I was quite surprised when I came across this demo from Crossection. Their first album was actually a demo that got picked up by a label but I did not know there was a previous demo. I am assuming this was actually available for sale at their concerts through western Canada. This albums has a good raw feel and is not overproduced so it’s Rock & Roll sound and feel works. The band could have been a little tighter but it’s a light criticism of the album as I love the unpolished sound. If you enjoyed their 2 albums you should love this demo as it’s always nice to hear where a band came from. Only 2 tracks on this demo were released on their fist album so the other 8 are completely new tracks. I actually would have liked to have heard some of the new tracks in a fully polished and produced form because some of them are really good songs.
Tracklist 1 – Inside Out – 3:38 2 – Hard and Hungry World – 3:03 3 – Prodigal – 3:54 4 – Love Is Who You Are – 4:46 5 – Mercy – 3:57 6 – Things Aren’t The Same – 3:32 7 – Solid Rock – 3:14 8 – Child Of The King – 2:56 9 – Do Life Once – 2:36 10 – Forever Is Tonight – 3:36
Credits Arranged By, Keyboards, Vocals – Dale Johnson Bass, Vocals – Bruce Rawling Drums – Martin Zinger Lead Guitar, Vocals – Nevin Eggum Producer – Crossection, Carson Cole Vocals, Guitar – Doug Rawling
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Soundboard Studio, Sedgewick AB
D & K continues their yearly offering in 1987 with this one. Let’s talk album titles. I previously bashed the album name “Commander Sozo And The Charge Of The Light Brigade” which I still think is the dumbest name for an album in the 80’s. So in turn they title this one “D & K”? That’s quite the path correction. Regardless titles don’t have anything to do with album quality so I should get over it. The vinyl for this album was offered in a serialized limited edition of 10,000 and apparently the first 100,000 copies of either the Cassette or CD came with a free copy for the purchaser to give away in hopes it will be given to a non Christian. Interesting marketing for this album and I generally applaud them thinking outside the box. The album had 2 singles with “When The Son Begins To Reign” doing very well and making it to #4. “Stand” also singled but only made it to #38. As for the album I feel it’s fairly guitar heavy with more great song writing which is really what we came to expect of D & K. Another good album that if you missed in 1987 is a must listen to now.
Tracklist 1 – Out Of The Danger Zone – 2:50 2 – Under The Son – 3:47 3 – Rock Solid – 4:20 4 – Teenage Suicide – 3:52 5 – Strength Of Love – 6:00 6 – Brother Against Brother (It’s Not Right) – 5:05 7 – War With The World – 3:06 8 – Stand – 3:40 9 – Radical – 3:26 10 – When The Son Begins To Reign – 2:45
Credits Bass, Vocals – Tommy Cathey Design [Album] – Mark Neubauer Drums, Percussion – Greg Morrow Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock Keyboards, Vocals – Eddie DeGarmo Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar – Dana Key Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Photography By – Paul Wharton Producer – DeGarmo & Key Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – John Hampton
This is the second album from Bash ‘N The Code but the last with Greg and Rebecca Sparks. I have not listened to the next album so I shouldn’t really comment as to whether this was a good or bad thing but to be honest I really like Rebecca Sparks vocals on this album so for me the next album will likely be a let down. Again the album is an attempt (successfully) to recreate an 80’s pop radio sound. Strangely I actually agree with the the CCM charts on the best song on the album, “He Says” which made it to #19. Rebecca channels her inner Cindy Lauper and does a great job on this track. The best song musically in my opinion is “The B-i-b-l-e” but unfortunately the lyrics are just too cheesy for me, pity because I really like the feel of the song. The CD release of the album had a bonus track, and Extended remix version of “You Are The One” which is moderately OK but nothing to write home about. To sum up a pretty good pop album but they really should have worked to be a little more creative.
Tracklist 1 – The B-i-b-l-e – 3:53 2 – You Are The One – 3:42 3 – Righteous Dance – 4:20 4 – Use This Child – 4:21 5 – Big Mouth – 3:57 6 – Soon And Very Soon – 3:48 7 – He Says – 3:46 8 – Fall Down – 3:50 9 – We Magnify You Lord (I Will Call Upon The Lord) – 3:34 10 – You Are The One (Extended Mix) – 6:23
Credits Art Direction – Joan Tankersley Band [Bash-n-the Code Is], Bass, Vocals, Other [Hoover Upright With Variable Height Adjust] – Kirk Eberhard Band [Bash-n-the Code Is], Drums, Other [Concussions (Boink!)] – Chris Kearney Band [Bash-n-the Code Is], Guitar [Guitars], Lead Vocals, Guitar [Bat-Strat (Gadzooks, Batman!)] – Mark Townsend Band [Bash-n-the Code Is], Keyboards [Keys], Vocals, Other [Whitman Sampler] – Gary Williams Band [Bash-n-the Code Is], Lead Vocals, Other [Cruise Control] – Jamie Kearney Band [Bash-n-the Code Is], Vocals, Xylophone [Lead Xylophone] – Keith Lancaster Design, Illustration – Phillip Spencer Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – David Schober Executive-Producer – Brian Tankersley Guest [Guest Performance By] – Randy Stonehill (tracks: 6) Mastered By – Howie Weinberg Musician, Backing Vocals – David Schober, Greg Sparks, Mark Townsend, Mark Maxwell, Marty (Go Greyhound) MacKeever, Rebecca Ed Sparks, Rick Altizer, Trent Dean Musician, Drum Machine [Drum Machine Programming] – David Schober, Eric Persing, Greg Sparks, Rick Altizer Musician, Guitar [Guitars] – Mark Townsend Musician, Keyboards – Eric Persing, Greg Sparks, Rick Altizer, Tim Hosman Musician, Lead Vocals – Greg Sparks, Rebecca Ed Sparks Musician, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming], Sequenced By [Sequencing] – Eric Persing Photography By [Sleeve Photography] – Cleo Sullivan Producer [Produced By] – David Schober, Rick Altizer
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Wayne Cook Studios Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Mastered At – Masterdisk Published By – Altizer Music Published By – Word Music Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc. Published By – Crouch Music Published By – Sound III Music Made By – Discovery Systems
I had a difficult time finding out much about Ellen B. I was able to learn that they were from Sweden and this was their second album thus the Swedish name of the album “Två”. The album was initially released in Swedish (with some English songs) in 1987 and then released in the United States, U.K. and Australia using the title Prince Of Peace in 1988. Unfortunately this was the end of our exposure to them and I really think that’s too bad as there was a lot of talent here. We have uploaded both the Swedish and English version of this fantastic album.
Tracklist 1 – Don’t End The Night – 4:35 2 – Bra Karl – 3:07 3 – Nu När Hon Lever – 6:28 4 – Regnbågen – 3:20 5 – Tiden Rinner I Väg – 4:50 6 – Fredsfurste – 4:25 7 – Man Med Många Namm – 4:47 8 – Water Into Wine – 4:01 9 – Aldrig Glömma Dig – 5:28 10 – Lugnet Växer – 4:50
Credits Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Eriksson Design – Carl Åkesson Drums, Percussion – Per Hedtjärn Engineer – Micke Lyander Guitar – Lasse Olsson Keyboards – Robert Wirensjö Management [Projektledning] – Lasse Petersson Mixed By – Christer Sjöblom, Kenneth Eriksson Photography By – Henrik Brundin Producer – Kenneth Eriksson Vocals – Lasse Nilsson Wihk
Companies, etc. Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg Lacquer Cut At – Polar Mastering Pressed By – Audiodisc AB Phonographic Copyright (p) – Cantio Records Copyright (c) – Cantio Records Copyright (c) – Gilmour Records Copyright (c) – Alarma Records Recorded At – Sandkvie Studio Mixed At – Supreme Studio
In my quest to find the oddball examples of 80’s CCM I found this artist. Paul Johnson was playing Surf music long ago in the 60’s and he played with some of the most popular surf bands including The Surfias. This is actually his 3rd Christian album though I kind of struggle with calling it a Christian album. Not because I question Paul’s beliefs but because it is an instrumental album. That said it was picked up by Frontline Records so let’s be clear I have no doubts it was an inspired album. That said it is a very oddball album. If you have a hankering for some 50’s/60’s style surf music this album is for you. Oh, and it has an excellent cover of The Beatles song “Day Tripper”.
Tracklist 1 – Kamikaze – 2:37 2 – Escape To Reality – 4:26 3 – Mr. Moto – 1:49 4 – Baja – 3:11 5 – Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus – 3:39 6 – Squad Car – 2:07 7 – Day Tripper – 2:30 8 – Link Wray Medley: Rumble, Jack The Ripper, Rawhide – 7:02 9 – Streets Of Gold – 3:52
Credits Arranged By – Paul Johnson Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart Artwork [Cover Art, Guitar Heaven] – John Dickenson Bass Guitar – Guy Hufferd Drums – Ray Huskey Engineer, Mastered By [Digitally Re-Mastered By] – Doug Doyle Guitar – Paul Johnson Mastered By – John Matousek Painting [Cover Painting, California] – Rick Griffin Producer – Doug Doyle, Paul Johnson Rhythm Guitar – Marc Burroughs Soloist – Marc Burroughs (tracks: 7)
Companies, etc. Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mastered At – Hitsville Remastered At – Digital Brothers Distributed By – FMG Distribution Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records Copyright (c) – Frontline Records Record Company – Frontline Music Group
The famous gorilla Koko was trained to speak in sign language on a limited basis, After experiencing an earthquake the gorilla signed the words, “Darn Floor – Big Bite” to describe the incident. The gorilla’s limited expressions and inability to fully communicate the response is compared to man’s inability to express the wonders of God and the way life is lived with its many facets and expressions on one of Daniel Amos’ most constantly impressive albums of the same name. After finally completing the four album tour de force known as the “Alarma Chronicles,” (on four separate labels mind you), the band released its second album for Frontline Records. Now without keyboardist Rob Watson and featuring an increase involvement of the ever impressive Greg Flesch, the album was less atmospheric and surreal and more earthy and rock driven. It is a brilliant, rather accessible and stunning album that would remain one of the least successful projects in the band’s history. (Well, they did use the word “darn” in the title, so what did they expect?) I almost dread reviewing anything Terry Taylor does, especially what is found under the moniker Daniel Amos for fear of fans decrying a lack of understanding on my part as to what the band and Terry were attempting to create. Quite frankly a quick perusing of Daniel Amos websites and chat boards reveal that the only acceptable Christian Music Top 10 would look something like this:
Alarma – Daniel Amos
Horrendous Disc – Daniel Amos
Mr. Beuchner’s dream – Daniel Amos
Outdoor Elvis – The Swirling Eddies
Bibleland – Daniel Amos
A Briefing for the Ascent – Terry Taylor
Shotgun Angel – Daniel Amos
Doppelganger – Daniel Amos
Let’s Spin – The Swirling Eddies
Fearful Symmetry – Daniel Amos
and so on… There is no fan base in Christian music that comes anywhere close to the passion and obsession that accompanies the fans of this amazing band. Myopic and intolerant of dissent, they know more about every little release Taylor and Co. have even been involved with and to speak with any authority on the subject without prior approval and the express written consent of Major League baseball is strictly prohibited. So, walk softly and carry a very approving stick! The other problem is that, quite often, I have no idea what a song may be about. Taylor may be one of the best read songwriters in CCM (or anywhere for that matter) and his references to obscure writers and events can leave a puzzled look on many a face. That’s not a Taylor problem, but rather a listener problem; but it also can cause some severe confusion on the listener’s part. But despite the limited success of the album and it, sometimes, obscure content, it remains one of the best of the band’s career and has a cool freshness even as I listen over and over to it in writing this review.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Return Of The Beat Menace – 2:56 2 – Strange Animals – 3:11 3 – Darn Floor – Big Bite – 4:22 4 – Earth Household – 3:49 5 – Safety Net – 3:28 6 – Pictures Of The Gone World – 2:47 7 – Divine Instant – 3:51 8 – Half Light, Epoch, And Phase – 4:15 9 – The Unattainable Earth – 3:42 10 – The Shape Of Air – 3:25
Credits Backing Vocals – Gene Eugene (tracks: B5), Jeff Crandall (tracks: B5), Maria Chandler (tracks: B5), Mike Stand (tracks: B5), Ric Alba (tracks: B5), Riki Michele (tracks: B5) Bass, Backing Vocals – Tim Chandler Co-producer – DA Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart Engineer – Doug Doyle Lead Guitar, Panpipes [Pan Flute], Concertina [Squeeze Box] – Greg Flesch Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor Lyrics By – Terry Taylor Music By – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler Percussion – Alex MacDougall Producer – Terry Taylor
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records Copyright (c) – Frontline Records Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Published By – Broken Songs Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
One of the great crimes in the history of CCM was the sudden disappearance of Robert Vaughn and the fact that this amazing record was all but ignored. It may be the most significant AYSO on this entire list! There have been a few different incarnations of Robert Vaughn with different backing band names, but the husky, edgy and utterly unforgettable voice is pure Vaughn. Labeled initially as Americana rock and roll and compared to Springsteen, Mellencamp and Petty, there is much more originality here and a totally different musical landscape. Musically the most immediate comparison I ever mention is Hothouse Flowers with the soulful, expressive music and vocal stylings. This album was part of the short-lived Exit Records/IRS experiment that saw only The 77’s receive any deep distribution. This album and the self-titled Charlie Peacock never really saw the light of day, let a lone placement in Tower Records. That is a shame as RVaTS could have been a great success given any support for radio and touring. I saw them once at a showcase with Charlie Peacock and The 77’s and, if not for Mark Tootle’s guitar smashing antics, RV may have stolen the show. He was great live and much more passionate musically then even what appears on this great project. Everyone I know that owns this album has asked not “if” this album will make the list, but rather “where” as for those who own it know it is a total no-brainer for the album to be included. The rest should find a way to track it down!
Tracklist 1 – Spanish Rebels – 3:03 2 – Justice – 5:24 3 – Palace Of Tears – 4:22 4 – Dreaming Fields – 1:38 5 – Love And War – 4:37 6 – Love Came Falling – 3:00 7 – Nights On Fire (Bye Bye Moon) – 4:41 8 – December – 3:50 9 – Bordertown – 2:05
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Anthony Daluz, Robert Vaughn Backing Vocals – Anthony Daluz, Leo Corriea, T.J. Tindall Bass – Doug Boone Coordinator – Jan Volz Drums – Greg LaRocco Electric Guitar – Anthony Daluz, Robert Vaughn Engineer [Additional] – Daryl Zachman, T.J. Tindall Engineer [Assistant] – Rick Slater Executive-Producer – Mary Neely Flute – Steve Kocherhans Guitar – T.J. Tindall Keyboards – Steve Kocherhans Mixed By – Eric Calm Organ [Hammond] – John Nau Percussion – Bongo Bob Smith Piano – John Nau Producer – T.J. Tindall Programmed By – Bill Coe Recorded By – Michael W. Harris Sampler – Bill Coe Sampler [E-mu Ii] – John Nau, Robert Vaughn Saxophone – Steve Kocherhans Violin – Linda Cummiskey Vocals – Robert Vaughn
Companies, etc. Manufactured By – Island Records Distributed By – MCA Records Published By – Sangre Productions Mixed At – Quad Recording Studios Recorded At – Western Audio Recorded At – Mix Masters Recorded At – Sacred Tone
Chris Harris and Mark Heimermann are back with the kids of Prism. Their first album, “Blue”, was a great success so they returned to the studio to try the same formula again. This time the budget must have increased as we hear more musical backing and two known CCM stars, Marti McCall, and Gary Chapman join in. The album again features several traditional Sunday School/Campfire songs. There is also a version of Amy Grant’s & Michael W. Smith’s duet “Friends”. The strangest track is an instrumental from Heimermann that would have made Harold Faltemeyer proud. I say strange because I wouldn’t expect an original instrumental composition on a Kidz Bop kind of album. This was usually considered the best of the Prism projects and again was very well received by CCM radio stations. It had 3 singles, Pass It On made it to #12, Anywhere With Jesus to #14, and Sweet, Sweet Spirit made it to #25. So if you’re in the mood for some Kidz Bop, and a synth instrumental, give this album a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Pass It On – 3:51 2 – Have You Seen Jesus My Lord – 3:01 3 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit – 3:17 4 – A Common Love – 4:01 5 – Sing And Be Happy – 3:20 6 – Anywhere With Jesus – 3:24 7 – I’ve Got The Joy, Joy, Joy (Down In My Heart) – 3:03 8 – Gizmo – 2:14 9 – Friends ’88 – 2:27 10 – We Will Always Be With The Lord – 4:45
Credits Doris Akers – Songwriter Reed Arvin – Synclavier Assistance Joe Baldridge – Synclavier Assistance Brown Bannister – Songwriter Lisa Bevill – Vocals Michael Blanton – Executive Producer Charles F. Brown – Songwriter Gary Chapman – Vocals George W. Cooke – Songwriter Mark Douthit – Saxophone John Fischer – Songwriter Lynn Fuston – Engineer, Mixed Randy Garmon – Assistant Engineer Dan Harrell – Executive Producer Chris Harris – Producer, Arrangements, Vocals Mark Heimermann – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Keyboards, Vocals James Hollihan – Guitar Gary Janney – Vocals Kurt Kaiser – Songwriter William J. Kirkpatrick – Songwriter Gary Lunn – Drum Programming, Bass Marty McCall – Vocals Donna McElroy – Vocals Terry McMillan – Harmonica Jerry McPherson – Guitar Jeff Moseley – Executive Producer Jessie B. Pounds – Songwriter Benny Quin – Mastered Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals Ted Silva – Songwriter Deborah D. Smith – Songwriter Michael W. Smith – Songwriter Chris Thomason – Assistant Engineer Daniel B. Towner – Songwriter
Real punk rock. Joey “Ojo” Taylor’s (Undercover) little brother went by the name of Pat Nobody with a band called Nobody Special whose debut release was called entitled Nobody Special and was produced by older brother Ojo. There is something about the name Taylor and Christian Music that just screams quality – Ojo, Steve, Terry Scott and Pat! Nepotism and redundancy aside, this album just plain kicked ass! Fast, hard, heavy and one of the finest punk deliveries in Christian Music. Ironically Pat formed the band, Nobody Special, right after the album was released by Frontline records. The original “band” that recorded the project along with Pat included Ojo Taylor (Undercover), Gene Eugene (Adam Again), Chris Birgandi (The Lifters) and others from the OC Christian music “cool scene.” I remember seeing the band Immortal Youth a few times playing around the LA and OC Christian punk scene in the early 80’s with bands like Undercover and the Lifesavors and remembering that I thought they were really cool. I did not find out until many years later that Pat was in that band as well. They (he) would only record two albums and that is a true loss to the industry that could have used many more.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Sliding Backwards – 2:22 2 – That Feelin’ – 1:45 3 – Come Around – 1:22 4 – I Was – 2:14 5 – Dissertation – 1:02 6 – We Are Confident – 1:26 7 – People Who – 1:48 8 – Killin’ Time – 2:19 9 – Burnt – 3:09 10 – I Wonder – 1:48 11 – Numb – 0:56 12 – Get Off The Air – 2:21 13 – Ain’t That Hard – 3:57 14 – Separation – 1:29 15 – Deeper Things – 1:39
Credits Artwork [Insert Lettering, Illustrations] – John Russey Bass, Keyboards – Turner Burn Drums – Emil Harvey Edited By – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Dickey Moe Guitar, Vocals – Pat Nobody Mastered By – John Matousek Photography By – Brian Ray Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Joey Taylor Written-By – Pat Nobody
I can’t really find any info on The Heart Beats. They were a pretty good girl group of what I assume is 3 sisters. Well at least they all had the same last name so that’s my guess. This was the only album from them so I guess there’s not much more to the story. The album is good fun and actually has 5 pretty good covers. I think my favourite was Higher and Higher originally done by Jackie Wilson. Though my favourite cover of this song in the one in Ghostbusters 2. Rounding out the covers are, Everlasting Love (Robert Knight), When I Need You (Leo Sayer), Chapel Of Love (The Dixie Cups), and Jesus Is The Answer (Andrae Crouch). There may be other covers but those are the ones I recognized. All in all a fun album with a great 80’s girl group sound.
Tracklist 1 – Everlasting Love – 3:44 2 – Higher And Higher – 2:54 3 – When I Need You – 3:57 4 – He’s The Greatest – 2:55 5 – Chapel Of Love – 4:02 6 – Risen Lord – 3:31 7 – Heaven – 2:48 8 – Joining – 4:17 9 – The Superman – 3:39 10 – Jesus Is the Answer – 3:08
Credits Bass – Dennis Davilio Drums – David Prater, Terry Silverlight (tracks: A1, A3) Drums [High Hat] – Rob Cali (tracks: B3) Guitar – Tony Davilio Keyboards – George Small Producer, Arranged By – Joey Powers Vocals – Angela Bass, Kathleen Bass, Patsy Bass
