Category: Albums

Wilson McKinley – Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast! – 1972

The origins of Wilson McKinley are a rather odd story that I won’t really get into but this is the relevant part. They started as a band called “The California Poppy Pickers” and they released an album of cover tunes in 1969 and it sold well. They took the profits form that album and used them to produce a 7″ demo in 1970. This was the end of their secular career as they became Christians in 1970. They proceeded to start self releasing albums through the early 70’s. This is their 3rd album and probably the best known. The album has a bit of a Allman Brothers sound but basically is your standard fare 70’s Jesus Music album. The wild cover was a black light feature in case you are wondering.

Tracklist
1 – Standin’ At The Crossroads
2 – I’m Only Smiling
3 – He Made Us Free
4 – Then I Fell In Love
5 – I Wish I Had The Words To Tell You
6 – Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast!
7 – Never Cry No More
8 – A Warm Summer Day
9 – Almighty God

Credits
Design – Johnny T’s House Of Design
Drums, Percussion, Cover, Artwork [Label] – Tom Slipp
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Mike Messer
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Bass – Jimmy Bartlett
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Grand Piano, Electric Piano – Randy Wilcox
Liner Notes – Timothy Smith
Mastered By – Dingbat Lacquer Sound Disc
Photography – Dave Joern

Rick Cua – Wear Your Colors – 1986

Another great production by Dave Perkins makes this a great Rock & Roll album. Excellent guitar riffs and shout along choruses make you want to turn this album up to 12. This was (in my opinion) the peak of Ric’s Rock & Roll style. His stuff after this is good but he started to turn the dial down after this album. The first single and title track is a fantastic arena rock song that will have you singing along. Point of trivia is that Rob Frazier did some background vocals on the album.

Tracklist
1 – Wear Your Colors – 3:53
2 – Flex – 3:27
3 – This Raging Fire – 3:50
4 – Hungry – 3:22
5 – Lemme At ‘Em – 3:36
6 – Got The Rock – 3:03
7 – Unchained – 3:41
8 – Nightfall – 4:02
9 – Hats Off To You – 3:06
10 – Line Of Fire – 4:10

Credits
Larry Arlotta – Keyboards
George Cocchini – Songwriter, Guitars
Rick Cua – Songwriter, Bass, Vocals
Ron DeRollo – Additional Engineer, Guitars
Rob Frazier – Background Vocals
Lynn Fuston – Engineer
Tommy Greer – Keyboards
Bob Halligan, Jr. – Songwriter, Keyboards, Background Vocals
Dave Hanlon – Percussion
Malcolm Harper – Engineer
JB Baird – Additional Engineer
Glen Marchese – Additional Engineer
Don Martell – Additional Engineer
Chris McCollum – Additional Engineer
Mike Mead – Drums, Percussion
Dino Pastin – Keyboards
Dave Perkins – Producer, Songwriter, Engineer, Guitars, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Background Vocals
Marc Ribler – Songwriter, Guitars
David Schober – Engineer
Dave Shirley – Additional Engineer
John Sinclair – Keyboards
Chad Welling – Synthesizers
Shawn Welling – Background Vocals

Malcolm & The Mirrors – Red Alert – 1982

This was the only full length album from Malcolm (of Malcolm and Alwyn fame) and the Mirrors though some members of the Mirrors would go on to produce another album. Malcolm Wild did do some writing though the 80’s and 90’s but this was the end of his releases. The album had a strong anti nuclear warfare theme which was quite common in the 80’s given the era. This album had several strong punkish/new wave songs and some were compared to the Knack at the time. Personally I never really heard the connection. My personal favourite pick was ” She’s Gonna Go Through Changes”. Can’t really say why, it just tugged on my ear.

