Tag: 1986

D.O.X. – D.O.X. – 1986

D.O.X. appears to be another project of the boys from D.A. Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, and Tim Chandler were involved in this album in some way. Most the songs were written by Mark de la Bretonne the lead vocalist but Terry Taylor penned 2 of the tracks. The album has a bit of a Idle Cure sound at times and at other times i am hearing a more pop oriented version of Daniel Amos. The band were all individuals with little or no relationship to Daniel Amos but the boys form D.A. were obviously deeply involved with the project with all 3 listed as backing vocals and Terry Taylor being the producer. This is a pretty good album that was perfect for the time it came out. The vinyl is very hard to come by now so if you own it keep it safe.

Tracklist
1 – The Hungering Dark/Light Ship – 4:47
2 – Aim For The Heart – 4:30
3 – Lighthouse – 4:00
4 – Zero To None – 3:38
5 – Feel The Fire – 3:30
6 – Lonely Without You – 3:15
7 – (In My) Dream Of Heaven – 3:18
8 – Guiding My Way – 5:03
9 – Morningstar – 4:20

Credits
Arranged By – Terry Taylor
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler
Bass Guitar – Jeff Foster
Drums – Robert Foster
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Keyboards – Rob Watson
Layout – Ed McTaggart
Lead Guitar – Rick Lane (7)
Painting – Jeff Foster
Percussion – Robert Foster
Piano – Mark de la Bretonne
Producer – Terry Scott Taylor*
Rhythm Guitar – Rick Lane (7)
Saxophone – Alan Palmer
Vocals – Mark de la Bretonne

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.

First Call – Undivided – 1986 – Full Album

First Call is the term given to a musician or vocalist who are the top of every producer’s list to appear on a project. They are usually paid the highest amount and are known for needing the least amount of studio time to get it right, actually saving the studio money even though they can charge a higher rate. The group first call earned their name. The trio headlined by Marty McCall (Fireworks) were a famed studio trio that appeared on countless albums and earned a record contract. McCall’s experience with Fireworks and Mel Tunney and Bonnie Keen’s studio work made them seasoned veterans without ever performing live together. Undivided is seen as the groups official first album even though the previous year they were the primary force behind one of the finest CCM Christmas albums ever, An Evening in December. The Christmas album, though, also featured other named CCM artists at the time. Undivided starts with a sound similar to what was coming out of Nashville at the time with inspirational balled and medium tempo songs like the title track, which went on to be a huge hit. The group, though, really excelled and separated themselves when they ventured into more jazz and Manhattan Transfer styled compositions. But even in the more common fair their vocals and arrangements, especially on songs like “The Future” put them in a class all by themselves.

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

Tracklist
1 – Messiah – 3:25
2 – Undivided – 4:12
3 – Campmeetin’ Tonight – 3:33
4 – Bless, Ye The Lord – 4:25
5 – God Is Greater – 3:22
6 – One Step At A Time – 2:58
7 – Step Of Faith – 3:12
8 – The Future – 3:08
9 – Snap To It – 2:33
10 – Just As True For You – 4:15

Credits
Bass – Craig Nelson, Gary Lunn, Jimmy Lee Sloas, Mike Brignardello
Brass – Chris McDonald, Ernie Collins, John Rommell, Mike Haynes
Drums – Mark Hammond, Paul Leim
Guitar – Gary Burnette, Greg Jennings, James Hollihan, John Darnall, Jon Goin, Mark Baldwin, Tom Hemby
Keyboards – Dick Tunney, Phil Naish
Keyboards, Drum Programming – Keith Thomas
Percussion – Farrell Morris
Percussion [Anatomical] – Terry McMillan
Piano [Acoustic] – David Huntsinger
Saxophone – Dennis Solee, Doug Moffet, Jim Horn
Vocals – Bonnie Keen, Marty McCall, Melodie Tunney

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.

Prism – Blue – 1986

I have to admit I completely missed this one in the 80’s but I assume the cover would have made me skip right by this one. If I had to describe this one it would sort of be the Christian version of Kidz Bop but not really. The album consist mainly of cover versions of vacation bible school and campfire songs we all know though they are very popped up. This project was the brain child of Chris Harris and Mark Heimermann with some studio musicians and some kids. Strangely I can’t find any record of who the kids were. There are two original songs on the album penned by Heimermann. “Heads or Tails” and “Selah.” Both have a fun 80’s pop sound and are actually pretty good. Many of you grew up with this series of albums so we get a lot of requests for the entire series. We’re here to please so we will post them all.

