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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Dallas Holm, Tim Sheppard, and Phil Johnson first came together in 1981 and put out a self titled album. At the time they were all under contract to Greentree Records so there was no contractual issues to work out. They had to wait until 1989 to put out a second album as along the way they were under contract to different record companies and this can cause unsurmountable legal issues. In 1989 none of them were under a contract so they were able to record a follow up album. This is that album. I actually consider them to be a supergroup as they were 3 very top ranked vocalists. Now you normally wouldn’t apply the term supergroup when it comes to the worship genre but I think they deserve it. The album was fairly successful on the CCM charts with “Feel Every Heartbeat” making it to #3 and “Soldiers Again” just poking on to the charts at #40. If you’re a fan of worship oriented music don’t miss out on listening to this one, I’m guessing you’ll love it.
Tracklist 1 – Feel Every Heartbeat – 4:25 2 – Give Me This Water – 4:31 3 – Fighter – 3:13 4 – Standin’ There – 4:00 5 – Child In His Arms – 4:02 6 – Run For The Finish Line – 3:36 7 – City – 4:16 8 – Wisdom – 4:57 9 – I Can See Your House – 3:06 10 – Soldiers Again – 4:17
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Mark Baldwin Arranged By – Smitty Price Art Direction – Amy Linde, Terri Short Bass – Gary Lunn Cello – John Catchings Design – Ken Spradley Drums, Percussion – Dennis Holt Electric Guitar – Jerry McPhearson, Mark Baldwin Engineer [Additional] – JB, Smitty Price Engineer [Assistant] – John Harley, John Kunz, Michael Vasquez Keyboards – Reed Arvin, Smitty Price Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Neill Whitlock Producer – Neal Joseph Recorded By [Vocals] – Paul Mills Recorded By, Mixed By – JB Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Dallas Sound Lab Recorded At – Digital Recorders Recorded At – BDR Sound Mixed At – Dallas Sound Lab Mastered At – Mastermix
