Zion – Joyful Noiz – 1984

Awhile ago we uploaded the second Zion album but today we’ve got our hands on the first one. Just a reminder that there are a few “Zions” out there and this is the one out of Oregon. This is their first self released album and it’s even better than their second album in my opinion. I do apologize for the quality but the album was only released on cassette and copies are rare. Now back to the album. This album easily should have been on a label. There are hints here of early Rez and or Barnabas and it is a great Rock & Roll album. Easily the best track is Dragon Slayer and the sampling of Puff The Magic Dragon is absolutely spot on.

Tracklist
1 – New Creation – 1:35
2 – Joyful Noise – 4:00
3 – Dragon Slayer – 3:45
4 – Hold Tight – 5:15
5 – It Is Finished – 7:00
6 – Matter Of Time – 4:15
7 – Carry On – 4:10
8 – Joy Of The Lord – 6:25
9 – On That Day – 4:25

Credits
Bass, Vocals, Guitar – Larry Wick
Drums, Percussion – John Scott Armas
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dave Day
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Producer – Jeff Bates
Lead Vocals – Linda Holt Morrison

Giantkiller – Fire Coming Down – 1984

Unfortunately this was the last album from Giantkiller and is was only released in the UK. Their previous album was released in North America but I have read it didn’t sell well. I remember that album quite differently as It was great and we loved it and it seems to have done well in our circles. But the CCM industry was fickle and these guys seem to be just another victim of this. Anyway if you’re from North America you have likely not ever heard this album but I fully suggest you give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Fire Coming Down – 4:08
2 – New Jerusalem – 2:58
3 – Someone in My Life – 3:37
4 – Shadow of the Real Thing – 3:14
5 – Holding Out His Hand – 2:59
6 – Darkness in the Cities – 2:58
7 – Oh Brother Man – 3:14
8 – Valley of Decision – 3:27
9 – A Cry Within – 2:46
10 – Not Too Many Tears – 3:19
11 – The Ballad of the Toothless Lion – 3:10
12 – If We Have the Love – 1:13

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Alan Hiscox
Drums – Steve Purton
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Paul Herbst
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Pete Gilgan
Vocals – Richard Nicholson

Roby Duke – Come Let Us Reason – 1984

This is Roby’s second album and his first on Good News Records. While his first album was a budget affair this one had some money. The album is mainly an easy listening project with a couple of 80’s pop songs for the younger audience. The album had 2 CCM charting tracks, “Come Let Us Reason” made it to #11, and “Watching For You” made it to #35. Looking through the credits it was interesting to note that Dann Huff played some of the guitar tracks. I swear Dann was on almost every CCM album in this period. Also interestingly credited for background vocals was Mister Mister. I can hear their sound on several tracks but truthfully I have no idea what tracks they helped out on.

Tracklist
1 – Come Let Us Reason – 3:38
2 – All Lost – 3:31
3 – I’m Persuaded – 3:44
4 – Watching For You – 3:58
5 – Fight The Fight – 3:15
6 – Win Or Lose (Callin’) – 4:00
7 – Here I Am – 3:49
8 – Closer To You – 3:14
9 – Lay It Down – 3:39
10 – There Is Just One Way – 3:34

Credits
Arranged By – Harlan Rogers, John Schreiner, Roby Duke
Arranged By [String Arragements] – Harlan Rogers
Art Direction – Dan Lienart
Backing Vocals – Kelly Willard, Mister Mister, Richard Page, Roby Duke, Steve George
Bass – John Patitucci, Nathan East
Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Roby Duke
Concept By [Album Concept] – Roby Duke
Coordinator [Production] – Teri Piro
Drum Programming [TR 606 Roland] – Roby Duke
Drums – Bob Wilson
Engineer [Assistant] – Steven Ford, Todd Van Etten
Engineer [Technical] – Tom Ferguson
Executive-Producer – Freddie Piro
Guitar – Dann Huff, Wayne Brasel
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, John Schreiner
Lighting – Dan Lienart, Teri Piro, Wendy Duke
Other [Chief Hoser] – Heeb Lee Otter
Other [Cover – Sax] – Harry “The Ferg” Browning alias Dewey Jack
Other [Location Provided By] – Bill Cole, Shirley Cole
Photography By – David Randle
Producer, Engineer – Win Kutz
Saxophone – Larry Williams
Synthesizer – Larry Williams, Roby Duke

