Urgent Cry – Demo 041187 – 1987

Urgent Cry were a band out of Vandalia, Ohio. They released 2 demos but were never signed by a label. This is their first demo and it’s pretty good. It has a nice pop rock sound and is musically sound. Unfortunately the vocals are a bit weak. I think the vocal skills were there but Steven just needed a little guidance. This is a good example of the difference a good producer could have made. While the engineering was actually very good I think they needed a producer to pull it all together. One thing I really like that this band did was to release their demo cassette with all 4 tracks on each side. This means the cassette would last twice as long. Given the quality of these bulk cassettes I really liked it when bands did this.

Tracklist
1 – Cry In The Wilderness – 3:57
2 – Unexpected – 3:48
3 – Christ Is The Answer – 3:51
4 – No Pantomime – 4:06

Credits
Darryl Gibson – Drums, acoustic guitar
Kevin Landon – Bass, keyboards
Bill Kuhn – Lead Guitar
Steven Mikel – Lead vocals, flute

Crystal Lewis – Beyond The Charade – 1987

This is Crystal’s first solo album. She had previously appeared on albums with the Lifters/Wild Blue Yonder. She was offered this album deal at only 17 years old. It’s a pretty good album though I think it’s a little heavy on the keyboards on a few tracks. That synth pop sound doesn’t really work with her voice in my opinion. The track “Breakdown” best suits her vocals in my opinion. That said her vocals are so good she overcomes some questionable music to make a pretty darn good album. Crystal was one of CCM’s greatest vocalists but never got the recognition she deserved from the industry.

Tracklist
1 – Frustrated – 3:34
2 – Precious Lord – 3:37
3 – Without You – 4:21
4 – Runnin’ – 4:34
5 – Turn Your Heart Around – 3:33
6 – Breakdown – 3:53
7 – One More Heart – 3:46
8 – Special Love – 3:57
9 – Let Them Know – 4:15
10 – Tonight – 4:06

Credits
Backing Vocals – Brian Tong, Dave Jahnsen, Michael Campion, Mike Mac Lane, Paul Daldwell
Drums – Pete Pfiefer
Engineer [Mixing] – Dave Jahnsen
Guitar – Bob Somm, Terence Elliot
Keyboards – Tim Heintz
Producer, Vocals, Backing Vocals, Engineer – Bill Baumgart
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Vocals – Billy Hufsey
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company

Compassion All​-​Star Band – Live​ @ ​Cornerstone ’87 – 1987

You may be familiar with the Compassion All Star Band album 1 By 1 Live! released in 1989 but somewhere on the interwebs is this 1987 recording using the same name. To be clear the “Compassion All​-​Star Band” wasn’t a set group. It was the name used when several artists would come together to raise funds for Compassion International. I have no idea where this was released but it was recorded in 1987 at Cornerstone. This album mostly consisted of secular tracks which is what made it very appealing to me. My favourite track is Rick Cua & Randy Stonehill’s version of I Still Believe which features some excellent guitar work by Phil Keaggy. Also cool is the Phil Madeira & Randy Stonehill cover of Dylan’s “Forever Young”.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XS828kImW2qkh5G7LVzb0dE

Tracklist
1 – October (Glen Kaiser) – 1:14
2 – Eminence Front (Phil Madeira) – 7:14
3 – We Can Work It Out (Phil Keaggy/Randy Stonehill) – 2:51
4 – Presence Of The Lord (Glen Kaiser) – 4:46
5 – Rick Cua Rap – 2:14
6 – I Still Believe (Rick Cua/Randy Stonehill) – 6:07
7 – Randy Stonehill Rap – 10:25
8 – Who Will Save The Children (Randy Stonehill/Phil Keaggy) – 6:45
9 – Help (Randy Stonehill/Phil Keaggy) – 2:20
10 – Phil Madeira Rap – 2:19
11 – Forever Young (Phil Madeira/Randy Stonehill) – 6:03
12 – Darrell Mansfield Intro – 1:31
13 – Walkin’ Chicago Blues (Darrell Mansfield) – 9:43

Credits
Phil Keaggy- Guitar, Vocals
Randy Stonehill- Guitar, Vocals
Glen Kaiser- Guitar, Vocals
Joe English- Drums, Vocals
Rick Cua- Bass, Vocals
Phil Madeira- Keys, Vocals
Darrell Mansfield- harmonica, Vocals

First Degree – Youth – 1987

While some will probably say this is a Metal album I respectfully disagree. In my opinion it’s a straight up Rock & Roll album. This is one that I just recently discovered and wow do I like it. No one I know even knew these guys existed so this is probably going to be one of those oddball albums no one ever heard of but I could be mistaken. I can’t find anything about the band or any f the members. So this is one of those mystery albums but this one is a little different as it is really really good. Right from the opening riff (which is great) you know you are in for a good Rock & Roll album and the rest of it doesn’t let you down. I think my favourite track is Jenni, Jenni which personally I think could have easily played on secular radio. Anyway I’ll say it again, if you missed this one in 1987 be sure to give it a listen now.

