The Rob Cassels Band – Off The Wall – 1984

First of all full disclosure. I count Rob as a personal friend but remember my opinions of his works preceded my friendship with him. Off the Wall was recorded in 1984 and debuted at Cornerstone in 1985. This was Rob’s 3rd album and most days I think it was his best. Other day’s I prefer Straight Shot. This album does contain my favourite song however. Off The Wall is a straight forward Rock & Roll tune that gets your attention especially when turned up to about 11. Rob tells me “Off the Wall was written from my influence of years of prison ministry and reading graffiti off the walls of the prison”. That’s one heck of an inspiration. Rob wrote all the songs on the album and continues writing and recording great music to this day.

Tracklist
1 – Escape – 3:06
2 – Off The Wall – 3:15
3 – Resurrection Power – 3:20
4 – Only Your Love – 2:48
5 – Broken Man – 4:03
6 – Countdown – 2:54
7 – I Will Never Leave You – 3:21
8 – Turning – 3:14
9 – They Don’t Understand – 3:25
10 – The Reverend Silk – 2:23

Credits
Arranged By [Special Help On Arrangements] – Steve Morse
Bass Guitar – Kent Redd
Drums, Percussion – Buster Phillips
Engineer – David Floyd
Guitar – David Hosler (2)
Photography By, Concept By – Dill Beaty
Piano, Keyboards – David Floyd, Rob Cassels
Producer – Rick Sandidge
Vocals – David Hosler, Kent Redd, Rob Cassels

Larry Norman And The Young Lions – Quiet Night – 1984

This is the only known release of “Larry Norman and The Young Lions.” The Young Lions didn’t become anything else, but I believe that this was one of the records where he used his brother Charly as one of the creative musicians. Charly toured with him on the Stop This Flight Tour, and around this time was working on a career, although we never did seem much of him on his own.

The lead-out groove on side one says (in addition to the serial number ARF-864), “Larry & Charly” and the lead-out groove on side two says The Young Lions “Quiet Night.” For all I know this might mean they were the only two musicians on the album. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Most of the songs on this record are written by Tom Howard. Larry added 2 of his own tracks on each side. (Sigrid Jane, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, and two “L’etude”).

This is one of two records where Larry focused on recording Tom’s songs. The other one is “Letter of the Law” which appears in the bARCHAEOLOGY set. Larry was producing Tom and trying to promote him, unsuccessfully. He recorded some of his songs in attempt to generate some interest and popularity for Tom’s records. Tom did have a couple of moderately successful albums but then switched to doing recordings more focused on just playing piano.

Quiet Night is often referenced as “Jamaican Import” but it was available in the US direct from Phydeaux. Perhaps it was popular in Jamaica.

Tracklist
1 – Iron And Steel
2 – Shine Your Light
3 – I Found Love
4 – Let The Master Make It Right
5 – Piano L’etude
6 – Sigrid Jane
7 – Stronger Love
8 – Farther On
9 – Come On In
10 – Drum L’etude
11 – I Don’t Wanna Lose You
12 – Jesus Is The Song Inside Of Me

Joe English Band – Live – 1984

In my opinion this was Joe’s best album as these are the most upbeat version of these songs in his catalog. This album was recorded through the UK from at least 6 different concerts. I actually saw this tour in Canada and I remember it being much more Rock & Roll than this. I suspect that Myrrh records actually hunted out the most mellow version of these song as they could. This brings me to my criticism of this album. I don’t know about everyone else but I like Live albums so I can hear the banter between songs. This album does not include any of that. It was produced like a regular album but with live recordings. This is not what a live album is supposed to be like in my opinion. You in no way feel the concert experience from this album. So let’s be clear, this is not really a Live album by my definition.

Tracklist
1 – To Love Is To Live – 5:08
2 – Midnight Angel Choir – 4:41
3 – Dyin’ – 3:41
4 – Rio Samba – 9:24
5 – Power Of Prayer – 4:24
6 – Let Me Praise You Again – 4:38
7 – Learn To Celebrate – 4:14
8 – Get Ready – 7:05

Credits
Bass Guitar – Tim Smith
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow
Guitar, Backing Vocals – George Cocchini, Paul Brannon
Keyboards – John Lawry
Vocals, Drums, Producer – Joe English

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records Of Canada Limited

Notes
Mobile unit by Manor, London, England and Tape 1, London, England
Recorded at Colson Hall, Bristol, England; Ulster Hall, Belfast, Ireland; Wembley Arena, Wembley, England
Mixed at Great Circle Sound, Nashville, TN and Sound Emporium, Nashville, TN

