Tag: 1975

Paul Clark & Friends – Good To Be Home – 1975

If ever the added artist inclusion of “friends” even meant anything it was on Paul Clark’s classic rock and roll album “Good to Be Home.” The Phil Keaggy factor is HUGE here including his inclusion as the lead vocalist on the opening track. Keaggy’s guitar work is also all over the album. And it’s some of Phil’s rockier work as in comparison to his own albums released at the same time. For 1975 this was pretty progressive. Hammond organ riffs jettisoning back and forth with Keaggy’s fantastic fret work. Also included amongst the friends are Jay Truax and John Mehler from Love Song. They all collaborated on this album and the “band” feel really shows. “Unveiling” may be one of Clark’s most impressive and compelling songs. Clocking in at just under seven minutes this song truly allows Keaggy to shine, not just in the fancier fret work or scorching leads but in creating ambiance and atmosphere for this epic. This may have been CCM’s earliest foray into progressive rock sounding like a more jazz influenced Kansas number. I once asked several “Jesus Music” experts if they could only own one of Paul Clark’s classic albums, which one would it be. The response was unique in that many stated that though they didn’t believe “Good to Be Home” to be Clark’s finest work, the majority stated it would be the one to own. That says a lot about how often in Jesus Music and CCM the heart of an album can impact ones perception as much as the artistic value.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Holding On To You – 2:30
2 – Which One Are You? – 4:11
3 – All Your Ways – 3:51
4 – Unveiling – 6:42
5 – For My Children – 3:15
6 – It’s All Waiting – 3:25
7 – Good To Be Home – 2:51
8 – Under His Grace – 3:15
9 – Abide – 3:05

Credits
Artwork By [Cover Design] – Ted Stone
Artwork By [Cover Illustration] – Gary Pycior
Backing Vocals – Sandy Dryden
Bass, Vocals – Jay Truax
Engineer – Bob Cotton
Guitar, Vocals – Phil Keaggy
Organ – Stew Langer
Percussion – John Mehler, Lanny Hansen
Photography – Eben Fowler
Piano, Guitar [Acoustic], Vocals – Paul Clark
Piano, Vocals – Bill Speer
Producer – Paul Clark, Phil Keaggy
Saxophone, Flute – Barry Kelsey
Written-By – Paul Clark, Phil Keaggy

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word Records
Record Company – Seed Records
Copyright © – Seed Records
Published By – Seed Records
Printed By – Press & Post Ltd.
Made By – Press & Post Ltd.
Lacquer Cut At – Master Room

Karen Lafferty – Bird In A Golden Sky – 1975

This was Karen’s first album. It is an extremely easy listening 70’s style album that while I didn’t care for these albums they lead the way for the ones I loved. Not that all albums from the 70’s were easy listening but many of them were. Lafferty attended Eastern New Mexico University and actually planned on a secular music career after school. But like so many of the artists we loved she moved to southern California and soon began to perform at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. After a European tour she was signed by Maranatha! Music and the rest is history. This is the first sighting of Darrell Mansfield as this album came out before his album with Gentle Faith. That said he also appeared on Parable’s album “More Than Words” released the same year.

Tracklist
1 – Bird In A Golden Sky – 4:00
2 – Grandma Stout – 2:26
3 – Testimony – 5:48
4 – Garden – 3:16
5 – The Girl – 4:30
6 – Sweet Summer Rain – 3:55
7 – No Time For Jesus – 3:16
8 – Bobbi’s Song – 5:00
9 – Peaceful Mind / Tears Of Love – 7:47

Credits
Artwork [Stained Glass Window] – Neil Cocroft
Backing Vocals – Karen*, Peter Jacobs
Banjo, Mandolin – Fred Fields
Design [Cover] – Neal Buchanan
Electric Bass – Bruce Cotton
Guitar – Fred Fields (2), John Wytoc, Karen
Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield
Keyboards – Peter Jacobs
Lead Vocals – Karen Lafferty
Mastered By [Runout Etch] – Ralph Eck
Oboe – Karen Lafferty
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Photography By – Dan Agulian, Diana Ham, Neal Buchanan
Producer, Arranged By – Peter Jacobs
Saw – Randy Sykes
Steel Guitar – Al Perkins
Written-By – Karen Lafferty

