Daniel Band – On Rock (Collector’s Edition) – 2009

This was the first album from Daniel Band and what an album it was!

I remember hearing this album for the first time. While I already had a Resurrection Band album this release was a different type excitement. This album is straight out Rock & Roll and in my opinion Daniel Band absolutely nailed this album.

It is one of my favourite albums to this day and the anthem “I Like To Rock” was played so often in my car, my speakers could play it from memory when the ignition was off. If for some reason you only want to listen to one cut make it “I Like To Rock”.

Track Listing:
1 – He’s The Creator – 3:52
2 – I’m Sorry – 4:19
3 – You Don’t Need The Blues – 3:13
4 – Free From Sin – 3:04
5 – Undercover Christian – 3:23
6 – Two Roads – 2:48
7 – Never Again – 3:58
8 – In The Sky – 4:00
9 – I Like To Rock – 3:02
10 – Spiritual Game – 4:58
11 – Somebody Loves You – 4:43

Credits:
Co-producer – Glenn Kaiser
Co-producer, Mixed By – Roger Heiss
Cover, Design, Photography, Layout – Neil Dellandrea
Drums – Peter Cosman
Engineer – Réné (Boucher) Brossard, Wes Storms
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin – Tony Rossi
Lead Vocals, Bass, Keyboards – Dan McCabe
Mixed By – Mark Wright
Producer – Daniel Band
Rhythm Guitar, Strings, Synthesizer, Vocals – Bill Findlay

Stronghold – Fortress Rock – 1982

Stronghold were a 70’s holdover hard rock band. I’ve seen them referred to as heavy metal but I would argue they are a hard rock band in the tradition of late 70’s rock.

With hints of Black Sabbath and/or Jethro Tull this album celebrates that hard rock sound. Personally I think the Vocoder was over used but it does give their distinctive sound that their fans loved.

This is a hard rock album that will leave you wanting for more as it is only a 8 track album.

Track Listing:
1 – Stronghold – 4:45
2 – Barabbas – 5:35
3 – Dreams & Pretty Pictures – 4:31
4 – No Superstars For Jesus – 6:55
5 – Daybreak’s Coming – 6:37
6 – Desert Walker – 5:05
7 – The Called – 3:59
8 – Nobody Owes You Nuthin’ – 4:02

Credits:
Bass – C.C. Cupp
Drums, Percussion – Jay Molina
Guitar – Pete Moore
Vocals, Keyboards – Gary Smith

Prodigal – (self titled) – 1982

Prodigal are a band out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The vocals were shared by three members which was rather odd. Unfortunately vocalist and keyboard player Loyd Boldman has since passed away. The drummer Dave Workman was also a member of the early 80’s band Northbound.

This album is a notch up from easy listening with fairly strong guitar riffs on several tracks. This album was also re-released on CD in 2014 by the band who have somehow obtained the copyright to their own music. This is a pretty rare achievement in the music industry.

Track Listing:
1 – Invisible Man – 4:10
2 – Easy Street – 4:08
3 – Fire With Fire – 4:15
4 – Sleepwalker – 2:53
5 – Want You Back Again – 3:50
6 – Prodigal – 1:10
7 – I Don’t Know Who You Are – 2:35
8 – Need Somebody To Love – 4:02
9 – Busy Man – 3:40
10 – Hard Bargain – 4:00
11 – Prodigal (Part Two) – 0:46
12 – Sidewinder – 6:34

Credits:
Keys and Vocals – Loyd Boldman
Guitars and Vocals – Rick Fields
Bass – Mike Wilson
Drums and Vocals – Dave Workman
Artwork – Loyd Boldman
Engineer – Dana Cornock, Paul Thompson
Engineer [Assistant] – Steve Moller
Executive Producer – Matthew Hunt
Layout, Design – Scott Waters
Mastered By – Ron Lewter
Mixed By – Gary Platt
Mixed By, Engineer – Andy Deganahl
Producer – Jon Phelps
Remastered By – Rob Colwell

Petra – More Power To Ya – 1982

This album was the fifth offering from Petra.

It was one of the heaviest rock albums of the time, Ressurection band still held that title at the time.

Judas kiss features some supposed backmasking but in reality it was just a backwards sound track that said “What are you lookin’ for the devil for when you oughta be lookin’ for the Lord?”. It was a cute gimmick, but didn’t suit the song or make any sense attached to it. All in all a darn good Rock and Roll album that was very edgy for the time.

Track Listing:
1 – Stand Up – 3:33
2 – Second Wind – 4:32
3 – More Power To Ya – 3:37
4 – Judas Kiss – 4:43
5 – Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows – 4:16
6 – Run For The Prize – 4:31
7 – All Over Me – 5:51
8 – Let Everything That Hath Breath – 4:21
9 – Road To Zion – 3:58
10 – Disciple – 3:29

Credits:
Arranged By – Jonathan, Petra (9)
Bass, Vocals – Mark Kelly (8)
Drums – Louie Weaver
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards, Vocals, Synthesizer [Programs & Arrangements] – John Slick
Lead Vocals – Greg X. Volz
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Technician [Technical Assistance] – Brian Tankersley
Written-By – Bob Hartman (tracks: A1 – B2, B5), Greg X. Volz (tracks: B3), Mike Hudson (2) (tracks: B4)

Servant – World Of Sand – 1982

This is the first album Servant released on Roof Top Records following some dispute with their previous label Tunesmith.

This album was very well produced so it appeared the switch was a good idea. The album has a few odd tracks though. Jungle music, a personal favourite, is an oddly disjointed song with animal sounds and narration.

Sudden death is a song about a tragic accident that happened to members of their communities. It is best described as an 8:20 rock opera.

There are actually 2 bonus releases on this album, Tree Planter Stomp, and Cog in the Wheel. Depending on your copy they may have come on a seperate 7″ album or incorporated into the original album.

Track Listing:
1 – Two Masters – 5:20
2 – New Revolution – 2:25
3 – Long Hard Fight – 3:32
4 – Jungle Music – 6:00
5 – Cog In The Wheel – 4:41
6 – Wall Of Love – 3:39
7 – Cheap Talk – 3:08
8 – Sudden Death – 8:10
9 – Come Jesus Come – 3:34
10 – Tree Planter Stomp – 2:52

Credits:
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Rob Martens (2)
Drums, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – David Holmes (18)
Engineer – Thom Roy
Engineer [Assistant] – John Jenkinson
Keyboards – Matt Spransy
Lead Guitar – Bruce Wright
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Bob Hardy (2), Sandie Brock
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer – Jim Palosaari, Servant (2)
Producer [With Help From], Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals – Owen Brock

White Heart – (self titled) – 1982

This was White Heart’s introductory album. Formed in 1982 by two members of Bill Gaither’s group they decidedly recorded and performed a more upbeat style of music.

This album could not really be described as anything even vaguely close to Rock and Roll but it does have a pop feel but is still pretty easy listening. It did, however lay the groundwork for what would become a very well liked CCM band.

Track Listing:
1 – Hold On – 3:37
2 – You’re The One – 3:56
3 – Listen To The Lonely – 3:47
4 – He’s Returning – 4:23
5 – Carry On – 3:56
6 – Guiding Light – 3:40
7 – Everyday – 4:08
8 – Nothing Can Take This Love – 3:40
9 – Black Is White – 3:14
10 – Go Down Nineveh – 4:30

Credits:
Bass – Gary Lunn
Drums, Percussion – David Huff*
Executive Producer – Chris Christian
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Dann Huff
Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Billy Smiley
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Backing Vocals – Mark Gersmehl
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Steve Green (3)
Mixed By – Chris Christian, Jeff Balding
Producer – Billy Smiley, Dann Huff
Recorded By – Jeff Balding

Rick Cua – Koo-Ah – 1982

Rick Cua is one of 49 members of The Outlaws over the past 6 decades or so. The “Southern rock” sound of The Outlaws translated somewhat into his solo career, but Rick has his own sound.

Rick left The Outlaws after turning to Christ and wanted to start making music with a message. He made several Christian albums, but never quite made it to household name status.

This debut from 1982 is a classic to me nonetheless. It reminds me of those teenage years spent listening to music in the basement, and all the time spent with friends back then.

Listening to it now, I think this was a greatly underrated record.

Track Listing:
1 – Fly Me To Heaven – 3:38
2 – Spirit – 3:53
3 – The Rock Was Rolled Away – 3:14
4 – Eternity – 4:07
5 – Heaven Was Made For Everybody – 3:34
6 – You Can Still Rock ‘N Roll – 3:01
7 – Crossfire – 3:19
8 – Just A Little Bit More – 3:56
9 – I Wanna Be Like You – 4:46
10 – Melt My Heart – 2:53

Credits:
Backing Vocals – Diane Tidwell, Donna McElroy, Lisa Silver
Design [Album Design] – Bill Brunt
Drums – David Dix, Joe English
Engineer – Jeff Levine
Engineer [Assistant] – Haran Hunter, Jim Baird
Executive-Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – Freddie Salem, Will McFarlane
Lacquer Cut By – HW
Lead Vocals, Bass – Rick Cua
Percussion – Matt Greeley
Photography By – Larry Dixon
Piano – Mike Duke
Producer, Arranged By – John Rosasco, Rick Cua
Synthesizer – Alan Steinberger
Written-By – Greg Nelson, Rick Cua, Scott Roley