The Archers – All Systems Are Go – 1984

The Archers took a break from making albums 81 – 84 reportedly because Steve was off doing the solo thing. Strangely in the middle of his solo career he returned to the family to do this album. The Archers “80’d” it up for this album with an album cover that best displayed my personal clothing choices of that year. Yea looking back not so stylish. Janice turned up the 80’s hair and was probably entirely responsible for me listening to this album in 1984. Anyway they turned up John Andrew Schreiner’s keyboards to 11 in an effort so seem a little more with the times. But in the end they were the same Archers the world had come to love and as such the album sold very well. As far as the charts “Heaven In Your Eyes” charted at #2 and “All Systems Are Go” made it to #33. Very respectable numbers but don’t be fooled by the 80’s look, the album is still The Archers that you love or hate.

Tracklist
1 – All Systems Are Go – 4:09
2 – What’s It Gonna Take? – 4:24
3 – Heaven In Your Eyes – 4:00
4 – Get Ready, Get Right – 4:10
5 – My Hope – 4:22
6 – Walk Like He Walks – 3:42
7 – Winnin’ Again – 4:26
8 – Don’t Let It – 3:22
9 – Every Good And Perfect Gift – 6:28

Credits
Arranged By, Keyboards – Herb Jamerson
Art Direction – Kernie Erickson
Bass – James Jamison
Cover – Bob Payne (2)
Drums – Lee Kicks
Executive-Producer, Management – Tim Archer
Guitar – Bob Somma
Keyboards – John Andrew Schreiner
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Percussion – Joe Lala
Photography By – Craig Incardone
Producer – Steve Archer, Tim Archer
Producer, Engineer – Skip Konte
Saxophone – Albert Wing

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Straight Ahead Productions (2)
Recorded At – Front Page Studios

The 77’s – All Fall Down – 1984

All Fall Down was the much anticipated second album by The 77s. Expectations were high after Ping Pong Over The Abyss and the band didn’t let us down. The band and record label picked Charlie Peacock to produce this album. Strangely Charlie was recording his own album as he was producing this one but this doesn’t appear to have had any effect on the quality of his work. Video’s were produced for both “Mercy Mercy” and “Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba ” and both did get some limited airplay on MTV. In my opinion the quality of both videos were as good as anything on MTV at the time. I remember at the time really hoping that this would be the crossover album from CCM to secular but alas no it didn’t. The album will go down as one of the best ever CCM albums ever and is in my personal top 10.

 

Tracklist
1 – Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba – 4:14
2 – Under The Heat – 3:19
3 – Mercy, Mercy – 2:50
4 – You Don’t Scare Me – 5:51
5 – Make A Difference Tonight – 3:05
6 – Caught In An Unguarded Moment – 3:17
7 – Someone New – 3:35
8 – Something’s Holding On – 3:13
9 – Your Pretty Baby – 3:59
10 – Another Nail – 4:47

Credits
Art Direction – Mark Swanson
Bass, Guitar, Vocals [Vocal] – Jan Eric
Coordinator [Executive Coordinator] – Jan Volz
Drums [Pounding & Thrashing On Gretsch Drum Kit] – Aaron Smith
Engineer [Assistant], Featuring [Background Vocal] – Steve Griffith
Executive-Producer – Mary Neely
Featuring [Ethnic & Orchestral Percussion] – Bongo Bob Smith
Featuring [Linn Program, Background Vocal, Keyboard] – Charlie Peacock
Keyboards [Keyboard], Vocals [Vocal], Guitar – Mark Tootle
Mastered By – John Golden
Mixed By – David Coe, Patrick Cyccone
Other [Special Thanks] – Don McKenney
Photography By [Back & Sleeve] – Dave Howard
Photography By [Front] – Sam Emerson
Producer – Charlie Peacock
Recorded By, Mixed By – Daryl Zachman
Vocals [Vocal], Guitar, Organ [Mouth] – Michael Roe
Written-By – D. Saterlee (tracks: A1), G. Mascoli (tracks: A1, B2, B3, B4), J. E. Volz (tracks: B1), M. Proctor (tracks: A3, A5, B1), M Tootle (tracks: A2, A5, B5), M. Roe* (tracks: A1, A3 to A5, B1, B2 to B4)

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – A&M Records
Distributed By – A&M Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Sangre Studios
Recorded At – The Warehouse, Sacramento
Mixed At – Salty Dog Studios
Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
Published By – Sangre Productions
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Western Sierra Music
Published By – Dayspring

Candy Hemphill – Heart Of Fire – 1984

This was Candy’s second solo album. It’s an excellent album and you can really see that she was born to sing. At this time in CCM history every record label was looking for their own “Amy Grant”. While Candy fell into this category she’s every bit the singer that Amy was and in my opinion might have been better. This album spawned 2 singles. Can’t Stop Reachin’ made it to #40 and Take Us Inside Your Love made it to #27. The album was produced by Billy Smiley and Dann Huff played guitar somewhere on the album so this album has a Whiteheart stamp on it.

