Bev and Steve are back with another album and another band name. I really don’t understand why they felt it was necessary to have a slightly different name every album. Oh well anyway I think I know what they were thinking for this album. It has several experimental tracks and I think that’s what they were aiming for further demonstrated by the fact they didn’t release any tracks as a singles. While I don’t like it as much as their other work it’s still good and I enjoyed it.
Tracklist 1 – Let There Be Neon – 3:44 2 – Mechanical Ballet – 4:47 3 – Berlin Ballerina – 5:56 4 – Observation – 3:51 5 – Techno Refugee – 4:27 6 – Lunatic Republic – 4:13 7 – When Is Pleasure Pain? – 4:03 8 – Boy – 4:10 9 – Lily Marlene – 1:21 10 – Military Business (Muscle Culture II) – 4:22
Credits Bass – Les Cargo Drums, Percussion – Dolphin Taylor, Gus Hale Horns – John Du Prez Keyboards – David Hewson Vocals – Bev Sage, Steve Fairnie
Companies, etc. Made By – Sounds Marketing System, Inc. Published By – Street Tunes Published By – Street Tunes Ltd. Published By – Westminster Music Published By – Westminster Music Ltd. Published By – Peter Maurice Co. Published By – EMI Music
Many of you may be wondering why we would upload this album. Well read on and you will learn the lore of this album. The Wauhob’s released this album in 1982 as a fund raiser for their church. In 1984 a DJ at Christian station KBRJ in Los Angeles discovered the album and started playing it. The album took off and though it was self released more copies were printed. A tongue in cheek review was also carried in the Wittenburg times by Tom Gulotta (Daniel Amos Producer) and that also contributed to the album taking off. The Wauhob’s came to LA where they played several concerts and as they say the rest is history and the album became a cult favourite particularly in the LA area. I’ve even heard that Terry Taylor loves it. If you’ve never heard it it’s a must listen, especially once.
Tracklist 1 – One More River – 2:07 2 – The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor – 2:40 3 – Old Camp Meetin’ Time – 1:55 4 – Through It All – 1:55 5 – He Looked Beyond My Fault – 2:56 6 – Jesus Is Coming Soon – 2:57 7 – I’ll Soon Be Gone – 2:03 8 – Put Your Hand In The Hand – 2:35 9 – All In Him – 2:21 10 – Build My Mansion Next Door To Jesus – 3:20
Credits Engineer: Tom Renfro Produced by Ted Wauhob Lead Guitar- Robert Wauhob, Sr. Bass- Gregg French Steel Guitar- Denny Smith Banjo- Ted Wauhob Harmonica- Tom Renfro Drums- Thomas Wauhob Lead Singer- Ted Wauhob Vocals- Grace Wauhob
Companies, etc. Recorded at: Flood Music Studio, Sioux City, Iowa
While this album always lifts my spirits while I listen to it then I remember that this was it from the 80’s version of After The Fire. I’m not going on a long diatribe about why the band broke up as quite frankly I don’t think those types of reviews are fair as we weren’t in the band and we don’t know. In the end when these things happen I just prefer to say, “That’s Rock & Roll folks.” I spoke briefly with Peter about this album and he refereed to it saying “Batteries was our favourite album, despite it being short lived!”. There is some wrong information out there on this album so I will clarify. The singles were Rich Boys and Frozen Rivers and a music video was produced for Rich Boys. There is some info out there that Dancing In The Shadows was a single but it actually wasn’t, at least not in relation to this album. It was released as a single for the American release of the album Der Kommissar. The album did not do that well which is entirely baffling to me but again I just don’t agree with the choice of singles. To my 80’s DJ ears “Sometimes” is the obvious single. What do you think? Anyway love the band, love the album and luckily for us this would not be the last we heard from them, but it would take quite a few years. Album trivia…. there were versions of this album that used the album cover that would actually later be used on the U.S. release of Der Kommissar.
Tracklist 1 – Short Change – 3:19 2 – Frozen Rivers – 3:36 3 – Sometimes – 3:08 4 – Sailing Ship – 3:57 5 – I Don´t Understand Your Love – 2:53 6 – The Stranger – 2:50 7 – Rich Boys – 3:02 8 – Carry Me Home – 4:14 9 – Dancing In The Shadows – 3:02 10 – Space Walking – 3:17 11 – Gina – 1:39 12 – Stuck In Paris (Nowhere To Go) – 2:45 13 – Bright Lights – 3:36
Credits Bass – Andy Piercy Design [Cover] – Carlos Sapochnik Drums – Pete King Guitar – John Russell Keyboards – Peter Memory Banks Management – AMP Management Mastered By – Reinhold Mack, Nick Webb Mixed By [Assisted], Engineer [Assisted], Programmed By [Extra Synthesizers] – Stefan Wissnet Photography By [Back Cover Photo] – Peter Hince Producer, Mixed By, Engineer – Reinhold Mack
This was Glad’s 3rd album. It sold very well and even had to have a 2nd pressing. That 2nd pressing had a much better cover but was not a gatefold like the first pressing. I’m a little surprised it had a second pressing as it only had one CCM charting single. “Anywhere I Go” made it to #12 for 10 weeks. Any album with a CCM charting single is good but Glad was much more used to having 2, 3, or more singles. The album is pretty god and still has that easy listening 70’s sound which normally spelled success on the CCM charts. That said like I said it was a popular release and sold well but for some reason the CCM charts didn’t treat it as that popular.
Tracklist 1 – Good News – 3:59 2 – Light Up Your World – 4:02 3 – Anywhere I Go – 3:54 4 – Two Are Better Than One – 3:16 5 – Beautiful Love Song – 3:39 6 – Real Life – 3:21 7 – Hide Myself In You – 3:39 8 – Joy Comes In The Morning – 3:48 9 – Savior – 4:25 10 – Be Ye Glad – 4:41
Credits Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Dennis Solee Booking – Logsdon Associates, Paul K. Logsdon Crew [Live Sound] – Julie Kauflin Crew [Road Manager] – Nancy Nalle Drums – Art Noble Engineer – Joe Hardy Executive-Producer – George King Handclaps – John Hampton Lead Vocals, Bass – Don Nalle Lead Vocals, Percussion – Ed Nalle Management – George King, Olde Towne Productions Mastered By – Larry Nix Photography By – Bob Schatz, Michael Borum* Producer – Ed Nalle, Joe Hardy Rhythm Guitar – Jon Goin Vocals, Keyboards – Bob Kauflin Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Mark Baldwin
Scepter is/was Craig Smith, Rick Crawford, Si Simonson, and Warren Baker and while you may not be aware of Scepter you may know these artists as all of them except Baker had solo careers. I have no idea how or why this album came about and I’m a little unsure why it wasn’t a little more known especially considering it was produce by Wayne Watson. Usually projects from Wayne got a lot more attention than this album did. It starts out as a worship oriented album but gets more upbeat as you listen to it. I think I can hear some early Petra influence. Don’t confuse these guys with the Scepter out of Canada. That version of Scepter actually changed their name to The Keep to avoid confusion between the 2 bands.
1 – Changing Me – 3:40 2 – I Believe – 4:30 3 – All You Need is Jesus – 3:34 4 – Giving It Up – 2:17 5 – I Will Be There – 3:49 6 – One More Time – 3:37 7 – Without You – 3:36 8 – Sweet Harmony – 2:57 9 – I’m So Glad – 2:46 10 – Keep on Trustin’ – 4:08
This is an interesting album historically speaking. In 1979 Petra recorded their Washes Whiter Than album at the Bee Jay Recording Studio. That studio is owned by Eric Schabacker. The story goes that Eric was impressed with Greg X. Volz’s vocals and subsequently wanted Greg to record an album of songs written by him. Apparently it took a few years for the idea to work itself out but here is Greg doing a selection of songs written by Eric Schabacker. The album even featured Chip Meyers and Joel Balin who worked on the Washes Whiter Than album. The album was released using Greg’s middle name as the title and artist name and only 1000 copies were printed making it very rare. Eric produced the project but for some reason used the name Jonathan Fitzwilliam. Putting aside all the strangeness of the album it’s a pretty straight forward secular pop album. It’s actually pretty good and I think it might have sold well as a proper release but given the legalities of record deals and contracts it probably could never be properly released.
