The second album from Gideon’s Army heard them stray from their 70’s influenced sound to a very pop oriented hard rock sound. I was actually surprised at their new sound. The first album was pretty good but nothing special but this album does have something special. Admittedly this is a very commercial sound but wow is it well done. This album would have fit in perfectly with the commercial radio Metal/Rock sound of the era. I’m actually kind of surprised I had never heard of these guy’s back in the 80’s. This album they switched over to A&R Records who were essentially a all in one place to record, produce, and press an album. I don’t believe they had any distribution deals for this album so I don’t know how widely it was heard. Luckily it was re-released in 2013 by Retroactive Records. I am assuming most of you missed this one in 1986 so today’s the day you should listen to it so you don’t miss out.
Tracklist 1 – Moment By Moment – 3:33 2 – It’s Your Love – 4:20 3 – Warriors Of Love – 4:26 4 – No Fun – 3:44 5 – I Know Someone – 4:18 6 – Runaway – 4:19 7 – I Know You Could See – 3:33 8 – Video – 4:55 9 – Backsliding Brother – 4:27 10 – Face To Face – 4:01
Credits Jerry Anderson – Drums, Vocals Dave Angeles – Lead Guitar Ron Davis – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Producer Mark Greves – Bass, Blues Harp, Vocals Joseph Linn – Percussion Tom Long – Synthesizer Doug Naruo – Piano, Hammond B-3, Percussion, Arp String, Oberheim, Sequential Nor Sivad – Effects
Motherlode were another fantastic Rock & Roll band out of Sweden. Though referred to as a Metal band I would actually classify them as a Hard Rock band but I agree that Sonny Larsson’s vocals sound particularly Metal. I can not see that this album was released anywhere other than Sweden though strangely the band were big in Japan. This was the only album from the band as they broke up shortly after the albums release. In 2010 however Sonny Larsson and Tom Nilsson got back together and used the bands name for an album. After the 1987 dissolution of Motherlode and the dissolution of Björn Stigsson’s band Leviticus the two of them came together as XT. I will review that album in a few weeks. This album was released in the secular market but it has several Christian songs and they are good ones. This one really deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Moving Emotion – 5:22 2 – He’s Coming Back – 3:30 3 – Wise Man – 4:38 4 – Downtown – 4:57 5 – The Rock Of Ages – 4:05 6 – Line Of Thought – 5:34 7 – (Singin’ About) Rock’n Roll – 4:25 8 – Father Of Lies – 7:57 9 – The Sanctuary – 2:11 10 – Live It Out – 3:35
Credits Art Direction, Illustration – Rodney Matthews Backing Vocals, Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Kit Woolven Bass – Peter Rundström Drums – Martin Hedberg Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tom Nilsson Engineer [Assistant] – Jonas Kuling Keyboards – Johan Lindström, Mark Stanway Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Sonny Larsson Management – Dennis Karlsson Mastered By, Lacquer Cut By [Cutting] – Ian Cooper Music By – Motherlode Photography By – Anders Erkman, Göran Lindsjöö
Companies, etc. Published By – Active Music Förlag Published By – Sonet Music AB Recorded At – Studio Kuling Mixed At – Studio Kuling Mastered At – The Town House Lacquer Cut At – The Town House Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg
One of the most important British imports to Christian music, Chris Eaton began his CCM career as a member of the band LYRIX with friend Mark Williamson. He stayed with the band as they changed their name to the Mark Williamson Band, but soon left to seek a songwriting and solo music career. His arrangement of “Little Town of Bethlehem” has been covered by Cliff Richard, Michael W Smith and Amy Grant. He also had songs recorded by Russ Taff, Susan Ashton and Margaret Becker. Eaton’s first solo record, Vision was a revelation of great blue eyed soul pop music infused with contemporary dance styles. This album would musically influence the world of CCM for the next few years including Russ Taff and Amy Grant as their musical style reflected similar style. In fact, the title track would become a hit for Taff on his monstrously popular Medals album. Great keyboard driven pop rock and sentimental ballads, very reminiscent of country mate Cliff Richard. Chris has gone on to a great and lengthy career as an artist and songwriter. In fact I saw him last year on tour with Amy Grant on her “Lead Me On” reunion tour and he was a good as ever.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Vision – 4:07 2 – Don’t Underestimate My Love – 4:38 3 – When My Heart Breaks – 5:04 4 – Golden Rule – 4:31 5 – Hold Back The Tears – 4:24 6 – Love For The Common Man – 4:34 7 – Talk To Me – 4:13 8 – This Is For Real – 4:23 9 – Don’t Play Games – 4:40 10 – It Was Love – 5:20
Credits Arranged By – Orion Crawford Art Direction, Design – Kent Hunter, Thomas Ryan Design Backing Vocals – Don Snow, Mark Williamson, Nick Glennie-Smith, Thom Kelly, Tommy Funderburk Bass – Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus, Pino Palladino Drums – Carlos Vega, Charlie Morgan, Paul Leim Executive-Producer – Dan Harrell, Michael Blanton, Stuart Ongley Guitar – Dann Huff, Michael Landau, Paul Jackson, Phil Palmer Horns – Mel Collins Keyboards – Dave Cooke, Larry Williams, Rhett Lawrence, Robbie Buchanan, Robin Smith Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – John Potoker Percussion – Lenny Castro Photography By – Larry Williams Producer – Brown Bannister Producer, Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig Written-By, Backing Vocals – Chris Eaton
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records Copyright (c) – Reunion Records Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Distributed By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Recorded At – Mama Jo’s Recorded At – The Bennett House Recorded At – Bullet Recording Recorded At – Ridge Farm Studios Recorded At – Snake Ranch Recorded At – Paradise Studios Recorded At – Marcus Recording Studios Recorded At – Hot Nights Studios, London Recorded At – Utopia Studios Recorded At – Mayfair Studios Mixed At – Blue Jay Studios Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
In 1986 Randy woke up his recording sessions and brought us back to a sound he was always good at. Randy can create a rock concert just by showing up, and for the Wild Frontier, he showed up. Side 1 starts off with a slough of tracks that are almost Springsteen-esque but since we remember Randy’s roots from Welcome To Paradise in 1976, we know he was always capable of this. The Wild Frontier is in some ways a triumphant return. Side 2 is a little more of Randy’s personal style, but still much edgier than the two albums that he released before this one. DA’s Jerry Chamberlain provides guitar for this album, and a most of the other musicians are his familiar band-mates. Rick Cua plays bass on some tracks, as does Dave Perkins, who also produced the album. Tom Howard is on keys as usual, as well as Rob Watson.
Tracklist 1 – The Wild Frontier – 4:12 2 – Here Come The Big Guitars – 3:45 3 – The Dying Breed – 4:21 4 – Words On The Wind – 5:47 5 – What’s My Line – 3:13 6 – What Do You Want From Life – 3:54 7 – Get Together – 3:54 8 – Defender – 3:05 9 – Evangeline – 5:45 10 – Hope Of Glory – 4:55
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Dave Perkins, Randy Stonehill Arranged By [Brass Arrangement] – Tom Howard Art Direction [Cover Art Direction], Design – Roland Young Backing Vocals – Chris Harris (2), Dave Perkins, Gary Chapman, Jerry Chamberlain, Peter Case, Peter Noone, Tonio K. Bass Guitar – Dave Perkins, Rick Cua Contractor [Horn Contractor] – John Lunden Drums – Mike Mead Electric Guitar – Dave Perkins, Jerry Chamberlain, Jerry McPherson, Randy Stonehill Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Malcolm Harper Engineer [Engineered By] – Dave Perkins, Dave Schober Engineer [Second Engineers] – Bob Salcedo, Casey McMackin, Dan Garcia, Gene Ford, Jon Ingoldsby, Matt Freeman Executive-Producer – Ray Ware Keyboards – Reese “Mr. B-3” Wynans Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Dave Perkins, David Schober, Randy Stonehill Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Dave Perkins, Keith Edwards Photography By [Cover Photography] – Howard Rosenberg Producer [Produced By] – Dave Perkins Programmed By [Programmer] – Peter Robb Synthesizer – Dave Perkins, Rob Watson, Tom Howard Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Music Grinder Studios Recorded At – The Reelsound Truck Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Recorded At – Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Pressed By – DADC – DIDX-010665 Published By – Stonehillian Music Published By – Word Music Published By – Undone Tunes Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
Canada’s Daniel Band continue their Hard Rock sound on this 1986 release. One thing I like about Daniel Band is their consistency. There is a flow from album to album without any of them getting boring. That’s not an easy thing to do but I think they mastered it. This album is another Rock & Roll masterpiece. It dances on the edge of Heavy Metal but stay’s on the Hard Rock side. As I understand it this album did not sell that well which quite surprises me as to me it feels like one of their better albums but I guess other saw and heard it differently. Luckily this album was rereleased in 2012 by Retroactive Records and they included a fantastic bonus track. It’s a cover of Darrell Mansfield’s “That’s All Right” and it is done right. I have no idea when it was recorded as I can’t find any info on it but it’s there and it’s great and we have included it here. So as I so often say, if you missed this one in the 80’s give it a chance now, you won’t be disappointed.
Tracklist 1 – Bethel – 3:06 2 – Rise Up – 3:51 3 – Don’t Walk Away – 3:49 4 – Paradise – 4:05 5 – Fight Back – 4:34 6 – Call His Name – 3:37 7 – Rock You – 4:08 8 – My Children – 5:32 9 – Right Heart – 3:50 10 – That’s Alright – 3:19
Credits Matt DelDuca – Drums Bill Findlay – Songwriter, Rhythm Guitar, Strings, Synthesizer, Background Vocals Raymond Howell – Songwriter Dan McCabe – Songwriter, Bass and Fretless Bass, Vocal Harmonies, Lead Vocals Tony Rossi – Songwriter, String Arranger, Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Electric 12 String, Acoustic Guitar, Lead and Background Vocals
Companies, etc. Record Company – Refuge Music Group Phonographic Copyright (p) – Refuge Records Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
It’s actually a little tough to classify this album. What we have here is a complete remix of side 2 of DA’s 2nd album, Shotgun Angel with one additional track, “Soon”. In between and mixed into the tracks are readings of the Book of Revelation by Calvary Chapel (Costa Mesa) Pastor Chuck Smith. I guess you could say this is a bit of a conceptual album. Because of this I actually chose to upload the album as Side 1 and Side 2 as I felt breaking up the individual tracks actually interfered with the flow of the narration and as such the album. I think it’s best enjoyed as a whole rather than it’s parts. The remixes are actually very good but as a whole the idea didn’t work for me. I enjoyed listening to it once but found I didn’t want a round 2. That said it definitely deserves at least a one time listen through.
Side1 Finale: Bereshith Overture – 6:03 Lady Goodbye – 3:59 The Whistler – 5:23 He’s Gonna Do A Number On You – 2:29 Better – 6:49
Side 2 Sail Me Away – 6:28 Posse In The Sky – 6:23 Soon – 11:03
Credits Accordion – Frank Marocco Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Artwork – Jon Fraze Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart, Jerry Chamberlain, Mark Cook, Marty Dieckmeyer, Terry Taylor Bass Guitar – Marty Dieckmeyer Compilation Producer – Terry Scott Taylor Conductor – Jim Stipech Drums – Ed McTaggart Guitar – Jerry Chamberlain, Terry Taylor Keyboards – Mark Cook Keyboards [Album Segways] – Terry Taylor Layout – Ed McTaggart Lead Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A2), Mark Cook (tracks: A4), Terry Taylor Mastered By – John Matousek Narrator – Pastor Chuck Smith Orchestrated By – Jim Stipech Pedal Steel Guitar – Dom Franco Percussion – Ed McTaggart Percussion [Additional] – Alex MacDougall Producer – Daniel Amos, Jonathan David Brown Remix – Doug Doyle, Terry Taylor
You might be listening to this thinking you don’t know Keith Thomas but I can guarantee you’ve heard him or his songs. Keith was/is a prolific studio musician and song writer. He has worked for hundreds (yes I do mean hundreds). I’d offer some names here but there really are just too many but in the Christian market they include Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, and Carman plus many many more. This was his second and last album. Like so many high end studio musicians and writers they find great success right up until they try to release their own album. That said in this case Keith really should have had greater success. This album is fantastic and the quality is there through all 8 tracks. The album did have a CCM single with “It’s Only Natural” making it to #4 which is pretty darn good. The album is very synth heavy and at time has a cool funk feel. This is another one that if you missed it in the 80’s you need to give this one a listen now.
Tracklist 1 – Te Deum – 4:18 2 – It’s Only Natural – 3:54 3 – Pinwheel – 5:07 4 – Imagine – 4:31 5 – Home Away From Home – 3:58 6 – Arms Of Love – 4:04 7 – Suspicious Heart – 3:54 8 – Kaleidoscope – 5:55
Credits Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt Backing Vocals – Donna McElroy, BeBe Winans, Greg Guidry, Lisa Bevill Bass – Mike Brignardello, Jimmie Lee Sloas Drum Programming – Mark Hammond Featuring – BeBe Winans, Donna McElroy, Greg Guidry Guitar – Jon Goin, Tom Hemby, James Hollihan Illustration – Jim Osborn Keyboards [Programming] – Brett Perry Lyrics By – Paul Smith, BeBe Winans, Brett Perry, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Greg Guidry, Keith Thomas Music By – Keith Thomas Photography By – Dean Dixon Producer – Keith Thomas Recorded By, Mixed By – Jeff Balding Saxophone – Mark Douthit Synthesizer – Keith Thomas Written-by – Keith Thomas
Paul Smith is probably best known for his time as an Imperial. He replaced Russ Taff in 1981 when Russ left to pursue a solo career. Paul would follow that same path in 1986 with this album. There has been much discussion as to why lead singers fled the Imperials. My best guess (and it’s only a guess) is that it was money. A solo album contract is always better than a group contract. That said as many album as the Imperials were selling I kind of doubt Paul made as much as a solo artist. That said I can guarantee Russ Taff made more money as a solo artist than he did with the Imperials. But really that’s all speculation. Anyway Paul released this album in 1986 on Dayspring Records and it did very well. It had 4 singles on the CCM charts with Never Be Another doing the best climbing to #2. The others didn’t do quite as well but 4 singles on a first solo album is pretty darn good. But keep in mind his musical pedigree guaranteed the album would get noticed. The album is a solid AOR pop album and while a little on the easy listening side for me I still quite enjoyed it.
Tracklist 1 – Everlasting Joy – 4:03 2 – Live And Learn – 4:32 3 – Never Be Another – 3:51 4 – Keep The Light On – 4:05 5 – So Good To Know – 4:11 6 – Let Love Happen To You – 4:43 7 – A Holy Nation – 3:39 8 – Praisemaker – 3:49 9 – Beautiful The Dreamer – 4:00
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson Backing Vocals – David Martin, Denny Henson, Greg Guidry, Keith Thomas, Lisa Bevill, Patti Morris, Paul Smith Bass – Jimmie Lee Sloas Drum Programming – Keith Thomas, Mark Hammond Drums – Mark Hammond Executive Producer – Neal Joseph Guitar – Jon Goin Keyboards – Keith Thomas Percussion – Terry McMillan Photography – Ron Keith, Scott Bonner Producer – Keith Thomas Saxophone – Jim Horn Synthesizer [Additional Programming] – Brett Perry
Damn that Maria McKee can really sing. That may be the single greatest understatement in the first 370 post on this list. But really, if anyone can find a better way to express the sheer power, passion and presence of McKee’s vocal virtuosity, have at it. It was said co-Producer Little Steve (E Street Band) remarked that McKees vocal performance on “Inspiration” was the most powerful and passionate vocal he had heard since Bruce Springsteens “Adam Raised a Cain.” Mighty high praise indeed. And well deserved. More commercially appealing than the debut, Shelter infused a little more country rock and significantly less cow punk. It is better produced (in some spots a bit over-produced) and the songwriting is more accessible with superior ballads and a more consistent sound. It should have been the record to make Lone Justice rock stars. Rather, it became their swan song. I Found Love and Shelter were both that singles that just never broke through, though they ended being covered by a few CCM artists including Geoff Moore. But the real strength on this album is on the deeper cuts and ballads. Beacon, Belfry and Dreams Come True all rock with great guitar work and McKe’s emotive presence. And as mentioned earlier, Inspiration is just an emotional vocal tour de force with a once in a lifetime performance. The two side-ending ballads should also be noted. Wheels is a beautiful country song that should be covered by a more modern country female vocalist. The album closer, Dixie Storms, is just haunting and would point to the direction McKee would follow in her solo career.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – I Found Love – 4:15 2 – Shelter – 4:37 3 – Reflected (On My Side) – 4:57 4 – Beacon – 4:18 5 – Wheels – 5:05 6 – Belfry – 5:03 7 – Dreams Come True (Stand Up And Take It) – 4:06 8 – The Gift – 4:16 9 – Inspiration – 3:49 10 – Dixie Storms – 3:37
Credits Acoustic Guitar [Additional], Rhythm Guitar [Additional] – Little Steven Bass, Vocals – Gregg Sutton Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Janet Weber Cover – Cooper Edens Design – Kim Champagne Drums – Rudy Richman Engineer [Additional] – Bruce Lampcov, Don Smith, Greg Edward, Joe Borja, Nikko Bolas, Scott Litt, Shelly Yakus, Steven Rinkoff Engineer [Assistant] – Craig Engel, Marc De Sisto, Michael Bowman, Rob Jacobs, Ross Stein Guitar – Ryan Hedgecock, Shane Fontayne Keyboards – Bruce Brody Keyboards [Additional] – Benmont Tench, Charles Judge, Tommy Mandel Lacquer Cut By – J. Webster Management – Ice Cream Management Management [Associate] – Tony Ferguson Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – Greg Edward (tracks: A4, A5, B1, B3, B4), Humberto Gatica (tracks: B2), Joe Chiccarelli (tracks: A2), Mike Shipley (tracks: A1, A3), Shelly Yakus (tracks: B5) Photography By – Melanie Nissen Producer – Jimmy Iovine, Little Steven, Lone Justice Production Manager – Chuck Reed Recorded By – Joe Chiccarelli, Robert de la Garza Vocals, Guitar, Piano – Maria McKee
In 1986 Apartheid was popular news in Canada and other Western countries. It wasn’t a new thing, but it was being talked about openly for the first time. African Sonrise is a group that was formed as a result of the opening up of South Africa. Here’s the explanation from the back of the album:
Rising out of the depression and sorrow of Africa comes a crisp, dynamic sound…
AFRICAN SONRISE
Diverse yet sharing common roots, the men of African Sonrise bring to you a special fusion of unique ethnic rhythms and Hot, contemporary instrumentation. You’ll sense many musical styles from pop to reggae, but find none that clearly defines the vibrant harmonies recorded here. Founder Henry Louw, son of a Capetown minister, first visited the U.S. in 1980. At the end of his singing tour he was encouraged to return with other performers. After achieving much success in South Africa where their ministry was greatly annointed and used of God, he and three other men are now based in Canada to share their special blend of music with the world.
The current team includes Peter Ecksteen, Daniel Visagie, and Christian Absolom. Each member has suffered under the apartheid system, yet together they sing of an answer above political struggles and military force.
This is fresh, Dynamic music. There’s incredible variety in the tunes. Both American and Canadian musicians sense the power and light that flows from the group.
The title cut, Children of Africa will move you deeply. The peaceful sounds of the jungle clash with souns of war. But shining through the strife of Africa is power and hope in following Jesus Christ. In “Tswana,” a native African language, the group sings…
Dumela, dumela, Fela (you have only to believe)
He (Jesus) will make ALL things right!
Here is power mightier than any weapon, a force above political struggle. It is the power of the Lord Jesus. These songs are the heartcry and the heartsong of Africa. May these songs encourage every listener to stand strong in Christ.
Tracklist 1 – More Like You – 3:44 2 – This Time – 4:35 3 – Just One Touch – 3:40 4 – So Much More In Jesus – 4:25 5 – Children Of Africa – 4:36 6 – Dumela Fela – 4:35 7 – Commitment – 4:04 8 – Too Good Not To Be True – 3:41 9 – So Tired And True – 3:45 10 – Together As One – 4:47
Credits Drums – Daryl Bennet Bass – Brian Newcombe, Rob Bailey Guitars – Dane DeViller Keyboards – Duncan Meiklejohn, Morry Stearns Percussion – Daryl Bennet, Darren McGrath Trumpet – Paul Baron Sax – Bill Runge Producer – Duncan Meiklejohn
