The metal decade gave us a lot of gems and Barnabas is one of them. This is the band’s second album, much more refined than their first. From day one the band showed potential, and with this release the production quality shot up dramatically. Nancy Jo Mann’s solid vocals shout out over some hard marching guitar riffs and a tight band. Even on “If Love Brings Love” with a piano part that would be Layla’s little cousin, the driving guitars won’t let you forget where you are and what decade this is.
This is the 2000 remaster by Rev Hillstrom at Creation Station Studios, Robinsdale, Minnesota. It includes a bonus track “All Alone” which was originally recorded for this album but record company politics kept it off the album at the time.
Tracklist 1 – No Freedom – 4:37 2 – Stormclouds – 4:43 3 – If Love Brings Love – 4:12 4 – Waiting For The Aliens – 6:21 5 – Warrior – 4:01 6 – Never Felt Better – 3:26 7 – Subterfuge – 5:59 8 – Crucifixion – 5:52 9 – All Alone – 5:45
Credits Bass, Keyboards – Gary Mann Cover [Cover Art] – Kernie Erickson Drums, Percussion – Kris Klingensmith Engineer – Tom Tucker Engineer [Additional Technical Assistance] – John Hurst Guitar – Brian Belew Photography By – Dennis Mabie Producer – Barnabas, Tom Tucker Vocals – Nancy Jo Mann Remaster- Rev Hillstrom
Back in the days of working for KYMS I used to run the board for a pre-recorded “rock” show called The Ground Floor. The show changed names to “The Edge” and was hosted by Gord Driver who was an engineer and music producer. At some point Driver decide to start a record company. The label was short lived but did preoduce a few really good releases. There was a great jazz band called Razz, a powerful alternative/punk band called Modern Mission and the most successful, a new wave keyboard driven band called The Imitators. There only full length album, Once and For All, showed a great deal of promise but was never followed up as the band moved to New Jersey, fell into financial hardship and disbanded. Driven by a keyboard centered similar to the Psychedelic Furs, Flock of Seagulls and a touch of Duran Duran type vocals. Fans of the Christian Band 4-4-1 would find something to like here as well. Nothing too heavy, though some controversy was stirred up over the lyrics to one song that discussed Christian Youth caught in sexual sin. Realizing early on that they were “preaching to the choir” they placed the lyrical focus on encouraging a Godly lifestyle amongst the Christian Youth they were performing for on a regular basis. So lyrical content swirled around issues youth group kids could relate to.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Within You – 3:27 2 – Idols – 3:57 3 – Got To Feel The Fire – 3:17 4 – I’ll Keep Holding On – 3:13 5 – Children Of The Lie – 4:21 6 – Sometimes (I Think I’m Never Gonna Make It) – 3:27 7 – Get A Little Bit Closer – 3:57 8 – The Writing’s On The Wall – 3:17 9 – Once And For All – 3:13
Credits Bass – Robert Villegas Design [Cover Design], Layout – Ed McTaggart Design Concept [Cover Concept] – The Imitators Drum Programming [Linn Drum] – Dave Spurr (tracks: B3) Drums – Richard Cabrera Engineer, Mixed By – Gord Driver Guitar – David Price Keyboards, Vocals – Philip Mason Mastered By – Steve Hall Performer [Imitators Is] – Barry Edge, David Price, Philip Mason, Richard Cabrera, Robert Villegas Photography By – Alex MacDougall Producer – Gord Driver, The Imitators Vocals, Guitar – Barry Edge
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Lexicon Mixed At – Asaph Recording Mastered At – Future Disc Phonographic Copyright (p) – Exile Records Copyright (c) – Exile Records
So what does a band do when their songwriter leaves the band to go back to school? They put out an album of covers, problem solved. OK I’m not sure that’s exactly why they put out this album but that is the official timeline leading up to it. The album contains cover versions of songs both from secular and Christian music. I’m not really too sure what the point of the album was but I suspect they were just having a bit of fun. I can only imagine the nightmare this album was as far as licensing goes. Anyway it’s a fun album filled with punked up versions of mainly 80’s songs (but not all) that is fun to listen to but I wouldn’t take it too seriously.
