This is probably my favourite Phil Keaggy album. I find the guitar work on this album, which is excellent of course, to be the style I prefer from Phil. In particular I’ve always found the guitar riffs on “Happy” to be able to put a smile on my face. I always thought it was rather magical how Phil could sort of encapsulate different albums with slightly different guitar styles. Strangely the album only had one single on the CCM charts. I shudder to think that even this album may have been too uptempo for CCM in 1982. Anyway “Morning Light” peaked at #6 while on the charts for 28 weeks.
Tracklist
1 – Happy – 2:47
2 – Carefree – 4:39
3 – Nobody’s Playgirl Now – 4:02
4 – Cherish The Moment – 5:00
5 – She Came To Stay – 3:33
6 – Papa Song – 3:19
7 – The Wall – 2:44
8 – Make A Change – 3:30
9 – Train To Glory – 3:11
10 – Play Thru Me – 4:25
11 – His Master’s Voice – 3:07
12 – Morning Light – 3:30
Credits
Art Direction, Design – Stan Evenson
Bass – Hadley Hockensmith (tracks: A1, A3)
Design – John O’Brien
Drums – Jim DeLong
Engineer – Wally Grant
Guitar, Bass, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Written-By, Producer, Arranged By – Phil Keaggy
Keyboards – Smitty Price
Lacquer Cut By – SH*
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Photography By – Mark Hanauer
Producer, Engineer – Bob Cotton
Vocals – Alicia Keaggy (tracks: A6), Bernadette Keaggy (tracks: A6)
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Birdwing Music
Copyright (c) – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Copyright (c) – Sandtree Music
Recorded At – Sound Recorders, Kansas City
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – MCA Recording Studios
Lacquer Cut At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
This is the one that started it out for The Hank Laake Band though at this point they were playing as Hank Laake. This album had one major fault, the album cover. The picture of Hanke is very very 70’s and at first glance you might be expecting a Randy Matthews like album but this is no Randy Matthews style album. This is a Rock & Roll album and a good one at that. I think most of us only bought this album after hearing his follow up album which had a Rock & Roll cover (one of the best ones in CCM music). I was saddened to learn that Hanke has left the faith and is very disillusioned with the Christian Music Industry. Unfortunately we are hearing this more and more often now.
Tracklist
1 – Questions of the Seeker – 4:12
2 – Check It Out – 3:35
3 – Rock & Roll Away My Stone – 3:31
4 – The Man Behind the Name – 3:40
5 – Tonight’s The Night – 3:57
6 – In the Spirit of the King – 4:06
7 – All I Want is You – 5:11
8 – Return – 4:31
9 – Serve to Lead – 4:37
Credits
Bass – Carl Gauger
Engineer – Rick Condon
Harmonica – Dean Stokka
Harmony Vocals – Dean Stokka (tracks: B3,), Terry Fitzsimmons (2) (tracks: B3, )
Layout – Dave Nadler
Lead Guitar – Brian McVey (tracks: A1,A3, ), Terry Fitzsimmons (2) (tracks: A1,A4,A5,B1,)
Maracas – Diane Stokka
Photography – Brent Larson (3), Sandy Kavanagh
Rhythm Guitar – Terry Fitzsimmons (2) (tracks: A5)
Rhythm Guitar, Electric Guitar, Lead Guitar – Dan Brown (13)
Synthesizer – Joannie Larson (tracks: B4,), Phil Bair (2) (tracks: A1)
Written By, Arranged By, Producer, Drums, Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals – Hank Laake
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Triad Studios, Des Moines
Published By – Noteworthy Publishing
Record Company – Praise Industries Corp.
This was the introductory album from The 77s and many consider it to be one of the most important albums in the history of CCM music. This album premiered a new wave sound listeners were waiting for though there are a couple songs that lean more to Rock and Roll. Lyrically this album was way ahead of the curve in CCM music which I believe was one of the reasons it was so well received. In 1995 the album was re-released on CD with 6 bonus tracks. Those tracks are represented here.
Tracklist
1 – A Different Kind Of Light – 4:17
2 – How Can You Love – 4:38
3 – It’s So Sad – 5:04
4 – Falling Down A Hole – 4:18
5 – Someone New – 4:21
6 – Renaissance Man – 3:35
7 – Ping Pong Over The Abyss – 4:13
8 – Time Is Slipping Away – 5:04
9 – Denomination Blues – 4:54
1995 CD Bonus Material
10 – A Different Kind Of Light (Live) – 3:25
11 – How Can You Love (Demo) – 4:33
12 – It’s So Sad (Live) – 5:04
13 – Falling Down A Hole (Live) – 3:53
14 – Ping Pong Over The Abyss (Demo) – 4:17
15 – Denomination Blues (Live) – 5:05
Credits
Backing Vocals – Jan Eric Volz
Bass – Jan Eric Volz
Drums – Mark Proctor
Engineer – Daryl Zachman, Larry Hirsch
Guitar – Jan Eric Volz, Mark Tootle, Mike Roe
Keyboards – Mark Tootle
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – Larry Hirsch
Producer – Steven Soles
Vocals – Mark Proctor, Mark Tootle, Mike Roe
This was the final album from Fireworks and they went out with a bang. Dare I say this is a Rock & Roll album. Well it’s a lot more Rock & Roll than their previous releases. The lead track is definitely a Rock & Roll tune and sets the atmosphere for the rest of the album. Admittedly however after the first track it is more pop than rock but it is definitely a good album. Other than the lead track think Sweet Comfort Bands later works. Future Petra drummer Louie Weaver joined the band for this album and you hear his far superior drum skills. All in all they went out with a bang but part of me wonders if there was a dispute over the direction of the band and this may have caused the subsequent breakup.
Tracklist
1 – I Got News For You – 3:04
2 – Because I Care – 3:19
3 – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down – 3:52
4 – Back In Business – 3:18
5 – Sightseeing At Night – 4:13
6 – Honorable Man – 2:43
7 – Confrontation – 3:42
8 – Broadway Mary – 3:17
9 – No Strings – 2:43
10 – Incognito – 5:29
Credits
Art Direction – George Osaki
Bass Guitar – David Kurfman
Co-producer, Engineer – Mark Richardson
Design – Georgopoulos/Imada Design, Inc.
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer [Assistant] – Greg Webster
Illustration [Cover] – Marilyn Montgomery
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Jerry Gaston
Management [Artist Representation] – Tom Willett, J. Wesley Yoder
Mastered By – Randy Kling
Photography By [Liner Photo] – Norman Benson
Producer – Jerry Gaston, Marty McCall
Product Manager – Tom Willett, Wes Yoder
Vocals, Piano [Acoustic], Keyboards [Profit V] – Marty McCall
This is the debut album from Undercover, one of the early and influential pop punk bands to come out of California in the early 80s. Incubating alongside Altar Boys and Lifesavors.
I consider Undercover to be the forerunner to MXPX, although not their sole influence. MXPX managed to merge Green Day, Ramones, Undercover and other ideas into a cohesive, long standing package.
The style of this album is now referred to as pop-punk, or even California-punk. In 1982 though, it seemed like the division of punk styles wasn’t so defined and it just was what it was.
This was a great alternative, or at least an addition to the musical diet for anyone addicted to The Ramones at the time.
Note the names. Joey Taylor on subsequent albums becomes Ojo Taylor, and Jim Nicholson becomes Gym Nicholson.
From the 1988 CD release “Volume 1” we receive this explanation in the liner notes:
Once upon a time, a long time ago in the 1970’s, there were two bands aimlessly wandering around a small town in Southern California called Yorba Linda. The name of one of those groups was J.C. Rose and the name of the other, Boaz. Jim Nicholson and myself, best friends since high school, were members of J. C. Rose along with Dave Hackbarth, who has been a priceless catalyst to a great many records and Artists since. The members of Boaz were Chris Winber, Danny Pavlis, Ray Hersom and Rick Alba among a few others. After a year or two of fruitless effots, the two groups disbanded, to form two new groups. Jim and I sayted together and added Danny Pavlis on Drums and Rick Alba on bass and started Undercover. Chris Winber and Ray Hersom went on to form Lifesavors. Undercover started rehearsing in a greenhouse owned by Danny’s parents and after a couple of months, had our first concert along with The Lifesavors (also their first concert) and another group, The Chosen Ones, consisting of Chris Pavlis (Danny’s brother) and Brian Doidge (who would later join The Lifesavors).
(the story is continued in the liner notes…)
The 1988 CD release “Volume 1” includes the two first albums from Undercover, plus an additional bonus track written by Taylor, and attributed to the debut album, “Dying In Love.”
Track Listing: A1 Excuse Us Written-By – Walden, Alba 2:45 A2 Heal Me Written-By – Taylor 2:15 A3 I’ll Be A Fool Written-By – Taylor 1:15 A4 Francine Written-By – Alba 2:45 A5 It’s Official Written-By – Taylor 2:20 A6 Turn Your Head Written-By – Nicholson 2:45 A7 Look It Up Written-By – Taylor 2:40 B1 Read It In A Letter Written-By – Nicholson 2:05 B2 Daddy-O Written-By – Walden, Taylor 1:15 B3 Tonight Written-By – Nicholson 1:47 B4 Stop Written-By – Nicholson, Taylor 2:50 B5 He’s In Love With You Written-By – Alba 2:45 B6 I.C.U. Written-By – Taylor 2:40 B7 He Gives We Have Written-By – Taylor 2:25 Credits Arranged By – Undercover Artwork [Cover And Sleeve] – Milton R. Sue Bass Guitar, Vocals – Rick Alba Drums, Performer [Kindling], Vocals – Danny Pavlis Engineer – Dan Willard, Thom Roy (tracks: A7), Tim Pinch (tracks: A1 to A6, B1 to B7) Guitar [All Guitars], Vocals – Jim “Nuclear” Nicholson Lead Vocals, Alto Saxophone – Bill Walden Musician [Additional] – Giggles – Benjamin Taylor, Chris Pavlis, Dave Hackbarth Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals – Joey Taylor Photography By [Cover] – George Zaferes Producer – Dan Willard, Joey Taylor Rhythm Guitar [After Tracks] – Ray Hersom
Tracklist
1 – Excuse Us – 2:45
2 – Heal Me – 2:15
3 – I’ll Be A Fool – 1:15
4 – Francine – 2:45
5 – It’s Official – 2:20
6 – Turn Your Head – 2:45
7 – Look It Up – 2:40
8 – Read It In A Letter – 2:05
9 – Daddy-O – 1:15
10 – Tonight – 1:47
11 – Stop – 2:50
12 – He’s In Love With You – 2:45
13 – I.C.U. – 2:40
14 – He Gives We Have – 2:25
Bonus Track
15 – Dying In Love – 4:29
Credits
Arranged By – Undercover
Artwork [Cover And Sleeve] – Milton R. Sue
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Rick Alba
Drums, Performer [Kindling], Vocals – Danny Pavlis
Engineer – Dan Willard, Thom Roy (tracks: A7), Tim Pinch (tracks: A1 to A6, B1 to B7)
Guitar [All Guitars], Vocals – Jim “Nuclear” Nicholson
Lead Vocals, Alto Saxophone – Bill Walden
Mastered By – KPG
Musician [Additional] – Giggles – Benjamin Taylor, Chris Pavlis, Dave Hackbarth
Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals – Joey Taylor
Photography By [Cover] – George Zaferes
Producer – Dan Willard, Joey Taylor
Rhythm Guitar [After Tracks] – Ray Hersom
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Ministry Resource Center
Copyright (c) – Ministry Resource Center
Copyright (c) – B-1 Music
Mastered At – The Cutting System, Inc.
Recorded at Rapture Repertory Theatre’s Warehouse and C.C.C.M. on Tim Pinch’s Mobile Recording Studio except for A7, recorded at Whitefield Studio
This was Richie’s only release in the 80’s, though he re-released I’ve Got A Reason in 1981. It’s my opinion that this album was his best yet. It’s the only album he did produced by David Diggs and you can tell it sounds a little different. At the time of recording this album Richie had just become or was just about to become the Pastor at Calvary Chapel of Boulder CO. Strange that he would do such a Rock & Roll oriented album at this stage of his life. If you were put off by his easy listening sound in the 70’s give this one a listen. It’s not a heavy duty Rock & Roll album but it definitely leans more that way than his previous releases.
Tracklist
1 – Hallelujah – 3:32
2 – Endless Flight – 3:36
3 – Yellow Moon Rising – 6:15
4 – Seasons Of Change – 3:43
5 – My Lord And My God – 4:34
6 – Rise Up – 2:35
7 – Promise Of Love – 4:14
8 – Home To My Lord – 4:20
9 – For The Prize – 3:05
10 – Through It All – 5:38
Credits
Arranged By, Conductor [Conducted By] – David Diggs
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Edie Lehmann, Marti McCall, Mary Ella Meek, Myrna Matthews, Richie Furay, Virgil Beckham
Bass – Dennis Belfield
Concertmaster [String Concertmaster] – Doug Cameron
Cover [Cover Design] – Chris Whorf
Drums – Ed Greene, Jim Keltner
Engineer [Second Engineer] – Gene Meros
Engineer, Mixed By – Jack Joseph Puig
Guitar – Dan Ferguson, Hadley Hockensmith, Paul Jackson Jr., Richie Furay
Keyboards, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – David Diggs
Lead Vocals [All Lead Vocals] – Richie Furay
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Musical Assistance [Music Preparation] – Doug Dana
Pedal Steel Guitar – Al Perkins
Percussion – David Diggs, Steve Forman
Photography By – Dan Fong
Producer [Produced By] – David Diggs, Richie Furay
Producer [Production Assistance] – Jack Joseph Puig
Sleeve Notes – Rich Furay
Tenor Saxophone – Jim Coile
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Engineered At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
I have a strange relationship with this EP. In the mid 80’s I was working as a secular DJ and some how I discovered this album. It was an import to Canada so it must have been a friend that found it. Anyway I played it fairly heavy and had no idea they were a Christian band. They were one of a few bands that early on were on the “Sticky Music” label out of Scotland. The label was started by a couple of Christian guys who didn’t really intend for it to be a Christian label. I guess it really wasn’t as it featured secular bands but apparently all of them were Christians. This EP was a great dance track album and I have fond memories of playing the lead track quite regularity. Funny it took me over 30 years to learn they were a Christian band.
Tracklist
1 – Courage
2 – Parasuicide
3 – Descartes Lives
4 – Lost In The 20th Century
Credits
Bass – Stewart McEwan
Congas – Malcolm ‘Hyper’ Duffin
Design [Graphics By] – Carol, Mairi
Drums [Talking Drums] – Derek Clark
Engineer – Ian McCreadie
Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Maracas [A Mean Maracca] – Dot Irvine
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Charlie Irvine
Lead Vocals, Typography [Letraset], Percussion – Carol Moore
Producer – Steve Butler
Songwriter [Songs By] – Charlie, Dot
Pete had a few albums in the 70’s but this was really the album that made him known. It is a decidedly easy listening album sometimes referred to as AOR. Again this is not really my style of music but I appreciate music when it’s well done regardless of the style and this album is well done. Dayspring/Word must have sunk some real money into this project as the Credits list is huge. Interesting person on the credit list is guitarist Dann Huff from White Heart.
Tracklist
1 – Let Him Hold Your Heart – 3:35
2 – Run Inside – 3:29
3 – Dreamer’s Dream – 3:44
4 – The Love Of God – 3:28
5 – Warm Fire In A Cold World – 4:15
6 – Take Me Away – 3:37
7 – Lead Me In Your Love – 3:07
8 – What A Friend – 3:48
9 – Lord Of The Universe – 2:21
10 – Thanksong – 3:21
Credits
Pete Carlson – vocals, guitars
Keith Thomas – backing vocals, keyboards, producer
Dann Huff – guitars
Brent Rowan – guitars
Jon Goin – guitars
Bob Wray – bass
Mark Hammond – drums, percussion
Farrell Morris – percussion
Terry McMillan – percussion
Dennis Solee – sax
John Darnall – string arrangement
Terry Townsend – flugelhorn
John Catchings – cellos
Martha Wiggins – cellos
Dan Furth – violas
Kristi Wilkinson – violas
Conni McCollister – violins
Pauli Ewing – violins
Paul Tobias – violins
Lee Joiner – violins
Phylis Hiltz – violins
Larry Lasson – violins
Mark Feldman – violins
Karla Worley – backing vocals
Dennis Worley – backing vocals
Melodie Tunney – backing vocals
John Lee – backing vocals
Jan Lee – backing vocals
Don Hart – vocal arrangement
Some say that John Fischer’s 1969 album “The Cold Cathedral ” was the first contemporary Christian album coming out a few months before Larry Norman’s “Upon This Rock”. I understand that not all agree but I think we can all agree that Fischer had a long a storied career in Christian music. Dark Horse was his 8th album and a good example to him adapting to the 80’s. The album is an easy listening/praise album and as Fischer really knew what he was doing at this point in his career it is very well done. Joining Fischer on background vocals were Bob Carlisle (Allies) , and Bryan Duncan (The Sweet Comfort Band).
Tracklist
1 – Dark Horse – 3:55
2 – Beggar – 2:49
3 – Only A Few – 4:63
4 – Fallin’ In Love – 3:21
5 – Christopher’s Toes – 2:51
6 – Nobody Wants To Die – 3:34
7 – Losin’ Is Winnin’ – 2:54
8 – Roses On Wednesday – 3:10
9 – Lookin’ Straight On – 2:49
10 – Leavin’ It All To You – 3:01
Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – David Diggs
Art Direction – Paradise Graphics, Paul Gross
Backing Vocals – Bob Carlyle, Brian Duncan
Bass – Leland Sklar
Composed By, Written-By – John Fischer
Concept By [Front Cover] – Craig McNair Wilson
Drums – Rich Schlosser
Engineer [Second] – David Schober, Steve Ford
Guitar – Billy Walker
Illustration – Kurt Triffet
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Organ – John Hobbs
Layout [Sleeve] – Ronald E. Garman
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Photography By [Liner] – Sam Emerson
Producer, Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios
Recorded At – Martinsound
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
This album has a bit of a history behind it. As the story goes, after “Rockin’ Revival” Servant decided to leave Tunesmith records and open their own record company “Rooftop Records”. This idea lasted for only 2 albums when they went over to Myrrh. Anyway upon announcing that they were leaving, Tunesmith for some reason decided to issue a remix album. They picked the most popular 10 songs from the first 2 albums and remixed them and produced an album. The band were not impressed at this but were not in a legal position to do anything about it. This is nothing unusual in the record industry but was relatively rare in the Christian music industry at the time. Anyway that’s the story and this is the album that came out of. The remixes aren’t extreme just slight changes.
Tracklist
1 – Shallow Water
2 – Babylon
3 – Suburban Josephine
4 – Isolated
5 – Fly Away
6 – I’m Gonna Live
7 – Ad Man
8 – Jesus Star
9 – Rockin’ Revival
10 – Cup Of Water
