This album was a hint of what was to come from Jim & Kim Thomas who would go on to be a band named Say So. I don’t know if this release was a demo or a straight up EP. It was self released and produced by Jim but only one name on the credit list went on to be in Say So, Chris McHugh on Drums. The album definitely has a Say So feel and sound but it’s a little more raw and I love the sound. If you liked Say So give this a listen to see where the idea came from.
Artwork and credits courtesy of Christian tape underground
Tracklist 1 – Run for the Reason 2 – Break Through 3 – Somehow 4 – Made A Change 5 – Straight From The Heart 6 – Christmas This Year
Credits Jim Thomas – Lead vocals, background vocals Kim Thomas – Lead vocals, background vocals John Harrelson – Guitars Curtis Dowd, Jr. – Synthesizers, piano, Rhodes Randy Cantor – Synthesizers Glenn Barratt – Rhodes, percussion, background vocals Jack Faulkner – Bass Jim Salamone – Drums, Linn drum Chris McHugh – Drums
Companies, etc. Published By – JKT Music Publication
The band Exodus started out in 1981 in Oak Ridge TN at a summer camp when Dennis Willard and John Hughes came together to form a band . There were quite a few members over the years but Dennis and John were the steadfast members. The band played the usual local circuit of youth groups and summer camps. Soon they struck a one record deal with Morada Records and headed into Big Mama Recording Studio to record this little known gem. The band supported the album by opening for Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart, David Meece, Andrus Blackwood and Co. and others. But alas real life caught up to the band so they made their way into the workforce. Tim Fischer and Dave Williams both went on to work for the Department of Energy at the infamous Oak Rudge facility and Jeff Stooksbury went on to be an EMT and firefighter. John Hughes, Dennis Willard and David Williams continue to make music on their record label entitled “Boardroom Records” and have released a few singles over the years. Point of trivia of the band is that an early member Chris Latham was formerly married to Trisha Yearwood. Brushes with greatness. As for the album it is fantastic. I definitely get a Reo Speedwagon feel but with a little less polish which just makes it better and the track, “The Turning Point” is definitely going into my regular rotation. Chances are you missed this one back in the day so give it a listen today, you won’t be disappointed. If you did hear it back in the day you might notice a bit of a different sound for our version as I will admit we have polished it up a bit as the copy we received was fairly hollow.
Tracklist 1 – Greater – 4:00 2 – Every Time – 2:53 3 – Same Old Sign – 2:35 4 – Praise To The Father – 4:19 5 – Here I Am – 4:22 6 – The Turning Point – 3:06 7 – Man With The Key – 3:30 8 – Promised Land – 2:42 9 – Light To The Right – 3:47 10 – You’re The One – 3:27
Credits Bass, Keyboards, Vocals – Jeff Stooksbury Drums, Percussion – Tim Fischer Keyboards, Vocals – John Hughes Lead Guitar, Vocals – David Williams Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Willard
This is an album I was waiting to hear for years. It was never released in North America and is almost impossible to find over here but a friend of the channel did find a copy and was kind enough to share it with us. I am a big fan of these guys so I was very excited to hear an album they called” Rock For All Ages”. Unfortunately this album would be better described as “Rock for the aged” Actually that’s not even true because I’m getting pretty aged and I love Rock & Roll. Unfortunately this album is not Rock & Roll. My initial listening was straight up disappointment. Norman and Dave have done some great Rock & Roll over the years BUT this is a easy listening album that is barely on the fringes of Rock. But wait all is not lost. Once I got over the disappointment and listening to the album a third time it stated to grow on me. By the fourth time through I really liked it though it still isn’t my preferred style. So if this one disappoints you the first time through be sure to give is a few more tries and maybe like me you’ll come to appreciate it.
Tracklist 1 – Jerusalem 2 – I Will Serve You 3 – Evensong 4 – Lord We Thank You 5 – Jacqueline Louise 6 – Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring 7 – On My Way Home 8 – Tribute 9 – Winds O’er The Sea
Credits Engineer – Derek Murray Guitar, Vocals – Norman Barratt Keyboards – Dave Morris Producer – Dave Morris, Derek Murray, Norman Barratt Written-By – Dave Morris, Norman Barratt
Stealing Fire is probably Bruce Cockburn’s most “commercial” and accessible project in an illustrative career spanning four decades. That’s not to say it is in any way hit radio ready. It remains, though, one of Cockburn’s most influential and memorable projects. Even Christian radio in some circles picked up some of the songs for regular rotation. After a trip to Central America Cockburn returned with a world music influence and a suitcase full of songs of passion, pain, anger and grace. All that poured out into this wonderful record. The album is most noted for the semi-hit “If I Had a Rocket Launcher.” The always peace-minded Cockburn was so distraught over the victims of war in Central America that even he would cry out in anger against the perpetrators. Many were offended by the final of the song in which Cockburn exclaims that if he had a rocket launcher, “some sonofabitch would die.” Lost in the violent outburst was the fact that in circumstances as evil as those he was experiencing, even the most peaceful of man would be driven to this sort of outburst. Brilliant song! The first track, “Lovers In a Dangerous Time,” should have been a radio hit and was later covered by Barenaked Ladies. One line in particular inspired U2’s Bono would would add it the song “God Part II” in which he says “I heard a singer on the radio late last night/Says he’s gonna kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight.” That line is one of the my favorite and most memorable Cockburn lines. Bono is not the only fan of Cockburn as many consider him one of the great songwriters of this generation. “Making Contact” made it’s way onto some more daring Christian radio station. The world music influenced melody worked well on radio and the chorus was utterly unforgettable. On a dark and difficult album this one light moment clearly stands out. “Making contact/Swimming in an ocean of love.” It is hard to ignore Cockburn’s far left political stand. It is also hard to ignore the truth, grace, passion and purpose with which he writes and performs. On Stealing Fire that is a wonderful blend of all of these and more and for the uninitiated, it’s one of the two or three best places to start.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Lovers In A Dangerous Time – 4:06 2 – Maybe The Poet – 4:53 3 – Sahara Gold – 4:31 4 – Making Contact – 3:46 5 – Peggy’s Kitchen Wall – 3:42 6 – To Raise The Morning Star – 5:52 7 – Nicaragua – 4:47 8 – If I Had A Rocket Launcher – 4:59 9 – Dust And Diesel – 5:24
Credits Art Direction – Bart Schoales Bass, Chapman Stick [Stick] – Fergus Marsh Drums – Miche Pouliot Engineer – John Naslen Engineer [Assisted By] – Ron Searles Guitar, Voice – Bruce Cockburn Keyboards – Jon Goldsmith Management [Direction] – The Finkelstein Management Company Limited Mastered By – Mike Reese Painting [Cover] – Blair Dawson Percussion – Chi Sharpe Photography By – George Whiteside Producer – Jon Goldsmith, Kerry Crawford Words By, Music By – Bruce Cockburn
