1985 – Real 80s CCM

Tom Howard & Bill Batstone – One By One – 1985

This was quite a visionary album for 1985. While Tom was well known in 1985 Bill was more of a hired gun. He had tons of credits but up to this album not the proper recognition. Bringing these guys together was a great idea and this album works just perfect. Tom and Bill take turns on lead vocals and while I usually find this to be a bad thing, not this time it works perfectly. The album has an excellent flow and their vocals compliment each other. The album was mixed by Mark Heard at his studio and the mix is perfect, but we came to expect that of Mark. The album is a mix of easy listening and light rock but there is something here for everyone. It’s a great rounded album and it definitely deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – When The Curtain Falls – 3:42
2 – Storm Moving On – 3:23
3 – Night And Day – 4:04
4 – Think On These Things – 3:53
5 – Heart of a Fool (Psalm 4) – 3:40
6 – Your Constant Love – 3:27
7 – He Took The Form Of Man – 3:23
8 – The Best Thing – 3:33
9 – Show Me The Shepherd – 4:43
10 – And He Heard Them Sing – 4:47

Credits
Arranged By – Bill Batstone, Tom Howard
Art Direction – Tim Alderson
Drums [Drum Overdubs] – David Raven
Engineer – Mark Heard
Guitar, Bass, Drum Programming [DMX] – Bill Batstone
Keyboards – Tom Howard
Mixed By – Mark Heard
Percussion – Harry Stinson
Photography By – Stewart Ivester
Producer – Bill Batstone, Tom Howard
Vocals – Bill Batstone, Tom Howard

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&S Records
Copyright © – A&S Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders
Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders

Wisdom – Face To Face – 1985

I have been unable to find out anything about this band. This was the only album they had and there’s no mention anywhere of them on the Internet that I could find. I did see that the Executive Producer was listed as Tim Archer but I have no idea if that was THE Tim Archer. The album was on Straight Ahead Records which was a micro label active in 1985 in California. I did find a bit of information on the guitarist, Kim Roy, who was a guitarist in a late 60’s band called The Little Bits that were all kids 12 and under but they did get an album deal. That said I did go listen to the album and well, they were all kids 12 and under, and yea it was more a gimmick band than anything else. That however does not distract from Kim’s guitar playing on this album. It’s solid and more than studio musician level. I can’t see where the band went on to do any other work so I assume they are probably out there as worship leaders somewhere. The album has a pretty good pop rock sound with 70’s overtures on some tracks and is well worth a listen.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI8iYrTxSkrY

Tracklist
1 – Devil’s Lies – 2:35
2 – Best Friend – 3:01
3 – In The Air – 3:44
4 – Ready Or Not – 4:24
5 – Then – 2:57
6 – Since I Met You – 2:46
7 – Face To Face – 4:22
8 – Reflection – 2:23

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Charlie Dupuis
Drums – Fred Sarver
Engineer – Barry “Byrd” Burton, Willie Harlan
Executive Producer – Tim Archer
Keyboards, Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals – Guy Lavergne
Lead Guitar, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Kim Roy
Producer – Dan Cutrona
Sounds – Kent Roy
Stage Manager – Dwayne Morvant

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Rocshire Studios

Phil Keaggy – Getting Closer – 1985

This is Phil’s offering for 1985. It was not that well received by his biggest fans but I love it. Criticisms of the album were that it didn’t feature his guitar playing but instead was more of a pop album. This of course is the exact reason I love it. I’m more of a pop rock kind of guy and less of a guitar virtuoso kind of guy. It was a little heavy on the electronic drums but that doesn’t bother me. As usual for Keaggy many of the tracks had one too many verses making them unnecessarily long but this is part of who Keaggy is so I shouldn’t fault it. “Sounds” does a good job of highlighting his guitar skills so that track is there for the crowd that loves him for his guitar skills. The album includes the original version of “I Will Be There” which I think is a better version than the one that would show up on Crimson And Blue in 1993. The CD release for this album in 1998 included 2 bonus track that we have included in our upload.

Tracklist
1 – Where Has Our Love Gone – 3:14
2 – Passport – 4:13
3 – I Will Be There – 5:00
4 – Getting Closer – 4:09
5 – Movie – 4:59
6 – Sounds – 6:05
7 – Like An Island – 3:50
8 – Look Deep Inside – 5:08
9 – Riverton – 3:54
10 – Reaching Out – 4:31
11 – Get Up And Go – 2:46
12 – Sunrise – 3:20

Credits
Art Direction, Design [Photo Concept] – Stan Evenson
Backing Vocals – John Mehler
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Spurr
Engineer – Bob Lockhart, Chris Taylor, Joe Bellamy, Mike Ross, Peter Haden, Terry Lang, Walter Grant
Executive-Producer, Engineer – Bob Cotton
Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drum Programming, Producer, Written By – Phil Keaggy
Keyboards – Richard Souther
Keyboards, Drum Programming [Linn], Producer, Engineer – Smitty Price
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Photography By – Lisa Powers
Programmed By [Fairlight Synth] – Rhett Lawrence
Written-By – Bernadette Keaggy, Dave Spurr, John Mehler, Richard Souther

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Nissi Records
Copyright © – Nissi Records
Distributed By – Lexicon Distribution
Published By – Marguerite Music, Emmaus Road Music
Recorded At – Weddington Studios, Whitefield Studios, Peace In The Valley Recording
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.