Tracklist
1 – Heart of Fire – 3:43
2 – He Knew Everything About Me – 4:00
3 – Can’t Stop Reachin’ – 3:53
4 – You Still Believe In Me – 4:01
5 – If The Lord Is On My Side – 2:52
6 – Look to the Light – 3:53
7 – In His Presence – 0:50
8 – Stranger – 3:32
9 – Take Us Inside Your Love – 3:56
10 – Going To the New Jerusalem – 3:30
11 – Others Were, But Jesus Is – 3:28

Credits
David Baroni – Songwriter
Pete Bordaneli – Guitars
Niles Borop – Songwriter
Clyde Brooks – Drums
Bob Clark – Additional Engineer
Ken Criblez – Second Engineer
Tim Daniel – Songwriter
Bill Deaton – Additional Engineer
Ron Downey – Background Vocals
Greg Fisher – Songwriter
Sonny Garrish – Steel Guitar
Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter
Jon Goin – Guitars
Lee Groitzsch – Second Engineer
Chris Harris – Background Vocals
Don Hart – String Arrangements
Joel Hemphill – Songwriter
Wayne Hilton – Executive Producer, Songwriter
Dann Huff – Guitars
Gary Janney – Background Vocals
Brent King – Engineer, Mixed
Lenny LeBlanc – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Larrie Londin – Drums
Gary Lunn – Bass
Farrell Morris – Percussion
Phil Naish – Songwriter, Synthesizers, Piano, Rhodes
Ron Oates – Piano
Gary Pigg – Background Vocals
Dave Robbins – Songwriter
Brent Rowan – Guitars
Doug Sarrett – Second Engineer
Billy Smiley – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Background Vocals
Hank Williams – Mastered

Adrian Snell – Feed The Hungry Heart – 1984

While Adrian is probably best known for his worship musical style you might be pleasantly surprised by this album. There are 2 very good pop songs on this album. The lead track “Welcome To The Circus” is a fantastic tune once you get past the 1 minute intro. I also quite liked “Bathed In Neon” which has a great pop sound. Other than that it’s the usual high quality worship oriented music that made Adrian well known.

Tracklist
1 – Welcome To The Circus – 4:27
2 – Take Me Home – 4:16
3 – The Tongue Is Fire – 2:46
4 – Only Jesus – 4:22
5 – Cover Me – 4:40
6 – Feed The Hungry Heart – 4:17
7 – Psalm 27 (Wherever I Go You Are There) – 3:56
8 – Bathed In Neon – 3:09
9 – River, Son & Earth – 3:30
10 – Alpha And Omega – The Beginning And The End – 4:51

Credits
Backing Vocals – Mo Turner, Richard Barnes, Shirlie Roden
Bass Guitar – Paul Westwood
Drum Programming, Advisor [Good Ideas], Engineer – Johnnie Schinas*
Drums [Simmonds Drums] – Peter Boita
Electric Guitar – Dzal Martin (tracks: B5), Kevin Mann (7) (tracks: A1)
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Hugh Burns
Keyboards [Additional], Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Ron Edwards (6)
Piano, Keyboards – Adrian Snell
Producer – Jon Miller (4)
Soloist [Sax Solo] – Chris White (tracks: A4)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright (c) – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging
Recorded At – Redan Recorders

Matrix – Monkey See, Monkey Do – 1984

Before there was Bride there was Matrix. Matrix put a lot of effort into getting their music out regardless of a record deal. They actually produced 4 Demo’s before getting a record deal and this is #2 of those 4. This demo had a couple tracks that would later be released as Bride. I listened to both the demo and album versions of “Heroes”, and “All Hallow’s Eve” and I think I prefer the raw sound of the demo versions to be honest. All in all this is a very good sounding Demo and must have been a great prize to have at the time. Of course now it’s almost impossible to come by but luckily Bride re-released all their demo’s on CD in 2001.