Jeff Johnson was making “New Age” music before “New Age” was cool. In fact, he was making it before it existed at all. More progressive rock than many of his new age instrumental contemporaries Jeff Johnson has, over the years, created a monstrous library catalog of utterly brilliant, passionate and spiritually moving music that has unfortunately escaped the attention of many in the CCM world. When “New Age” instrumental music was all the rage in CCM during the mid-1980’s Johnson was a leading artist, but many missed out on his more creative, provocative and, dare I say, commercial vocal projects. Of those many overlooked albums comes “Icons,” an utterly brilliant, and completely unforgettable album that is a must own for any audiophile. Not quite as commercial or rock influenced as “Fallen Splendor,” Icons contains some of Johnson’s best vocal music and remains his most cohesive vocal driven project. It also contains “Closed, Please Call Again,” which is Johnson’s finest song. Opening with “Tesseract,” an instrumental opener inspired by the concept of space travel as described in Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel, “A Wrinkle In Time.” The book may be the only time in this blog I ever use the term “BYSO!” Johnson’s musically explores the “feeling” expressed in the book as the main characters travel through space using the tesseract. The album includes more of Johnson’s early progressive rock influences than on any album that follow outside of Fallen Splendor. “People in Peril” starts with limited percussive sounds and accompanying synthesizer background that is added upon as the song grows. Johnson’s wonderful falsetto is offset by a distant backing vocal that seems to challenge or respond to the lead the vocal as the song fades. The previously mentioned “Closed, Please Call Again” musically explores the heart of one postponing a response to the call of the Gospel or closed off to any true human contact. The song features some of the finest saxophone work on any Christian album. The longing heart is musically portrayed through the instrumental work and the aching vocals make this song a sheer delight. The saxophone is introduced brilliantly with a vocal and instrument interplay. There is so much more to be said about this amazing album, but space limitations prohibit a deeper discussion. Suffice it to say this is clearly an AYSO and would serve as a great introduction to the artist for those unfamiliar with his amazing collection of work.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Tesseract – 2:30 2 – People In Peril – 6:22 3 – Selah – 1:55 4 – Closed, Please Call Again – 7:14 5 – Birth, Dreaming, Death – 6:02 6 – Remove The Mask – 4:32 7 – Agony And Ecstasy – 3:29 8 – Waiting For The End – 4:40 9 – Ancient Icons – 3:51 10 – Windemere – 7:08
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Sandy Simpson Acoustic Guitar [Solo] – Paul Chasman Artwork – David Hastings, Kathy Hastings Backing Vocals – Sandy Simpson Bass Guitar – Rick Crittenden Bass [Oregon] – David Friesen Bells – Roger Hadley Caxixi – Roger Hadley Cymbal – Roger Hadley Drum Programming – Brian David Willis Drums – Brian David Willis Drums [Hand] – Roger Hadley Drums [Heater] – Sandy Simpson Electric Guitar – Sandy Simpson Electric Piano – Jeff Johnson Percussion – Roger Hadley, Sandy Simpson Percussion [Shells] – Roger Hadley Piano [Acoustic] – Jeff Johnson Producer – Jeff Johnson, Sandy Simpson Programmed By [Emulator] – Jeff Johnson Saxophone – Susie May Synthesizer – Jeff Johnson Tabla – Roger Hadley Vocals – Jeff Johnson Wind Chimes – Roger Hadley Written-By – Jeff Johnson
This is Pam’s 3rd album and her first with Reunion Records. It continued the Pop sound from her last album and is a really good album. Keith Thomas produced the album and he was is his best form in this period. It had 2 charting singles with the biggest one being “Sparrow Watcher” making it to #10. Now I’m goin to be a little negative here. On that single Reunion brought in Amy Grant and Kathy Troccoli for back up vocals. This wasn’t necessary. Pam is an excellent vocalist just as good if not better than Amy and Kathy. Something about the industry at this moment couldn’t just let a female vocalist me popular on their own. I see over and over again them throwing Amy at an album and then picking that track as a single. To be honest I’m just sick of it. As I said Pam was a fantastic vocalist and didn’t need top level support. Anyway the album is a great Pop album and could stand on it’s own as one of the best albums of 1984.
