Rick was in one of the Scepter bands and I only found out about him because of this. While researching the band I discovered that he had 2 solo albums. This is the first of those albums. The cover of this album had me expecting a light rock album but, well, it’s not. He tries rock on the track Front Line but his vocals just don’t work. Get A Bible also leans rock and he does a little better on this one but still not great. That said this is a really good song that should have had a cover version by someone. To be clear I’m not saying he’s not a good vocalist in fact I think he’s a very good vocalist but Rock & Roll doesn’t work for him which is just as well because this is an easy listening album and a pretty good one. Interestingly the album was produced by Matthew Ward which probably helped out it’s easy listening quality.
Tracklist 1 – Love Is – 4:00 2 – Come, Lord Jesus – 4:19 3 – Rescue Me – 4:27 4 – There Is A Rock – 3:34 5 – Jesus Paid It All – 4:56 6 – Front Line – 3:53 7 – All Things – 3:24 8 – Does Anybody Love The Lord? – 4:10 9 – Be Still My Heart – 5:02 10 – Get A Bible – 3:52
Credits Engineer – Greg Hunt Producer – Matthew Ward Written-By – Rick Crawford
For those who didn’t know Illustrator is essentially a new and improved version of Eternity Express. This is their second and last album under this name. Well actually they did release an album in 2011 to be factual. This album is a rather typical but well done late 80’s AOR album. It is said that though uncredited Dann Huff played some of the guitar tracks but I have no way to know if this is true or just rumour. As with their other album this was a much improved version of Eternity Express and this album like their other definitely deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – New Way to Love – 3:53 2 – Dying to Meet You – 3:57 3 – Hold My Heart – 4:58 4 – Cryin’ Time – 4:44 5 – I Surrender – 4:21 6 – Help is on It’s Way – 3:40 7 – Listen – 4:00 8 – Should’A Been Love – 4:30 9 – Feels Like – 4:32 10 – Carry the Cross – 3:44
Credits Art Direction – Loren Johnson Backing Vocals [Additional] – Angie Alan, Cindy Cruse, David Ebensberger, Tim Miner Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Mark Matthews Design, Layout – Teresa Pratt Drums, Vocals – Kirk Allen Executive-Producer – Freddie Piro Guitar, Vocals – Dan Gaub Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Nathan Gaub Keyboards, Vocals – Dawndee Gaub Producer, Engineer – Win Kutz Saxophone – Randy Lee
This is Crystal’s second solo album. It solidified her new more worship oriented style though “Come Together” is still a pretty rockin tune and probably the best example of what Crystal can do vocally on the album. As for the rest of the album I found it a little dull. But to tell the truth I was a huge fan of her previous work so this change in style didn’t work for me personally. That said the album is excellent for this style and no one can ever argue that Crystal’s voice is one of the best in the industry.
Tracklist 1 – Leave It Up To Him – 3:13 2 – God Is Somebody – 4:17 3 – You Didn’t Have To Do It – 4:56 4 – Monday Comes – 4:13 5 – It’s Real – 3:51 6 – Come Together – 4:56 7 – Better Day – 3:53 8 – Bloodstained Pages – 3:51 9 – There’s Always Time For You – 3:32 10 – Bring Peace Today – 5:20 11 – Monday Comes (Alternative Mix) – 3:48
Credits Arranged By [Vocals] – Crystal Lewis Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Debbie McClendon, Fred White, Howard McCrary, Jackie Gouche, Maxie Anderson, Phyllis St. James Bass – Andrew Gouche, Larry “Clyde” Simpson Engineer – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – James Harrah, Marty Walsh Guitar [Lead] – Tony Palacios Guitar [Rhythm], Drums [Overdubs] – Brian Ray Keyboards, Technician [Technical Support] – James Werning Mastered By – John Matousek Mixed By – Doug Rider Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Crystal Lewis Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards – Gene Eugene Producer, Arranged By, Sequenced By [Synth] – Scott V. Smith Programmed By [Synth] – Bill Pearson, Rhett Lawrence Saxophone – Dan Michaels Synthesizer [Overdubs] – Michael Ruff Vocals – Crystal Lewis
This is Mark’s second Christian release. It’s not quite as Rock & Roll as his first but it is still pretty good. Mark handled most of the instruments on the album and also produced it. Personally I feel the sound is a little hollow in places but I’m always overly critical on production and engineering. The tracks are well written and Mark really started to shine as a song writer on this album. Other than that there’s not a lot to say about the album other than give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Wake Up… – 4:23 2 – Into The Light – 3:59 3 – New Age – 3:22 4 – Come To Me – 3:58 5 – In Your Sight – 5:23 6 – Upright Man – 3:30 7 – Rocco – 3:48 8 – If It Wasn’t For Grace – 3:53 9 – Love Power – 4:00 10 – Role Model – 5:54 11 – Like I Was Before – 3:52
Credits Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Drums, Percussion – Mike Maple Bass, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Lawrence Buckner Engineer – Bradley Jones Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Dave Jahnsen, Don Pushies Keyboards – Mark Farner Keyboards, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Michael Blair Lead Guitar – Arnie Vilches Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Gordon vanEkstrom Percussion – Mark Farner Producer – Mark Farner Rhythm Guitar – Arnie Vilches Vocals, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals], Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar – Mark Farner
This is the first of 2 demo’s from Saint Attack though I am completely unable to confirm the second one titled “First Watch”. So in the end this may be all we have from Saint Attack. They never went on to record an album and I can only find info one one member. Vocalist Frank Schepp went on to sing with Chryztyne on their one and only album. Other than Frank the 2 bands don’t appear to have anything in common so I don’t believe it was a rename. OK now onto the demo. It’s a metal album and is actually really well produced and mixed. As they were a German band I wonder why no record deal. I believe it was easier for metal bands to get record deals in Germany and that’s why we have all these oddball German metal releases. Anyway they never did an album and this is all we get form them. If your a metal head this one is for you. I predict you will really like it.
Benny Hester returns with another great Pop Rock album and as was pretty normal for him at this point it was very successful. It had 2 top 10 hits, “Perfect” made it to #5 and “You Weren’t Meant To Live Your Life Alone” to #6. Rounding out the singles was “Before You Know It” at #15 and “Shall We Gather At The River” crept into the chart at #34. As is normal for the CCM charts the best track on the album is actually “Headlights On The Highway” didn’t chart and doesn’t even appear to have been released as a single.
Tracklist 1 – Headlights On The Highway – 3:13 2 – Before You Know It – 4:15 3 – If You Die Before You Die – 4:20 4 – Perfect – 4:23 5 – Hungry World – 3:30 6 – You Weren’t Meant To Live Your Life Alone – 4:55 7 – Two Good Reasons – 3:50 8 – This One’s For Keeping – 3:30 9 – Passion, Possession, Position – 3:40 10 – Shall We Gather At The River – 3:48
Credits Arranged By – Bill Baumgart, Tim Heintz Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Backing Vocals – Allison Beech, Benny Hester, Bill Baumgart, Bob Carlisle Bass – Neil Stubenhaus Drums – Jeff Porcaro Engineer – Dave Jahnsen Engineer [Assistant] – Beth Wisner, Doug Beiden, Eric Kibbe, Kirt Shearer Guitar – Marty Walsh Keyboards – Aaron Zigman, Tim Heintz Mixed By – Bill Baumgart, Dave Jahnsen Percussion – Pete Pfiefer* Photography By – David Dobson Producer – Benny Hester, Bill Baumgart
This was the last real studio album from Altar Boys though they did come together in 2018 to release an album. At this point they simply weren’t the punk powerhouse they once were. If anything at this point they were more new wave than punk. That said I missed this one in the 80’s and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. The band were super tight at this point and Steve Griffith was an excellent choice as producer. Though I preferred their commercial punk sound this album is good too.
Tracklist 1 – Forever Mercy – 4:20 2 – Listen Up – 4:28 3 – Faith! – 4:03 4 – The Meaning Of Life – 4:26 5 – Ride This Train – 4:26 6 – World Burning – 4:00 7 – Here Ends The Night – 3:53 8 – Love Eternal – 3:55 9 – More Than Words – 3:48 10 – Silent Night – 4:13
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass – Ric Alba Drums – Jeff Crandall Drums [Additional] – Steve Griffith Engineer – Steve Griffith Engineer [Additional] – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Mike Stand, Ric Alba Guitar [Additional] – Steve Griffith Harmonica – Mike Stand Lead Guitar – Mike Stand, Steve Pannier Lead Vocals – Mike Stand Percussion – Jeff Crandall Performer [Altar Boys Is] – Jeff Crandall, Mike Stand, Ric Alba Photography – David Dobson Producer – Steve Griffith Vocals – Jeff Crandall, Ric Alba Vocals [Additional] – Steve Griffith
Australia’s Rosanna Palmer is on a par with other great female hard rock vocalists such Nancy Jo Mann (Barnabas), Wendy Kaiser (Resurrection Band), Sandie Brock (Servant), and Lisa Faxon (Ransom). Add to this her proficient guitar skills which are showcased on various tracks, especially ‘Crying in the Night’. Her husband, David Palmer, is a great bassist. Dave & Rosanna continue ministering through music and spoken word to this very day. They have performed as a duo at several of our Live at the Chapel live music events. Clothed In Fire is the band’s second album released on an American record label. Here’s a review of this particular album by Steve Rowe (Lightforce & Mortification): – ‘When Rosanna’s Raiders release an album, you can expect a message straight from the heart of God. This is definitely the case with their latest effort Clothed In Fire. The production is world-class thanks to US producer Joey Powers who worked with the band at Grand Slam Studios in New York. The additional keyboards and back-up harmonies enhance Rosanna’s already catchy songs, making the album very memorable even after only a few listens. The highlight track is Crying In The Night – a song addressing the helplessness of children who are abused by adults. The passion of the chorus in this song is strong enough to move the hardest heart. All the songs, especially the final five, display the Raisers’ punchy Aussie hard rock at its best ever.’ (p. 32, On Being, April 1990)
Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger
Tracklist 1 – He Is The King – 3:54 2 – Blind Eyes – 4:26 3 – You Are Special – 4:11 4 – Crying In The Night – 4:05 5 – Hell On Earth – 4:28 6 – I’m Ready – 3:17 7 – Crazy World – 3:45 8 – Do It Right – 4:04 9 – The Loser – 3:32 10 – Love The Lord Your God – 3:56
Credits Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Dave Palmer Booking – Vic Campbell Drums – Johno Zaffarese Engineer – Doug Oberkircher Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Dan Rudin Featuring, Backing Vocals – Carolyn Nieto, Gary Roz, Jo Clayton, Jonathan Pagano Featuring, Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Gary Roz Keyboards, Featuring – George Small Lead Vocals, Guitar – Rosanna Palmer Producer [Produced By] – Joey Powers
It was 1989 and time for another winning album from Kim Boyce. I truly believe that Kim was better than Amy Grant but was just a little to Pop oriented so she didn’t get the worship crowd to listen to her. It was another successful album for Kim with 4 top 40 hits including 2 top 10’s. “Faith” made it to #6 and “For Every Lonely Heart” to #10. Now I do have one point of confusion on this album. Bryan Duncan was brought in to do a duet, “I’m Asking You” for the album. They did not release it as a single and it is by far the best track on the album. Maybe it was something to do with legalities or maybe just more bad decisions out of the industry but they missed a #1 song there in my opinion.
Tracklist 1 – Holdin’ My Hand – 3:46 2 – For Every Lonely Heart – 4:01 3 – Love Is You To Me – 3:37 4 – Dancin’ My Heart Away – 4:06 5 – Faith – 3:48 6 – Tender Heart – 5:03 7 – Best Friend – 3:32 8 – O Lord You’re Beautiful – 4:50 9 – I’m Asking You – 3:37 10 – It Always Comes Back To You – 4:06
Credits Ken Allardyce – Assistant Engineer Margaret Barnett – Choir Vocals Paul Boone – Choir Vocals Dave Boroff – Saxophone Denny Bouchard – Songwriter Kim Boyce – Songwriter, Vocals, Background Vocals Nicole Bruce – Choir Vocals Sharon Burton – Choir Vocals Spencer Campbell – Electric Bass Kristina Clark – Background Vocals Claire Cloninger – Songwriter Denny Correll – Songwriter Bryan Duncan – Guest Vocals David Ebensberger – Engineer Angie Ebensberger – Choir Vocals Dan Garcia – Engineer, Mixed Keith Green – Songwriter Michael Hodge – Guitar Imperials – Duet Vocals Win Kutz – Mixed Rhett Lawrence – Producer, Arranger, Engineer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Fairlight CMI, Background Vocals Brenda Marshall-McClure – Choir Vocals Mark Maxwell – Executive Producer Oscar McClure, Jr – Choir Vocals Carrie McDowell – Background Vocals Craig Miles – Choir Vocals Tim Miner – Producer, Engineer, Songwriter, Vocal Arrangements, Keyboards, Background Vocals S. O’Brien – Songwriter Becky Pearce – Choir Vocals Jimmie Pearce – Choir Vocals Cindy Cruse Ratcliff – Background Vocals Dona Robinson – Choir Vocals John Andrew Schreiner – Arranger, Songwriter, Keyboards Phil Sillas – Songwriter, Arranger, Synth Bass, Keyboards Tommy Sims – Bass, Guitar, Background Vocals Luis Chi Sing – Assistant Engineer Jimmie Lee Sloas – Songwriter, Arranger, Keyboards Brian Tankersley – Producer, Executive Producer, Mixed, Songwriter, Background Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Synth, Bass, Keyboards, Arranger Don Wallace – Vocal Arrangements, Background Vocals B. Weaver – Songwriter Kirk Whalum – Saxophone BeBe Winans – Songwriter
This album was recorded right when Haworth started worked with the SW London Vineyard developing their worship and prison ministry. I always consider artists who do prison ministry to be one notch above others. Prison ministry is very difficult and just getting into a prison to play music is very labour intensive and requires a level of dedication few artists have. As for the album well it can best be classified as a rock album with some blues tracks but Haworth is really one of those artists that is difficult to pigeon hole into a genre. The album may also have the best version ever of Joy, Joy, Joy. Yes the one from Sunday School. The album was released on Edge records but strangely it was picked up and re-released by Refuge Records in 1991.
Tracklist 1 – We’re All One (’89) – 4:04 2 – Cover For Me – 3:26 3 – I Serve A Risen Saviour – 3:27 4 – Two Worlds – 4:11 5 – Give Me Your Heart – 5:04 6 – Joy, Joy, Joy – 3:27 7 – Word Of Our God – 4:24 8 – Waiting – 4:18 9 – Is This Love ? – 4:45 10 – Hurt People – 4:25 11 – Love, Acceptance And Forgiveness – 6:29