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Mastered At – United Artists Recording Studio
Pressed By – Research Craft
Published By – Karen Louise Lafferty
Copyright © – Karen Louise Lafferty
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Distributed By – Musical Gospel Outreach

Parable – More Than Words – 1975

This is the first of 2 albums from Parable. While their second album was far better known this one is good as well but with a slightly more subdued and seventies feel and sound. In fact as I listened to both albums today I really couldn’t see many similarities. Vocals on this one were handles by Chuck Butler and Joy Strange. Joy’s vocal style is better suited to this style of music. While she left Parable after this album she contributed to several more seventies feel albums throughout the late seventies. So if you liked the 1977 offering from Parable you may not be as excited about this one but if you listen to it as an individual album it’s actually pretty good.

Tracklist
1 – More Than Words – 3:37
2 – All Alone – 3:24
3 – Sweet, Sweet Song – 2:50
4 – Maybe – 2:17
5 – Someone’s Callin’ – 3:17
6 – I Know What It’s Like – 3:17
7 – Peter, James & John – 3:07
8 – On Your Own – 2:50
9 – Let The Old Man Die – 2:52
10 – Friends – 2:31
11 – Song For The Church – 2:50
12 – Goodbye – 2:46
13 – 16 Petersham Place – 2:10

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Chuck Butler, Joy Strange
Bass, Vocals – Pat Patton
Drums – Don Kobayashi
Engineer – Buddy King
Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Graphics, Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Orchestrated By, Conductor – Jim Stipech
Photography By – Carmen Terrazas
Producer – Tom Coomes

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Recorded At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Buddy King Studios, Huntington Beach, CA

Fish Co – Can’t Be Bad – 1975

Well we have covered all the albums from Writz, Famous name, Techno Twins etc.. BUT this is where all that started. This is Steve Fairnie and Steve Rowles’s first published band. Yes this is where it all started in 1975. And what a start it was. This is a fantastic 70’s sound album. I’m a little surprised that Myrrh actually released this album. Yes it is Jesus music but not every track shoves Jesus in your face. There are a few tracks here that actually could have singled on the secular charts. The track “Soup & Whisky” is without a doubt one of my favourite 70’s era songs Jesus music or otherwise.

Tracklist
1 – Jimmy Bootlace Seller – 3:35
2 – A Line Must Divide – 3:50
3 – Beautiful Secret – 4:00
4 – Matthew – 3:52
5 – Good Night Brothers – 2:55
6 – Soup & Whisky – 3:32
7 – 60’s Children – 3:57
8 – Share The Same – 3:56
9 – Broken Dream – 3:00
10 – Precious Lord – 4:17

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Fairnie, Steve Rowles
Engineer – Jeremy Stenham, Martin Levan, Mike Bobak, Mike Silverstone*
Mastered By – George Peckham
Photography By [Uncredited] – Bev Sage
Producer – John Pac
Vocals – Steve Fairnie, Steve Rowles

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Morgan Studios
Mastered At – Master Room

Danny Paul Wayne – Salvation Song (English)

I’m not entirely positive but I believe this is the first album from Danny and Paul Janz. It is possible there was an earlier one as the church they attended did have their own record company so they may be earlier work. This album however is the first album they did that was released in both Germany and Canada. I also found a reference that it was released in the United States but I am unable to confirm this. Anyway the album was released in Germany first with 8 German language tracks and 3 English tracks. Each version has 2 tracks that aren’t shared between the 2 versions. There are also some differences in the mix between the two. The English version was released by Image VII and Word and it sounds like they reworked the mix on most of the mutual tracks. As for the album it has a seventies folk sound and wasn’t really much of a hint of what was to come from the brothers.

