This is one of A series of radio shows produced by Word records for distribution to Christian Radio Stations. This one feature DeGarmo & Key. I actually have to give Word some credit here. It was 1978 and D&K were not your typical Jesus Music performers of the era. This was southern rock album and was one of the earliest in this style. The album was not overly rock but it was rock by the standard of the day. The show highlights 7 out of the 10 tracks on the album.
00:00 – Intro 01:23 – Emmanuel 05:19 – Addey 09:22 – Chase The Wind 14:21 – Alleyways Of Strife 16:52 – Wayfaring Stranger 20:12 – Sleeper 22:52 – This Time Thru 27:28 – Outro
This is Keith’s second solo album and last on Sparrow as he would go on to start his own record label. The album was very successful with 2 top 10 singles, “Dear John Letter” and “Soften Your Heart”. “Asleep In The Light” also made it up to number 11 so I think we can round up and say 3 top 10 singles. The success of this album though changed the way Keith was thinking about the business. He bought his was out of his Sparrow contract as he and his wife wanted to have “free” concerts and albums. In reality it would be pay what you want but I think this says a lot about Keith’s reasons for playing Christian music. He obviously wanted to use it to minister to people instead of make money. I can respect him for that but ministry isn’t free and his ministry always struggled to have the cash it needed. Personally I think somewhere in the middle of business model and free ministry sits a sweet spot for artists in this genre.
Tracklist 1 – Soften Your Heart – 2:48 2 – Make My Life A Prayer To You – 3:21 3 – Dear John Letter (To The Devil) – 3:20 4 – How Can They Live Without Jesus? – 3:03 5 – Asleep In The Light – 4:25 6 – My Eyes Are Dry – 1:57 7 – You! – 3:33 8 – I Don’t Wanna Fall Away From You – 3:07 9 – Stained Glass – 2:45 10 – To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice – 3:17 11 – The Victor – 4:20 12 – Altar Call – 3:34
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Al Perkins, Hadley Hockensmith, Jay Leach, Mike Deasy Arranged By [Strings] – Lennart Sjöholm Backing Vocals – Danniebelle Hall, James Felix, Keith Green, Matthew Ward Choir – Annie Herring, Chris Beatty, Jamie Owens-Collins, Keith Green, Matthew Ward, Melody Green, Nelly Greisen, Steve Greisen, Tommy Funderburk Congas – Lee Pastora Electric Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Mike Deasy Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith, Mike Deasy Marimba – Mark Z. Stevens Organ – Harlan Rogers Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Harlan Rogers, Keith Green Producer – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green Recorded By – Peter Granet Steel Guitar – Al Perkins Tambourine – Bill Maxwell Triangle – Lee Pastora
We’re a little confused at the crediting of this album. We have credited it to Ivor Twidell but it may actually be instead the name of the band, Waiting For The Sun. We also apologize for the low quality of these songs but the fact that we got a copy at all was exciting as this is pretty rare album. Anyway this is the first appearance of Ivor (Iva) in the music scene and came out right when he joined After The Fire. It has a folksy seventies sound and is nothing like his later work. We tried to look into Ivor’s history before this album but we were unable to find out anything. This album has been re-released on CD in 2015 but so far we can’t find a copy but we are looking.
Tracklist 01 – Waiting For The Sun – 3:51 02 – Dear Lord – 3:03 03 – I Want To Dance – 2:21 04 – Old Fashioned Dreamer – 3:12 05 – Come Up Smiling – 2:54 06 – I Can’t Take – 4:02 07 – This Thing’s Gone On Long Enough – 3:41 08 – The Carpenter’s Son – 4:01 09 – Maybe I’m A Fool – 3:18 10 – Come To Me – 4:26 11 – Safe With Me – 3:02
Credits Bass – Robert Michael Drums – Ivor Twidell Electric Guitar – Dusty Miller Flute – Ivor Twidell, Tamsin Ginger Guitar – Ivor Twidell Lacquer Cut By – Spikey Percussion – Ivor Twidell Synthesizer – Ivor Twidell Violin – Nick Battle Vocals – Ivor Twidell, Nick Battle
Jamie Owens-Collins is the daughter of Jimmy and Carol Owens who were pioneers in the CCM movement and some of the first people to bring CCM music into the Church. Jamie had been on several of their children’s albums and this is her first solo album. So we know she had a good head start and the results of this album show that she was ready for the industry. It had 2 singles with the first being “Love Eyes” which made it to #6. “Pleasure Servin’ You” also singled peaking at #13. Pretty good for your first album. It should also be noted that her husband is Dan Collins who was also well known in the CCM industry having appeared on several “The Maranatha Singers” albums.
