The 8th album from D & K wins for their dumbest named album. In fact it’s in my top 5 worst album names in CCM. That aside it is one of my favourite D & K albums. It is more synth driven than their earlier work and this is one of the things I like and D & K. If I’m in the mood for rock I can listen to them. If I’m in the mood for synth I can listen to them. If I’m in the mood for New Wave I can listen to them. For most bands these varying styles would probably be a negative but as they they did all these styles so well it worked for them. The album did have 2 chart singles. Destined To Win made it to #5 and most people from this era will well remember that song. Casual Christian also singled but only made it to #20. This album was a solid effort and should be fondly remembered by most from this era.
Tracklist 1 – Activate 2 – Competition 3 – Temporary Things 4 – Apathy Alert 5 – Charge Of The Light Brigade 6 – Destined To Win 7 – No More Goodbye 8 – Jesus Is Coming 9 – Rise Up 10 – Casual Christian
Credits Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Carl Marsh Art Direction, Design – Susan De Garmo Bass, Backing Vocals – Tommy Cathey Drums, Backing Vocals – Greg Morrow Engineer [Strings] – Frank Baratta, John Timperley Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock Management – Brock & Associates, Inc. Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Photography By – Dean Dixon Producer, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Written-By – Ed De Garmo Producer, Lead Vocals, Guitar, Written-By – Dana Key Recorded By, Mixed By – John Hampton Strings – London String Orchestra Vocals [Duet] – Jessy Dixon (tracks: B1)
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Power Discs Copyright (c) – Power Discs Published By – Paragon Music Corp. Recorded At – Ardent Studios Recorded At – Angel Studios Mixed At – Ardent Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk
The humour continues as Mike returns for his 8th album.
It should be noted that Warnke was revealed as a liar and fraudster in 1991 by Cornerstone magazine. This recording is offered as a historic record of what was being listened to in the Christian community in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Tracklist 1 – Potty Training – 6:35 2 – Stuff Happens – 4:19 3 – Fat Fight – 2:27 4 – Cleaning Up For A Bath – 12:06 5 – Concepts Of Christ – 8:44
Credits Design [Album Design] – Bill Brunt Edited By – John Barker, Neal Joseph Engineer – Malcolm Harper Executive-Producer – John Barker, Steve Adams Illustration – Jim Osborn Liner Notes – Rose Warnke Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Ron Keith, Scott Bonner Producer – Neal Joseph Written-By – Mike Warnke
Companies, etc. Record Company – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Reelsound Mixed At – MasterMix Record Company – Word Records Limited Record Company – Word (UK) Ltd.
This was a self released Demo from Rosanna’s Raiders in 1985. They also had one in 1984 with mostly different songs. This shows that they had a very good selection of songs before they were ever signed to a record deal. If you are familiar with Rosanna’s Raiders you might be a little surprised by this demo. I found it to be a little toned down from their label releases and in fact I think I prefer this toned down style. I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of this demo. More often than not demos do not have the best engineering and production but in the case I found both to be excellent. This may actually be my favourite demo from the 80’s, at very least it’s in my top 10.
Tracklist 1 – We Are Raiders – 3:23 2 – Reflections – 2:50 3 – When You Woke Up This Morning – 4:50 4 – Spotlight – 4:24 5 – Masks – 3:56 6 – You Are My Rock – 3:42 7 – Why Don’t People Care – 4:28 8 – Hiding Behind Closed Doors – 4:51 9 – Whose Side Are You On – 4:26 10 – Mr. Magic – 6:02 11 – He Is Coming (Are You Ready?) – 2:44
Credits Dave Palmer – Bass Johno Zaffarese – Drums Rosanna Palmer – Guitar, Vocals Phil Butson – Producer, Engineer
With the strong success of the initial EP Stryper was poised to make a major impact on the music world with their first full length album, Soldiers Under command. It was also at this time that televangelist and youth speakers were voicing disapproval on the world of CCM with loud and venemous attacks against artists like Amy Grant, Petra and even Sandy Patti. The perfect storm of glam rock and God’s music critics created a furor not seen ever since. The more the TBN crowd railed against the “Devil’s Music” (Stryper) the larger the bands fan base grew. The growth of Stryper’s impact was directly related to an amazing full length debut. the album rocked from the very beginning and did not disappoint. The war-like image on the album cover was lived out in the militant, evangelistic approach lyrically on the album. The title track rocked with heavy, HEAVY DRUMS and a great dual guitar attack. It was also on this album that the world was introduced to the power ballad in a big way. Fearless radio programmers at KYMS (with some constant encouragement from a certain young wannabe deejay) added “Together As One” to the normal format of Amy Grant, Petra and Michael W. Smith. The phones lit up every time it was played with listeners asking who was performing this great new wedding song. The band did show great improvement and maturity, both in their musical skills and in their songwriting. There was still plenty of “Jesus is the rock that makes us roll” pablum the genre was noted for, but there was also a sense of a beginning community that Strpyer would be spearheading as their loyal fans would take the message behind the music to their friends. It is in this setting that a song like “Reach Out” becomes more a communal anthem rather than just an evangelistic propaganda slogan. There would also be social and personal issues dealt with on this album like personal piety (First Love) and sexual purity (A Love That’s Real). The title track deals with the reality of spiritual warfare. It was also on this album the use of keyboards were introduced. This accentuated the normal big hair, big guitar attack, and showed the heavy influence bands like Styx and REP Speedwagon actually had on the band. Critics, especially the self anointed protectors of definers of “Godly” music continued to miss the point. The Stryper phenomenon had much more to do with the sense of belonging and community fostered and promoted by the band. Kids wore Stryper paraphernalia not only because they were fans, but also because they were belonging to something bigger than themselves. It is also why even several years beyond the highest popularity and artistic zeniths their fan base remained loyal and supportive and there is a continuing respect for the band.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Track Listing:
1 – Soldiers Under Command – 5:03
2 – Makes Me Wanna Sing – 2:51
3 – Together Forever – 4:03
4 – First Love – 5:43
5 – The Rock That Makes Me Roll – 4:56
6 – Reach Out – 5:21
7 – (Waiting For) A Love That’s Real – 4:36
8 – Together As One – 5:01
9 – Surrender – 4:28
10 – Battle Hymn Of The Republic – 2:36
Credits:
Bass, Piano, Keyboards – Tim Gaines
Drums – Robert Sweet “The Visual Timekeeper”
Other [Make Up] – Kyle Rae Tucy
Other [Stage Clothes] – Tina Henderson
Photography – Scarpati
Producer, Engineer – Michael Wagener
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Michael Sweet, Oz Fox
Written-By – Robert Sweet (tracks: A1, B1)
Written-By, Lead Vocals – Michael Sweet
Companies, etc.
Produced For – Double Trouble Productions, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Enigma Records
Copyright (c) – Enigma Records
Published By – Sweet Family Music
Steve Taylor followed up his masterpiece, Meltdown, with 1985’s “On the Fritz,” a substantially more refined and mature rock album that was great, but did not seem to match what came before or after. Produced by Ian McDonald of Foreigner and King Crimson fame, Fritz was wider and deeper musically then Meltdown, but seems to lack the more memorable touches and possessed a few too many novelties that don’t bear repeating nearly as often. The great offender on the album was Lifeboat, a song (or mini-musical sketch as it were) that must have sounded great on paper and worked well in video format, but simply is not musical enough to bear consistent repeat listening. “Drive, He Said” comes close, but is interesting enough and has enough of a Bowie type feel that it does not quite as much as the former. But when the album does take musical swings it hits way more often then misses and also contains some of Taylor’s finest and most personal songs. “This Disco (Used to be a Cute Cathedral)” is based on the true story of the Limelight Club in NY that was once an Episcopal Church. Musically more in line with Meltdowns manic, dance driven style, even stations adverse to playing more “upbeat” music added the song to their playlist. The Ian McDonald guitar influence can be heard on the wonder title track. The song looks at a pop star that once confessed Christ but has turned his back in the faith to maintain his stature in the mainstream world. “It’s a Personal Thing” actually sounds like something that would have worked well on the following “I Predict 1990” album with the bass and keyboard driven approach and the political commentary and pre-dated Bill Clinton by nearly a decade. “To Forgive” remains one of Taylor’s finest and most personal songs. The Big Country sounding E-Bow guitar creates a very Euro sounding power pop song. The story telling here is Taylor at his best.”I Manipulate” and “You Don’t Own Me Nothing” are great songs and show a progression of the artist as a songwriter out of the novelty realm. But Taylor’s very best may have been saved for the last song on the album. “I Just Wanna Know” remains Taylor’s most personal and confessional song in his tenure. The self-doubt and internal questioning of motives for his art are examined in full sight of the listener. It is also musically captivating and a perfect ending to a very strong album.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral) – 4:06 2 – On The Fritz – 3:56 3 – It’s A Personal Thing – 2:58 4 – To Forgive – 3:54 5 – You’ve Been Bought – 2:45 6 – You Don’t Owe Me Nothing – 3:22 7 – I Manipulate – 5:07 8 – Lifeboat – 4:35 9 – Drive, He Said – 4:30 10 – I Just Wanna Know – 4:40
Credits Backing Vocals – Beverly Slade, Kitty Markham, Mary Davis Bass – Carmine Rojas Cover [and Everything Artsy] – The Graphics Studio Drums – Alan Childs Drums [Simmons], Finger Snaps, Percussion – Cactus Moser Engineer [Assistant] – Jay Healy, Joey Flamingo Engineer, Mixed By – Alan Douches Finger Snaps – Debbie Taylor Guitar – Hugh McCracken, Tony Davilio Guitar [Solo] – John McCurry Keyboards, Synthesizer [Programming], Synthesizer – George Small Mastered By – Greg Calbi Producer, Mixed By, Guitar, Alto Saxophone, Percussion – Ian McDonald Synthesizer [Programming], Synthesizer – Larry Fast Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Dave Thrush Written-By, Producer, Vocals – Steve Taylor
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Copyright (c) – C.A. Music Copyright (c) – Birdwing Music Recorded At – Grand Slam Studios Mixed At – Grand Slam Studios Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Farrell & Farrell fans often consider this to be their best album. By the measure of fun this is definitely their best album. By the measure of CCM chart hits it was not strong. The lack of CCM magazine hits is a testament to it being a good album in my opinion. It is a fun pop oriented album and the track “People in a Box” received very heavy airplay. Personally I don’t think the track aged very good and I find it a tad annoying but then again it’s not in the 80’s anymore. The track was pretty good in the proper era. Degarmo and Key step in again to give this album their signature guitar and keyboards and adding the Farrell’s vocals is a very good combo. As I said the album only had the one CCM magazine hit. “Heart In The Right Place” only made it to #21 on the charts.