Tracklist 1 – Outside Lookin’ In – 3:09 2 – Heart Songs – 4:23 3 – The Next Move Is Yours – 3:38 4 – If You Come To Me – 4:27 5 – Falling In Love With Me Again – 4:02 6 – Don’t Look Back – 3:25 7 – Someone Needing Someone – 3:09 8 – Last Song – 3:57 9 – Who Loves You – 3:18 10 – You Still Got The Time – 3:10 11 – Waiting For You – 3:31 12 – I Believe In You – 4:47
Credits Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Carol Becker Yarian, Teresa Atwell, Tracey Balin Bass – Chip Meyers Cover [Cover Art] – John Beardsley Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Jonathan Fitzwilliam Drums – Randy Nichols Engineer – Andy deGanahl, Bill Vermillion, Dana Cornock Engineer [Remix Engineer] – Bill Vermillion Guitar [Guitars] – Joel Balin Keyboards, Arranged By [String Arrangements] – George Atwell Lead Guitar [2nd Lead Guitar] – Bruce Brookshire Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Xavier Mastered By – Jack Hunt, Larry Boden Producer – Jonathan Fitzwilliam Producer [Produced By … With Special Assistance From] – George Atwell, Xavier Written-By – Jacqueline St. Laurent (tracks: A1), Jonathan Fitzwilliam
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – BeeJay Recording Recorded At – Bee Jay Recording Studio Mastered At – JVC Cutting Center Published By – Schabraf
This is Leon’s 4th album and one of his most successful. It spawned the #1 hit “Cornerstone” which was at #1 for a couple months. It also had a #15 hit “John 3:17”. The album was very well recorded but personally I found it a little dull. I know that Leon’s music isn’t my preferred genre but I actually liked some of his other albums. This one is way way easy listening. Personally I love his funk keyboard sound that I heard on other albums. That said this was one of the top CCM albums of 1982 and deserves to be listened to for that reason alone.
Tracklist 1 – John 3:17 – 4:40 2 – Cornerstone – 4:11 3 – Praise Ye The Lord – 4:31 4 – Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord – 4:23 5 – I Surrender – 4:52 6 – I’ll Never Stop Lovin’ You – 4:17 7 – Rise And Be Healed – 4:13 8 – Saved – 4:32 9 – River – 5:08
Credits Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Herb Jimmerson Bass – Freddie Washington Congas, Bongos, Percussion – Ricky Heath Design – Dennis Hill Engineer [Assistant] – Biff Vincent Engineer, Mixed By – Skip Konte Lead Vocals, Arranged By, Piano, Organ, Synthesizer – Leon Patillo Mastered By – Rick Donaldson Photography – Alan Bergman Producer – Leon Patillo, Skip Konte Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Paul Jackson, Jr.
The eighth studio album from Kansas was a pretty important one. Lead singer Steve Walsh wasn’t cool with the direction of the band so John Elefante was brought in to take on the role. This album also marked the departure of Robby Steinhardt who finished out the tour for the album but that was it. The album was not overtly Christian but instead touched on Christian topics. The album made it to # 15 on the US Billboard 200 chart and the single “Play the Game Tonight” made it to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. CCM Magazine even chose Vinyl Confessions as the No. 1 CCM album of 1982 which I think disappointed many Christian artists who wanted that “award” to go to a Christian album.
Tracklist 1 – Play The Game Tonight – 3:24 2 – Right Away – 4:03 3 – Fair Exchange – 4:56 4 – Chasing Shadows – 3:17 5 – Diamonds And Pearls – 4:47 6 – Face It – 4:15 7 – Windows – 3:29 8 – Borderline – 3:57 9 – Play On – 3:39 10 – Crossfire – 6:35
Credits Alto Saxophone – Bill Bergman Art Direction, Design, Design Concept – Tom Drennon Backing Vocals – David Pack, Donna Williams Baritone Saxophone – Greg Smith Bass – Dave Hope Bassoon – Bev Dahlke Design [Additional], Other [Additional Art] – Andrew Barnum Drums – Phil Ehart Engineer – Ken Scott Engineer [Assistant] – Brian Leshon, David Spritz, Philip Jost, Ralph Sutton Guitar – Rich Williams Harmonica – Warren Ham Keyboards, Guitar – Kerry Livgren Keyboards, Vocals – John Elefante Management [Budd Carr] – The Carr Company Mastered By – Stan Ricker Photography – Glen Wexler Producer – Kansas, Ken Scott Tenor Saxophone – Jim Coile Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Bill Bergman Trumpet – John Berry, Lee Thornburg Violin, Vocals – Robby Steinhardt
Will’s early music career was certainly one that has to be respected. He played with Bonnie Raitt’s band from 1974 to 1980. I can only imagine the stories he must have as if you didn’t know Bonnie was quite a hard rocker in those days. Not her style so much as her life. Anyway Will left the band in 1980 on amicable terms as he wanted to settle down with his wife to a more normal life. He moved to Muscle Shoals and took up with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. In that same year he found Christ and embarked on a new career as a Christian musician. In 1982 he ended up with a deal from Refuge Records and released this album. This album has an excellent 70’s feel and Will gave us many more albums where he showcases his talent.
Tracklist 1 – Number One Command – 3:58 2 – This Is The Message – 2:24 3 – You Call Me A Dreamer – 4:12 4 – That Your Grace May Abound – 4:08 5 – Faith Is Not A Formula – 4:06 6 – Set Your Heart On Things Above – 4:12 7 – Carry On Soldier – 2:58 8 – Where You Gonna Run To – 4:04 9 – Now That You’ve Heard The Truth – 3:26 10 – Who I Am In You – 4:50
Credits Will McFarlane – Producer, Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals Gary Baker – Bass Mickey Buckins – Percussion Carol Cabler – Background Vocals Keith Compton – Engineer Linda Sue Davis – Strings Craig Duncan – Strings Ronnie Eades – Sax Ralph Ezell – Bass Mark Feldman – Strings Owen Hale – Drums Roger Hawkins – Drums Joey Holder – Background Vocals David Hood – Drums Clayton Ivey – Fender Rhodes Lenny LeBlanc – Background Vocals Lonnie “Butch” Ledford – Bass Glenn Meadows – Mastered Steve Moore – Engineer, Mixed Steve Nathan – Piano, Keyboards Wayne Perkins – Songwriter Ken Perry – Mastered Earl Spielman – Strings Paul Tobias – Strings Jerry L. Wallace – Producer, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizers, Percussion, Roto Toms, Background Vocals Martha Wiggins – Strings Kristen Wilkinson – Strings
This is volume 2 of the ¡Alarma! Chronicles. Between volume 1 and 2 of the Chronicles they switched record labels and got a new bass player. Terry Taylor’s guidance clearly held things together though. This release is peak 80s culture. It fit the model of what was happening in music at the time, even if nothing of the sort was happening in CCM outside of DA. This visionary album was on par with everything else in the scene at the time, but limited by being marketed to the CCM audience.
Tracklist 1 – Hollow Man – – 2:15 2 – Mall (All Over The World) – 3:13 3 – Real Girls – 2:57 4 – New Car! – 2:00 5 – Do Big Boys Cry – 2:05 6 – Youth With A Machine – 2:42 7 – The Double – 3:50 8 – Distance And Direction – 2:48 9 – Memory Lane – 3:48 10 – Angels Tuck You In – 2:38 11 – Little Crosses – 2:35 12 – Autographs For The Sick – 1:40 13 – I Didn’t Build It For Me – 2:48 14 – Here I Am – 3:18 15 – Hollow Man (Reprise) – 0:43
Credits Arranged By [Keyboards] – Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tom Howard Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Backing Vocals [Occasional] – Derald Daugherty, Dori “Game Show Girl” Howard, Emelia Emulator, Janet McTaggart, Mark Cook (2), Randy Stonehill, The Three Women From Istanbul, Tom Howard Bass Guitar – Marty Dieckmeyer (tracks: 1), Tim Chandler Bass Guitar [8-string] – Tim Chandler Bass Guitar [Fretless] – Tim Chandler Drums [Skins, Tubs, Traps] – Ed McTaggart Engineer – Thom Roy Engineer [Second] – Derald Daugherty* Keyboards – Jeff Lams (tracks: 3,13), Mark Cook (2) (tracks: 8), Marty Dieckmeyer (tracks: 1), Rob Watson (tracks: 2,3,5 to 7,14), Tom Howard (tracks: 4,7,9 to 11,14) Lead Guitar – Jerry Chamberlain Lead Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: 11), Terry Taylor Mastered By – Steve Hall Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Performer [Da Is] – Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Producer – Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor Remastered By – Doug Doyle Rhythm Guitar – Terry Taylor Saxophone – Bill Colton
