Lord Lyall and Urgency were a Nashville band that were well known locally. This EP was their only known recording and it was released in very limited numbers by Lamb Records. The band are good musicians, the vocals are good, the lyrics are good, but the production left a bit to be desired. It’s a fun Pop sound that I would have liked to have heard more of with a better engineer and producer.
Tracklist
1 – Run With Me – 3:24
2 – Standing on His Promises – 3:18
3 – Overcomers – 3:46
4 – This Heart is Occupied – 4:12
5 – Only You – 2:43
6 – Wake Up – 4:27
Credits
Band – Lord Lyall, Norman Sinback, Rose Maihiot, Mark Shipsey
Producers – Chuck Childers & Mark Baldwin
The second offering from Messiah Prophet turned up the quality. They dropped the “Band” from their name for this album and were the first release on the new label “Pure Metal” which was a new Metal oriented subsidiary label of Refuge Music Group. During the recording of the album Dean Pellman left the band and was replaced with bassist Joe Shirk. This was the last album for the band. There was a 1996 release using the band name but none of the members of the original band were in the new band. It was a complicated story as to how that came to be but apparently the whole idea was a disaster so I didn’t bother figuring it out.
Tracklist
1 – Hit And Run – 4:20
2 – Master Of The Metal – 5:01
3 – For Whom Does The Bell Toll – 4:15
4 – Fear No Evil – 6:53
5 – Heavy Metal Thunder – 5:30
6 – The Friend – 3:43
7 – Battle Cry – 6:29
8 – Voice That’s Calling – 7:02
Credits
Art Direction, Layout – Jeff Spencer
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Joe Shirk
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – David Thunder
Engineer – Bill Grabowski, Scott Berger
Executive Producer – Ray Nenow, Raymond Fletcher, Robert W. Spangler Jr.
Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Andy Strauss
Lead Vocals – Charlie Clark
Photography – Terry Wild
Producer, Arranged By – Bill Grabowski
Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Lead Vocals – Brian Nicarry
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal Records
Copyright (c) – Pure Metal Records
Copyright (c) – Stone Roller Music
Distributed By – Refuge Music Group
Distributed By – Creative Music Canada
Recorded At – Susquehanna Sound
Mixed At – Susquehanna Sound
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Remastered At – Funkhouser Mastering
This was the one and only album from Sacred Fire. It was released on Star Song records, a sister company to Sparrow records. It is not a well known album and I don’t think sold well. The album has some questionable production which may be why there wasn’t a subsequent album. In reality the songwriting was good and the band were good musicians but in my opinion the album lacked a direction that may have been a result of poor production. That said I enjoyed the album but it is a bit of a mix of styles. Point of trivia, Sacred Fire were the backup band for Leslie Phillips when she opened for Petra on the Beat the System Tour.
Tracklist
1 – Nowhere To Hide – 3:47
2 – Come Out Of The Night – 3:38
3 – Heaven’s Love – 4:18
4 – Hot Fire – 3:36
5 – Waiting For The King – 4:28
6 – Don’t Turn Away – 3:42
7 – Quest Of Faith – 4:25
8 – You Are – 4:07
9 – Second Chance – 3:35
10 – Sacred Fire – 4:42
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – George Small
Backing Vocals – Charles Bass, Cris Bass, Joe Clayton, Joey Powers, Martin Bass, Terry Labolito
Bass Guitar – Richard Price
Drums – Rod Cali
Engineer – Alan Douches
Engineer [Assistant] – Glen Marchese
Guitar – Dean Harrington
Harmonica – Dean Harrington
Keyboards – Roger Lowe
Lead Vocals – Jimmy Bennett
Mastered By – Tom Coyne
Mixed By – Rod O’Brien
Percussion – Bernardo Dippolito, Dean Harrington, Jimmy Bennett, Rod Cali
Performer [Sacred Fire Is] – Dean Harrington, Jimmy Bennett*, Richard Price, Rod Cali, Roger Lowe
Producer – Dean Harrington, Tony Davilio
Synthesizer [Programming] – Dean Harrington, Roger Lowe
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Grandslam Studios
Mixed At – Grandslam Studios
Mastered At – Frankford/Wayne Recording Labs
Brent Lamb was an accomplished song writer before he started his singing career. This album was a follow up to his Tug Of War album. This album has a very strong tech feel but maintains a Rock & Roll base. If I had to describe it I would say it’s Sweet Comfort Band on steroids. All in all it’s a pretty good album and makes me want to hear more from him.
Tracklist
1 – One Man
2 – Destination Home
3 – The Seasons Of My Soul
4 – A Dime A Dozen
5 – Ambush
6 – Line Of Fire
7 – I Love You Anyway
8 – Crazy Mad Man
9 – Tell My Why
10 – All That I Can Be
Credits
Arranged By, Producer – Phil Naish
Backing Vocals – Brent Lamb, Gary Pigg, Marty McCall
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Drum Programming [Machine] – Gary Lunn
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Guitar – John Goin
Guitar [Additional And Solos] – Dann Huff
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Programmed By [Synthesizers] – Jeff Balding, Phil Naish
Not only did they change the name from “Lifesavors” to “Lifesavers” on this one, but the band took a sudden turn with this album, sounding a lot more like Flock of Seagulls than like a Cali-punk band.
Smooth production, serious looking photography, and a clean sound make this a pop album. Subsequent releases from Lifesavers all share this mature style but some of them manage to bring the edge back rather than the adult contemporary sound of 80s oldies.
Throughout, they manage to keep thoughtful lyrics and passionate delivery.
The band’s energy comes through again on songs like “Choose To Be True,” a truly catch tune. The classic “Turn Turn Turn” also makes an appearance on this album. It seems to be more an homage to Ecclesiastes than to Pete Seger or The Byrds though.
Tracklist
1 – She’s On Fire – 3:39
2 – I Pray You Pray – 3:34
3 – I Can’t Wait – 3:42
4 – Choose To Be True – 2:28
5 – Highway To Zion – 3:02
6 – Dreamin – 4:20
7 – Love Boy Love Girl – 3:13
8 – Turn, Turn, Turn – 3:39
9 – We Live For The Sun – 3:44
10 – Free Her – 3:18
11 – See Me Fall – 4:48
Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Broken Songs
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Michael Knott
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Kenny Samuels
Bass Guitar – Brian Doidge
Drums – Kevin Lee
Electric Guitar – Doug Doyle, Michael Knott
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Keyboards – Doug Doyle, Michael Knott
Layout – Ed McTaggart
Liner Notes – Craig A.J. Keyzers
Percussion – Kevin Lee, Michael Knott
Photography By – Brian Ray
Producer – Doug Doyle
Saxophone – Allen Palmer
Vocals – Michael Knott
Written-By – Bill Robinson (tracks: 2), Chris Lizotte (tracks: 2), Jim Akin (tracks: 2), Michael Gerard Knott (tracks: 1 to 6, 7, 9 to 11), Pete Seger (tracks: 2)
911 was a band formed in Las Vegas in the late 70’s by Cathi Demman, her husband at the time, her brother and sister, and Brother in Law. Yes it was a real family affair. They originally used the name “Son Song Band” but changed their name to 911 relatively quickly. This is their one and only album which was well received but not well enough for Exile Records to record a second album.
Tracklist
1 – Time Will Tell – 3:45
2 – Do You? – 3:22
3 – Believe – 2:48
4 – Is It Any Wonder? – 2:12
5 – A Memory – 3:41
6 – Where Are You Now? – 4:01
7 – Too Cool – 3:23
8 – Pick Me Up – 2:57
9 – East From West – 4:30
10 – Are You Willing? – 3:25
Credits
Jeff Lams: Arranger, Keyboards, Synthesizers
Mark Wiegand: Vocal Arranger, Songwriter, Keyboards
Cathi Demman: Songwriter, Lead and Background Vocals
Cristina Stretz: Lead and Background Vocals
Kiko Campo: Lead and Background Vocals
Hap Smith: Guitar
John Klingbiel: Bass
Brian Hicks: Keyboards, Synthesizers
Nelson Kole: Keyboards, Synthesizers
Eric Stretz: Songwriter, Drums
Truth are one of the stranger bands in CCM. They started in 1971 with 15 members malking thwm more of a choir than a band. Later the band expanded to 22 members but you can’t really tell as this album sounds like a typical 5 piece band. According to John Roger Breland the choir/band’s name stands for “Trust, Receive, Unchangeable, True Happiness [in Jesus]”. The band was active until 2001 and released 47 albums in their time.
Tracklist
1 – What Can I Do
2 – Wonderful Invention
3 – He Is Able
4 – The Spirit Of David
5 – Undivided
6 – Do What
7 – The Highest Call
8 – Have You Heard
9 – I’ll Remember You To The Father
10 – Lamb Of God
Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Steven V. Taylor
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Directed By – Roger Breland
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Steve Fralick, Tom Harding
Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary
Guitar – Jon Goin
Horns – The Truth Brass
Keyboards – David Huntsinger
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Mixed By – Brent King, Steven V. Taylor
Percussion – Brent King, Steven V. Taylor, Terry McMillan
Performer [Member] – Alan Nowell, Berneé Tuttle, David Cleveland, Ed Seidenkranz, Gina Angiulli, Joy Young, Ken Reich, Kevin Newton, Lisa Pieper, Mark Harris, Mike Eldred, Mike Thomas, Mike Walker, Paul Glasgow, Phil Peters, Shari Beeman, Tim Marshall, Travis Laws, Wes Tuttle
Producer – Steven V. Taylor
Programmed By [DX-7 Programming], Keyboards [Additional] – John Slick
Recorded By – Brent King, Michael Psanos*
Strings [Played From Synclavier Digital System] – Reed Arvin
This album was the second and last album using “AD” as the band name.
This album saw the departure of vocalist Warren Ham. Replacing him was Michael Gleason who had worked with Livgren in the past.
This album had more keyboards so it had a more 80’s techno sound but it wasn’t done too strong. Kerry engineered and produced this album and some reviewers actually criticized his skills in this area but personally I though the production was on par with his other albums.
Track Listing:
1 – All Fall Down – 4:27
2 – Life Of Crime – 4:16
3 – No Standing – 3:56
4 – Exiles – 4:15
5 – We Draw That Line – 3:43
6 – Walking The Wire – 3:44
7 – You Are The Distance – 4:06
8 – Highway To The Heart – 3:45
9 – One Golden Thread – 4:20
Credits:
Art Direction – Jean Hoefel
Backing Vocals – Terry Brock (tracks: A2, A4 to B2, B4, B5)
Bass Guitar – Dave Hope
Design [Jacket Design] – Jim Shanman
Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion – Kerry Livgren
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Michael Gleason
Percussion – Dennis Holt
Producer, Engineer – Kerry Livgren
Written-By – Kerry Livgren (tracks: A1 to B1, B3, B5), Michael Gleason (tracks: A1, B2 to B4 )
This was Michael’s 3rd studio album and at this point in his music career he wasn’t afraid to make his lyrics a little more challenging to Christians. That said while his lyrics are a little edgy, they are somewhat prose rather than poetry. With the release of this album his music and lyric style is well established and even though this is an worship style album the quality is there.
Track Listing: 1 – Scandalon – 4:00 2 – What Will It Take To Keep You From Jesus – 3:41 3 – The Lamb Is A Lion – 2:52 4 – The Nazarene – 2:40 5 – The Gentle Healer – 2:02 6 – Meditation / Baptism – 5:29 7 – The Wedding – 2:46 8 – Forgiving Eyes – 4:07 9 – God’s Own Fool – 3:16 10 – Jesus Let Us Come To Know You – 1:59
Credits: Arranged By, Conductor – Alan Moore (3) (tracks: B1, B3, B4) Bass – Norbert Putnam (tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3, B4) Cello – John Catchings (tracks: A1, A2, B2, B5) Concertmaster – Gavyn Wright Design – Buddy Jackson Drums, Percussion – Larry Londin (tracks: A1, A3, B3, B4) Featuring – John Catchings – Cellist Flute – Jim Horn (tracks: B1) Guitar – Jon Goin (tracks: A1 to A3) Orchestrated By – Alan Moore Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer, Recorded By – Norbert Putnam Synthesizer – Dave Innis (tracks: A2) Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Piano, Drums [Digital Drums], Congas – Michael Card
This was the first studio album from Common Bond though there was a highly produced Demo and an EP previous.
Guest appearances on this album included Jerry Chamberlain from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Terry Taylor also from Daniel Amos/The Swirling Eddies and Lost Dogs.
The album is a well produced (Doug Doyle) album with a heavy New Wave sound. This is another lost album from the 80’s that should have been far better known.
Track Listing:
1 – Matter Of Time – 4:37
2 – I’m In Control – 2:45
3 – Heaven Is Calling – 2:51
4 – Bittersweet – 3:48
5 – Yshua – 3:05
6 – My Direction – 3:50
7 – Savor My Saviour – 2:40
8 – The Dickens – 3:50
9 – For You – 2:30
10 – Imagining – 3:20
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Steve Durham
Backing Vocals – Bruce Swift, Jerry Chamberlain, Ken Samuels, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor
Bass Guitar – Ken Samuels
Cover – Terl Bryant
Design – Ed McTaggart
Drums – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1)
Electric Guitar – Steve Durham
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Bobby Salsedo, Doug Doyle
Guitar [Solo] – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A4, B5)
Layout – Ed McTaggart
Lead Vocals – Ken Samuels
Percussion – Chuck Cummings, Terl Bryant (tracks: A1, A5)
Photography By – Craig Incardone
Producer – Doug Doyle
Written-By – Ken Samuels
