Tag: 1978

Richie Furay – Dance a Little Light – 1978

This was Richie’s first album on David Geffen Asylum Records. Richie told David that the album would not be obviously Christian and more mainstream. So this album gets filed as an album by a Christian as apposed to a Christian album. The album was very reminiscent of his Buffalo Springfield and Poco days. It has a great 70’s sound and there’s even a few tracks where you might hear an Eagles sound. In a bit of foreshadowing bassist Timothy B. Schmit would go on to play with the Eagles. There is an interesting cover of “This Magic Moment”. It doesn’t really work for me but it’s well done. The album was well received and many considered it to be his best solo work.

Tracklist
1 – It’s Your Love – 3:50
2 – Your Friends – 2:45
3 – Ooh Dreamer – 5:06
4 – Yesterday’s Gone – 3:13
5 – Someone Who Cares – 3:50
6 – Dance A Little Light – 2:55
7 – This Magic Moment – 3:06
8 – Bittersweet Love – 3:45
9 – You Better Believe It – 2:55
10 – Stand Your Guard – 8:10

Credits
Arranged By [Strings and Horns], Conductor – David Diggs
Backing Vocals – Chris Hillman (tracks: B3), David Cassidy (tracks: A2, A4, B5), Ed Cobb (tracks: B2), George Grantham (tracks: B3), Richie Furay (tracks: A1 to B2, B4, B5), Timothy B. Schmit (tracks: A1 to A4, B3 to B5), Virgil Beckham (tracks: A1 to B1, B5)
Bass – Billy Batstone*
Concertmaster – George Poole
Congas – Victor Feldman (tracks: A1, A2)
Design – Johnny Lee (4)
Drums – John Mehler
Engineer – Eric Prestidge
Engineer [Assistant] – Chris Desmond, Nighttime Dave Ruffo, Eric Drew Feldman, Leonard Kovner, Lon Neumann, Ralph Osborn, Skip Cottrell Handclaps – Jim Mason (tracks: A2) Keyboards – Gabriel Katona Lead Guitar, Harmony Vocals – Virgil Beckham Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar [Acoustic], Rhythm Guitar [Electric], Harmony Vocals – Richie Furay Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By, Engineer – Eric Prestidge Mixed By, Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Gazecki, Dave LaBarre, Rick Hart Photography [Liner] – Scott Lockwood Photography By [Front/Back Cover] – Henry Diltz Producer – Jim Mason Saxophone – Jim Coile, Jim Horn Shaker – Alex MacDougall (tracks: B2) Trombone – Jack Redman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Chuck Findlay*, Steve Madaio
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Victor Feldman (tracks: B3)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Elektra/Asylum Records
Copyright (c) – Elektra/Asylum Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Asylum Records
Manufactured By – Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records
Produced For – Free Flow Productions
Recorded At – Davlen Sound Studios
Recorded At – Producers Workshop
Recorded At – Wally Heider Recording Studio, Los Angeles
Recorded At – A&M Studios
Mixed At – Producers Workshop
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Compton, CA
Copyright (c) – Song Mountain Music Publishers
Copyright (c) – Richie Furay Music
Copyright (c) – Fort Knox Music Co.
Copyright (c) – Instant Joy Music
Copyright (c) – New Harmony Music
Copyright (c) – Rumbalero Music, Inc.
Published By – Song Mountain Music Publishers
Published By – Richie Furay Music
Published By – Fort Knox Music Co.
Published By – Instant Joy Music
Published By – New Harmony Music
Published By – Belinda Music

Barry McGuire – Cosmic Cowboy – 1978

Barry McGuire regularity put out an album a year and sometimes two. Generally when an artist does this we end up with albums full of “Filler” material. This is especially true when the artist is writing their own material. In this case i is quite the opposite. The album has lots of great tracks and Barry wrote every track except “Good News Shoes”. This album spawned the #1 hit “Cosmic Cowboy” which holds the record for most weeks at #1 on both the AC and CHR charts. Point of trivia, I did not know is that his guitarist and song writing partner Mike Deasy was actually a member of The Coasters (Yakety Yak). Not many guest stars this album but Michael Omartian did play some keyboards.

Tracklist
1 – Cosmic Cowboy – 4:45
2 – What Good Would It Do – 3:21
3 – The Presence – 2:55
4 – Walkin’ – 3:58
5 – Flying Merry-Go-Round – 4:03
6 – Mystery Of Life – 3:05
7 – Good News Shoes – 2:28
8 – My King – 3:15
9 – You An’ Me – 2:39
10 – White Swan – 3:23
11 – Face To Face – 3:05

Credits
Arranged By – Mike Deasy
Arranged By [Strings] – David Diggs
Artwork – John Lykes
Backing Vocals – Barry McGuire (tracks: B5), Bili Thedford (tracks: B5), Mike Deasy (tracks: B5), Sherlie Matthews (tracks: B5), Venetta Fields (tracks: B5)
Baritone Saxophone – Fred Selden
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Design – Stan Evenson
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer, Mixed By – Wally Duguid
Guitar – Mike Deasy
Pedal Steel Guitar – Al Perkins
Percussion – Fred Petry
Piano – Harlan Rogers
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Synthesizer [Oberheim] – Michael Omartian

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Distributed By – Prim
Manufactured By – Prim
Printed By – General Printing AB
Recorded At – Buckskin Studio
Mixed At – Buckskin Studio
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering

Salmond & Mulder – Special Limited Edition – 1978

This was the first album from Canadian duo Salmond & Mulder. It is a rather typical 70’s Jesus music album where you will hear Simon and Garfunkel like duets, a country song, a Rock song and a Reggae cut. Many albums in this period had styles that were all over the map and this one followed that trend. I don’t offer this as a criticism but just a description of the eras thinking. The rock tune on this album is actually quite good and at the time would have made it’s way into my regular rotation. While they were mainly known in Canada this album was released in the United States but I believe it was a very short run. Strangely the last track “Stumbling Heavenward” would also make it onto their next album as the title track. I found that rather odd. The album cover was a bit of genius too. It consisted of a blank entirely white Jacket with a sicker applied that simply said “Salmond & Mulder Special Limited Edition”. A novel idea that made the album stand out but must have also kept the costs way down.

Tracklist
1 – Hearthungers – 3:54
2 – Silent Lady – 3:13
3 – Tumbleweed – 3:51
4 – Here I Am – 4:15
5 – You In My Heart – 2:42
6 – Like A River – 4:33
7 – Greatest Lover – 2:49
8 – Bear The Burdon – 2:10
9 – Sunshine In The Rain – 4:16
10 – Most Of All – 2:33
11 – Stumbling Heavenward – 0:31

2nd Chapter Of Acts – Mansion Builder – 1978

This was the 3rd studio album from 2nd Chapter of Acts and it is generally regarded as the album that really broke the band onto the CCM scene. This was also their first album with Sparrow and I will say that I think the success of the album was partly due to that. At the time I believe Sparrow was much better at promoting albums than Myrrh. By this time the band had perfected their easy listening sound so he album is very well done. The title track made it to #2 on the CCM charts and “Rod And Staff” made it to #19. The musicians on this album are basically “A Band Called David” who were some of the best of this genre.

Tracklist
1 – Rod And Staff – 2:55
2 – Mansion Builder – 3:02
3 – Ps. 93 – 2:32
4 – Gold In The Clouds – 2:18
5 – I’ll Give My Life Away – 2:20
6 – Rainbow – 2:34
7 – Well, Haven’t You Heard – 3:50
8 – Lightning Flash – 2:45
9 – Starlight, Starbright – 2:00
10 – Make My Life A Prayer To You – 3:02
11 – Daydreamer – 3:26

Credits
Arranged By [String, Horn] – Michael Omartian
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: A4, A6, B1, B3), Herb Melton (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B4, B5)
Clavinet, Organ, Synthesizer [Mini-moog] – Richard Souther
Drums – Bill Maxwell (tracks: A4, A6, B1, B3), Gene Gunnels (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B4, B5)
Engineer – Buck Herring
Guitar – Jay Graydon (tracks: A4, A6, B1, B3), Peter York (tracks: A4, A6, B1, B3)
Percussion – Michael Omartian
Performer – “The Band Called David” (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B2, B4, B5)
Photography – Johanna Van Zant Wyk
Piano – Anne Herring (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B2, B5), Michael Omartian (tracks: A4, A6, B1, B3), Richard Souther (tracks: A3, B4)
Producer – Buck Herring
Synthesizer [Aarpvart] – Michael Omartian
Written-By – Anne Herring (tracks: A1, A2, A4 to B3, B5)

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Buckskin Studio
Mixed At – Buckskin Studio

Mike Warnke – Hey Doc! – 1978

Mike gets on stage to bring some Christian humour and talking about his service in Vietnam. Though dated I still find this album quite humorous.

