As I understand it this was Fighter’s first demo. 2 of the tracks got released on their first album, “Radio Man”, and “Face To Face”. “Leo” and “Irresponsible Evil” remained unreleased until 2019. In 2019 these four tracks were bonus material on a re-release of Fighters first album, The Waiting. Do not confuse this with the 2019 Girder Records release “The Fighter Demos” which is a collection of most of their demo work but not these 4 tracks.
Tracklist 1 – Radio Man – 4:38 2 – Leo – 3:15 3 – Face To Face – 5:27 4 – Irresponsible Evil – 3:24
Credits Bass – Jim Wolter Drums – Sean Murphy Guitar – Billy Heller Keyboards – Mark Pence Lead Vocals – Amy Wolter, Sean Murphy
I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I learned about this album. I remember the album from late 89 as it was all over secular radio. What I did not learn is that the Huff brothers (White Heart) were two of the driving forces behind it. Joining them was studio musician Alan Pasqua who had mainly worked secular projects but had a fair amount of CCM albums in his credits too. Also joining them was studio musician Mike Brignardello who mainly did CCM projects at the time. So apparently these guys came together and decided to do a secular project and this is it. This was the first project after the Huff brothers left White Heart but I don’t know if they left to do this project or if they left and then decided to do this project. This is a fantastic Hard Rock album and if you ever doubted Dann Huff’s guitar prowess this album should dispel that. The album had a big single, “I’ll See You in My Dreams” though the second single, “I’m a Believer”, was better but did not chart as well. I’d love to hear the story of how this album came about but I couldn’t find any reliable explanations on the internet. Anyway if you like your Rock Hard and or your Metal light this is definitely the album for you.
Tracklist 1 – I’m A Believer – 5:44 2 – Innocent Days – 5:16 3 – I Can’t Get Close Enough – 6:06 4 – I’ll See You In My Dreams – 4:46 5 – No Way Out – 4:03 6 – Shake Me Up – 4:16 7 – It Takes Two – 4:58 8 – Stranger To Me – 5:57 9 – Hold Back The Night – 4:11 10 – Love Welcome Home – 4:51 11 – The Big Pitch – 5:07
Credits Backing Vocals [Additional] – Lea Hart, Peter Howarth, Terry Thomas Bass, Vocals – Mike Brignardello Drums, Vocals – David Huff* Keyboards, Vocals – Alan Pasqua Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dann Huff Mastered By – Arnie Acosta Mixed By – Rafe McKenna (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11), Terry Thomas (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11) Mixed By [Assistant] – Jon Mallison (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11) Producer [Produced By] – Terry Thomas Recorded By – Rafe McKenna Recorded By [Assistant at Farmyard Recording Studio] – Derek Murphy Recorded By [Assistant at Master Rock Studios] – Helen Woodward Recorded By [Assistant at Ridge Farm Studios] – Paul Cuddeford
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&M Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – A&M Records, Inc. Recorded At – Ridge Farm Studios Recorded At – Farmyard Studios Recorded At – Master Rock Studios Mixed At – Livingston Studios Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios Manufactured By – Digital Audio Disc Corp. – DIDX-005359
Jon Gibson would score higher sales (Jesus Loves Ya) and radio success (Forever Friends) elsewhere, but his true artistic triumph came on this sweet little record, Body & Soul. Combining an obvious Beatles influence with his Stevie Wonder grooves helped Gibson create an utterly unique and never duplicated release. The album would also feature Gibsonsd most transparent, thoughtful and poignant songwriting. The soulful crooning and Gospel infused Church Anthems still remain, but there is a distinct musical quality, a fresher, more earthy appeal, that sets the record apart. It also remains the finest production work in Bill Baumgart’s career. The sub-three minute Beatle’s directed “Heart of Gold” kicks off the album with a great Abbey Road era sound to the opening strings followed by Bill Baumgart’s great piano that would prove to be the central instrumentation for the whole project. “In the Name of the Lord” follows and remains one of Gibson’s biggest radio hits despite many stations rejecting the song based on the term “good God” used in the chorus. But it is with the ballads that Gibson becomes most personal and intimate. Whether biographical or not, many of the slower songs capture a hurting and striving artist. Most notably is “Merry-Go-‘Round.” The sense of loss and repentance found in the words of a father seeking redemption are at times chilling. “God Will Find Ya” has Gibson with a psuedo-falsetto vocal that whines through a hypnotic melody that never pushes the groove. Possibly the strongest ballad is “Father, Father.” Another song of repentance builds and builds as it moves to a great vocal climax, more emotional than many other Gibson ballads. Two last songs of note are the great cover of Stevie Wonders “Have a Talk With God,” that features a cameo by Wonder on harmonica and the killer closer, Everyone Needs the Lord.” The later is Black Gospel masterpiece that Smokie Norful really needs to cover. Starting slow and building up both the passion and pace as it moves, the song would become a moderate hit and great live experience. With it Gibson continued to prove he was easily the most soulful artist in CCM at the time, and maybe ever. the only criticism is that it is clearly 3 minutes too short!
