Tag: 1986

White Heart – Live At Six Flags – 1986

This White Heart live album was recorded on April 20 1984 at Six Flags Over Texas. Confusingly the album “Chris Christian With Whiteheart – Live At Six Flags” was recorded on the same day and released at the same time. This appeared to be the brilliant thinking of Chris Christian and I’m at a loss to see how he thought this was a good idea. Anyway I have covered the Chris Christian album previously so I was interested to hear how this one compared. This album is definitely more upbeat but it feels like the band definitely turned it down for this event. The same day as this was recorded the Imperials played so between these 3 concerts this was definitely the most upbeat. The album is enjoyable and the music is good but usually live albums turn things up a notch but in this case it appears they turned it down a notch. That said it is nice to hear the original band lineup play the songs that brought them onto the CCM scene and if you’re a White Heart fan you’ll probably enjoy the album but it’s certainly not the best live album I ever heard and in fact is not even in the top 20.

Tracklist
1 – Sing Unto The Lamb – 3:20
2 – Carried Away (Safe On The Wings Of The Lord) – 4:15
3 – Nothing Can Take This Love – 6:35
4 – We Are His Hands – 3:50
5 – Hosanna – 3:50
6 – Undercover – 3:58
7 – Quiet Love – 4:00
8 – Vital Signs – 5:27
9 – Carry On – 3:35
10 – He’s Returning – 2:50

Credits
John Allman – Engineer
Jeff Balding – Engineer
Steven Curtis Chapman – Songwriter
Chris Christian – Executive Producer, Engineer
Scott Douglas – Vocals
Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals
Wally Grant – Engineer
Dann Huff – Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals
David Huff – Drums, Percussion
Dan Humann – Engineer, Mixed
Gary Lunn – Songwriter, Bass
Jack Joseph Puig – Engineer
Billy Smiley – Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals
White Heart – Producer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Recorded At – Six Flags Over Texas
Overdubbed At – Gold Mine Studio East
Overdubbed At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Bug & Bear Music
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.

Matthew Ward – Armed & Dangerous – 1986

This was Ward’s second solo album. All songs were written by Ward and keyboard player, Jim Tenneboe. The album definitely has a more rock feel than his work with 2nd Chapter of Acts or his previous solo album. Supporting that Rock sound and partly responsible for it is guitarist Dann Huff (White Heart). The album only had one single however which was “Love” which made it to #14. The album is pretty good with strong keyboards and guitar but was a little thrifty on the content with only 8 tracks. Personally at times I don’t think Ward’s voice matches the songs but I’m nitpicking because it’s a really good album.

Tracklist
1 – Red And Yellow, Black And White – 3:38
2 – Trust In You – 4:18
3 – By Your Side – 4:26
4 – Armed And Dangerous – 4:12
5 – Glory To God – 3:44
6 – Moment By Moment – 3:53
7 – Put On The Armour – 4:01
8 – Love – 4:58

Credits
Arranged By – Jim Tenneboe, Matthew Ward
Art Direction, Design – Bradley Grose
Artwork By [Cover Concept] – Bradley Grose, Buddy Owens
Backing Vocals – Eric Tagg, Matthew Ward
Bass – Lee Jones
Drums – Mike Baird
Engineer – Greg Hunt
Engineer [2nd] – Daffydd Morgan
Guitar – Dann Huff
Horns – Chuck Smith, Keith Jourdan, Kim Hutchcroft, René Saenz
Keyboards, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Jim Tenneboe
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Constance Ashley
Photography By [Back Cover Photo] – Marty Justice
Producer – Matthew Ward
Saxophone [Sax Solos] – Kim Hutchcroft

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Live Oak Records
Copyright (c) – Live Oak Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – ElectroSound Los Angeles – ∆ 27319
Recorded At – Rosewood Studio
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Copyright (c) – Megin’s College Fund Music
Copyright (c) – Midi Mouse Music
Published By – Megin’s College Fund Music
Published By – Midi Mouse Music

Barren Cross – Rock For The King – 1986/1990

This was the first on label release for Barren Cross. They had released a self produced EP “Believe” in 1985 that was well received so Star Song gave them a one album deal. They went back into the studio and recorded 3 more tracks to add to their previous 6 songs from the EP. Dino Elefante sat down and mixed it all up for this release. I’m relatively sure Star Song was watching the success of Stryper at this time so they wanted to jump head long into the Metal scene. That said this album does not really compare to Stryper. It is much less commercial sounding and has a much more raw metal sound. I didn’t listen to this style of music back then but I’d be interested to know how Stryper fans reacted to this album. It must have been well received overall as Enigma Records immediately signed the band up for 2 albums. This album was re-released in 1990 by Medusa Records (a division of The Enigma Records) with 6 bonus live tracks (this is the version here).