Tracklist 1 – Jump Up – 4:04 2 – People In A Box – 3:31 3 – Split Second – 3:33 4 – American Man – 3:51 5 – The Sting – 3:52 6 – Heart In The Right Place – 3:15 7 – Hungry Eyes, Thirsty Hearts – 4:06 8 – Shakedown – 4:27 9 – The Meek And The Mighty – 3:03 10 – I Belong To Him – 3:18
Credits Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Carl Marsh Art Direction – Dave Rogers Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Farrell, Dana, Farrell Drums, Percussion – Cromwell Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – John Hampton Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Darrell A. Harris Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Dana Key Guitar [Guitars], Keyboards – Demus Illustration – Jeff Sanson Keyboards – Robins Keyboards [Additional] – Carl, Ed Mastered By – Howie Weinberg Photography By – Dean Dixon Producer [Produced By] – Bob Farrell, Ed DeGarmo Vocals – Farrell, Farrell
Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Star Song Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records Distributed By – Word, Inc. Produced For – Mint Productions Engineered At – Ardent Studios Mixed At – Ardent Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles Published By – StraightWay Music Published By – Elenbee Music Published By – Mint To Be Music Published By – Paragon Music Published By – Warner Bros. Music Published By – Bob Montgomery Music Inc.
Though often assumed to be a German band Crumbacher was actually a U.S. band whose lead singer’s name was Stephen Crumbächer. Incandescent was recorded as a short demo but when Broken Records heard it they requested the band cut a few more songs to make it a full length album. Crumbacher were probably the first synthpop band in the CCM genre. There’s really not much to say about this album, it had a German synthpop sound and was actually quite good for this style of music. Point of trivia is that the album was produced by Ojo Taylor from the band
Tracklist 1 – Understudy – 3:25 2 – Infrared/X-Ray Eyes – 4:16 3 – Glowing In The Dark – 5:12 4 – So Strange – 5:41 5 – It Don’t Matter – 4:45 6 – Jamie – 4:46 7 – Sweet By And By – 3:29 8 – Track You Down – 5:16
Credits Backing Vocals – Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Jimmy Wisner, Stephen Crumbächer Design [Cover], Layout – Ed McTaggart Drums – Jimmy Wisner Effects [Sepecial Effects Compositing] – Ken Baley Guitar – Dan Hohulin Keyboards – Dawn Wisner-Johnson, Stephen Crumbächer Lead Vocals – Stephen Crumbächer Mixed By – Chris Taylor Photography By [Back Cover] – Rich La Salle Photography By [Front Cover] – Bill Valenzuela Producer – O-Joe Taylor
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Broken Records – 1985 Copyright (c) – Broken Records – 1985 Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Sound Affair Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
After making a name for himself as the leader of the cool, underground, new wave band The Producers, Kyle Henderson became a Christian, left the band and recorded one album for the Christian Music industry. He released the one album on Kerry Livgren’s short-lived label Kerygma. Henderson then disappeared from CCM altogether. But that one album was filed with ten great songs, if not a bit too sparsely produced. Christian radio was generally receptive to this debut and several singles charted. The album was released with a sticker that noted his experience in The Producers. Fans of the Producers were probably somewhat disappointed as the album did not really reflect the music of the classic new wave band, but rather had more in common with Bryan Adams and Benny Hester while his vocals have a Steve Perry (Journey) quality to it. The lyrics were rather common, especially among new Christian in the industry as their earlier releases of “cross over” albums tend to be more direct and testimonial in nature. The same is true here. highlights include the title track, Gift of Grace, Renaissance and the radio hit, Beautiful People. One song of note “He’s Coming Back.” I bring this song up because the production and instrumentation is for some reason superior to the rest of the album and no where near as thin sounding as the rest. As mentioned already the style was more middle American rock and roll like Richard Marx and Bryan Adams with heavy saxophone presence and unfortunately thin production. I have always wondered what would have happened if the album was more successful or how his career may have gone if he continued within the CCM industry.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Gift Of Grace – 3:09 2 – Open The Lines – 3:53 3 – More Than The Look Of Love – 3:22 4 – Beautiful People – 4:24 5 – Renaissance – 5:02 6 – He’s Coming Back – 3:44 7 – Sold Out – 3:40 8 – It’s You – 3:30 9 – Fallen Angel – 4:46 10 – All Of My Life – 2:57
