Charles Johnson might have been better known as a member of soul gospel group The Sensational Nightingales who actually started up in the 40’s. This is another group that was huge in the soul side of the industry and unknown on the rock side of the industry. Charles started up this group after he left The Sensational Nightingales in the early 80’s. This album has been classified as Soul but really it had more of a 50’s feel than soul but admittedly sometimes those 2 genres melt together. Anyway needless to say I never heard this one before finding it in our stack which is really too bad because this is a great album with a fun 50’s feel.
Tracklist 1 – There Is A Guarantee In Jesus – 4:45 2 – I’ve Been Sealed – 4:10 3 – I’ll See You In The Rapture – 4:25 4 – It’s Time To Go Back Home – 3:39 5 – My Friend Jesus – 4:32 6 – I Can’t Even Walk – 4:33 7 – Giving You A Warning Sinner – 3:45
Credits Bass Guitar – Richard A. Luster Drums – Mark Williams Keyboards – Roger Fortner Lead Guitar – Darrell Luster Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Tim Greene Rhythm Guitar – Charles Johnson
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mountain Top Studios
This is a rather odd Christmas album. While popular in Chrisn circles due to Amy’s involvement the album actually flopped but is highly regarded by music reviewers and many describe it as one of the best Christmas albums ever. Personally I don’t fall in that group. I just don’t like the album. It does not compliment Art or Amy’s vocal style. That said I really like the concept and many of the songs are really good. The concept is that these are the stories/songs of the animals on Christmas day. The songs are well written and actually I think they are some pretty good songs. They were written by Jimmy Webb who is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. My complaint is the arrangements. I just don’t feel the whole choir and orchestra thing and I wish so much that someone else had made the production decisions for this album. However as I said the songs are excellent and many people love the arrangements and I respect their opinion. For many people this album is a Christmas staple.
Tracklist 1 – The Annunciation – 2:38 2 – The Creatures Of The Field – 2:31 3 – Just A Simple Little Tune – 2:54 4 – The Decree – 3:25 5 – Incredible Phat – 4:56 6 – The Friendly Beasts – 3:23 7 – The Song Of The Camels – 2:44 8 – Words From An Old Spanish Carol – 3:43 9 – Carol Of The Birds – 1:58 10 – The Frog – 5:15 11 – Herod – 4:20 12 – Wild Geese – 3:32
Credits Art Direction – Christopher Austopchuk Banjo, Acoustic Guitar – Eric Weisberg Bass – Joe Osborn Cello – Peter Presser Choir – Kings College School Choir Conductor – Carl Davis Directed By [Choir] – Michael Jenkins Drums – Steve Gadd Electric Guitar – Elliott Randall Engineer – Geoff Emerick, Jon Kelly, Roy Halee Engineer [Assistant] – Stuart Breed Illustration – Abby Levine Mastered By – Greg Calbi Orchestra – The London Symphony Orchestra Organ – Paul Halley Percussion – Gordon Gottlieb Piano – Jimmy Webb Producer – Art Garfunkel, Geoff Emerick, Jimmy Webb Remix – Art Garfunkel, Geoff Emerick, Nicole Graham, Stuart Breed Saxophone – George Young Synthesizer – Rob Mounsey Vocals – Amy Grant, Art Garfunkel Vocals, Soloist – Declan Costello, Jonathan Jenkins, Nicholas Dykes, Stephen Bayly
This is a band out of Illinois that I can’t find much information on. In fact I can’t really find any. I checked with Christian Tape Underground (https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com)and not much info there either. As a result we’ll just discuss the album. I’ll start out by saying I really like this album. If I had a criticism for the album it’s that there is not a flow in the sound of the album. We’ve got some hard rock tracks, some alternative leaning tracks, and even some rock tracks with a new wave feel. Personally I love the variation and it works great for me. The reason I bring it up is because this was a demo and generally on demos you wanted to present your style a little more clearly. Then again I never worked at a record company so what do I know. If your preferred genre is Hard Rock this is definitely a must listen.
Credits Bass – Greg Smith Drums, Percussion – Mike Kondourajian Keyboards, Vocals – Glen Smith Lead Guitar – Steve Stripling Lead Vocals, Guitar – Gary Smith Mixed By – Glen Smith, Greg Smith, Harry Heath Producer, Recorded By – Gary Manuel Recorded By – Dave Kingland, Tom McLaughlin
This is an album with strange timing. Right when Michael was at the top of his career they decided that an instrumental album would be perfect. Yes I do know who the market for this type of album was. Musicians enjoy instrumental albums I guess because they enjoy when vocals don’t clutter up the music. That said they are a small portion of the market so I usually don’t understand these instrumental releases and this album is no exception. I listened to this album a few times and, well, I just fond it boring. Yes I recognize that the talent is there and I admit that Michael was one of the best keyboardists of the period but without vocals I struggle to enjoy any music. Now that I have said my piece this album is a good display of Michael’s expertise and while I wouldn’t suggest you buy this one if you aren’t a bit of an aficionado of this genre, I do suggest you give it a listen as it is very good.
