Philadelphia – Search And Destroy – 1985/2000

Philadelphia were one of the early Christian metal acts starting out in 1982 though they had been together previously as a secular band called Survivor. This is their second album and was about as poorly as their first which wasn’t good. That reception was not due to the quality of the music, it was due to the early fear of heavy metal music in the Christian genre. Personally I think the album was perfect for the era and I’m surprised it wasn’t better accepted. The original vinyl and cassette are very rare but no numbers were published. Lucky for Philadelphia fans the album was re-released for the first time in 2000 by Millenium Eight Records. This release was limited to only 1500 copies and included 5 new tracks. “Please My Love” and “Kids in America” were recorded during a reunion in 1999, while the 3 live songs, “Warlord”, “Razor’s Edge”, and “One Way Out” were recorded at the Cornerstone Christian music festival in 1986. This playlist includes those tracks. The album was again re-released in 2019 on Roxx Records. This release had reworked album art which is a huge improvement over the original poor art.

Tracklist
1 – Search And Destroy – 6:02
2 – Bobby’s Song – 3:51
3 – Oh My Boy – 5:10
4 – Judgement Day – 3:51
5 – Mirror Man – 3:08
6 – Fastrack – 4:32
7 – Showdown – 4:27
8 – Decision Time – 5:56

2000 CD Release Bonus Tracks
9 – Please My Love – 5:22
10 – Kids In America – 3:55
11 – Warlord – 7:26
12 – Razor’s Edge – 5:57
13 – One Way Out – 5:06

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Brian Clark
Drums – Brian Martini
Executive Producer – Bill Bafford
Guitar – Paul Scholling, Ronn Flowers
Layout, Design – Scott Waters
Mastered By – Rob Colwell

Debbie McClendon – I Can Hardly Wait – 1985

Considering how relatively famous this lady is I can’t find anything about how ro where she got into music. Unfortunately it seems like every bio on her starts out when she met and subsequently married writer producer Scott V. Smith. Many of her bio’s don’t even mention this 1985 album. As this isn’t my genre of choice maybe this album was unknown and I just don’t know about it. That said I have listened to this album and it is fantastic for this style of soul. Strangely I keep hearing her style referred to as urban contemporary gospel. I’m not too sure what that is but I guess this is an example of it. To me it’s just a great soul R&B album. Like I say most people don’t even mention this album so maybe you haven’t heard it so here it is. If this is your genre, this is your kind of album. I guarantee it.

Tracklist
1 – Keeper Of My Heart – 4:18
2 – I Can Hardly Wait – 3:04
3 – When I Get In His Presence – 5:44
4 – Hiding In His Love – 4:09
5 – Worship The King – 4:02
6 – No No Doubts – 3:18
7 – I’m Free – 5:07
8 – I’d Rather Be Walking With You – 5:18
9 – When You’ve Got Nothing Left But Love – 6:08

Credits
Arrangments – Harvey Lyon, Scott V. Smith, Howard McCrary
Backing Vocals – Debbie McClendon, Howard Smith, Marietta Waters, Edythe Lyon, Gene Miller, Harvey Lyon
Bass – Leon Gaer
Choir – Bart Smith, Debbie McClendon, Edythe Lyon, Gene Miller, Harvey Lyon, Howard Smith, Julie DeSilva, Marietta Waters, Myrna Rochelle, Rene McClendon, Rod McNeil, Wilma Gibbs
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Drum Programming – Scott V. Smith
Engineer – Chris Desmond, Christomer Banninger, Todd Van Etten, Win Kutz
Executive-Producer – Mike Murdock
Flugelhorn – Charles Davis, Larry Hall
Graphic Design – Rhonda Jesson
Guest Vocals – Howard Smith
Guitar – Dean Parks, James Harrah, Jonathan DuBose
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Christopher Banninger
Percussion – Willie Ornelas, Bill Maxwell
Photography By – Harry Langdon
Producer – Scott V. Smith
Synthesizer – Michael Ruff, Scott V. Smith
Synthesizer Programming – Bill Pearson, Scott V. Smith, Rhett Lawrence, Harvey Lyon
Technician – Mike Wanbsgans
Trombone – Andy Martin
Trumpet – Charles Davis, Larry Hall
Woodwind – Kim Hutchcroft
Written-By – Debbie McClendon, Harvey Lyon, Scott V. Smith, Howard McCrary, Mike Murdock

