Tag: 1981

Bonnie Bramlett – Step By Step – 1981

Bonnie Bramlett was a well known performer long before her foray into Christian music. Bramlett became a Christian in the late 70’s and signed a deal with Refuge records shortly. This is the only album from that relationship. In fact it was Bramlett’s last album until 2002. This album sold well in Christian circles and was well received. Refuge was hoping for a crossover with secular sales but it didn’t happen, most likely due to a distribution deal with Benson records who had no proper secular distribution network. This album has a strong southern feel and it’s host of high quality studio musicians makes it very high quality. Joe English appeared, as he did on so many albums of the era, as the drummer. Trivia note is that some labels Side 2 was printed incorrectly by substituting the number 4 with the number 5 on the last track.

Tracklist
1 – Givin’ It Up – 3:17
2 – Back Out On The Streets – 3:15
3 – For The Love Of It – 3:55
4 – Let It Flow – 3:27
5 – Whispering Hope – 2:46
6 – Step By Step – 3:39
7 – White Dove – 3:36
8 – Sweet Rose Of Sharon – 4:36
9 – Joy – 3:51

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bobby Jones, Bonnie Bramlett, Donna McElroy, Gary Moreno, The New Life Singers, Vicki Hampton
Bass – Bob Wray, Larry Paxton
Drums – Joe English
Engineer – Scott Hendricks
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – Jon Goin, Kenny Mims
Keyboards – John Rosasco, Mitch Humphries
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Producer – Greg Nelson
Saxophone – Donnie Sanders
Synthesizer – Alan Steinberger

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.

Randy Stonehill – Between The Glory and The Flame – 1981

This follow-up to 1980’s The Sky Is Falling was a much more refined studio approach. Randy recruited a lot of top CCM artists to help out.
Producer Terry Taylor (of Daniel Amos) recruited his entire band to play on the album along with, Tom Howard, another Larry Norman and Solid Rock Records protege.

The result is a tight band performing Randy’s songs in the studio, giving a much more polished sound than we were used to getting from him up to this point.

The song “Die Young” is an example of Randy’s cynical but honest approach, calling out the typical Western lifestyle centered around short term thinking. His combination of humour and truth-telling was present throughout his career.

“Christine” is one of Randy’s reaches out to a lonely and desperate person. It has a significant parallel to the song Christmas at Denny’s, which we get many years later on the Return To Paradise album.

This album established Randy’s ability to move beyond performing as a singer-songwriter.

Tracklist
1 – The Glory And The Flame – 3:10
2 – Die Young – 3:15
3 – Fifth Avenue Breakdown – 2:50
4 – Granfather’s Song – 3:24
5 – Find Your Way To Me – 3:42
6 – Christine – 3:29
7 – Rainbow – 3:49
8 – Givin’ It Up For Love – 4:13
9 – Letter To My Family – 4:58
10 – Farther On – 2:56

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Rebel Base Productions
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Published By – Prime Cut Publishing
Published By – CanaanLand Music
Published By – Tong Songs Music
Published By – Joyful Road Music

Credits
Guitars, Background Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain
Bass – Marty Dieckmeyer
Background Vocals, Songwriter, Synthesizer String Arranger, Piano, Harmonium, Acoustic Guitar – Tom Howard
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Drums, Percussion – Ed McTaggart
Engineer – Thom Roy
Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Percussion, Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Producer, Slide Guitar – Terry Scott Taylor

Malcolm & Alwyn – Live – 1981

1960s Brit rockers Malcolm Wild and Alwyn Wall created a duo in the 70s with some fun old time rock and folk songs. This 1981 this live performance was done in California and released by MRC, essentially introducing American audiences to the duo.

Alwyn Wall released solo albums as well, Alwyn showing up on Star Song records in 1981 under the heading “Larry Norman Presents” with his solo debut “Invisible Warfare.”

Malcolm is best known for his band “Malcolm & The Mirrors” who did a punk rock stint starting with the album Red Alert in 1982.

This album is a far cry from the rock recordings they made, but shows their hearts, personality, and musicianship. It’s a fun recording that sounds like it was a big blessing to the California church that hosted it. Wish we could have been there.

Track Listing:
1 – Say It Like It Is
2 – I Love
3 – I Feel Fine
4 – Morning Star
5 – Fools Wisdom
6 – Growing Old
7 – Things Are Getting Better
8 – The World Needs Jesus
9 – Tomorrow’s News

Companies, etc.:
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.

Credits:
Engineer – Chris Taylor (11)
Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By – Alwyn Wall
Producer, Autoharp, Arranged By – Malcolm Wild
Producer, Engineer – Dan Willard

Don Francisco – The Traveler – 1981

Don Francisco was one of the most dependable musicians in the CCM genre. His fans were given a regular diet of new albums almost every year from 1979 to 1994. The Traveler was his 1981 offering and it was well received. It had the sound we have grown use to from Don. His folk style was a standout in Christian music. This album isn’t that sit in the park with an acoustic guitar kind of folk but instead a more pop oriented folk. The album didn’t stand out to me but it is a good album from a respected artist.

Tracklist
1 – Too Small A Price / Joy – 5:55
2 – Since I Met Him – 3:57
3 – The Lord & I Together – 2:45
4 – Beautiful To Me – 4:39
5 – If You Ain’t Gonna Sing The Gospel – 4:27
6 – Messengers From Heaven – 4:15
7 – The Package – 4:06
8 – You Can’t Take It With You – 3:13
9 – Give Your Heart A Home – 4:38
10 – The Traveler / Joy – 5:12

Credits
Design, Photography By – Bill Barnes
Engineer – Gene Eichelberger, Jim Cotton, Noah White
Engineer [Assistant] – Barry Baily, Chuck Ainley, Gerry Lentz, Jim Baird, Jon Putnam, Pat Holt, Quitman Dennis
Illustration – Randy Martin
Mastered By – Glen Meadows
Photography By – Matt Barnes
Producer, Arranged By [Strings] – Shane Keister
Written-By – Don Francisco, Gary McSpadden (tracks: B3), Gloria Gaither (tracks: B4), Bill Gaither (tracks: B4)

Various – Back To The Rock – 1981

This sampler released in 1981 featured artists from the A&S Records label. There are a few hits including John Mehler, Malcolm And The Mirrors, and Leslie Phillips. Among the one album wonders was Tamarack (Rob Watson), Tim Koller, Mike & Von Rogers, and Rob Mehl. There are also two artists that never released an album, James Ledlie Band, and Ben Mendoza. Other than the 3 big hits the rest of the album is decidedly dull. Most of the rest of the songs are in that late 70’s pop sound that I never really found that interesting. This sampler really just sounds like a way to repackage content and make a few bucks.

Tracklist
1 – John Mehler – Bow & Arrow – 3:39
2 – Malcolm And The Mirrors – Can’t Live Without Him – 2:57
3 – Leslie Phillips – Bring Me Through – 4:27
4 – Tamarack – Good Times, Bad Times – 3:59
5 – Tim Koller – May You Get All The Glory – 5:48
6 – Ben Mendoza – Gotta Keep Loving You – 4:30
7 – James Ledlie Band – Love Him – 3:44
8 – Mike & Von Rogers – Child Of The Father – 2:46
9 – Rob Mehl – House On The Rock – 3:25
10 – Tamarack – Here I Am – 3:37

Credits
Design [Cover], Illustration – Kernie Erickson
Producer – Dan Willard (tracks: A2, A3, A5, B1, B2), Gerry Limpic (tracks: B4), John Mehler (tracks: A1), Jonathan D. Brown* (tracks: A4), Randy Bugg (tracks: B3), Sonny Lallerstedt (tracks: B3)

Dennis Agajanian – Rebel To The Wrong – 1981

The third album from Dennis Agajanian has a mixed sound.

