Category: Albums

White Heart – Don’t Wait For The Movie – 1986

Don’t Wait For The Movie was White Heart’s fourth studio album and the first with with vocalist Rick Florian and drummer Chris McHugh. This was also the first album after lead singer Scott Douglas was arrested, convicted, and jailed for sexual offences. This would have retired most bands but White Heart soldiered on with a new lead vocalist. That vocalist, Rick Florian, was apparently a roadie with the band before being called up to the big leagues. This album had a more commercial light rock sound and some of their fans were disappointed with this new sound. The album dominated the adult CCM tracks with “How Many Times” and “Fly Eagle Fly” both making it to #1 and “Maybe Today” making it to #3. The album lingered on the charts from Sep 86 to June of 87. Pretty impressive.

Tracklist
1 – Read The Book (Don’t Wait For The Movie) – 4:51
2 – Holy Ground – 4:42
3 – Beat Of A Different Drum – 4:17
4 – Fly Eagle Fly – 4:41
5 – Convertibles – 3:43
6 – Let The Children Play (Instrumental) – 1:32
7 – King George – 4:20
8 – No Apology – 4:22
9 – Maybe Today – 4:25
10 – Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Christian – 4:40
11 – How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven) – 4:27

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson
Artwork By [Hand Tinting] – Mike Drake
Bass, Drum Programming [Linn Programming] – Gary Lunn
Design [Lyric Sheet] – Jim Shanman
Drums, Percussion – Chris McHugh
Edited By – Billy Smiley, Ken Love
Engineer – Brent King
Engineer [Second] – David Pierce
Guitar, Lead Guitar, Sitar, Vocals – Gordon Kennedy
Keyboards, Vocals, Trombone – Mark Gersmehl
Lead Vocals – Ric Florian
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Billy Smiley, White Heart
Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Tommy Greer
Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Trumpet – Billy Smiley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Overdubbed At – Center Stage Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Hall-Clement Publications
Published By – Yellow Jacket Music, Inc.
Published By – Welk Music Group
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Kid And The Squid Music
Published By – White Heart Publishing

Idle Cure – Idle Cure – 1986

In the mid/late 80’s metal bands were all the rage in CCM. Unfortunately many just didn’t quite have it quite yet but CCM labels were begging for the genre. Along come Idle Cure and they were tight and ready for the market. Their sound was a but of Def Leppard, a bit of Van Halen, and maybe even Bon Jovi. Feel free to completely disagree with me. Personally I don’t really classify them as metal but instead hard rock or metal pop. The metal pop sound was very well received and quite frankly this is not my style of music but I love this album. While I researched the band I found it interesting that drummer Dave Spurr had previously played with Phil Keaggy and other worship oriented bands, wow what a shift. Breakaway and Come Alive are on regular rotation on my personal mp3 playlist.

 

Track Listing
1 – Breakaway – 4:00
2 – Silent Hope – 4:05
3 – Take It – 4:41
4 – Feeling the Heat – 4:15
5 – Come Back to Me – 4:07
6 – Overdrive – 4:33
7 – From the Heart – 5:01
8 – Come Alive – 4:24

Credits
Mark Ambrose – Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Bill Baumgart – Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocals, Engineer, Producer
Allison Beech – Vocals
Tim Browne – Guitar
Terrence Elliot – Guitar
Michael Hamilton – Guitar
Tim Heintz – Keyboards
Marc Hugenberger – Keyboards
Chuck King – Composer, Guitar, Vocals
Pete Lomakin – Composer, Keyboards, Vocals
Eric Marienthal – Saxophone
Steve Shannon – Bass, Composer, Vocals
Bob Somma – Guitar
Dave Spurr – Drums
Ed McTaggart – Art Direction, Design
Dave Jahnsen – Engineer [Assistant]
Kirt Shearer – Engineer [Assistant]
Jeff Foster – Illustration
Linda Dillon Baley – Photography

Rev Counta & The Speedoze – Life Begins At Thirty – 1980

This is yet another project from Ishmael (Ishmael United). It follows in the footsteps of Ishmael’s usual style which was fun/punk/reggae/rockabilly. Yea good luck in categorizing this album. Personally I categorize it as fun. Ishmael actually re-released this album along with Ishmael United as a single CD set. This album was a real treat for me when I found it as Ishmael United is one of my favourite albums and I had no idea there was more. In fact there are a few more albums, Ishmael never really used the same band name twice. For those who don’t know Ishmael has gone on to release over 20 very popular Christian children’s albums.

