Presented without any theological commentary, as usual. These albums were a lot of fun to listen to, and hearing the jokes again, and the great comedic performances is a great trip down memory lane. Still fun to listen to now.
Tracklist 1 – Comedy Odyssey – 1:49 2 – Are You A Fool? – 6:50 3 – Generic Phone Company – 1:32 4 – Montague – 6:54 5 – KBAM – 1:56 6 – Spouse’s Super Bout – 6:40 7 – Ed Herman’s Talk Radio – 3:50 8 – Fadscene – 1:28 9 – What’s Gospel To You? – 2:54 10 – Leave It To Squirrellie (Stuck With Eddie) – 6:45
Credits Arranged By [Music], Music By [Additional], Musician – Peter Jacobs Engineer – Chris Taylor Executive-Producer, Producer, Performer – Dan Rupple Musician – Bud Nuanez, Ed McTaggart, Pokin’ Fun Polka Band Musician, Music By [Additional], Vocals – Bob Bennett Performer – Dan Ferraro, Jim Coye, Louise Duart, Mike Obbema, Patrick Egan, Peggy Rupple, Randy Anderson (3), Robin Severn, Sharon Riley, Vikki James, Vince Brocato Photography – Scott Ely Producer, Performer, Vocals – Dave Toole
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music Distributed By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Geoff had success in the early 80’s writing songs for CCM artist Steven Curtis Chapman. He started writing after meeting Michael W. Smith in the clothing store where Moore worked. At least that’s what Wikipedia says. In 1984 he signed a record deal with Power Discs and this album is the result. I have to admit I was a bit surprised at how mellow this album is. It’s not really the Geoff Moore I was more familiar with. I was wondering if this was because of the producer Billy Smiley (White Heart) and perhaps it was as at this point as Bill had mainly produced “The New Gaither Vocal Band” albums. It was also likely a product of the times as even in 1984 record companies were still terrified of Rock & Roll to spite it’s success. This is a pretty good album though at times I feel like I’m listening to an Imperials album with different vocals. The album was successful and even garnered a chart single, the title track made it to #11.
Tracklist 1 – Build The House – 3:33 2 – Royal Priesthood – 2:53 3 – Where Are The Other Nine? – 3:36 4 – When You Get There – 3:56 5 – One Heart – 4:10 6 – Open Your Eyes – 2:28 7 – Bread Of Life – 3:50 8 – He Shall Be Praised – 3:21 9 – Lonely Hearts Need Love – 3:09 10 – The Fight Song – 2:49
Altar Boys’ self titled debut album came out in 1984. This California style punk was typical of what punk was at the time, although now we seem to have a lot of splinters of types of punk – melodic, thrash, pop, hardcore, metalcore, screamo, and more. A lot of punk was poppy at the time, modelled after The Ramones, and sounding like a precursor to MXPX or Green Day. Starting to play together around 1978, musicians that would later form the bands Undercover, Lifesavors, and Altar Boys (in that order) all came out of the same scene. Mike Stand and Ric Alba ended up in Altar Boys along with Jeff Crandall and Steve Pannier, while Mike’s brother was in Undercover, and Ric had previously done some playing with Lifesavors. Ric also played with Undercover before Altar Boys. In the spirit of punk rock, these songs are all high energy and a lot of fun, a hallmark of Altar Boys from start to end.
Track Listing:
1 – Alright! – 2:24
2 – I’m Into God – 2:52
3 – Have A Clue – 2:36
4 – Where’s It Gonna Lead You – 2:24
5 – You Found Me – 3:46
6 – Take In The Son – 2:44
7 – Well O.K. – 2:36
8 – Good Life – 3:31
9 – Oh, Oh Nancy – 1:33
10 – We Love Jesus – 2:40
11 – It’s Up To You – 3:07
Credits
Art Direction – Alex McDougal
Backing Vocals – Ojo
Backing Vocals, Drums, Vocals – Jeff Crandall
Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Mike Stand
Bass, Keyboards – Rick Alba
Cover, Design – Debby Edwards
Engineer – Derald Daugherty
Engineer, Producer – Joey Taylor
Executive Producer – Bradley S. Hamilton
Guitar – Steve Pannier
Photography By – Oh Oh Nancy
Saxophone [Sax] – Bill Walden
Written-By – Annis
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Ministry Resource Center
Copyright (c) – Ministry Resource Center
Recorded At – Sound Affair
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Sound Affair
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Published By – Oh Oh Nancy Music
Published By – Maranatha! Music
This was Michele’s 3rd solo album and probably her most successful. This album was also picked up and distributed by Capitol records for/with Sparrow Records. I do not believe it was pressed under the Capitol label so I suspect this was a distribution arrangement. The album had 3 charting singles with “Look Who Loves You Now” making it to #1. She also received 2 Grammy nominations, Best Gospel Performance, Female, and Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group. Unfortunately she did not win either losing out in the female category to Amy Grant who won way too many Grammy’s in my opinion. But that’s a whole other rant. Larry Carlton produced and played most of the instruments on the album. Larry was not active in the CCM community and as near as I can tell had nothing to do with Christian music as a whole so I believe his involvement was a business decision. This album would also see her step away from her solo career until 1991 as well as her record deal with Sparrow. She had some family drama in 1988 so her disappearance from then on is understood but not much is written about her disappearance from this album until then. She did not disappear entirely she did a fair amount of work with Steve Camp and appeared on his albums. Anyway historically this is one of the great all time female vocalist albums so it should really be on your playlist. Oh and she should have won the Grammy.
Tracklist 1 – Each Day He Gives Me – 3:30 2 – Look Who Loves You Now – 3:19 3 – He’ll Shine His Light On You – 3:06 4 – Just Take A Step – 3:33 5 – Emotions Wound Us So – 3:15 6 – Wandering The Night – 4:13 7 – To Worship You – 3:29 8 – Here We Go – 3:50 9 – One Day Like Him – 3:20 10 – I Want To Make A Difference – 3:27
Credits Backing Vocals – Joe Chemay (tracks: A1, B1), Joey Scarbury (tracks: A1, B1), Larry Carlton (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B2, B3, B4, B5), Michele Pillar (tracks: A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, B4) Bass – Larry Carlton (tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B2, B3, B4, B5) Design [Album Jacket] – Stan Evenson Design Inc. Design [Lyric Sheet] – Steve Cox Drum Programming [DMX] – John Ferraro (tracks: A3), Larry Carlton (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B3) Drums – John Ferraro (tracks: A3), Larry Carlton (tracks: A2, A3, A5, B2, B3) Electronic Drums [Simmons Drums] – John Ferraro (tracks: A1, B1, B4) Guitar – Larry Carlton (tracks: All) Horns – Don Markese (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B4), Mic Gillette (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B4) Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Hal Sacks, Michael Verdick Percussion – Michael Fisher (tracks: All) Photography By – Lisa Powers Piano [Acoustic] – Brian Mann (tracks: B1), Larry Carlton (tracks: A2) Producer, Arranged By – Larry Carlton Recorded By – Hal Sacks, Larry Carlton Synthesizer – Brian Mann (tracks: A1, B1), Larry Carlton (tracks: All)
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Room 335, Hollywood Mixed At – Channel Recording Mastered At – Future Disc
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
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
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
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
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
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
