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 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
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
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
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
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 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
The 6th release from The Call is often referred to as their “Dark” album. Personally I don’t find it that dark but I also don’t find it that good. It’s not a bad album just not as good as their previous albums. Michael Been states it’s his favourite album and I have to agree that it has some of their best lyrics of all their albums. I personally just preferred the more commercial sound of their previous work. The official single was “I Don’t Wanna” which only climbed to #38 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. My pick for a single is “It Could Have Been Me” with it’s addictive drum line it stands out.
Tracklist 1 – I Don’t Wanna – 5:15 2 – In The River – 4:04 3 – It Could Have Been Me – 4:38 4 – The Woods – 5:10 5 – Day Or Night – 4:12 6 – Memory – 4:05 7 – Too Many Tears – 4:24 8 – Expecting – 4:52 9 – Walk Walk – 3:50
Credits Michael Been – Bass, Composer, Guitar, Producer, Vocals Cary Butler – Assistant Engineer Tom Ferrier – Composer, Guitar Jim Goodwin – Composer Stephen Innocenzi – Mastering Steve Kline – Assistant Engineer Matt Mahurin – Photography Stephen Marcussen – Mastering Scott Musick – Composer, Drums, Vocals (Background) Eric Myer – Photography Dan Nash – Assistant Engineer Dave Reitzas – Assistant Engineer Dan Smith – Producer Don Smith – Engineer, Producer Andy Udoff – Assistant Engineer Tracy Veal – Design Gary Wagner – Assistant Engineer
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation Phonographic Copyright (p) – Elektra/Asylum Records Copyright (c) – Elektra/Asylum Records Published By – Neeb Music Published By – Tarka Music Published By – Titleface Music Published By – WB Music Corp. Published By – Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Recorded At – A&M Studios Recorded At – One On One Studios Recorded At – Rumbo Recorders Recorded At – Conway Studios Mastered At – Precision Mastering
Michael Card was very faithful in putting out an album a year and this is that album for 1987. Nothing really of note on this album it is pretty standard work for him. Standard work for Card in this case included 3 top 10 singles. “The Final Word” and “Celebrate The Child” both made it to #2 and “To The Mystery” made it to #5. It’s a little difficult to write too much about Card but lets let his numbers speak for the album. Definitely an Easy Listening must listen.
Tracklist 1 – To The Mystery – 3:55 2 – The Final Word – 3:24 3 – Spirit Of The Age – 4:07 4 – Celebrate The Child – 4:00 5 – Joseph’s Song – 3:25 6 – Overture To The Triology – 3:15 7 – The Promise – 2:27 8 – Immanuel – 4:00 9 – Carmen Christi – 2:40 10 – Joy In The Journey – 2:50
Credits Arranged By [Choral] – Alan Moore Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Alan Moore Artwork – Michael Going Backing Vocals – Diane Tidwell, Donna McElroy, Lisa Silver Bass – Gary Lunn, Norbert Putnam Cello – John Catchings Choir – The Ambrosian Singers Concertmaster – Gavyn Wright Conductor – Alan Moore, John McCarthy Design – Stan Evenson Design Drums, Percussion – David Humphries Engineer – Don Cobb, Gary Paczosa, Norbert Putnam Flute – Sam Levine Guitar – Jon Goin Mastered By – Denny Purcell Orchestrated By – Alan Moore Photography By – Mark Tucker Piano – Bobby Ogden Producer – Norbert Putnam Recorder – Sam Levine Saxophone – Sam Levine Synthesizer – Tommy Greer Violin – Mark O’Conner Vocals, Piano, Synthesizer – Michael Card
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation Recorded At – Digital Recorders Recorded At – Sarm West Studios Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
While Malachia had a very limited short run no label release in 1986 this is essentially their first release. The California band came together in 1984 when Bassist Wade Little put it together. They played the usual California Christian circuit and went into the studio in 1986 to cut a demo. This album featured several tracks from that demo but of course rerecorded. If you want to see where ths album is headed just listen to the horrible clicheic title track “In Christ We Rock” While ther song may be a cliche the band were not. There was some real talent here and I thik Ken Pike’s vocals are very high quality in the Christin metal scene. The band changed their name to Vision sometime in 1988 and had a track on the California Metal Volume II release.
Tracklist
1 – In Christ We Rock – 3:59
2 – Red Sunrise – 3:51
3 – Lonely Is The Night – 4:45
4 – Let It Go – 3:08
5 – Sightless Eyes – 3:07
6 – Heaven Or Hell – 3:20
7 – Mark Of The Beast – 3:37
8 – Master’s Call – 4:50
Credits
Ken Pike – Vocals, guitar
Jeffery James – Lead guitar
Wade A. Little – Bass
Chima Ayola – Keyboards
Dave Devaughn – Drums
Companies, etc. Recorded At – The Music Box, New York, NY Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