Tracklist
1 – Jesus Loves Me – 1:54
2 – This Little Light Of Mine – 3:07
3 – This Is The Day – 3:24
4 – Heads Or Tails – 3:38
5 – Stand Up – 3:12
6 – Wise Man – 3:13
7 – Selah – 2:35
8 – Jesus Loves The Little Children – 2:55
9 – My Prayer – 4:15
10 – Into My Heart – 2:40

Adam Again – In A New World Of Time – 1986

This was the introductory album from Adam Again. The band was assembled by Gene Eugene (Gene Andrusco). Gene was the producer, writer and lead vocalist which is quite the responsibility level. For those who don’t remember Gene went on to be a member of both Lost Dogs and The Swirling Eddies so this heavy workload was something he was known for. His wife (or wife to be) Michele Bunch (Riki Michele) also provided lead vocals. The band was originally called Martus and included member Sim Wilson who left to join Undercover. Anyway on to the music. This album is not indicative of what was to come from Adam again. This album has a funk feel on several tracks which is a sound that disappeared on later albums. This was a good thing in my opinion as I don’t really care for the funk sound. I actually wasn’t a big fan of this album but what was to come from Adam Again would be some fantastic music.

Tracklist
1 – Life In The First Degree – 3:28
2 – She’s Run – 3:20
3 – Your Line Is Busy – 3:27
4 – You Can Fall In Love – 5:46
5 – In A New World Of TIme – 3:51
6 – Walk Away – 3:41
7 – Miracles – 4:42
8 – Morning Song – 3:47
9 – (God Can) Change The World – 3:27
10 – Reason With Me – 4:14

Credits
Artwork – Howard Finster
Bass – Paul Valadez
Guitar – Greg Lawless
Guitar [Solo] – Marky Schrock (tracks: 2, 8)
Keyboards – Smitty Price
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – G. Eugene
Percussion – Kurt Rasmussen, Ron Chase
Producer – Gene Eugene
Recorded By – Wally Grant
Saxophone, Lyricon – Dan Michaels
Vocals – Riki Michele

Companies, etc.
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Recorded At – Asaph Recording
Copyright (c) – Chenka, Chenka Music

Bash -N- The Code – Bash -N- The Code – 1986

Bash -N- The Code was put together by Keith Lancaster along with husband and wife team Greg & Rebecca Sparks. Keith had been in “Found Free”, a 70’s Jesus music band, with Rebecca. Other than that I don’t really know that much abut this band. Though I had not heard of them i have been told they were quite popular. As for the album it is the epitome of mid 80’s pop. In fact this could be used as the definitive example of mid 80’s Christian pop if anyone asks you. I think the standout track on the album is their version of “We Exalt You”. It’s a fun and easy album to listen to but you may grow tired of it pretty quickly.

Tracklist
1 – Power Praise – 3:26
2 – We Exalt You – 3:00
3 – Whatever I Do – 4:07
4 – Testify – 4:23
5 – Go Ahead – 3:49
6 – Diamond – 3:43
7 – Promises – 4:08
8 – I Will Win This Fight – 4:19
9 – Fanatic – 3:50
10 – Land Of The Living – 4:42

Credits
Drums, Percussion – Chris Kearney
Executive-Producer – Brian Tankersley
Guitar, Vocals – Mark Townsend
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – Scott Carmichael
Keyboards, Vocals – Trent Dean
Lead Vocals – Rebecca Ed Sparks
Lead Vocals, Bass – Greg Sparks
Producer – John Andrew Schreiner
Sounds – Dave Wagner
Vocals – Keith Lancaster

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Published By – Word Music (2)

Allies – Virtues – 1986

The followup to their premier album had a very similar sound and feel. Considering the lineup was the same and they were still being produced by Dino Elefante this wasn’t surprising. The odd thing though is that this album concluded their relationship with Light Records. Light had been very anxious to sign them but it looks like something changed a couple albums in. This album was also the last with vocalist Sam Scott, another rather odd turn of events. All that aside the album sold well and also gave the band their first chart single “Prayer For The Children” which made it to #20 in the 6 weeks it was on the charts. I never liked the album cover as it reminds me of a Russian communism poster, but maybe it was supposed to.

Tracklist
1 – Hardened Hearts – 4:32
2 – On With The Fight – 3:36
3 – If You Believe – 3:38
4 – Harmony – 3:50
5 – Prayer For The Children – 4:39
6 – In America – 3:26
7 – Jacque Remembers – 3:44
8 – Somebody Told Me You Were Crying – 3:01
9 – Let’s Fall In Love (All Over Again) – 4:30
10 – Runnin’ Out Of Time – 4:08

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards [Electric Keyboards], Vocals – Sam Scott
Art Direction – Jeff Fey
Drums [Acoustic Drums], Electronic Drums – Jim Erickson
Electric Bass – Matthew Chapman
Engineer – Mike Mierau
Engineer [Assistant] – Paul Abajian
Illustration – Warren Hile
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Bob Carlisle
Photography By – Richard Arrindell
Producer, Engineer – Dino Elefante
Producer, Guitar, Soloist [Guitar Solos], Guitar Synthesizer, Vocals – Randy Thomas
Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Tim Heintz

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Printed By – Shorewood Packaging
Made By – Shorewood Packaging
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Designed At – Art Hotel

Candy Hemphill – Arms Of Love – 1986

This was the third and final solo album from Candy and in my opinion her best. I simply don’t understand how Candy didn’t have more success. Maybe it was a lack of promotion by her label or maybe some internal politics were in play. This album did have a charting single however, “Let Lightning Strike made it to #30. Candy went on to tour, sing, and record with the Gaither concert series. She also put out a few singles under her now married name Candy Christmas. Candy’s greatest success came in the early 2000’s when she founded The Bridge Ministry, a Christian organization founded to serve the homeless of Nashville, TN. Candy also founded the Food For Kids program helping underprivileged children. Many performers take some role in helping the needy but Candy put herself out there and gets the job done.

Tracklist
1 – Opening / Let Lightning Strike – 5:23
2 – Nothing Wrong With Being Right – 3:11
3 – You’ve Got To Trust Somebody – 4:12
4 – That’s Something Else – 3:23
5 – Jehovah Ropheka – 4:23
6 – All Creation Dances – 3:29
7 – Oh, It Is Jesus – 4:14
8 – Walkin’ In the Way Of Love – 3:24
9 – Empty Arms – 4:13
10 – Arms Of Love / Closing – 5:47

Credits
Candy Hemphill – Songwriter, Vocals
David Baroni – Songwriter
David Binion – Songwriter
Bobby Jones Singers – Background Vocals
Niles Borop – Songwriter
Bob Clark – Engineer
Andrae Crouch – Songwriter
Jackie Cusic – Background Vocals
Gary Driskell – Songwriter
Bob Farrell – Songwriter
Mark Gersmehl – Songwriter
Jon Goin – Guitar
Lari Goss – Producer, Keyboards
Mark Hammond – Drums
Joel Hemphill – Songwriter
Mike Hudson – Songwriter
Bonnie Keen – Background Vocals
Marty McCall – Background Vocals
Dave Murphy – Second Engineer
Craig Nelson – Bass
Wendy Odenbuagh – Executive Producer
Cheryl Rogers – Keyboards
Billy Smiley – Songwriter
Leann Steinhauer – Background Vocals

Elim Hall – Things Break – 1986

Elim Hall was a Canadian band that was a bit of a surprise in 1986.

There debut and only commercial release album. Things Break, was more in tune with secular music at the time.

Most compared their sound to the Police and I can definitely hear the similarities. I don’t believe they were a Police wannabe band however. I believe the style of guitar playing was similar, leading to the similarities.

They did self produce a second album, but as far as I can tell it never had a retail release. All in all this is without a doubt one of the best mid 80’s CCM releases. Oh and the cut Things Break is supposed to end like that.

