Tag: 1989

Compassion All Star Band – 1 By 1 Live! – 1989

The Compassion All Star Band was a collection of great CCM artists recorded live at 1989’s Creation Festival. The album was a fund raiser for the charity organization Compassion International and though recorded in June the album includes a few “Christmas” songs as the album was scheduled as a Christmas release. The band was Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Margaret Becker, Rick Cua, Joe English, Mike Mead and John Andrew Schriner. I had read about this album but honestly hadn’t listened to it when it was released. That’s too bad because I really enjoyed it. It’s not a musical wonder by any stretch as I’m guessing there wasn’t much rehearsal BUT that’s what makes projects like this so great. The unpolished sound gives the tracks more meaning and you can really get a feel for what was a fantastic performance. Strangely the crescendo track “Who Will Save The Children” had to actually be recorded in studio as the concert was rained out. These types of compilation albums are my favourites and it’s too bad CCM music didn’t have more of them.

Tracklist
1 – Randy Stonehill – Defender – 3:022
2 – Rick Cua – You Can’t Stand Too Tall – 4:07
3 – Margaret Becker – Sacred Fire – 7:06
4 – John Andrew Schreiner – Silent Night – 4:54
5 – Randy Stonehill – Christmas Must Be Tonight – 3:58
6 – Margaret Becker – Find Me – 3:31
7 – Joe English – Yield To The Spirit – 4:18
8 – Phil Keaggy & Randy Stonehill – Ain’t Got No – 3:35
9 – Randy Stonehill – Crossroads – 6:12
10 – Randy Stonehill – Rap – 5:11
11 – Randy Stonehill & Phil Keaggy – Who Will Save The Children – 5:04

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Rick Cua
Co-producer [Production Assistance] – John Andrew Schreiner
Crew [Stage Assistance] – Bill Goings
Design [Cover Design] – Kugizaki Design, Inc.
Directed By [Musical Director] – Lynn Nichols
Drums, Percussion – Mike Mead
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Joe English
Engineer – Gary Heddon
Engineer [Additional] – Jim Kaiser
Engineer [Live Monitor Engineer] – Jody Nachtigal
Engineer [Live Sound Engineer] – Mike Nachtigal
Executive-Producer – Devlin Donaldson
Guitar, Vocals – Margaret Becker, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill
Keyboards, Vocals – John Andrew Schreiner
Photography By [Cover Photos] – Russ Harrington
Photography By [Inside Photos] – Keith Baum
Producer – Gary Heddon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Compassion International
Copyright © – Compassion International
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Published By – Stonehillian Music
Published By – Word Music, Inc.
Published By – Undone Tunes
Published By – Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.
Published By – MCA Music
Published By – His Eyes Music
Published By – John Andrew Schreiner Music
Published By – Medicine Hat Music
Published By – Norman J. Clayton Publishing Co.
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

The Steven Prince Band – You Can Fly – 1989

I don’t really know much about Steven Prince but I do know he was an artist is Australia. This year he re-released this 1989 album with new and improved audio. It is very sad that we didn’t get to hear more about these Australian artists in North America. For some reason the music industry chose not to share them with us. This actually continues to this day as there are several country stars in Australia that don’t get released in America. Anyway Steven re-released this album this year and it’s lucky for us because it deserved a chance to be listened to again. It is a little conceptual in places and is without a doubt has the closest track to Pink Floyd in “Forrest Fear”. Overall a fantastic album.

Tracklist
1 – Keep On Trying – 4:06
2 – Hurting Me – 5:03
3 – A Friend Beside You – 6:50
4 – Looking Out From Circles – 4:43
5 – Invader-Crusader – 4:18
6 – You Can Fly – 5:00
7 – Wintertime – 5:53
8 – Forest Fear – 5:59
9 – Lifetime – 7:12
10 – Old Timer – 4:39
11 – The Next Plateau – 3:58

Rich Mullins – Never Picture Perfect – 1989

This album marked Rich’s start to a more country sound. It opens with a beautiful A cappella where he is joined by Ashley Cleveland and Pam Tillis and is the highlight of the album to me. That said the CCM charts disagreed with me. The album had 3 top 10 CCM singles, “While The Nations Rage”, “Alrightokuhhuhamen”, and “My One Thing” with “While The Nations Rage” made it to number 1. It also had 2 other single that lingered around the middle of the charts, “First Family” and “Somewhere”. 5 singles on one album is pretty darn good but that said I’m neither here nor there on the album. It’s not bad, it’s not great. To me it just feels like it’s there. This is probably no fault of the album but instead just my personal taste. This album is where Christian music was headed at the time and if anything Rich was actually ahead of the trend.

Tracklist
1 – I Will Sing – 1:28
2 – Hope To Carry On – 2:35
3 – While The Nations Rage – 4:55
4 – First Family – 3:09
5 – Alrightokuhhuhamen – 4:15
6 – Higher Education And The Book Of Love – 4:53
7 – Bound To Come Some Trouble – 3:40
8 – The Love Of God – 2:52
9 – My One Thing – 3:49
10 – Somewhere – 4:36
11 – The Love Of God (Reprise) – 0:47

Credits
Rich Mullins – lead vocals, acoustic piano, hammered dulcimer
Reed Arvin – keyboards, Synclavier, string arrangements
Jerry McPherson – guitars, mandolin
Mark O’Connor – mandolin, fiddle
Tom Hemby – guitar solo
Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass
Danny O’Lannerghty – bass
Paul Leim – drums
Bill Sinclair – harmonica
Ed Calle – saxophone
Kris Wilkinson – string contractor
Ashley Cleveland – featured vocals
Pam Tillis – featured vocals
Richard Gibson – backing vocals
Donny Monk – backing vocals
Guy Penrod – backing vocals
Jon Sherberg – backing vocals
Gary Smith – backing vocals
Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals
Bonnie Keen – backing vocals
Marabeth Jordan – backing vocals
Marty McCall – backing vocals
Margaret Becker – backing vocals

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word Records Limited
Copyright © – Word Records Limited
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Copyright © – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Mixed At – Digital Recorders
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Big Dog Studio, Wichita, KS
Recorded At – The Pond
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Edward Grant, Inc.

Swirling Eddies – Outdoor Elvis – 1989

This is the second album from The Swirling Eddies which were just a new and improved version of Daniel Amos. I’m going to ruffle a few feathers today in that I don’t believe this is some super duper album. Everywhere on the internet people go on about what a wonderful album this was but I just don’t get it. Yes the album had some great tracks. The radio single “Driving In England” is a fantastic song as is “Mystery Babylon” and a few others. My complaint about the album is the silly songs. It detracts from the actual talent that is on the album. If you want to do a silly album then do a silly album but having both quality songs with silly songs just detracts from the whole album in my opinion. I don’t even find the silly songs funny but maybe I did when the album came out but I don’t remember it that way. So if you can struggle through the stupid tracks you have a great album here and it would have been one of my favorites but they ruined it for me.

Tracklist
1 – Outdoor Elvis – 4:07
2 – Driving In England – 3:33
3 – Urban Legends – 3:09
4 – Tiny Town – 3:22
5 – Attack Of The Pulpit Masters – 3:08
6 – Mystery Babylon – 2:31
7 – Arthur Fhardy’s Yodeling Party – 2:06
8 – Hell Oh – 3:24
9 – Blowing Smoke – 3:00
10 – Hide The Beer, The Pastor’s Here – 3:25
11 – Hold Back The Wind, Donna – 4:04
12 – Knee Jerk – 3:35
13 – Don’t Hate Yourself – 1:00
14 – All The Way To Heaven – 3:06
15 – Rubber Sky – 3:10
16 – CoCo The Talking Guitar – 0:52
17 – Yer’ Little Gawd – 3:21
18 – Billy Graham – 1:12
19 – Potential – 3:27
20 – Strange Days – 2:40
21 – Elimination (The Band That Won’t Go Away) – 3:16

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Jeb McSwaggert
Band [The Eddies], Bass, Trombone – Berger Roy Al
Band [The Eddies], Drums – Hort Elvison
Band [The Eddies], Guitar – Greg Flesch
Band [The Eddies], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain
Band [The Eddies], Guitar, Backing Vocals, Keyboards [Additional] – Gene Eugene
Band [The Eddies], Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Rob Watson
Band [The Eddies], Lead Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor
Design Concept [Cover Concept By] – Terry Taylor
Directed By [Horns] – Dan Michaels
Engineer [Engineered By] – Gene Eugene
Guest [Our Guests, The Little Eddies], Backing Vocals – Miracle Babe
Guest [Our Guests, The Little Eddies], Percussion – Ed McTaggart
Horns – The Horns O’Plenty
Photography By – David Dobson
Producer [Produced By] – Terry Taylor
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Alarma Records
Copyright © – Alarma Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Produced For – Quagmire/Billy Bong Productions
Recorded At – Mixing Lab A
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Mixed At – Mixing Lab B
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia
Published By – Broken Songs

Mercy Rule – Overruled – 1989

Michigan’s Mercy Rule started out as “AZ-IZ” but changed their name sometime in the mid 80’s. They had a track on the 1988 Underground Metal sampler which probably led top a record deal with R.E.X. Music. Strangely they also had a track appear on the 1990 Word UK sampler Metal Mission which was not their record company. Not unheard of but strange. This album was self produced by the band and unfortunately it shows. They have a very commercial metal sound and I can’t help but to think if a top rated producer had stepped in this would have been a much more popular album. I also believe there would have been more from the band but unfortunately this is the only offering from them. The guitar work really shines on this album and there is lots of great vocal harmonies. All in all a pretty darn good album and if you’re a metal head be sure to give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – You Lied To Me – 3:00
2 – Cecilia – 3:40
3 – Real Love – 3:30
4 – Lonely Heart – 3:40
5 – Don’t Cha Know – 4:10
6 – Black And White – 4:45
7 – Prodigal – 3:25
8 – If You Only Knew – 6:35
9 – There’s A Love – 3:20
10 – Stand Up On The Rock – 3:00

Credits
Artwork [Cover] – Jeff Spencer/Sudden Images
Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bruce Tordrup
Drums, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Rich Favazza
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – George Favazza
Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Aaron Byrnes
Photography By – Frank Leet
Producer, Arranged By – Mercy Rule
Producer, Engineer – Rick Young

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – R.E.X. Music
Copyright © – R.E.X. Music
Recorded At – Talent Live Recording Studios

Edin-Adahl – Big Talk – 1989

Edin-Ådahl finished out the 80’s with what might be their best album. Now to be clear I know it did not sell well but this is often blamed on distribution problems and not on the quality of the album. Unfortunately right around the time this album was released there were problems over at Refuge records. This album is a superb pop album that was the exact right sound for the time period. The lead tracks sets the feel for an album that is a solid pop effort. I will admit that I missed this one in the 80’s but I’m sure glad I got to hear it now. It feels as fresh and fun today as it did back then.

Tracklist
1 – Going Back – 3:50
2 – Missin’ You – 6:05
3 – Wider Than The Ocean – 4:04
4 – Man Of The Street – 3:56
5 – Big Talk – 3:50
6 – Mystical Moments – 5:25
7 – Write It On The Wall 3:25
8 – Utopia – 3:27
9 – Lonely Without You – 4:37

Credits
Frank Adahl – Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
Simon Ådahl – Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Bertil Edin – Songwriter, Keyboards, Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Lasse Edin – Keyboards, Vocals

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Refuge Records
Copyright © – Refuge Records
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution
Distributed By – Mainroads Music Group

Sacrament – Testimony Of Apocalypse – 1989

This was the first studio album from Philadelphia thrash metal band Sacrament. Their demo came out earlier in the year so I am guessing that after hearing the demo R.E.X. Music couldn’t sign them fast enough. Sacrament was one of the earlier Christian thrash bands and developed a large following. Apparently the lyrics are very good but personally I can’t understand them so I don’t know. The album has been reissued several times over the years by Retroactive Records which must be a testament to it’s lasting popularity.

Tracklist
1 – Testimony Of Apocalypse – 4:06
2 – Slave To Sin – 3:32
3 – Hellfire Denied – 3:04
4 – Repentance – 3:10
5 – Valley Of Dry Bones – 3:12
6 – Mortal Agony – 3:12
7 – Conquer Death – 3:10
8 – Absence Of Fear – 4:01
9 – The Risen – 3:58
10 – Blood Bath – 4:07

Credits
Bass – Erik Ney
Drums – Paul Graham
Engineer – Paul Krueger
Guitar – Brian Toy, Mike Didonato
Mixed By – Doug Mann, Paul Krueger
Producer – Doug Mann
Producer [Assistant Pre-producer] – Joe Daub, Kurt Bachman
Vocals – Mike Torone
Written-By – Brian Toy, Erik Ney, Mike Didonato, Mike Torone, Paul Graham

Arlen Salte – Here I Stand – 1989

This is the third album from Canadian artist Arlen Salte. Again it appears that it was only released in Canada which absolutely astonishes me as it should have had a worldwide release it’s that good. This is another great Rock Pop album with tons of good catch lines and riffs. I have to admit that I just don’t understand how Arlen wasn’t widely known for his work. I hear music here that could have easily charted in secular radio if secular radio wasn’t terrified of Christian music in the day. Unfortunately I am unable to find a credits list for this album other than it was produced by Roy Salmond who produced so many great Canadian acts. Arlen’s credits are usually a who’s who of Canadian Christian artists and I’m sure it was the same for this album.

Tracklist
1 – Love Won’t Walk Away – 4:07
2 – Make No Mistake – 3:45
3 – Here I Stand – 2:50
4 – Strength To Be Weak – 4:00
5 – Heaven Is My Home – 4:33
6 – God Loves – 3:49
7 – Someone’s Waiting – 3:46
8 – Doctor Of My Soul – 3:42
9 – I Know – 4:49
10 – Two Thousand Years – 6:21
11 – Touch Our Hearts – 4:09

Steve Apirana – Steve Apirana – 1989

Though this was Steve’s first solo album he wasn’t new to the music scene. He had been in the band Butler in the 70’s who had one album. They were the go to opening act for bands touring through New Zealand in the early 70’s. Steve played gospel music through the earl 80’s and went full time in 1987. In 1989 he released this album. It was not released outside of New Zealand which I’m not surprised at as I really don’t think it’s that good. That said his second album is fantastic and we’ll be uploading it soon. Anyway this album has a bit of a blues style that Steve would perfect on his next album. I don’t want to be too negative about this album however as it is relatively good and it’s great to hear something from a music market I didn’t even know existed.

Tracklist
1 – Something Beautiful – 4:38
2 – The Ant Song – 5:50
3 – Cross Over – 3:56
4 – Of All The Wonders – 1:09
5 – Living Sacrifice – 4:40
6 – Cast Your Cares – 7:14
7 – Ruth’s Song – 3:02
8 – David’s Theme – 3:22
9 – Psalm 61 – 6:08

Credits
Backing Vocals – Donna Tairakena, Graham Flaws, Jacobien Birch, Jenny Newbery, Kit Grenon
Bass – Graham Flaws
Drums – Wally Tairakena
Flute – Donna Tairakena
Guitar – Kit Grenon
Keyboards – Donna Tairakena, Stephen Bell-Booth
Lead Vocals – Ainsley Apirana
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Steve Apirana
Saxophone – Graham Wilkinson

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Tandem Studios
Mastered At – Marmalade Studios
Distributed By – Someone Up There Records

DeGarmo & Key – The Pledge – 1989

DeGarmo & Key are back with one of their most successful albums. When I say successful I am referring to radio play and sales numbers. Personally it’s not one of my favorites but I’m from the early 80’s crowd so of course I prefer their work from that era. That said I admit this is a pretty good album. D & K had album making down to a fine science at this point. In a 1989 interview with John Styll, Eddie DeGarmo said they “planned to place more emphasis (than before) in their ministry towards motivating young Christians and those in church to witness to people and win them to Christ, as well as motivating them to take a stand in situations that affect the public” and I think that’s where this album really shined. I have seen “Pledge” patches everywhere over the years and there are still places you can get one. As for the charts this album had 4 charting singles. “If God Is For Us” did the best at #3, “Hand In Hand” made it to a respectable #7, “I’m Accepted” to #15, and “Who Will” made it to #24. All in all a pretty successful album.

Tracklist
1 – Boycott Hell – 3:21
2 – Aliens And Strangers – 3:04
3 – I’m Accepted – 3:55
4 – Hand In Hand – 4:37
5 – The Pledge – 5:15
6 – Life In The New Age – 2:32
7 – Let’s Get Upset – 4:31
8 – Who Will – 3:20
9 – Right On Track – 4:30
10 – If God Is For Us (Who Can Be Against Us) – 3:30

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Jackson Design
Backing Vocals – Eddie DeGarmo, Steve Taylor, Tommy Cathey
Bass – Tommy Cathey
Choir – Christ Church, Nashville TN
Drums – Chuck Reynolds
Engineer, Mixed By – Billy Whittington
Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock
Guitar – Dana Key, Steve Taylor
Keyboards – Carl Marsh, Eddie DeGarmo
Lead Vocals – Dana Key
Management – Brock And Associates
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Carl Marsh
Photography By – Dave Hawkins
Producer, Engineer – Ron W. Griffin

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright (c) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.
Copyright (c) – DKB Music
Distributed By – Benson Music Group
Made By – Discovery Systems – 56D0600A
Recorded At – Ardent Studios
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Mixed At – The Castle Recording Studios
Mixed At – Masterfonics
Mixed At – Kiva Recording Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix