Larry Carlton – Alone/But Never Alone – 1986

Larry Carlton’s “Christian” music career is actually very interesting. Larry started out in the 60’s with the band The (Jazz) Crusaders who had a big hit in 1979 with “Street Life”. Larry continued with them while both pursuing a solo career as well as doing a lot of session work. He certainly was one of the hardest working men in the business. The story of his coming to Christ is not your normal “a friend introduce me” story instead he describes it as follows. “…I started reading a lot of books on different religions. I remember there was one night in Philadelphia after a show. I had been reading these books and digesting and thinking about religion. I just remember coming to a conclusion one night after a gig. I was lying in bed and I just told the Lord, “I don’t know any more about you than I did 2 months ago, but I choose you.” That was the beginning of my relationship with the Holy Spirit.” Larry however never really considered moving to the Christina music industry and stayed in the secular market. This was his first release after his coming to Christ. There is actually more to Larry’s life story, lots more, but we will cover it chronologically as it relates to his album releases so stay tuned for more.

Tracklist
1 – Smiles And Smiles To Go – 5:44
2 – Perfect Peace – 4:25
3 – Carrying You – 3:58
4 – The Lord’s Prayer – 5:07
5 – High Steppin’ – 6:42
6 – Whatever Happens – 4:25
7 – Pure Delight – 5:31
8 – Alone/But Never Alone – 3:32

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Larry Carlton
Art Direction – Simon Levy
Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Larry Carlton
Design – Thomas Ryan Design
Drums – Rick Marotta
Electric Guitar – Larry Carlton
Engineer [Assistant] – Hal Sacks
Keyboards – Larry Carlton, Terry Trotter
Keyboards [Additional] – Larry Carlton
Management – Charlie Lico
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Photography By – McGuire
Producer, Arranged By – Larry Carlton
Recorded By, Mixed By – Rik Pekkonen
Synthesizer [Dx7] – Terry Trotter
Written-By – Albert Malotte, Bill Withers, Larry Carlton

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Record Service GmbH
Produced For – Larry Carlton Productions
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – MCA Records, Inc.
Copyright © – MCA Records, Inc.
Made By – WEA Musik GmbH
Recorded At – Room 335, Hollywood
Mixed At – Room 335, Hollywood
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Pressed By – Record Service Alsdorf

Buddy Greene – Praise You, Lord…. – 1986

Buddy Greene was born and raised in Macon GA and had been a part of the local music scene since he was 10 years old. Later he scored a position in Jerry Reed’s band. I doubt there was a better learning opportunity for any performer due to Jerry’s varied styles and work with so many great artists. In 1985 Buddy and his wife moved to Nashville to continue his music career. In late 85 Bob MacKenzie was able to pull together an album deal for Buddy with Refuge/Fortress records and this album is the result of that deal. The album was a bit of a departure from the regular Refuge album in that it is a country album but there’s no Rock or New Wave here which is what we were used to from Refuge. I’ll be honest 80’s country is not a genre I generally like but I must say I love this album as it is some really good quality country. Naturally I missed this one in the 80’s but that might be for the best. I probably wouldn’t have appreciated it back then.

Tracklist
1 – Praise You, Lord – 3:48
2 – Keep Your Head In The Word – 3:30
3 – Holy Father – 2:52
4 – He Is – 3:30
5 – Since Jesus Came Into My Heart (Tender Love And Care) – 3:21
6 – Lord, I Want To Thank You – 2:04
7 – Virtuous Woman – 3:54
8 – More Like You – 2:50
9 – Rest Awhile – 2:52
10 – Short Of The Mark – 2:52
11 – Oh Lord, How I Need You – 3:02

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Buddy Greene, Don Potter, Jon Goin, Russell Barenberg
Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Harmony Vocals, Jaw Harp – Buddy Greene
Backing Vocals – Tim Holder, Tricia Walker
Bass – Duncan Mullins, Jimmie Lee
Choir – Alex Mebane, Ashley Cleveland, Buddy Greene, Dawn Rodgers, Doug Mills, Karen Staley, Lynn Hodges, Phil Madeira, Ric McClure
Dobro – Jerry Douglas
Drums – Kenny Malone
Electric Guitar – Brent Mason, Jimmy Nalls
Engineer [Additional] – Spence Chrislu
Executive-Producer – Bob Mackenzie
Fiddle – Sam Bush
Harmonica, Harmony Vocals – Buddy Greene
Harmony Vocals – Karen Staley, Tricia Walker
Keyboards – David Innis, Gary Prim
Mandolin – Bobby Clark, Sam Bush
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Mixed By – Brent King
Percussion [Wooden Agogos], Tambourine – Bubba Smith
Photography By – Mike Mitchell
Producer – Bubba Smith
Rap [The Rap-it-ups] – Alex Mebane, Ashley Cleveland, Dawn Rodgers, Doug Mills, Karen Staley, Phil Madeira
Recorded By – Doug Sarrett, Lynn Fuston
Tambourine – Bubba Smith
Words By, Music By – Ashley Cleveland, Buddy Greene, Rufus H. McDaniel, Rusty Ingraham, Debbie Kaye, Pete Kaye

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Fortress Records
Copyright © – Fortress Records
Distributed By – Refuge Music Group
Mastered At – Mastermix
Mixed At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Recorded At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Published By – Ariose Music
Published By – SpiritQuest Music
Published By – The Rodeheaver Co.

Tonio K. – Romeo Unchained – 1986

Before this album Then there was four years of silence from Krikorian. He continued to write songs for others and had begun building friendships with many of the “disenfranchised” Christian artists who did not fit the mold of popular CCM like Leslie Phillips, T-Bone Burnett and Mark Heard. He had songs placed on mainstream Christian artists albums like Benny Hester and Burnett and Heard recorded some of his music. In 1985 some close friends of these artist that were working at the Myrrh Los Angeles offices started a sub-label in connection with A&M Records called What? Records. The label’s purpose was to be a home to artist who did not fit the CCM mold and would be a haven for more commercial, mainstream oriented artists with spiritual messages. The label was short-lived but released four of the greatest albums in Christian music including two from Tonio K, Mark Heard’s “iDEoLa” and Dave Perkins’ “The Innocence.” The theme of loves lost and found is not new. But in those silent four years a change took place in Krikorian. The beliefs he had for years became faith. According to the interview I had with him right after of the release of “Romeo Unchained” he had discovered grace for the first time in his life. He had also found love. The real kind. And rather than songs of frustration, anger and revenge, there are songs of grace, commitment and hope. That does not mean that he pushed aside the caustic wit and smart and stinging lyrics. Here the pen is pointed against a world that wants to tear down and destroy the love God has provided. The victim of Tonio K’s previous work are now the ones he defends. The whole album appears to be a picture of the juxtaposition of true love and the facade the world offers. I should also note that “Romeo Unchained” may have one of the best album covers ever. The images of half a man as mannequin, the made up attractive woman and iron display the struggles of modern women and the battle for the real and eternal they seek. All with K-9 (Tonio K.) observing this turmoil. There is a little story about K-9 I will mention later. The album was highly praised in both secular and Christian circles. Rolling Stone Magazine would even rave that it was the best Bob Dylan album since Bob Dylan lost interest in pop music. T-Bone Burnett handled much of the production and cast of LA heavyweights lent their talents in the studio including David Mansfield (Dylan) and David Miner (T-Bone Burnett) and David Raven and Tim Chandler of DA/Swirling Eddies.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – True Confessions – 3:40
2 – Perfect World – 4:12
3 – Romeo And Jane – 3:46
4 – You Belong With Me – 4:50
5 – Impressed – 4:24
6 – I Handle Snakes – 3:36
7 – Emotional War Games – 3:53
8 – Living Doll – 3:44
9 – You Don’t Belong Here – 5:51
10 – You Will Go Free – 6:37