Tracklist 1 – Love Eyes – 3:42 2 – Daniel – 2:59 3 – Radio Man – 4:07 4 – Hidden Treasure – 2:25 5 – It’s Been Quite A Year – 3:27 6 – Pleasure Servin’ You – 2:50 7 – Only You – 2:32 8 – New Day – 3:35 9 – Waters Of Rest – 2:28 10 – Mighty River – 3:19
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Al Perkins, Art Munson Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Jimmy Owens Backing Vocals – Dan Collins, Jamie Owens-Collins, Terry Talbot, Tim Archer Bass – Dennis Kovarik, Jim Fielder Concertmaster – Sid Sharp Drums – David Kemper Electric Guitar – Al Perkins, Art Munson, Rick Vito, Steve Steffy, Tim May Engineer – Jack Puig, Wally Duguid Engineer [Assistant] – Greg Thompson Graphics – Carthy Lamb Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Organ – Richard Souther Percussion – Steve Forman Photography By [Back Cover] – Dan Collins Photography By [Front Cover] – Ron Anderson Piano – John Hobbs, Pete Hallin, Richard Souther Producer – Dan Collins Resonator Guitar [Dobtro], Steel Guitar – Al Perkins Synthesizer – Richard Souther
AR&M are back with their second album on the new label Spirit and with a Sparrow records distribution deal. Everything was looking up for this album. The band/label put together a killer studio band for the guys and even got Bonnie Bramlett in to sing backup on the song “Carry It On”. The album got the guys their first and only CCM chart single with “Eyes On The Clouds” coming in at #22. The album is definitely a step up from their first album. It has a more Rock feel but don’t be expecting a 70’s rocker, that’s not what these guys did but they did get a few rock riffs onto this album.
Tracklist 1 – Questioning Heart – 2:18 2 – Carry It On – 3:39 3 – Chasin’ The Rain – 3:26 4 – Song Of The Starlighter – 2:56 5 – Eyes On The Clouds – 3:36 6 – Holiday Son – 3:43 7 – One To One – 3:22 8 – Rise Complete My Maiden – 2:46 9 – You Are My Life – 2:43 10 – Benediction – 1:11
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Bobby Thompson, John Goin, Mike Albrecht, Scott Roley Backing Vocals – Bonnie Bramlett Bass – Jack Williams, Joe Osborn, Tommy Cogbill Bass, Acoustic Guitar – Alan Moore Design – Lynn Robb, Stan Evenson Drums – Kenny Malone, Larry Landin Electric Guitar – Steve Gibson Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – John W. Thompson Electric Guitar, Mandolin – Pete Bordonali Engineer – Jim Cotton, Pat Holt Photography By – Bill Grine Producer, Arranged By – John W. Thompson Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards – Shane Keister Strings – The Shelly Kurland Strings
Sometimes the hardest part of what we so here is doing these little reviews of these albums. Take this album for example. Evie does a children’s album. That’s about all their is to say. It’s not bad, it’s just a children’s album and it’s a little hard to get excited about that. I checked all the contributing musicians and it’s an excellent collection of quality Studio musicians but no one really notable so nothing there to talk about. Anyway so here it is the best children’s album Evie ever did.
Tracklist 1 – Step Into The Sunshine – 3:09 2 – Why Complain – 2:16 3 – Tree Song – 2:57 4 – His Will – 1:31 5 – All Day Song – 3:10 6 – I Am Safe – 1:15 7 – Jesus I Believe What You Said – 3:23 8 – It’s Not Just A Story – 2:06 9 – Will The Circle Be Unbroken? & This Little Light Of Mine – 2:50 10 – Creature Praise – 2:46 11 – Into My Heart – 3:35
Credits Backing Vocals – Becki Byrd, Catherine Snider, Gwenn Robertson, Karen Robertson, Laura Warren, Lee Warren Bass – Jack Williams Drums – Bill Harris, Jerry Carrigan Flute, Saxophone – Billy Puett Guitar – Billy Sandford*, Jerry Shook, Pete Bordonali, Weldon Myrick Harmonica – Charlie McCoy Keyboards – Kjell Ohman, Randy Goodrum Percussion – Farrell Morris
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc. Recorded At – The Sound Lab, Nashville Remixed At – Europa Film
This may actually be the first live Jesus music worship album ever. Agape Force and Candle came together to record this live worship album in the Agape Force gymnasium at their ranch in Garden Valley, Texas. As for the album it is exactly what you are expecting after reading after the first sentence. Not particularly my style of album but I wasn’t attending worship services in the south in 1978. For what it is it’s a pretty good album and gives us a little insight into what was happening in the southwest U.S. southwest Jesus music scene in the late 70’s. It should be noted that I have arranged the track in a slightly different way that the album presented them as I think it better represents the flow of the album.
Tracklist 1 – Soldiers Of The Army – 2:38 2 – Stay On The Battlefield – 2:23 3 – I Will Sing – 2:50 4 – Fill Me Now – 2:10 5 – Lord Of Hosts – 2:00 6 – Glory To God In The Highest – 1:51 7 – Glory, Jesus, Glory – 1:43 8 – I Want To Be In Service For Jesus – 3:48 9 – The Lord Is My Strength – 2:14 10 – Lay Hold – 2:33 11 – The Steadfast Love – 1:43 12 – Living Fire – 2:02 13 – Hallelujah Song – 2:14 14 – Worthy – 3:00 15 – The Greatest Thing – 4:16 16 – Higher, Higher – 3:38
Credits Artwork By, Design – Mark Pendergrass Bass – Frank Hernandez Engineer – Paul Christensen Executive Producer – Tony Salerno Guitar [Acoustic] – Frank Atcheson, Frank Hernandez, Gabriel Arosemena, Mike Milligan Piano – Kathy Salerno Producer [& Musical Director], Liner Notes – Billy Ray Hearn Voice – Betsy Jacobson, Mike Milligan
Companies, etc. Mixed At – Martinsound Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparrow Records, Inc.