Charlotte – Fri – 1985

This is the first album from Charlotte that was released in the U.S. This is the Swedish version that was originally released in 1985. They went back into the studio to record the English version in 1987. The music scores are slightly different but I think it’s due to mixing and not due to rerecording them. There are 2 additional tracks on the English version and the Swedish version actually had 2 English songs. English songs on a Swedish release were not uncommon at the time. Being from Canada I had no idea about the existence of this album or even this artist. I discovered it as I was researching Frank Ådahl and discovered he sang backup on this album. Charlotte actually had several albums including many as a child with her brother Per Höglund. Charlotte’s parents are singers Lotten and Arne Höglund and were also travel evangelists with the Swedish Missionary Association in the early 1970’s. The album is a great Pop album with strong vocals and I really really like it. It’s easily as good as the female pop stuff that was on the lower end of radio playlists in 85/87. No real stand out tracks for me but a great all around album. Charlotte Höglund is currently the pastor of Immanuelskyrkan Church in Stockholm.

The English version of this album is here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XQ1vdSt8rX1lGHxqCXcJa2v

Tracklist
1 – Fri – 3:45
2 – Dansa – 3:56
3 – Vem Är Du? – 4:08
4 – Känn Ingen Oro – 3:34
5 – End Of The Book – 3:47
6 – Stjärnorna – 3:36
7 – All I Needed To Say – 3:21
8 – Vinna – Våga – 3:19
9 – Befria Mitt Folk – 5:01
10 – Konungen – 3:35

Credits
Arranged By – Peter Ljung
Backing Vocals – Björn Ström, Eva Axelsson, Frank Ådahl
Bass – Teddy Walther
Design – Camilla B.
Drums – Klas Anderhell, Per Lindvall
Engineer – Lennart Östlund, Paris Edvinsson
Guitar – Henrik Janson
Hair – Maria, KlippButiken
Illustration – Jan Sandström
Keyboards – Peter Ljung
Make-Up – Jean Pierre Barda
Photography By – Labe Allwin
Producer – Peter Ljung
Saxophone – Johan Stengård

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – EMI
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Verbum Förlag AB
Copyright © – Verbum Förlag AB
Pressed By – Audiodisc (3)
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg
Recorded At – Polar Studios

Charlie And Jill LeBlanc – Keep Pressing On – 1985

Charlie And Jill LeBlanc are a husband and wife team that have made many albums but I never heard of them. They have self released some where in the area of 10 albums. That’s pretty impressive when you think about it. Most bands might put out the money for one or two albums but not this many. That shows real dedication to the their work. They are still making music and ministering and they “specialize” in grief ministry now unfortunately because of the loss of their son in 2009. As for the album it’s a easy listening offering and honestly I was quite surprised at the quality. This was their first full length album and it’s really good. It’s not my particular style of music but I listened to it a couple times today in the background and found it very soothing. If you want to learn more about their ministry and especially if you’re struggling with grief head over to their webpage – https://charlieandjill.com/

Tracklist
1 – Always Faithful – 4:22
2 – Listen To His Heart – 4:28
3 – If God Be For Us – 3:50
4 – O Give Thanks – 4:14
5 – One With The Lord – 6:38
6 – Keep Pressing On – 3:52
7 – Crucified With Christ – 3:58
8 – Seeing By Faith – 5:08
9 – Born Again – 4:40
10 – Rest In The Lord – 6:06

Credits
Artwork – Bob Levine, Mark Illig, Mark Wiseman, Wiseman Design
Backing Vocals – Charlie And Jill LeBlanc
Bass – Jay Hungerford
Co-producer – Charlie And Jill LeBlanc
Drums – Carl Albrecht
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – John Hayes
Engineer – Curt Taipale, Tom Brooks
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Tom Brooks
Photography By – Rick Meoli
Producer – Tom Brooks
Saxophone – Mike Karpowicz

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Joyful Word Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Joyful Word Music
Produced For – Joyful Word Music
Recorded At – New Earth Productions, Inc.
Recorded At – Grace Studios (2)
Recorded At – Earth City Studios, St. Louis, MO

R.K. Fraser – Heroes – 1985

I can not find very much information about R.K. Fraser. I do know this was his only Christian album though he did have 2 albums in the 70’s that I have not listened to yet. The album was on Bright Star Records which was a division of Kerygma Records, Kerry Livgren’s label. The album was also associated with the American Coalition of Traditional Values (ACTV). Fraser was a Vietnam vet serving in 1969 and 1970. This fact helps explain the rather odd album cover which makes sense once you realize he was wearing face camouflage as was done in Vietnam. The album contains a pretty good cover of John Denver’s Annie’s Song. The album is a pretty easy listening pop album that was probably more oriented at our parents than us. Anyway it’s a pretty good album and while little known those who did have it seem to have great memories of it.

Tracklist
1 – Knockin’ At Your Door
2 – In God We Trust
3 – All Roads Lead To You
4 – Galilee
5 – Heroes
6 – Cold Cold Night
7 – Annie’s Song
8 – Light Up The Sky
9 – I Wish I Was Home

Dion – Kingdom In The Streets – 1985

This was Dion’s 5th Christian album and is actually my personal favourite. While Put Away My Idols was his big Christian album I actually think this is a better album. The Pop tracks are simple and fun which was actually Dion’s strength. It’s what made him big in 60’s and I’m glad he carried it through to most of his Christian albums. The album did have 2 CCM charting singles, “Still In The Spirit” made it to #5 and “He’s In You” made it to #24 so it was moderately successful but I think it should have done better. I am going to be a bit critical of Dion now however. I can’t see one artist on this album that was from the Christian music industry. All of the studio musicians are mainstream musicians. I’m not saying none of them were Christian because I never judge who is or isn’t a Christian but none of them were ever involved in the Christian music scene. Many people argue that Dion was jumping on the Christian bandwagon while it was hot, and he was not. I do understand their opinion because Dion just didn’t seem to be a part of the community. Strange bit of trivia about the album. Track 5 is called “Only God Can Change A Heart” an the jacket but is called “Only God Can Make A Change” on the label. Proofreading was a optional thing in the record industry. Anyway that aside I really enjoy this album and you should give it a listen if you enjoy the pop style.

Tracklist
1 – Still In The Spirit – 3:35
2 – Crazy Too (Fallen In Love) – 3:32
3 – He Hears Them All – 3:48
4 – He’s In You – 3:40
5 – Only God Can Change A Heart – 2:55
6 – Daddy Says – 2:50
7 – Come To The Cross – 3:43
8 – You Can Do All Things (Through Christ) – 4:23
9 – I’ve Come Too Far – 3:21
10 – You Only Go ‘Round Once – 4:02

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Dion DiMucci
Art Direction, Design – Jeffery Fey
Backing Vocals – Chuck Kirkpatrick, Doug Shawe, Johnny Sambataro, Kitty Woodson, Pamela Sessody, Paul Pettitt
Bass – Phil Chen
Electric Guitar – John Sambataro, Leslie West, Rick Hitchcock
Engineer [Assistant] – Jim Sessody, Stan Lambert, Ted Stein, Teresa Verplanck
Management [Artist Direction] – Zachary Glickman Artist Management
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Percussion – Joe Galdo
Photography By – Bill Tuohy
Producer – Dion DiMucci
Producer, Engineer – Eric Schilling
Producer, Keyboards, Organ, Synthesizer – Paul Harris
Saxophone, Soloist – Ed Calle
Synthesizer – Larry Dermer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Salt Productions, Inc.
Designed At – Art Hotel
Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios
Mixed At – New River Studios
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – Δ26746

Leviticus – I Shall Conquer – 1985

This was the first album from Swedish Metal band Leviticus. It was originally released in Sweden in Swedish in 1983. The band redid the album in English for a European and North American Release. Leviticus played the Greenbelt festival in England in 1984, and 1985 in support of this album. This album has a bit of a symphonic feel that disappeared in the bands later releases. The engineering on this album was not the best in my opinion as it appeared the producer/engineer were going for the “wall of sound” feel which never works well on a Metal album again in my opinion. The album was re-released in 2000 on CD with bonus material.

Tracklist
1 – I Shall Conquer
2 – Let Me Fight
3 – He’s My Life
4 – Doubt
5 – Action More Than Words
6 – All Is Calm
7 – Day By Day
8 – Strive Forwards
9 – Psalm 23

Credits
Bass – Håkan Andersson
Drums – Kjell Andersson
Guitar – Björn Stigsson
Lead Vocals – Håkan Andersson
Percussion – Kjell Andersson
Vocals – Björn Stigsson

Departure – Last Plane To The Mainland – 1985

This is going to be a real short review. Departure were a band out of Nashville. They had a one album deal on Morada Records. I can not find anything else the band or any members ever recorded. This is fantastic pop rock album that really deserved to be more recognized than it was. In fact I can’t even find anyone in my circle that ever even heard of it. What a pity because this is a fantastic album. And that’s it, that’s all I got. If you heard this album in the day comment wherever you are reading this.

Tracklist
1 – I Just Wanna Love You Forever – 3:37
2 – Cry of the Lost – 4:25
3 – I Need You – 3:31
4 – Raise Your Hands – 3:07
5 – Run and Hide – 4:43
6 – God Bless America – 4:57
7 – Let Him Love You – 3:23
8 – Suicide – 5:53
9 – He’s Comin’ – 3:00

Credits
Bass Guitar – Jed Morehouse
Drums, Percussion – Tony Huff
Guitar, Vocals – Doug Stanfield
Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Jeff Booth

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