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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