Tracklist
1 – Youth – 3:43
2 – Last Forever – 4:27
3 – Every Time – 3:50
4 – Turning Point – 4:31
5 – Don’t You Know – 4:31
6 – Don’t Be Afraid – 3:28
7 – Jenni, Jenni – 4:11
8 – True Love – 4:11
9 – Don’t Do It – 4:24

Credits
Kent Bradley – Guitar, Keyboards
Howard Conder – Producer, Engineer
Dan Kilbourne – Drums
Lance Rowland – Bass, Vocals
Paul Sisemore – Guitars, Vocals

Dennis Welch – Man Of Steel – 1987

Dennis Welch is a lesser known singer songwriter who lives in Austin, Texas who deserves to be much better known. This album was originally self released in 1984 but in 1987 micro label Dark Records picked up the album and had Dennis add 3 tracks to make it a full length album. It was apparently distributed to radio stations and I have read 2 different ex DJs say it was one of their favourite albums. It deserves the attention it gained in the industry. I had never heard of Dennis before I stumbled across this album and that’s a real pity because I would have loved it in the day. Well actually I love it today and I can honestly say there are a few tracks, in particular the title track, that are going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Antinomian Nights – 3:51
2 – Carry Me Away – 6:12
3 – Alien Shoes – 3:34
4 – Change Of Heart – 4:16
5 – Man Of Steel – 3:35
6 – Ordering My Private World – 5:34
7 – Don’t Touch My Genes (Algeny) – 3:52
8 – Deep In The Night – 3:48
9 – Crystal Sea – 2:11

Steven Curtis Chapman – First Hand – 1987

This was Steven’s debut album. He was under contract to Sparrow records as a songwriter and was very successful so I guess Sparrow thought they would give him a studio band and see how he did. The album was very successful with the single track “Weak Days” which peaked at #2 on the CCM charts. I was actually a little surprised at this album as I had dismissed Steven Curtis Chapman as a worship album artist but this is actually a pretty good pop album. The sound would have been better suited as an early 80’s album but it wasn’t that outdated in 1987. This is one I ignored in the 80’s but I’m glad I tool the time to listen to it now.

Tracklist
1 – First Hand – 3:35
2 – Weak Days – 4:18
3 – Hiding Place – 4:58
4 – Run Away – 3:53
5 – Do They Know – 4:00
6 – Tell Me – 4:19
7 – Who Cares – 5:06
8 – Dying To Live – 3:35
9 – Said And Done – 5:08
10 – My Redeemer Is Faithful And True – 3:47

Credits
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Chris Rodriguez, Phil Naish, Steven Curtis Chapman
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Phil Naish, Steven Curtis Chapman
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Herbert Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Coordinator – Cindy Wilt
Design – Buddy Jackson
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer – Jeff Balding
Engineer [Assistant] – Bill Whittington, Mike Clute
Executive-Producer – Greg Nelson
Guitar – Jon Goin, Steven Curtis Chapman
Illustration – Beth Middleworth
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Orchestrated By [Strings] – Alan Moore
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Phil Naish
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Pressed By – Capitol Jax
Designed At – Jackson Design
Engineered At – The Bennett House
Engineered At – OmniSound Studios
Engineered At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Engineered At – Gold Mine Studio
Engineered At – Center Stage Studio
Engineered At – Downstage Studio
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters

Terry Scott Taylor – A Briefing For The Ascent – 1987

If you like footsteps you’ll love this album. I ride Terry pretty hard for his conceptual album ideas because a lot of the time it just comes off as silly to me but in this case it really worked on this album. I feel he thought through his idea and didn’t silly it up and because of it this is probably my favourite solo album from Terry. One of the odder tracks on the album is “Long, Long, Long” which is actually a cover of a Beatles song. I didn’t like the original so I kind of struggle with this track but I will say for the record that I believe Terry’s version is much better than the original. That said the song fits where it is on this album. At one time artists and producers really thought about the order of tracks on their albums and this album is an example of a perfectly structured album.

Tracklist
1 – A Briefing For The Ascent – 4:34
2 – Somewhere To Elsewhere – 2:02
3 – Beyond The Wall Of Sleep – 3:13
4 – The Wood Between The Worlds – 3:49
5 – Changeless – 4:02
6 – My Love, My Love – 4:18
7 – Wars Of The Heart – 0:45
8 – Capture Me – 4:08
9 – Where Dreams Come True – 2:59
10 – Long, Long, Long – 3:38
11 – Prelude – 1:26
12 – Going Home – 2:08

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis, Jerry Chamberlain, Montebello First Baptist Church Choir, Rob Watson, Terry Taylor, Tom Howard
Bass – Tim Chandler
Concept By [Conceived By], Directed By – Terry Taylor
Design Concept [Album Cover Concept] – Ed McTaggart, Terry Taylor
Drum Programming – Ed McTaggart, Ed McTaggart, Terry Taylor
Drums – Ed McTaggart, Steve Hindalong
Engineer – Dave Hackbarth
Graphics [Photographics] – Ken Baley
Guitar – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Mastered By [Digitally Remastered] – Doug Doyle
Mastered By [Originally Mastered] – John Matousek
Mixed By – Doug Doyle, Terry Taylor
Mixed By [With] – Greg Flesch
Orchestrated By [Orchestrations Constructed By], Arranged By [Orchestrations Arranged By] – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Greg Flesch
Photography By – Bob Rowe
Producer [Produced By] – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Synth [Treatments] – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor
Vocals – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Record Company – Frontline Music Group
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Hitsville
Remastered At – Digital Brothers
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia
Published By – Broken Songs

Common Bond – Anger Into Passion – 1987

One of the many amazing bands to come out of the Orange County Christian Music scene and the spearheading label, Frontline Records, Common Bond was unfortunately much overlooked. They released two nationally recognized releases and the much sought after “White Album,” and independent project I still own. In fact, the white album will rank much higher as it remains quite possible the finest independent releases of that time period. A trio that consisted of three amazing musicians; Kenny Samuels (bass, vocals), Steve Durham (guitars) and Chuck Cummings (drums). Cummings was later replaced by the amazing Terl Bryant. And an unheralded part of this project is producer Doug Doyle. His studio cranked out many great Frontline albums and the industry is indebted to his vision and greatness in the studio. The first project “Heaven is Calling” hinted at what was to follow in “Anger Into Passion,” an amazing record that would unfortunately be the last. The style is difficult to pin down with Samuel’s higher pitched voice that is reminiscent of Ian Cussick, Geddy Lee (without all the annoying whining) and former Love Song drummer John Mehler. Musically it falls into the world of later Police and the more progressive and smart alternative music of the late 80’s. The title track kicks off the album with a sound reminiscent of something from Vector’s “Mannequin Virtue.” Great groove and atmospheric like vocals that draw you into a more passionate chorus. My favorite cut is the following track, “In My Youth.” Another track comparable to the Vector sound is “Smile and a Tear.” The song builds and builds and ultimately driven by the drumming of Chuck Cummings. In fact, the drumming is so strong throughout. Lyrically very smart and creative. Musically astute. There is a rare combination. One special note of interest, the album contains a very cool cover Daniel Amos’ “Wall of Doubt.”

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

Tracklist
1 – Anger Into Passion – 4:12
2 – In My Youth – 3:28
3 – The Great Divide – 3:18
4 – Smile And A Tear – 3:26
5 – See The World – 4:25
6 – Tarry – 3:41
7 – Free From Me – 3:33
8 – Face To Face – 3:42
9 – Walls Of Doubt – 2:24
10 – The Promise – 4:06

Credits
Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Bobbi White, Maxayne Moriguchi, Walter S. Harrah
Backing Vocals, Written-By – Terry Taylor
Bass, Lead Vocals – Ken Samuels
Design Concept [Cover Concept], Music By – Common Bond
Drums, Percussion – Chuck Cummings
Graphics [Photographics] – Ken Baley
Guitar – Steve Durham
Illustration [Cover Stamp Illustration] – John Fraze
Lyrics By – Ken Samuels
Mastered By – John Matousek
Photography By – Linda Dillon Baley
Producer, Engineer, Keyboards [Supplemental Keyboards] – Doug Doyle