Tracklist
1 – All Mixed Up
2 – Love So Great
3 – Motex
4 – Hell Ain’t For Heroes
5 – For What We’re About To Receive
6 – Dr Heckle & Mr Snide
7 – Marksman
8 – No Coincidence
9 – 2 Years On A Camel (Full Of Eastern Promise)
10 – Every Circus Needs A Strongman
11 – Marmite Sandwiches
12 – Ferguson’s Mule
13 – Miss Us
14 – Wot A Life

Mike Warnke – Hey Doc! – 1978

Mike gets on stage to bring some Christian humour and talking about his service in Vietnam. Though dated I still find this album quite humorous.

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
Cover [Concept] – Dennis Hill
Cover [Design] – Charles Wallis, Inc., Patrick Pollei, Roger Sanders
Management – Dharma Artist Agency, Inc., Wes Yoder
Narrator – Mike Warnke
Photography By – John Miller
Producer – Mike Blanton*, Wes Yoder
Recorded By – Malcolm Harper

Companies, etc.
Published By – Warbird Publishing Company
Recorded At – Century II Concert Hall, Wichita, KS
Recorded By – Reelsound
Edited At – Studio 1, Nashville, TN
Edited At – Reelsound
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Warbird Publishing Company
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warbird Publishing Company

Vengeance Rising – Human Sacrifice – 1988

Originally known as Vengeance they had to change their name to Vengeance Rising due to a name conflict with a band from the Netherlands. This album used the name Vengeance for the first 1000 pressing but subsequent pressing used Vengeance Rising. The band constantly had different members and the only regular member was Roger Martinez. Martinez has since claimed to be a Satanist and then an atheist and actually plans to release atheist/satanist albums using the same band name. It has been surmised that he was actually never a Christian and was just in it for the shock value. As such this is the only album that Real 80s CCM will release by this band/person. I’m not a fan of thrash metal as a whole but really this album isn’t even good as Thrash metal. The whole popularity of the album was the shocking style which was new to CCM music. Quite frankly if you want to listen to Thrash Metal try listening to The Lead, they are much better at it.

Tracklist
1 – Human Sacrifice – 2:42
2 – Burn – 3:52
3 – Mulligan Stew – 3:00
4 – Receive Him – 0:06
5 – I Love Hating Evil – 3:58
6 – Fatal Delay – 3:18
7 – White Throne – 3:09
8 – Salvation – 0:16
9 – From The Dead – 4:37
10 – Ascension – 5:24
11 – He Is God – 0:53
12 – Fill This Place With Blood – 2:53
13 – Beheaded – 3:13

Credits
Art Direction – Atticus Farlow, Farlow Lark
Artwork [Cover Art Make Up & Special Effects] – Christopher Keene
Bass – Roger Martin
Drums – Glen Mancaruso
Engineer [Neverland Studios] – Dave Hackbarth
Engineer [Sutton Place] – Jason Brown, Robert Feist
Guitar – Doug Theime, Larry Farkas
Mixed By – Ron Goudie
Photography By [Back Photos] – Nar, Ruby Michael
Photography By [Cover] – Nar
Producer – Caesar Kalinowski
Vocals – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Published By – Broken Songs
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records
Copyright (c) – Intense Records
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

The Archers – All Systems Are Go – 1984

The Archers took a break from making albums 81 – 84 reportedly because Steve was off doing the solo thing. Strangely in the middle of his solo career he returned to the family to do this album. The Archers “80’d” it up for this album with an album cover that best displayed my personal clothing choices of that year. Yea looking back not so stylish. Janice turned up the 80’s hair and was probably entirely responsible for me listening to this album in 1984. Anyway they turned up John Andrew Schreiner’s keyboards to 11 in an effort so seem a little more with the times. But in the end they were the same Archers the world had come to love and as such the album sold very well. As far as the charts “Heaven In Your Eyes” charted at #2 and “All Systems Are Go” made it to #33. Very respectable numbers but don’t be fooled by the 80’s look, the album is still The Archers that you love or hate.

