1980 – Page 8 – Real 80s CCM

David Meece – Are You Ready? – 1980

The term “classic” gets thrown around a lot, both here and elsewhere, when trying to discuss the world of music. Often it’s a term meant to designate a song that’s just really good, but it should be used to describe something with true lasting value. A song the remains viable and important decades later. When one uses the latter, more significant definition, the number of truly “classic” songs becomes much more limited. Very few artists have ever truly written a “classic” song. But in 1980 one young singer-songwriter did just that. David Meece was a popular late comer to the Jesus Music movement and is more closely associated with the burgeoning CCM world. His high pitched voice (think a Gibb brother) and stylized pop (think ABBA) made him a safe and family friendly CCM music star. Sometime after 1980’s “Are You Ready” the term would be superstar. After 9 very strong pop (disco even) songs and great and memorable ballads came the albums finale, “We Are The Reason.” The song would become on of the most popular songs in CCM history and would easily rank in the Top 5 of all time classic songs. There has yet to be a Christmas or Easter when the song is not reprised somewhere and some way. It really is a beautiful and well written song. Feeling a little like a Barry Manilow ballad with the key change and all, the song is dynamic and emotional. Starting slow and building into a great crescendo, it has struck a musical and emotional core for over three decades now. Great song and closes a great album, the best in Meece’s career.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Follow You – 2:55
2 – Peace In My Heart – 2:50
3 – Comin’ Back – 3:02
4 – Gospel Train – 2:48
5 – Love One Another – 5:18
6 – Are You Ready? – 3:59
7 – Just A Little More Time – 4:07
8 – Have A Little Talk – 3:39
9 – Satan, Just Leave Me Alone – 2:48
10 – We Are The Reason – 4:43

Credits
Brown Bannister – Producer
Kathleen E. Berk – Bagpipe
Michael Blanton – Executive Producer
Mike Brignardello – Bass
Clay Caire – Drum Overdubs
Eddie DeGarmo – Piano, Rhodes, Synthesizers
Diana DeWitt Hanna – Background Vocals
Becky Foster – Background Vocals
Leon Gaer – Bass
Bob Gelotte – Drums
Jon Goin – Electric Guitar
John Hampton – Drums
Ron Huff – String Arranger
Greg Huffman – Drum Corp
Shane Keister – Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Special Effects
Dana Key – Guitars
Patti Leatherwood – Background Vocals
Paul Leim – Drums
Terry McMillan – Percussion
David Meece – Songwriter, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Harlan Rogers – Piano, Synthesizers
Buddy Skipper – Horn Arranger
Denis Solee – Saxophone, Lyricon, Flute
Keith Thomas – Background Vocals
Billy Walker – Electric Guitar
Jack Williams – Bass

Companies, etc.
Published By – Word Music (2)
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Michael And Stormie Omartian – The Builder – 1980

Husband and Wife team Michael And Stormie Omartian bring us their second album together. I have to admit that I listened to this album very heavily back in the early 80’s (Don’t judge me). When I was reading up on this album I was very surprised that it wasn’t more popular. It didn’t seem to make anyone’s best albums list and there is almost no mention of it on most CCM album sites. I was further surprised that there was no charting single on this album. This really surprised me as there are several tracks on this album that should have charted. Maybe I’m just over evaluating the album but really I thought it was much better than all this. I remember that “Big Time” was on a lot of our mixed tapes from the period and I have fond memories of it. Did you miss this album back in 1980? If you did and you like AOR you really should give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Charlie’s Dream – 3:53
2 – The Only Thing Missing Is You – 3:58
3 – The Builder – 3:53
4 – Mr. Trash Man – 3:40
5 – Anything You Ask Of Me – 3:50
6 – Dr. Jesus – 4:20
7 – Big Time – 5:02
8 – Half Past Three – 3:20
9 – End Times – 5:53

Credits
Art Direction – Dennis Hill
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Concept By [Album] – Stormie Omartian
Concertmaster – Assa Drori
Congas – Alex Acuna
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer – John Guess
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Percussion – Michael Omartian
Lead Guitar, Soloist – Jay Graydon, Phil Keaggy
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Michael And Stormie Omartian
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By [Back Cover] – Harry Langdon
Photography By, Layout – Bob Anderson
Producer, Arranged By – Michael Omartian
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Stephen Hague
Saxophone – Jackie Kelso
Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Kim Hutchcroft
Trombone – Lou McCreary
Trumpet – Chuck Finley, Steve Madeao
Written-By – Stormie And Michael Omartian

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Jennifudy Studios
Recorded At – Hollywood Central Recorders
Mixed At – Hollywood Sound Recorders
Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios
Produced For – Rhema Productions

