Tag: 1979

The Imperials – Heed The Call – 1979

Heed The Call is perhaps the Imperials most iconic album. You can see them decked out in suits that would make the Oak Ridge Boys envious on the back cover. Some memorable songs here like “Oh Buddha” and “Old Man’s Rubble” make this album the one that really represents their body of work well. The Imperials started out in 1964 and their lineup changed many times over the years, but this version of them in 1979 was when they were in their stride. These songs were a slightly modern take on some traditional styles and were very popular as contemporary music in churches in the 80s.

Tracklist
1 – Overcomer – 3:37
2 – Praise The Lord – 3:35
3 – Oh Buddha – 3:28
4 – Old Man’s Rubble – 3:15
5 – Heed The Call – 3:01
6 – Let Jesus Do It – 3:27
7 – Growing Stronger – 3:29
8 – First Morning In Heaven – 2:41
9 – Whenever I Speak His Name – 4:33
10 – My Mind Forgets A Million Things – 3:48
11 – He Didn’t Lift Us Up To Let Us Down – 3:21

Credits
Cover, Illustration – Dave Gaadt
Engineer – Brown Bannister
Executive-Producer – Buddy Huey
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Photography By [Back Cover] – Goss Photography
Producer – Chris Christian

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Remixed At – Gold Mine Studio
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Designed At – The Graphic Truth
Manufactured By – Prim
Distributed By – Prim

Honeytree – Maranatha Marathon – 1979

Honeytree (was was actually just Nancy Henigbaum) decided to turn it up a notch for this album. Don’t be expecting any Rez covers but given her previous work she really did turn it up for this albums. Peter York, Richard Souther, and Herb Melton from “A Band Called David” provided the musician work for the album and you can hear their influence. There is a track on the album called “Righteous Rock And Roll”. Do not accidentally listen to this song expecting an actual Rock song. I’m not saying it’s bad, just saying it ain’t my version of Rock & Roll. In a sign of things to come in the industry Al Perkins contributed some steel guitar. If you’re a fan of Nancy you’ll like this album but beware it is decidedly easy listening 70’s.

Tracklist
1 – Maranatha Marathon
2 – The Pilgrim
3 – Live For Jesus
4 – That’s When We Learn To Fly
5 – Father Lift Me Up
6 – Righteous Rock And Roll
7 – Psalm 57
8 – Bethel
9 – Go To Church
10 – Do You Love Me

Credits
Engineer, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Executive-Producer – Buddy Huey
Mastered By – Kevin Gray
Producer, Arranged By – Jim Stipech
Recorded By – Rick Donaldson

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Location Recording Service
Engineered At – Martinsound
Mixed At – Martinsound
Recorded At – Soundcastle

Ephraim – Ephraim – 1979

Ephraim were a 5 piece band out of Minnesota and this sums up everything I know about them. This was their only album and none of its members ever appeared to go on and do anything recorded. So let’s move on to the album. It’s great!!! As far as format goes it is your typical Jesus music album but very well done. It has the usual assortment of Rock, Country, Bluegrass and a funk tune mixed in for good measure. Quite frankly it’s so well done I am amazed I have never heard of these guys. The album appears to have been a very limited release so I guess that’s the reason but surely someone at the big CCM labels heard this album. Anyway if you’re a fan of early Daniel Amos I think you’ll love this album. Oh and the cover is excellent!!!

Tracklist
1 – Long Hard Ride
2 – Round Like A Donut
3 – He Loves Me
4 – Closed On Sunday
5 – He’s the One
6 – Night Life
7 – The River Song
8 – The Lone Ranger
9 – Breakdown
10 – Psalm 117

Credits
Bass – Dean Nelson
Drums, Percussion – Rick Naylor
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Percussion, Twelve-String Guitar – John “Woody” Manias
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar – Daren John Hastings
Piano, Synthesizer, Organ, Harmonica, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Tim Oberg

Isaac Air Freight – In The Air – On The Air – 1979

Presented without any theological commentary, as usual. These albums were a lot of fun to listen to, and hearing the jokes again, and the great comedic performances is a great trip down memory lane.Still fun to listen to now.

Tracklist
1 – Celebrity Cornered – 3:21
2 – P-R-A-Y-E-R – 0:56
3 – Battle Of Invisible Empires – Front Desk Angel – 5:52
4 – Battle Of Invisible Empires – Demon’s Dilemma – 4:34
5 – Lucifer Son Shield – 1:39
6 – The Day After Tomorrow Show – 7:45
7 – The Test – 1:09
8 – Limited Offer – 1:10
9 – The Saving Game – 6:54
10 – Editorial Reply – 2:28
11 – Return Of Christ – 2:25
12 – Prodigal Joe – 13:12

Credits
Art Direction – Neal Buchanan
Engineer – Chris Taylor
Engineer [Assistant] – Thom Roy
Executive-Producer – Tom Coomes
Illustration, Graphics [Logo] – Tim Barela
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Chris Taylor
Musician – Darrel Cook, Gabriel Katona, Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry Chamberlain, Keith Edwards, Phil Kristianson
Performer – Dan Rupple, Dave Toole, Mitch Teemley
Photography By [Back Cover] – David J. Pavol
Photography By [Insert] – Tom Obbema
Producer – Dan Rupple, Dave Toole
Producer [Music] – Tom Coomes
Vocals – Bruce Hibbard, Erick Nelson, John Fowler, Lisa Wickham, Mitch Teemley, Tom Coomes
Voice [Additional] – Bob Bennett, Cathy Toole, Harold Taylor, Jim Coye, John Fowler, Larry Watt, Peggy Rupple, The Wheezer Cheesers, Tom Stipe, Wally Grant

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
Recorded At – Maranatha! Studio
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios

Nutshell – Believe It Or Not – 1979

This was the final of 4 albums from Nutshell though a Best of compilation was released in 1981. Ken Scott (Archivist: Vintage Vinyl Jesus Music) described the band as “at their best, as an English version of the American Christian folk group 2nd Chapter of Acts”. I find that a little condescending (though I don’t know if it was meant to be) as the band had some real talent. The album has that late 70’s Jesus music feel and on a couple of tracks I can feel a bit of soul. There is some really good guitar work especially on “Thief In The Night”. This is not a Rock & Roll album and would be classified as Easy Listening but I think it’s pretty good. After this album the band changed their name to ” Network 3″ and released a couple 7″ singles. Several members of the band went on to have successful solo careers and Paul Field in particular also had a successful songwriting career including many songs for Cliff Richard.

Tracklist
1 – Better Take Another Look – 3:41
2 – Empty Page – 5:06
3 – Looking For Love – 3:25
4 – Goin’ Nowhere – 3:53
5 – Redeemed – 3:43
6 – First Stone – 3:25
7 – Night Flight – 4:18
8 – Without Love – 3:32
9 – Hard To Say Goodnight – 3:49
10 – Thief In The Night – 3:55

Credits
Arranged By [Brass Arrangements] – Chris Mercer
Bass – John Gustafson
Brass – Gonzales Brass
Design, Art Direction – Tony Neeves
Drums – Mike Giles*
Electric Guitar – Dave (Diesel) Martin, Kevin Peek Engineer – Roger T. Wake
Percussion – Morris Pert
Photography By – Dawson Strange
Piano, Keyboards – Rod Edwards
Producer, Arranged By – Jon Miller (4), Rod Edwards, Roger Hand
Vocals – Annie McCaig
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano – Paul Field
Vocals, Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Mo McCafferty

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word Music (UK)
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse
Recorded At – Redan Recorders
Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton

Salmond & Mulder – Stumbling Heavenward – 1979

This was the second album from Canadian duo Salmond & Mulder. They were very popular in Canada but I’m doubtful if their album was released anywhere else in the world as they seem relatively unknown outside of Canada. This album has a seventies sound and is well produced. Not much more to day other than that but if you’re a fan of 70’s CCM you should give this album a listen. Guest appearances on the album included Al Perkins and Tom Howard.

Tracklist
1 – Hearthungers
2 – Silent Lady
3 – Tumbleweed
4 – Here I Am
5 – You In My Heart
6 – Like A River
7 – Greatest Lover
8 – Bear The Burdon
9 – Sunshine In The Rain
10 – Most Of All
11 – Stumbling Heavenward

Candle – On The Street – 1979

Candle were better known for their children’s albums than their adult ones but I think this adult one is pretty good. I can’t really figure out what the origin of Candle is but they did include 3 members of Seawind and were producing music at the same time as Seawind. This is a little strange as they were on 2 different labels at the time. Seawind was on A&M’s Christian label “Horizon” and Candle were on “Sparrow”. Anyway whatever the story I think this is a pretty good album, it has a nice 70’s funk sound and probably would have fit in a little better in 76 or 77 but it’s a good album and deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – All Your Love – 2:32
2 – In Due Time – 2:44
3 – Call On Him – 2:22
4 – Sunshine And Rain – 2:08
5 – The Rest Of My Life – 2:58
6 – Feels So Right – 2:56
7 – Runnin’ – 2:35
8 – I Need To Tell You – 3:25
9 – Won’t Take Long – 2:44
10 – The Martyr’s Song – 3:09

Credits
Arranged By [Horns], Saxophone, Flute – Jim Horn
Arranged By [Strings] – David Diggs
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Kenny Wild
Co-producer, Guitar – Mike Deasy
Design – Lynn Robb, Stan Evenson
Drums – Bill Maxwell, Bob Wilson
Engineer – Wally Duguid
Guitar – Bud Nuanez
Lead Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Mandolin – Hadley Hockensmith
Lead Vocals – Frank Hernandez, Georgian Banov, Mark Pendergrass, Ron Krueger
Organ, Piano – Harlan Rogers
Percussion – Fred Petry
Photography By – Dave Pavol
Piano – Peter Hallin
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Synthesizer, Piano – Larry Williams

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Published By – Candle Co. Music
Published By – Sparrow Song
Recorded At – Buckskin Studio
Recorded At – January Sound Studios
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – Peace In The Valley Recording

Ishmael United – If You Can’t Shout Saved – 1979

Ishmael United was headed by Ian Smale who refers to himself as Ishmael. This is the album that most people are familiar when you hear his name but it’s not his only album. He only had one album as Ishmael United but has others as Ishmael, Ishmael And Andy (Andy Piercy from ATF), and Rev Counta & The Speedoze. This album is very difficult to categorize but the recipe for this album is one part punk, one part new wave, one part pop, and 3 parts fun. This album was very well received and is popular to this day. There are many differing styles on this album but they mostly all share a common theme of fun. It’s impossible to pick a “single” for the album but for me Don’t Rock De Boat is my favourite track. Quick piece of trivia, Ishmael has gone on to produce several very successful children’s albums.

Tracklist
1 – Song Of The Last Generation – 3:26
2 – Star On Sunday – 2:14
3 – Bartimaeus – 3:31
4 – If You Can’t Shout Saved, You’ll Have To Face The Penalty – 3:13
5 – Jesus Trip – 2:07
6 – Don’t Rock De Boat – 3:23
7 – Crowd Trouble – 3:52
8 – Christian Schizophrenic – 2:43
9 – Now It’s All Gone Wrong – 3:13
10 – Caroline Robbins – 2:51
11 – Jesus Is Making A Comeback – 2:42
12 – The Glories – 4:21

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Ishmael
Bass – Laura Mellor
Drums – Pedro Wills
Electric Guitar – Dale Evans
Engineer – Dave Aston, Les Moir
Keyboards – Dale Evans
Lead Vocals – Ishmael
Percussion – Pedro Wills
Photography – Photoflair
Producer – Andy Piercy
Vocals – Dale Evans, Laura Mellor, Pedro Wills

Truth – Get It From The Source – 1979

The choir that called itself Truth continued their constant output of music into late 1979 with this album. I believe it is without a doubt the most Disco CCM album ever. I was stunned when listening to this that it was still Truth. While Truth usually puts out albums that I would describe as worship oriented they went way way off script for this one. So get your boogie shoes on and give this album a listen.

Tracklist
1 – We Are Persuaded – 3:41
2 – Lord, Liar, Lunatic – 3:28
3 – Find It In The Word – 3:08
4 – Never Too Busy – 4:00
5 – Ride The Wild Horses – 2:47
6 – Love’s Gonna Change You – 3:25
7 – Pass The Salt – 2:42
8 – The Lord Will Go Before You – 3:58
9 – Love Will Last – 2:51
10 – Seek And Ye Shall Find – 4:09

Credits
Arranged By – John E. Coates
Art Direction, Design – Michael Harris Design
Artwork [Air Brush] – Andy Anderson
Directed By – Roger Breland
Engineer – Bob Whyley, Brent King, Mike Psanos
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Producer – John E. Coates
Producer [As Listed On Back Cover] – Bob MacKenzie
Producer [As Listed On Label, Production Assistance On Back Cover] – John W. Thompson

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

The Archers – Stand Up! – 1979

Stand Up! was The Archers fifth studio album and the first that Janice Archer would take on lead vocals responsibility. The album had lots of well known guest appearances as well as a whos who of studio musicians. I think this was one of their more uptempo albums they put out and this album actually had a bit of a commercial radio sound. “Pickin’ Up The Pieces” peaked at #11 and “Stand Up!” peaked at #9 on the CCM charts. All in all a pretty good album that I actually enjoyed.

Tracklist
1 – Only His Love – 4:39
2 – We’re All Gonna Leave Here – 3:09
3 – Fool’s Paradise – 3:55
4 – Moments With You – 3:50
5 – Stand Up! – 4:45
6 – Blame It On The One I Love – 2:45
7 – More (So Much More) – 3:32
8 – Livin’ In Your Love – 4:13
9 – God Loves You – 2:51
10 – Pickin’ Up The Pieces – 5:11

Credits
Arranged By – Larry Muhoberac
Art Direction – Klingensmith Design Group, Inc.
Bass – David Hungate, Reinie Press
Co-producer – Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Concertmaster – James Getzoff
Drums – Mike Baird, Paul Leim
Executive-Producer – Bill Cole
Guitar – Greg Poree, Thom Rotella, Tim May, Tony Sena
Keyboards – Billy Preston, Larry Muhoberac, Phil Kristianson
Lead Vocals – Janice Archer, Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – John Guess
Percussion – King Errisson
Photography By – Alan Bergman
Producer – John Guess, Larry Muhoberac
Recorded By – John Guess
Strings – James Getzoff
Tenor Saxophone [Solo] – Ernie Watts
Trombone – Bill Watrous
Trumpet – Chuck Findlay, Jay DaVersa
Woodwind – Buddy Collette, Don Menza

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Word, Inc.
Published By – Libris Music
Published By – Maranatha! Music
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Co.
Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Jennifudy Studios
Recorded At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Devonshire Studios
Recorded At – Hollywood Central Studio
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios