Tag: 1989

Al Denson – Al Denson – 1989

This is Al’s third or fourth album. The history is a little unclear as his previous albums were all self released so there aren’t well known. This album however is what most people think of as his first album as it was the first one on a label and with proper distribution. Al was one of those people that played music his whole life wit his first public performance at age 5 where he played “Bridge Over Troubled Water” on piano. At age of 18 Al played piano for Bob Hope’s USO tour as well as Kenny Rogers. That’s some pretty good history right there. In 1981 he released a 7″ single with 2 tracks that I am completely unable to find but it appeared to be secular judging from the song titles. He provided music at Southern Baptist Youth Conventions conferences and obviously became a hit with the youth movement and in this time as I said he release 2 or 3 albums. He then signed with Benson records which brings us to this album. I would say it’s a softrock album but there’s a couple tracks that pop his sound pretty good. The album had 3 CCM charting singles with “Peace Be Still” doing the best at #12 but it was his next album that really took off. I’m looking forward to hearing that one next.

Tracklist
1 – Reckless Heart – 3:15
2 – Love Is Taking Hold – 4:57
3 – Heaven Knows My Name – 3:34
4 – Right Where You Are – 5:08
5 – On The Upbeat – 3:45
6 – Strong Love – 3:29
7 – It Takes The Strong To Surrender – 4:08
8 – Warm Place In A Cold World – 4:29
9 – Faces And Names – 3:56
10 – Peace Be Still – 4:03

Credits
Backing Vocals – Chris Harris, Don Nalle, Ed Nalle, Gary Janney, Guy Penrod, Mark Heimermann, Mike Eldred, Michele Wagner, Rob Neal
Bass – Jackie Street, Lee Jones
Design – Joel Anderson
Drums, Percussion – Mark Hammond
Engineer – David Murphy, John Yandell, Keith Compton, Ronnie Brookshire
Guitar – Mark Baldwin, Tim Norris
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Producer, Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary
Trumpet, Soloist – George Tidwell

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Benson Company, Inc.
Copyright © – The Benson Company, Inc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Distributed By – Mitchell Family Books, Inc.
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Recorded At – The Doghouse
Recorded At – Omni B
Recorded At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – 21st Street Recording
Mixed At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix

Scott Anderson – Somebody Loves You – 1989

This is Scott’s first album and while it is lesser known artist this was a great album. I really don’t know much about how Scott got into CCM but I have spoken to him very briefly about his current work. Some tracks have a great blues feel that I have been told becomes more prominent on his next album. The album also has a great sense of humour and while 80’s humour doesn’t always translate to today it stands well on this album. Some times I try to point out a best track but in this case the album really works best when listened to as a whole.

Tracklist
1 – Somebody Loves You – 3:58
2 – I Ain’t Clowning Around (No More With God) – 3:12
3 – I Believe In Him – 4:55
4 – Give It All You Got – 3:53
5 – I Forgot – 4:25
6 – Penny Arcade – 1:55
7 – Too Cool For Sunday School – 5:11
8 – I’m Not That Kind Of Guy – 4:56
9 – Peanut Butter And Jelly – 3:12
10 – What I’m Living For – 3:42
11 – I Belong To You – 4:45

Michael Card – The Beginning – 1989

The 9th studio album from Michael Card is another like the others. That’s not as negative as it sounds as this was the magic that Card did. He put out albums very consistently and every one had great tracks so his fans constantly had new material to listen to. This album was successful with 3 charting CCM hits. Jubilee made it to #1, Lift Up The Suffering Symbol to #5, and They Called Him Laughter to #15. You just can’t argue with the success Card had. Anyway not much more to say about the album, if you like Card you will like this album. If you’re not a fan of easy listening than this one isn’t for you.

Tracklist
1 – The Beginning – 5:03
2 – In The Wilderness – 3:11
3 – Jubilee – 2:42
4 – Lift Up The Suffering Symbol – 3:32
5 – The Word Is So Near – 2:17
6 – Meditation #3 Shema – 4:13
7 – God Will Provide A Lamb – 4:06
8 – They Called Him Laughter – 3:05
9 – Asleep On Holy Ground – 5:15
10 – A Face That Shone – 3:21
11 – Barocha – 2:43

Credits
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Alan Moore, Bergen White
Art Direction – Barbara Hearn
Concertmaster, Directed By [Director] – Gavyn Wright
Conductor [The Ambrosian Singers And Orchestra] – Bergen White
Design – Larry Vigon
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Barry Dixon, John Kunz
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Musician, Acoustic Guitar – Michael Card
Musician, Bass – Craig Nelson, Gary Lunn
Musician, Drum Programming – Gary Lunn
Musician, Drums, Percussion – Paul Leim
Musician, Piano – Michael Card, Phil Naish
Musician, Synthesizer – Phil Naish
Photography By [Front Cover Photography] – Merlyn Rosenberg
Photography By [Photography Of Michael Card] – Mark Tucker
Producer – Norbert Putnam
Recorded By, Mixed By – JB , Norbert Putnam, Willie Pevear
Vocals [Vocalists] – Ashley Cleveland, Bergen White, Michael Card, The Ambrosian Singers

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Produced For – Mole End Productions
Recorded At – Digital Recorders
Recorded At – Abbey Road Studios
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Word Music (UK)
Published By – Whole Armor Publishing
Published By – LITA Music
Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd.
Distributed By – Pila Music
Distributed By – 3XM
Distributed By – Finngospel
Distributed By – Sephora Diffusion
Distributed By – Emmaus
Distributed By – GMI Records (3)
Distributed By – Filadelfia Forlag
Distributed By – La Sorgente Music
Distributed By – Master Music (5)
Distributed By – Grace Music (2)
Distributed By – Master-Vision-S.A.
Distributed By – Viva Music (4)
Distributed By – Kir Music
Printed By – Sleeveprint
Made By – Sleeveprint
Pressed By – CBS, Haarlem

Paul Smith – Back To Who I Am – 1989

This is Paul’s 3rd solo album after leaving the Imperials and his 5th solo album over all. While he had tons of success I think this might be his most successful album as far as chart positioning goes. The album had 4 charting singles, “Back To Who I Am”, “It’s Alright”, “Bigger Than Life”, and “Beat Of A Different Heart”, all of which singled at #2 or #3. To have 4 singles in the top 3 is absolutely stunning. He also had a great studio band for this album including Paul Brannon (Joe English Band) and Gary Lunn (White Heart). As for the album well it’s a rather light Pop album in the similar vein as the Imperials at the time. When I see an album titled “Back To Who I Am” I always wonder what the artist was thinking at the time. This was well after he left the Imperials and he had a good relationship with them so I don’t think it referred to that so I’m just left to wonder. So this is a pretty good album, not really my style but I appreciate a good album in any style.

Tracklist
1 – Back To Who I Am – 5:36
2 – Beat Of A Different Heart – 5:17
3 – Bigger Than Life – 5:31
4 – Silence Isn’t Golden Anymore – 6:08
5 – Homesick For Eden – 4:47
6 – The Lion Roars – 5:15
7 – It’s Alright – 5:21
8 – Comforter – 4:44
9 – Hunger And Thirst – 5:01
10 – So Satisfied – 4:44

Credits
Arranged By – Joe Hogue
Art Direction – Terri Short
Backing Vocals – Joe Hogue, Marabeth Jordan, Marsha Wells, Michelle Wagner, Paul Smith
Bass – Gary Lunn
Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Drums – Jonathan David Brown
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
Keyboards – Joe Hogue
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Eric Darken
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Mixed At – Johnny dB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix
Made By – Discovery Systems

Trace Balin – Here And Now – 1989

As Trace’s first album started to hit the charts Dayspring got her back in the studio ASAP. They could tell the first album was going to take off so they wanted a second album out there as quick as possible. This album proved she wasn’t a one album wonder as this one also hit the charts. It had 3 top 20 singles with “Well Done” making it to #10, “Never Let It Be Said” to #19, and “Eye Of The Hurricane” to #8. Not quite as successful as her debut but nothing to sneeze at. The album is very similar and I’m relatively sure the record company chose the songs from their library but Trace did get some cowriting credits this album. That said the songs were solid pop choices and it’s another great album if you enjoy female pop. Funny that history would hold Trace out as a great blues singer but at this point in her career it was all pop all the time. That said I am listening to her albums in order so maybe I’ll start to hear a transition in the next two albums.

Tracklist
1 – Here And Now – 3:50
2 – Well Done – 4:55
3 – If I Don’t Have Love – 4:11
4 – Eye Of The Hurricane – 3:47
5 – Never Let It Be Said – 4:31
6 – When The Well Runs Dry – 5:15
7 – Jesus At The Heart – 3:54
8 – Just Between You And Me – 3:50
9 – All Hail The Power – 4:44
10 – Why Me – 3:33

Credits
Arranged By – Carl Marsh
Art Direction [Cover Coordination] – Amy Linde
Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz, Greg Hall, Michael Sandifer, Trace Balin
Bass Guitar – Gary Lunn
Design – McConnell Graphics
Drums, Drum Programming – Jonathan David Brown
Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
Keyboards [Fairlight 3] – Carl Marsh
Management – Richard Painter
Mastered By – Ken Love
Percussion – Eric Darken
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – DADC – DIDX-007094
Recorded At – Johnny DB’s Basement
Mixed At – Johnny DB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix

Various – White Metal Invasion – 1989

This is a great metal sampler from E & E Records which is in some way connected with the band Armada. Nice selection of lesser known metal bands here including 2 previously unreleased tracks. We’ve compiled a tracklist of the origin of the tracks;

1 – Divine Right – All I Got – From 1988 independent release “Powerchange”
2 – Chariot – Truth – From the 1987 release “Step Into Light”
3 – Emerald – Battle Ground – Unreleased until the 2022 release “Demo 1984”
4 – Xalt – The Cross – From the 1988 release “Dark War”
5 – 7th Angel – I Will See You In Heaven – From 1988 independent release “7th Angel”
6 – Armada – Suicide – From the 1988 release “Black & White”
7 – Seraiah – C’mon Get Up! – Unreleased elsewhere
8 – Full Armor – White Knights – From 1988 independent release “4-Song E.P.”
9 – Soldier – Louder Than Hell – From 1988 independent release “Babylon”
10 – Taker – Look Into His Eyes – Unreleased until the 2014 release “It Is Finished”
11 – Angelica – Follow Me, Follow Him – Unreleased elsewhere
12 – Apostle – I Am Persuaded – From 1988 independent release “Hymns”

Electrik – Love Buzz Harmony: The Retroarchives – 2004

Electrik started in the late 80’s in Los Angeles. They actually did things a little different than others in that they actually didn’t care about their JPM and instead sang about regular topics with a Christian overview. Unfortunately this obviously winning formula just didn’t work for the CCM industry as obviously the bands JPM would be way too low for them. They released their first 3 track EP in 1989 and it was well received. They continued to play in California and as I said were well liked even appearing at Cornerstone in 1991. In 1993 they self released a 7 track album and again it was very well received but not by the CCM industry. Instead the bands popularity remained “underground” and centered in the Los Angeles area. Luckily in 2004 Retroactive records released the album we have here today. It included the 7 track album, their 3 track demo EP and 2 newly recorded tracks. Obviously I never heard this album before today and that’s a real pity because I love these guys. They are an excellent hard rock band but the real stand out to me is the quality of the writing in these songs. These guys did what I was begging the industry to do in the mid 80’s. That was write songs for youth to help them understand the issues that effect them everyday with a Christian overview. If you want to hear what I mean simply listen to the track “Good Thing”. It is an excellent track with an excellent message to teen boys. Anyway this is the album the industry needed but never wanted. Thank goodness Retroactive Records made it available for us.

Tracklist
1 – Krush My Groove (Make A Wish) – 4:51
2 – Good Thing – 4:05
3 – She Loves – 4:53
4 – Never Too Much – 4:03
5 – Show Me Your Soul – 3:55
6 – Blindman’s Holiday – 3:54
7 – Nu Style – 3:03
8 – Under A Rainbow – 4:50
9 – Have U Ever? – 5:04
10 – Shine Candy Shine – 3:48
11 – Daisy – 4:40
12 – Count It Joy – 4:44

Credits
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Eddie Krystal
Drums, Vocals – Michael Kei
Guest, Bass Guitar – Tracie Ferrie
Guitar, Vocals – Jett Stevens
Lead Vocals – Benjamin Leigh
Performer – Electrik
Written-By – Electrik

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – BGK Records
Copyright © – BGK Records
Manufactured By – Retroactive Records

D-Boy Rodriguez – Plantin’ A Seed – 1989

This album starts the sad story of D-Boy Rodriguez. If you don’t know he was murdered but we will cover that when we listen to his last album. For this album we will cover his rise. D-Boy Rodriguez (Danny Rodriguez) was raised in the church by parents that had a keen interest in teens lost on the streets. Though they had a church in PA they often preached on the streets of New York. That interest in street teens led to Danny’s interest in the music of the streets. Danny’s sister also became interested in the street sound and went on to have a couple albums after Danny’s passing. I don’t understand much of the story of how this project started but somehow Tim Miner was able to talk Frontline Records into taking on Danny. A subsequent visit to the studio which included Tim Miner and Tommy Sims and this album was born. While yes there were other Christian rap albums out at the time This one had a more mainstream sound than the others. As such it did quite well and Frontline was happy to release a second one. In my opinion the highlight of the album is “Church Hoppers” which touches on a topic I don’t think anyone else has ever covered. The track is hilarious and may be the first Christian track to use a sample of secular song. In fact it might be the first sampling in the industry period. Sampling just wasn’t big yet in secular or Christian markets. The album actually peaked at No. 35 on Billboard’s CCM album charts but needless to say Christian radio was not ready for this sound in early 1991 so it received almost no radio play. Here again we have an album that is not in one of my favourite genres but it is a great album. Even if you don’t like rap I think you should give this one a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Plantin’ A Seed – 3:47
2 – Church Hoppers – 3:55
3 – Pick Yourself Up – 3:53
4 – When I Strut – 4:36
5 – Doggin’ The Devil – 3:30
6 – King David – 3:56
7 – It’s A Disease – 3:40
8 – G.O.D.S. Possee In Effect – 5:30
9 – Stompin’ Satan – 2:54

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Cindy Cruse, Ronnie V.
Engineer – Brent Jeffers, David Ebensberger, John Wirtz
Other [Grooming] – Kimberlee Couts
Photography By – Michael Seeley
Producer, Engineer, Bass, Recorded By, Mixed By, Keyboards [Keys], Drum Programming, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tommy Simms
Producer, Engineer, Bass, Recorded By, Mixed By, Keyboards [Keys], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tim Miner
Written-By – D-Boy*, Tim Miner, Tommy Simms

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Published By – Broken Songs
Published By – Pretty Mondo Stuff
Published By – Birdwing Music
Produced For – Blade Productions
Recorded At – Knightlight Studios
Mixed At – Knightlight Studios
Mastered At – Nimbus

Koinonia – Koinonia – 1989

This is the last album from Koinonia. They had a fantastic run and it’s hard to believe there were only 4 albums and only 3 of them were studio albums. I think we can all agree that Koinonia were bigger than there discography shows. I noticed this album actually leans more towards easy listening than their previous jazz fusion sound and as such it’s not quite as good. I still think it’s a good album but the sound on several tracks is not really them per se. I don’t know if this had anything to do with the fact this is their last album but obviously the band was leaning towards a change. Anyway all the members of the band over the years went on to successful studio careers but none of them had a particularly successful headliner album again.

Tracklist
1 – Talk About It – 4:50
2 – We Know The Way By Heart – 3:54
3 – Alegria – 4:01
4 – Is It Too Late – 5:01
5 – Mistral – 4:56
6 – We’re All In This Together – 4:17
7 – Come Share My World – 4:29
8 – You Are My Love – 4:24
9 – Straight To Paradise – 3:51
10 – Lyn – 2:52

Credits
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Brenda Eager*, Jean Johnson, Jeff Pescetto, Lou Pardini, Patti Henely, Rose Banks
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Richard McKernan
Executive Producer – Jerry Levin
Guitar – Dean Parks, Michael Landau
Guitar [Acoustic] – Abraham Laboriel
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, Lou Pardini
Lead Vocals – Lou Pardini
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Producer – Jerry Hey

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – De La Hey Music
Copyright © – Geffin Music
Copyright © – Guidum Music
Copyright © – Harlan Rogers Music
Copyright © – Margarine Moon Music
Copyright © – Monotone Music
Copyright © – Pardini Music
Copyright © – Reed Vertelney Music
Copyright © – Royal/Dale Music
Copyright © – S.S.K. Blackwood
Copyright © – Screen Gems
Copyright © – Sunhill Music
Published By – Word (Uk) Ltd.

Mark Lowry – For The First Time On Planet Earth – 1989

Comedian and singer Mark Lowry is back with his 7th album and his first on Word records. At this point in his career Mark was also in the Gaither Vocal Band as the baritone. I can not imagine how busy his life was at this time. He was a very popular member of the Gaither Vocal Band as his sense of humour went over very well with their audiences. This album is a mix of worship songs, humorous songs, and spoken word. As near as I can tell this was the first of his albums that was released outside of the U.S. (though only to Canada) which surprises me as I think his humour would have had worldwide acceptance.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Here To Tell You – 3:04
2 – Noah – 3:16
3 – Feelings Or Faith – 1:13
4 – Alarm Clock – 5:34
5 – You Can Be Sure – 3:51
6 – The Church Brat – 0:48
7 – Psychiatric Help – 4:15
8 – Wrestling In The Kitchen – 1:03
9 – Mama Had “Enough” – 3:44
10 – Miss Barth – 4:31
11 – Summacum Laude – 1:49
12 – Living Love – 4:31
13 – His Love Says – 3:23
14 – Bedtime Stories – 5:24
15 – The Greatest Story Ever Told – 7:53
16 – What A Savior He Is – 4:11