Tracklist 1 – Homelands – 5:49 2 – The Soldier – 4:07 3 – The Time Is Now – 2:39 4 – Festival Of The Dance – 4:46 5 – Right From The Start – 1:40 6 – The Desert – 4:12 7 – The Call – 7:07 8 – The Rest – 4:20
Credits Design [Album Design] – Stan Evenson Design, Inc. Engineer [2nd] – Laura Livingston Engineer, Mixed By – Terry Christian Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Photography By – Phil Fewsmith Programmed By [All Synthesizer], Percussion [Additional] – Erich Bulling Written-By, Performer, Producer – Michael Omartian
This is yet another demo from Jim and Kim Thomas who were calling themselves Say-So at this point. As near as I can tell this is their second demo/album. The first one was using their real names so I think this is the first one with the Say-So name. That said I am not sure of this. Almost everything I know about these guys is from the crew over at Christian Tape Underground and even they aren’t too sure of all the demos/albums and if they don’t know for sure no one knows for sure. Be sure to check their website as they seem to know the most about these albums. https://christiantapeunderground.wordpress.com/tag/say-so/ As for the demo it is yet another very well engineered and produced demo. I can’t find any info on who engineered and produced it but it very professional as all their work really is. I actually can’t even find a list of who helped them in the studio for this one. Anyway this demo has a little less synth than some of their subsequent work but the vocals are very strong and I love all four tracks. No B sides here.
Tracklist 1 – Fire Song – 3:30 2 – Strengthening My Grip – 3:24 3 – Celebration Waiting – 3:44 4 – Say-So – 4:33
Malachia released this demo on vinyl in 1986. All the tracks, except for the narrative track, appeared on their first album released in 1987. There were only about 200 copies of this vinyl pressed so it’s a pretty rare piece of history. That said there are several copies available on Discogs today. The demo was re-released in 2021 on CD so a copy can be had pretty easily now. We’re posting this album as the versions of the songs here versus the album are different but I think they were actually re-mixed and not re-recorded for the 1987 album. If you want to learn a little more about the band read our review of the 1987 album here.
Tracklist 1 – Narration – 0:15 2 – Heaven Or Hell – 3:22 3 – Mark Of The Beast – 3:41 4 – Master’s Call – 5:00 5 – Let It Go – 3:10 6 – Red Sunrise – 3:46 7 – In Christ We Rock – 4:55
Credits Bass – Wade A.Little Drums – Dave Devaughn Executive Producer – Bill Bafford Guitar – Jeffrey James Keyboards – Steve Ayola Producer – Wayde Production Remastered By – Rob Colwell Vocals, Guitar – Ken Pike
Birthed in 1982 as a rock side project for many members of the Bill Gaither Vocal Band, White Heart went on to be one of the most influential and successful artists of the 80’s and 90’s. Early releases featured inspirational icon Steve Green on lead vocals followed by Scott Douglas (on albums two and three) who would later be convicted of sexual assault. This would have killed most bands, but hidden amongst the bands roadies was young aspiring vocalist named Rick Florian. Florian made his band debut on “Don’t Wait for the Movie” and took the band to a whole new level of success. The Toto pop and inspirational “safe” ballads that populated the first three albums was replaced with a more Journey, REO Speedwagon rock sound. It also marked an “escape” from Home Sweet Home records to Sparrow. Initially the album received some pretty strong negative reviews and reception. Over time the position softened and now the album is considered one of the most important rock releases of the era along side the better works of Petra, Servant and AD. Though not as critically admired as Freedom or Redemption. it remains one of the most successful and cherished albums in the bands career. It also marked the bands first overwhelming reception on Christian rock and CHR radio. Fly Eagle Fly and How Many Times became Christian radio staples well past the shelf life of the album.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist
1 – Read The Book (Don’t Wait For The Movie) – 4:51
2 – Holy Ground – 4:42
3 – Beat Of A Different Drum – 4:17
4 – Fly Eagle Fly – 4:41
5 – Convertibles – 3:43
6 – Let The Children Play (Instrumental) – 1:32
7 – King George – 4:20
8 – No Apology – 4:22
9 – Maybe Today – 4:25
10 – Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Christian – 4:40
11 – How Many Times (Seventy Times Seven) – 4:27
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson Artwork By [Hand Tinting] – Mike Drake Bass, Drum Programming [Linn Programming] – Gary Lunn Design [Lyric Sheet] – Jim Shanman Drums, Percussion – Chris McHugh Edited By – Billy Smiley, Ken Love Engineer – Brent King Engineer [Second] – David Pierce Guitar, Lead Guitar, Sitar, Vocals – Gordon Kennedy Keyboards, Vocals, Trombone – Mark Gersmehl Lead Vocals – Ric Florian Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer – Billy Smiley, White Heart Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Tommy Greer Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Trumpet – Billy Smiley
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Recorded At – Center Stage Studio Overdubbed At – Center Stage Studio Mixed At – Mastermix Mastered At – Mastermix Published By – Word Music, Hall-Clement Publications, Yellow Jacket Music, Inc., Welk Music Group, Birdwing Music, Kid And The Squid Music, White Heart Publishing
Well this is an interesting compilation album. In 1986 the Immigration Reform and Control Act passed and Immigration was all the rage. I’m not going to comment on the Act or Immigration as a whole as I am betting 50% of you will disagree with me. This project was somehow involved with the “1886 – 1986 Liberty” program but I can’t really find out more than that though I am told this album was sold at the Statue of Liberty gift shop. Anyway they have assembled here a collection of patriotic tracks from a variety of artists many of whom weren’t even signed to the label and I’d love to hear how this one came together though A&M was involved in some way. The highlight of the album is the Sandi Patti version of the Star Spangled Banner though there’s a few good tracks on the album.
Tracklist 1 – Leonard Bernstein – Fanfare For The Common Man – 1:59 2 – Wintley Phipps – Thank You, America – 4:02 3 – Betty Buckley – Last Night I Dreamed – 4:11 4 – Bill Champlin – Liberty Light – 4:06 5 – Glen Campbell – Another Day In America – 4:04 6 – Marie Osmond – America Is – 4:06 7 – Sandi Patti – Star Spangled Banner – 5:42 8 – Mark Isham – On The Threshold Of Liberty – 4:02 9 – Kate Smith – God Bless America – 1:58 10 – Dobie Gray – It’s High Time – 4:04 11 – Will D. Campbell – Let America Be America Again – 2:36
Credits Arranged By – Sheldon Curry Mastered By – Benny Quinn Producer – Sheldon Curry
This is going to be one of my quickest band reviews ever because I can not find anything about about this band. This is not the U.K. band of the same name. This Arc was from Allegan Michigan and had 2 albums. They described themselves a group “comprised of 12 – 14 talented college age individuals” but we have no idea who these 12 – 14 people were. So that’s all I got on them so lets get on to the album. This is an album of cover songs and boy are they varied. I was not expecting a cover album with covers from both Stryper and The Winans. That said these guys/gals make it work. While the style overall is pop they turn up the rock a bit for the Stryper track and turn it down for The Winans. The album actually has a pretty good flow and is really well done for a self released covers album. I definitely think it is worth a listen. Here is a list of the tracks and who first released them;
You’re Alright – Michael W. Smith The Rock That Makes Me Roll – Stryper Always – Tim Miner, Tim Miner He is All You Need – Rob Frazier Tomorrow – The Winans You Know What’s Right – Rob Frazier Stolen Love – Rob Frazier My Soul Desire – Deniece Williams What You Need – The English Band Surrender – Allies
Tracklist 1 – You’re Alright – 4:26 2 – The Rock That Makes Me Roll – 5:02 3 – Always – 3:42 4 – He Is All You Need – 4:08 5 – Tomorrow – 3:40 6 – You Know What’s Right – 2:43 7 – Stolen Love – 2:54 8 – My Soul Desire – 4:01 9 – What You Need – 3:10 10 – Surrender – 4:07
Credits Producer – Roger Byrd Vocals and Instruments – Arc Arranged by – Marv Hollenbeck, Kevin Smith Engineer – Mark Aspinall
Companies Recorded and production – Pinebrook Studios Art – D. Liverett Graphics
This is another 80’s artist that I never heard of but it doesn’t look like any of his albums were ever released in Canada. This is his first album and didn’t get much exposure but wow it really should have. Derek is yet another one of those Christian artist that just didn’t get the recognition they deserved. His music should have been distributed far and wide but that’s not how the CCM industry worked at the time. Though few of us heard this album the people who ran music festivals must have because Derek was invited and appeared at all the top Christian festivals of the era. As for the album it has a folksy blues feel with the best tracks leaning towards the blues side. I tried to pick a favourite track but there are just too many I liked and the album deserves to be listened to in its entirety. Derek has a few more albums from this era and I can’t wait to hear them. When we get them we will be uploading them for you also.
Tracklist 1 – Wasteland – 2:22 2 – Stick To The Surface – 2:04 3 – Thank You Lord (You’ll Be The First To Know) – 3:08 4 – New Zealand Day – 2:58 5 – Without You – 3:41 6 – A Man Like Me – 4:02 7 – Hit The Road – 2:49 8 – Nobody Knows (But You) – 4:04 9 – You Are My Song – 2:24 10 – One Righteous Man – 2:03 11 – Rusty Nail – 2:09 12 – For A Friend – 4:56
Credits Bass, Guitar, Tuba, Producer – Pale Sauni Blues Harp – Brendan Power Drums, Percussion, Producer – Kevin Adair Engineer – Phil Yule Pedal Steel Guitar – Red McKelvie Piano, Synthesizer – Bruce Bremner Saxophone – Brian Coldham Written-By, Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Producer – Derek Lind
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Drum Beat Music – SODE 258