Randy Stonehill – The Sky Is Falling – Vinyl – 1980

This is the 1994 CD re-release of the Randy Stonehill album “The Sky Is Falling”. Larry seemed to take forever to re-release this album on CD but let’s remember that the album was originally recorded in 1977 but Larry didn’t get around to releasing it until 1980. This album marked the end of the relationship between Randy and Larry as they went their separate ways. It’s never been confirmed but I think we can pretty well assume the friendship ended because Larry was seeing Randy’s wife behind his back. Again I’m not saying that was the reason but I think it’s a safe assumption. The album has a couple stand out tracks, “The Great American Cure” is one of Larry’s great comedy tunes and my favourite track is “Trouble Coming”, a great Rock & Roll tune. Tom Howard is all over the album on keyboards and you can hear his great work very clear. The CD features bonus material none of which really stood out for me but perhaps the better mix of “Teen King”. The Greenbelt performance of “Good News” was also a pleasant surprise.

Tracklist
1 – One True Love – 4:17
2 – Bad Fruit – 5:08
3 – Jamey’s Got The Blues – 4:08
4 – Through The Glass Darkly – 5:53
5 – The Great American Cure – 3:59
6 – Venezuela – 7:01
7 – Emily – 5:41
8 – Trouble Coming – 4:48
9 – Counterfeit King [Alternate Mix] – 5:16
10 – Teen King [Alternate Mix] – 4:42
11 – Postcards From The Heart [Letter To My Family] – 5:19
12 – King Of Hearts [The Orchestral Version] – 3:14
13 – Good News [Live From Greenbelt] – 4:54

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Arranged By – Larry Norman
Artwork – Larry Norman
Autoharp – Larry Norman
Backing Vocals – Sarah Finch
Bass – Dave Coy
Bass – Billy Batstone
Design – Larry Norman
Drums – Alex MacDougall, Peter Johnson
Electric Bass – Larry Norman
Electric Guitar – Jon Linn, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Engineer – Andrew “Just Like That” Johns, Ken Suesov
Graphics – Heidi And Co. Graphics
Graphics [Graphic Printing] – Dan Meireis
Harmonica – Larry Norman
Harmony Vocals – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Keyboards – Tom Howard
Koto – Larry Norman
Layout [CD Booklet] – Makasiyowin, Overmeyer
Lead Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Marimba – Larry Norman
Mixed By – Ken Suesov
Orchestra – Tom Howard
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Photography – Larry Norman
Piano – Larry Norman, Tom Howard
Producer – Larry Norman
Slide Guitar – Jon Linn
Songwriter – Randy Stonehill
Steel Drums – Larry Norman
Synth [Moog] – Tom Howard
Vocals – Steve Scott

Companies, etc.
Published By – King Of Hearts
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Solid Rock Records
Copyright (c) – Solid Rock Records
Copyright (c) – Street Level Records
Manufactured By – Creative Sound Corp.
Distributed By – Sonrise Music Co.
Printed By – L. Grafix
Glass Mastered At – Technicolor – 100944

Randy Stonehill – The Sky Is Falling – CD – 1980/1994

Kansas – Audio-Visions – 1980

The last album to feature the original (at least recorded version) members of Kansas. It is also the first “post-conversion” Kansas album for band leader Kerry Livgren. Lead singer Steve Walsh would soon leave the band to pursue solo ventures. It was also considered that his departure was influenced by the increasing Christian content presented by Livgren and supported by two other recent Christian converts in the band. The album shows a disjointed vision with Livgren’s distinctly Christian content and Walsh’s decidedly worldly lyrical influence. But Walsh was a very special vocalist and hearing him sing Livgren’s work is compelling. He also stayed around long enough to work on the demos for the follow-up album (Vinyl Confessions) and I do have copies of those demos. AV has all the trademarks and trappings of Kansas with progressive, classically influenced rock epics filled with progressive time signature changes, creative arrangements, violin interludes and thought provoking lyrical images. It also contains what could be Livgren’s finest Christian song on a Kansas project, No One Together. Clocking in at nearly seven minutes this song should rank along with Portrait (He Knew), Song For America, Journey from Mariabronn and Magnum Opus in Kansas “epic” lore.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Relentless – 4:55
2 – Anything For You – 3:56
3 – Hold On – 3:45
4 – Loner – 2:26
5 – Curtain Of Iron – 6:08
6 – Got To Rock On – 3:19
7 – Don’t Open Your Eyes – 4:03
8 – No One Together – 6:54
9 – No Room For A Stranger – 2:55
10 – Back Door – 4:20