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Published By – Broken Songs
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mastered At – Hitsville
Licensed To – Kingsway Publications Ltd.
Distributed By – Nye Toner / Teovision, kingsway Publications Ltd.,Finngospel,Sephora Diffusion,La Sorgente Music,GMI Records,Jata,Master Music,Master-Vision-S.A.,Viva Music,Kir Music,Kingsway Music,Premier Music

Megamouth & The Rap Blasters – Rap Battle In The Big City – 1987

This is the first of 2 children’s albums done by Terry Taylor and Greg Flesch. This one is centered on a “Rap Battle” theme. Apparently this idea didn’t get much traction but I commend them for trying. The naming of a track “If They’d Adone It Then, It Woulda Helped Them Later” would have made it impossible for an adult to remember the name of the track never mind a kid. This project didn’t age very well but it may have been cool in the 80’s if I was 10 years old.

Tracklist
1 – Megamouth Theme – 1:59
2 – If They’d Adone It Then, It Woulda Helped Them Later – 3:35
3 – Just Say “N-O” – 2:47
4 – That’s Rad (Part 1) – 3:37
5 – The Frequency Jam (Killocycle Theme) – 3:30
6 – Trouble In Big City – 5:17
7 – David Said A Prayer – 3:08
8 – Rap Zapper (The Rap Blaster’s Song) – 3:46
9 – The “Rap” Battle: Megamouth’s Challenge – 3:16
10 – The “Rap” Battle: Megamouth vs. Killocycle – 4:06
11 – The Last Word – 0:33
12 – Megamouth Theme (Reprise) – 1:57
13 – That’s Rad (Part 2) – 2:26

Credits
Art Direction, Layout – Ed McTaggart
Cover – John Dickenson
Engineer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Doug Doyle
Illustration – June Valentine
Mastered By – John Matousek
Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By, Mixed By, Instruments, Written-By, Concept By – Greg Flesch
Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By, Mixed By, Written-By, Concept By, Voice Actor – Terry Taylor
Vocals – Amy Watson, Lisa Grimaud, Nancy Hanson, Nancy Marquez
Voice Actor, Vocals – Dan Rupple, Dennis Bowen, Diane Meador-Pemelton, Scott Rummell

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.

Rich Mullins – Pictures In The Sky – 1987

Rich Mullins is back with his second album. It was hugely popular and had three top 10 hits on the CCM charts. “Verge Of A Miracle” made it to #1, “Pictures In The Sky” to #2, and the novelty song “Screen Door” made it to #7. If you didn’t know who Rich Mullins was before this album you sure knew who he was after it. Now I agree that this is a good album but quite frankly I don’t think it was that well produced and engineered. His next album “Winds Of Heaven, Stuff Of Earth” was far better produced and is probably his best album. But my criticism means nothing when you look at the success of this album. It propelled Rich into the elite top musicians in the Christian music industry. The album is a strong Pop effort and I have no doubt you will enjoy it. I admit I certainly liked it just felt it came up a little short of what it could have been.

Tracklist
1 – When You Love – 3:25
2 – It Don’t Do – 3:37
3 – Verge Of A Miracle – 4:02
4 – Pictures In The Sky – 3:53
5 – Be With You – 2:50
6 – Screen Door – 1:23
7 – What Trouble Are Giants – 3:54
8 – Steal At Any Price – 4:15
9 – Could Be A Celebration – 3:25
10 – Love That Knows No Bounds – 3:35

Credits
Dave Adams – Drum Programming
Reed Arvin – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Synclavier
Lisa Bevill – Background Vocals
Michael Blanton – Executive Producer
Lang Bliss – Songwriter
Steve Cudworth – Songwriter
Keith Edwards – Drums
Kim Fleming – Background Vocals
Reneé Garcia – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Dan Harrell – Executive Producer
Chris Harris – Background Vocals
Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals
Gary Jones – Songwriter
Brent King – Engineer, Mixed
Wayne Kirkpatrick – Songwriter
Gary Lunn – Bass
Tim Marsh – Percussion
Donna McElroy – Background Vocals
Jerry McPherson – Guitars, Bazooki
Rich Mullins – Songwriter, Vocals
Justin Peters – Songwriter
Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals
Cathy Snyder – Songwriter
Hank Williams – Mastered

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Reunion Records
Copyright (c) – Reunion Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Recorded At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Designed At – Jackson Design