Tracklist
1 – Dying Day – 3:27
2 – He Loves You – 4:32
3 – It’s All Come True – 4:02
4 – Believe – 2:16
5 – Going Nowhere – 3:47
6 – Killer Of The Unborn (Live) – 3:56
7 – Rock For The King – 5:03
8 – Give Your Life – 2:53
9 – Just A Touch – 3:27
10 – Light The Flame – 5:22
11 – Dead Lock (Live) – 4:20
12 – Cultic Regimes (Live) – 2:47
13 – He Loves You (Live) – 4:13
14 – Living Dead (Live) – 7:11
15 – Heaven Or Nothing (Live) – 4:59

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Jim LaVerde
Concept By [Cover] – Barren Cross
Drums – Steve Whitaker
Engineer [Second] – Matt Cerbin, Mike Miereu
Guitar – Ray Parris
Other [Hair] – Carla
Other [Make-up] – Lisa Kawasaki
Photography By – Ken Baley, Linda Dillon Baley
Producer, Engineer – Dino Elefante
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Mike Lee

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Pressed By – Discovery Systems
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Philip Bailey – Triumph – 1986

This was Bailey’s second Christian label album as he continued to run a parallel career of albums on both Secular and Christian labels. Of his 3 Christian label albums I think this is probably the best one. It had 3 top 10 CCM chart hits with “The Other Side” doing the best and making it to #4. It also had a 4th single that made it to #13. So 4 top 15 hits is pretty darn good but lets add in a Grammy Award for “Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male” and I think it can honestly be said that this was one of the most memorable albums of 1986/87. Admittedly however it’s not one that made it into my collection at the time. It just wasn’t my style of music and at the time I wasn’t very good at appreciating quality music that may not be in my taste. But times have changed and I can listen to an album that is good though maybe not my style. This is one of those albums. So if you missed this one in the 80’s take the time to give it a listen, it really is a good album.

Tracklist
1 – All Soldiers – 4:47
2 – Thank You – 3:40
3 – The Love Of God – 3:12
4 – Marvelous – 4:27
5 – The Same Way (You’ve Always Been) – 4:32
6 – The Other Side – 4:45
7 – Bring It To Jesus – 5:38
8 – Triumph – 4:55
9 – Come Before His Presence – 4:31

Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Philip Bailey
Art Direction – Chuck Beeson
Backing Vocals – Carl Carwell, Josie James, Kathy Hazzard, Lynn Davis, Winston Ford
Bass – Byron Miller (tracks: A5, B1, B2), “Ready” Freddie Washington (tracks: A1, A3, A5)
Design [Graphic Design] – Donald Krieger
Engineer – Ed Cherney (tracks: A1, A3, A5 to B4), Erik Zobler (tracks: A4), Phil Walters (tracks: A2)
Guitar – David Williams (4) (tracks: A3, A5, B3), Jerry Peters (tracks: A3, A5, B2, B3), Kevin Chokan (tracks: A2), Paul Jackson, (tracks: A1 to A3, A5 to B4)
Horns – Andrew Woolfolk (tracks: B2)
Keyboards – Bobby Nunn (tracks: A2), Greg Phillinganes (tracks: A1 to A3, A5 to B4), Robbie Buchanan (tracks: A1 to A3, A5 to B4)
Other [Stylist] – Robert Trachtenberg
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: A1, A3, A5 to B4), Philip Bailey (tracks: A1, A3, A5 to B4)
Photography By – Bonnie Schiffman
Producer – George Duke (tracks: A4), Jerry Peters (tracks: B3), Philip Bailey