Tracklist
1 – Gotta Give – 2:28
2 – Paint Your Windows White – 2:28
3 – Red Alert – 5:38
4 – Where Did All The Love Go – 3:15
5 – Can’t Live Without Him – 2:57
6 – She’s Gonna Go Through Changes – 3:00
7 – Love Your Love – 2:02
8 – You Are My Love – 3:18
9 – Look Up! (His Coming Is Near) – 3:15
10 – Alright By Me – 3:00

Credits
Arranged By – Malcolm And The Mirrors
Backing Vocals – Tommy Coomes
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Stan Linder
Co-producer, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Alwyn Wall
Cover – Kernie Erickson
Drums – Greg Gustafson
Electric Guitar – Mike Minardi
Electric Guitar, Co-producer – Richard Cimino
Engineer – Richard Cimino, Thom Roy
Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Percussion – Rob Watson
Producer – Thom Roy
Vocals, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Producer – Malcolm Wild

Companies, etc.
Published By – Maranatha Music (2) – 1982
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Wild Song Publ.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music – 1982
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios

Jerusalem – Warrior – 1982

This is the English version of Jerusalem’s 3rd album. It was very well received and Jerusalem subsequently toured in support of it opening for Resurrection Band and Larry Norman. Many including myself feel that this was their best album and it toped the sales charts for the year. The singles were “Man of the World” and “Constantly Changing” and music videos were produced for both and apparently played on MTV. The stand out song on the album is the 12 minute long “Sodom” was very well received but obviously at that length could not be a single. HM Magazine voted the album #65 in the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All-Time though for me it would be a little higher. Strangely Anders Mossberg is credited as Bass player on the English version and Peter Carlsohn is credited on the Swedish version. Their history states that Peter Carlsohn replaced Anders Mossberg for this album. Also Michael Ulvsgärd replacing Klas Anderhell on drums for the supporting tour. The album (English) was re-released in 2018 by Retroactive Records and is an excellent reproduction.

Tracklist
1 – Constantly Changing – 5:48
2 – Warrior – 6:17
3 – Pilgrim – 4:14
4 – It’s Mad – 5:36
5 – Man Of The World – 4:26
6 – Sodom – 12:10
7 – Ashes In Our Hands – 4:36
8 – Farewell – 6:08

Credits
Bass – Anders Mossberg
Design [Grafisk Formgivning] – Gullan Martinsson
Drums – Klas Anderhell
Keyboards – Dan Tibell
Photography By – Margareta Boman
Producer, Engineer – Andy Kidd
Vocals, Guitar – Ulf Christiansson
Words By, Music By, Arranged By – Ulf Christiansson

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Ulf Christiansson
Recorded At – Supreme Studio

Jerusalem – Krigsman – 1981

This is the Swedish version of Jerusalem’s 3rd album. It was very well received and Jerusalem subsequently toured in support of it opening for Resurrection Band and Larry Norman. Many including myself feel that this was their best album and it toped the sales charts for the year. The singles were “Man of the World” and “Constantly Changing” and music videos were produced for both and apparently played on MTV. The stand out song on the album is the 12 minute long “Sodom” was very well received but obviously at that length could not be a single. HM Magazine voted the album #65 in the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All-Time though for me it would be a little higher. Strangely Anders Mossberg is credited as Bass player on the English version and Peter Carlsohn is credited on the Swedish version. Their history states that Peter Carlsohn replaced Anders Mossberg for this album. Also Michael Ulvsgärd replacing Klas Anderhell on drums for the supporting tour. The album (English) was re-released in 2018 by Retroactive Records and is an excellent reproduction.

Tracklist
1 – Ständig Förändring – 5:48
2 – Krigsman – 6:17
3 – Du Är – 4:14
4 – It’s Mad – 5:36
5 – Moderne Man – 4:26
6 – Sodom – 12:10
7 – Domedagsprofeter – 4:36
8 – Farväl – 6:08

Credits
Bass – Peter Carlsson
Design [Grafisk Formgivning] – Gullan Martinsson
Drums – Klas Anderhell
Keyboards – Dan Tibell
Photography By – Margareta Boman
Producer, Engineer – Andy Kidd
Vocals, Guitar – Ulf Christiansson
Words By, Music By, Arranged By – Ulf Christiansson

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Ulf Christiansson
Recorded At – Supreme Studio
Printed By – General Printing AB

Trytan – Sylentiger – 1990

Trytan were often referred to as the Christian Rush. This was their second album and it had a very similar sound to their first album. While the vocals are very “Rush” like the music actually stands alone. It showcases the excellent guitar work of Lary Dean as well as the outstanding drumming of Scotty Blackman very well. It was the final studio album from the band that split about the same time this album came out. The album was re-released in 2002 by Millenium Eight Records with a bonus track which is an interview with the band. That track is included with this playlist. Point of trivia is that Trytan was apparently an acronym for “To Reach Youth Through the Almighty Nazarene”.