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Heart Of Gold – 3:02 2 – In The Name Of The Lord – 4:38 3 – Merry-Go-Round – 4:46 4 – God Will Find Ya – 4:36 5 – Father, Father – 3:52 6 – Have A Talk With God – 3:28 7 – Long Ago – 4:32 8 – Us Now – 3:07 9 – Everyone Needs The Lord – 3:56
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Backing Vocals – Belinda Stewart (tracks: 2,6), Beverly Williams (tracks: 2,6), Crystal Blake (tracks: 3), Francine Williams (tracks: 2,6), Jon Gibson, Lisa Russo Judd (tracks: 2,6) Choir – The Friendship Baptist Choir Co-producer – Jon Gibson Engineer – Bill Wolfer Engineer [Assistant] – Eric Kibbe, Jon Gibson Executive Producer – Brian K. Tong Guitar – Jon Gibson, Kit Charlton Harmonica – Stevie Wonder (tracks: 6) Keyboards, Drum Programming, Synthesizer [Bass Synth] – Bill Wolfer Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocals – Jon Gibson Keyboards, Programmed By – Paul Gottschalk Lead Vocals – Cubby Ingram (tracks: 8), Jon Gibson Mixed By – Bill Wolfer Percussion [African Drums], Cuica, Djembe – Vinx Photography By – Ken Kloster Producer – Bill Wolfer
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mixing Lab B Mixed At – 7th Street Sound
David & The Giants finished off the 80’s with what I think is their best album. If for no other reason than the title track. They turned David Huff loose with his guitar and probably came up with their best Rock song ever. The album was a “commercial” success with three singles. “Here’s My Heart” made it to #2, “Count On Me” to #24, and finally “Love Has A Place” made it to #12. It’s rare when I agree with the CCM charts but on this album I do, though their choices of singles doesn’t line up with mine. This album however did mark the departure of Keith Thibodeaux, long time drummer of the band (though he would return in 2007). Lance Huff (David’s Son) stepped in with drum duties for the subsequent tour and future albums. This album falls in the “should listen to” category in case you missed it in 89.
Tracklist 1 – R U Gonna Stand Up – 3:59 2 – I’ll Stay With You – 4:19 3 – Love Has A Place – 4:30 4 – Joy Up In The Sky – 3:40 5 – Evolution Is Pollution – 4:20 6 – Here’s My Heart – 4:08 7 – Everybody Got A Story – 3:52 8 – Living On High Hopes – 3:36 9 – Count On Me – 3:58 10 – Everybody Needs Love – 3:52 11 – He’ll Be There – 4:22
Credits Arranged By – Tommy Sims Backing Vocals – Kellye Huff (tracks: 9), Tim Pedigo Bass, Backing Vocals – Clayborn Huff Drums, Backing Vocals – Keith Thibodeaux Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Remix – David Huff Harmonica – Terry McMillan Keyboards, Programmed By, Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Rayborn Huff Mastered By – Hank Williams Percussion – Lance Huff Photography – Richard Gazowski Producer – David Huff Remix [Assistant Remix Engineers] – Terry Ostovich Remix [Assistant Remix Engineers], Arranged By – Scott Carter
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Giant Records Copyright (c) – Giant Records Published By – Huff, Huff And Huff Publishing Recorded At – Huff Recording Studios Recorded At – Sound Barrier Studio, Nashville Mastered At – Mastermix Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Scarlet Red started out as a secular band called Lust but upon the drummer becoming saved they actually broke up. The story goes that the entire band became saved but not together but instead each separately and then came back together and chose a new name that honoured the blood of Christ. This appears to be the only album, they released which is too bad because it’s a pretty good commercial metal album. Personally I always liked my hard rock/metal with a female lead so this band fits well with my taste. Like I said this is a very commercial metal band and wit the female lead vocals it’s an album that must have played well.