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Buckman Studio
Recorded At – Cherokee Studios
Recorded At – The Complex
Recorded At – Le Gonks West
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging
Made By – Shorewood Packaging

Larry Norman – Stop This Flight – 1986/1997

This version is the Phydeaux CD from 1997, which includes several radio spot interviews and a bonus track of “What’s Wrong With This Body” with extra verses. Stop This Flight was around as early as 1984 with all the songs intact, however the major release of it was in 1986. The songs here are all new, except for “I Hope I’ll See You In Heaven.” That song has appeared as a live cut in several different versions, and a highly polished studio version is on “Down Under But Not Out.” Several tracks are recorded live rather than studio, so clearly they were floating around for a while before this release. This album contributed some classics to Larry’s repertoire. Woman of God and What’s Wrong With This Body stayed in his concert sets for a long time. “Messiah” is an epic piece, and was a show-ending, church-shaking finale for as long as Larry still performed with the band. Larry did a North American tour to support this album, with a full band, including Charly on bass. The 1997 version has a completely different album cover from the originals. The 1986 Phydeaux version had a few snapshots on the cover, later to be replaced by Larry posing with the spaceman on the moon. It seems likely that the change was due to his divorce from Sarah in 1995, since her picture was on the previous album cover. The radio spots here are another creative example by Larry to get his version of the story out. People always wanted to write stories about him, so he simply recorded one side of an interview, leaving the gaps for someone else to put questions in. Radio stations would have the ability to use these clips to make a faux interview, or just play some of the clips on their own.

Tracklist
1 – Finchian Etude / Stop This Flight
2 – A Woman Of God
3 – What’s Wrong With This Body
4 – Don’t You Wanna Talk About It
5 – And We Sing “The Tune”
6 – Out Of My System #1
7 – I Hope I’ll See You In Heaven
8 – Messiah
9 – Radio Interview
10 – What’s Wrong With This Body

Credits
Arranged By – Larry Norman
Performer – Charly, Sarah
Producer – Larry Norman
Written By – Larry Norman

Companies, etc.
Produced For – Phydeaux Inc.
Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix – △ 10439
Copyright (c) – Six Blue Lions

Terry Scott Taylor – Knowledge & Innocence – 1986

One would never expect an album about death to be so beautiful and uplifting. Born out of the ashed of the death of his grandfather and miscarriage of his first child, Knowledge and Innocence is the prettiest and sweetest album in Terry Scott Taylor’s lengthy and fabled career. Delayed for what seems like an eternity, when the album finally came out in 1986, the album did what was probably expected; TST’s rabid fan base ate it up and the majority of CCM and Christian radio never noticed it’s passing. Oddly enough, it remains possibly the most commercial and accessible album in Taylor’s repertoire. Lush, beautiful, stunning, haunting and completely unforgettable. The only negative is the computerized and electronic instrumentation, especially the drums. This though possibly adds to the other-worldly feel of the project. That’s a plus since the album focuses so much on “the other world.” Dancing on Light and Song of Innocence should have been radio favorites. The latter features a duet with long time friend randy Stonehill. Oddly enough, considering the long term friendship and partnership between these two men over the years, this was the first time they sang a duet together. Taylor’s love for his grandfather is prevalent here and on other recording. But here we see a glimpse of the softer, loving father side of Taylor as he addresses the loss of a child before birth. Songs like Light Princess delve into the heart of an artist unlike others. There is a wonderful tension between loss and the future reunion awaiting those who are left that creates a beautiful and faithful listening experience.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Dancing On Light – 4:54
2 – (Out Of) The Wild Wood – 5:43
3 – Here He Comes, Second Time – 3:06
4 – Waiting – 3:08
5 – Picture Of You – 3:56
6 – Song Of Innocence – 3:48
7 – The Old Time Gospel Camp Meeting Hour – 0:37
8 – The Riders Of The Western Skies (Medley) – 3:15
9 – Picture Of “U” (Reprise) – 1:43
10 – Ever After – 3:32
11 – Home Movies – 1:17
12 – One More Time – 3:41
13 – Baby’s Heartbeat (6 Months) – 0:15
14 – Light Princess – 3:59
15 – (Inner Cut) Waiting (Reprise) – 1:14