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Good News Records
Copyright © – Good News Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – Δ26424
Lacquer Cut At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – Δ6422
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s

Stephanie Boosahda – Fearless To Follow – 1984

This is Stephanie’s 7th and final studio album. It sounds like her previous work and I get the feeling that she was struggling with finding an updated 80’s sound. I’m not faulting her but female vocalists were changing in the 80’s and Stephanie’s work was better oriented to late 70’s praise music. That said it’s … Continue reading “Stephanie Boosahda – Fearless To Follow – 1984”

This is Stephanie’s 7th and final studio album. It sounds like her previous work and I get the feeling that she was struggling with finding an updated 80’s sound. I’m not faulting her but female vocalists were changing in the 80’s and Stephanie’s work was better oriented to late 70’s praise music. That said it’s an excellent album for it’s style and there are some upbeat tracks but for the main part this is a worship oriented album.

Tracklist
1 – Who Do You Say That I Am? – 3:19
2 – Signs And Wonders – 4:11
3 – Fearless To Follow – 4:30
4 – I Will Rejoice In Him – 3:21
5 – How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place – 3:40
6 – Bless The Lord, O My Soul – 3:49
7 – He Will Not Let You Fall – 3:52
8 – On The Crest Of A Wave – 4:41
9 – A Child Is Born – 3:07

Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – Alan Moore
Backing Vocals – Bonnie Keen, Jackie Cusic, Marty McCall, Melody Tunney
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Design Concept, Art Direction – Bill Barnes
Drums – Larrie Londin, Mark Hammond
Engineer [Assistant] – Tom Harding
Engineer, Mixed By – Ed Seay
Executive-Producer – Michael DeMonico
Graphics – Barnes & Company
Guitar – Jon Goin
Keyboards – Shane Keister
Keyboards [Additional] – Keith Thomas, Phil Naish
Lacquer Cut By – GM
Mastered By – Benny Quinn
Percussion – Farrell Morris, Terry McMillan
Photography By, Design – Matt Barnes
Producer – Greg Nelson
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, Nashville String Machine
Written-By – B. Batstone, David Stearman, Stephanie Boosahda

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Singspiration Music
Copyright © – Singspiration Music
Recorded At – Treasure Isle Recorders
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.

Andrus And Blackwood – Holiday – 1984

This was the final album from Imperials alumni Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood. To say they wet out with a bang is an understatement. This album had three charting CCM singles. “Amen Again” made it to #18, “The Prayer” to #33, and “I Can Do All Things” to #34. Not the best positions but 3 charting singles is nothing to sneeze at. Both artists went on to have solo careers but they weren’t as successful as they were as a duo. as for the album it is a fun pop AOR album and I really like the direction this duo was headed in but obviously they felt their time together was done. Too bad actually I think they could have done a better job musically together.

Tracklist
1 – Builder Of Bridges – 4:06
2 – Warriors – 4:12
3 – The Love In His Eyes – 3:46
4 – Witness – 3:12
5 – Joy And Peace – 3:22
6 – Amen Again – 4:51
7 – The Prayer – 3:27
8 – I Can Do All Things – 3:58
9 – Nothing Separates Me (From His Love) – 5:01

Credits
Backing Vocals – Alfred McCrary, Charity McCrary, Gail Farrell, Linda McCrary, Melissa Mackay, Sandi Hall, Susan McBride
Bass – Leon Gaer
Drums – Cactus Moser, Jack Kelly, John Ferraro
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards – John Rosasco, Smitty Price
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Synthesizer – Art Wood, Rhett Lawrence
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Future Disc
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Nissi Records
Copyright © – Nissi Records

Wanda Jackson – Rockabilly Fever – 1984

Wanda started her gospel music career in 1973 but she is best known for being a rockabilly star in the early 60’s. She really was a Rock & Roll Queen of the era. As time went on her sound mellowed out and eventually she turned to gospel country. In 1984 upon urging of Tab Records out of Sweden she did another rockabilly album in 1984 as the genre had come back into style. It’s not really a gospel album but does have one gospel track. In 1986 Varrick Records grabbed the album rights for release in Canada and the U.S. They re titled the album “Rock ‘N’ Roll Away Your Blues” and did a completely different and better album cover. As for the album it’s a mix of classic and new tracks and while they are well done the album just doesn’t capture the quality of her work in the 60’s.

Tracklist
1 – Rock A Billy Fever – 4:07
2 – Stupid Cupid – 2:27
3 – Rock’n’roll Away Your Blues – 2:27
4 – Sweet Nuthin’s – 2:27
5 – It’s Only Make Believe – 2:25
6 – Oh Boy – 2:14
7 – Rock A Billy Hound Dog – 2:44
8 – Breathless – 3:00
9 – Sad Love Song – 2:27
10 – Rave On – 1:53
11 – Meet Me In Stockholm – 3:23
12 – Ain’t It The Gospel – 2:31

Credits
Accordion – Christer Olund
Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ann Persson
Backing Vocals – Anette Bengtsson, Curt & Roland, Lars Bengtsson, Pelle Bengtsson
Bass – Sven-Inge Neander
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Östen Eriksson
Drums – Gunnar Norsten
Electric Guitar – Per-Olof Ahslund
Harmonica, Percussion – Björn Alriksson
Piano – Bert Östlund, Per Erik Jonsson
Piano, Organ – Stephan Berg
Saxophone – Benny Lawin
Steel Guitar, Electric Guitar – Kenth Larsson

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Music Mill Recording Studio, Kumla

Zion – Rock For Eternity – 1984

Zion formed in 1981 in Sioux Falls, SD which is pretty early in the Christian Metal scene. This is technically their 2nd demo as they actually released a 2 track demo in 1982. But really this is the Demo that most people have heard about. Though they would become better known for metal this album is actually hard rock and it is very good. The production is actually pretty good too which is rare for demo’s of this era. We get a good introduction to Rex Scott’s later work with X-Sinner with the track “Jesus Loves” which is by far the best track on the demo. I apologize that the quality of our upload is not very good but I really wanted this one uploaded.

Tracklist
1 – Rock For Eternity – 6:38
2 – Your Love – 7:28
3 – Jesus Loves – 5:01
4 – Full Of Fire – 4:28
5 – You Need Jesus – 6:05
6 – Joy Of The Lord – 4:21
7 – Discontented Man – 4:48
8 – One Solitary Life – 4:11
9 – Time Is Running Out – 6:52
10 – Never Had The Chance – 5:17

Credits
Rex Scott – lead vocals, drums and guitar.
Bruce Fischer – vocals, guitar
Dave Moore – vocals, guitar
Greg Sauer – vocals, bass
Tom Bozung – drums

Paul Clark – Out Of The Shadow – 1984

Paul was one of the pioneer’s of the Christian music scene. His first album was recorded in 1971 and he had album’s all through the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. This album came out in 1984 and has a bit of an Imperials feel to it. I understand why I didn’t listen to Paul in the 80’s as he’s not my style of music especially in 1984. I am wondering however why I never heard of him back then. I mean this guy had tons of albums and they are very good for this style. Quite frankly they are as good as any Imperials release of the period. I’m pretty sure most of you who are reading this had heard of him as he simply was very popular. Anyway the album is a great AOR album and while not my personal style of music I recognize good music when I hear it and this album is good. If for no other reason listen to it because Phil Keaggy plays some excellent guitar solo’s on the album.

Tracklist
1 – Give Me Your Heart – 4:06
2 – Mr. Me – 3:59
3 – Out Of The Shadow – 4:48
4 – 1984 – 3:10
5 – It’s You – 2:58
6 – The Minstrel’s Voyage – 2:55
7 – I Will Fly (In The Wind) – 6:00
8 – I Need Your Love Again – 3:49
9 – Love Of My Life – 4:01
10 – Father God – 3:30

Credits
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Phyllis St. James, Richard Page, Steve George, Tommy Funderburk
Bass Guitar – Leon Gaer
Design, Layout – Dennis Hill, Ken Wolgemuth
Drums – Mike Baird
Electric Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Soloist – Carlos Rios, Hadley Hockensmith
Electric Guitar, Soloist – Philip Keaggy
Engineer [Second] – Bobby Cotton, Mike Ross
Engineer [Tracks & Overdubs] – Wally Grant
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Piano, Electric Piano – Smitty Price
Liner Notes – Paul Clark
Mastered By – Mike Reese
Mixed By – Bill Schnee
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Photography By – Aaron Rapaport
Piano, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Paul Clark
Producer [Produced By] – Paul Clark
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Field
Transcription By [Chord Charts] – Don Harris
Vocals [Duet], Soloist – Kelly Willard
Written-By – Don Harris, Paul Clark

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Minstrel’s Voyage Music
Copyright © – Word Music
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – 26404

Terry Talbot – Terry Talbot Sings Stories Of Jesus – 1984

It it’s very difficult for me to talk about Terry’s albums. It’s not because they are bad, it’s because they all sound the same to me. Let there be no doubt that Terry is a great songwriter and musician but if you’re not a fan it all sounds the same from album to album. But that’s my problem and not his problem. Terry was a prolific songwriter and put out albums almost every single year. That is a lot of work and should be respected. Anyway here’s Terry’s offering for 1984.

Tracklist
1 – I Am He – 5:02
2 – I Saw Him – 5:34
3 – The Boat – 3:20
4 – Rose Of Sharon – 3:51
5 – Heights Of A Bended Knee – 3:43
6 – The Way The Truth The Life – 2:50
7 – Come Forth – 3:20
8 – Star Of David – 2:57
9 – Heal Me – 3:51

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Terry Talbot
Arranged By [Additional] – Terry Talbot
Arranged By [Synthesized Parts] – Denny Bouchard
Art Direction – Stan Evenson Design*
Backing Vocals – Matthew Ward (2), Nelly Greisen, Terry Talbot, Wendy Hofheimer
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Cover, Coordinator – B. Charlyne Hinesley
Design [Lyric Sheet Design] – John Taylor (62), Marlene Bergman
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer [Additional] – Terry Talbot
Engineer, Recorded By – Joe Bellamy, Ron Capone
Liner Notes – Terry Talbot
Mastered By – Ken Pennell, Steve Hall
Mixed By – Ron Capone
Photography By – Phil Fewsmith
Producer – Terry Talbot
Programmed By [Fairlight / Rhodes Chroma] – Rhett Lawrence
Programmed By [Roland Jupiter 8 / Roland MCH] – Denny Bouchard
Synthesizer – Denny Bouchard
Written-By – Terry Talbot

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company Inc.
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Recorded At – Westwind Studio
Mixed At – Westwind Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc

Steve Green – Steve Green – 1984

This is Steve Green’s introductory album and this album was an example of everything that was wrong with Christian music at this time. Steve did not write a single song on this album though he was given cowriting credits for one track. The songs were written by great writers employed by Sparrow Records. In fact “Wounded Soldier” was also released on Debby Boone’s album the previous year. What? You couldn’t find another song Sparrow? So it leaves me to wonder, why Steve Green? Sure he’s a good singer but there were 100’s probably 1000’s of singers as good as him. He didn’t even play an instrument on his own album. Sure he had been a minor member of Truth but what was it that had Sparrow say “This is our guy”. Now Steve did go on to be a great success though he never really did much writing. Sparrow knew what they were doing when they picked artists like this. As for the album it’s good. Steve’s a good singer and the tracks were written by the cream of the crop over at Sparrow. I just sometimes wonder how these albums came to exist.

Tracklist
1 – Lift Up A Song
2 – Looking For The City
3 – Bring Back The Glory
4 – Proclaim The Glory Of The Lord
5 – Wounded Soldier
6 – Lamb Of Glory
7 – Other Side Of The Grave
8 – Broken And Spilled Out
9 – You Can Be (As Full As You Want To Be)
10 – People Need The Lord

Credits
Engineer [Additional Engineer] – Bill Deaton, Billy Sherill, James Baird
Engineer [Chief Engineer], Mixed By [Remixed By] – Bob Clark
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mastered By [With] – Ken Pennell
Orchestrated By – David T. Clydesdale
Producer [Produced By] – Greg Nelson
Strings [Strings By] – Nashville String Machine
Vocals [Choral Group] – Beverly Darnall, Dave Duram, Gary Music, Jon Mohr, Karla Worley, Kevin Hoffer, Kristi Cleary, Larry Brooks, Luanne Mohr, Melody Tunney*, Rick Gibson, Scott Douglas, Steve Green

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Hearn Records Fund II, Ltd.
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Recorded At – Bullet Recording
Recorded At – Sound Emporium
Remixed At – Great Circle Sound
Mastered At – Future Disc