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
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
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
I only found this album because it was requested. I have no idea who the Young Brothers were or even if they were officially a Christian band. That said the album is full of Christian lyrics so were gonna call it Christian. This was the only album from the brothers and I can’t find that they ever did any other projects. What we have here is a solid southern rock album with overtones of ZZ Top on some tracks and early DA on others. As I said I know nothing about this band so we will just have to enjoy this great 70’s Rock album.
Tracklist 1 – Come Alive – 3:19 2 – Touched – 2:43 3 – Excited – 2:47 4 – The Answer – 3:03 5 – Suffering Man – 3:02 6 – If It Isn’t One Thing It’s Another – 2:38 7 – Bus Stop – 3:43 8 – Hinder – 3:02 9 – Say You Know Love – 2:34 10 – Just Setting My Soul Free – 4:20 11 – Space Child – 2:55
Credits Bass Guitar, Vocals – Ronnie Young Drums – Kenny Mooney Engineer, Recorded By – Mike Grimm Lead Guitar, Vocals – Allan Young Mastered By, Engineer – Kevin Vogts Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Terry Young
Companies, etc. Recorded At – The Young Bros. Residence Published By – Grimm Diversified Music Mastered At – Diskwerks
Not to be in any confused with CCM stalwarts, Caedmon’s Call, this is Caedmon, a progressive, medieval folk, blues, Celtic, jazz quintet from Edinburgh University that unleashed a completely original and creative project embraced a both sides of the pond and both sides of the music realm, garnering great reviews in Christian and mainstream publications. The group started off as a trio of veterinary students that primarily performed traditional British folk tunes and Church hymns and spirituals. The group expanded, as did their repertoire. They played with Water Into Wine, After the Fire, Larry Norman among other Jesus Music artists of the 70’s in Britain. But like many contemporaries…they disappeared quickly. Though the desire for the music has prompted a few re-releases over the years. Whether it’s the Celtic like folky number, “Ten Maidens fair” that kicks off the album or the moody, folky jazz tune, “Man Maker” that follows, the production is top notch, the quality of musicianship, originality and harmonies are simply compelling. Male and female lead vocals trade off with each song and often within each song. But one of the more compelling aspects is the vocal arrangements. There is really a lot going on here. “Sea Song” starts off like an old British shanty, then moves into a progressive rock like instrumental section with a killer guitar solo. The beautifully returns to its roots. Other true stand out tracks include “Living in the Sunshine” and “Columbas’ Song.” This a truly a brilliant gem that most likely would appear much higher on this list of I didn’t come to it so much later in life. I assume if I had owned this throughout its life cycle it would appear much higher on this list. I expect complaints from many claiming it deserves a higher ranking and an equal amount revealing they have never heard of it. The latter would do well to track it down as a phenomenal re-release with vastly improved sonics took place in the past year or so.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Ten Maidens Fair – 4:17 2 – Maker Man – 3:25 3 – Death Of A Fox – 4:18 4 – Sea Song – 5:35 5 – Aslan – 4:15 6 – Living In The Sunshine – 3:27 7 – Storm – 6:06 8 – Columba’s Song – 2:21 9 – Smile On Your Face – 4:35 10 – Caedmon’s Hymn – 4:15 11 – Give Me Jesus – 6:45 12 – Beyond The Second Mile – 4:15
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Jim Bisset Acoustic Guitar, Spoons [Spoon And Teacup] – Ken Patterson Vocals – Angela Naylor Vocals, Bass Guitar – Sam Wilson Vocals, Electric Guitar – Jim Bisset Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Other [etc] – Simon Jaquet Vocals, Piano, Cello – Ken Patterson
In 2021 Daniel Amos released a recording of themselves live at Calvary Chapel in 1978. It features songs from their first two albums as well as Horrendous Disc which was already recorded but unreleased by Larry. It has 2 tracks, Happily Married Man, and Ain’t Gonna Fight It, that were not released until 1990 on a CD re-issue of their self titled album as bonus tracks. The sound quality is excellent and it’s an excellent opportunity for us to travel back in time to hear a band that would become one of the premiere CCM bands of all time.
Tracklist 1 – Hound Of Heaven – 4:52 2 – Abidin’ – 03:14 3 – Meal – 3:51 4 – Horrendous Disc – 3:29 5 – On The Line – 5:51 6 – Happily Married Man – 4:13 7 – Days & Nights – 2:25 8 – Ain’t Gonna Fight It – 4:54 9 – Posse In The Sky – 4:52 10 – Skeptic’s Song – 3:00 11 – Walking On The Water 7:03
Credits Terry Scott Taylor- Lead Vocals- guitar Jerry Chamberlain- Guitar, vocals Ed McTaggart- Drums Mark Cook- Keys, vocals Marty Dieckmeyer- Bass Mastered by Bruce Neher