Credits
Art Direction, Layout – Tim Alderson
Backing Vocals – Rick Neigher, T-Bone Burnett
Bass – David Miner, Eric Gotthelf, Phil Chen, Rick Neigher, Tim Chandler
Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Penny Payne
Design Concept [Visual Concepts], Photography By – Linda Myers
Drum Programming – Rick Neigher, T-Bone Burnett
Drums – Burleigh Drummond, Freddy Alwag, Ron Aston
Engineer – Billy Taylor, Joe Chiccarelli, Larold Rebhun, Mark Heard, Nick Van Maarth, Rick Neigher
Engineer [Assistant Engineering] – Carolyn Collins, Joe Borja, Judy Clapp, Peter Doell, Steve Himelfarb
Guitar – Billy Steele, Charlie Sexton, Daryl Caraco, Nick Van Maarth, Peter Banks, Rick Neigher, T-Bone Burnett, Tonio K.
Horns – Little Effort, Phil Kenzie
Management – Gary Heaton Management
Mandocello, Violin – David Mansfield
Mandolin [Mandocello], Violin – David Mansfield
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Mixed By – Ed Thacker (tracks: A5, B3, B4), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B2)
Other [Assistant Engineering] – Milton
Other [Cover Girl] – Lisa Taylor
Percussion – Burleigh Drummond, Efrain Toro
Synthesizer – Bob Rose, Dave Aston, David Lewis, Rick Neigher
Technician [Productive Trouble-Shooting] – T-Bone Burnett
Vocals [Featured Vocalist] – Tonio K.

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Vogue Productions (2)
Recorded At – Lawrence Welk’s Champagne Recorders, Hollywood, CA.
Recorded At – Baby’O Recorders
Recorded At – Eldorado Recording Studios
Recorded At – Cherokee Studios
Recorded At – Hitman Studios
Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders
Recorded At – Redwing Studios
Mixed At – Capitol Studios
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
Record Company – What? Records
Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc.
Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.

Billy Sprague – Serious Fun – 1986

This is the second album from Billy. It is a little more pop oriented than his first album and while not as successful it is a better album. While it had 2 CCM charting singles Out Of The Blue only made it to #31 but A Heart Like Mine made it to #3. Strangely the two tracks are almost identical and I really question what Billy was thinking as he is a fantastic song writer. Did he not hear how close these 2 songs are? Anyway those aren’t the best tracks on the album anyway, just the 2 that CCM charts liked and really they had no idea about music. Most of the rest of the album is good quality Pop songs but my favourite track is Invisible Hand in which I can almost hear David Edwards, such a great song.

Tracklist
1 – Rock the Planet – 3:30
2 – Love Has No Eyes – 4:38
3 – YMISIM – 4:51
4 – A Heart Like Mine – 3:44
5 – Invisible Hand – 4:13
6 – Phantom Living – 4:36
7 – Out of the Blue – 3:47
8 – Centered on You – 4:07
9 – Better Days – 4:52

Various – The Strait Tapes – Volume III – 1986

Here’s Volume 3 of the Strait Tapes and I believe the last in the series but we’ve had a few surprises in this series so I will will say I think it is the final one. Again we have quite a few unreleased tracks to enjoy. I didn’t do a count but I think this one has the most examples of secular bands of Christians. Anyway it’s another fantastic offering and we should give credit the the gang over at Strait Magazine for putting together such a great series of tapes. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did.

1 – The 77’s – The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes And The Pride Of Life. – Released on their 1987 album The 77’s
2 – Talking Drums – You Do Cry A Lot – Released on their 1985 album Reassembly
3 – Maldwyn Pope – Reunion Of The Heart – Released on his 1990 album Love Will Find A Way
4 – Bryan McGlynn – Soul Doctor – still unreleased
5 – The Good Guys – Still A Mistake – Released on their 1984 album A System Of Grooves
6 – Charlie Peacock – Down In The Lowlands – Released on his 1986 album Charlie Peacock
7 – Trade Secret – With Or Without You – Released on their 1987 album Trade Secret
8 – One A.M. – Over And Over – still unreleased
9 – Mike Starkey – I Became A Johnson’s Baby – still unreleased
10 – Vector – America – Released on their 1984 album Please Stand By
11 – Deniece Williams – Straight Ahead – Released her 1986 album
12 – The Refuseniks – Quiet Time – Gag track as intro to next track
13 – Terry Scott Taylor – Old Time Gospel Camp Meeting Hour – Released on his 1986 album Knowledge & Innocence
14 – Bruce Cockburn – Wondering Where The Lions Are – Released on his 1979 album Dancing In The Dragon’s Jaws
15 – Steve Scott – Not A Pretty Picture – Released on his 1988 album Lost Horizon
16 – Jump The Nile – Proud To Be A Warrior – still unreleased
17 – First Strike – Power – Released on their 1987 album Crank It Up!
18 – Bryan McGlynn – Stranger At The Party – still unreleased

Tracklist
1 – The 77’s – The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes And The Pride Of Life. – 3:25
2 – Talking Drums – You Do Cry A Lot – 3:07
3 – Maldwyn Pope – Reunion Of The Heart – 4:31
4 – Bryan McGlynn – Soul Doctor – 3:28
5 – The Good Guys – Still A Mistake – 2:16
6 – Charlie Peacock – Down In The Lowlands – 4:28
7 – Trade Secret – With Or Without You – 3:42
8 – One A.M. – Over And Over – 3:12
9 – Mike Starkey – I Became A Johnson’s Baby – 2:01
10 – Vector – America – 4:05
11 – Deniece Williams – Straight Ahead – 4:07
12 – The Refuseniks – Quiet Time – 0:44
13 – Terry Scott Taylor – Old Time Gospel Camp Meeting Hour – 3:17
14 – Bruce Cockburn – Wondering Where The Lions Are – 3:27
15 – Steve Scott – Not A Pretty Picture – 4:03
16 – Jump The Nile – Proud To Be A Warrior – 4:13
17 – First Strike – Power – 4:51
18 – Bryan McGlynn – Stranger At The Party – 3:13

Heartbeat – Voice To The Nation – 1986

I have to admit that here in Canada we had no idea who Heartbeat was never mind the controversy they caused. This is their 3rd album and I think by now most of the controversy had died down. They still proclaimed to be a charting pop band but really they were a backup worship band that made the majority of their money playing on other peoples albums. This album does not have a secular single release and that’s probably a good thing as it did not deserve to be on the secular charts. As for the album it is primarily a worship album with a couple pop tunes mixed in. The problem with the pop tracks is that the vocals do not fit them. We saw this several times in the 80’s as worship oriented bands tried to do a pop album and failed miserably due to vocals. This album isn’t too bad if you listen to it for what it is and that’s a worship album.

Tracklist
1 – Prelude/Voice To The Nation – 4:04
2 – Heal Our Nation – 4:42
3 – Out Of Your Great Love – 2:09
4 – Dance People Dance – 4:05
5 – Lord, Release My Mouth – 2:25
6 – Dancing In The City – 4:11
7 – Holy Fire – 4:02
8 – Jesus, I Love You – 2:15
9 – Arise – 4:52
10 – Unto You, Oh Lord/Lord Of This Land – 4:48

Credits
Bass Guitar – Pete Moore
Drums, Percussion, Producer – Ray Goudie
Engineer, Producer – Andy Kidd
Guitar, Vocals – Ian Townend
Keyboards, Vocals – Dave Bankhead
Vocals – Dorry Townend, Nancy Goudie, Trish Morgan

Blue Trapeze – Mask & Marquee – 1986

There is very limited info out there about Blue Trapeze but they did have several EP’s and were a mainstay on the alternative Christian music scene in California in the 80’s. That said their work is all self released so they either didn’t want an album deal or were never offered one. The only member to have gone on with other work was Daniel Koenig who appeared as a studio musician on several projects. As for the album it has an alternative 80’s sound and is actually pretty well done. I listened to it three times and while I am usually a fan of alternative 80’s this one left me wanting for more for some reason. Good album but nothing here to go in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Mask & Marquee – 2:58
2 – Afraid Of Real – 2:57
3 – A Reason – 3:35
4 – See Them Turn – 2:55
5 – The Old Home – 3:34
6 – Midnight Sun – 2:41

Credits
Arranged By – Blue Trapeze
Bass, Vocals – Roger Arendse
Drums, Vocals, Keyboards – Lisa Kline – Koenig
Guitar, Vocals – Daniel Koenig
Lacquer Cut By – John Golden
Layout – Richard Beach
Producer – Daniel Koenig, Stephen Zepeda
Written-By – Dan Koenig

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Blue Trapeze
Copyright © – Blue Trapeze
Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
Lacquer Cut At – K Disc Mastering

The Lonely Now – Captive – 1986

First of all I would like to apologize for the poor quality of this release. We did the best we could with a 35 year old cassette that sounds like it was recorded on a 4 track with a potato. Now I’m gonna cut the band some slack here because they admit they recorded it in their house so it probably was recorded on a 4 track. My real criticism is for Narrowpath Records who should never have released an album with this quality. Normally we wouldn’t release something this poorly recorded but in this instance we decided due to high quality of the songs we are going to. The Lonely Now was Greg Sostrom (Strange), Kevin Riemer, and Phil Watson and wow did these guys mesh nicely. This album has some of the best New Wave in the Christina Genre. This became one of my favourite New Wave bands of the 80’s instantly upon hearing it. Or at least after I worked on it for several hours trying to improve the quality. So my whole point here is try to forgive the quality because the music here is fantastic if you like New Wave.

Tracklist
1 – Reject A Thought – 3:19
2 – If I Could – 3:52
3 – Running Faster – 4:05
4 – A.R.C. – 3:22
5 – All My Dreams – 3:19
6 – Captive – 3:36
7 – Dead Of Night – 3:47
8 – Thunderclouds – 3:39
9 – Traitor – 3:28
10 – No Secrets – 3:00
11 – How Many More – 3:17

Credits
Greg Sostrom – Lead vocals, guitar
Kevin Riemer – Vocals, drums
Phil Watson – Vocals, bass guitar

Companies, etc.
Label – Narrowpath Records

Rick Riso – Shouting At The Walls – 1986

This is the second album I’ve covered by Rick. When I listened to the first album I really couldn’t find much info on Rick but since then I’ve learnt much more about him. While he only had 3 solo albums he also has 5 albums with his wife Cathy and I look forward to listening to them soon. He is also very active in the Christian community and still travels and sings in many sanctuaries. As for the album it’s a fun easy listening pop album which was the style of the day. The only charting single of the album, “Faithful” made it to #21 on the CCM charts and quite frankly there’s a few more tracks that could have singled in my opinion.

Tracklist
1 – Forever – 3:53
2 – Faithful – 4:05
3 – Even If – 4:34
4 – I Find Your Love Again – 4:00
5 – Sure Thing – 4:30
6 – Shouting At The Walls – 4:50
7 – No Fear Of Flying – 4:43
8 – Heart’s Desire – 4:25
9 – Edge Of Darkness – 4:35
10 – See The Light – 4:44

Credits
Artist – Rick Riso
Arranged By – Brad Cole
Composer – Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin, Randy Thoma
Engineer – Tim Jaquette
Executive Producer – Chris Christian
Producer – Rick Riso, Tim Jaquette

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Home Sweet Home Records
Copyright © – Home Sweet Home Records
Recorded At – Studio Masters
Mixed At – Studio Masters
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.

Bill Price – Brave The Proud The Few – 1986

This is the second album from Bill but I really can’t find out very much about him. I found that there are quite a few copies of this album for sale and it’s on almost all the streaming sites but that’s all I could find. I did find him on Facebook and he seems to have had a long career in the radio business and still performs mainly at his church. He might be doing more than that musically but like I said it was difficult to put the pieces together. Anyway the album is a really good pop album and the production is fantastic. It’s one that should be listened to.

Tracklist
1 – His Love Has Carried Me Away
2 – The Brave, The Proud, The Few
3 – Jesus You’re The One
4 – I Want To Thank You Lord
5 – Great Is The God Of Heaven
6 – He Takes Care Of Me
7 – Walkin’ Down The Street
8 – We’ve Got To Tell Them
9 – Steppin’ In The Shadows

Credits
Drums – Brian Willis, Brian Brickley
Bass – Rich Gooch, Mark KIngen, Bill Price
Keyboards — Gary Hemenway, Rob Farley, Scott James
Guitars, Procussion – Bill Price
Saxophone – Susie May
Background Vocals – Dave Bray, Russ Finley, Scott James, Curt Cassingham, Jeff Michel, Linda Price, Melani Bray, Laura Evitt, Martin Woodrow, Bill Price
Engineers – Scott James, Curt Cassingham
Mix – Scott James
Produced by – Scott James and Bill Price

Companies, etc.
Recorded at – Northstar Recording Studio