Tag: 1984

Mark Heard – Ashes and Light – 1984

This was Mark’s seventh album but it was actually released out of order. It was recorded after “Mosaics” but for some reason Home Sweet Home Records wanted it released first. My personal opinion is that it is a better album so of course they wanted it out first but that’s just my opinion of the reason. Bruce Brown at CCM Magazine described the album as an “acoustic effort”. I don’t really understand what album he was listening to as while there may be an emphasis on acoustic instruments on some tracks this album is not and “acoustic effort” in my opinion. It has a Dylanesque light rock/folk feel to me and in my opinion is one of Mark’s best albums. That said Bruce’s further review of the album is pretty spot on so I’m not entirely bashing the guy. There are often comparisons of this album to T-Bone Burnett and while T-Bone was not involved with the album (that we know of) David Mansfield had a strong presence on the album and of course David and T-Bone worked together for years. Mark notes on the liner notes that the album is dedicated to the memory of Francis A. Schaeffer.

Tracklist
1 – The Winds Of Time – 3:56
2 – True Confessions – 3:30
3 – I Know What It’s Like To Be Loved – 3:34
4 – Washed To The Sea – 3:18
5 – We Believe So Well – 3:26
6 – Straw Men – 3:57
7 – Age Of The Broken Heart – 4:13
8 – Can’t See Light – 4:56
9 – Threw It Away – 4:00
10 – In Spite Of Himself – 3:05

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Pat Terry (tracks: B4)
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica, Accordion [Accordian], Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Mark Heard
Arranged By – Mark Heard
Art Direction [Art Director] – Tim Alderson
Backing Vocals – Dave De Coup Crank, Dori Howard
Bass – Bill Batstone, Mark Heard (tracks: A4, B4)
Cover [Concept] – Mark Heard, Stewart Ivester
Drums – Dave McSparran
Electric Guitar – Pat Terry (tracks: A4)
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Dan Reed
Engineer, Mixed By – Mark Heard
Fiddle, Dobro – David Mansfield
Lead Guitar – David Mansfield (tracks: B4)
Organ [Hammond] – Carl Pickhardt
Percussion – Harry Stinson
Photography By [Cover], Artwork – Stewart Ivester
Producer – Mark Heard
Synthesizer – Mark Heard (tracks: A2), Pat Terry (tracks: A5, B1, B5), Tom Howard (tracks: A3, A5, B3)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records
Copyright (c) – Bug & Bear Music
Copyright (c) – Word Music
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Published By – Bug & Bear Music
Published By – Word Music
Engineered At – Fingerprint Recorders
Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders

Lisa Welchel – All Because Of You – 1984

I believe I am safe to say that Lisa was the only Mouseketeer to have a CCM album. It’s gonna be embarrassing if I’m wrong on that one. Lisa was a Mouseketeer in 1977 – 1978 and by all accounts one of the popular ones. Was there an unpopular Mouseketeer? Anyway she went to start in the TV show “The Facts of Life” which I think is where most people know her from. Interestingly she refused a story line of losing her virginity on the show so the story was shifted to a different character and Lisa did not even appear on the episode, the only one she missed. In 1984 she decided to try her hand at music and released this album. I remember this album but unfortunately I remember it for who she was and not the album itself. I’m not saying it’s a bad album just not really memorable. Now lets be clear, albums like this were a dime a dozen in secular music but rarer in Christian music. The album isn’t bad and it even had a single, “How High, How Deep, How Wide” which struggled it’s way to #42 on the charts. The standout track on the album is “Good Girl” which was written by Steve Taylor and it’s immediately recognizable as being in some way connected to him. So if you haven’t listened to this one since the 80’s try listening to it again. If you just can’t do it at least listen to “Good Girl”

Tracklist
1 – Love Believer – 3:42
2 – Just Obey – 4:06
3 – How High, How Deep, How Wide – 4:11
4 – Real Possibility – 4:05
5 – Good Girl – 3:55
6 – Shelter – 3:43
7 – Set Me Free – 4:12
8 – Cover Me Lord – 3:52
9 – All Because Of You – 3:32
10 – He Sings Me To Sleep – 4:52