Tracklist 1 – I Love Rock And Roll – 2:53 2 – Earth Angel – 2:10 3 – True Faith – 4:12 4 – Just What I Needed – 2:43 5 – Friends – 3:37 6 – Acquiesce – 3:25 7 – I See Red – 3:51 8 – Walking On Sunshine – 3:25 9 – The Guitar Song – 3:57 10 – Hey Nonny Nonny – 3:11 11 – On The Road Again – 2:04 12 – Where Is My Mind? – 3:36 13 – Burnin’ Love – 3:15 14 – The Invisible Man – 2:09 15 – Untitled (Hidden Track) – 1:30
Credits Bass – Christian Ergueta Drums – Adam Neubauer Executive-Producer – Brandon Ebel Guitar – Jamie Tolosa Mastered By – Brian Gardner Producer – Ghoti Hook Producer, Engineer – Kevin 131 Vocals, Guitar – Joel Timothy Bell
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Tooth & Nail Records Copyright (c) – Tooth & Nail Records
This was the first studio album from Guardian though they did have a demo using the name Fusion and another using the name Gardian. They inked the deal for this album in 1985 with Enigma Records but the wheels of production and release moved very slowly. The album was to be produced by Oz Fox from Stryper and he wasn’t immediately available. Recording did finish in 1988 but then for some reason it didn’t get released until 1989. Quite frankly Enigma really screwed this one up. By the time this album came out they should have been on their follow up album and another tour but the screw ups over at Enigma cost themselves and the band a lot of success and the resulting money. To top this all off Enigma did a short run of the album making it difficult for people to get their hands on. This was a great metal album and if it had been properly promoted, pressed, and distributed it might have been one of the biggest Christian Metal releases. I’m not even going to bother telling you about the album, give it a listen, I know you will be impressed. Another annoying thing Enigma did was to put 2 extra tracks on the CD release. This idea wasn’t’ unique to Enigma, lots of others did it but it was a dumb idea.
Tracklist 1 – I’ll Never Leave You – 4:32 2 – Mystery Man – 4:07 3 – Livin’ For The Promise – 4:09 4 – Miracle – 4:56 5 – Saints Battalion – 3:47 6 – Kingdom Of Rock – 3:25 7 – The Good Life – 4:41 8 – One Of A Kind – 3:33 9 – World Without Love – 3:56 10 – Rock In Victory – 3:50 —CD Bonus Tracks— 11 – Hyperdrive – 4:17 12 – Marching On – 3:55
Credits Art Direction, Design – Dean Van Eimeren Backing Vocals [Additional Backing Vocals] – Oz Fox Bass – David Bach (2) Drums – Rikk Hart Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Allen Isaacs, Gene Eugene, Jeff Simmons Engineer [Assistent Engineer], Coordinator [Studio Coordination] – Dave Hackbarth, Dino Elefante Engineer, Mixed By – Dan Nebenzal Keyboards – Brent Jeffers Lead Guitar – Tony Palacios Lead Vocals, Guitar – Paul Cawley Mastered By – Eddy Schreyer Mixed By, Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Mike Mierau Photography By – Steve Cooper Producer, Mixed By – Oz Fox Vocals – David Bach, Tony Palacios
Companies, etc. Record Company – The Benson Company, Inc. Made By – Discovery Systems
This is the fourth album from the Archer brothers and their first on Light Records. Things We Deeply Feel is the last album to feature female vocalist Nancye Short who sings lead on “It Wouldn’t Be Enough”. This song put The Archers on the map as it became a #1 on the Adult contemporary charts. The album also spawned a few other singles but “It Wouldn’t Be Enough” was the money track. Light records spent a lot of money on the studio band and also an embossed album cover that must have cost a fortune at the time. The album also contains the most countrified song they ever did, “You Are My Inspiration”. While this was a very successful album and Nancye was an excellent vocalist I prefer their albums once sister Janice joined the band.