Tracklist
1 – All Systems Are Go – 4:09
2 – What’s It Gonna Take? – 4:24
3 – Heaven In Your Eyes – 4:00
4 – Get Ready, Get Right – 4:10
5 – My Hope – 4:22
6 – Walk Like He Walks – 3:42
7 – Winnin’ Again – 4:26
8 – Don’t Let It – 3:22
9 – Every Good And Perfect Gift – 6:28

Credits
Arranged By, Keyboards – Herb Jamerson
Art Direction – Kernie Erickson
Bass – James Jamison
Cover – Bob Payne (2)
Drums – Lee Kicks
Executive-Producer, Management – Tim Archer
Guitar – Bob Somma
Keyboards – John Andrew Schreiner
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Percussion – Joe Lala
Photography By – Craig Incardone
Producer – Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Producer, Engineer – Skip Konte
Saxophone – Albert Wing

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Straight Ahead Productions (2)
Recorded At – Front Page Studios

Salmond & Mulder – Stumbling Heavenward – 1979

This was the second album from Canadian duo Salmond & Mulder. They were very popular in Canada but I’m doubtful if their album was released anywhere else in the world as they seem relatively unknown outside of Canada. This album has a seventies sound and is well produced. Not much more to day other than that but if you’re a fan of 70’s CCM you should give this album a listen. Guest appearances on the album included Al Perkins and Tom Howard.

Tracklist
1 – Hearthungers
2 – Silent Lady
3 – Tumbleweed
4 – Here I Am
5 – You In My Heart
6 – Like A River
7 – Greatest Lover
8 – Bear The Burdon
9 – Sunshine In The Rain
10 – Most Of All
11 – Stumbling Heavenward

The Mirrors – I Am Not Afraid – 1990

Yes this is The Mirrors from Malcolm And The Mirrors, kind of. Mike Minardi and Richard Cimino from the original Mirrors are joined by Scott Stewart, Terry McNabb, Bill Walden (Undercover), and Rob Watson (DA). This a pretty good line up for a CCM band and it doesn’t disappoint. This actually appears to be a relatively unknown release but it was on Asaph Records which was a very know label. The album itself has a strong mid 80’s New Wave feel and quite frankly I wish i had heard it earlier because it is a fantastic album. I suspect they were a little late with the sound so that may be part of the reason it is a lesser known release.

Tracklist
1 – I Am Not Afraid – 4:05
2 – What Do You Say – 3:27
3 – Longing To See You – 5:51
4 – 4,000 Monday – 5:22
5 – I Will Believe In You – 4:05
6 – Psalm 40 – 4:32
7 – Day Of Understanding – 4:13
8 – Hello My Friend – 3:26
9 – I Will Stand – 3:49
10 – Run Away – 4:53

Credits
Arranged By – The Mirrors
Art Direction – Antonio Lozano
Backing Vocals – Bob Thomason (tracks: 1, 4, 5), Rob Watson (tracks: 5 to 7), Stephanie Watring (tracks: 7, 9)
Bass – Scott Stewart
Drums – Terry McNabb
Engineer [Assistant] – Josh Jaquette
Engineer, Mixed By [Drum Mixing] – Brian Davis
Executive-Producer – Chuck Smith, Lewis McVay
Keyboards – Rob Watson (tracks: 1, 3 to 10)
Lead Guitar – Mike Minardi
Mixed By [Drum Mixing], Mixed By, Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Percussion – Danny Ybarra (tracks: 3, 9, 10)
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By [Drum Mixing], Mixed By, Mastered By, Arranged By – Rob Watson
Rhythm Guitar – Richard Cimino
Vocals, Keyboards – Bill Walden

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Calvary Chapel Publishing
Copyright (c) – Calvary Chapel Publishing

The 77’s – All Fall Down – 1984

All Fall Down was the much anticipated second album by The 77s. Expectations were high after Ping Pong Over The Abyss and the band didn’t let us down. The band and record label picked Charlie Peacock to produce this album. Strangely Charlie was recording his own album as he was producing this one but this doesn’t appear to have had any effect on the quality of his work. Video’s were produced for both “Mercy Mercy” and “Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba ” and both did get some limited airplay on MTV. In my opinion the quality of both videos were as good as anything on MTV at the time. I remember at the time really hoping that this would be the crossover album from CCM to secular but alas no it didn’t. The album will go down as one of the best ever CCM albums ever and is in my personal top 10.