Tracklist 1 – You Live Fast – 4:48 2 – Cry Out – 2:47 3 – Never – 3:33 4 – Knock Down The Walls – 4:06 5 – Fight Fire – 2:47 6 – Don’t Dance With Danger – 3:21 7 – Lost And Found – 2:42 8 – Hold On To Love – 4:20 9 – Why – 3:37 10 – Break The Chains – 3:57
Credits Bass – Jeff Warner Cover – Jim Null Drums – Davy Ledford Guitar – Curtis Lee Photography By – Dennis Carney Producer – Armand John Petri Vocals – Danis
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal Copyright (c) – Pure Metal Distributed By – Mainroads Music Group
This was the first album from The Violet Burning. The band filled a gap in CCM music for alternative new wave performance music. Their style of music was not really anything new but the fact that they mixed in a bit of performance art did make them different. This album wasn’t all that well received but I think that might have had more to do with the style of the music than the quality as I think this is a sound that was still struggling to get a foot hold in the CCM market. That said their second album was very well received and is consistently ranked in the top 100 CCM albums of all time. At this time in my personal life this is exactly the style of music I was listening to in the secular market so I thought I would really enjoy this album. Unfortunately I felt this album was just trying a little too hard. It just didn’t feel like a natural performance. That said the quality of musicianship is very high but the vocals are average for this style. All in all a pretty good album but really it was their next album that knocked it out of the park.
Tracklist 1 – There Is Nowhere Else – 4:30 2 – If You Let Me – 3:41 3 – I Will Always Stand By You – 4:31 4 – Rise Like The Lion – 4:37 5 – Love Is The Loaded Gun – 4:47 6 – The Killing – 6:47 7 – The Last Ones – 5:09 8 – Groove Baby – White Soul – 3:16 9 – Violet – 3:56 10 – Sweet Mercy – 4:16 11 – Heart Wide Open – 4:01 12 – New Breed Children Rise – 3:15
Credits Arranged By – The Violets Backing Vocals [Additional Backing Voices] – Chris Lizotte, Gary Are Williams, Jaime Record, Lance Whitson, Leslie Dupré, Lorri Dupré, Michael Ann Arce, Nena, Sean Wimber Band [The Violet Burning], Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Kirt Gentry Band [The Violet Burning], Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Lonnie Tubbs Band [The Violet Burning], Vocals, Guitar [Guitars], Backing Vocals – Michael J. Pritzl Engineer [Engineered By] – Chris Wimber Guest [With], Bass Guitar [Additional Bass Guitars], Backing Vocals – Scott Tubbs Guest [With], Guitar [Additional Guitars], Backing Vocals – Glenn Pearce Guest [With], Guitar [Additional Guitars], Bass [Fretless Basses], Backing Vocals – Shawn Tubbs Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Jeff Dykehouse Musician [Additional Musicians], Guitar – Dave Koval Musician [Additional Musicians], Keyboards – Rob Watson Musician [Additional Musicians], Piano, Keyboards – Sue Costantini Photography By [Cover Photograph] – Vince Limongelli Photography By [Portraits] – Tracy Albrecht Producer [Produced By] – Chris Wimber, The Violets Songwriter [All Songs Written By] – Michael J. Pritzl (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 to 12)
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Vineyard Ministries International Copyright (c) – Vineyard Ministries International Distributed By – Frontline Music Group Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering Recorded At – Vineyard Studios Mixed At – Vineyard Studios
This is the 3rd solo album from Larry Howard. This album was between labels (Refuge & Forefront) so it’s a one record deal with Spark Music. Strangely this album was only released in Europe. I’m a little confused at this as Larry was well liked and popular in North America, but with record companies you never really understand what’s going on. Anyway here it is yet another great blues album from Larry. Blues was not well represented in CCM in the 80’s though in the 90’s Kaiser and Mansfield brought it to the forefront. Yes I understand there was lots of Christian blues songs but full fledged CCM Blues artists were a very thin crowd. This album has a more classic blues sound with overtures of Big Band. In places it has a musical Blues Brothers feel but the vocals are all Larry. This one didn’t make it to North America so if you haven’t heard it you should, it is a great album.
Tracklist 1 – Why I Sing The Blues – 2:46 2 – A New Heart – 5:16 3 – One Day At A Time – 3:46 4 – I Need To Know For Sure – 4:15 5 – Livin Example – 3:08 6 – Trouble No More – 2:10 7 – Into The Light – 5:03 8 – Overcomer – 4:09 9 – Holy Ground – 3:38 10 – Guess Who – 3:15 11 – Find Out For Yourself – 4:15 12 – Jesus Is Here – 4:34
Credits Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Tony Dorsey Backing Vocals – Barbara Ice, Charles Jones, Karen Barlow, Kim Welch, Sherri Nunmmally Bass Guitar – Slim Powell Design – Gransch Bakker Design Design Concept [Cover Concept], Artwork [Graphic Art] – Andy Anderson Drums – Clarence Roddie*, Rick Burnett, Willie Smith Piano [Acoustic Piano], Organ [B-3 Organ], Synthesizer, Producer, Recorded By, Remix [Re-Mix] – Paul Hornsby Synthesizer – Kenny Smith, Steve Sawyer Tenor Saxophone – David Klee Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Elbert Durham Trombone – Kelly Graves Trumpet – Jerry Mullins Vocals, Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Sitar, Producer, Remix [Re-Mix] – Larry Howard
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Spark Music Copyright (c) – Spark Music Distributed By – GMI Records Recorded At – Muscadine Studio
This album originates from a side of Christian music I never had much interest in. In fact I had no idea who this guy was until I noticed that this album won the Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Vocal Performance Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus in 1989. I was pleasantly surprised how much I actually enjoyed this album especially considering the soul sound is not usually in my listening list. While the album won a Grammy it wasn’t all that successful in the CCM market with only one single, “Let Brotherly Love Continue” which only made it to #27. Now to be clear I doubt I would have been even vaguely interested in this album in the 80’s but right now I kind of enjoyed it. Maybe this was something we were missing out on in the 80’s.
Tracklist 1 – Better Things For You – 3:48 2 – Let Brotherly Love Continue – 4:02 3 – When Love Shows – 3:34 4 – You Got A Choice To Make – 3:56 5 – Walk In The Light – 4:17 6 – One Of A Kind – 4:36 7 – No More I – 4:24 8 – America’s My Island – 3:08 9 – Chinatown – 4:20 10 – Just Fine – 2:15
Credits Art Direction – Terri Short Design – Bill Brunt Designs Engineer – Hal Sacks Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Bill Maxwell, Doug Rider, Mike Ross Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer – Bill Maxwell
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – A&M Records, Inc. Distributed By – A&M Records, Inc.
In the summer of 1988, the year I was married and would also move to Maryland to begin working for the Benson Company I attended the Christian Artists event known as Estes Park in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Somehow I ended up meeting and hanging out with a new artists who was in the midst of recording his debut project. He would perform during the week and I became an instant fan. Less than a year later David Mullen’s debut, “Revival” hit the stores and went beyond anything i had imagined from meeting and spending time with him. That amazing, razor edged and strained voice, the pounding rock and blues were only outdone by some amazing songwriting. Mullen would record only three albums but would win a shelf full of songwriting awards for his wife, Nicole C Mullen (aka Nicole on two Frontline released projects), as well as a who’s who list of CCM artists. When Nicole was an artist on Frontline David came with her to a Frontline sales conference and we played a game of softball. I played shortstop and robbed him of a sure double by stabbing a smoking line drive (that’s just a reminder to David in case he ever reads this). The title track rocks in a real Mellencamp, Americana fashion. His voice gravels through and killer hook in the chorus. “Sho’ Love You” keeps the same theme of true American rock with a phenomenal backing band. “Heaven’s to Betsy” takes the popular phrase and twists the meaning and turned it into a radio hit. The real centerpiece of the album is “Backstreet.” The Springsteenesque song builds from a quiet, nearly whispering introduction into a huge chorus that drives the point home both musically and lyrically. This is Mullen’s best vocal performance on this or any of his albums. the emotional ferocity that builds is the stuff spine tingling is made from. It is not just the voice but the attitude with which the voice derives. Empathetic and prophetic simultaneously where the words both exhort and condemn, mainly because they are to be believed. Later albums would no longer feature the same rock and passion, but for fans of Rick Elias, Carson Cole, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen this album was a sheer delight.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – Revival – 5:20 2 – Sho’ Love You – 3:56 3 – Heaven’s To Betsy – 4:34 4 – Backstreet – 4:56 5 – Somebody Say Amen – 3:29 6 – Fallen World – 4:48 7 – Still Here – 2:15 8 – Live So God Can Use You – 3:43 9 – The Blood – 4:46 10 – Hang My Head And Cry – 5:31
Credits A&R [A&R Direction] – Danny Kee, Mark Maxwell Art Direction, Design – Laura LiPuma Backing Vocals – Ashley Cleveland, Kim Fleming, Vicki Hampton Engineer [Assistant Engineers] – Barry Dixon, Carry Summers, Kevin Twit, Steve Bishir Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Jeff Balding Mixed By [Assisted By] – Ken Allardyce Musician [The Players], Bass – Tommy Sims (tracks: 1 to 5, 8, 10) Musician [The Players], Drums, Percussion – Chris McHugh (tracks: 1 to 5, 8, 10) Musician [The Players], Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Dobro – Gordon Kennedy (tracks: 1 to 5, 8, 10) Musician [The Players], Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Slide Guitar – Tom Hemby (tracks: 1 to 5, 8, 10) Overdubbed By [Overdubs Recorded By] – Bill Deaton, Brent King, Lee Groitzsch, Lynn Fuston, Ronnie Brookshire Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer [Produced By] – Chris McHugh, Mark Gersmehl Recorded By [Additional Tracks Recorded By] – Ronnie Brookshire Recorded By [Basic Tracks Recorded By] – Jeff Balding
Companies, etc. Record Company – Warner Communications Copyright (c) – Warner Bros. Records Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Bros. Records Inc. Manufactured By – WEA Manufacturing Recorded At – OmniSound Studios Recorded At – Digital Recorders Overdubbed At – Hummingbird Studio, Nashville, TN Overdubbed At – OmniSound Studios Mixed At – Bill Schnee Studios Mastered At – The Mastering Lab Published By – Word Music Published By – Kutable Music
It was 1989 and time for another Mylon LeFevre album. In the late 80’s Mylon was consistently putting an album out every year. His offering for 1989 was another successful album. It actually received a Grammy nomination for “Best Gospel Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus” but lost out to Daniel Winans. Having listened to both albums I believe Mylon’s was better but I wasn’t an academy voting member. The album spawned 3 singles with “Jesus, It’s You” making it to #1, “Movin’ On” to #12, and “Love Comes Down” to #22. While touring with Whiteheart in support of this album Mylon suffered a heart attack. Ironically the tour was called the Heart Attack tour, you can’t make up irony like that. It should be noted that he continued touring in the Philippines in 1990 against his doctor’s advice. Doctors stated that Mylon’s previous involvement with alcohol and drugs had a large role in his heart attack. As for the album I think it was toned down a bit from his previous release but still has some good Rock tracks on it.
Tracklist 1 – Big World – 5:11 2 – Love Comes Down – 3:12 3 – Falling In Love – 3:36 4 – Face To Face – 4:21 5 – Jesus, It’s You – 4:26 6 – Turn The Tables On Me – 4:02 7 – Remember The Future – 3:57 8 – Let Love Conquer – 4:15 9 – The Distance – 3:09 10 – Movin’ On – 4:21
Credits Art Direction – Mike McCarty, Toni Thigpen Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Bentley Coordinator [Ministry Coordinator & Booking] – Greg Menza Design, Illustration – Mike McCarty Electronic Drums [Digital Drums], Vocals – Ben Hewitt Engineer – Greg Archilla, Joe Hardy, Ricky Keller Engineer [Stage Sound Engineer] – Dave Wagner Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Trent Argante Keyboards, Vocals – Paul Joseph Lighting [Technician] – Darin Pope Lighting Director [And Lighting Designer] – Michael Murden Management [Road Manager], Engineer [House Sound Engineer] – Clay Spivey Mixed By – Joe Hardy Photography By – Jimmy Collins Producer – Joe Hardy, Mylon LeFevre Programmed By [Fairlight Programming] – Joe Hardy Stage Manager [And Rigging And Pyrotechnics] – “Punky” Higginbotham* Vocals, Guitar – Mylon LeFevre
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Copyright (c) – Star Song Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution Published By – Angel Band Music Published By – Jerome Olds Music Recorded At – Ardent Studios Recorded At – Southern Tracks Recorded At – Southern Living Studios Mastered At – Masterdisk Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