Tracklist
1 – Hypothermia – 3:15
2 – Erosion – 3:12
3 – The Park In Spring – 3:00
4 – At The Falls – 3:55
5 – Things Break – 3:27
6 – Inside Out – 3:26
7 – Let’s Play Science Says – 3:00
8 – Moved – 3:31
9 – Testimony – 4:15
10 – My Flag Always Fades – 3:47

Credits
Backing Vocals – Glenn Teeple, Steve Marsh
Bass – Ross Teeple
Drums – Steve Marsh
Guitar – Glenn Teeple
Keyboards – Glenn Teeple
Lead Vocals – Ross Teeple
Performer [Elim Hall Is] – Glenn Teeple, Ross Teeple, Steve Marsh
Producer – Gary Chapman, Tim Marsh

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word
Distributed By – Word

Sheila Walsh – Shadowlands – 1986

This was Sheila’s 7th album and her first after fleeing Sparrow Records for Myrrh Records. She definitely upped her Pop sound for this album and it’s actually a great album. The record company may have changed but the different tracks for the UK vs US releases continued. The UK version contained “I Hope And I Pray” instead of “Christian”. That said both tracks were included on the CD release and we are using that CD release. I have never understood why this occurred so frequently on her albums compared to others. The album was very well received receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance by a Female but unfortunately Sandi Patti won the category with an easy listening album, no surprise there. The album spawned 4 singles with “Christian” doing the best peaking at #4. Reading through the comments I noticed that Mark Williamson from the Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix sang some background vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Sand in the Hand – 3:43
2 – Ship of Love – 3:59
3 – Keeper of the Key – 3:49
4 – The Hungry Night – 4:13
5 – Valley of Tears – 4:35
6 – Christian – 4:17
7 – Big Boy Now – 4:48
8 – Last Word in Love – 4:13
9 – What Do You Know (That I Don’t) – 5:29
10 – Never Give It Up – 4:05
11 – I Hope and I Pray – 3:46

Credits
Barry Blue – Producer
Simon Brenner – Songwriter
Matthew Cang – Guitar, Bass
Mel Collins – Saxophone
Lance Demers – Songwriter
Gavin Harrison – Drums
Sheelagh Lippell – Songwriter
London Community – Gospel Choir
Annie McCaig – Background Vocals
Jon Moss – Songwriter
Lynn Arthur Nichols – Executive Producer
Richard Osborne – Producer, Arrangements, Programming, Guitars
Mick Parker – Keyboards
Don Snow – Background Vocals
Alvin Stardust – Duet Vocal
Jon Sweet – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements
Rod Trott – Songwriter
Sheila Walsh – Vocals
Mark Williamson – Background Vocals

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Swot Productions
Recorded At – Swot Studios
Mixed At – Swot Studios
Recorded At – Aosis Studios
Mixed At – Aosis Studios
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.

Petra – Back to the Street – 1986

This was the 8th studio album from Petra and the first with lead singer John Schlitt who replaced Greg X. Volz. It was also the first album produced by the Elefante brothers as the bands previous producer Jonathan David Brown left the band with Greg X. Volz. By the time the band had found John Schlitt most of the music had already been recorded so it was a relatively simple process to get the album done. Back to the Street was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Performance by a Gospel Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus but did not win. It was won by Larnelle Harris & Sandi Patti for “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”. Personally Petra should have won this Grammy but even by 1986 the industry had a difficult time recognizing it’s rock element. John Schlitt’s vocals gave this album a more Rock feel but it still sat squarely in the Pop category for me.

Tracklist
1 – Back To The Street – 4:12
2 – You Are I Am – 3:08
3 – Shakin’ The House – 4:28
4 – King’s Ransom – 4:18
5 – Whole World – 4:50
6 – Another Crossroad – 3:50
7 – Run For Cover – 3:15
8 – Fool’s Gold – 4:48
9 – Altar Ego – 4:43
10 – Thankful Heart – 3:17

Credits
Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Art Direction – Bill Brunt, Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – John Elefante, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Mark Kelly
Bass – Mark Kelly
Concept By – Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Cover [Cover Design] – Dave Rogers, Randy Rogers
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Guitar [Guitars] – Bob Hartman
Illustration – Randy Rogers
Keyboards – John Lawry
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – John Elefante
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Photography By – Bill Brunt, Ron Keith, Scott Bonner
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Programmed By [Fairlight Programming] – John Lawry

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios