Steve Taylor – I Want To Be A Clone – 1983

This debut album from Steve Taylor was considered to be one of the best new wave albums of the 80’s.

It was actually classed as punk by some pundits at the time but it was actually better described as new wave with an edge.

Steve wrote about some very touchy Christian issues at the time which are actually still issues today.

Though only 6 cuts (it was technically a mini LP) it provided many enjoyable hours of listening for owners at the time.

 

Tracklist
1 – Steeplechase – 1:25
2 – I Want To Be A Clone – 2:30
3 – Whatever Happened To Sin? – 3:07
4 – Written Guarantee – 2:36
5 – Bad Rap (Who You Tryinʼ To Kid, Kid?) – 3:00
6 – Whatcha Gonna Do When Your Numberʼs Up? – 4:12

Credits
Bass – Brian Tankersley
Drums – Cactus Moser
Guitar – Kerry Conner
Keyboards [Featuring The Mighty Farfisa] – Steve Taylor
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer, Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Saxophone – Dave Thrush
Vocals – Steve Taylor
Vocals [Rights], Rap, Handclaps – The Screaming Chapalaires (tracks: 2, 4, 5)
Written-By, Arranged By – Steve Taylor

Companies, etc.
Mixed At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Sparrow Records
Copyright (c) – Sparrow Records
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Distributed By – Spotlight Music Pty Ltd
Distributed By – Concorde Productions (NZ)
Published By – Birdwing Music

Mylon Lefevre – Live Forever – 1983

This live album was recorded in Mylon’s hometown of Atlanta, and it was a rock’n’roll homecoming. The crowd sounds great, and the band is working them. This is a great example of a live record. Interesting inclusion is the second track “It’s Alright” which appeared on Matthew Ward’s landmark album “Toward Eternity.” Mylon’s version is a different take and it works well for him.

Tracklist
1 – Introduction Jesus Is A Waymaker – 3:29
2 – It’s Alright – 5:14
3 – Free Rap & Freedom – 6:31
4 – Relationships Rap & Child Of The Father – 4:44
5 – Workin’ On A Building / Jesus Is The Rock – 13:42
6 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:58
7 – The Invitation – 7:20
8 – Coming Back Again – 1:43

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kenny Bentley
Design – Mike McCarty
Drums, Percussion – Ben Hewitt
Engineer [Live] – Joe Neil, Larry Goode
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Vocals – Stan Coates
Lead Guitar, Vocals, Photography By [Inner Sleeve] – Dean Harrington
Mastered By – Larry Nix
Producer, Engineer [Live], Mixed By – Joe Hardy
Producer, Vocals, Guitar – Mylon LeFevre
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Broken Heart Productions
Published By – Angel Band Music
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – Latter Rain Music
Published By – Rainy Now Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Mastered At – Ardent Mastering


Joe English – Press On – 1983

This album from Joe follows in the footsteps of his previous albums. There really isn’t anything of interest on this album as it’s just more of Joe. This is not a derogatory comment but let’s face it Joe’s sound didn’t change much and it wasn’t exactly captivating after awhile. That said this is a good AOR album as that’s what Joe did well, in fact better than most. The album spawned one single “Stop” which peaked at #18.

Tracklist
1 – Stop – 3:30
2 – Echoes Of The Spirit – 3:10
3 – Royal Priesthood – 3:59
4 – The Harvest – 3:47
5 – Press On – 3:52
6 – Power Of Prayer – 3:55
7 – All My Heart – 3:29
8 – Let Me Praise You Again – 3:37
9 – Roll Of Life – 3:29
10 – To Know The Heart Of Jesus – 3:18

Credits
Arranged By [Horn And String Arrangements] – Tim Smith
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – The Joe English Band
Artwork By [Art Direction/design] – Bill Brunt
Backing Vocals – Joe English, Tommy Funderburk
Bass – Tim Smith
Choir – Brenda Nenow, Christy Betts, Dayle English, Debbie Halverson, Grammy Grandall, James Isaac Elliott, John Lawry, Phil Elliott, Tim Smith, Tom Douglas
Engineer [Tracks And Overdub Engineering] – Joe Wilson
Engineer [Vocal Overdub Engineering] – Jim Baird
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar – George Cocchini, Paul Brannon
Keyboards – John Lawry
Mastered By – Glenn Meadows
Mixed By – Scott Hendricks
Photography – Mark Tucker
Producer [Assistance] – The Joe English Band
Producer, Drums, Lead Vocals – Joe English
Saxophone [Alto & Tenor] – Doug Moffet
Saxophone [Tenor & Baritone] – Sam Levine
Trumpet – Jay Cobble, John Harbaugh

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Published By – Raybren Music
Published By – Joe English Music
Published By – Quietlane Music
Published By – Snellsong Music
Published By – Rainy Roley Music

Petra – Not Of This World – 1983

The 6th studio album from Petra “Not Of This World” had a very similar sound to their previous album “More Power To Ya”. Strangely they were actually touring in support of “More Power To Ya” but took a break to record this album. I think that in part accounts for the similar sounds. Even Bob Hartman said that he considered the album a sequel. Strangely producer Jonathan Brown actually initially didn’t use Petra drummer Louie Weaver for the drum tracks instead inviting studio musician Keith Edwards to sit in. In the end Louie Weaver did contribute to the project. I think this must have been due to some scheduling conflict as if I were in Louis’s place I would have been done with the band on the spot. Louis however stayed on with the band until 2003. This album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Gospel Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus but were beat out by Larnelle Harris & Sandi Patti.

Tracklist
1 – Visions (Doxology) – 2:04
2 – Not Of This World – 4:49
3 – Bema Seat – 3:54
4 – Grave Robber – 4:18
5 – Blinded Eyes – 5:33
6 – Not By Sight – 3:20
7 – Lift Him Up – 3:26
8 – Pied Piper – 4:00
9 – Occupy – 3:28
10 – Godpleaser – 4:35
11 – Visions (Reprise ) (Doxology) – 2:28

Credits
Arranged By [Arr] – John Slick (tracks: 1, 11)
Art Direction – Joan Tankersley, The Cover Story
Bass, Vocals – Mark Kelly
Crew [Road Crew – Concessions Coordinator] – Judy “How ‘Bout A Movie” Slick
Crew [Road Crew – Lighting Director] – Roger “Waja” Boor
Crew [Road Crew – Set-Up Coordination] – Marc “The Woz” Wozniak
Crew [Road Crew – Sound Engineer] – Kim “Cool” Hartman
Drums – Keith Edwards
Drums, Vocals – Louie Weaver
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – David Rogers, Doug Sarrett
Illustration [Illustrations] – Randy Rogers
Keyboards, Vocals – John Slick
Layout – Lori Cooper
Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Percussion – Greg X Volz
Management [Petrafied Productions Business Manager, Bookkeeping] – Becky “Errands Forever” Volz
Management [Petrafied Productions Mail Orders, Coordinator, Aerobics] – Janna “Fo Mo, Tu Mo” Pastin
Management [Petrafied Productions Tour Direction, Promotions] – Mark “Security Bob” Hollingsworth
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Photography By [Sleeve Photography] – Mark Tucker
Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By], Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Written-By – B Hartman (tracks: 2 to 5, 7, 8, 10), J Slick (tracks: 6, 9)

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mixed At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Mastered At – Future Disc
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Published By – StraightWay Music
Published By – Dawn Treader Music

Peter Beveridge – Grinding Wheel – 1983

This is the re-release of the 1982 “Static on the Frequency” album from Peter Beverage. As far as I can tell the Album was originally released in Australia as “Static On The Frequency ” and then re-released worldwide as “Grinding Wheel”. I don’t have a lot of information on Peter other than this was his second album and his last solo effort. In 1990 he released an album with Darlene Zschech using the band name of “Present History”. This is a pretty good pop album and must have been quite popular in Australia to warrant a worldwide release shortly after. Interesting point of trivia on the album is that Eminem sampled the track “Static on the Frequency” on his song “Detroit vs. Everybody”. Don’t really know who approved it but really they shouldn’t have as the Eminem song is garbage. I would not suggest you seek it out and listen to it.