Tracklist
1 – Take Cover – 5:51
2 – Deadly Masquerade – 4:43
3 – Beyond The Night – 6:46
4 – Star Bound – 5:23
5 – Make Your Move – 5:27
6 – Sylentiger – 4:32
7 – Here To Stay – 6:48
8 – Playing With Fire – 6:40
9 – Life Goes On – 4:32
10 – Waking The Giant – 4:03
11 – By My Spirit – 3:32
12 – Bonus Track: Interview – 18:18

Credits
Bass, Keyboards – Steve Robinson
Drums – Jim Dobbs
Engineer – Jerry Mikulich, Joe Bader
Executive-Producer – Doug Mann
Guitar, Vocals – Lary Dean
Illustration, Design – Jeff Spencer, Sudden Images
Music By – Lary Dean (tracks: 1 to 10), Leslie Phillips (tracks: 11), Steve Robinson (tracks: 2, 3, 9, 10)
Other [Hair, Make-Up] – Rohnda Dean
Photography By – Lenny Tyler
Producer – Jerry Mikulich, Joe Bader, Trytan
Words By – Lary Dean (tracks: 1 to 10), Leslie Phillips (tracks: 11)

Imperials – Stand By The Power – 1982

Album #29 from the Imperials is a little more uptempo at times than their previous work. I attribute this to producer Bill Schnee stepping in for this album. This was the first album without Russ Taff and instead we got to hear Paul Smith who stepped in to the group starting on this album. The album spawned 3 singles with “Lord Of The Harvest” peaking at #3 with 28 weeks on the charts. “Somebody New” also did well peaking at #9. and “Because Of Who You Are” peaking at just #37. For a change they did not win their usual Dove award for this album being beaten out by Amy Grant’s “Age to Age”.

Tracklist
1 – Stand By The Power – 3:33
2 – Somebody New – 3:52
3 – Part Time Servant – 3:44
4 – This Heart – 4:26
5 – Lord Of The Harvest – 4:37
6 – Under His Reign – 3:26
7 – I Never Get Enough Of Your Love – 4:07
8 – How Can You Live – 3:46
9 – All For The Asking – 3:49
10 – Because Of Who You Are – 3:31

Credits
Arranged By [Horns Arranged By] – Bob Wilson (tracks: B4)
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By], Piano, Synthesizer – James Newton Howard
Bass – Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus
Drums – Carlos Vega, Jeff Porcaro
Engineer [Assisted By] – David Schober, Scott Hendricks, Skip Moon
Engineer [Engineered By], Producer [Produced By] – Bill Schnee
Guitar – Carlos Rios (2), Dann Huff, Hadley Hockensmith, Steve Lukather
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Photography By [Album Back Photo] – Allan Messer
Photography By [Album Front Photo] – Michael Borum
Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Susan Pyron

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios
Recorded At – Bullet Recording
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

Candle – On The Street – 1979

Candle were better known for their children’s albums than their adult ones but I think this adult one is pretty good. I can’t really figure out what the origin of Candle is but they did include 3 members of Seawind and were producing music at the same time as Seawind. This is a little strange as they were on 2 different labels at the time. Seawind was on A&M’s Christian label “Horizon” and Candle were on “Sparrow”. Anyway whatever the story I think this is a pretty good album, it has a nice 70’s funk sound and probably would have fit in a little better in 76 or 77 but it’s a good album and deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – All Your Love – 2:32
2 – In Due Time – 2:44
3 – Call On Him – 2:22
4 – Sunshine And Rain – 2:08
5 – The Rest Of My Life – 2:58
6 – Feels So Right – 2:56
7 – Runnin’ – 2:35
8 – I Need To Tell You – 3:25
9 – Won’t Take Long – 2:44
10 – The Martyr’s Song – 3:09

Credits
Arranged By [Horns], Saxophone, Flute – Jim Horn
Arranged By [Strings] – David Diggs
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Kenny Wild
Co-producer, Guitar – Mike Deasy
Design – Lynn Robb, Stan Evenson
Drums – Bill Maxwell, Bob Wilson
Engineer – Wally Duguid
Guitar – Bud Nuanez
Lead Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Mandolin – Hadley Hockensmith
Lead Vocals – Frank Hernandez, Georgian Banov, Mark Pendergrass, Ron Krueger
Organ, Piano – Harlan Rogers
Percussion – Fred Petry
Photography By – Dave Pavol
Piano – Peter Hallin
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Synthesizer, Piano – Larry Williams

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Published By – Candle Co. Music
Published By – Sparrow Song
Recorded At – Buckskin Studio
Recorded At – January Sound Studios
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – Peace In The Valley Recording

Joe English – Press On – 1983

This album from Joe follows in the footsteps of his previous albums. There really isn’t anything of interest on this album as it’s just more of Joe. This is not a derogatory comment but let’s face it Joe’s sound didn’t change much and it wasn’t exactly captivating after awhile. That said this is a good AOR album as that’s what Joe did well, in fact better than most. The album spawned one single “Stop” which peaked at #18.

Tracklist
1 – Stop – 3:30
2 – Echoes Of The Spirit – 3:10
3 – Royal Priesthood – 3:59
4 – The Harvest – 3:47
5 – Press On – 3:52
6 – Power Of Prayer – 3:55
7 – All My Heart – 3:29
8 – Let Me Praise You Again – 3:37
9 – Roll Of Life – 3:29
10 – To Know The Heart Of Jesus – 3:18

Credits
Arranged By [Horn And String Arrangements] – Tim Smith
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – The Joe English Band
Artwork By [Art Direction/design] – Bill Brunt
Backing Vocals – Joe English, Tommy Funderburk
Bass – Tim Smith
Choir – Brenda Nenow, Christy Betts, Dayle English, Debbie Halverson, Grammy Grandall, James Isaac Elliott, John Lawry, Phil Elliott, Tim Smith, Tom Douglas
Engineer [Tracks And Overdub Engineering] – Joe Wilson
Engineer [Vocal Overdub Engineering] – Jim Baird
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – George Cocchini, Paul Brannon
Keyboards – John Lawry
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Mixed By – Scott Hendricks
Photography – Mark Tucker
Producer [Assistance] – The Joe English Band
Producer, Drums, Lead Vocals – Joe English
Saxophone [Alto & Tenor] – Doug Moffet
Saxophone [Tenor & Baritone] – Sam Levine
Trumpet – Jay Cobble, John Harbaugh

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Published By – Raybren Music
Published By – Joe English Music
Published By – Quietlane Music
Published By – Snellsong Music
Published By – Rainy Roley Music

Ishmael United – If You Can’t Shout Saved – 1979

Ishmael United was headed by Ian Smale who refers to himself as Ishmael. This is the album that most people are familiar when you hear his name but it’s not his only album. He only had one album as Ishmael United but has others as Ishmael, Ishmael And Andy (Andy Piercy from ATF), and Rev Counta & The Speedoze. This album is very difficult to categorize but the recipe for this album is one part punk, one part new wave, one part pop, and 3 parts fun. This album was very well received and is popular to this day. There are many differing styles on this album but they mostly all share a common theme of fun. It’s impossible to pick a “single” for the album but for me Don’t Rock De Boat is my favourite track. Quick piece of trivia, Ishmael has gone on to produce several very successful children’s albums.

Tracklist
1 – Song Of The Last Generation – 3:26
2 – Star On Sunday – 2:14
3 – Bartimaeus – 3:31
4 – If You Can’t Shout Saved, You’ll Have To Face The Penalty – 3:13
5 – Jesus Trip – 2:07
6 – Don’t Rock De Boat – 3:23
7 – Crowd Trouble – 3:52
8 – Christian Schizophrenic – 2:43
9 – Now It’s All Gone Wrong – 3:13
10 – Caroline Robbins – 2:51
11 – Jesus Is Making A Comeback – 2:42
12 – The Glories – 4:21

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Ishmael
Bass – Laura Mellor
Drums – Pedro Wills
Electric Guitar – Dale Evans
Engineer – Dave Aston, Les Moir
Keyboards – Dale Evans
Lead Vocals – Ishmael
Percussion – Pedro Wills
Photography – Photoflair
Producer – Andy Piercy
Vocals – Dale Evans, Laura Mellor, Pedro Wills