Credits
Arranged By [All Arrangements] – Rob, Terry
Arranged By [Gospel Medley Adaption & Vocal Arrangements By] – Rob
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Rob Watson (tracks: 11, 13)
Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Beau MacDougal, Bob Bennett (3), Chuck Girard, Jay Truax, Jerry Chamberlain, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, Tom Howard, Tom Coomes
Bass Guitar – Tim Chandler (tracks: 7)
Design Concept [Cover & Inner Sleeve Art Concepts] – Terry
Drums – Ed McTaggart (tracks: 2), Terl Bryant (tracks: 9)
Electric Guitar – Greg Flesch (tracks: 4, 7), Tim Chandler (tracks: 4)
Engineer [Engineered By] – Doug Doyle
Guitar – Lenny Wagonmaster (tracks: 1)
Guitar [Nylon String] – Greg Flesch (tracks: 5, 14)
Illustration – Jon Fraze
Illustration [Lyric Illustrations] – Connie Watson
Keyboards, Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Guitar [Guitars], Backing Vocals [B.G.V.’s], Bass, Percussion – Rob Watson
Lead Vocals [Duet], Acoustic Guitar – Randy Stonehill (tracks: 6)
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Arranged By [Reprise & Incidental Arrangements] – Terry Scott Taylor
Mastered By – John Matousek
Percussion – Alex MacDougal (tracks: 5), Terl Bryant (tracks: 1, 4, 7)
Photography By – Doug Doyle
Producer [Produced By] – Rob Watson, Terry Taylor
Remastered By [Digital Re-mastering By] – Doug Doyle
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Terry Taylor (tracks: 3 to 14)

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Refuge Records
Record Company – Alternative Music Group
Produced For – R.B. Productions
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Motown Recording Studios
Remastered At – Digital Brothers
Designed At – Stunt Productions
Published By – Snellsongs
Pressed By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 30177

4•4•1 – Mourning Into Dancing – 1986

When discussing the Southern California New wave/Punk scene of the 1980’s it is easy to refer to Undercover, the Lifesavors, Altar Boys and the Lifters, but 441 should not be forgotten. After recording only two albums (a later release featured two band members), the band disappeared. The eponymous debut made an immediate impact as I continued my pestering of the program director of KYMS to try new bands. I was often rebuffed because of the too rocky and edgy music, but with 441 there was an instant appreciation. More soulful new wave/new romantic styles like that of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet on the softer side, the band was more polished, pop and accessible. As a result the bands singles charted heavily on the station and their popularity grew. But there second album was significantly better, both musically and lyrically as stronger production at the hands of John and Dino Elefante. The band also stood out because they were not afraid to write about the darker, more serious struggles young Christian faced including doubt, purity and self-steem issues. They would wonderfully mask these topics in unforgettable pop. Lead vocalist John McNamara had a cool swing and swagger that worked with the sound. The album cover should been seriously reconsidered. It was so “demo” and “rock’ looking that it should be considered false advertising. This was clearly before the days of image consultants. 441 was band for their time. Caught squarely in the 1980’s new wave sound, the record sound dated, or better yet, nostalgic. The reason is because they were authentic for the time. They were not behind of ahead of the times, they were squarely rooted in the day. And within that framework they created some wonderful music and one very fine record.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Mourning Into Dancing – 3:56
2 – In The Night – 4:12
3 – Is It Enough? – 4:57
4 – In His Presence – 4:43
5 – Take Their Toll – 3:19
6 – New Land – 3:59
7 – On The Run – 4:09
8 – Jordan – 3:05
9 – Say It Right – 3:51

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bob Loux, Greg Velasco, John Stothers, Laura Hale, Sylvia Bronson
Bass, Keyboards – Glenn Holland
Drums – John Elefante (tracks: 9)
Drums, Cymbal – Steve Giali
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, E-Bow – John Giali
Guitar – Dino Elefante (tracks: 5,9)
Guitar [Solo] – John Gaudesi (tracks: 2)
Mastered By – Wally Trautgott
Percussion – Kurt Rasmussen
Saxophone [Solo] – Scott Martin (tracks: 3)
Vocals – John McNamara