Tracklist 1 – Music (He Brings A New Song) – 3:35 2 – Giver Of Life – 3:27 3 – Sit Yourself Down – 2:54 4 – Lord, You’ve Been Good To Me – 2:47 5 – It Wouldn’t Be Enough – 3:59 6 – I’m With Jesus – 3:15 7 – Brand New Day – 3:31 8 – You Are My Inspiration – 2:58 9 – If You Can’t Believe In Love (You Don’t Believe In Anything At All) – 3:17 10 – It’s Love To Me – 3:01 11 – Praise Him – 2:52
Credits Arranged By [Rhythm Charts] – Bobby Sisco Arranged By [Strings/Brass] – Clark Gassman Bass – Leland Sklar Drums – Ed Green, Hal Blaine Engineer – Jerry Barnes Fiddle [Electric] – Harold Hensley Guitar – Ben Benay, Dan Ferguson, Jay Graydon, Lee Ritenour Keyboards – David Paich Liner Notes – Ralph Carmichael Percussion – Allan Estes Performer [Uncredited] – Billy Masters Producer – Bill Cole Steel Guitar – Red Rhodes Synthesizer [Moog] – Clark Gassman Vocals [Uncredited] – Nancye Short, Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc. Recorded At – Western Recorders
This is the first of two albums by Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet. The second one is the one most people know about but this is where it started. Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet were one one of the first bands signed to the new Myrrh records. Most of the early Myrhh bands leaned to the easy listening style but these guys were a straight up Rock & Roll band. The album has the standard seventies Jesus Music album structure. Some great rock tunes, a couple ballads, and the mandatory country song, but these guys did it well. Here’s the real trivia about this album. Playing harmonica was Dave Edwards who would later become known to us as David Edwards the New Wave CCM pioneer.
Tracklist 1 – Suddenly – 3:35 2 – Back Home – 4:08 3 – Long Time Comin’ – 3:50 4 – Love Song – 4:03 5 – Denominations – 2:43 6 – Nick Of Time – 2:19 7 – Don’t Shine It On – 4:10 8 – Lord It’s In Your Hands – 3:55 9 – Satisfied – 4:50 10 – Real Peace – 4:35
Credits Bass Guitar – Greg Prough Drums, Percussion – Rick Frye Engineer – Paul Elmore Fiddle – Richie Yenoukian Harmonica – Dave Edwards Keyboards – Steve Kennedy Lead Guitar – John Pantano Lead Vocals – Ron Salsbury Photography By [Cover Photo] – Eric Skipsey Producer – Billy Ray Hearn Rhythm Guitar – Ron Salsbury Trombone – Bid Wallace Vocals – Greg Prough, John Pantano
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. – 1972 Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles
This was the 3rd studio album from WhiteHeart and there were a few firsts and lasts as far as band members went. It was the last for Scott Douglas & David Huff, and the first for Gordon Kennedy. This was also the first album for them on Home Sweet Home Records, a label owned by Chris Christian. The same year as this album came out Douglas was charged with aggravated sexual battery and was sentenced to prison in early 1986. In my opinion this would have killed any Christian Band but somehow they survived this. I can not imagine the horror in the band when they found out about Douglas’s actions. How they worked though this is absolutely beyond me and the fact they soldiered on is really a testament to the fortitude of the band members. The album had 2 CCM singles with “Jerusalem” making it to #3, and “In His Name” making it to #19.
Tracklist
1 – Hotline – 4:14
2 – Gotta Be A Believer – 4:21
3 – Jerusalem – 3:50
4 – Turn The Page – 4:55
5 – She’s A Runaway – 3:40
6 – Heroes – 4:36
7 – In His Name – 4:14
8 – The Victory – 4:22
9 – Walls – 2:35
10 – Keep Fighting The Fight – 3:08
Credits
Art Direction – Bill Brunt
Bass – Gary Lunn
Drums – David Huff
Engineer – Bob Graves (tracks: B4)
Engineer [Second On Tracks] – Clarke Schleicher
Engineer [Second] – David Pierce, Sam Bailey
Executive Producer – Chris Christian
Guitar, Producer, Keyboards – Billy Smiley
Lead Guitar – Gordon Kennedy
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Music By, Words By – Mark Gersmehl (tracks: A2 to B5)
Percussion – David Huff
Photography By – Mark Tucker, Ron Keith, Scott Bonner
Producer, Vocals, Keyboards – Mark Gersmehl
Recorded By, Mixed By – Brent King
Vocals – Billy Smiley, Gordon Kennedy, Scott Douglas
Words By – Billy Smiley (tracks: A1 to B1, B3, B4), Mark Gersmehl (tracks: A2, A3, A5 to B5)
Words By, Music By – Dana Key (tracks: A3), Eddie DeGarmo (tracks: A3), Gordon Kennedy (tracks: B3), Larry W. Stewart (tracks: B3), Scott Douglas (tracks: A1)
Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Mastermix
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio
Overdubbed At – Gold Mine Studio
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – Δ26727
Published By – Paragon Music
Published By – Bug & Bear Music
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Hall-Clement Publications
Published By – Yellow Jacket Music, Inc.
Published By – Welk Music Group
Published By – Chris Christian Music
This is the first of two albums from IN 3D. If I had to describe the style of this album I would say it’s the Police with a little heavier guitar presence. That said, this band definitely had their own style. Really this band should have had more success than they did as the lyrics and music are extremely well done. David Lowman on his comprehensive website “CCM’s 500 Best Albums Of All Time” ranks this album as #219 and says that In-3D might be the only band that only recorded 2 albums and both were included in his list. I probably would have ranked it a little higher but not everyone has exactly the same taste and #219 is a very respectable showing. If you only have time to listen to one song from this album I would suggest “Under My Umbrella”. Point of trivia about this album is that Glen Kaiser (of Rez Band) contributed some of the guitar tracks and you can pick it out on some tracks.
Track Listing:
1 – Livin’ In The Real World – 3:47
2 – Neurotica – 0:24
3 – Just One Question – 3:03
4 – Can’t Stop – 3:13
5 – Please No – 4:25
6 – Lookin’ To You – 3:40
7 – Under My Umbrella – 3:54
8 – It’s Up To You – 2:37
9 – Memories Of A Man (Playin’ The Game) – 3:19
10 – Never Again – 3:56
11 – Goin’ On (Separate Planes) – 4:01
12 – Exit 47 – 1:00
Credits:
Jon de Fincher – Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals
Larry Duttmer – Drums
Glenn Kaiser – Guitar
Mike Kroell – Drums
Todd Moriarty – Drums
Nail – Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
James Neave – Songwriter, Bass, Lead Vocals
Jeff Pollard – Background Vocals
This was Steve’s final album with Myrrh records. Strangely Myrrh chose to release it after he had already released a new album with his new label. There has to be a story there somewhere. Also strangely the track “Light Your Candle” is both on this album and the “Fire and Ice” album. The versions are slightly different but this is the first version he recorded. Also very strange about this album is that it did not have a single on the CCM charts. I really feel that behind the scenes there’s a real story behind this album. The album actually has a bit of a dark feeling to me. Several of the songs have a negative feel about Steve’s opinion of the world at this time of his life. Now that said this album is also said to have some of his best songwriting which I guess makes sense as he was actually writing about serious issues. Norman Barratt supplied lead guitar work on the album and his work stands out as usual. All in all a pretty good album from Steve but not one of my personal favourites.
Tracklist
1 – Holding On To You – 3:43
2 – Don’t Wanna Be Friends – 3:18
3 – It’s A Dying World – 3:49
4 – You Comfort Me – 3:20
5 – You Know What’s Right – 3:19
6 – Light Your Candle – 3:19
7 – I Don’t Live By Chance – 3:25
8 – Tongue Is A Fire – 5:04
9 – Can You Sleep Tonight – 3:53
10 – Man Does Not Live – 3:27
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Camp
Arranged By – Barratt Band, Steve Camp
Art Direction [Production] – Dlorah L. Abdi
Artwork [Special Airbrush Effects] – Roy Harwood
Backing Vocals – Diane Thiel, Joan Anderson, Steve Camp
Bass – Larry Tomaso
Design, Design Concept [Cover And Sleeve Design And Concept] – Camille Brown
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Electric Guitar – Norman Barratt
Executive-Producer – Steven C. Wyer
Keyboards, Piano – Dave Morris
Mixed By – Hank Neuberger, Steve Camp
Mixed By [Mix-down Engineer] – Hank Neuberger
Photography By [Cover Background And Sleeve Photos] – Steve G.S. Morgan
Photography By [Cover People Photos] – Phillip Radcliffe
Producer – Steve Camp
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Mixed At – Chicago Recording Company
In 2010 Sweet Comfort Band headed into the studio for the first time since 1983. It was the original lineup with the exception of Kevin Thomson who was ill and unfortunately passed away in May of 2010. Stepping of for Kevin was his son, Elijah Thomson. It took 3 years for this album to come together and the name “The Waiting Is Over” was not only appropriate for the fans but the band also. I’ll be honest that most of the time I don’t really care for reunion albums as often they feel rushed and thrown together. This album does not fall in that trap. It is very well done, the songs are well written and showcase the bands longtime skills. My only hesitation about the album is that I feel like I am listening to a Bryan Duncan album rather than a SCB album. I admit however that this might be because we listened to so many of Bryan’s albums after SCB disbanded. All in all a very very good album and one that will go into my regular rotation.
Tracklist
1 – Lay It All On The Line – 4:55
2 – Something Else Is Going On Here – 4:08
3 – Nothing Can Separate Us – 4:24
4 – Do You Love Me – 4:48
5 – Rock Steady – 3:43
6 – Then I Remember – 4:37
7 – All In God’s Hands – 4:11
8 – The Waiting Is Over – 3:54
9 – All Stand Together – 3:42
10 – Where Do We Go From Here – 4:21
11 – In The Light Of Heaven – 4:57
Credits
Art Direction, Design – Game Flash DM
Band [Sweet Comfort Band], Drums, Vocals – Rick Thomson
Band [Sweet Comfort Band], Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Randy Thomas
Band [Sweet Comfort Band], Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Bryan Duncan
Coordinator [Album Cover Coordinator] – Alice Thomson
Coordinator [Album/Business Coordinator] – Alice Thomson
Engineer [Additional Engineers] – Alice Thomson, Anthony Thomas, David Lopez
Executive-Producer – Rick Thomson
Mastered By – Reuben Choen
Musician [Musicians], Backing Vocals – Alice Thomson, Bob Carlisle, Bryan Duncan, Randy Thomas, Rick Thomson
Musician [Musicians], Bass [Additional Bass] – Matt Bissonette (tracks: 9)
Musician [Musicians], Bass Guitar – Elijah Thomson
Musician [Musicians], Choir – Chrystal Holly Matthews, LaNiece McKay, Linda Pringle, Michael Washington, Rickey Grundy, Shervonne Wells
Musician [Musicians], Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Bob Soma, David Lopez, Joshua Thomson
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Alto Saxophone – Greg Vail
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Saxophone – Scott Martin
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Trombone – Wendell Kelly
Musician [Musicians], Horns, Trumpet – Lee Thornburg
Musician [Musicians], Keyboards – James Q. Wright, James Raymond, Kenneth Crouch, Rob Rinderer, Tim Bullock
Musician [Musicians], Percussion – Dio Saucedo
Photography By – Mark Jordan
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Copyright (c) – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Distributed By – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Manufactured By – Shelter Sound Music, Inc
Recorded At – Shelter Sound Studios
Mixed At – Shelter Sound Studios
Mastered At – Lurssen Mastering
Published By – Slam Duncan Music
Published By – I Love Lori Music
Published By – Shelter Sound Publishing
Published By – We Fly Music
Published By – Dogs In Space Music
Published By – Robster Music
Published By – Franklin Industries Publishing
Pressed By – Digital Flex Media