Credits Backing Vocals – Dennis Marcellino Bass – Kyle Henderson Drums – Greg Eckler Engineer – Brad Aaron Executive Producer – Ken Marcellino Guitar – Bob Marshalek, Kyle Henderson, Mark Moulin (tracks: B3) Keyboards – Roger Delaney Lead Vocals – Kyle Henderson Mastered By – Mike Reese Producer – Kyle Henderson Saxophone – Dennis Marcellino Written-By – Dennis Marcellino (tracks: B2), Kyle Henderson
This was the 6th album from Glad. I can’t compare it to any of their earlier album because as of now I haven’t listened to any of them. It is most definitely an easy listening album with strong horns and strong production. The album had 3 singles, Still On The Side Of Love made it to #18, Where Your Heart Is made it to #38, and The More I Know Of You to #25. I’m actually quite surprised that these songs didn’t climb a little higher as this album was perfect for the CCM charts in 1985.
Tracklist 1 – Still On The Side Of Love – 3:30 2 – Stand Or Fall – 3:39 3 – Where Your Heart Is – 4:07 4 – True To You – 3:35 5 – Champion Of Love – 4:23 6 – God Is My Rock – 1:09 7 – Giant Killer – 3:36 8 – We Know – 4:03 9 – The More I Know Of You – 3:58 10 – For So Long – 4:03
Credits Gary Adams – Trumpet Mark Baldwin – Songwriter Tom Beard – Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals Billy Brady – Engineer, Mixed Bill Brumberg – Trumpet Harvey Coonin – Trombone Chris Davis – Guitars, Vocals Larry Day – Horn Arrangements Glad – Producer Jimmy Hayward – Tenor Sax John Jensen – Trombone Monroe Jones – Songwriter Bob Kauflin – Producer, Arrangements, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals George King – Executive Producer, Songwriter The Loudoun Transfer – Background Vocals Sue McCauley – Background Vocals Chris McCollum – Songwriter Don Nalle – Bass, Vocals Ed Nalle – Producer, Arrangements, Mixed, Songwriter, Percussion, Vocals Art Noble – Drums Paul Smith – Songwriter Dick Tunney – Songwriter
This is the first of 2 albums from Larry Bryant who started his music career by writing songs in the early 80’s. He actually attained a fair amount of success writing songs with his wife Lesa later in the 80’s but I’ll document those in the review for his second album. There actually isn’t much info out there on Larry other then his writing career. This album leans towards AOR but there are a couple of pop songs on it. It did spawn a single with “Thankful On My Knees” making it to #24 on the CCM charts. I think it should have climbed higher but it was probably held back by Larry’s relatively little known work at this point in time. He has done something I strongly respect and that is that he offers his 2 albums free for download. You can get this album at http://www.larrybryant.com/downloads/the_artist_downloads.html
Tracklist 1 – That’s When the Angels Rejoice – 3:12 2 – The Artist – 4:03 3 – Shopping List – 3:21 4 – Shadows – 2:48 5 – Crown Of Thorns – 3:42 6 – Father of Lights – 4:26 7 – Note In A Bottle – 3:58 8 – Take A Chance – 3:30 9 – Never Say Never – 2:59 10 – Thankful On My Knees – 3:52
Credits Keyboards – Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister, Larry Bryant Guitars – Jon Goin, Greg Jennings Bass – Mike Brignardello Drums – Mark Hammond Vocals – Bonnie Keen, Rich Mullins, Jackie Cusick, Wayne Gurley, Nan Gurley, Larry Bryant Engineer – Mike Psanos The cast: keyboards – Michael W. Smith, Shane Keister, Larry Bryant guitars – Jon Goin, Greg Jennings bass – Mike Brignardello drums – Mark Hammond vocals – Bonnie Keen, Rich Mullins, Jackie Cusick, Wayne Gurley, Nan Gurley, Larry Bryant engineer – Mike Psanos Producer – Joe Huffman