1 – Heroes – 3:29
2 – Fright – 3:26
3 – Remember Me – 4:22
4 – Now You See Me (Now You Don’t) – 3:08
5 – All Hallow’s Eve – 2:37
6 – Slippin’ into the Light – 2:58
7 – We Are Going to Make It – 3:37
8 – Look at Me Now – 4:11
9 – He’s the Flyer – 3:42
10 – What Must I Do – 3:56

Sheila Walsh – Triumph In The Air – 1984

This was Sheila’s 5th album as she kept up her rapid pace of releasing albums. Unfortunately, this pace would come back to haunt her health. This album has a strong Pop feel and sound. The songwriting from Graham Kendrick compliment this style and this album is regarded as one of her most lyrically strong albums. As good as the album is it only had one single on the CCM charts. “Surrendering” only peaked at #21 but it was on the charts for 22 weeks, which is usually a strong start for a single. Helping Sheila with backing vocals on the album were artists Cliff Richards and Mark Williamson.

Tracklist
1 – Triumph In The Air – 4:36
2 – Don’t Turn Your Back On Jesus – 3:07
3 – Deeper Meaning – 3:58
4 – Stealin’ The Feeling – 3:12
5 – Surrendering – 4:30
6 – Somebody – 4:12
7 – No Alibi – 4:20
8 – Growing Up To Be A Child – 3:48
9 – Golden Rule – 4:15
10 – Children Of The King – 4:48

Credits
Keith Bessey – Assistant Producer, Engineer
Mel Collins – Saxophone
Teri DeSario – Songwriter
Chris Eaton – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Rick Fenn – Guitar
Graham Jarvis – Drums
Graham Kendrick – Songwriter
Judd Lander – Mouth Harp
Annie McCaig – Background Vocals
Craig Pruess – Producer, Rhythm Orchestral and Electronic Arranger, Keyboards, Electronics, Brass, Percussion
Bill Purse – Songwriter
Cliff Richard – Background Vocals
Mo Turner – Background Vocals
Sheila Walsh – Songwriter, Lead and Background Vocals
Mark Williamson – Background Vocals

Daniel Amos – Vox Humana – 1984

In 1984, Daniel Amos released their first album firmly branded under the name DA. The name Daniel Amos never went away, but with this one they went with the abbreviation in a big way. I even had a “DA” pin that matched the triangles appearing on this album cover.

Oh yeah, pins were a big thing then. All the best punk bands had lots of them out there. It was a measure of one’s cool in some circles.

Vox Humana was originally going to be called “Vox Robotica” before its release. The band had been talking about it during development, but when they got the final work done it sounded far less electronic than what they expected, so the title was changed to Vox Humana.

This is the third record in a trilogy known as “The ¡Alarma! Chronicles.” Each of the three records ended up being on a different label. Tim Chandler joined the band on the second of these as the new bass player, and would stay on for the duration.

Despite a lot of changes, DA kept artistic direction for the trilogy. The albums before and after these three don’t carry the same sound even if they carry equal genius.

Tracklist
1 – Travelog – 4:25
2 – (It’s The Eighties So Where’s Our) Rocket Packs – 3:35
3 – Home Permanant – 3:00
4 – It’s Sick – 2:18
5 – William Blake – 4:30
6 – Dance Stop – 2:43
7 – Live And Let Live – 3:40
8 – When Worlds Collide – 4:20
9 – As The World Turns – 3:47
10 – She’s All Heart – 3:00
11 – The Incredible Shrinking Man – 2:45
12 – Sanctuary – 5:45

Credits
Arranged By – The DA Boys*, T.T.*
Art Direction, Layout, Graphics – Ed McTaggart
Artwork [“Boot” Shadow By] – Gary DeLacy
Artwork [“Foot” Art By] – Phil Yea
Backing Vocals – Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler
Bass [4 & 12 String] – Tim Chandler
Co-producer – Rob Watson (tracks: A2, A3, A5, B2, B3, B4), Terry Taylor (tracks: A2, A3, A5, B2, B3, B4)
Design Concept [Album Art Concept] – Terry Taylor
Directed By – Terry Taylor
Drums – Ed McTaggart
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Engineer [Second] – Rob Watson
Keyboards – Rob Watson
Keyboards [Occassional] – Terry Taylor
Lead Guitar – Tim Chandler
Lead Vocals – Terry Taylor
Mastered By – John Matouchek*
Percussion – Ed McTaggart, Rob Watson
Photography By [Photographics And Photography] – Ken Baley, Linda Dillion Baley*
Producer – Terry Taylor (tracks: A1, A4, A6, B1, B5, B6)
Rhythm Guitar – Terry Taylor
Synthesizer – Ed McTaggart, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Motown Recording Studios