Hollywood” album. In turn Degarmo & Key stepped up to help Mylon with this album. Interestingly the band was assembled from his bible study group at his church and in 1982 this album appeared on the market. Now I do have to make bit of a disclaimer. If you are familiar with MYlon’s work later in the 80’s this album is going to be a little different. While it is well written and played it leans far more Easy Listening than his later work. So if you don’t care about that sit down and give the album a listen and hear where it all started over for Mylon.
Tracklist 1 – Stranger To Danger – 4:46 2 – Child Of The Father – 3:33 3 – You Comfort Me – 2:47 4 – Waitin’ On Heaven – 3:25 5 – Broken Heart – 4:30 6 – The Light – 3:58 7 – Our Desire – 3:35 8 – To Be Real – 3:03 9 – Inner Mission/A Brand New Start – 5:03
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jack Holder Backing Vocals – Debbie Cathey, Jimi Jamison Drums – John Hampton Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion – Joe Hardy Engineer – Joe Hardy Guitar – Mike Adams Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar, Resonator Guitar [Dobro], Congas – Dean Harrington Mastered By – Larry Nix Organ, Synthesizer – Ed DeGarmo Piano, Keyboards [Rhodes], Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Stan Coates Producer – Dean Harrington, Joe Hardy, Mylon LeFevre Saxophone – Andrew Love Trombone – Ben Cauley Trumpet – Jack Hale Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Phil Driscoll (tracks: B2) Vocals – Mylon LeFevre
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Ardent Studios Recorded At – Axis Sound Studio Recorded At – Mastersound Studios, Atlanta Mastered At – Ardent Mastering
Farrell & Farrell fans often consider this to be their best album. By the measure of fun this is definitely their best album. By the measure of CCM chart hits it was not strong. The lack of CCM magazine hits is a testament to it being a good album in my opinion. It is a fun pop oriented album and the track “People in a Box” received very heavy airplay. Personally I don’t think the track aged very good and I find it a tad annoying but then again it’s not in the 80’s anymore. The track was pretty good in the proper era. Degarmo and Key step in again to give this album their signature guitar and keyboards and adding the Farrell’s vocals is a very good combo. As I said the album only had the one CCM magazine hit. “Heart In The Right Place” only made it to #21 on the charts.
Tracklist 1 – Jump Up – 4:04 2 – People In A Box – 3:31 3 – Split Second – 3:33 4 – American Man – 3:51 5 – The Sting – 3:52 6 – Heart In The Right Place – 3:15 7 – Hungry Eyes, Thirsty Hearts – 4:06 8 – Shakedown – 4:27 9 – The Meek And The Mighty – 3:03 10 – I Belong To Him – 3:18
Credits Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Carl Marsh Art Direction – Dave Rogers Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Farrell, Dana, Farrell Drums, Percussion – Cromwell Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – John Hampton Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Darrell A. Harris Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Dana Key Guitar [Guitars], Keyboards – Demus Illustration – Jeff Sanson Keyboards – Robins Keyboards [Additional] – Carl, Ed Mastered By – Howie Weinberg Photography By – Dean Dixon Producer [Produced By] – Bob Farrell, Ed DeGarmo Vocals – Farrell, Farrell
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Star Song Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records Distributed By – Word, Inc. Produced For – Mint Productions Engineered At – Ardent Studios Mixed At – Ardent Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles Published By – StraightWay Music Published By – Elenbee Music Published By – Mint To Be Music Published By – Paragon Music Published By – Warner Bros. Music Published By – Bob Montgomery Music Inc.
In the world of Christian pop music more than a handful of artists bounded on the scene without the songwriting credentials, artistic acumen and lyrical insight…and they sold a ton of records. Other like Kenny Marks made a name for themselves and sold a decent amount, but never attained the popularity their quality work deserved. Often favorably compared to Bryan Adam and Richard Marx, Kenny Marks was a singer-songwriter that plied his trade in the CCM world and should have done much better. His songs combined the popular and common themes of mainstream CCM with a twist or difference that set him apart. he would also deal with subjects either taboo or poorly communicated in other settings. He may be most noted for his trilogy of songs that surrounded the relationship between a Johnny and a Jeannie. Two High School sweethearts that date, marry, have a child and divorce. Though a later album would bring Johnny back as a character, it is the three songs on three records in a row that are of most note. That trilogy started here with “Growing Up Too Fast.” The albums biggest hit was the title track, a stirring ballad about God’s undying love and forgiveness. “One Small Voice” reminds the listener of God’s attempt to speak to us in the small things in a busy and loud world. “Single-Minded Love” addresses the loneliness and difficulty of being a single adult within the walls of the Church. Marks had a decent little career, but it should have been stronger and lasted longer. There were three of four fantastic albums released throughout the mid-80’s that still deserve repeated listening.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Right Where You Are – 4:11 2 – One Small Voice – 3:17 3 – Prisoner – 4:57 4 – It’s Incredible – 3:21 5 – Gift From God – 4:10 6 – Growing Up Too Fast – 4:00 7 – Single-Minded Love – 3:45 8 – Still Be Believing – 3:20 9 – You’re The Best – 3:40 10 – Sing For Joy – 3:11
Credits Art Direction – Bill Brunt Backing Vocals – Denny Henson, Kenny Marks, Pamela Marks, Patti Leatherwood, Randy Guidry Bass – Mike Brignardello Drums – Dennis Holt Engineer – Kyle Lehning Engineer [Assistant] – Doug Sarrett Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Balding Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph Guitar – Jon Goin Mastered By – Hank Williams Percussion – Terry McMillan Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Keyboards [Mini Moog Bass], Backing Vocals – Keith Thomas Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio Mastered At – Mastermix Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