It should be noted that Warnke was revealed as a liar and fraudster in 1991 by Cornerstone magazine. This recording is offered as a historic record of what was being listened to in the Christian community in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Credits
Cover [Concept] – Dennis Hill
Cover [Design] – Charles Wallis, Inc., Patrick Pollei, Roger Sanders
Management – Dharma Artist Agency, Inc., Wes Yoder
Narrator – Mike Warnke
Photography By – John Miller
Producer – Mike Blanton*, Wes Yoder
Recorded By – Malcolm Harper

Companies, etc.
Published By – Warbird Publishing Company
Recorded At – Century II Concert Hall, Wichita, KS
Recorded By – Reelsound
Edited At – Studio 1, Nashville, TN
Edited At – Reelsound
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Warbird Publishing Company
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warbird Publishing Company

Benny Hester – Benny Hester – 1978

This is Benny’s self titled release from 1978 on Spirit Records. It was re-released in 1982 by Myrrh Records but was renamed “Be A Receiver”. OK so this is the first, second, third, and fourth album he put out. How is that possible you ask? Well there was a first album “Benny…” but almost no copies of it reached the public before being destroyed in a fire so this is really the first album people could get of his but technically is his second album. Then he released “Nobody Knows Me Like You” in 1981 and then this album was re-released with a new name “A Receiver” as his third or fourth album . Anyway all that aside lets talk about this album. This album actually pushed the limits of Christian music at the time with some heavy guitar work which while becoming more common at the time was still being cautiously received. I like this album because it doesn’t sound like a leftover 70’s sound instead it has a fresh fun rock sound. It even has a bit of a pop feeling which was ahead of its time. All in all a great album.

Tracklist
1 – Be A Receiver – 3:18
2 – Squeeze You – 3:51
3 – Sure Of Your Call – 3:20
4 – Jesus Came Into My Life – 3:05
5 – The Door – 4:06
6 – Gonna Happen Here – 3:14
7 – Only You – 3:40
8 – Such A Relief – 3:20
9 – All You Can Do – 2:12
10 – We All Know He’s Comin’ – 3:03

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Benny Hester
Arranged By [Strings] – Greg Nelson
Bass – Ed Arnold
Composed By – Benny Hester
Design – Stan Evenson
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – John Parenti
Electric Guitar – Dan Flannery
Engineer – Brent Maher
Engineer [Assistant] – Rich Schirmer
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Jeff Lams
Photography By – Gary Heery
Producer – Brent Maher
Strings – Shelly Kurland Strings

Lewis McVay – Spirit of St. Lewis – 1978

This was the first of two solo albums from Lewis McVay after Mustard Seed Faith dissolved. This album is actually kind of a mess. It’s a strange mix of traditional Jesus music, 70’s Rock, Soul, and even a country song. That said I’m not saying the album is bad, just that it is a bunch of different styles. Honestly it’s quite a good album just with so many different styles it does not flow like an album should. Lewis was better known for his next solo album but this one probably would have been more popular if it had stuck to one or two styles. Joining Lewis on Guitar on this album was Don Gerber (Darrell Mansfield Band) and famed studio musician and producer Al Perkins.

Tracklist
1 – Time – 3:26
2 – Ridin’ In The Wind – 3:48
3 – Any Day – 5:28
4 – Water – 3:04
5 – Somebody – 3:52
6 – Lost But Not Forgotten – 3:27
7 – How Long? – 4:30
8 – Oh Lord – 4:07
9 – With You – 3:15
10 – Sit Down – 5:40

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Don Gerber
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Joe Cadrecha
Backing Vocals – Billy Thedford, Kelly Willard, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Virgil Beckham
Bass – Darrell Cook
Drums – Mike Fickling
Electric Guitar – Tony Sena
Electronic Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Guitar – Al Perkins
Handclaps – Steve Berchtold
Keyboards – Phil Kristianson
Mandolin, Violin – Fred Fields
Producer – John Pantry
Saxophone, Flute – John Yoakum
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Handclaps – Lewis McVay

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music

After the Fire – Signs of Change – 1978

After Peter “Memory” Banks Narnia project he changed gears and headed to secular music. This 1978 project was self produced and distributed and the original 2000 copies sold out in 2 weeks despite no distribution. The only band members that didn’t survived this version of After The Fire to the next version was bass player Nick Battle who was replaced with Narnia Bassist John Russell. When I refer to “This Version” it is because this album has a sound that did not continue on in their future very successful albums. It has a progressive rock sound that is actually very well done but I think they were catching the tail end of this sound so their subsequent switch to a New Wave/Pop sound for their next album was well timed. This album was re-released in 2004 by Roughmix Records with 4 Bonus Tracks.

Tracklist
1 – Dance Of The Marionette – 7:00
2 – Back To The Light – 4:00
3 – Now That I’ve Found – 8:10
4 – Signs Of Change – 8:04
5 – Jigs – 2:58
6 – Pilgrim – 11:22

Credits
Bass Guitar – Nick Battle
Design – Steve Bamford
Drums – Ivor Twidell
Guitar – Andy Piercy
Keyboards – “Memory” Banks
Mastered By – BilBo (3)
Vocals – Andy Piercy

Companies, etc.
Made By – Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.

Imperials – Live – 1978

This Live album features the most recent hits (in 1978) from the Imperials. Some of the versions were spruced up for the concert and some of them tamed down. The selection of songs and styles didn’t really work well in my opinion but I wasn’t at the concert so maybe it worked better in person. There’s one thing on the album that annoyed me. They introduce the song “Your First Day In Heaven” as being how they sounded in 1964. The song however is not from 1964 and appears to have been released the same year at this album (feel free to correct me). Why do a song in the old style when you could just pick and old song and do it the way it was originally done. This moment was just sort of strange to me. All that said if you love the early Imperials this live album is for you. The production quality is excellent and the song choices were overall good choices.

Tracklist
1 – Sonshine Day – 2:34
2 – Bread Upon The Water – 3:16
3 – Bread Upon The Water (Reprise) – 0:52
4 – New Creation – 5:47
5 – Your First Day In Heaven – 1:39
6 – Lead Me Gently Home Father – 3:17
7 – I Love The Way You Love – 4:09
8 – He Touched Me – 3:53
9 – Sail On – 5:03
10 – How Great Thou Art – 2:40
11 – The Old Gospel Ship – 3:07
12 – The Old Gospel Ship (Reprise) – 1:42

Credits
Bass, Electric Guitar – Dave Hollihand, John Lutz
Drums – Mike Kinard
Engineer – Gaston Nichols, Max Moseley
Piano, Electric Piano – Bill George
Producer – Armond Morales, Buddy Huey, Chris Christian
Trumpet – John Lutz
Recorded Live: First Baptist Church, Waco, Texas The Kingsland Theatre, St. Louis, Missouri.

Return Ticket – Return Ticket – 1978

I’ve found another band that I don’t know anything about. This is a strange one in that apparently this is a German band but the album has a soul sound. Not saying there wasn’t soul music in Germany but I never heard of it. Anyway as I said this is a soul band out of Germany and that’s all I know. The album is pretty good and was a little ahead of it’s 1978 time period. Album would have fit in nicely in the early 80’s. This was their only release I can find so if you know anything about this band feel free to let me know about it.

Tracklist
1 – Return Ticket – 3:44
2 – Heaven Bound – 4:22
3 – A Song for R & B – 5:15
4 – Feelin’ Down – 2:20
5 – To My Brother – 5:18
6 – Sorrow Begins With Joy – 4:05
7 – Direct Line – 3:46
8 – J. B.’s Song – 5:10
9 – Hallelujah Jive – 3:20
10 – God Gave So Much – 4:23

Credits
Produced and arranged by Mike Weller
Associate Producer: Gerd Rautenbach
Engineered by Gerd Rautenbach
Mixed by Gerd Rautenbach and Berthold Kraus
Recorded and Mixed at DIERKX Studios, Cologne October an november 1978
Cover design and painting by Lucky Hettler
Photography by Margot Knappe