Tag: 1978

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

Adrian Snell – Listen to the Peace – 1978

This is Adrian’s 3rd album and it continues the style he became famous for. It is easy listening with a hint of Jazz. Adrian was becoming fairly well known by this album but hadn’t yet adjusted to a style that was easier for the public to identify with. Unfortunately, when artists put out so many albums with such a similar style it is hard to point out anything that is unique about the album. This is one of those times.

Tracklist
1 – Reach Me – 3:57
2 – Peace Be With You – 2:26
3 – Through The City Noise – 3:30
4 – Judas – 4:30
5 – Travelling – 3:38
6 – That’s Me In The Corner – 2:25
7 – Turn Your Vengeance – 6:40
8 – Losing – 5:10
9 – Children Of The Dream (Psalm 126) – 3:42
10 – Listen To The Peace – 4:45

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Adrian Snell
Arranged By [Strings, Brass & Harp] – Bill Thorp
Bass – Gerry Page
Drums – Keith Entwistle
Engineer – Andy Kidd, Helmut Kaufmann
Graphics – Phil Thomson
Illustration – Eugene Press
Keyboards – Adrian Snell
Photography By [Cover Portrait] – Audrey Cox
Photography By [Inside Cover] – Phil Thomson
Producer – John Pantry

Steve Camp – Sayin’ It With Love – 1978

Steve Camp’s debut album came out in 1978, at a time when Larry Norman seems to have been between record labels. Larry wrote two of the songs on this album, and co-wrote one with Steve. Had this been a couple of years earlier or later, it seems likely that it would have come out on Solid Rock Records or Phydeaux Records. Interestingly, “If I Were A Singer” is credited here as a co-write but on Larry’s own album (Gathered Moments, 1998), it is credited as a Larry Norman song and noted as previously unreleased. The version here has some differences, including significant lyrical differences but certainly it is another version of the same song. From Larry’s liner notes on Gathered Moments:

IF I WERE A SINGER – Originally penned for an aspiring young Steve Camp for his 1978 SAYING IT WITH LOVE lp, this 1977 live performance features Larry’s original lyrics.

Tracklist
1 – Sayin’ It With Love – 2:48
2 – Me – 3:22
3 – If I Were A Singer – 5:06
4 – Gather In His Name – 2:55
5 – Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled – 4:30
6 – God Loves You – 1:48
7 – Good News – 4:12
8 – Song For Mom – 4:55
9 – Lord Make Me Humble – 3:39
10 – Strong Love, Strange Peace With Diamonds – 4:56
11 – Tell Everybody – 1:57

Credits
Alto Saxophone – Steve Eisen
Arranged By [Background Vocal Arrangements] – Louis DuChane, Steven J. Camp*
Arranged By [Strings] – Paul Libman
Backing Vocals – Butch Patrini, Debby Wolgemuth, Frank Barbalace, Josi DeChristopher, Louis DuChane, Steven J. Camp, Steve Wyer, Vicki Hubbley*
Bass – Rusty Taylor, Sidney Sims
Co-producer [Production Assistance] – Paul Bogush, Jr.
Drums – Jackie Skalow, Ron Kapland, Tom Ratdke
Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Polymood, Minimoog], Organ – Pat Leonard*
Engineer – Alan Kubica, Hank Newberger
Engineer [Back-up] – Gary Elghammer, Tom Hansen*
Graphics [Lettering], Design – Martin Donald
Guitar – Bruce Gaitch, Danny Leek, Frank Barbalace Lead Vocals – Steven J. Camp
Mastered By – Greg Calbi
Mixed By [Mix-Down Engineer] – Alan Kubica*
Percussion – Brenda Mitchell, Louis DuChane, Ron Kapland
Photography By – Jim Whitmer
Piano – Pat Leonard, Paul Libman Producer, Arranged By – Steven J. Camp
Strings – Arnold Roth, Elliott M. Golub, Everett Zlatoff-Mirsky, Harold D. Klatz, Rodger Moulton, Sol A. Bobrov

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Chicago Recording Company
Mastered At – Sterling Sound

Graham Kendrick – Fighter – 1978

When I picked up this album to listen to I was somewhat optimistic based on the album cover. Wow was I wrong. This is a very easy listening album. Now lets be clear, It’s a good album but not an album I would normally listen to. I was unfamiliar with Kendrick’s work but I think I have a good understanding of it now. This album has a “fight” theme. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an album as heavily themed as this one. The songs are good and apparently several of Kendrick’s song have made their way into hymnals. Sheila Walsh also recorded the title track and had some success with it. Apparently some of the releases of this album were produced on a translucent vinyl which when held to light looked deep red. I am assuming this was supposed to represent blood.

Tracklist
1 – On The Frontline
2 – Sleeping In Gethsemane
3 – The Reluctant Disciple
4 – Night Comes
5 – Make It Soon
6 – Victory Is The Only Song I Know
7 – Often When The World Crowds
8 – The Story’s Just Begun
9 – God Put A Fighter In Me
10 – Battle Hymn

Deliverance – Lasting Impressions – 1978

Lasting Impressions is the third album from the Janz Brothers and it is the epitome of 70’s Funk. I was listening to it today and thinking this may be the “funkiest” Christian album of all time. I’m sure it’s not but it felt that way today. At this point in their careers/ministry the brothers were playing bars and coffee shops so this album has a very secular feel. The lyrics are still positive but the JPM was relatively low. Apparently the album did receive airplay in the U.S. and Europe but I can’t really find any proof of it.