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Win-Way Productions, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Win-Way Productions, Inc.
Copyright © – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s

Mark Heard – Acoustic: The Best Of Mark Heard – 1985

I’ll be honest I’m a little confused by this compilation album. It’s a collection of songs from Mark’s 5 albums on the Home Sweet Home label. I am confused because generally one doesn’t put out a compilation album in the same year as one releases one of the albums featured. I am wondering if this album was a legal matter as it was released as he was completed his deal with Home Sweet Home and actually moved on to create his own record label. Another thing that confuses me is why include “Acoustic” in the title. It’s not an acoustic album it’s just regular cuts from his albums. Personally I think it was a little disingenuous to use the word acoustic in the title as it could have fooled people into thinking they were getting new acoustic versions of these songs. The album does feature one new track, “Family Name”, which is a new song written by Bill Batstone and is really good but it’s inclusion on the album makes me even a little more suspect to the whole thing. Anyway all that aside I am positive this had nothing to do with Mark and we have a great compilation album here.

Tracklist
1 – Family Name – 4:06
2 – Eye Of The Storm – 3:00
3 – Castaway – 3:16
4 – In The Gaze Of The Spotlight’s Eye – 3:57
5 – Call Me The Fool – 3:12
6 – To See Your Face – 3:35
7 – I’m Crying Again – 3:29
8 – Some Folks’ World – 4:35
9 – Can’t See Light – 4:58
10 – True Confessions – 3:30
11 – Well-Worn Pages – 2:44
12 – In Spite Of Himself – 3:09

Michael W. Smith & Kathy Troccoli – The Friends Medley – 1985

This is some sort of promotional EP released by Reunion Records to promote Michael W. Smith & Kathy Troccoli. Side A features an eight minute medley of tracks from both artists pieced together. This is actually pretty well done because Michael came back into the studio to write and perform the bridges. Many of these medley tracks from other companies are just faded together but in this case there are actual bridges from one track to the next. Side B has a track from each of their most recent albums at the time.

Tracklist
1 – Medley:
Michael W. Smith – Friends Intro
Kathy Troccoli – Stubborn Love
Michael W. Smith – I’m Up
Kathy Troccoli – Long Distance Letter
Michael W. Smith – You Need A Saviour
Kathy Troccoli – Once In A Lifetime Love
Michael W. Smith – Be Strong And Courageous
Kathy Troccoli – Holy Holy
Michael W. Smith – I Am Sure
Michael W. Smith – Friends
2 – Michael W. Smith – A Way
3 – Kathy Troccoli – Long Distance Letter

The Nelons – In One Accord – 1985

This is the first album after Rex changed the name of the band from The Rex Nelon Singers to The Nelons. This was a pretty good idea as the band was struggling to attract younger fans with their previous name but this name made it “okay” for the younger fans to buy their albums. That said the album cover was a bad choice. While the font and design has hip and new the picture of the members on the front screamed 1977. Anyway that aside let’s talk about the album. This one is pretty good, probably the best one I’ve heard from the though I haven’t listened to them all yet. It touches on the southern gospel style without over doing it. I’d actually say they quite nailed the right balance. The opening track could have made it on a mixed tape for me. Pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – God’s Way Up – 2:38
2 – Alleluia To The Lamb – 4:42
3 – We Shall Overcome – 2:25
4 – There Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down – 4:07
5 – What In The World (Are You Waiting For?) – 2:35
6 – God Bless The U.S.A. – 3:12
7 – The Sweetest Song – 3:36
8 – If Jesus Is There – 2:09
9 – I Love Him – 3:03
10 – Don’t Give Up – 2:45

Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bergen White, Lari Goss
Art Direction – Jackson Design
Bass – Jack Williams, Mike Brignardello
Drums – Clay Caire, Clyde Brooks, Hayward Bishop, James Stroud
Engineer [Additional] – Joe Funderburk, Joe Scaife, Lee Peterzell
Engineer, Mixed By [Digitally] – Rick McCollister
Guitar – Brent Rowan, Joe Huffman, Pete Bordonali
Harmonica – Terry McMillan
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Dean Dixon
Piano – Bobby Ogdin, Dave Huntsinger, Gary Prim, Shane Keister
Producer – Ken Harding
Steel Guitar – Sonny Garrish
Strings – The A Strings
Vocals – Karen Peck, Kelly Nelon Clark, Jerry Thompson, Todd Nelon, Rex Nelon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Published By – Word Music
Recorded At – Woodland Studios
Recorded At – Creative Workshop
Recorded At – The Music Mill, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Soundshop Recording Studios
Recorded At – Knob Hill Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – △26891

The David Coate Group – State Of The Heart – 1985

I’ve had this album sitting around for awhile (5 years) and not listened to it. For some reason I had visions of this being an easy listening album. Yes it does lean easy listening but there are some great tracks on this album. “Walking in the Light” is a great little rock & roll track that deserves a second listen. Also “Wait Just a Minute” is definitely a radio ready 80’s pop tune. This was the second self released album for David and now I’m looking forward to the first one. This album would be his last 80’s album but he went on to record 8 more albums over the years including as recently as 2023.

1 – Star of the East – 4:28
2 – The Battle – 4:20
3 – Standing Together – 3:24
4 – Don’t Lose Heart – 3:14
5 – Walking in the Light – 4:19
6 – Wait Just a Minute – 5:36
7 – I Believe – 2:54
8 – Wanderer – 4:43
9 – Breaking Away – 5:48

Eternity Express – The Way Out – 1985

This was the final album from the band using the name Eternity Express. They definitely put together a new look for this album but the sound was still Eternity Express. This is essentially the same lineup that would form Illustrator and under that name they would complete the new look and sound. While this may be a more subdued album I still quite like it. For some reason even though Eternity Express is essentially a easy listening band I have always has a soft spot for their work. Back in the 80’s this is definitely not the style of music my friends and I were listening to but we always had time on the mixed tape of the day for an Eternity Express track. These guys were actually underappreciated in my opinion but with so many albums obviously the record companies saw their talent.

Tracklist
1 – Better This Time – 3:34
2 – How Long – 4:11
3 – Wait On The Lord – 4:10
4 – Re-Ignited – 3:36
5 – Feels Like I’ve Never Been Loved – 3:43
6 – All You Need – 3:57
7 – One On One – 4:23
8 – Open Up Your Heart – 4:14
9 – I Surrender – 3:47

Credits
Drums – Daryl Sutherland
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Vocals – Dan Gaub
Bass, Sax, Vocals – Mark Matthews
Vocals, Keyboards – Dawndee Gaub
Vocals, Keyboards – Nathan Gaub
Lacquer Cut By – Phil Austin
Photography – Peter Eisele

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Marock, Inc.
Manufactured By – Marock, Inc.
Copyright © – Marock Records
Pressed By – PRC Recording Company, Richmond, IN
Published By – Stainless Music Co.
Lacquer Cut At – Trutone Mastering Labs

Idea – Stone Sharpens The Blade – 1985

History as a rule is not kind to 80’s CCM bands. Not that history remembers them poorly, instead history just doesn’t remember them at all and Idea is a great example of this. If you search for info on them almost all the information comes from the band themselves. History shows one album, one EP, and a few singles released in the 80’s. What history has forgotten about Idea is that toured Australia extensively and opened for the biggest CCM names and the band was very well known by Australian Christian music listeners. As for the album history does remember that the band did get backing to cut 2 tracks in the studio, “Turn Up The Tapes”, and “Eve Of Destruction”. Strangely they didn’t put “Turn Up The Tapes” on the album which kind of confuses me but hey it’s their album. “Eve of Destruction” did make it onto the album and is a pretty darn good cover. The rest of the album was, and I’m quoting the band here “so we hired an extra mixer desk, plenty of FX modules, some good fold-back speakers and with our normal onstage gear, we set them all up in Darryl and Lyn’s lounge room rental house in Menai and recorded live in one take onto a Revox stereo 1/4” tape machine”. Well they did a pretty good job because it sounds great. Note that the cassette release got a bonus track “Ambushed”. Anyway I think history should be kinder to Idea but unfortunately this is an industry where these great 80’s artists have just been forgotten about. Give this one a listen you won’t be disappointed and quite frankly we should have all heard this one in 1985 but for some reason us in America just weren’t allowed to.

Tracklist
1 – Lucky One – 3:24
2 – Voice Crying In The Wilderness – 3:32
3 – Now That We Found Out – 3:12
4 – Daring – 3:07
5 – Light The Light – 3:54
6 – As The World Turns – 5:44
7 – Eve Of Destruction – 3:56
8 – Ambushed – 3:28

Credits
Design – Brian Livingston Clark
Guitar, Synthesizer, Vocals – Darryl Thompson
Keyboards, Vocals – Billy Nielson
Percussion, Vocals – Steve Lyne
Photography By – Richard Peake
Vocals – Rod Boucher

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – RCA Limited Australia and New Zealand
Distributed By – RCA Limited Australia and New Zealand
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Idea
Copyright © – DTS Music

Randy Stonehill – Stonehill – 1985/2006

This is kind of a mystery release form Randy. It was only released in the U.K. in 1985. I’m only guessing there may have been contractual problem for him in the United States with his record company Myrrh but I really don’t know why. Anyway this is a great EP that I wish I had heard in 1985 but as I was from Canada I never heard it. None of the tracks was ever released in the U.S. until 2006 which I find very odd. These are great tracks that America would have loved. Luckily though Christian Discs re-released in on CD in 2006 along with 2 bonus tracks that we have included. The first bonus track is “Edge Of The World”. It is an alternative and much better version than the one on his 2002 album of the same name. There is also a live version of “I Love You” from his “Born Twice” album.

Tracklist
1 – Everything But Love – 3:24
2 – Empty Eyes – 2:57
3 – She Walked Back Into My Life – 3:57
4 – Dangerous Heart – 4:04
5 – These Lonely Days – 4:29
2006 CD release bonus tracks
6 – Edge Of The World – 4:17
7 – I Love You (Live) – 2:56

Credits
Design [Sleeve Design], Layout – Juxtaposition Ltd
Engineer [2nd Engineer] – Dan Reed
Engineer [2nd Engineers] – Rob Klein, Shantih Haast
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Britt Bacon, Mark Heard
Illustration – Eleanor Burkett
Layout [CD Re-issue Layout], Design – Jonathan Grassi
Liner Notes – Randy Stonehill
Musical Assistance [Production Assistant] – Barry “The Bear” Liss
Photography By [Sleeve Photography] – Will White
Producer [Bonus Tracks Produced By] – Bob Kilpatrick
Producer [Produced By] – Barry Miller Kaye
Remastered By [Digital Remastering And Touch Up] – Scott Dotta
Remix [Remix Engineer] – Mark Heard
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Randy Stonehill

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – ChristianDiscs
Licensed From – Street Tunes
Recorded At – Skyline Recording
Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders
Overdubbed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Remixed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Published By – Bonnie Bee Good Music
Published By – Street Tunes Ltd.
Remastered At – Retroroom Studio

Various – The Strait Tapes – Volume II – 1985

This is the second of a series of tapes that were published by Strait which was the Greenbelt Newspaper that came out Bi Monthly in the 80’s. This is the second in the series released in 1985. While there are a few less rare tracks this volume it makes up for it with quantity. 18 tracks is pretty darn good for a compilation cassette. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did. This compilation was also released in Australia but with some modifications. Missing were Sheila Walsh – Send Me, Phil and John – The Wasted Years, and Steve Scott – Sound of Waves. Added was a great track from Idea – Take Us. Strangely the cover for the Australian version actually showed that the Walsh and Phil and John track were on the cassette but they were not.

1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero (Alien Brain 1985)
2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age (Victims of the Age 1982)
3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent (Vox Humana 1984)
4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me (Don’t Hide Your Heart 1985)
5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason (Love Beyond Reason 1985)
6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones (from Visions 1985)
7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel (from Quiet Night 1984)
8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City (from The Fat Band 7-inch 1983)
9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves (12” mix)
(Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us (previously unreleased)
10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone (Obsessions EP 2011)
11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass (Lie Down in the Grass 1985)
12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years (extended remixed version from Count Me Out 1983)
13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back (previously unreleased)
14 – Pieces – Robot System (Face 2 Face 1985)
15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got (Dancing with Danger 1984)
16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take (The Front 1985)
17 – Avalon – Flags (not The Aussie Avalon, released on 7″ in 1984)
18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills (Rock of Offense 1984)

Tracklist
1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero – 4:12
2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age – 3:13
3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent – 3:00
4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me – 3:30
5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason – 5:33
6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones – 3:03
7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel – 4:07
8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City – 2:47
9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves – 4:26
(Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us – 3:08
10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone – 4:18
11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass – 3:26
12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years – 2:58
13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back – 3:50
14 – Pieces – Robot System – 3:44
15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got – 3:51
16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take – 3:22
17 – Avalon – Flags – 4:22
18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills – 3:38