This was David’s 3rd album and really it was his breakthrough album as it had his first 2 CCM singles. “I Can’t Believe It’s True” made it to #2 and “Never Gonna Serve Anyone Else” made it to #9. The album relies a little less on David’s piano and uses quite a lot of keyboards with Bobby Ogdin, and Shane Keister joining David on keyboards. While having a little less piano makes the album more likeable for me I have to admit that his piano is so good I found myself missing it. Strangely the UK release of the album had a completely different and better cover in my opinion.
Tracklist 1 – I Can’t Believe It’s True – 2:59 2 – God Holds The Future – 3:56 3 – Never Gonna Serve Anyone Else – 3:16 4 – Everybody Needs A Little Help – 3:52 5 – All The Time – 4:26 6 – Love Is The Reason (We’re Here Tonight) – 3:58 7 – All I Can Do – 3:00 8 – Sunshine Jesus – 2:53 9 – Oh So Wonderful – 3:42 10 – He’ll Take Care Of You – 2:55
Credits Arranged By [Horns] – Buddy Skipper Arranged By [Strings] – Bergen White Bass – Jack Williams, Steve Schaffer Drums – Kenny Buttrey, Kenny Malone, Roger Clark Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton Guitar – Chris Smith, Jon Goin, Larry Byram Keyboards – Bobby Ogdin, David Meece, Shane Keister Percussion – Farrell Morris, Terry McMillian Producer – Brown Bannister Saxophone – Quittman Dennis
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc. Produced For – Chris Christian Productions Published By – Word Music Published By – Bug & Bear Music Mastered At – Masterfonics
I really couldn’t find out much about Sea Stone and I actually only stumbled across them because this was Simon Law’s (Fresh Claim) first band. I have discovered that they had a bit of a cult following and re-released the album on CD in 2010. As for the album it has a pretty good seventies sound and has some excellent guitar work. All in all it’s a pretty good 70’s album and I’m pretty sure of you like that era of Christian music you’ll like this album.
Tracklist 1 – Brand New Day – 4:37 2 – Rolling Stone – 3:24 3 – Helping Hand – 5:53 4 – Waves Of Loneliness – 5:56 5 – Foolish Hero – 4:20 6 – Unborn Child – 4:40 7 – Precious Dream – 7:37 8 – Wake Up – 6:23
Credits Bass – Nigel Gibbons Composed By – Eric Lives Drums – Paul Reynolds Engineer, Mixed By, Producer – Brook Trickett Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Simon Law Keyboards, Vocals, Design – Mags Parry Mastered By – Pete Norman Photography – Elwin Cockett, Eric Lives Producer – Sea Stone
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Soundtree Studios Mastered At – RCA Studios, London
Oasis is Randall Waller’s solo debut. It’s the first of two solo albums, released before the formation of Lionheart in 1981, the precursor band to Avion. Being an Australia-only release, the first Randall Waller album most people are familiar with is the outstanding ‘Midnight Fire’ album which was recorded in the US, and produced by the late Jon Linn (guitarist on albums by Larry Norman, Chuck Girard, Randy Stonehill, and Mark Heard). There’s a world of difference between the two. Oasis is mainly aimed for those who are already believers. It contains a numbers of Randall’s original worship songs – You Are The One, Just Can’t Explain, and Praise Song, to name a few. Oasis is a more laid-back, predominantly acoustic/soft rock project. The opening track, Friends In High Places, Storm In The Sky, and I Want You really appeal to the rocker in me, but they are the exception to the overall rule. Randall’s excellent guitaring in Friends In High Places reminds me of guitar greats, the late Gary Moore and Carlos Santana. Other album highlights are Randall’s good remakes of John Michael Talbot’s Would You Crucify Him and Phil Keaggy’s Things I Will Do. Well worth giving this a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Friends In High Places – 7:19 2 – You Are The One – 3:25 3 – Things I Will Do – 3:26 4 – Just Can’t Explain It – 2:15 5 – Would You Crucify Him – 4:48 6 – Foot Of The Mountain/Lord You’re Blowin’ My Mind – 6:01 7 – Storm In The Sky – 5:23 8 – What Must I Do – 2:33 9 – I Want You – 4:41 10 – Praise Song – 1:46
Credits Alto Saxophone – Michael Houghton Arranged By – Randall Waller Bass – Roger Hanlon Design – Ngaire Waller Directed By – Steve Wyatt Drums – Rob McMurry Engineer – Chris Neal Flute – Michael Houghton Guitar – Randall Waller Lead Vocals – Randall Waller Piano – Steve Wyatt Producer – Bob Goodfellow Synthesizer – Chris Neal
