Tag: 1984

Norman Barratt And Dave Morris – Rock For All Ages – 1984

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

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright © – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Published By – Heaven Music
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Recorded At – St. John’s Church, Shobdon

Bruce Cockburn – Stealing Fire – 1984

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

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – High Romance Music Ltd.
Copyright © – High Romance Music Ltd.
Manufactured By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Distributed By – CBS Records Canada Ltd.
Published By – Golden Mountain Music Corp.
Copyright © – Golden Mountain Music Corp.
Recorded At – Manta Sound
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Don Mills, ON
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging Corp. Of Canada Ltd.
Lacquer Cut At – The Mastering Lab

Jeff Johnson – Icons – 1984

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

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow Records

Pam Mark Hall – Supply And Demand – 1984

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

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Goldmine Studio, Brentwood, TN
Recorded At – Morningstar Recording Studio, Hendersonville
Mixed At – The Bennett House
Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Designed At – Thomas Ryan Design

Adrian J. Pratt ‎- Jester Before The Throne – 1984

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.

https://music4mrg.weebly.com

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

Joseph Lamm – Watching The Coming Storm – 1984

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

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Dancing Angel’s Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Dancing Angel’s Music
Recorded At – The Barn
Recorded At – Pinebrook Recording Studio
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Mixed At – Pinebrook Recording Studio
Mixed At – The Barn

Dana – Let There Be Love – 1984

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

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Regents Park Studios
Mixed At – Utopia Village, London

Ketty Lester – I Saw Love – 1984

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

Trilojē – Trilojē – 1984

What if I told you there was an album with Joe English on drums, Dann Huff on guitar, and Steve Camp on Keyboards you would be very interested right? Well believe it or not this is that album but don’t get too excited because this album features three pretty well unknown artists. As near as I can figure out vocalists Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel, and Joan Anderson were background vocalists for Steve Camp and Steve decided to produce an album for them. Most of the crew for this album were from Steve’s crew and I can only imagine this was all envisioned by Steve. All that said regardless of this recipe for success this was a one off album that didn’t really sell all that well. First of all the name they chose was pretty poor. I assume it was some sort of play on there being 3 members in the “band”. The album is very strongly Easy Listening and is nothing remarkable. I don’t deny they are great vocalists but the album just doesn’t have a hook to keep you listening. It is a fairly good album but nothing remarkable.

Tracklist
1 – In All Your Ways – 3:28
2 – Break Away – 3:04
3 – Lead Me To Life – 3:43
4 – Stolen Love – 3:12
5 – One Heart – 2:45
6 – Light Your Candle – 4:10
7 – Faith By Faith – 3:02
8 – Strong Love – 3:10
9 – Capture My Heart – 3:28
10 – Down The Road – 2:36

Credits
Basses – Tim Smith
Drums & Percussion – Joe English
Engineered by – Hank Newberger, Wally Grant, Peter Braden & Paul Klingberg
Executive Producer – Steve Wyer
Guitars – Dann Huff, Jeff Oliver, George Cocchini & Paul Brannon
Produced by – Steve Camp
Sax Solo – Dennis Solee
String Arrangements – John Rosasco
Synthesizers – Rhett Lawrence, John Rosasco & Steve Camp
Vocals & Vocal Arrangements by Kevin Thiel, Diane Thiel & Joan Anderson

Companies, etc.
Recorded at The Gold Mine, Nashville, TN & Chicago Recording Co., Chicago, IL.
Additional Recording at Weddington Studio, North Hollywood, CA
Mixed at Chicago Recording Co., Chicago, IL.
Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc, North Hollywood, CA

Scott Smith – Face To Face – 1984

To say I was surprised by this album is an understatement. This is a funk-jazz album which is most definitely not my preferred genre but I love this album. The production on this album is one of the best I have heard from this era which is why I think the album appeals to me so much. Scott is an all around musician but he really stands out on trumpet on this album. This is one of those odd albums where the titled artist doesn’t provide vocals. All the vocalists are guest performers and I think every one of them nailed it. Even though Scott would appear on over 100 albums this is his only personal album. This is such a great album I am amazed they didn’t try it again but I don’t know how well it sold so maybe low sales were the problem. Too bad because I for one would like more.

Tracklist
1 – Leave It Up To Him – 4:59
2 – You’re Too Late – 3:54
3 – The Vision – 4:07
4 – Face To Face – 4:58
5 – What Happened – 4:08
6 – Give Him Thanks – 3:45
7 – Set Free – 4:16
8 – The Prince Of The Dark – 4:20
9 – What You Mean To Me – 4:58

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – James Harrah
Background Vocals – Alfie Silas, Carvin Winans, Debbie McClendon, Edith Lyons, Howard McCrary, Howard Smith, Ivory Stone, Linda McCrary, Ronald Winans, Shari Larson
Bass – Abraham Laboriel Sr, Leon Gaer
Drums – Bill Maxwell, Lynn Coulter, Willie Ornelas
Drums (programming) – Scott V Smith
Guitar James Harrah, Snuffy Walden
Keyboards – Kevin Bassinson, Michael Ruff, Scott V Smith
Percussion – Alex Acuna, Bill Maxwell, Lynn Coulter
Programming – Rhett Lawrence
Sax – Eric Marienthal
Synthesizer – Rhett Lawrence
Trombone – Alan Kaplan, Andy Martin
Trumpet – Charles Davis, Larry Hall, Scott Smith
Vocals – Benjamin Winans, Howard Smith, Marvin Winans, Michael Ruff, Stephen Tavani, Vonda Shepard
Woodwinds – Kim Hutchcroft

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Libris Music