 

Tracklist
1 – Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba – 4:14
2 – Under The Heat – 3:19
3 – Mercy, Mercy – 2:50
4 – You Don’t Scare Me – 5:51
5 – Make A Difference Tonight – 3:05
6 – Caught In An Unguarded Moment – 3:17
7 – Someone New – 3:35
8 – Something’s Holding On – 3:13
9 – Your Pretty Baby – 3:59
10 – Another Nail – 4:47

Credits
Art Direction – Mark Swanson
Bass, Guitar, Vocals [Vocal] – Jan Eric
Coordinator [Executive Coordinator] – Jan Volz
Drums [Pounding & Thrashing On Gretsch Drum Kit] – Aaron Smith
Engineer [Assistant], Featuring [Background Vocal] – Steve Griffith
Executive-Producer – Mary Neely
Featuring [Ethnic & Orchestral Percussion] – Bongo Bob Smith
Featuring [Linn Program, Background Vocal, Keyboard] – Charlie Peacock
Keyboards [Keyboard], Vocals [Vocal], Guitar – Mark Tootle
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – David Coe, Patrick Cyccone
Other [Special Thanks] – Don McKenney
Photography By [Back & Sleeve] – Dave Howard
Photography By [Front] – Sam Emerson
Producer – Charlie Peacock
Recorded By, Mixed By – Daryl Zachman
Vocals [Vocal], Guitar, Organ [Mouth] – Michael Roe
Written-By – D. Saterlee (tracks: A1), G. Mascoli (tracks: A1, B2, B3, B4), J. E. Volz (tracks: B1), M. Proctor (tracks: A3, A5, B1), M Tootle (tracks: A2, A5, B5), M. Roe* (tracks: A1, A3 to A5, B1, B2 to B4)

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – A&M Records
Distributed By – A&M Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Sangre Studios
Recorded At – The Warehouse, Sacramento
Mixed At – Salty Dog Studios
Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
Published By – Sangre Productions
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Western Sierra Music
Published By – Dayspring

Steve Grace – Children Of The Western World – 1988

Steve Grace is another excellent artist out of Australia. This is his first album which sold very well in Australia and when it eventually made it to North America it sold relatively well here also. It was also the first Christian album in Australia to be released on CD. The album was produced by Beeb Birtles (Littler River Band) who also assisted with some of the songwriting. It would probably be categorized as AOR here in North America but I found it to be a well produced album with above average lyrics. When it did arrive in North America in 1990 “Big Dreams” singled hitting #16 on the CCM charts and lingering around for 12 weeks. If you missed this one in the 80’s you should give it a listen. It’s another example of the great music scene in Australia which we knew very little about here in North America. As an aside, the cut “Australian Country Towns” is begging to be a number one hit on the Austrailia Country charts if someone would cover it.

Tracklist
1 – Land Of The Rock – 4:38
2 – Big Dreams – 3:45
3 – Song For Kerrie – 4:22
4 – Life And Times – 4:26
5 – Edward Kelly – 5:56
6 – Children Of The Western World – 6:14
7 – To The Dealer – 3:59
8 – Lessons Of The Heart – 4:48
9 – Australian Country Towns – 4:00
10 – Prodigal Son – 3:04
11 – Solid Rock – 1:30

Credits
Cover, Art Direction – Mykl Pratt
Engineer – Doug Brady, Phil Butson
Engineer [Assistant] – Kaj Dahlstrom, Trevor Reading
Mixed By – Beeb Birtles, Doug Brady, Phil Butson
Photography By – Kirsty Chalmers
Producer – Beeb Birtles
Vocals – Steve Grace

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word
Distributed By – Word
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Recorded At – Sing Sing Studios
Mixed At – Metropolis Audio