This was Benny’s best forgotten album. When I read the bio’s on Benny it always seems this album is ignored. I’m a little confused by this as it did have 2 charting singles, Legacy made it to #5, and Melody Man made it to #40. Admittedly that’s not a stunning album but a #5 single shouldn’t be ignored. I know at the time it wasn’t ignored but for some reason history has kind of forgotten about it. One thing that was odd about this album is that at the same time Michael Card came out with an album with the same name. Normally I would have considered this a rather large error but in this case Card was on a relatively smaller label and I doubt that either company knew this was going to happen. By the way The Card album was more successful but in my opinion not as good.
Tracklist 1 – Legacy – 4:44 2 – Closer – 4:39 3 – It Took So Long – 4:30 4 – Melody Man – 3:19 5 – Sensitive Heart – 3:28 6 – Caught Away – 5:08 7 – Out Of The Natural – 3:38 8 – Nobody’s Listening – 4:05 9 – Footprints – 3:54 10 – These Things Were Done By You – 1:53
Credits Bass – David Coy Concertmaster – Assa Drori Design – Dennis Hill Drums, Percussion – Paul Bahn Guitar, Vocals – Benny Hester Keyboards – Michael Omartian (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B3) Keyboards, Synthesizer – Jeff Lams Lead Guitar – Tony Sena Orchestrated By, Conductor – Michael Omartian Photography By – Aaron Rapoport Producer – Benny Hester, John Guess Recorded By – John Guess
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Printed By – Garrod & Lofthouse Made By – Garrod & Lofthouse
While I was researching this album I discovered that very few people were discussing this album. It’s almost as if people are saying “This is his 6th album” and that’s it. I’m kind of surprised because personally I think it’s probably his second best album (I think “Are You Ready?” was his best). The album is keyboard/Piano heavy which is to be expected as David Meece is a classically trained concert pianist. That said I don’t think David was comfortable with synth at this time as he had Michael W. Smith and Shane Keister step in to help in that area. The track that stands out to me is the title track. I absolutely love studio musician Jon Goin’s guitar riffs on this track. I think it would have been fun if David and Jon had tried a real Rock & Roll song as it really does sound like Jon could have handled that role. I also think David could have written some real Rock & Roll as he was an excellent songwriter and I get the feeling he enjoyed a good rock song.
Tracklist 1 – Gloria – 3:59 2 – Making My Life Brand New – 4:19 3 – Falling Down – 3:04 4 – Pressing On – 3:46 5 – Some People They Never Believe – 3:22 6 – Count The Cost – 2:51 7 – I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without You – 5:10 8 – Today Is The Day – 2:29 9 – And You Know It’s Right – 4:25 10 – Replace It With Your Love – 4:00
Credits Arranged By – Alan Moore Backing Vocals – Diana DeWitt, Donna McElroy, Gary Pigg, Jackie Cusic, Kim Fleming Bass – Mike Brignardello Drums – Paul Leim Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig Engineer [Assistant] – Don Cobb English Horn – Bobby Taylor Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton Flugelhorn, Trumpet [Piccolo Trumpet] – John Rommel Guitar – Jon Goin Keyboards, Synthesizer – Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister Percussion – Farrell Morris Photography By [Album Photo] – Michael Borum Producer – Brown Bannister
Companies, etc. Record Company – Myrrh Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ 26087 Published By – Meece Music Published By – Full Armor Publishing Co Published By – Whole Armor Publishing Co. Published By – Handrail Music Published By – Meadowgreen Music Co. Recorded At – Caribou Ranch Recorded At – Bullet Recording Recorded At – Sound Stage Studios Remixed At – The Bennett House Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
This album marked Chuck’s departure from Good News Records and instead he created his own label for this album. That said I am guessing the experiment didn’t go well as he joined Asaph Records for his next album. Now I’m going to criticize this album but hear me out as it’s not that bad. Chuck brought in Bob Rose to help produce this album. Bob had only produced one album before this one which was Chucks The Stand album. Chuck and his wife Karen took co-producing credits and executive production credits. Quite frankly the album shows the lack of proper production. A few songs have fade ins which is generally avoided by most producers as it not generally well received. That said an occasional fade in song is good for artistic license but not so many. Further the album just doesn’t have that finished feel. Many of the song names are too long and it just doesn’t feel finished. Now that said, the songs are good and the album probably has some of his best lyrics ever. The mix is good if not polished and I noticed that Derald Dougherty gets an engineering credit on the album. So to sum up it’s a good album and my criticism should probably be initially ignored and you should listen to the album and judge it for yourself.
Tracklist 1 – The Name Above All Names – 4:34 2 – Kingdom Come – 4:44 3 – We Are The Righteousness Of God – 3:36 4 – Blessed Be The Name Of My Rock – 3:30 5 – Soldiers Of The Lion – 4:51 6 – Don’t Shoot The Wounded – 4:07 7 – And The Rain Came Down – 4:00 8 – Wall Of Love – 3:37 9 – Walk As I Walk – 4:05 10 – The Power And The Glory – 3:44
Credits Arranged By, Producer – Bob Rose Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Chuck Girard (tracks: B1) Art Direction – Liza McDonald Backing Vocals – Bili Thedford, Chuck Girard, Denny Correll, Terry Clark, Tommy Funderburk Co-producer, Executive-Producer – Chuck Girard Engineer – Bill Cobb Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Derald Dougherty, Jonathan Brown Executive-Producer – Karen Girard Mastered By – Carol Hibbs Mixed By [Mixdown Engineer] – Nick Van Maarth Percussion – Burleigh Drummond Photography By – Harry Langdon Synthesizer – Rob Watson
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Seven Thunders Records Copyright (c) – Seven Thunders Records Distributed By – Word Records (2) Mastered At – K Disc Mastering Recorded At – Poiema Studios Recorded At – Baby’O Recorders Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
The humour continues as Mike is joined by his wife, at the time, for his 7th album.
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 Art Direction – Jim Osborn Engineer – Malcolm Harper Mastered By – Hank Williams (2) Photography By – Mark Tucker (7) Producer, Edited By, Remix – Neal Joseph
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Published By – Warnke Publishing Co. Published By – Prime Time Music (2) Recorded At – Will Rogers Auditorium Recorded By – Reelsound Edited At – Bullet Recording Remixed At – Bullet Recording Mastered At – Mastermix
This was the second album from The Call and is probably the one that introduced most people to the band. Their first album was not very well received but I guess was well enough received that Mercury Records went ahead with a second album. The single “The Walls Came Down” was a rather odd single. It only reached #74 on the Billboard Top 100 Chart though did make it to #17 on the mainstream rock chart. What was odd is that it was hugely popular on MTV. The video was very well received which I find odd because it is the just the band playing the song in what looks like a warehouse. Remember that often first singles followed this style on the thought we would learn who the band was. A strategy I always thought was stupid as these videos were notoriously boring. But as boring as it was (and it is) it was on heavy rotation. The song is actually referring to the cold war between the U.S. and Russia but there is the obvious suggestion of the biblical story of Battle of Jericho. Now I will toss in a personal opinion. I actually preferred their initial self titled album, but this album did solidify me as a permanent fan.
Tracklist 1 – The Walls Came Down – 3:35 2 – Turn A Blind Eye – 3:48 3 – Time Of Your Life – 3:27 4 – Modern Romans – 3:24 5 – Back From The Front – 4:02 6 – Destination – 4:32 7 – Violent Times – 4:28 8 – Face To Face – 4:05 9 – All About You – 4:20
Credits Bass – Greg Freeman Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Scott Musick Engineer – Richard Kaplan Engineer [Assistant] – Chuck Johnson, David Spritz Guitar, Vocals – Tom Ferrier Guitar, Vocals [Lead] – Michael Been Producer – Michael Been, The Call Synthesizer, Cornet – Steve Huddleston Synthesizer, Saxophone – Garth Hudson Written-By – Michael Been
Companies, etc. Published By – Neeb Music Published By – Tarka Music Phonographic Copyright (p) – PolyGram Records, Inc. Manufactured By – PolyGram Records, Inc. Marketed By – PolyGram Records, Inc. Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Compton, CA Recorded At – Indigo Ranch Studios
T-Bone Burnett may appear more often than any artist outside of Terry Scott Taylor if one includes solo projects, band projects and musician and production duties. From Bob Dylan and Tonio K to Leslie Phillips and Mark Heard T-Bone Burnett never had his own albums released into the CCM market, yet his presence is undeniable and, for the listener and fan, greatly appreciated. While working at Maranatha Village I was doing an in-store appearance with Leslie Phillips for her CCM swan song, The Turning, and she entered the store with a very tall and lanky gentleman in tow. Now, realize I had met Amy Grant, Bob Dylan, Bono and Michael Been by this time in my life, but I can tell you that I have never been so in awe or so utterly tongue tied as when I met T-Bone Burnett for the first time. Proof Through the Night is a haunting, dark and impressive album. Guests include Pete Townsend and Ry Cooder along with Burnett’s normal group of stellar friends and bandmates like David Mansfield and David Miner. The album sort of lulls you into experiencing what it has to offer. Burnett’s acoustically driven stark production is so compelling it is no surprise he continues to be one of the most sought after producers, and here it shines in its simplicity and authenticity. There are several wonderful songs to highlight on this album. “Stunned” is the most accessible and should have been a single if Burnett could ever really have a “single.” The chorus is memorable and stays with the listener. The same for “Fatally Beautiful.” ”Pressure” is true highlight with a great guitar driven 1-3 beat and incredible hook. Burnett also has a long standing trademark of talking through songs. There are a few examples on this album that make for compelling listening. “The Sixties” is hysterical, especially its comments regarding the use of the word “freak.” “Hefner and Disney” also employs the storytelling motif and creates and troubling mood musically which compliments the content as he reverses the roles of the two famous gentlemen. A great album worth tracking down that a few years ago was finally released on CD.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – The Murder Weapon – 4:29 2 – Fatally Beautiful – 4:21 3 – After All These Years – 3:11 4 – Baby Fall Down – 3:00 5 – The Sixties – 5:30 6 – Stunned – 3:50 7 – Pressure – 3:30 8 – Hula Hoop – 3:13 9 – When The Night Falls – 3:54 10 – Hefner And Disney – 3:47 11 – Shut It Tight – 3:56
Credits Art Direction – Jeri McManus Composed By – John Fleming (tracks: B3), Roscoe West (tracks: B3), T-Bone Burnett Engineer [Assistant] – Jules Bowen, Tony Chiappa Management [Direction] – Al Schlesinger, Nancy Clarke Mastered By [Originally] – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Mark Ettel Musician – David Mansfield, David Miner, Jerry Marotta, Masakazu Yoshizawa, Mick Ronson, Pete Townshend, Richard Thompson, Ry Cooder, Stan Lynch, T-Bone Burnett Photography By – Frank Gargani Producer – Jeff Eyrich Producer [Associate] – The Chelew Bros. (tracks: B6) Recorded By – Dennis Kirk Vocals – T-Bone Burnett, The Williams Brothers
Companies, etc. Record Company – Warner Communications Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Bros. Records Inc. Copyright (c) – Warner Bros. Records Inc. Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-18376 Pressed By – Allied Record Company – B-18377 Published By – Arthur Buster Stahr Music Published By – Black Tent Music Published By – Bug Recorded At – Eel Pie Studios Recorded At – The Sound Factory Recorded At – Ocean Way Recording Mixed At – Ocean Way Recording Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix
This Walt Harrah album is subtitled on the cover with “A Musical Odyssey on Kingdom Living Based on the Sermon on the Mount”. This album was also available as a Chorus book with a cassette or Reel to Reel with the vocals removed. I’m not really too sure what that makes this project but I don’t know anyone who had the album or any of the other items so I don’t know how popular it was. Strangely in all the biographies I read on Walt this album is never even mentioned. The album itself is an easy listening synth oriented album and if you’re in the right mood this is an excellent album. That said it does have a very distinct sound so it may take a bit for it to grow on you. It did grow on me and I quite like it now.
Tracklist 1 – In The Kingdom – 3:22 2 – Kingdom Living – 3:07 3 – Poor In Spirit – 4:37 4 – Love Your Enemies Too – 2:22 5 – The Hypocrite – 3:00 6 – The Lord’s Prayer – 4:04 7 – What? Me Worry? – 2:20 8 – God, The Lilies N’ Me – 2:24 9 – All You’ve Gotta Do – 3:16 10 – On The Rock – 4:02 11 – Your Will Be Done – 5:15 12 – He Will Reign – 3:46
Credits Drums – Dave Spurr Keyboards, Programmed By – John Schreiner Lead Vocals – Amick Byram Synthesizer – Leon Gaer Trumpet – Darrel Gardner Vocals – Cozette Byrd Vocals, Lead Vocals – Sandi Patty, Steve Green Vocals, Lead Vocals, Producer, Arranged By – Walt Harrah
This is the second independent release from Solid Rock. Their first album was well received and even got airplay on Christian Radio. This album was even better received and also received play on Christian Radio. This was no small feat for an independent release. The band were from Weatherford, Oklahoma and attended Trinity Baptist Church. As I said this was the second of three albums and they were all Indy releases. I am a little amazed that a band from Oklahoma with an independent release gained such a large following. I would normal describe this situation as having a cult following but in this case the band was very well known. I really like this album but honestly it’s a little confusing at ties. Sometimes I’m hearing 70’s Pink Floyd and on other tracks 80’s synth. But this really isn’t a criticism as the album flows well and I love their version of Rock & Roll. If you missed this one in the 80’s give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Intro – 1:30 2 – Carry On – 4:19 3 – Two-Thirds Of A Man – 3:51 4 – Make A Change – 3:29 5 – Just This Side Of Darkness – 4:17 6 – Sidekick – 3:05 7 – Wisdom Of Men – 4:40 8 – Live Your Life Alone – 3:56 9 – Fly Away – 5:14
Credits Drums, Vocals – Larry Percy Guitar, Synthesizer – Stan Mathis Bass, Vocals – Kevin Bartel Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Album Design – Jerry Johnson Engineer – Gary Duggan Producer – Larry Benson Concert Sound Enginer – Kurt Abercrombie
Companies Studio – Benson Sound Mastered – Kendun Recorders
Childhood friends Eddie DeGarmo and Dana Key joined forces in their late teens to create music and for three decades were responsible for some of the popular CCM ever recorded. Millions of albums and millions of miles traveled. Even after they had gone their separate way musically their single minded ministry and deep, personal friendship never wavered. I had always hoped for one reunion tour. I, and everyone else, will have to wait for quite some time as earlier this year Dana Key went home to be wioth the Lord. D&K were the first band I ever used my own money to buy. It was their debut album, This Time Thru. I wore out three vinyl copies of their second album, Straight On, Their live album is one of the best live records ever recorded in CCM. And during the Summer after I graduated from High School I was eagerly anticipating their latest release. It was not what I expected. the progressive and blues infused, guitar centered rock and roll had been replaced by a heavy dose of synthesizers and strings. At first I was appalled and saddened that I had lost “my band” and that my childhood CCM heroes hadAs time went on, though, I not only earned to appreciate the album foir what it was, I actually began to love it. For what it is, it is very, very good. Top notch production, great and memorable arrangements and some very finely crafted pop tunes. And though they will never get the credit for it, they really were early pioneers in the world of modern worship music. “Let the Whole World Sing,” the monster number hit from the album is a modern worship chorus that should have been a church standard. Mission of Mercy would be the first in what I have dubbed, “The Techno Years.” Sandwiched between nearly two decades of straight ahead rock were three albums of keyboard driven pop. MoM, Communication and Commander Sozo built a substantially larger fan base for the group and expanded their ministry opportunity. Many years later I came to understand the duo was keeping with the times and would not be defined by any previous release. I learned to live with it. Of those three album the first, Mission of mercy, would be the best even though it featured the least amount of guitar. When it came right down to it, it contained the best songwriting with more than a handful of huge hits. “That the Way God Planned It” would remain a popular live song for the band while Ready or Not and When It’s Over would all top the charts. Oddly enough , for a band noted for their rock style they had always been an amazing ballad band, mainly because of Dana Key’s stunning and compassionate vocals. Of all of the songs on the album the most like their earlier music is the ballad “All the Losers.” This great song ranks up with Addey, Mary and Only the Meek Survive. It’s also the strongest song lyrically. A great record that was a record for its time and must be regarded as such. Also, when taken within that framework it is a wonderful record with wonderful songs by a wonderful and unforgettable band.
God Bless Dana Key. RIP…Rest In Paradise
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Ready Or Not – 2:47 2 – Special Kind Of Love – 3:23 3 – When It’s Over – 2:52 4 – All The Losers Win – 3:18 5 – The Gift – 2:24 6 – Fill Me Lord – 3:36 7 – Let The Whole World Sing – 3:38 8 – In His Love – 3:31 9 – Everlasting Love – 3:02 10 – You Can’t Run From Thunder – 4:14 11- That’s The Way God Planned It – 3:24
Credits Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Carl Marsh Art Direction, Design – Susan DeGarmo Drums – Greg Morrow Engineer – John Hampton Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dana Key Management – Brock & Associates Mastered By – Ken Love Percussion – Chad Crowell Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer – Dana Key, Eddie DeGarmo Producer [Vocals] – Ron W. Griffin Recorded By [Strings] – Brent King Strings – The Nashville String Machine Vocals, Bass Guitar – Tommy Cathey Vocals, Guitar – Tony Pilcher Vocals, Keyboards – Eddie DeGarmo
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Copyright (c) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Recorded At – Ardent Studios Overdubbed At – Sound Stage Studios Mastered At – Mastermix Pressed By – Discovery Systems Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Distributed By – Main Roads Music Group Distributed By – Alpha & Omega Distributors Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd. Distributed By – Concorde Distributors Ltd
The teen heart throb of the 50’s and 60’s becomes a troubadour for the Gospel by the 70’s and 80’s. Dion Dimucci (Dion) was a solo artist and member of Dion and the Belmonts in the early years of rock and roll and remained a chart topper for years. Ironically his two biggest hits, Runaround Sue and The Wanderer, were both about philanderers, one a woman and one a man. But right before the dawn of the 1980’s Dion had a spiritual awakening and began a lengthy career is Christian music. He released several successful albums for Dayspring Record with “I Put Away My Idols” being the most successful and most artistically satisfying. The style is closer to Dion’s 70’s folk rock style with limited 50’s rock and roll except in a novelty form. The content is very evangelical, yet never too trite or contrived. The title track is the closest to a “testimony” song as anything he recorded in CCM. “Trust in the Lord” and “Very Soon” have a very “island” sound (I wouldn’t call it reggae) similar to direction Steven Soles took but more Jimmy Buffet than Bob Marley. Most of the album is very “Scriptural” using direct Biblical references to support the message of the songs.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Here Is My Servant – 3:37 2 – Trust In The Lord – 2:59 3 – Day Of The Lord – 4:02 4 – I Put Away My Idols – 3:08 5 – Daddy – 5:00 6 – Very Soon – 4:08 7 – They Won’t Tell You – 3:38 8 – Healing – 5:14 9 – Give It Up And Surrender – 3:09 10 – My Prayer For You – 2:53
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Dion DiMucci Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Neal Bousanti Arranged By – Dion Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings], Electric Piano [Rhodes], Piano, Organ, Harp – Paul Harris Backing Vocals – Chuck Kirkpatrick, John Sambataro, Kitty Woodson, Pamela Sessody Bass – Phil Chen Congas – Walter Santos Cover, Layout, Design – Jeffery Fey Drums, Percussion – Joe Galdo Engineer – Eric Schilling Engineer [Assistant] – Jim Sessody Layout [Inner Sleeve] – Dennis Hill Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – George Terry Management – Zachary Glickman Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Photography By – Aaron Rapoport Producer – Dion DiMucci, Eric Schilling, Paul Harris Synthesizer – Tim Devine Written-By – Bob Smith (tracks: A5-B4)
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Produced For – Salt Productions, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios Mixed At – Criteria Recording Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. Designed At – Art Hotel Published By – County Line Music Published By – Skinny Zach Music Published By – Brotherly Love Productions Published By – Gold Mine Music Inc. Published By – Word Well Music Published By – Word Music