Tracklist
1 – Who Can Show The Way – 2:56
2 – Summer’s Gone – 3:50
3 – Books And Calendars – 2:12
4 – Questions – 3:13
5 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:20
6 – Salvation Song – 3:39
7 – Give Me Love – 2:41
8 – Don’t Walk Away – 2:45
9 – Teach Me – 2:13
10 – Day By Day – 2:34
11 – He’s Always There – 2:32

Credits
Arranged By, Vocals, Soloist, Composed By – Daniel Janz
Composed By, Piano, Vocals, Soloist – Paul Janz
Coordinator – Margitta Paul, Nils Kjellström
Cover, Design – Helmut Mono
Drums – Mike Starr
Engineer, Photography By – John Dueck
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By, Soloist, Bass – Wayne Quiring

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Janz Team Tonstudio
Record Company – Word
Copyright © – Word Records Limited
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Image VII Records Inc. – VII7716

Randy Matthews – Eyes To The Sky – 1975

After the fiasco at The Jesus Festival in 1974 during which he was unplugged and thrown out for playing Rock & Roll he went into the studio to cut this album. He even wrote a song about the incident “Pennsylvania Song” on which he sang “you pulled the plug and drained my soul, but I know I left a ring around the tub of tradition, I saw some dance and sing” Many of us who stumbled on Randy in the 80’s problem didn’t even know he was a Rock & Roll pioneer. A quick listen to this album will reinforce this new knowledge as this is a great 70’s rock album. Seriously if you missed this one back in the day it’s a must listen to.

Tracklist
1 – It Took A Carpenter – 3:09
2 – Oh My – 3:20
3 – Paid In Full – 2:38
4 – There’s A Shadow Passing Over The Land – 3:03
5 – Wounded Warrior – 3:57
6 – Captain – 4:04
7 – Guardian Angel – 3:10
8 – Pennsylvania Song – 3:47
9 – In The Morning – 4:32
10 – Four Horsemen – 4:11

Credits
Arpa – Kim Rose
Arranged By – Kim Rose
Backing Vocals – Austin Roberts, Bergen White, Buzz Cason, Kim Rose, Randy Matthews
Bass – Joe Osborn
Cover [Painting] – J. T. Morrow
Design – Small Wonder Studio
Drums – Jerry Carrigan
Engineer – Brent Maher
Executive Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Flute – Billy Puett
Guitar – Billy Sanford, Kim Rose, Reggie Young, Steve Gibson
Keyboards – Kim Rose, Ron Oates
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Producer – Austin Roberts
Recorder – Billy Puett

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Creative Workshop

Seth – Psalms – 1975

While you may not have heard of Seth you have probably heard of a few of their members. Kelly Willard, who was Kelly Bagley at the time went on to have a long career with Maranatha! Music. Jonathan David Brown would go on to be a top notch producer and song writer. Keith Edwards eventually became a drummer for Amy Grant and Rhenda Edwards Tull, later sang on Parable’s first album. So while you may not remember Seth you have certainly heard their members. The album is a very good 70’s album and I’m rather surprised I had never heard it before today but as it was on Shalom records I”m not that surprised as this was a relativity unknown label.

Tracklist
1 – A Man Called Jesus – 3:15
2 – Many Years – 4:46
3 – A Psalm of Love – 3:19
4 – This Christ – 4:25
5 – My Friend – 2:55
6 – Ready – 5:00
7 – I Will Praise Him – 4:44
8 – Keep Holdin’ On – 4:30

Credits
Band – David Wayne Hines, Debbie Newell Scott, Jonathan David Brown, Keith Alan Edwards, Rhenda Edwards Tull

Good News – Good News – 1975

Good News was a band, an album and a song. They were also one of the most talented bands of the Jesus Music era with a line-up that included David Diggs, Bill Batstone, Erick Nelson and a 16 year Bob Carlisle. Though released through Maranatha Music the album was actually recorded independently and there seems to be a sense of freedom in the recording that shows.They would do a follow up “studio band” album in that they never intended to tour to support the second album and recorded just for the purpose of releasing new material. the second album featured Keith Green on piano. The title track was written by Beau MacDougall is a great 70’s pop number with more guitars than the church was accustomed to at the time. But being a band led by Erick Nelson, piano was to be a prominent instrument and the whole album is very piano based and reminds many of Keith Green musically. Lead vocals are shared between Nelson and Yvonne Lewis. Her pretty alto voice is reminiscent of Karen Carpenter and Michelle Pillar which is significant given Nelson’s later project with Pillar that is a true classic in the industry called The Misfit. Most of the songs are common Jesus Music themes of unity, social responsibility of the Church, evangelism and the rapture. The latter seemed to be an official prerequisite for any official Jesus Music release. “Tear Down the Walls” is a great, blues influenced straight ahead rock song common for the time and fit in with what was happening in pop music for the time. “Never Knew” follows the same footsteps as the title track while the album closer, “Why,” is the perfect “altar call” finisher in the vein of Keith Green. The album follows a back and forth rotation of upbeat songs followed by a ballad. Most of the rockier songs’ vocals are handled by Nelson while the ballads are divided up between Lewis and Nelson. Nelson would go on to be an important figure in the birthing of CCM with the aforementioned “The Misfit” album. Batstone would remain a prominent figure in CCM until today as a leading voice in the world of worship music. Diggs has been a major producer, songwriter and jazz musician with a longlist of credits. Carlisle went on the record the biggest song in CCM history with Butterfly Kisses as well as being the lead singer Christian “supergroup” Allies.

Contributor – David Lowman https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Good News – 4:20
2 – Carry Me Along – 3:25
3 – Going Home – 3:20
4 – Tear Down The Walls – 4:18
5 – Picking Up The Pieces – 3:55
6 – Never Knew – 4:00
7 – Follow You – 3:25
8 – Rock Of Ages – 3:52
9 – Why Must You Go – 3:10
10 – Jimmy – 3:20

Credits
Arranged By, Conductor [Conducted By] – David Diggs
Artwork [Art] – Neal Buchanan
Composed By – Erick Nelson, Joy Strange
Electric Guitar – Anthony Dean
Engineer [Engineered By] – Billy Taylor
Handclaps – Eddie Espinosa
Performer – Bill Batstone, David Diggs, Erick Nelson, Yvonne Lewis
Photography By – Scot Lockwood
Photography By [Photo Tinting] – John Carreon
Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Chuck Girard, Eddie Espinosa

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Erick Martin Nelson
Copyright © – Joy Strange
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s

The 2nd Chapter Of Acts – In The Volume Of The Book – 1975

This is the second studio album from The 2nd Chapter of acts who after this would simplify their name to just 2nd Chapter of Acts. Myrrh records was happy to have them back as their first album sold well. Phil Keaggy joins the best lineup of the band on guitar again and you can start to hear his skill level. Point of trivia about this album is that Michael Been (The Call) played Bass on some tracks. As for the album it’s a pretty easy listening album with strong 70’s vibes but if you want to hear Keaggy attack a Rock track listen to “Yahweh” which is not easy listening.

Tracklist
1 – Start Every Day With A Smile – 0:54
2 – Yahweh – 3:07
3 – Something Tells Me – 3:29
4 – The Grey Song – 1:56
5 – Now That I Belong To You – 4:04
6 – Ps. 63 – 1:51
7 – Prince Song – 2:51
8 – Morning Comes When You Call – 3:10
9 – Borrowed Time – 2:30
10 – Last Day Of My Life – 3:08
11 – Hey, Whatcha’ Say – 3:20
12 – Keep On Shinin’ – 3:13
13 – I Can’t Get Near You – 2:18

Credits
Michael Been – Bass
Jesse Cosio – Songwriter
Emery Gordy – Bass
Jay Graydon – Guitars
Nelly Greisen – Songwriter, Vocals
Annie Herring – Songwriter, Piano, Percussion, Vocals
Buck Herring – Producer, Engineer
David Hungate – Bass
Phil Keaggy – Guitars and Guitar Solos
David Kemper – Drums
Michael Omartian – Arranger, Piano, Organ, Aarpvark, Percussion
Larry Rolando – Guitars
Richard Souther – Songwriter
Danny Timms – Organ
Matthew Ward – Songwriter, Vocals

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Sunwest Recording Studios
Mastered At – Artisan Sound Recorders
Copyright © – Latter Rain Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Published By – Latter Rain Music

The Archers – Things We Deeply Feel – 1975

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