1989 – Page 3 – Real 80s CCM

Michele Wagner – Michele Wagner – 1989

Michele grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Nashville in 1984 to begin her music career. She was signed as a staff songwriter with Meadowgreen Music Publishers in 1985 and in 1989 Benson signed Michele to a recording contract and this is the first album from that contract. It goes without saying that I missed this album back in the 80’s so this was the first time I heard this album. Quite frankly it didn’t sound that great to me. I just found it a little dull. But when I looked up how well the album did and I was surprised that it actually had 5 charting CCM singles with “Love’s On The Other Side” making it to #4. I re-listened to that track and it is a good track but I think it’s just too easy listening for my taste. One thing I will give Michele credit for is that she actually wrote her songs. This is a rare thing for a lot of female CCM artists of the era as usually the writing was left to songwriters. Interestingly the track “Psalm 1” had been written for Kim Hill and was a #1 hit for her a year earlier.

Tracklist
1 – I Care For You – 3:45
2 – In The Quiet – 3:52
3 – You’re Beautiful – 3:59
4 – Love’s On The Other Side – 3:59
5 – Holy One – 4:23
6 – Psalm 1 – 3:55
7 – Whatever You Ask – 5:01
8 – Simple Devoted And True – 3:03
9 – You Are So Good To Me – 3:03
10 – Patiently – 4:14

Credits
Arranged By – Bret Teegarden, Jonathan David Brown, Michele Wagner
Art Direction, Design – Jackson Design
Backing Vocals – Joe Hogue, JDB, Michael James Murphy, Michele Wagner
Bass – Gary Lunn, Jonathan David Brown
Drums – Jonathan David Brown
Executive-Producer – Dan Cleary
Guitar – Jerry McPherson, Mark Baldwin, Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
Keyboards – Bret Teegarden, Michele Wagner
Keyboards [Additional Overdubs] – Jonathan David Brown
Keyboards [Overdubs], Strings [Overdubs] – Carl Marsh
Mastered By – Ken Love
Percussion – Eric Darken
Photography By – Peter Nash
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown

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

Artie Dison – Forgiving Eyes – 1989

Awhile ago I reviewed an album by a band called Freeway that had a limited release in Canada. I remember us listening to the album in the 80’s but it wasn’t really our style. Then recently Artie Dison from the band contacted me to let me know he actually had 2 solo albums in 1989 and 1997. This is the 1989 album. Now I’ll be honest, I was not very excited going into this album as his previous work wasn’t my style. Wow was I surprised as this is a fantastic Rock album. This was several years after his Freeway work and boy did he mature. The album almost has a Kansas feel in places but I hate pigeon holing albums. Listen, it’s just a great Rock & Roll album that deserves to be heard. The best track on the album in undoubtedly “What About Home” which has a great message. That said my favourite track is “I Feel Love” which has an excellent commercial radio sound. If you missed this one in the 80’s don’t miss it now.

Tracklist
1 – Lonely Heart – 3:25
2 – Don’t Run – 4:42
3 – What About Home – 6:01
4 – Crying In The Night – 3:48
5 – Conquest Of Love – 2:45
6 – I’ll Show You The Way – 3:42
7 – Forgiving Eyes – 4:31
8 – Mysteries Of The Sky – 3:43
9 – I Feel Love – 3:06

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Pete Claproth
Bass [Additional] – Darrell Cook
Drums [Additional] – Jim Ripley
Drums, Backing Vocals – Donny Henderson
Engineer [Assistant] – Brian Davis, Josh West, Steve Vaughan
Executive-Producer – Lewis McVay
Guitar – Bob Somma
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Artie Dison
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Yabo Obien
Photography By – Dave rigg
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By, Backing Vocals – Tim Jaquette
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Dave Spurr

Companies, etc.
Made By – PDO, USA
Copyright © – Asaph Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Asaph Records
Recorded At – Asaph Recording Studio
Mixed At – Asaph Recording Studio

Rick Cua – Midnight Sun – 1989

This was Rick’s last real Rock & Roll album. Subsequent albums to this one too a far more easy listening sound. This however is a pretty good Rock & Roll album and personally is one of my favourite album from him. Rick was joined by his usual studio musicians including Keith Thomas whose keyboard work I always enjoy. I really hate to just classify this as “another Rick Cua” album because it’s quite good but there’s just not a lot to say about this album. Rick had making an album down to an art at this point so you knew you were going to get a great album if you bought one of his albums from this era. Probably the highlight of the album for me is Young Boy Young Girl on which he is joined by Rebecca Sparks wife of Greg Sparks on vocals.

Tracklist
1 – Streetwise – 3:45
2 – I Can I Will – 4:09
3 – Young Boy Young Girl – 4:13
4 – I’ll Be Satisfied – 4:26
5 – Dedicated – 3:33
6 – Somethin’ You Got – 3:35
7 – No Man Will Know – 3:43
8 – Plenty Of Love – 4:11
9 – Tear Down The Walls – 3:17
10 – The Lost Can Still Be Found – 3:30

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Drum Programming, Percussion, Keyboards [Additional] – Tom Hemby
Arranged By – Tom Hemby
Backing Vocals – Bob Halligan Jr., Jimmy Lee, Kim Fleming, Michael Mishaw, Ron Hemby, Vickie Hampton
Drums, Percussion – Mike Mead
Engineer – Bill Deaton
Guitar – Dave Perkins
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Keith Thomas
Producer – Tom Hemby
Vocals, Bass – Rick Cua
Vocals – Rebecca Ed Sparks

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records

David Meece – Learning To Trust – 1989

This is David’s 10th album and his first with Star Song/Sparrow and that’s the reason I dislike this excellent album. Okay let me explain. It is obvious that Star Song threw a TON of money at this album. The production list is like something from a mainstream platinum album. So what’s the problem you ask. The album is way way over produced. I mean there are some great tracks on this album. “When I Was Seventeen” is an excellent track with an excellent guitar track BUT it is just too smooth. It needs to be rough with a Bryan Adams feel not the smooth calculated and way over mixed version we get. Another example of what’s wrong with this album is that David, one of the best pianists in the world, only plays keyboards on 2 tracks. What? The album instead chooses to center around his vocals which quite frankly are secondary to his keyboard skills. Okay but is it a good album? Yes it’s a very good album and there are some timeless tracks but I just wish it was a little more raw.

Tracklist
1 – Prelude (Instrumental) – 0:34
2 – When I Was Seventeen – 4:26
3 – Learning To Trust – 4:59
4 – To Know Him – 3:48
5 – To The Glory Of God – 4:01
6 – The Man With The Nail Scars – 4:47
7 – Interlude In B Minor (Instrumental) – 0:55
8 – This Time – 4:43
9 – When All Colors Turn To Love – 4:11
10 – Somebody’s Calling Your Name – 5:05
11 – The Rest Of My Life – 3:56

Credits
Backing Vocals – Chris Eaton, Chris Rodriguez, Donna McElroy, Gordon Kennedy, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Vickie Hampton, Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bass – Jimmie Lee Sloas, Mike Brignardello, Tommy Sims
Bass [Programming] – Shane Keister
Design – Janice Watson
Director Of Photography – Joan Tankersley
Drum Programming – Shane Keister
Drums – Chris McHugh, Paul Leim
Engineer – Jeff Balding
Engineer [Assistant] – Byron House, Carry Summers, Jeff Borders, Roy Gamble, Shawn McLean, Steve Bishir
Engineer [Overdubs] – Brown Bannister
Guitar – Gordon Kennedy, Jerry McPherson, Tom Hemby, Wayne Scott Farley
Keyboards – David Meece, Phil Naish, Shane Keister, Tommy Dorsey
Keyboards [Additional] – David Meece
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Billy Whittington, Jeff Balding, Nick Fromme
Mixed By [Assistant] – John David Parker
Percussion – Chris McHugh, Paul Leim, Terry McMillan
Photography By – Eika Aoshima
Producer – Brown Bannister, Shane Keister
Production Manager [Production Coordinator] – Richard Headen
Tom Tom, Cymbal – Chris McHugh

Companies, etc.
Produced For – RBI Productions
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – The Castle Recording Studios
Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Copyright © – Star Song
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Published By – Meece Music
Published By – Arose Music

X-Sinner – Get it – 1989

X-Sinner was formed in 1988 by guitarist Greg Bishop in Orange County California. It also appears to have been the first album released on the Elefante brothers label Pakaderm Records. I can’t think of a better intro album for a new label. X-Sinner’s comparison to AC DC is rather obvious but they are more than that I would argue. I can definitely hear some original ideas and they didn’t just copy AC DC as often accused. To say the album was well received is an understatement as they were named the favourite new band of 1989 by the readers of HM Magazine. If the intro track doesn’t hook you then there’s something wrong with you. My only complaint about the band is that I wish they would have some out earlier in the 80’s but you can’t really blame the band for that. The album is perfectly produced by the Elefante brothers and is one of my personal favourite CCM albums of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XQCg4GcEEd9t19zUMHDV2J-

Tracklist
1 – Medicine – 3:22
2 – Steppin’ On Toes – 3:28
3 – Hearts On Fire – 4:13
4 – No Way In – 3:43
5 – Get It – 4:18
6 – Accountable – 4:13
7 – Walking Evil – 4:48
8 – Lift Him Up – 3:13
9 – Kick ‘Em Out – 3:17
10 – Livin’ On The Edge – 4:07

Credits
Art Direction – Terry Degraff
Band [X-Sinner Is], Bass – Rob Kniep
Band [X-Sinner Is], Drums – Michael Buckner
Band [X-Sinner Is], Guitar – Greg Bishop
Band [X-Sinner Is], Vocals – David Robbins
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Graphics [Title] – Noah’s Art
Layout – John Shaffer
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals – Dino Elefante
Musician [Additional], Backing Vocals, Keyboards – John Elefante
Musician [Additional], Drums – David Raven
Photography By [Cover] – Jodi Summer
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Written-By – Robbins* (tracks: 1 to 9), Bishop* (tracks: 1 to 9)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pakaderm Records
Copyright © – Pakaderm Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

The Call – Let The Day Begin – 1989

I have written this elsewhere on several occasions and will repeat it again here: Michael Been was the single most impressive and passionate lead vocalist to ever grace a rock and roll stage. Others may bellow, scream and prance about, but Been could stand perfectly still and show little or no emotion and still drive me to tears with the sheer passion and believability of his voice. The rich baritone that could elevate to staggering heights of emotion has simply not been matched. I miss him… Let the Day Begin was the 6th album from The Call and carried the band into the 1990’s with what should have been the coming out party. Rock radio loved the title track, making it the bands only number one single, but it just wasn’t to be. It is one of the great mysteries of rock and roll music that a band like The Call could never break into the mainstream music fans consciousness despite a consistently impressive output of amazing music. This album was that one shot. It was filled with radio friendly rock music with a slight alternative twist that seemed reared and ready for success. The first four songs (Let the Day Begin, Run, Surrender and When) should have been runaway hits and appeared on several movie soundtracks. Been’s history in Christian music is actually relatively unknown. His first known appearance (that I am familiar with) is playing bass on the first two Barry McGuire albums as well as being a musician for 2nd Chapter of Acts. He regularly appeared on Jesus Music/CCM albums before creating The Call and heading into a more mainstream world. But his Biblical worldview is present here and on every able he was connected with. It should not difficult to see the hope, grace and mercy that poured from his been and voice. Yes, he will be missed. Greatly!

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Let The Day Begin – 3:50
2 – You Run – 5:34
3 – Surrender – 4:07
4 – When – 5:18
5 – Jealousy – 5:38
6 – Same Ol’ Story – 3:36
7 – For Love – 6:13
8 – Closer – 5:00
9 – Communication – 5:38
10 – Watch – 4:16
11 – Uncovered – 2:24

Credits
Art Direction – J.A.
Design – Jeanne Bradshaw
Drums, Vocals – Scott Musick
Engineer [Assistant] – Matthew “Boomer” LaMonica, Paul Dieter
Engineer [Studio Monitor] – Gary Sanguinet
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Michael Been
Guitar, Vocals – Tom Ferrier
Keyboards, Vocals – Jim Goodwin
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Photography By – Richard Corman
Producer – Jim Goodwin, Michael Been
Recorded By [Additional Recording] – Ed Cherney
Recorded By, Mixed By – Rob Eaton
Supervised By [Equipment Supervision] – Mike Smith
Technician [Guitar Techs] – Edd Kolakowski, Rich Modica

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – MCA Records, Inc.
Copyright © – MCA Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – Cinram
Manufactured For – MCA Records Canada
Distributed By – MCA Records Canada

Bridge 2 Far – Bridge 2 Far – 1989

In 1989 Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) put out an album with John Robinson on a secular label. This appears to have been a one off idea with musical support with some excellent studio musicians. Chris Eaton did write a few of the tracks so there’s also that connection to CCM. The album is a solid AOR project and the 2 artists work very well together. I am a big Mark Williamson fan but I did not know about this album until it was sent to me. I don’t know if I would say it’s his best work but it is definitely good and it’s always exciting to find “bonus” work from an artist you love.

Tracklist
1 – Heaven On Earth – 4:22
2 – I Must Be Blind – 4:14
3 – Say You Will – 3:55
4 – Anyone Out There – 4:52
5 – Caught Inside Your Heart – 4:52
6 – We Got A Way – 4:18
7 – Hold You Tonight – 5:03
8 – Straight To The Heart – 4:22
9 – This Is Killing Me – 4:52

Credits
Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey
Bass – Freddie Washington, Neil Stubenhaus
Drums, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, Producer – John Robinson
Electric Guitar – Michael Landau, Steve Lukather
Executive-Producer – Brad Westering
Guitar – Al McKay, Clem Clempson, Marty Walsh
Keyboards – Aaron Zigman, Alan Shacklock, David Paich, John Van Tongeren, Larry Williams, Richard Souther
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Producer – Mark Williamson
Mixed By – Chris Lord-Alge
Piano – David Paich
Producer – Alan Shacklock
Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Saxophone [Solos] – Kirk Whalum
Trumpet – Dan Higgins, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Vocals [Additional] – Chris Eaton, Lance Ellington

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS –

Whooz It – Rock Along – 1989

I have to admit that I am a little confused by this album. It’s an album of covers by relatively unknown artists. Well that’s not actually true I guess. Mark Williamson (Mark Williamson Band/Lyrix) sings a couple tracks, and Dennis Holt (AD) plays drums and the rest seem to be relatively successful studio musicians. I really have no idea what the idea was behind this album other than to put out some Rock versions of some songs that weren’t really Rock. That said it covers “The Rock That Doesn’t Roll” that was definitely a Rock song. The strangest thing on the album is a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Man Gave Names To All The Animals” which is actually pretty good. I actually like a lot of the tracks but I think my favourite is a cover of Randy Stonehill’s “Shut De Do”. Give this one a listen if for no other reason than it’s nice to hear some of these songs with a different arrangement.

Tracklist
1 – The Rock That Doesn’t Roll (Larry Norman) – Gene Miller – 3:43
2 – Shut De Do (Randy Stonehill) – Carrie McDowell – 3:23
3 – Can’t Do Nothin’ Without Jesus’ Love (Darrell Mansfield) – Mark Williamson – 3:23
4 – Jesus Is Calling (Erick Nelson) – Christi Jacobs – 3:26
5 – Man Gave Names To All The Animals (Bob Dylan) – Moses Toth – 3:18
6 – Take Me Closer (Phil Keaggy) – Marty Walsh – 3:41
7 – I Love You Lord – Laurie Klein – 3:28
8 – Say It Like It Is – (Alwyn Wall, Malcolm Wild) – Mark Williamson – 3:24
9 – The Flood – Sumner Mering – 3:12
10 – Take No Chances (Love Song) – Gene Miller – 3:58

Credits
Art Direction – Terry De Graff
Bass – Glen C. Holmen
Design – Bradley Grose
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Jim Scheffler, Steve Vidger, Thom Roy, Wally Grant
Executive-Producer – Tom Coomes
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Brad Cole
Percussion, Art Direction – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Roby Duke
Vocals – Angel Smythe, Elizabeth King, John Randall, Julie Bonney, Linda Punt, Moses Toth, Troy Kennedy

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Maranatha! Music
Copyright © – Maranatha! Music
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Recorded At – Wayne Cook Studios
Recorded At – Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Frontpage Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering

Petra – The Rock Cries Out – 1989

This is the eleventh studio album from Petra who actually called themselves Petra Praise for this release. This was an entirely experimental/new idea for them. The album is mainly traditional worship songs done in a Petra style. Not all of them them are hard rock but of course those are the standouts. The album also has 2 original tracks written by Bob Hartman, “I Love the Lord” and “The King of Glory Shall Come In.” The album also released an accompaniment track for the youth groups. Pretty bold idea for the time. Actually it would be a bold idea today. It appears the idea was popular as Petra released 2 more worship albums over the years and they were even more popular than this one. The album was also released in Spanish and I’m currently on the hunt for that version as I love Spanish music. Personally I think the whole idea was perfect for the time as this was needed to dispel the anti Rock & Roll holdouts in the Church. All that aside my actual favourite tracks are the last 2. They are live versions of “I Will Call Upon the Lord” and “I Exalt Thee” but I’m always a sucker for live tracks.

Tracklist
1 – I Love The Lord – 3:35
2 – King Of Kings – 1:47
3 – Jesus, Jesus, Glorious One – 2:18
4 – The Battle Belongs To The Lord – 3:04
5 – Take Me In – 4:11
6 – Salvation Belongs To Our God – 2:56
7 – The King Of Glory Shall Come In – 3:10
8 – No Weapon Formed Against Us – 1:44
9 – I Will Celebrate / When The Spirit Of The Lord – 4:15
10 – I Will Sing Praise – 2:45
11 – Hallowed Be Thy Name – 4:12
12 – Friends (All In The Family Of God) – 4:20
13 – I Will Call Upon The Lord – 3:48
14 – We Exalt Thee – 3:46

Credits
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Walt Harrah
Backing Vocals – Kathy Riso, Charlie Hoage, John Elefante, John Lawry, Rick Riso, Sara Tennison, Walt Harrah
Bass Guitar – Ronny Cates
Concept By [Cover Concept] – Loren Balman
Coordinator [Cover] – Terri Short
Design [Cover] – Jackson Design
Drums – Louie Weaver
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – John Lawry
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Mixed By [Duckworth Studio] – Bret Teegarden, Tommy Greer
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer [Production Assistant on Guitars and Vocals] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Producer, Arranged By – Bob Hartman, John Lawry
Recorded By [Assistant at Pakaderm studios] – Jeff Simmons
Recorded By [Pakaderm studios] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Recorded By [Recording Arts] – Carl Tatz, Dino Elefante
Recorded By [The Pond] – Gary Hedden, Howard Levy
Saxophone [Sax Solo] – Greg Vail

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Pond
Recorded At – Recording Arts
Recorded At – Pakaderm studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm studios
Mixed At – Duckworth Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc
Produced For – Firstborne Productions, Inc.
Published By – Petsong Publishing
Published By – Word, Inc.
Published By – Maranatha! Music

Roby Duke – Down To Business – 1989

This was Roby’s 4th album. I’ll be honest I had no idea who Roby was before getting this album. Considering his first album was in 1982 I would have thought I would have heard of him. Furthermore he wrote several songs for other bands in the early 80’s including Sweet Comfort Band, and Russ Taff. I have not listened to his previous albums but you can expect reviews of them in the future as I look forward to hearing them. As for the album it’s a synth heavy adult pop album with some pretty good vocals. I don’t honestly know if I would have liked it in 1989 but I sure like it now.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XTfM2yHIDPP-lsEJrAHu3fS

Tracklist
1 – I Try (Walk In The Park) – 3:40
2 – Dreams Alive – 3:20
3 – I Shall See God – 4:25
4 – Moon Over Me (Waiting For You) – 4:01
5 – Rain – 3:54
6 – Down To Business – 3:18
7 – Nonetheless – 3:27
8 – Modern Man (Want Will Steal Your Heart Away) – 3:57
9 – Maybe – 3:23
10 – Thief On The Hill – 4:18

Credits
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Angie Alan, Bill North, Cindy Cruse-Miner, Don Wallace, Tim Miner
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – John Robinson
Executive-Producer – Teri Piro
Guitar – Marty Walsh, Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Richard Souther
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Producer [Associate] – Win Kutz
Producer [Associate], Synthesizer – Eric Persing
Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Roby Duke
Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Steve Tavaglione

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Good News Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Good News Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.