Tracklist 1 – The Agony And The Glory – 4:29 2 – For The Prize – 4:04 3 – Walk By Faith – 3:38 4 – Hey Child – 4:28 5 – Our God Reigns – 4:12 6 – Find The Glory There – 4:27 7 – Love Supply What Love Demands – 4:37 8 – Reach Out And Love Again – 3:59 9 – Sparrow Watcher – 3:40
Credits Jeff Balding – Engineer Brown Bannister – Songwriter Michael Blanton – Executive Producer Mike Brignardello – Moog Bass, Bass Don Cobb – Additional Engineer, Mix Assistant John Darnall – String Arrangements Mark Douthit – Saxophone Dave Durham – Background Vocals Lynn Fuston – Additional Engineer Randy Garmon – Additional Engineer Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter Jon Goin – Guitars Amy Grant – Duet Vocals Greg Guidry – Background Vocals Mark Hammond – Drums, Drum Programming Dan Harrell – Executive Producer Chris Harris – Background Vocals Tom Hemby – Guitars Denny Henson – Background Vocals Danny Hilley – Engineer, Mixed Dennis Holt – Drums Greg Jennings – Guitars, Slide Guitar Ted Jensen – Mastered Robert White Johnson – Background Vocals Bonnie Keen – Background Vocals Candi Long – Songwriter Pam Mark Hall – Songwriter, Background Vocals, Vocals Terry McMillan – Percussion Rich Mullins – Songwriter Clarke Schleicher – Additional Engineer, Mix Assistant Penn Singleton – Engineer Michael W. Smith – Songwriter Keith Thomas – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drums, Programming, Background Vocals Kathy Troccoli – Duet Vocals, Background Vocals Wendy Waldman – Background Vocals
This is another one of those albums that escaped us in the North American market. It actually missed a lot of people in the European market too due to it being on a small label. This is also another one of those albums that the minute I heard it I was so disappointed that I didn’t get to hear this one back in 1984 when it was released. Adrian had been performing in his local market area since the 70’s but an opportunity came up for him to record an album while he was in theological college. He put thought into the album and with the exception of one track he chose songs that people had told him were a blessing to them. This was an excellent strategy to pick tracks. Remember he didn’t have some big dollar producer to guide him on what tracks to record so he chose this route and it worked. As for the album it’s a fun 80’s folk pop album with shades of Ishmael here and there. The title track alone is worth the price of admission and I can only imagine how great this track would have been with some top notch studio musicians and production. Which brings me to my only criticism. The production is not that great but let’s remember this was a small label and no one was throwing money at this album. With some good production I truly believe this is one that could have sold well and I know I would have loved it in 1984. Actually I love it now but I’m stuck in the 80’s. Adrian continues his musical journey today and he directed me to his website which you may want to head over to to hear even more from him or perhaps listen to one of his sermons. I enjoyed both over at his website and his YouTube channel.
Tracklist 1 – Psalm 150 – 4:16 2 – Song – 3:28 3 – Cleaning – 1:59 4 – Tired Song – 3:01 5 – Now – 4:56 6 – Will You Listen (Or Will You Mock) – 5:28 7 – Angry – 4:09 8 – God Is Moving On – 3:54 9 – Message – 3:10 10 – Where Is The Love – 3:36 11 – He Knows You Know – 4:49 12 – Jester Before The Throne – 4:23
You may remember that I just very recently discovered Joseph Lamm. He was suggested to me in our Facebook group and I subsequently got my hands on his second album which I absolutely loved. This is his first album and again I am impressed. This album, as was his second album, is a self release but don’t think of self release as a bad thing. I’ll be honest many self funded albums leave me wanting for production quality but not here. This album was actually produced by Steve Millikan, who also played keyboards. Steve was a pretty accomplished producer and he did another great job on this album. The album s rock oriented and I think the vocals are the real standout as Lamm is a great vocalist. I really wish I had found this artist in the 80’s but a U.S. self release was never gonna find it’s way to rural Canada where I lived. Joseph continues to make great music today and you can catch up with him on his webpage
https://josephlamm.com
Tracklist 1 – Remembrance – 5:24 2 – Call His Name – 2:13 3 – High Plains Drifter – 5:15 4 – In Winter – 6:18 5 – Still Waiting – 3:53 6 – Same Old Cliché – 4:12 7 – Safe Lodging – 2:09 8 – I’m Not Alone – 3:24 9 – The Great I Am – 8:48
Credits Arranged By – Lamm, Millikan Artwork By [Sleeve Painting] – Robert Blass Backing Vocals – Rod Robison Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Steve Keller Bass, Double Bass – Steve Dokken Cello – Marjorie Hanna, Nancy Smith, Polina Umansky Drums – Dane Clark Engineer – Darrell Powell Engineer [Additional Engineering] – James Green Engineer [Additional Engineering], Mixed By – John Bolt Flute, Saxophone – James Farrelly Guitar – Geoffrey Walker (2), Rex Thomas, Sandy Williams Painting [Courtesy Of] – Cleveland Museum of Art Photography By, Executive-Producer – Janet Lamm Producer, Backing Band, Keyboards, Percussion – Steve Millikan Viola – Donna Clark Violin – Corrine Imboden, David Collins, Dick Dennis, Jennifer Peck, Sherban Lupu Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion – Joseph Lamm
Dana had 30 albums through here career most of which were gospel. This was her 9th album but only her second album with Word records. I listened to this album to see if I recognized anything because I couldn’t recall her name. I don’t recognize anything on the album but it’s a pretty easy listening album and I doubt I would have listened to it back in the day. Still I was wondering why I don’t know about an artist with 30 albums. On doing some research into Dana I discovered why. She was a Catholic artist and while Word was always happy to sign Catholic artists they didn’t really promote them outside of the Catholic community. This Catholic detail also meant she was unlikely to find her way onto a CCM chart and she never did. ANYWAY, all that aside this is a great easy listening gospel album that people who like this style should listen to. Dana was a great artist that deserved more exposure in the CCM genre.
Tracklist 1 – Let There Be Love – 3:04 2 – I Saw My Lord This Morning – 4:00 3 – Oh Lord – 4:15 4 – Christ Is My Light – 2:49 5 – Ag Criost An Siol – 4:17 6 – Run That Race – 3:25 7 – Hosanna – 3:14 8 – Diamond In The Rough – 3:33 9 – Portrait Of Jesus – 3:25 10 – Hallelujah – 3:42
Credits Arranged By, Keyboards, Guitar – Peter Moss Bass Guitar – Bill Walker Design – 2D Drums – Will Hill Engineer – Alan Jakoby, Nicholas Froome Engineer [Assistant] – John Canham Guitar – Derek Griffiths, Mitch Dalton Keyboards – David Firman Leader [String Section] – Gavin Wright Photography By – Brian Aris Piano – Brian Miller Producer – Kurt Kaiser Tenor Saxophone – Geoff Driscoll Trombone – Pete Thoms Trumpet – Steve Sidwell
60’s crooner Ketty Lester actually retired from the music industry in the early 70’s after a pretty successful career including 5 charting singles with “Love Letters” making it to #2 on the R & B charts. She actually quit music to concentrate on her acting career where many remember her as Hester-Sue Terhune on Little House on the Prairie. She did however return to the studio to produce this gospel album in 1984. While this is a pretty run of the mill 80’s soul gospel album with excellent vocals it is actually a very important album in the CCM industry. Hidden in the soul tracks is the track “Let’s Talk About Jesus” which is the first female gospel rap song. Now admittedly she is not a rap artist and this is not a rap album but this one track is unlike anything on this album and unlike anything she had ever done before. It is my firm belief that of this album had been released on a CCM label and not a soul label we would all know this track as it is an excellent example of early rap that was not being done in the CCM industry. So if your listening to this album as a whole you’re going to be a bit surprised when you get to track 10.
Tracklist 1 – One Day At A Time – 3:49 2 – Jesus Laid His Hands On Me – 2:33 3 – The Children – 3:09 4 – Jesus, You Touched Me – 3:20 5 – She’d Never Heard Of Anyone Called Jesus – 3:17 6 – I Saw Love – 3:19 7 – Have You Heard – 2:10 8 – When I Saw Jesus – 3:32 9 – Jesus Here I Am Again – 2:42 10 – Let’s Talk About Jesus – 3:40
