In 1981 Liberation Suite moved back to the United States. They carried with them a freshly recorded album from the UK Even though they were actually an American band they had been labelled as a European band. As a result they actually had a difficult time finding a label for this album. This is strange as Chapel Lane had released it in the UK. Finally they got Star Song to bite thankfully or we would have missed out on this album. This album has a bit of a Sweet Comfort Band sound to me but it is their own sound and I think perhaps the similarity was simply the changing sound of the period.
Tracklist
1 – Lay Your Sadness Down – 4:41
2 – Stride For Stride – 5:00
3 – Listen – 2:10
4 – How Do I Get To You – 3:59
5 – Heal The Broken Hearted – 4:19
6 – Somehow I´m Changing – 2:35
7 – All I Wanna Do – 4:25
8 – You Are Worthy – 6:03
9 – Where My Home Is – 4:37
10 – Song Of Heaven – 2:30
Credits
Art Direction, Design – Phil Thomson
Bass Guitar – Fred Perez
Drums – Randy Hill
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Guitar – Barry Bynum, Jim Hazel
Keyboards – Barry Bynum, Jim Hazel
Lead Vocals – Barry Bynum, Howard Lyon
Photography By – Norbert Neetz, Phil Thomson
Producer – Roger Hand
Trombone – Howard Lyon
Vocals – Fred Perez, Jim Hazel, Randy Hill
Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Star Song Records
Produced For – Chapel Lane Productions
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – StraightWay Music
Published By – StraightWay Music
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Hearts of Fire is the 4th studio releases from Sweet Comfort Band and the start of a new direction. While their previous release “Hold on Tight” had been met by many reviewers with a yawn Hearts of Fire was very well received. Vocals were pretty well taken over by Bryan Duncan who had a much better Rock & Roll voice than Randy Thomas. The album was more upbeat and had a more “80’s” feel and it was also a bit more cutting edge due to plenty of lyrics to a broader group of issues, something relatively rare for albums of this period. This album was a personal; favourite of mine in 1981 and I remember many hours cruising in cars listening to “Isabel”.
Tracklist
1 – Isabel – 4:08
2 – You Can Make It – 2:44
3 – They Just Go On – 3:34
4 – The Road – 3:49
5 – Feel Like Singin’ – 3:32
6 – Now Or Never – 3:33
7 – Can You Help Me? – 3:50
8 – Contender – 3:10
9 – Just Like Me – 2:47
10 – You Need A Reason – 3:16
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Bob Bennett
Bass [Alembic] – Kevin Thomson
Concertmaster, Violin [Solo] – Doug Cameron
Design, Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Drums, Vocals – Rick Thomson
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Randy Thomas
Engineer [Assistant] – Bobby Gerber, Chip Orlando, Mike Wambsgangs
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Photography By [Inner Sleeve] – Alan Bergman
Piano, Keyboards [Prophet 5], Vocals – Bryan Duncan
Producer, Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano [Rhodes], Keyboards [Prophet 5], Organ [Hammond], Percussion, Handclaps, Arranged By [String & Horn] – David Diggs
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Saxophone, Flute – David Boruff
Saxophone, Flute, Tenor Saxophone [Solos] – Jim Coile
Trombone – Alan Kaplan
Trumpet – Larry Hall, Ollie Mitchell
Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Sound Labs, Hollywood
Recorded At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
This is classic Mike Warnke, from what I would consider to be his peak era. His material from around this time was perfectly placed and timed, hilarious and poignant. His Gospel message was perfectly intertwined with his brand of comedy and fun at the expense of himself and his fellow Christians. Despite his later recanting of involvement in occultism, Mike gave us some great stuff. This album includes the classic “Saga of Dougie and Will” which provided no end of entertainment through all my junior high years. Every story has those memorable moments, quotable quips that you can say to your best friend to make them laugh with just a word or two.
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
Edited By – Brown Bannister
Liner Notes – Rose Warnke
Photography By – John Miller
Producer – Wes Yoder
Remix – Brown Bannister
This Stockport based UK band turned it up a bit (OK a lot) as far as CCM music went. This album features AC/DC style rifts with a dash of rockabilly and a pinch of punk. This was their first studio album though there is a demo out there somewhere. I’m fairly sure this album was not released in North America, though some may have bought imports. This is a band that would have done very well in North America and if you like basic Rock and Roll this is the album for you. Unfortunately Word brought in Norman Barratt, who had never produced an album, in to produce this one. His work was garbage in my opinion. I think he was trying to maintain the raw sound of the band but in the end it just sounds dirty to me. Great musicians, which he was, do not always make great producers. My favourite track is actually called Rock ‘n’ Roll though the Bon Scott cut is pretty darn good too.
Tracklist
1 – Back Seat Driver – 6:31
2 – Mid Morning Blues – 3:50
3 – Tight Rope – 4:17
4 – Rock ‘N’ Roll – 3:47
5 – Freedom – 5:05
6 – It’s No Good Trusting In Money – 4:17
7 – The Loner (Bon Scott) – 5:27
8 – To Be Someone – 4:20
Credits
Bass – Steve Harrison
Design – Phil Thomson
Drums, Vocals – Phil Wright
Engineer – Derek Murray
Guitar, Vocals – Charlie Wilson, Steve Wright
Management – John Taylor
Photography By [Cover] – Paul Whur
Producer – Norman Barratt
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Smile Studios
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word (UK) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word (UK) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word Music UK
Giantkiller were another excellent band out of the UK. This album did very well in the UK but was a rarity in US record collections. The album was released in the UK with the title “Whose Side You On?” and in the US it was titled “Valley Of Decision”. The sound of this album might be best described as Choir meets Malcolm and the Mirrors. Actually I can hear a lot of different bands on this album but really they had their own sound that deserves respect for what it is, unique. I had not heard this album in the 80’s but wish I had I would have really liked it.
Tracklist
1 – Living For Today – 3:45
2 – Hot Nor Cold – 2:57
3 – Power To Power – 3:16
4 – Into The Eighties – 6:28
5 – We Have Got To Get Together – 2:38
6 – No More Sin – 3:54
7 – Wounded Soldiers – 2:14
8 – Holocaust – 3:53
9 – Whos Side You On ? – 4:19
Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Alan Hiscox
Drums – Steve Purton
Engineer – Jimmy Hotz
Keyboards – Paul Herbst
Lead Guitar – Pete Gilgan
Mixed By – Jimmy Hotz, Kemper Crabb
Producer – Jimmy Hotz
Saxophone – Rob Blessing
Vocals – Raphael Doyle
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
This is the first solo album from Sheila Walsh. She had previously in a band called “Oasis” who had 4 albums in the 70’s. The UK release was on Chapel Records in 81 with 9 tracks. The US version was released in 1993 with some changes. On the US version Several tracks were remixed by adding more guitar, removing some synthesizers, and adding some different background vocals. Also “Breaking the Ice” and “He Weeps for Our Tears” were removed while “Burn On” was added. Larry Norman was given co-credit on the US version as producer and did some backgroud vocals. Strangely in 1984 another UK version was released which included “Burn On” which gave the album 11 tracks. The strange part is that it was released on Word records while she was signed to Sparrow records. Anyway, Sheila went on the a long career and I would boldly say she was the UK Amy Grant.
US Version;
UK Version;
Tracklist
1 – Here With Me – 3:37
2 – Burn On – 4:05
3 – Love In My Life – 3:28
4 – Eyes Of A Different Kind – 4:46
5 – You’re So Important To Me – 4:00
6 – Future Eyes – 3:20
7 – Fear Of Silence – 3:40
8 – Back Into The Old Routine – 2:32
9 – Mona Lisa – 3:42
Credits
Vocals – Sheila Walsh
Keyboards, Piano & Arrangements – Chris Rolinson
Drums – Ray Goudie, Colin Vallance, Dave Charles
Bass – Paul Cobbold,
Guitar, Rob Marshal, Norman Barratt, Pete Brooks, Dave Kasak
Piano and Keyboards – Dave Morris
Strings – B Askey, G York, D Haime, CW Green
Producer – Paul Cobbold
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Executive Producer – Ray Goudie
Arrangment – Chris Rolinson
Recorded at Chapel Lane Studios, Hereford
US Version Additions
Bass – Mark Williamson
Harmonies – Sarah Finch, Larry Norman
Producer – Larry Norman, Norman Miller
This is the Swedish version of Jerusalem’s 3rd album. It was very well received and Jerusalem subsequently toured in support of it opening for Resurrection Band and Larry Norman. Many including myself feel that this was their best album and it toped the sales charts for the year. The singles were “Man of the World” and “Constantly Changing” and music videos were produced for both and apparently played on MTV. The stand out song on the album is the 12 minute long “Sodom” was very well received but obviously at that length could not be a single. HM Magazine voted the album #65 in the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All-Time though for me it would be a little higher. Strangely Anders Mossberg is credited as Bass player on the English version and Peter Carlsohn is credited on the Swedish version. Their history states that Peter Carlsohn replaced Anders Mossberg for this album. Also Michael Ulvsgärd replacing Klas Anderhell on drums for the supporting tour. The album (English) was re-released in 2018 by Retroactive Records and is an excellent reproduction.
Before Rich Mullins solo career he was in a band called Zion. Zion was a part of the Zion Ministries out of Cincinnati Bible College. In 1981 with some help from relatives they were able to record this album. It did not have any distribution and was apparently just sold at concerts and in the local Cincinnati area. A copy of the album made it’s way someway to Amy Grant’s manager. He wanted Amy to record the song “Praise to the Lord” and the rest as they say is history. Amy recorded the song and had a huge hit with it. Rich capitalized on this and launched his own career.
Tracklist
1 – Praise To The Lord – 5:41
2 – For Unto Us – 2:06
3 – The Way To Love You – 7:16
4 – Lord Help Me Be – 3:10
5 – Nothing In This World – 4:07
6 – You Can Live Without Him – 5:16
7 – Hope To Carry On – 2:17
8 – Heaven In His Eyes – 4:40
Credits
Jenny Filson – Vocals and Synthesizers
Tom Weimer – Vocals and Guitars
Beth Snell – Vocals
Rich Mullins – Vocals, Guitars, Piano, and Dulcimer
This record was one of the all time best things throughout my teenage years. It was radical, it was catchy, it was rock, it was new wave, it was rebellious, loud, subversive and all that.
This album is so old and so cross-genre it was released on 8-track as well as cassette and vinyl.
Plus it was great art. It was a fold-out album with a fascinating scene presented in the inner part. The front cover and the back cover had images that corresponded. They went together to make a message. It had liner notes that were a story written to go along with the songs on the album.
In 1981 I’m sure I sat and read the whole thing. Then my friend read it and after we talked about it I read it again. And then I read it again.
Now I have this beautiful piece of art and I feel guilty for not taking the time to read the whole thing right now, to complete my experience. But I’ll do that again soon, I promise, I just have a few things to do for work first…
This is Daniel Amos’ second attempt at becoming a New Wave band after releasing 2 legit California style country albums. Those were good but they were not this. Horrendous Disc was recorded years before its release, and so technically came out in the same year as ¡Alarma!
This album changed the band forever by launching them as a completely restyled product. Terry Taylor guided DA all the way through and the New Wave years were cutting edge.
Tracklist
1 – Central Theme – 3:18
2 – ¡Alarma! – 3:21
3 – Big Time/Big Deal – 3:04
4 – Props – 1:58
5 – My Room – 3:25
6 – Faces To The Window – 2:31
7 – Cloak & Dagger – 2:16
8 – Colored By – 2:58
9 – C&D Reprise – 0:43
10 – Through The Speakers – 2:42
11 – Hit Them – 2:28
12 – Baby Game – 2:43
13 – Shedding The Mortal Coil – 1:20
14 – Endless Summer – 2:52
15 – Walls Of Doubt – 3:57
16 – Ghost Of The Heart – 2:36
Credits
Artwork [Airbrushing] – Stephen Nicol Price
Band [Members Of Daniel Amos], Bass Guitar, Keyboards – Marty Dieckmeyer
Band [Members Of Daniel Amos], Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart
Band [Members Of Daniel Amos], Lead Guitar [Lead Guitars], Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain
Band [Members Of Daniel Amos], Rhythm Guitar [Rhythm Guitars], Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Terry Taylor
Congas – Alex MacDougall (tracks: A5)
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Daniel Amos
Engineer [Engineered By] – Thom Roy
Engineer [Live Sound], Coordinator [Road Coordination] – Wes Leathers
Graphic Design – Karen Knecht
Lead Vocals [Reluctant Lead Vocal] – Marty Dieckmeyer (tracks: A4)
Marimba – Alex MacDougall (tracks: A2)
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A5), Marty Dieckmeyer (tracks: A5)
Photography By [Photography] – Scott Lockwood
Producer [Produced By] – Daniel Amos, Thom Roy
Songwriter [All Songs Written By] – Terry Taylor (tracks: A1 to A6, A8 to B4, B7, B8)
Text By [‘Alarama Chronicles’ Book Text Written By] – Terry Taylor
Vocals [Female Vocal] – Karen Benson (tracks: B8)
Companies, etc.
Produced For – Rebel Base Productions
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Newpax Records
Copyright (c) – Newpax Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Recorded At – Rebel Base Studio
Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
This was the first of 2 albums from the Barratt Band. The band featured Tim Hatwell from After The Fire and Norman Barratt from Gravy Train. It was rounded out by Russell Caldwell and Dave Morris. This album was probably one of the best British CCM albums from the early 80’s. It has a strong Pop Rock feel and really should have made it onto secular radio especially with Norman Barratt’s vocals being so strong. The band along with Alwyn Wall warmed up for Larry Norman’s 1981 live Friends on Tour album.
Tracklist
1 – The Only One
2 – Not The Way
3 – Your Love
4 – Playing In The City
5 – Coming Of The Man
6 – Bad Mean World
7 – My Spirit’s Free
8 – Voice In The Night
9 – Never Seen Your Face
Credits
Bass Guitar – Tim Hatwell
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Keyboards [Additional] – Walter Bollard
Written-By – Tim Hatwell (tracks: 7)
Written-By, Guitar, Vocals – Norman Barratt
