This is a very simple 2 side 2 track cassette that was sold by DC Talk before Kevin Max even joined the group. It is purported to have sold 3000 copies when Toby and Michael performed the song Heavenbound for their fellow students at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987. It was copied countless times and spread through the CCM industry and the band shortly after prepared a proper 10 track demo.
This has to be one of the most mysterious albums I have come across and it is without a doubt the strangest album from Randy. It is his one and only album with Refuge Records. Randy put this album out in 1987 but his previous album was in 1981 on Spirit Records. A 6 year gap in albums when you are at your height is bizarre enough but then this album got completely ignored by the entire industry. I know it didn’t sell well as it took us a long time to find a copy so maybe Refuge just didn’t distribute it very well but that is strange too as Randy was a very highly respected artist. There is also radio silence on this album with no one talking about it. The internet’s a big place but this album takes an incredibly small space on it. In fact there’s very little info on what Randy was doing at this point in his career. The album itself is actually very very good and is probably now my favourite album from him. I would say the single is “The Day Death Died” which is a great rock & roll track. Probably his hardest track ever. The other highlight of the album is probably the only CCM track about Santa Claus but be warned it is a very sad song actually about abortion. That said it is a stunningly good track.
Tracklist 1 – Amazing Grace – 1:15 2 – Hearts On Ice – 3:22 3 – Grumble Alley – 3:30 4 – Ti Chapé-Kum Ba Ya – 4:33 5 – Eyes Of The Heart – 3:34 6 – Streets Of Mercy – 2:57 7 – I Wish It Were Only Make Believe – 3:55 8 – No Cross, No Crown – 3:04 9 – The Day Death Died – 3:52 10 – Nuclear Hymn – 3:27
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Cover [Concept] – Randy Matthews Art Direction, Design – Jeff Spencer Backing Vocals – Anthony Nelson, Demetrius Alexander, Duane Hamilton, Eddie Williams, Grace Rosenburger, Greg Tornquist, Kim Hill, Monty Matthews, Robbie Anderson, Roger M. Major Booking – Barbara Matthews Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Greg Tornquist Engineer – Gary Wysocki Engineer, Remix – John W. Thompson Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar – John W. Thompson Management – Dave Peters II, Image Communications International Photography – Peter Nash Producer – John Thompson
The second release from Bloodgood continues the raw metal sound they had in their first album. This album is better produce and engineered but some fans preferred the edgier first album. But that said Detonation placed 8th in a poll by Heaven’s Metal fanzine of the top 100 Christian metal albums of all time. The band toured heavily for this album and as the world was dumb in 1987 the tour was heavily protested by the more conservative element of Christianity. The tour was quite successful and continued into Europe in 1988. Bloodgood is a mainstay in the Christian metal genre and most hold up this or their first album as their best work.
Tracklist 1 – Battle Of The Flesh – 2:45 2 – Vagrant People – 3:26 3 – Self-Destruction – 3:29 4 – Alone In Suicide – 4:04 5 – Heartbeat (Of The City) – 3:25 6 – Eat The Flesh – 4:25 7 – Holy Fire – 3:10 8 – Crucify – 3:05 9 – The Messiah – 4:25 10 – Live Wire – 2:37
Credits Arranged By – Bloodgood Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael Bloodgood Drums – Mark Welling Engineer – Doug Doyle Guitar, Backing Vocals – David Zaffiro Illustration [Cover] – John Dickenson Mastered By – John Matousek Mixed By – David Zaffiro, Doug Doyle, Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood Other [Litho Prep] – Graphic Masters, Santa Ana, CA Other [Stage Clothes] – Brent Flemming Photography By – Ken Baley, Lynn DeBon Producer – David Zaffiro, Les Carlsen, Michael Bloodgood Vocals – Les Carlsen
I can’t find anything about this band online except that their contact info was based in Montana so I have to guess they were from Montana. Anyway what we have here is an album sound that I’ve heard several times at this point. There were several bands in the 80’s that would have this pop sound with a female vocalist. I am not insulting this recipe it’s just that at this point I’ve seen it many many times. As for this album specifically it’s pretty good. In fact there’s a couple tracks here that are pretty well written. If they had got a second album deal they could have capitalized on their writing but unfortunately for them this was the only album they had.
Tracklist 1 – New Day – 3:59 2 – Heart Beat – 4:03 3 – How Long – 4:22 4 – Cross Road – 4:23 5 – Skybound – 4:23 6 – C’mon Home – 3:03 7 – Little Bit of Heaven – 3:55 8 – Jesus Is Outta Sight – 4:16 9 – Lift Your Eyes – 4:19 10 – Let Love Reign – 4:13 11 – Decision – 0:39
Let it never be said that Phil Driscoll was lazy. He was able to get an album out almost every year. This is his album in 1987. I think Phil and the record label were trying to produce an album that was a little more Pop than he usually does. The album cover shows a much younger Phil than his covers usually did. it should be noted that this album cover portrayed his correct age, he was 40. For some reason they usually portrayed him as much older on his record covers. As is the case with just about every album from Phil this one is fantastic. I will say it again for the record. I do not like most of the songs Phil does BUT his fantastic vocals always sell me on them anyway. This album the standouts are the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”, Cool Rain”, and the rocker for this album “Trumpet In A Heavenly Band”.
Tracklist 1 – Make Us One – 3:24 2 – I’ll Be Ridin’ With Him – 4:28 3 – I Can Feel Your Love – 4:35 4 – Wait On The Lord – 5:20 5 – Cool Rain – 4:17 6 – Trumpet In A Heavenly Band – 3:40 7 – All Around The World – 2:55 8 – Standin’ In The Shadow – 3:40 9 – Holy, Holy, Holy – 3:44 10 – The Magnificat – 7:21
Credits Arranged By – Bill Maxwell, Jerry Cleveland, Phil Driscoll Art Direction – McConnell Graphics Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Jean Johnson, Rose Banks, Von Faggett Bass – Abraham Laboriel Drums – Bill Maxwell Engineer – Doug Rider Executive-Producer – Dennis Blackburn, Gregory Pope Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Lead Vocals, Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Phil Driscoll Percussion – Alex Acuna* Photography By – Dean Dixon Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Organ – Harlan Rogers Producer – Bill Maxwell, Phil Driscoll Remix – Bill Maxwell, Doug Rider, Phil Driscoll Synthesizer – Claude Gaudette
There are several “Zion”s in the CCM market. This is the one from Jacksonville, Oregon. They were an excellent Pop Rock band that released two self financed albums. This is the second one of those albums. I’m a little mystified how these guys didn’t get a record deal. They are really good in my opinion. The vocals are shared between Dave Day and Linda Holt Morrison. I’m a big fan of Dave’s vocals but I struggle with Linda’s. That said I think it could be fixed in post production but what do I know. I don’t like Sandie Brock from Servants vocals either so I think it comes down to personal preference. My other small criticism is that the tracks are a touch long but again that would be fixed in post production. But lets toss all that aside because this is a great album and it’s pretty well engineered. The credits say it was mastered by Steve Hall. I don’t know if it’s THE Steve Hall but if it is wow, he’s one of the best. Anyway this is a great Pop Rock album and there are a couple tracks here that are going on my playlist for sure.
Tracklist 1 – Cry Out – 5:10 2 – The Edge – 4:03 3 – Kidz – 5:31 4 – Take My Life – 5:46 5 – Heaven Help Us – 6:17 6 – Rad – 4:16 7 – Love You To Life – 4:43 8 – I’ll Be There – 5:57
Credits Bass, Vocals, Guitar – Larry Wick Drums, Percussion – John Scott Armas Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dave Day Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Producer – Jeff Bates Lead Vocals – Linda Holt Morrison Mastered By – Steve Hall
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Starlight Recording, Applegate, Oregon Mastered At – Future Disc Published By – Crosstalk Music Published By – D-Day Music
This is the second album from Split Level and what a great album it is. Their first album was released on a label I’ve never heard of and can’t find any record of, Big Feet Records. I also can’t find a copy of the album. The band went into the studio with Andy McCarroll who was about to produce his first album. Reportedly when the album came out the band said the album didn’t sound like them. I just watched a live cut of them and I think it did represent them well. Maybe the band wasn’t used to a studio album toning down the rawness that band has live. From the one track I saw live the album is a pretty good representation. Anyway the album was popular and the band kept on touring and playing gigs where they thought they could reach people who wouldn’t normally listen to Christian music. It should be noted that the released album track order was not the same as the album label. I have no idea if this was intentional or a gimmick but here we’ve presented the tracks in to order on the record label. Word only released the album in the U.K. and why they did that is beyond me. I’m sure this album would have done well in the North American market.
