Meet Jesus Music were a U.K. Jesus music band out of the 70’s. I had never heard of them before so I started doing some research and discovered they were pretty popular in the U.K. at the time. The U.K. didn’t have as many Jesus music bands so these guys filled a gap in local music. This is their second and last album but many members of the band went on to have solo careers. The band is probably best known in the 80’s circles for their performance at Greenbelt in 1979. As for the album it is your rather typical Jesus music and nothing really stands out to me but that’s not to say it’s bad. To me a lot of music form this era sounds the same but I am not a connoisseur of this era and I don’t mean any disrespect to the music.
Tracklist 1 – Gold – 5:05 2 – Too Many Times – 4:05 3 – Just One Touch – 4:06 4 – High Time – 2:40 5 – Cannot Understand – 4:15 6 – Hey Mr. Sally Ann! – 3:22 7 – Jesus – 3:22 8 – Take Time – 4:51 9 – Don’t Let Them Fool You – 4:21 10 – Praise the Lord! – 3:20
Credits Bass – Simon Dennis Bass Trombone – Dave Scragg Cello – Dave Thorn Congas, Timbales – Julian Sullivan Design – Gillard Bros. Graphics Drums – Tony Taylor Engineer [‘Live’ Sound Engineer] – Mike Waller Engineer, Producer – John Pantry Guitar – Dave Gillard Harp – Muriel Liddle Trombone – Dave Gladman, Keith Brown Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Ray Allen Vibraphone, Flute, Arranged By [Brass Arrangement] – Peter Shade Vocals – Angie Routledge Vocals, Guitar, Trombone – Ken Smith Vocals, Keyboards – Keith Routledge, Lou Hayles
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
