Tag: 1978

Ivor Twidell – Waiting for the Sun – 1978

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 – Love Eyes – 1978

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

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Copyright © – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Martinsound
Recorded At – Sound Castle Recorders, Los Angeles
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios

Albrecht, Roley & Moore – Starlighter – 1978

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

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Spirit Records Inc.
Distributed By – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Produced For – White Knuckles Productions
Manufactured By – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Sparrow Song
Published By – Spirit Records
Recorded At – The Sound Lab, Nashville
Mixed At – The Sound Lab, Nashville

Evie – A Little Song Of Joy For My Little Friends – 1978

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

Agape Force – Within the Gate – 1978

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.

David Meece – Everybody Needs A Little Help – 1978

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

Sea Stone – Mirrored Dreams – 1978

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

Randall Waller – Oasis – 1978

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

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Airborne Studios

John Pantry – Empty Handed – 1978

So I’ll straight up admit I never hears of John before this album made its way across my desktop. He’s actually fairly well known and has a great history with music. In the 60’s he was in a fantastic obscure secular 60’s band called Peter & The Wolves (Not the recent Canadian version). I went back and listened to his work back them and it’s great. Later in the 80’s he was with a band called Fresh Air that had one album that I am feverishly looking for. Anyway this appears to have been his first Christian album and it is great. It has an early 70’s feel and a late 60’s feel on a few tracks. So if you missed this one back in the day give it a listen, it’s pretty darn good.

Tracklist
1 – Strong Love – 3:31
2 – Empty Handed – 3:17
3 – He Will Take Great Care – 3:12
4 – Will I Ever Get Over This – 3:18
5 – Reigning In My Heart – 3:53
6 – Behold I Stand At The Door And Knock – 2:35
7 – Slip Off Your Shoes – 3:22
8 – God Is Moving On – 3:25
9 – Sweat Healer – 3:57
10 – Priceless – 3:24

Credits
Backing Vocals – Elizabeth Kaufmann, Gwen Murray
Bass – Paul Cobbold
Design [sleeve] – Chris Bourne
Drums – Mike Wade
Engineer – Andy Kidd, Dave Aston
Guitar – Mo Witham
Saxophone, Flute – Robert McKay
Vocals, Keyboards, Producer, Written-By – John Pantry

Companies, etc.
Published By – Thank You Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Recorded At – ICC Studios

Paul Smith – Child Of The Father – 1978

Paul Smith of course is best known for being in the Imperials. He did go on to a solo career after the Imperials but this little known album came before he joined the Imperials. When I say little known it’s because this album does not appear to have been on a label. It appears Paul self released this album so I am assuming no one ever heard of it. Strangely it appears to be highly collectable with copies fetching $300. I have listened to the album and there is nothing here that is deserving of that price tag but it is a good album if you like that 70’s easy listening style.

Tracklist
1 – Yes, I Know – 4:37
2 – Singin’ Through The Rain – 3:17
3 – Before I Knew – 4:27
4 – Child Of The Father – 3:32
5 – One More Day – 5:44
6 – Now I See The Man – 3:09
7 – Lonely People Serenade – 6:07
8 – Let There Still Be Love – 3:48
9 – Always – 4:23

Credits
Arranged By – Robert Sterling
Backing Vocals – Suite Lady
Backing Vocals [Suite Lady] – Cindy Vaughn, Denise Griffith, Gail Quillan, Jean Seal, Jean Secliffe
Bass – Andy Rae
Design – Nancy Perry
Drums, Percussion – Robert Sterling
Engineer – Bob Sullivan
Guitar – Bob Thomas
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Shane Keister
Liner Notes – Charles F. Brown
Mixed By [Assistant] – Charles F. Brown
Photography By – Tim Henry
Producer – Robert Sterling
Saxophone – Greg Bashara
Trombone – Anne Broaddus, David Carter
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Mark Nally

Companies, etc.
Published By – Glorysound Publishing
Published By – Home Sweet Home Publishing
Published By – John T. Benson Publishing
Published By – PostScript Music
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Sunset-Burnet Studios