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

The Technos – Foreign Land – 1985

1985 came with a new name for The Techno Twins to simply The Technos. It seems like Steve and Bev were never happy with their band name as they were constantly changing it. The name may have changed but the sound is the same with a keyboard heavy pop sound. This was a doubt their most successful album with the single “Foreign Land” produced by Joe Glasman reaching the top 10 of the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. They also released a few version of Foreign Land with an extended and also a Dub mix. We’ll be sure to upload those too. Anyway this is the Techno album you need to hear as it’s probably their best work.

Tracklist
1 – Falling In Love – 3:07
2 – Spirit Of The Thing – 3:03
3 – Prisoner Of Love – 3:15
4 – Crying In The Rain – 4:05
5 – Visions Of The Night – 3:24
6 – Foreign Land – 3:09
7 – Nightime Heaven – 3:24
8 – Lunatic Republic – 4:04
9 – Clowns On The Ground – 3:24
10 – Slow Boats To China – 3:52

Credits
Producer – Joe Glasman
Arranged By [Rhythms] – Steve Fairnie
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bev Sage
Producer – Joe Glasman Vocals – Bev Sage, Steve Fairnie
Written-By – Bev Sage
Written-By – Garry Hughes
Written-By – Joe Glasman
Written-By – Steve Fairnie

Jamboree – Melt Down – 1985

Before there was Hoi Polloi there was Jamboree which was a version of the band without Jenny. Otherwise looks identical with future Hoi Polloi producer Dave Steunebrink standing in on guitar. Only one of these tracks would get the Jenny treatment, Spin Me showed up in 1993 as the title track of the same name album. The rest of the tracks were lost to time which is a pity because these tracks are really good. In fact as a whole I preferred this sound than their Hoi Polli sound but I was heavily into this style of Alternative New Wave in the 80’s and their sound with Jenny not so much. Anyway this self released EP was only around in New Zealand so you probably never heard it but here it is.

Tracklist
1 – Melt Down – 3:47
2 – A Familiar Quietness – 3:35
3 – Cold – 3:57
4 – Out Of Season – 4:47
5 – Spin Me – 4:41

Credits
Bass – Andrew Horst
Drums – Jozsef Fityus
Guitar – Dave Steunebrink
Guitar, Keyboards – David Ball
Producer, Engineer – Phil Yule
Vocals – Brent Tasker

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Mascot Studios

Abraham & The Watchmen Band – Anti-Sin – 1985

This band were better known as Just the Watchmen in the 70’s and early 80’s. They had several albums though they all appear to have been self released. We have one that we’ll be uploading soon and it’s great. That said were talking about their 85 EP which is only 4 tracks but is great. Their previous work had a strong 70’s sound but this EP has a solid 80’s sound. These guys had at least 8 self released albums and you have to respect the effort. I really don’t know why they didn’t have an album deal but a part of me suspects that they chose the self released route intentionally. Anyway as I said this is a great little 80’s EP and the title track is fantastic. It was released on cassette with all 4 tracks on both sides.

Tracklist
1 – Seek His Kingdom – 3:36
2 – Anti-Sin – 4:31
3 – Midnight Dreams – 4:03
4 – Caught In The Undertow – 3:21

Credits
Booking – John H. Abraham
Producer, Composed By – Gary Sanford Paxton*
Written-By – Gary Sanford Paxton, Ken Abraham, Tink Abraham

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – M.U.D.A.S.A. International Evangelistic Association Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – M.U.D.A.S.A. International Evangelistic Association Inc.
Published By – Aimed At The Lost Music

Solid Rock – Real 2 Reel – 1985

Third and final LP from Oklahoma group Solid Rock. They are best known for their progressive 70’s rock sound and this album they continue that but give their music a more 80’s sound and feel. They did a great job of adjusting their music to changing times. The problem of course is that niche CCN bands had an even smaller audience. Too bad because these guys were very good and did this style very very well. Only time for one track? Check out “Time Goes By”.

Tracklist
1 – Uncommon Valor – 3:38
2 – Plastic Love Affair – 3:36
3 – Open Your Eyes – 3:30
4 – No Substitute – 2:48
5 – Time Goes By – 4:08
6 – Blind Lead The Blind – 2:45
7 – Wheel Of Fortune – 2:35
8 – Alien – 4:46
9 – Where Are The Banners – 4:16
10 – Right Road – 3:09

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Kevin Bartel
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Larry Percy
Guitar, Vocals – Stan Mathis
Keyboards, Vocals – Scott Jay
Lead Vocals, Keyboards – Jerry Johnson

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Interdesign Music

First Call – An Evening In December – 1985

A selection of Christmas songs from First Call featuring David Maddux done in A Cappella. Nothing outstanding here except for the fact that it was done A Cappella.

Tracklist
1 – An Evening In December – 4:53
2 – Christmas Medley – 4:15
3 – Starlight – 3:06
4 – How Great Our Joy! – 1:45
5 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel – 3:05
6 – The First Noel – 2:33
7 – One Small Child – 3:02
8 – When Jesus Was A Tiny Baby – 3:07
9 – Lo! How A Rose E’re Blooming – 1:16
10 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 3:43
11 – The New Twelve Days Of Christmas/We Wish You A Merry Christmas – 5:02

Credits
Arranged By – D. Maddux
Art Direction, Illustration – McConnell Graphics
Co-producer – David Maddux
Engineer [Sound] – Lynn Fuston, Tom Harding
Engineer, Mixed By – Ed Seay
Executive-Producer – Don Cason, Neal Joseph
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Performer – David Maddux, First Call
Performer [First Call Is] – Bonnie Keen, Marty McCall, Melodie Tunney
Producer – Steven V. Taylor

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Treasure Isle Recorders
Mastered At – Mastermix
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Epic
Distributed By – Epic

Bobby Michaels – I Have A Reason – 1985

So often when a new album wanders into the studio I do some research on it before processing it. I saw that someone in authority, looking at you Word Records, had categorized it as Ballad, Vocal, Synth-pop, That’s not a common classification so I was thinking maybe something like David Meece. The album cover said worship but I have learnt a long time ago not to trust album covers on this genre. Anyway came time to process it and surprise, it’s actually Easy Listening/Worship just like the cover implied. Of course that first listening didn’t go well because I was expecting something else. So I gave it a few days and came back to it today with no illusions on what I was going to hear. Now that I had that out of the way I was surprised how good this album is. Yes it’s not my style but I know good music when I hear it and this is a good album. I doubt any of it will end up in my regular rotation but I will say that this is a pretty darn good Easy Listening/Worship album.

Tracklist
1 – Shepherd Of My Heart – 3:45
2 – I Have A Reason – 2:45
3 – Celebrate The Lord – 2:58
4 – May I Call You Jesus – 4:10
5 – Messiah – 2:58
6 – Seek The Blesser, Not The Blessing – 2:22
7 – I Can – 3:04
8 – Praise Him Now – 3:51
9 – That’s Something Else – 3:46
10 – You Are Most Blest – 6:23

Credits
Arranged By – David Diggs
Backing Vocals – First Call Singers
Conductor, Producer – Kurt Kaiser
Design [Cover Design] – Dennis Hill
Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Eric Tomlinson
Engineer [Recording Engineer], Mixed By [Mixdown Engineer] – Bob Clark
Liner Notes – Kurt Kaiser
Photography By [Cover Photos] – Kenn Duncan

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Olympic Studios
Recorded At – EMI Studios
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Mixed At – Great Circle Sound
Published By – Manna Music
Published By – Coronation Music
Published By – Charlie Monk Music
Published By – Laurel Press
Published By – Yellow House Music
Published By – Word Music
Published By – Paragon Music
Published By – First Monday Music
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – △27033