Some songs are an older style, some in keeping with the style of the time and at least one that was ahead of its time. Oh and there’s a bluegrass tune just for good measure.

The lead and title track “Rebel To The Wrong” is an excellent tune and was a fairly progressive song for the day. Dennis Agajanian has been popular in the Christian Country Music scene for many years and he’s still going often appearing on several different television evangelists shows but perhaps best known now for his appearances with Billy Graham.

Track Listing:
1 – Rebel To The Wrong
2 – Fool’s Gold
3 – Child’s Cry
4 – Bigger Than All My Sins
5 – Milk And Honey Express
6 – Alive In The Sky
7 – I Can Do All The Things
8 – Daddy’s Girl
9 – Last Of The Good Guys
10 – I’m Thankful To You

Credits:
Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin – Dennis Agajanian
Art Direction, Design – Rhonda Dempsey
Backing Vocals – Kelly Willard, Pam Mark Hall
Banjo – Wayne Rice
Bass – Joel Hendrickson (tracks: A4), Scott Parrish* (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B1 to B5)
Drums – Jim Plank (tracks: B2), Mike Mathis (tracks: A1 to A5, B1, B3 to B5)
Electric Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith
Executive-Producer – Bill Cole
Fiddle – Bryon Berline
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tom Howard
Photography By – Don Wyman
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gerry Limpic
Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Ron Compton
Steel Guitar – Jay Dee Maness

Resurrection Band – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 1981

The 4th studio album from Resurrection Band picked up where Colours left off.

It continues their trademark hard rock sound utilizing new wave keyboard styling. The albums continue their social commentary with songs about materialism (Elavator Muzik), disabilities (The Chair), and divorce (Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore).

As usual Resurrection Band bucked the Christian music trends by doing their own thing.

Track Listing:
1 – Stark/Spare – 3:42
2 – Elevator Muzik – 1:55
3 – Alienated – 2:02
4 – Can’t Get You Outta My Mind – 2:52
5 – The Chair – 5:06
6 – Can’t Do It On My Own – 2:50
7 – First Degree Apathy – 3:03
8 – Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore – 4:23
9 – The Crossing – 3:48
10 – Little Children – 2:36
11 – Lovin’ You – 3:29

Credits:
Artwork [Inside Art], Layout – Dick Randall
Bass [Fretless Bass], Synthesizer – Jim Denton
Concept By [Album Cover Concept By] – JPUSA Graphics
Cover [Outside Cover Art] – Janet Cameron
Drums – John Herrin
Engineer – Phil Bonanno
Guitar, Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Stu Heiss
Mixed By [Mix Down] – Phil Roger
Other [Lead Snoring] – Tom Cameron
Producer – Roger Heiss
Producer, Mixed By [Mix Down] – Resurrection Band
Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Vocals, Guitar [Solo], Keyboards, Guitar [All Double Leads] – Glenn Kaiser

City Limits – (self titled) – 1981

City Limits was Scott Roley and his touring band in studio. The drummer for the album was Joe English but he didn’t tour in support of the album.

The single “Sacrificing Love” broke the top five on the Contemporary Christian Charts and had strong airplay for several months.

The album is easy listening and easy to listen too and the songs are all very well written i.e. excellent lyrics and music.

Track Listing:
1 – Holdin’ The Key – 3:09
2 – Christians – 4:23
3 – Lost In His Love – 3:59
4 – In Each Heart – 2:58
5 – Sacrificing Love – 3:53
6 – Heavenly Father – 3:15
7 – The Awakening – 3:00
8 – Cross Your Heart – 3:16
9 – In Your Love – 3:38
10 – Man From Heaven – 3:15