Tracklist
1 – Deliverance – 5:17
2 – Such A Fool – 4:08
3 – Anytime You Feel It – 3:42
4 – Need You So Bad – 3:47
5 – Feel The Music – 2:58
6 – Lasting Impressions – 5:36
7 – Tender Love – 4:49
8 – Vanity – 3:53
9 – I Thank You – 3:46
10 – No Time To Waste – 0:53

Credits
Arranged By – Deliverance
Engineer – Brille, Will Roper, Zeke Lund
Producer, Mixed By – Horst Müller
Written-By – Herb Rempel (tracks: B5), Ken Janz (tracks: B1)
Written-By, Mixed By – Paul Janz (tracks: A1-A5, B1-B4)

DeGarmo & Key – This Time Through – 1978

This 1978 debut album from DeGarmo & Key is one of their best. It has a range of styles, but for 1978, it was all right in the zone of 70s rock that was still more influenced by country music at the time, and the “Southern rock” that everyone wanted more of.

These guys came from the South and they brought just the right mix to launch a career in CCM, and help spark the genre.

On their later live album, he says “We tried country music, we really did. But nobody could recognize what country it was from.” Funny, but those country tones fit perfectly here even though the band really became known as a modern pure rock band later on.

The songs on this album had great longevity for the band and 3 of them made it onto the live album in 1982.

Tracklist
1 – Emmanuel – 3:03
2 – Addey – 4:11
3 – Only The Meek Survive – 3:03
4 – (Gone, Gone, Gone) Too Far, Too Long – 4:29
5 – Alleyways Of Strife – 3:10
6 – Sleeper – 2:45
7 – Wayfaring Stranger – 3:38
8 – In The Days Of Thy Youth – 1:26
9 – Chase The Wind – 5:21
10 – This Time Thru – 4:52

Credits
Art Direction, Management – Steve Lawhead
Backing Vocals – Joe Hardy, Phyliss Duncan, William C. Brown III
Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Electric Piano, Grand Piano, Organ [Hammond] – Edward DeGarmo
Bass, Percussion – Ken Porter
Design [Album] – Stan Evenson
Drums – David Spain, Max Richardson
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Harmonica, Percussion – Dana Key
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Producer, Engineer – Ron Capone
Programmed By [Arp], Backing Vocals – Carl Marsh

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Lamb & Lion Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lamb & Lion Records
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Remixed At – Ardent Studios
Mastered At – Ardent Mastering

Phil Johnson – Somebody Like You – 1978

I was not able to find a lot of information about Phil Johnson. What I do know is that he performed with both Dallas Holm and Tim Sheppard in the 80’s and headed a group called The Phil Johnson Singers who performed on the Jimmy Swaggert show and were on albums released by The Jimmy Swaggart ministries. There also appears to be an album with the Phil Johnson Singers with the Imperials which was also a Jimmy Swaggart release. This album is decidedly easy listening/praise music with some tracks having a Jesus Music feel which makes sense given its release date.

Tracklist
1 – He Can Hear You – 3:07
2 – It’ll Be All Right (In The Morning) – 3:42
3 – He Didn’t Lift Us Up To Let Us Down – 3:20
4 – The Day He Wore My Crown – 4:57
5 – Somebody Like You – 3:23
6 – Don’t Take Your Love Away! – 3:23
7 – I’ve Never Been Out Of His Care – 3:11
8 – Never Be – 3:32
9 – I’m Simply Lost For Words – 3:34
10 – Here He Is Again – 3:30

Credits
Bass – Jack Williams
Design [Cover] – Bob McConnell
Drums – Kenny Malone, Larrie London
Engineer – Bob Clark, Travis Turk
Guitar – Joe Huffman, Reggie Young
Keyboards – Lari Goss, Phil Johnson, Shane Keister
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Photography By [Cover] – Dill Beaty
Photography By [Sleeve] – Tom Haggerty
Producer – Phil Johnson
Producer [Vocals] – Bob Clark

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Greentree Records
Copyright (c) – Greentree Records
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Truth – Departure – 1978 – Full Album

This was 1 of 2 releases in 1978 by Truth with the other being a Christmas album which you will likely hear come Christmas time. Truth were so dedicated to getting albums out that it is difficult for me to really characterize one album as being different from the rest. There’s a little 70’s Funk, a little Jazz, and even a Reggae sounding song. If you’re already a fan of this band / choir you’ll love this album.

Tracklist
1 – Love, It Comes In All Colors – 2:25
2 – The World Didn’t Give It To Me (And THe World Can’t Take It Away) – 2:45
3 – Miracle Of Jesus – 2:40
4 – Jesus Is Lord Of The Way I Feel – 3:14
5 – He Is The Music – 3:26
6 – Perfect Peace – 3:52
7 – Ordinary People – 3:45
8 – Countin’ The Days – 3:26
9 – I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About To Happen – 3:19
10 – Revived – 3:11

Credits
Artwork By [Cover], Illustration [Inside] – Jim Lee
Design Concept – Greg Golden
Drums – Bob Nickerson
Electric Bass – Eddie Anders
Engineer – Warren Peterson
Engineer [Assistant] – Brent King
Guitar – Tim Frantz
Keyboards – Benny Key
Layout – Kimberly Williams
Management [Business Manager] – Nancy Anders
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows, Mack Evans
Percussion – Garner Fielding
Photography By – Spottswood Studios
Producer – Bob MacKenzie
Technician [Sound] – Mark Young
Trombone – Don Wolf
Trumpet – Craig Garrett, Larry Meregillano
Vocals – Art Ortiz, Bob VanderMaten, Ginger Nickerson, Joleen VanderMaten, Lily Helm, Steve Green
Woodwind – Paul Stewart

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Paragon Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Sound Stage Studios
Mastered At – Masterfonics