Credits
A&R [Correspondence] – Brad Lentz
Bass, Vocals – Dave Hope
Co-producer, Engineer – Brad Aaron, Davy Moire
Crew – Clay Schell, Jerry Gilleland, Merle McLain, Steve “The Count” Venezia
Design [Album], Art Direction, Illustration [Additional] – Tom Drennon
Design Concept [Album] – Kansas
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Phil Ehart
Engineer [Assistant] – Greg Webster
Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals – Kerry Livgren
Guitar, Percussion, Vocals – Rich Williams
Illustration – Peter Lloyd
Keyboards, Vibraphone [Vibes], Percussion, Lead Vocals – Steve Walsh
Management – Budd Carr
Mastered By – George Marino
Photography By [Inner Sleeve] – Exley
Producer – Kansas
Technician [Studio Assistance] – Jerry Gilleland, Count Venezia
Violin, Viola, Lead Vocals – Robby Steinhardt
Voice [Additional], Sounds – Donna Williams, Joey Jelf, Lisa White, Terry Ehart, The Four Bassmen, Vicci Livgren
Written-By – Hope (tracks: B2), Livgren (tracks: A1, A3, A5, B2, B3), Ehart (tracks: B2), Williams (tracks: B2, B4), Walsh (tracks: A2, A4, B1, B2, B4, B5)

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Axis Sound Studio
Mixed At – Axis Sound Studio
Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Record Company – Don Kirshner Entertainment Corp.
Distributed By – CBS Records
Distributed By – CBS Inc.
Published By – Don Kirshner Music
Published By – Blackwood Music Publishing
Published By – CBS Music Publishing
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
Copyright (c) – Corn & Blood, Inc.

Randall Waller – Midnight Fire – 1980

Everything that was wrong about the Christian Music industry in the early 80’s rears its ugly head on the classic gem that is a legitimate AYSO. Take an impressive rock vocalist (who would later form the band Avion) have him record killer rock and progressive rock songs but hide the guts in the mix, put the guy a late 70’s leisure suit and put seat him on a throw rug in front of a glowing fire. Ugh! What should have been the North American introduction of a great rocker in the vein of The Eagles “Long Run” ended up being a forgotten and overlooked cut out bin regular. Find this album and get it! There are no mediocre songs and, in fact, some amazing tunes throughout. One of the songs that Avion would later cover is a more commercial version of “I Need You,” a song that should have been a Christian Rock hit. The nearly 6 minute “Lady of the Night” is a rare progressive rock delight in CCM. Even the ballads on this release are worthy of consideration, especially the mid-tempo “Cry From an Absent Friend.” Waller would later appear as a guest vocalist on a David Zaffiro (Bloodgood) solo project.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – I Need You – 4:25
2 – Cry From An Absent Friend – 4:30
3 – Midnight Fire – 2:50
4 – Lady Of The Night – 5:48
5 – Mum ‘N’ The Kids – 4:06
6 – Always Waiting – 3:56
7 – Made For Me – 2:58
8 – Morning Star – 6:05

Credits
Co-producer, Guitar, Lead Vocals – Randall Waller
Engineer – Joe Bellamy
Engineer [Assistant] – Mark Heard, Tom Trafethan
Engineer [Assitant] – Gary Bonar, Hal Sacks
Mixed By – Joe Bellamy (tracks: 2-8), Tom Trafethan (tracks: 1)
Producer – Jon Linn

Companies, etc.
Published By – Gumnut Music

Stewart & Kyle – Temporary Residence – 1980

Here is another artist that I can find very little information on. Stewart & Kyle were Alistair Stewart and Chris Kyle and this was actually their 3rd album. They actually had 5 albums so I am surprised I can’t find any info on them. It appears the album was also only released in the U.K., though I’m not positive of that. The album was released in 1980 and there appears to have been a CD release in 1989 but again I can’t prove that. I really hate it when I can’t tell you anything about an album but someone asked if we could post it so we are doing it. The album is Easy Listening / AOR and is really good. This isn’t my preferred style of music but I have to admit I listened to this album a couple times as it is really well done. I’m looking forward to finding more of their albums as I quite liked this one.

Tracklist
1 – Keep On – 4:10
2 – What Will Life Bring For Me – 3:05
3 – Hopelessly Confused – 3:58
4 – I Wish I Had All My Tomorrows – 2:36
5 – I Want To Go Home – 4:07
6 – Star – 3:02
7 – In A World – 3:19
8 – Left, Right – 3:20
9 – One Way Or Another – 4:03
10 – Robin’s Song – 4:06
11 – So Many Talk Of Love – 2:28
12 – Many Miles – 3:30

Credits
Written-By – Stewart & Kyle

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Parchment Music Ltd
Copyright (c) – Marshall Morgan & Scott
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pilgrim Records
Copyright (c) – Pilgrim Records

Jan Groth – Good To Know… Where You’re From – 1980

Jan Groth was an artist out of Norway. In the early 70’s he was in a very successful secular band called Aunt Mary. In 1980 he released this his first Christian album. I do not believe this album was released outside of Norway so you may not have heard this one. It has a great late 70’s early 80’s rock feel to it. Don’t worry, no hint of disco and it also does not sound like the usual 70’s Jesus music. Unfortunately Jan passed away in 2014 but we have lots more of his music to hear. He released 4 more albums in the 80’s and many more over the later years.

Tracklist
1 – Peace Like A River – 4:04
2 – Count On Me – 4:18
3 – Mighty Good Friend – 3:38
4 – Let Me Feel Your Lovely Presence – 4:15
5 – Good To Know – 3:09
6 – Hear It Once Again – 4:05
7 – Friend Of Friends – 4:26
8 – Turn Around – 3:10
9 – In The Shelter Of Your Love – 4:22
10 – Thanks To Your Love – 3:04

Credits
Arranged By, Conductor, Bass, Backing Vocals – Svein Gundersen
Backing Vocals – Aleksandra N. Sandøy
Drums, Percussion – Bruce Rasmussen
Electric Guitar – Bjørn Christiansen
Engineer – Alf Emil Eik, Andy Kidd
Keyboards – Geir Langslet
Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By, Backing Vocals – Jan Groth

The Last Adam – The Last Adam – 1980

The Last Adam were a 70’s Rock band out of Clearwater, FL. This is one of those odd albums that was released on The Salvation Army’s own label. I couldn’t find out much about the band but at the time other than they did play in the church. Must have been some rocking going on there at the end of the 70’s. As for the album it has a very late 70’s rock feel and was probably on the edge of being outdated in 1980. Be careful not confuse the band with the 90’s band “Last Adam”. This album would have been right at home on the Tunesmith label but the church got to them first.

Tracklist
1 – Receive It – 5:12
2 – Resist The Devil – 3:48
3 – Any Old Music – 4:00
4 – Psalm 113 – 5:13
5 – Washed In The Blood – 3:40
6 – Dance Cloud – 5:52
7 – Letter To The Devil – 3:02
8 – More Much More – 3:54
9 – Trips – 3:51
10 – Remember That Name – 4:53

Credits
Rick Tarquine – Guitar
Buddy Fetz – Drums
Patt Wadenpfuhl – Lead Vocals
Ken Wadenpfuhl – Brass
Fred Smith Jr. – Guitar
Debbie Steitz – Keyboards

Companies, etc.
Produced For – The Salvation Army

Joe English – Lights In The World – 1980

Imagine our surprise in 1980 when an album from Joe English showed up in the racks of our Christian book store. I recognized Joe’s name from Wings (though I did not really listened to them) but I had not heard anything of him doing Christian music. I remember we couldn’t buy it quick enough and rushed back to the stereo room to listen to it. The album really wasn’t quite as Rock & Roll as we thought it would be but we liked it and one or two tracks definitely made it onto mixed tapes for the car. To me the album has a bit of a jazz feel to it and coincidentally in 1980 Joe was also playing with a jazz fusion band called Sea Level. Joe went on to give us many more albums using the moniker The Joe English Band. Point of trivia is that both Russ Taff and Bonnie Bramlett provided backing vocals for the album.

Tracklist
1 – To Love Is To Live – 3:49
2 – Shine On – 3:48
3 – Dyin’ – 3:44
4 – Is There Not One Good Man – 3:49
5 – Midnight Angel Choir – 3:38
6 – Get Ready – 3:10
7 – Is The King Your Friend – 3:30
8 – The Lord Never Leaves – 3:48
9 – Praise Him – 3:17
10 – Keep In Touch – 1:57

Credits
Lead Vocals – Joe English
Backing Vocals – Russell Taff, Bonnie Bramlett
Bass – Larry Paxton
Drums – Joe English
Guitar – George Cocchini
Keyboards – John Rosasco
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Synthesizer [Micro-Moog] – Alan Steinberger
Synthesizer [Prophet 5] – Shane Keister
Arranged By – John Rosasco,Shelly Kurland ,Greg Nelson
Art Direction – Bob McConnell
Design [Cover Design] – Stan Evenson
Engineer – Scott Hendricks
Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow
Producer – Greg Nelson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Glaser Sound Studios, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee
Produced For – Primacy Productions