Credits:
Art Direction, Design – Ron Brant, Stan Evenson Design Inc.
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Diane Tidwell, Lisa Silver, Michael Albrecht, Sheri Huffman
Bass – Larry Paxton
Drums – Joe English
Engineer – Jim Baird, Pat Holt, Randy Holland, Scott Hendricks
Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – George Cocchini, Jon Goin, Kenny Mims
Horns – Dennis Solee, Donnie (Sax) Sanders, Ernie Collins, Matt Davich, Rob Hill, Sam Levine, Terry Mead
Keyboards – John Rosasco
Lead Vocals [Uncredited] – Scott Roley
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Percussion [Mallet Instruments], Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Alan Steinberger
Photography By – Larry DuPont
Photography By [Photograph Of Scott Roley] – Melody McGuire
Producer, Arranged By [String Arrangements], Arranged By [Brass Arrangements] – John Rosasco

Ed Raetzloff – Drivin’ Wheels – 1981

This was the second of two albums from Ed Raetzloff. It was less rockin then his first offering but continued that Bob Seger late 70’s sound that was his trademark.

This album includes an excellent version of People Get Ready. Although more mellow there are still a few rockin tracks on this album.

Track Listing:
1 – Going Home – Written By – Turley Richards – 3:25
2 – People Get Ready – Written By – Curtis Mayfield – 3:57
3 – Keep The Big Wheels Turning – Written By – Dave Perkins – 3:26
4 – For You – Written By – Ed Raetzloff – 3:31
5 – Holy, Holy – Written By – Turley Richards – 3:34
6 – Hey There Stranger – Written By – Tim Sheppard – 3:45
7 – This New Love – Written By – Will McFarlane – 3:43
8 – What You Want For Me – Written By – Ed Raetzloff – 3:54
9 – You’ll Have It All – Written By – Will McFarlane – 3:25
10 – Drivin’Wheels – Written By – Ed Raetzloff – 3:40

Credits:
Arranged By – Turley Richards
Backing Vocals – Barry Dunaway, Ben Rappa, Bonnie Galley, Doug Bare, Freddie Weller, Sharon Scott, ‘Sharone’, Stan Henley, Steve Hardwick, Turley Richards
Bass – Barry Dunaway
Design – Bill Barnes
Design Concept – Bill Barnes
Drums – Ben Rappa
Engineer – Gene Eichelberger
Engineer [Assistant, Recording] – Bill Quinn
Engineer [Assistant, Remix] – Bob Clark
Guitar – Steve Hardwick
Harmony Vocals – Turley Richards
Illustration – Randy Martin
Keyboards – Doug Bare
Lead Guitar – John (Git) Goin, Randy Scruggs, Steve Hardwick
Lead Vocals – Ed Raetzloff
Photography By – Bill Barnes, Matt Barnes
Producer – Turley Richards
Typography [Lettering] – Deb Mahalanobis

Daniel Amos – Horrendous Disc – 1980

The album Horrendous Disc by Daniel Amos was a very popular early 80’s CCM album.

While it was released in 1981 it has a strong mid 70’s sound. The reason for this is that it was actually recorded in 1978. It was rejected by Maranatha Music and ended up in the hands of Solid Rock Records.

For reasons only known to Larry Norman (owner of Solid Rock at the time) it was not released until 1981. It played a part in a messy situation that ended up with Daniel Amos at Newpax Records.

All that said it was a well received album with the single “I Love You #19” still very popular.

Track Listing:
1 – I Love You #19 – 3:33
2 – Hound Of Heaven – 4:06
3 – (Near-Sighted Girl With Approaching) Tidal Wave – 3:05
4 – Sky King (Out Across The Sky) – 4:05
5 – On The Line – 5:20
6 – I Believe In You – 3:45
7 – Man In The Moon – 4:00
8 – Never Leave You – 3:08
9 – Horrendous Disc – 5:20

Credits:
Bass [Uncredited], Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Marty Dieckmeyer
Drums [Uncredited], Percussion [Uncredited], Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Ed McTaggart
Guitar [Uncredited], Lead Vocals [Uncredited], Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor
Keyboards [Uncredited], Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Mark Cook (2)
Percussion [Uncredited] – Alex MacDougal*
Producer [Uncredited] – Daniel Amos, Mike D. Stone