Tracklist 1 – Land Of Freedom – 3:45 2 – Peace Of Home – 3:02 3 – I Will Live – 3:25 4 – Into The Fire – 3:40 5 – It Won’t Be Long – 4:27 6 – Sons Of Liberty – 3:58 7 – View Of A World – 3:48 8 – Desertland – 3:21 9 – God Is – 4:13 10 – Dove – 3:54
Credits Design – James Kessell Keyboards – Brian Jones Keyboards, Programmed By [Engineering Programming] – Enda Walsh Mixed By – Neil Costello, Pat McCarthy Photography By – Jim Loring Photography By [Additional] – Branka Jukić Producer – Andy McCarroll Vocals, Bass Guitar – Derek Currie Vocals, Drums – Barry Kennedy Vocals, Guitar – Adrian Thompson
Here’s a collection of Christmas tracks that the record company put together for Steve Green to sing. I say this because this is about the 3rd CCM artist Christmas album I’ve listened to that had nothing contemporary about it and doesn’t seem to have that touch from the artist. That said it’s an okay album but it won’t go on my Christmas playlist.
Tracklist 1 – Joy To The World – 2:25 2 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:41 3 – Angels From The Realms Of Glory / O Come, All Ye Faithful – 3:06 4 – Silent Night, Holy Night – 3:19 5 – The Birthday Of A King / O Holy Night – 4:24 6 – Jesus Is Born – 3:24 7 – Messiah Medley – 3:16 8 – Rest – 4:09 9 – Adorar Al Niño (Go And Worship Jesus) – 2:08 10 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel / Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne – 4:21
Credits Arranged By [Percussion Arrangement] – Don Hart Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements] – Greg Nelson, Phil Naish Arranged By [String Arrangement] – Don Hart Arranged By [String and Vocal Arrangements] – Alan Moore Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Don Hart Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement], Conductor – David T. Clydesdale Arranged By, Orchestrated By, Conductor – David T. Clydesdale Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn Bass – Craig Nelson Contractor [Background Vocalists] – Beverly Darnall Contractor [Orchestra] – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine Design – Jackson Design Drums – Mark Hammond Engineer – Brent King Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Whittington, David Murphy Engineer, Mixed By – Bob Clark Guitar – Jon Goin, Mark Casstevens Keyboards – Phil Naish Percussion – Farrell Morris Photography By – Steven A. Heller Piano [Acoustic], Harpsichord – David Huntsinger Producer – Greg Nelson Sleeve Notes – Steve Green
This is Paul’s second solo album. His first album was released almost worldwide but not in the United States. As he’s Canadian that’s where his main audience was though he also did well in Germany where he has also lived and produced music. This album was released world wide including the U.S. Strangely A&M Records decided to take the most successful single from his first album and put it on this album. I am guessing the thinking was that it would re-single in the U.S. market. The album was not selling well but the record company decided to release “Believe In Me” as the final single and it caught making it to #26 on the Canadian Charts and #25 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart but that was it for U.S. chart success. It did much better in Canada with 3 other top 100 singles. All in all it’s a solid pop album and as I grew up in Canada it is an album I remember and still quite like.
Tracklist 1 – One Night (Is All It Takes) – 3:42 2 – Electricity – 3:51 3 – I Won’t Cry – 4:45 4 – We Touch – 4:50 5 – I’ll Be Your Eyes – 3:57 6 – Send Me A Miracle – 3:51 7 – Believe In Me – 4:46 8 – I Go To Pieces – 3:29 9 – Angel – 5:00 10 – Alien – 4:39 11 – One Last Lie – 3:51
Credits Art Direction – Richard Frankel Bass – Bob Press Design – Melanie Nissen Drums – Michael Root Engineer – Dave Slagter, Mike Fraser Guitar – Tim McKenzie Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion – Paul Janz Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Greg Ladanyi Photography – James O’Mara Producer – Paul Janz
This is Arlen’s fourth album but you’ve probably never heard it or even heard him. Why have you never heard of him? Well it’s because his albums were never released outside of Canada. We’re not talking about someone who had one or two albums either. He had six albums in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. The albums are for them main part great. Lot’s of good Rock & Roll and great lyrics. This album is no different it’s fantastic. The cover is horrible but it was his first release on label Image 7 and I have seen many times that a new label lobes to do a portrait cover for some reason. I’ve never understood it. So give this one a listen as I doubt you’ve ever heard it and it’s a great Pop Rock album.
Tracklist 1 – Hoping & Coping – 4:26 2 – Falling In Love Again – 4:11 3 – I’ve Been Hiding – 4:18 4 – Verdict – 3:46 5 – A Winner Like You – 4:13 6 – Sing Out His Name – 2:41 7 – Love Showed Us The Way – 3:19 8 – Outrageous – 3:35 9 – Let My Light Shine Bright – 3:13 10 – Rock On Which I Stand – 4:14
