1988 – Real 80s CCM

Whitecross – Love On The Line – 1988

Whitecross released this EP shortly after releasing their first album. I’m not entirely sure what the strategy was here as 2 of the tracks from this EP are actually on that first album. If I had to guess I think they probably wanted this to be released before their first album but something went wrong along the way and it was delayed but that is strictly a guess. As I said the album contained 2 tracks from their first album the other 2 tracks wouldn’t appear on an album until much later. Anyway this must have been a treat for Whitecross fans and with 2 unreleased tracks it must have been a must own. Interestingly it was only released on vinyl and cassette with the same four tracks simply repeated on the flip side.

Tracklist
1 – Love On The Line – 6:00
2 – I Believe – 3:52
3 – No Way I’m Going Down – 4:12
4 – Enough Is Enough – 4:04

Credits
Bass – Jon Sproule
Drums – Mark Hedl
Engineer – Dan Rudin
Executive Producer – Gavin Morkel
Guitar – Rex Carroll
Producer – Rex Carroll
Vocals – Scott Wenzel

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Grand Slam Studios

Bruce Carroll – Richest Man In Town – 1988

This was Bruce’s second album and wow was it a success. His first album was passed over by most people but this album got noticed. It had 4 top 40 hits with “Above And Beyond” making it to #4 and “Driving Nails” making it to #11 as well as two other hits at #24 and #31. It was produced by Bubba Smith who really nailed this album. The album is an AOR genre style but there are a few tracks that lean more towards Rock. I’m actually a little surprised how well it did. I’m not saying it’s not good, it’s just that like I said it has a couple Rock tracks and we know that the CCM chart people usually shied away from albums like this. But all that aside this is an excellent album and I really enjoyed it. There’s at least 2 tracks that will be making it into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Cross Your Heart – 2:24
2 – Above And Beyond – 3:13
3 – When He Reigns He Pours – 3:20
4 – Fight To Be Weak – 3:00
5 – The Richest Man In Town – 3:42
6 – Only You – 3:29
7 – Song For You – 3:41
8 – It Is Finished – 3:11
9 – He’s Always There – 4:09
10 – Forget It – 3:44
11 – Something Good Is Bound To Happen – 3:47
12 – Let Go Let God – 2:53
13 – Driving Nails – 3:36

Credits
Bruce Carroll – Songwriter, Vocals
Russ Barenburg – Guitars
Phil Barnhart – Songwriter
Eddie Bayers – Drums
Mark Casstevens – Guitars
Mark Douthit – EWI
Stuart Duncan – Fiddle
Terri Gibbs – Songwriter
Carl Gorodetzky – Strings
Lloyd Green – Steel Guitar
Buddy Greene – Songwriter, Harmonica
Chris Harris – Background Vocals
Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals
Gary Janney – Background Vocals
Bill Kenner – Mandolin
Brent King – Mixed
Barbara Kinnamon – Songwriter
Bruce Koblish – String Arranger
Bob Krusen – Engineer
Larrie Londin – Drums
Phil Madeira – B-3 Organ
Kenny Malone – Drums, Percussion, Tambourine
John Mays – Executive Producer
Jerry McPherson – Guitars
Duncan Mullins – Bass
Nashville String Machine – Strings
Maura O’Connell – Harmony Vocals
Paul Overstreet – Songwriter, Background Vocals
Don Potter – Guitars
Kelly Pribble – Engineer
Gary Prim – Keyboards
Matt Rollings – Piano
Brent Rowan – Guitars
Jerry Salley – Songwriter
Bubba Smith – Producer, Castanets, Claves, Tambourine
Paul Smith – Songwriter
Bob Souerv – Songwriter

Legacy – Legacy – 1988

This may actually be the best Metal band that never got a record deal. Hear me out on this one. They appeared on two Metal compilations, Heavy Righteous Metal,Chapter II and Brave New Music. They opened for Rez Band, Shout, Sacred Warrior, Mylon LeFevre and Allies. They also took second place in the new talent stage at Cornerstone 1989 and won the battle of the bands competition at metal club Alrosa Villa in the winter of 1989. These guys were hugely popular yet a record deal evaded them. They recorded 14 tracks for this demo but only 6 tracks made it and of course it’s almost impossible to find this demo now. That said Eonian Records stepped up in 2010 released all 14 demo tracks on CD. It took 20 years but the guys finally got their music out there.

Tracklist
1 – Salvation Is Law – 4:44
2 – Live It – 4:04
3 – Don’t Run Away – 3:13
4 – Change Of A Broken Heart – 2:54
5 – You Need Love – 4:22
6 – Red, White, And Blue – 5:57

Credits
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – John D. Rice
Drums, Percussion [Other Rude Noises] – “Jungle” John Jenkins
Engineer, Producer – Brian Strittenberger
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Fred Blanchard, Matt Rice
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Doug Meacham
Piano, Keyboards – Jeff Koenig

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – The Recording Workshop Studio

The Alarm – Electric Folklore Live – 1988/2000

This album was released in 1988 as a 6 song live EP recorded at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts in Boston on April 26, 1988. There had been a lag in the bands popularity so some record executive though the answer would be a live EP. I don’t quite understand why they didn’t just release a full length concert album but more on that later. The EP did not have any of their early hits and had songs that the public were probably less familiar with. Strangely a 2000 re-release had 14 tracks from the concert. Re-issues before and after this one are only the 6 original tracks. We have uploaded the full 14 track version for you to enjoy here. Live is where The Alarm really shined and while the album did not do that well I think it is some of their best work.

Tracklist
1 – Strength – 6:41
2 – Knife Edge – 4:54
3 – Newtown Jericho – 5:17
4 – Permanence In Change -5:08
5 – Dawn Chorus – 6:48
6 – Blaze Of Glory – 5:02
7 – Bound For Glory – 3:23
8 – Hallowed Ground – 3:52
9 – One Step Closer To Home – 5:34
10 – Shelter – 3:30
11 – Rain In The Summertime – 6:05
12 – Rescue Me – 8:35
13 – Spirit Of ’76 – 8:42
14 – We Are The Light – 3:44

Credits
Art Direction – Nick Egan
Bass – Eddie MacDonald
Design – Tracy Veal
Drums – Nigel Twist
Guitar – Dave Sharp
Keyboards – Mark Taylor
Mixed By, Engineer – Elliot Scheiner
Photography By – Cary Lander, Ebet Roberts
Producer – Gary Katz
Vocals – Mike Peters

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – International Record Syndicate, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – I.R.S. Records
Copyright © – I.R.S. Records
Manufactured By – Cinram
Manufactured For – MCA Records Canada
Distributed By – MCA Records Canada
Marketed By – MCA Records Canada
Recorded At – Wang Center For The Performing Arts
Mixed At – Sorcerer Sound
Mastered At – MCA Pressing Plant, Gloversville
Pressed By – Cinram

Lost & Found – Welcome To The Real World-1988

Yet again I have found an album where I can’t find any info on the band. IN this case it even stranger than usual because the album was re-released in 2009 with bonus tracks but the company that re-released it, RetroCross Records, doesn’t appear to know anything about the band either. Anyway so we know nothing about the band or any of it;s members but here’s what I do know. This is a really good album. The cover looks metal but this is actually a Pop album which leans New Wave at times and Rock and Roll at other times. It lacks a consistent sound but because it’s so well done that’s irrelevant. The albums producer doesn’t appear to have ever produced an album other than this one so kudos to him for doing such a great job. This one is a must listen to.

Tracklist
1 – Welcome To The Real World – 4:35
2 – Going All The Way – 4:38
3 – Hear Me – 4:34
4 – Make It Real – 4:35
5 – Wait Of The World – 6:04
6 – I’m So Glad – 4:23
7 – How Long? – 5:05
8 – Never Alone – 4:53
9 – Smoke Screen – 4:17
10 – All The World – 5:52

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Greg Hudson
Drums – Alison Cate
Guitar [Additional] – Butch Price
Guitar, Vocals – Larry Trainor
Guitar, Vocals, Cover, Design, Artwork By – Ted Hoehne
Lead Vocals – Scott Walters
Photography By – Jim Dalool
Producer, Arranged By, Engineer, Mixed By – Bill Pearson
Vocals, Keyboards – Brian Mercer

Companies, etc.
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Steven Curtis Chapman – Real Life Conversations – 1988

This is the second album from Steven Curtis Chapman. Its a pretty pop oriented album but there a few tracks that lean towards light rock. I had not listened to this one before and I was pleasantly surprised when I finally did. While it’s certainly not Rock it is pretty good and there are a few tracks here that will go in my regular rotation. The album was very successful with 2 #1 CCM chart hits, “His Eyes” and “My Turn Now”. “For Who He Really Is” also made it to #4, and “His Strength Is Perfect” to #10. “His Eyes” also won the Dove award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song Of The Year and “His Strength Is Perfect” for Inspirational Recorded Song Of The Year. Steven also won the Dove award for Songwriter Of The Year on the heels of this album.

Tracklist
1 – Faithful Too – 4:00
2 – Tuesday’s Child – 4:05
3 – For Who He Really Is – 5:03
4 – Consider It Done – 3:43
5 – His Eyes – 3:33
6 – The Human Race – 3:44
7 – Wait – 4:14
8 – Truth Or Consequences – 5:00
9 – My Turn Now – 3:27
10 – His Strength Is Perfect – 4:38

Credits
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By] – Alan Moore
Arranged By [Tracks And Background Vocals Arranged By], Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Steven Curtis Chapman
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Geoff Moore, Herb Chapman, Phil Naish
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Design – 5 Penguins Design, Inc.
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Carry Summers
Guitar – Jon Goin
Mandolin, Mandola – Mark O’Connor
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer [Production Manager] – Cindy Wilt
Producer, Arranged By [Tracks And Background Vocals Arranged By], Keyboards – Phil Naish
Recorded By – Ronnie Brookshire
Recorded By [Strings Recorded By] – Bob Clark
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine
Vocals [Guest Vocal] – Geoff Moore

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Distributed By – C.M.C. Distribution
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Jeoffrey Benward – The Redeemer – 1988

Jeoffrey music career was a matter of family tradition. His father was a popular Christian singer and his son Aaron is also a popular Christian artist. Jeoffrey has performed and recorded with both his father and son. As for this album apparently there was some problem with it’s distribution. It’s was one of the early album on ForeFront Records who knew what they were doing and was an artist owned label. Apparently there was some dispute on revenue but I really can’t find much on the issue. As a result of this apparently this album just didn’t get the proper promotion that it probably deserved. The album did have a CCM charting single, “The Redeemer” made it to #36. As for the album well I’m going to describe it as Worship pop. I say this because the album has a pop sound but Jeoffrey’s voice and lyrics are more worship oriented. It’s an interesting sound that is not my preferred sound but I actually think it’s well done and should be listened to.

Tracklist
1 – Come O Great Jehovan – 3:33
2 – His Majesty The King – 3:00
3 – By His Power – 3:55
4 – The Redeemer – 4:51
5 – Strength For The Journey – 4:45
6 – Great And Mighty – 3:16
7 – Church Of The Living God – 3:34
8 – Calvary Casts A Shadow – 3:41
9 – So Much Love – 5:02
10 – A Man Of God – 3:36

Trace Balin – Champions – 1988

This was Trace’s first album and lets just say she came out with a bang. The album sprouted 3 top 10 CCM chart songs, “Only For You” Made it to #4, “We Need Each Other” #5, and “All I Wanna Do” to #6. Rounding out the singles for the album was “We Are An Army” which made it to #17. That’s pretty darn good for a first album. That said the album was set up for success as some of the top songwriters in the industry penned the songs and even Greg X. Volz did some backup work. Personally my favourite track is “Rock These Rafters” which is an excellent song and I really think it might have suited Petra a few years earlier. The opening track “Champions” is also pretty good and displays her great vocal skills.

Tracklist
1 – Champions – 4:22
2 – All I Wanna Do – 3:15
3 – Only For You – 4:25
4 – We Need Each Other – 4:55
5 – We Are An Army – 3:52
6 – Walk In The Spirit – 4:50
7 – Take Me There – 4:20
8 – Rock These Rafters – 4:28
9 – Use Me Jesus – 4:42
10 – I Don’t Deserve Your Love – 4:16

Credits
Arranged By – Brett Teegarden, Carl Marsh, Joel Balin, JDB
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Carol Becker-Rizzo, Greg X. Volz, Trace Balin
Bass – Spencer Campbell, Tommy Sims
Cover [Coordination] – Terri Short
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Dann Huff, Jerry McPherson
Keyboards – Brett Teegarden, Carl Marsh, JDB, Phil Kristianson
Management, Booking – Painter Associates, Richard Painter
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Mike Mitchell
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Programmed By [Programming Assistance] – Joel Balin
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Brett Teegarden*, Howard Levy

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Record Company – Word Records Limited
Record Company – Word (UK) Ltd.
Recorded At – The Pond
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Made By – Discovery Systems

The Awakening – Into Thy Hands – 1988

I’m going to preface this short review by saying that if you want to read a little bit more about the aftermath of this album you need to read Ian Tanner’s blog on Bandcamp. It is a very well written explanation of the aftermath of the album and how it all went wrong but I will cover a few points of his story here. The album was released in the summer of 1988 and had a great single “Lonely Place” which made it to #25 on the CCM charts with very little support from their album label. In fcat they had so little support that this would end up being their last album. The record label also made no effort to set up a support tour for the band and the band themselves had trouble setting up a tour. The band were not a bunch of 20 year olds who could live on spam and as a result they needed an actual money making tour as they were adults with families and careers. This is such a pity as the album is great and they should have had a successful tour but it was not to be. So instead we are left with a great album and one that probably would have had a few more singles if it had been properly promoted.

Tracklist
1 – Remember Me – 2:30
2 – Don’t Wait For Me – 5:25
3 – Wrestling In The Jungle – 4:21
4 – Thoughtful – 3:50
5 – Again – 4:20
6 – Lonely Place – 4:46
7 – Where Is The Love? – 4:58
8 – Knife Of Life – 3:55
9 – Into Thy Hands – 4:31
10 – Onward – 4:39
11 – Never Say Goodbye – 4:59
12 – Clear Day – 4:16

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Artwork [Sculpture], Illustration – Tony Novak
Bass, Percussion – Allan Powell
Co-producer – The Awakening
Drums [Ludwig Drums], Percussion, Backing Vocals – Michael Powell
Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Darren Walters
Engineer [Additional Engineering By], Mixed By – Lloyd (Froid) Walker
Engineer [Engineered By] – Richard Hutt
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Andrew Horrocks
Executive Producer – Jeff Moseley, Terry Hemmings
Guitar – Andrew Horrocks
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By [Computer Programming], Grand Piano – Ian Tanner
Producer [Co-produced By], Mixed By – The Awakening
Producer [Produced By] – Richard J. Hutt
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Glenn Koehler, Mike Powell
Programmed By [Keyboard and Computer Programming By] – Ian Tanner
Programmed By [Keyboard and Computer Programming By], Mixed By – Richard J. Hutt

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Cedartree Recording Studio
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Published By – Edward Grant, Inc.
Published By – Topographic Music Ltd.

In The Silence – Things To Come – 1988

Things To Come is the debut album from Sydney band In The Silence. It was the first Australian album in a long time to be released by Word Australia. When asked what the band name means, John Dickson replied: ‘In The Silence was a little phrase we worked out because we’re really into the Second Coming….It’s a theme we’re really excited about. A lot of our songs are about the times we are in. While we never get up on stage and say He will be coming back on the third of March, we do believe it is biblical to preach Christ in the light of His return. We see the times we are in as the calm before the storm. We are in the silence.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988)
The band got their break at Australian Christian music festival JAM ’88. Winners of the JAM ’88 talent quest, the band were recipients of the first prize – recording time at Melbourne’s Timbertop Studio. Things To Come was the result of this recording time. The band’s musical style has been described as ‘guitar-based urban rock, a la U2’. Music reviewer Kirsten Hill states: ‘There is a passionate intensity to all their music. John’s vocals are emotional, breathy pleas, vaguely reminiscent of Bono. In fact, the band at times can sound like a very young U2…But they refuse to join the ranks of the U2 clones – they do cite other influences and do have a sound uniquely their own.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988) Music reviewer, promoter and musician Martin Fawkes mentions these ‘other influences’ as ‘bands like Echo and The Bunnymen, The Cure and other ‘alternative’ musics.’ (p.37, On being, April 1988) The album opens with the explosive ‘City Walk’. The band even dabbles in some blues on the track ‘Steamboat’. The album’s final track ‘Why’d You Never Tell Me?’ appeared on the band’s previous 7-track cassette-only release ‘It’s Only Time’. (Does anyone have this? Would LOVE to hear it!) Kirsten Hill says the song ‘echoes the thoughts of non-Christians as they meet up with their Christian friends on Judgment Day. It is a sober reminder of responsibility.’ (p. 36, On Being, July 1988)

Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger

Tracklist
1 – City Walk – 3:55
2 – Waiting Here – 4:17
3 – If Only You – 3:34
4 – Like I’m Home – 4:45
5 – Easter Song – 5:27
6 – In The Silence – 2:22
7 – Storm Inside – 3:09
8 – Steam Boat – 3:35
9 – Help Help – 3:39
10 – Very Long Time – 2:47
11 – Why’d You Never Tell Me – 5:31

Credits
Bass – Angus McLeay
Drums – Jacques Zeelie
Engineer – Peter Maclean
Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Todd
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ben Shaw
Lead Vocals – John Dickson
Mixed By – In The Silence, Phil Lake
Producer – David Gilmour, In The Silence

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word Australia
Distributed By – Word Australia
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – June Corp. Pty. Ltd.
Copyright © – June Corp. Pty. Ltd.
Recorded At – Timbertop Studios
Mixed At – Rich Studios