Tracklist
1 – Static On The Frequency – 5:26
2 – Mr. Media – 2:58
3 – Add Up The Wonders – 4:49
4 – Another Marriage On The Rocks – 3:46
5 – Make Up Your Mind – 4:11
6 – Tonight’s Your Night – 2:45
7 – Grinding Wheel – 3:21
8 – Teflon Salvation – 3:27
9 – Winter Nights – 3:47
10 – Shine Your Light – 3:43

Credits
Backing Vocals – Marty McCall, Tyana Parr
Bass Guitar – David Miner
Drums – David Kemper
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Jerry McPherson
Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Keyboards [Fender Rhodes & Yamaha CS80] – Peter Beveridge
Percussion – Pat Bautz
Producer – Fletch Wiley
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Bill Tillman

Undercover – God Rules – 1983

The second album from Undercover proved they weren’t just a one off but instead were something new and fresh in the CCM scene. The second album picked up where the first left off. At this point their first album was gaining traction so people were ready for a second album. The timing was perfect. The album continued the punk/new wave/pop sound of the previous one but I think it leaned more pop in places. That said the title track will likely go down as the best Christian punk song of all time.

Tracklist
1 – New Creation – 2:40
2 – Closer To You – 3:03
3 – He Takes Care Of Me – 3:00
4 – I Still Want You – 2:16
5 – I Never Knew – 2:28
6 – Jesus Girl – 2:10
7 – His Love – 1:59
8 – Jesus For Me – 1:38
9 – Jesus Is The Best – 1:49
10 – I Am The Resurrection – 2:26
11 – God Rules – 1:01
12 – Wait A Minute – 1:57
13 – I Love God – 4:04

Credits
Arranged By – Undercover
Art Direction – Al X.
Design [Album Design & Foto Tints] – Gary Delacy
Drums, Backing Vocals – Gary Olson
Engineer – Dan Willard
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gym
Illustration – Camille Krischak
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass, Backing Vocals – O-Joe
Lead Vocals, Tenor Saxophone – B
Mastered By [Runout Etching] – KPG
Photography By [Back Cover Pictures] – Wes Covina
Photography By [Sleeve Picture] – Scott Lockwood
Producer – Dan Willard, Joey Taylor
Typography [Lettering] – Joe Christian

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&S Records
Copyright (c) – A&S Records
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ25957
Published By – Maranatha! Music
Published By – F.E.L.
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios

Amy Grant – A Christmas Album – 1983

Amy Grant did a few Christmas albums in the past, this one is from 1983.

Tracklist
1 – Tennessee Christmas – 4:33
2 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – 2:54
3 – Preiset Dem Konig! – 1:37
4 – Emmanuel – 2:52
5 – Little Town – 2:45
6 – Christmas Hymn – 2:38
7 – Love Has Come – 4:05
8 – Sleigh Ride – 3:34
9 – The Christmas Song – 3:46
10 – Heirlooms – 3:47
11 – A Mighty Fortress/Angels We Have Heard On High – 5:01

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Dean Parks (tracks: A1)
Acoustic Guitar, Steel Guitar, Backing Vocals – Gary Chapman (tracks: A1)
Backing Vocals – Amy Grant (tracks: A1), Bill Champlin (tracks: A4, B1), Carmen Twillie (tracks: A4, B1), David Page (2) (tracks: A5), Debbie Hall (tracks: B2), Edie Lehman* (tracks: B2), Richard Page (tracks: A5), Sandy Hall* (tracks: B2), Steve George (tracks: A5), Tamara Champlin (tracks: A4, B1)
Bass – Mike Brignardello (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1 to B4)
Bells [Sleigh] – Paul Leim (tracks: A5, B2)
Choir – Hollywood Presbyterian Choir (tracks: A2, A6, B5)
Concertmaster – Gavyn Wright (tracks: A1, A5, A6, B1 to B5)
Directed By – Fred Bock (tracks: A2, A6, B5)
Drums – Paul Leim (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B3, B4)
Guitar – John Goin* (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1 to B4)
Horn – The Martyn Ford Orchestra (tracks: A2), Tom McAninch (tracks: A5, A6, B5)
Horns – The Nashville Contemporary Brass Quintet (tracks: A5, A6, B5)
Keyboards – Shane Keister (tracks: A1 to A5, B2)
Percussion – Farrell Morris (tracks: B1 to B3), Lenny Castro (tracks: A4), Victor Feldman (tracks: A2, A5, A6)
Percussion [Wood Blocks] – Paul Leim (tracks: B2)
Piano – Michael W. Smith (tracks: A2, A5, A6), Shane Keister (tracks: B1, B3, B4)
Producer – Brown Bannister
Shaker – Victor Feldman (tracks: A1)
Strings – The Martyn Ford Orchestra (tracks: A1, A2, A5, A6, B1 to B5)
Synthesizer – Michael W. Smith (tracks: A4, B1, B2)
Vocoder – Michael W. Smith (tracks: B4)
Woodwind – The Martyn Ford Orchestra (tracks: A2, A6, B4)

Pat Terry – Film At Eleven – 1983

Mark Heard produced this Pat Terry album, and if you like Mark’s own albums then you’ll probably like this one too. The harmonies and chorus work is very reminiscent of Mark’s Stop The Dominoes album.

Having said that, Pat Terry has his own contribution to the CCM genre here. He is a witty lyricist and a good musician.

Film At Eleven features a solid collection of songs that can stick with you, starting from catchy, quirky tunes like “Cats and Dogs” and “Yard Sale” to contemplative pieces like “Growing Up and Growing Old.”

Every song on this album is a thoughtful piece if you’re listening.

The style is a little more rock than what the typical country music sound was at the time, but a little less rock than the popular hits. I think this in-between status probably held this album back from broader success.

Pat is an accomplished songwriter, having had songs recorded by Mark Heard, Mylon Lefevre, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Chesney, Travis Tritt, B. J. Thomas and many others.

Pat released seven albums under “The Pat Terry Group” in the 1970s before doing three solo albums in the 1980s.

You can also hear Pat on the Mark Heard tribute album from 1993 “Strong Hand of Love.”

Still going strong, Pat’s most recent album was released in 2018.

Tracklist
1 – Cats And Dogs – 3:18
2 – Yard Sale – 4:20
3 – The World Around Us – 2:58
4 – Change Takes Time – 3:15
5 – In My Dream – 4:32
6 – Common Bond – 3:17
7 – Shadows – 5:12
8 – Growing Up And Growing Old – 3:52
9 – Christ Alone Will Wear The Crown – 4:40

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Pat Terry
Backing Vocals – Mark Heard (tracks: A3,B2,B4)
Bass – Billy Batstone
Drums [And “Giant Hamster Cage Drums”] – John Mehler
Electric Guitar – Pat Terry
Engineer – Mark Heard
Engineer [Assisting] – Mike Ross, Wally Grant
Guitar – Mark Heard (tracks: B1)
Handclaps – Mark Heard, Pat Terry
Harmonica – Pat Terry
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Mark Heard
Musician [Assorted Techno-Musical Contributions] – Mark Heard
Organ [Hammond] – Carl Pickhardt (tracks: B1,B3)
Percussion – Harry Stinson
Piano – Pat Terry
Producer – Mark Heard, Pat Terry
Programmed By [E-mu Systems Emulator, Voice Programming And Arrangements For Emulator] – Tom Howard
Slide Guitar – Pat Terry
Snare [Marching] – John Mehler (tracks: B2)
Synthesizer [Korg Polysix] – Pat Terry
Vocals – Pat Terry

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Mixed At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △25998
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Published By – Word Music (2)
Published By – Bug & Bear Music

Daniel Band – Straight Ahead – 1983

The second album from Canadian Band Daniel Band continues their Hard Rock style. The album was able to avoid the “Metal” tag by sticking to normal vocals and strong guitar rifts. I found the album to be slightly harder than their introductory offering but not to excess. The songs are again well written and have themes a lot of us identified with us at the time. Included in the playlist are two bonus tracks only available on the 2006 CD re-release. These two songs are actually available on their previous album but these are Demo versions. I personally found the version of I’m Sorry to be better.

Tracklist
1 – Power Of Love – 3:26
2 – You’re All I Need – 4:19
3 – Straight Ahead – 3:35
4 – Here I Am – 3:03
5 – T’ank You – 5:00
6 – Lustful Illusions – 4:25
7 – Reality – 3:06
8 – Come Into My Life – 3:50
9 – Comin’ Home – 4:00
10 – In My Mind – 4:06
CD Bonus Material (2006)
11 – Free From Sin (1980 Demo) – 4:06
12 – I’m Sorry (1980 Demo) – 4:31

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Tony Rossi
Bass – Dan McCabe
Bass [Fretless] – Dan McCabe
Cover – Neil Dellandrea
Drums – Matt DelDuca
Engineer – Mark Wright
Keyboards – Bill Findlay
Lead Guitar – Tony Rossi
Lead Vocals – Dan McCabe, Tony Rossi (tracks: A3,A5,B5)
Mastered By – George Graves
Mixed By – Mark Wright
Noises [Jungle Noises] – Allen Coffey
Orchestrated By – Réné (Boucher) Brossard (tracks: B5), Tony Rossi (tracks: B3, B5)
Percussion – Matt DelDuca
Percussion [Salt Shaker] – Bill Findlay
Photography – Ian Ellis
Producer – Daniel Band
Rhythm Guitar – Bill Findlay, Tony Rossi
Synthesizer – Bill Findlay
Vocals – Bill Findlay, Dan McCabe, Tony Rossi

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge International
Copyright (c) – Refuge International
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Phase One Studios
Mixed At – Phase One Studios
Mastered At – The Lacquer Channel Limited
Mastered At – Masterfonics

The Front – The Front – 1983

The Front was Larry Williams and Bob Wilson from Seawind, Dann Huff from White Heart, and was fronted by Tommy Funderburk. This was the only album produced by The Front but really they should have done more. The album is a period correct Pop album with strong engineering/production which was appropriate for the time. All in all it’s a pretty good album with several songs that should have got airplay. Point of trivia about the album is that it was the first CCM album to come out on CD.

Tracklist
1 – It’s Hard To Take – 4:44
2 – Holy Light – 4:31
3 – All Under Him – 4:23
4 – King Of Glory – 4:50
5 – The Promise – 4:20
6 – Silent Night – 4:44
7 – Tonight – 4:27
8 – How Long – 4:09

Credits
Backing Vocals – Andraé Crouch (tracks: B2), Kristle Edwards (tracks: B2), Linda McCrary (tracks: B2), Phyllis St. James (tracks: B2), Tata Vega (tracks: A4, B2), Tom Kelly (tracks: A2, A4)
Bass – Dennis Bellfield
Bass, Guitar – Kevin Clark
Drum Programming [Simmons] – Ron Wikso
Drums, Keyboards [Additional], Producer – Bob Wilson
Engineer – Kevin Clark
Engineer [Addtional] – Jim Griffith
Engineer [Assistant] – Connie Hill, Drew Bennett, Michael Ross
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards – Larry Williams
Lead Vocals, Producer – Tommy Funderburk
Photography By – Robert Peak

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.