Credits
Backing Vocals – Charity McCrary, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, Melissa Mackay, Sandie Hall Brooks, Susan McBride
Bass – John Patitucci, Leon Gaer
Design [Cover] – Stan Evenson
Design [Lyric Sheet], Coordinator [Cover] – Craig Ross
Directed By [Lisa’s Vocal Direction and Coaching] – Roger Love
Drums – Bob Wilson (3), John Ferraro
Engineer – Mike Ross, Tim Roberstad, Wally Grant
Executive-Producer – Robert Cotton
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards – John Rosasco, Smitty Price
Management – Robert Cotton Management
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Robert Cotton*, Wally Grant
Photography By – Greg Gorman
Producer, Arranged By – John Rosasco
Synthesizer [Programming] – Rhett Lawrence
Vocals – Lisa Whelchel
Woodwind – Brandon Fields
Written-By – John Rosasco (tracks: A1-A4, B1, B4)

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Sparrow Distribution
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Geodesic Music
Published By – Triune Music
Published By – C.A. Music
Published By – Emmaus Road Music
Published By – Willing Heart Music
Recorded At – Weddington Studios
Recorded At – Paramount Recording Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Nissi Records

Vision – Mountain In The Sky – 1984

In 1984 Vision came into the scene with this album which was actually self titled. Strangely their second album was also self titled. However at the time hardly anyone even knew about this album never mind bought it so this wasn’t an problem. But when it was re-released in 2010 the conflict became a problem so the album was given the title of “Mountain In The Sky”. This album is actually quite rare and a vinyl copy of it is quite valuable. Continuing the strange story of this album many of these tracks we also on their next album but with quite different arrangements. Anyway let’s talk about the album. This has a definite late 70’s rock sound which isn’t surprising as it had 2 members from Lynyrd Skynyrd. The album was also recorded and mixed at Pat Travers’ studio in keeping with it’s 70’s vibe. Anyway this is a great Rock & Roll album and I’m thankful it was re-released or I probably would never have heard it.

Tracklist
1 – Mountain In The Sky – 7:02
2 – Coming Soon – 4:40
3 – Old Man – 3:23
4 – Dynamos – 4:10
5 – Standing In The Light – 5:25
6 – Dedicated – 3:23
7 – Fight The Good Fight – 3:54
8 – Soldiers Song – 3:31
9 – Lord Is My Joy – 4:42

Credits
Bass – Leon Wilkeson
Concept By [Album Cover Concept] – Stan Coates, Vision
Concept By [Album Cover Concept], Artwork [Cover Artwork], Photography By – Tony Ricardo
Drums, Percussion – Mike Maple
Executive-Producer [Reissue Executive-Producer] – Matthew Hunt
Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Rocco Marshall
Mixed By – Bill Ande (tracks: 1-3, 5), Ray Lynn (tracks: 4, 6-11)
Photography By – Wayne Davis
Piano – Billy Powell
Remastered By – J Powell
Synthesizer, Organ, Vocals – David Jinright
Violin, Flute, Guitar Synthesizer, Vocals – Leonard Jones

Companies, etc.
Remastered At – Steinhaus
Distributed By – Brutal Planet Distribution
Recorded At – Pat Travers’ Rehearsal Studios
Recorded At – Stark Lake Studios
Recorded At – LEI Studios
Overdubbed At – Stark Lake Studios
Mixed At – LEI Studios

Farrell And Farrell – Choices – 1984

Bob and Jane Farrell, the married couple that make up Farrell & Farrell were responsible for some of the most memorable and successful pop music in CCM history. For two decades they toured the world and consistently released top selling albums, moving in many different musical direction while never leaving the safety net of worshipful tunes set to very accessible pop arrangements. Choices was the first of several very technologically driven pop albums where synthesizer and techno dance beat reigned supreme. Earlier works were more traditional 70’s and 80’s acoustic pop music with an occasional rock edge. After a live album the duo returned in 1984 with a new look and decidedly new sound. Influenced by the technology of the day and desire to reach a wider and younger audience, the couple embraced the new technology with abandon. The album starts off with what is probably the couple’s most recognizable song and biggest hit, Hosanna Gloria. An upbeat worship tune with electronic drums and keyboard string arrangement, the song became a long time favorite on Christian radio. “He Reigns” duplicates the success of the former. The song the best seems to use the technology is the hit, Get Right or Get Left. The popular jingoist bumber sticker chorus about the popular rapture view uses an electronic recorded vocals as well as instrumentation. The duo has re-released this album along with all of their earlier works on CD, which none of the early releases had seen before. Bob has proven to be a great songwriter over the years and for ten years or so they were amongst the best selling and most popular groups in CCM.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Hosanna Gloria – 3:07
2 – He Will Always Make A Way – 3:55
3 – Get Right Or Get Left – 3:45
4 – Through Your Eyes – 3:46
5 – Ransome – 3:16
6 – He Reigns – 3:23
7 – The Greatest Of These – 3:08
8 – Choose To Love – 3:24
9 – Give Me The Words – 3:55
10 – He Is There – 3:24

Credits
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – Carl Marsh (tracks: A1 to A4, B1 to B5)
Art Direction, Design – Joan Tankersley
Choir [Rock Choir] – Bob Farrell, Dana Key, David Mayo, Debbie Cathey, Jack Holder, Jayne Farrell, Jimi Jamison
Coordinator [Tour Coordination] – Pamela Muse
Drums [Acoustic And Simmons] – Chad Cromwell, John Hampton
Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock
Keyboards – Carl Marsh, Ed DeGarmo, Keith Thomas
Layout – Lori Cooper
Lead Guitar [Electric], Rhythm Guitar [Electric] – Dana Key
Lead Vocals – Bob Farrell, Jayne Farrell
Management [Management / Direction] – Dan Brock Associates
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Ed DeGarmo (tracks: A1 to B2, B4, B5), Jonathan David Brown
Orchestrated By [Orchestration Conceived, Arranged And Performed By On The Fairlight CMI] – Carl Marsh
Photography By – Craig Stewart
Producer [Produced By] – Bob Farrell, Ed DeGarmo
Recorded By [Overdubs] – Brian Tankersley, Ed DeGarmo
Recorded By [Tracks] – John Hampton

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Produced For – Mint Productions
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Recorded At – Rivendell Recorders
Mixed At – Rivendell Recorders
Mixed At – Weddington Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – StraightWay Music
Published By – Warner Bros. Music
Published By – Bob Montgomery Music Inc.
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Yellow House Music
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △26434

Cruse – Cruse 2 – 1984

This was the second album after the Cruse Family renamed themselves “Cruse” to sound more hip and young. There really isn’t much info out there on the family and really the only member to go on to success was Cindy Cruse. The album is definitely Easy Listening synth driven music with the exception of “Roads” which has a good Rock sound. Unfortunately they didn’t let any of that sound sneak into any of the other tracks. The album is good in an Imperials kind of way but there is no way I would have owned it in the 80’s. I am kind of surprised that it didn’t have a single on the charts as it’s everything CCM magazine was looking for at the time.

Tracklist
1 – Angel Song – 3:14
2 – Sign Of The Times – 3:34
3 – Dancin’ In The Light – 3:35
4 – Unfailing Love – 3:51
5 – Love Of The Lord – 3:02
6 – Rise And Fly – 3:59
7 – Roads – 4:09
8 – Under Wings Of Love – 4:18
9 – Magnify The Lord – 4:03

Credits
Karen Cruse Adams – Vocals
Dennis Belfield – Bass
Claire Cloninger – Songwriter
Robert Cotton – Engineer, Mixed
Becky Cruse – Songwriter
Joe Cruse III – Vocals
Paulinho da Costa – Percussion
Wally Grant – Engineer, Mixed
Ed Greene – Drums
Steve Hall – Mastered
David Huff – Songwriter
Abraham Laboriel – Bass
Rhett Lawrence – Synthesizer Programmer
Larry Mohoberac – Arrangements, Keyboards
Smitty Mohoberac – Arrangements
Smitty Price – Keyboards
Cindy Cruse Ratcliff – Songwriter
Don Rogers – Songwriter
John Rosasco – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Keyboards
Mike Ross – Assistant Engineer
Janice Cruse Stone – Vocals
Carlos Vega – Drums
Marty Walsh – Guitar

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Nissi Records
Copyright (c) – Nissi Records
Distributed By – Sparrow Distribution

Ground Crew – New Old World – 1984

Here is yet another oddball release on Morada Records. You’ll find some rather odd combinations of styles on this album. All on one album you can hear synth, prog rock, Fusion rock, Funk, and maybe a bit of jazz. Kind of a pity this was their only album as I think a second one with a better producer this band might have really gone some where. All that said this one is definitely one you should take the time to listen to and you might join the cult following this band has.

Tracklist
1 – Creepin’ In – 2:44
2 – Lookin’ Out – 3:01
3 – Who Are We Looking To? – 3:29
4 – When He Comes – 2:55
5 – You Got A Hold On Me – 5:48
6 – New Old World – 3:26
7 – Latter Rain – 4:39
8 – By My Spirit – 2:48
9 – Before The Throne – 5:42

Credits
Ken Burger – Songwriter, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Mark Copenhaver – Producer, Engineer
Ground Crew – Producer
Mark Huhnke – Songwriter, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Vocals
R. Jones – Songwriter
D. Koss – Songwriter
Eric Lucas – Songwriter, Guitar, Sax, Bass, Vocals
Tom Winters – Drums

Billy Sprague – What A Way To Go – 1984

Billy Sprague got his start in the Christian music scene by being a member of Amy Grant’s band in the early 80’s. This work included a duet with Amy, “Singing A Love Song,” off Amy’s In Concert album. This relationship developed into his own record deal in 1984 with Reunion Records. Reunion brought in Michael W. Smith in to produce the album and the result of that is this album. It was a very successful release garnering 3 singles on the CCM charts. “Heavenly Father” climbed to #8, “What A Way To Go” to #22, and “Jude Doxology” to #30. I’m kind of surprised they released Jude Doxology as a single as personally I think it’s the weakest track on the album, but I never really got along with the CCM charts anyway. Obviously the album was very successful and I’m sure Reunion Records couldn’t get a second album out fast enough though it would have to wait until he was done his tour.

Tracklist
1 – What A Way To Go – 4:07
2 – Don’t Give Up – 3:55
3 – Heavenly Father – 3:31
4 – Never Be The Same – 4:59
5 – I Believe – 4:42
6 – Secret Heart – 4:29
7 – How Could You Say No – 3:28
8 – Take My Heart – 4:54
9 – Jude Doxology – 2:03

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Kent Hunter
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer – Jeff Balding
Engineer [Additional] – Jim “J.B.” Baird
Engineer [Assistant] – Allen Henry, Chris Hammond, Sam Baily
Engineer, Mixed By – Brent King
Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton
Guitar, Electric Guitar – Jon Goin
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Mixed By [Assistant] – Phil Dihel
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer, Keyboards – Michael W. Smith

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records
Copyright (c) – Reunion Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Designed At – Thomas Ryan Design
Recorded At – Goldmine Studio, Brentwood, TN
Recorded At – Bullet Recording
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Mastered At – Mastermix
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Weber and the Buzztones – Weber and the Buzztones – 1984

This little gem would have ranked significantly higher if there were more than 4 songs. As a result this album (EP) is the shortest on the list. But one little unique oddity of the album is that the vinyl has all four songs on each side. The group started out as the Larry Weber Millennium and they released a 45 single under that moniker with Lamb Chops (also here) and the song “God Blessed America” that I have never heard and may be unfortunately lost to obscurity. Lamb Chops is straight up techno, keyboard pop with just a dash of Devo and talking Heads in the quirky vocal styling. A whole lot of keyboards and with touches of The Cars and Gary Numan, especially on Lamb Chops. But the second cut, “OK,” is not far removed from what Vector did on their “Please Stand By” album. This cut has a much more Missing Person’s vice and would have fit quite nicely on modern radio (KROQ) at the time. The guitar parts shine on this tune and sets it apart from the rest of the EP. I would venture to say that fans of Quickflight would also find quite a bit to like here. The final two cuts, “Run Away” and “Walk Away,” both fit into the overall pop, keyboard new wave, with the latter just being a little slower…which I guess makes sense. Where the former appears to be about running away from God, the latter encourages the listener to turn away from sin. I did get to see them once at the Anaheim Convention Center as part of a Calvary Chapel evangelistic event. Several different members flowed in and out of the band and I admit to having very limited knowledge about them outside of seeing them one other time with Steve Taylor. Like early Steve Taylor the music is quirky, fun and the lyrics dry and funny at times. I had always wished for more, but it was apparently never to be. In the previous blog several of the band members left comments. I hope they return here and that Larry will also be heard from.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Lamb Chops – 2:50
2 – Ok – 3:50
3 – Runaway – 4:30
4 – Walk Away – 4:24

Credits
Cover – Paul Carstensen
Design – Paul Carstensen
Drum Programming [Linndrum] – Pat Craig
Drum Programming [Simmons] – Mike Tuuri
Engineer – David Denny, Jammie Bridges
Executive Producer – Brian Martin
Guitar – Larry Weber
Mastered By – George Horn
Percussion – Mike Tuuri
Producer – Larry Weber
Synthesizer – Glen Repoza, Larry Weber, Nelson DiMarco, Tim Watt
Vocals – Larry Weber
Written-By – Larry Weber

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Starlight Sound
Mastered At – Fantasy Studios

Kenny Marks – Right Where You Are – 1984

In the world of Christian pop music more than a handful of artists bounded on the scene without the songwriting credentials, artistic acumen and lyrical insight…and they sold a ton of records. Other like Kenny Marks made a name for themselves and sold a decent amount, but never attained the popularity their quality work deserved. Often favorably compared to Bryan Adam and Richard Marx, Kenny Marks was a singer-songwriter that plied his trade in the CCM world and should have done much better. His songs combined the popular and common themes of mainstream CCM with a twist or difference that set him apart. he would also deal with subjects either taboo or poorly communicated in other settings. He may be most noted for his trilogy of songs that surrounded the relationship between a Johnny and a Jeannie. Two High School sweethearts that date, marry, have a child and divorce. Though a later album would bring Johnny back as a character, it is the three songs on three records in a row that are of most note. That trilogy started here with “Growing Up Too Fast.” The albums biggest hit was the title track, a stirring ballad about God’s undying love and forgiveness. “One Small Voice” reminds the listener of God’s attempt to speak to us in the small things in a busy and loud world. “Single-Minded Love” addresses the loneliness and difficulty of being a single adult within the walls of the Church. Marks had a decent little career, but it should have been stronger and lasted longer. There were three of four fantastic albums released throughout the mid-80’s that still deserve repeated listening.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Right Where You Are – 4:11
2 – One Small Voice – 3:17
3 – Prisoner – 4:57
4 – It’s Incredible – 3:21
5 – Gift From God – 4:10
6 – Growing Up Too Fast – 4:00
7 – Single-Minded Love – 3:45
8 – Still Be Believing – 3:20
9 – You’re The Best – 3:40
10 – Sing For Joy – 3:11

Credits
Art Direction – Bill Brunt
Backing Vocals – Denny Henson, Kenny Marks, Pamela Marks, Patti Leatherwood, Randy Guidry
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Kyle Lehning
Engineer [Assistant] – Doug Sarrett
Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Executive-Producer – Neal Joseph
Guitar – Jon Goin
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Terry McMillan
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Keyboards [Mini Moog Bass], Backing Vocals – Keith Thomas
Saxophone – Mark Douthit

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mixed At – Gold Mine Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.

Lewis McVay – Coming Attraction – 1984

Nearly a decade after releasing one of the most classic, definitive Jesus Music albums, Sail on Sailor, with his band Mustard Seed Faith and some six year since releasing his first solo album “Spirit of St. Lewis” Lewis McVay released an amazing record that was only hampered by being part of a label that was about to fold. From the creative cover to the phenomenal musicianship on the album, every song works and works well. Combining many different genres all within the framework of pop/rock with touches of new wave and soulful jazz, there is also a hint of the sounds also explored by labelmates Prodigal. Christian radio was very responsive to the mid-tempo ballad “Someday” which sounds nothing like the rest of the album and is uncanny how much it sounds like a David and the Giants ballad. It is also the only over the top syrupy CCM song on the entire album and seems like it was written just for the radio. That is really the ONLY song not up to par with the rest of the album. The rest of the album is really that good. There is not a weak song to be found anywhere. Highlights include the title track, Moon Eyes and You Can’t Fool Me. This is a serious AYSO and one can only hope to find one to own. You don’t want to know what I paid for mine 20 years later!

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Moon Eyes – 4:03
2 – Coming Attraction – 2:25
3 – Can’t Fool Me – 3:43
4 – It’s Real – 3:52
5 – Someday – 3:39
6 – I Need You – 3:34
7 – Running – 3:00
8 – Is Everything Possible? – 3:46
9 – Can’t Live Without Your Love – 3:56
10 – Working Man – 3:06

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bill Batstone, Darrell Cook, Jon Phelps, Kay Roebuck, Keith Edwards, Lewis McVay, Ronda Taff, Ted French
Bass – Darrell Cook, Greg McNelly
Co-producer – Lewis McVay
Drums – Keith Edwards, Larrie Londin
Electric Guitar – Bill Batstone, Jon Goin
Engineer – Greg McNeily, Jonathan David Brown
Engineer, Mixed By – Gary Platt
Keyboards – Jeff Lamms, John Shriner
Lead Guitar – James Cloke, Jon Goin, Wayne Braust
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Lewis McVay
Mastered By – Mike Fuller
Mixed By – Greg McNeily
Photography – Dianne McVay
Producer – Jon Phelps, Ted French (tracks: B4)
Saxophone – Ronnie Eades
Synthesizer – Loyd Boldman, Rob Watson, Shane Keister

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – McVay Publishing
Copyright (c) – Between The Lines Music