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Capitol Records

Ariel – Ariel – 1986

This is going to be a very brief description as there is very little known about this band. They were from Victoria Canada and they self released this album in 1986. That’s all I can find. It’s a Metal album which in places actually leans Hard Rock. It’s quite good and I’m a bit surprised it wasn’t picked up by one of the local area labels as there were a couple in that area of Canada. If you’re a Metal head you’ll probably like this one so take the time to give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Take Hold – 4:54
2 – Draw Close – 2:59
3 – Set Me On Fire – 3:10
4 – Psalm 139 – 3:18
5 – Prince Of Life – 3:07
6 – Fight For Your Life – 4:51
7 – Love Not The World – 4:43
8 – The Gathering – 4:19
9 – The Second Coming – 3:57

Credits
Bass Guitar – Bruce Davies
Drums – Steve Sawatsky
Engineer – Tony Moskal
Lead Vocals – Steve Satkowski
Producer – Tony Moskal
Vocals – Lisa Sawatsky
Vocals, Guitar – Ron Willies

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Victoria’s Legacy Sound Studios, Victoria B.C.

Carson Cole and RU4 – Mainstreet – 1986

I will admit very limited knowledge of Carson Cole either before or after the release of this legitimate Americana rocker record on Frontline Records back in 1987. I remember that he was from Canada and that Mike MacLane of Frontline was a huge John Mellencamp fan and kept telling me about Carson long before the album came out. Painted with the same striped as Mellencamp, Springsteen, Mark Farner, Robert Vauhgan and even 38 Special, Carson Cole and RU4 delivered a driving and rocking American heartland project. The title track has a killer rock groove and Cole’s slightly rough edged vocals combining to create a decent Christian rock radio hit. Themes on the album are common Christian fair for the time but without the common vernacular that caused mainstream listeners to miss the point. But there are also theme of guilt, depression, infidelity, forgiveness and the all too common apocalyptic elements. A personal favorite is Kingdom Come, and fun rocker with Dylanesque vocals and an E Street vibe complete with sax solo.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Mainstreet – 3:45
2 – Donna – 3:57
3 – Cheating – 3:28
4 – Hailstones – 3:00
5 – Fight – 2:48
6 – Kingdom Come – 4:25
7 – Bradley – 4:34
8 – Hollywood And God – 3:19
9 – Serenity – 4:05
10 – Emmanuel – 4:10

Credits
Keyboards – Carson Cole, John Garau, Doug Doyle
Guitars – Cole Carson, Mike Stand
Lead Guitars – Greg Flesch, Doug Doyle, Mike Stand, Carson Cole
Bass – Tim Chandler
Drums – Martin Zinger
Sax – Alan Palmer
Background Vocals – Walter S. Harrah, Bobbi White, Maxayne Moriguchi
Producer – Carson Cole, Doug Doyle, Terry Taylor

Justus – Someone’s Waiting – 1986

The Pahl brothers and Donny Hackett are back with Justus’s second album. For this album they switched over to Star Song records but it appears to me that the album suffered the same fate as their first album which was a lack of promotion. This album is fantastic and I just don’t understand how it wasn’t a big success. The first album being with Tunesmith I wasn’t surprised but this album was with a much larger label and should have been much better promoted. I still can’t find out too much about this Canadian band but I continue to love their work and fully recommend this album.

Tracklist
1 – Won’t Let You Go – 3:09
2 – To Find A Way – 3:09
3 – Rumours – 2:51
4 – That’s Not For Me – 3:07
5 – Give Us A Burden – 4:34
6 – Surrender – 3:05
7 – No One Cares – 4:08
8 – Someone’s Waiting – 2:32
9 – Take Me Home – 4:38

Credits
Drums, Vocals, Keyboards – Kevin Pahl
Engineer [Assistant] – Gary Tole
Executive-Producer – Darrell Harris
Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards – Rod Pahl
Lead Vocals, Bass, Keyboards – Donny Hackett
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer – Dave Slagter, Justus, Roy Salmond
Recorded By, Mixed By – Dave Slagter

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Ariose Music
Published By – Ariose Music
Recorded At – Inside Trak Studios
Mixed At – Inside Trak Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc