You probably know John as the keyboardist for Petra or perhaps for his work with Joe English but this album shows he can stand alone. In fact I would argue that this album might even be better than his albums with Petra. This is a strong keyboard pop album which might have been just a little dated in 1990 but so was the while Christian music scene to be honest. Unfortunately this is all we would get from John as far as solo albums go except for a self release in the late 90’s. His latest work has him in on the CPR project in 2017 and he has been doing some production work. The title track on this one is going in my regular rotation for sure.
Tracklist 1 – Media Alert – 3:48 2 – Video Logic – 4:36 3 – The Whole World Is Crying Tonight – 4:20 4 – Stars In The Night – 4:33 5 – Time Will Tell – 5:09 6 – Radio – Ology – 4:07 7 – Decalogue – 3:45 8 – Can’t Break A Broken Heart – 4:52 9 – Ice Walls – 4:08 10 – Something Wonderful – 5:16
Credits Art Direction – Toni Thigpen Backing Vocals – Bill Strickler, Dan Keen, John Schlitt, Tina Keil Design – Tufts Design Studio Executive-Producer – Darrell A. Harris Guitar – Paul Brannon Mastered By – Ken Love Music By – Danny Kingen, Dwight Liles, John Lawry Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer [Lead Vocals], Recorded By, Mixed By, Drum Programming [Additional] – Bret Teegarden Producer, Arranged By, Producer [Lead Vocals], Arranged By [Background Vocals], Recorded By, Instruments, Drum Programming, Vocals, Backing Vocals – John Lawry Recorded By – Jeff Gallup Vocals – Stefanie Lawry Words By – Danny Kingen, Dwight Liles, John Lawry, Linda Lang, Mark Hauth
Unfortunately this is the final album for Mylon & Broken Heart. Mylon did put out one more album in 1992 but this was really the last show for them. Mylon was still recovering from his heart attack in 1989 but the band did tour in support of this album so it doesn’t look like it was a messy breakup. Instead it looks like they went out as friends. The band didn’t do much after this though guitarist David Payton did release an album in 1991 which I just got my hands on but have not listened to yet. As for this album it’s yet another excellent Rock & Roll album that we came to expect of them. In fact I think this album may have some of their best Rock tunes. If you only have time for one track I truly recommend “World Changer” which is a kicker Rock & Roll track.
Tracklist 1 – Crank It Up – 3:44 2 – Denomination Demolition – 3:18 3 – New Attitude – 3:53 4 – Letter From The Front – 4:51 5 – Give It Away – 4:27 6 – Shower The People – 4:03 7 – Dancing In The Light – 3:05 8 – Heaven – 4:06 9 – World Changer – 3:39 10 – Going Home – 4:41
Credits Art Direction, Design – Mike McCarty Backing Vocals – Michael Gleason Bass, Vocals – Kenneth Bentley Drum Programming – Scott Meeder Drums – Ben Hewitt Engineer – Jeff Brugger, Joe Neal, Kurt Bush, Larry Rust, Ricky Keller, Russ Fowler, Tag George Engineer, Guitar – Sonny Lallerstedt Engineer, Mixed By, Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Joe Hardy Guitar, Vocals – Scott Allen, Trent Argante Keyboards – Oliver Wells Keyboards, Programmed By – Cheryl Rogers Keyboards, Vocals – Marshall Pratt Mastered By – Doug Sax Percussion – John Hampton Photography By – Jimmy Collins Producer – Joe Hardy, Scott Allen Producer, Vocals – Mylon LeFevre Vocals [Rock Vocal Ululation And Terpsichore] – The Techless Abandon Men’s Chorus
This was Michael’s “crossover” album. Man I hate that term but unfortunately it is appropriate for this album as it actually had very solid mainstream success. The single “Place in This World” peaked at #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. What actually makes this even more impressive is that it did it on a Christian label. Often when a Christian artists had success on the mainstream charts it’s partially because a secular label co-released the album, but not this time, Michael earned the ranking fair and square. As for the album it’s probably some of his best work and while a little over produced it’s a solid album with several very good tracks. Personally I think the title track is the single but it would not have done as well on radio.
Tracklist 1 – Go West Young Man – 4:00 2 – Love Crusade – 4:23 3 – Place In This World – 4:01 4 – For You – 4:08 5 – How Long Will Be Too Long – 4:35 6 – Seed To Sow – 6:13 7 – Cross My Heart – 4:35 8 – Emily – 4:17 9 – Agnus Dei – 5:08 10 – 1990~ – 1:39
Credits A&R – Don Donahue, Richard Headen Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The African Children’s Choir] – Michael W. Smith Arranged By [Choral Arrangement For The American Boychoir] – Ronn Huff Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Chris McDonald Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – Ronn Huff Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, Deb Rhodes Artwork By [Styling] – Mary Jane Starke Choir [The African Children’s Choir] – “Moses” Benjamin Walusimbi, Alex Ndahura, Alpha Bugembe, Angelina Tushemereirwe, Barbara Kayaga, Bernett Kwesigomo, Edward Kizito, Eliphaz Isiko, Faruk Luyinda, Harriett Nalugo, Hope Namatovu, Isack Kalule, Israel Musoke, Jackie Nayiga, James Ndyanabo, Jane Babirye, Joseph Serwada, Josephine Nakato, Margaret Ndagire, Monika Muyodi, Niima Asiimwe, Rebecca Namuju, Sarah Nakayiza, Timothy Kabogere Choir [The American Boychoir] – Aaron Cassidy, Benjamin Eley, Cameron Kruger, Charles Evans, Christopher Korenjak, David Listenberger, Evan Burris, Evan Weber, Kenneth Votapka, Lance Wiliford, Mitch Beeler, Nathan Wadley, Richard Lee, Scott Couper Co-producer – Bryan Lenox Concertmaster, Contractor – Carl Gorodetzky Conductor [The African Children’s Choir Director] – Gertrude Kafeero Conductor [The American Boychoir] – James H. Litton Design – B. Middleworth Edited By – Nick Palladino Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Dave Murphy, Don Martin, Pasquale DelVillagio, Pat Hutchinson, Patrick Kelly Engineer [Engineered By] – Bill Deaton, Billy Whittington, Brent King, Bret Teegarden, Bryan Lenox Executive-Producer [Executive Producers] – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings Featuring – The African Children’s Choir, The American Boychoir, The Nashville String Machine Management [Exclusive Management And Direction] – Blanton \ Harrell, Inc. Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen Mixed By – Humberto Gatica Mixed By [Assisted By] – Alejandro Rodriguez, David Parker Other [MWS Personal Assistant] – Elizabeth Leighton Jones Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer [MWS Vocals Produced By] – Wayne Kirkpatrick Producer [Produced By] – Michael W. Smith Programmed By [Keyboard Programming] – Bryan Lenox, MWS, Mike Lawler, Tommy Sims, Trace Scarborough Recorded By [Strings] – Brett King Recorded By [The American Boychoir] – Rick Rowe Soloist – Nathan Wadley
Real World is Chris Butson, Vicki Powers, Nicole Barlow and Julie Thorpe. Contemporary music specialist/promoter Vic Campbell states: ‘Real World initially involved Chris Butson and her husband Phil writing and recording in their home studio at The Basin, on the outskirts of Melbourne (Australia).’ (On Being, October 1990, page 39) He describes the album as ‘1990’s music with intelligent lyrics.’ Chris’ husband Phil is a producer/engineer who has produced albums for Steve Grace, Rosanna’s Raiders and Shane Howard of mainstream band Goanna to name a few. The song lyrics are far from superficial and have a poetic feel to them. “It’s almost like when Jesus told His parables,” says Chris, “alluding to something where people had to think a bit further. We’re trying to say things in a pictorial sort of way.” Campbell states: “Several songs such as the title track and ‘Idolizing Lies’ were inspired by early chapters of Genesis. …Other tracks deal with tension in relationships between people and the Creator.” Chris says: “’Africa-Cruel Wall’ was written after seeing the film ‘Cry Freedom’.” This is the only track to feature real drums. The drummer on this track is none other than Peter Luscombe of mainstream Australian band The Black Sorrows. Campbell says: “The album sounds are so good that I can almost ignore the fact that only one song features real drums.”
Tracklist 1 – When God Spoke – 4:34 2 – Heart Beat – 4:46 3 – See You Everywhere – 3:42 4 – New Day – 3:33 5 – Angels Sing – 4:12 6 – Idolizing Lies – 4:01 7 – Blood In The Garden – 3:12 8 – White Fields – 4:28 9 – Some Girls – 3:37 10 – Africa – Cruel Walls – 4:43
Credits Backing Vocals – Phil Butson Design – Sudden Images Drums – Peter Luscombe (tracks: 10) Guitar – Phil Butson, Trevor Reading (tracks: 4) Illustration – Jeff Spencer Keyboards – Les Price (tracks: 2, 5), Phil Butson, Rohan Anderson (tracks: 4) Lead Vocals – Chris Butson Producer – Phil Butson
Companies, etc. Produced At – The Basin (2) – none Produced At – Sing Sing Studios – none Distributed By – Spectra Distribution, Inc. – none Distributed By – Mainroads Music Group – none Distributed By – DTS Records
This is Eric’s first album and he came into CCM with a bang. Well not really a bang but more of a keyboard entrance. This was my first exposure to him and I really like this album. That said me liking this album is not really a good thing. I love this album because of it’s mid 80’s sound but the problem is that the album came out in 1990. Personally i feel it was a few years late but in CCM that’s not really a big deal. This album has a real mid 80’s pop feel with overtures of Prince. Some reviewers say there’s a feel of Michael Jackson which I can see musically but not vocally. In fact Eric owns his vocals and as such I’m going to stop comparing him to other artists.
Tracklist 1 – Forever Love – 4:38 2 – Brother, Brother – 5:20 3 – Peaceful – 6:16 4 – We Are The Young – 6:05 5 – River’s Edge – 5:32 6 – Everyday People – 7:29 7 – Heaven On Earth – 5:04 8 – Friends In High Places – 4:29 9 – Ready And Willing – 3:44 10 – Above It All – 4:21
Credits Art Direction [Associate Art Director] – Roz Art Direction, Design, Artwork [Logo] – F2 Design Engineer – Paul Salveson, Ronnie Brookshire Engineer [Overdub Engineer] – Jon Carey Executive-Producer, Mixed By, Keyboards – Chris Christian Guitar – Jerry McPherson Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Paul Salveson, Ronnie Brookshire Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer, Mixed By, Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming], Backing Vocals – Eric Champion Production Manager [Production Coordinaton] – Michelle Hodges Saxophone – Mark Douthit Snare [Snare Fills] – John Hammond Voice [Lord’s Prayer On] – Michelle Hodges Voice [People Yelling And Screaming At Each Other On] – Michelle Hodges, Ronnie Brookshire, Tim Craft
Finland’s Q. Stone are back with their 2nd album or 3rd if you count their album with Larry Norman. It picks up where their debut left off. It’s a fantastic blues album and quite frankly other than Larry Howard no one touches these guys in the blues genre. The only change in line up was Max Tabell joining on keyboards. It does not appear this album was released outside of Europe and I’m completely mystified how these guys weren’t huge in North America. Oh well I long ago quit trying to figure out the record industry.
Tracklist 1 – Waiting For The Dawn – 4:43 2 – You Should Know – 3:49 3 – Shake The Tree – 4:01 4 – Walk In The Rain – 3:25 5 – Farewell Berlin – 3:43 6 – Freedom (Knocking On Your Door) – 2:47 7 – Rocking Chair – 3:56 8 – Western Paradise – 5:28 9 – Talking About Love – 5:02 10 – Air Pie – 4:49 11 – Get Up – 3:06 12 – Rusty Bells – 4:17 13 – Just Dust – 4:35 14 – One Moment – 5:25
Credits Arranged By [Horns] – Max Tabell Backing Vocals – Hessu Silvennoinen, Mikko Löytty, Sami Ruusukallio Bass – Mikko Löytty Design, Photography By – Stefan Bremer Drums – Sakari Löytty Engineer [Assistant] – Sakke Löytty, Timo Kuisma Guitar, Vocals – Heikki Silvennoinen Keyboards – Max Tabell Mixed By – Peter Iversen Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone [Solo] – Tom Timko Baritone Saxophone – Stephen MacKenzie Kupka Tenor Saxophone – Emilio Castillo Trumpet – Greg Adams, Lee Thornburg Percussion – Alex Acuña Producer – Hessu Silvennoinen, Sakke Löytty Recorded By [JJ-Studio] – Hessu Silvennoinen*, Juuso Nordlund, Sakke Löytty, Timo Kuisma Recorded By [Royal Music Studio] – Benny Lundin, Hessu Silvennoinen, Timo Kuisma Vocals – Mikko Kuustonen
This is the first album from Tourniquet who had just formed earlier in the year in Los Angeles. Intense records must have really seen something in the band as they got their first album out shortly after the band formed. The band consisted of Ted Kirkpatrick, Guy Ritter, and Gary Lenaire. Strangely studio musician Mark Lewis played several of the lead guitar tracks including solo’s. I find this a little odd as usually a band doesn’t run out and immediately hire someone to play lead guitar. Maybe this was something the label wanted and the band agreed to just to get published. Roger Martinez, of Vengeance Rising is given co-producer credit but according to Guy Ritter he had noting to do with the album which was actually produced by Bill Metoyer of Metal Blade Records’. The album is your usual thrash metal with perhaps better vocal tracks then most. HM Magazine described the album as “unlike anything else on the market at the time”. I have no idea what album they were listening to but there were other thrash albums out at this time and this one certainly didn’t stand out to me. Anyway of you’re a thrasher this is one for you.
Tracklist 1 – The Test For Leprosy – 4:39 2 – Ready Or Not – 3:31 3 – Ark Of Suffering – 4:16 4 – Tears Of Korah – 6:20 5 – The Threshing Floor – 4:13 6 – You Get What You Pray For – 3:23 7 – Swarming Spirits – 3:24 8 – Whitewashed Tomb – 4:22 9 – Somnambulism – 4:39 10 – Harlot Widow And The Virgin Bride – 7:46
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Artwork [Visual Performance Art] – Devino Bass – Gary Lenaire, Ted Kirkpatrick Bass [Additional] – Erik Jan James Design Concept [Logo Concept] – Jim Martin, Tourniquet Drums, Vocals – Ted Kirkpatrick Engineer [Assistant] – Eric Kibbe Engineer, Mixed By – Gordon Shumway Guitar [Additional] – Mark Lewis Guitar, Vocals – Gary Lenaire Illustration – Ken Taufer Layout – Joe Potter Other [Hair Styles] – Charmeine Ellison, Cherie Sunn, Lisa Meloeny Photography By – Jim Muth Producer – Roger Martinez, Tourniquet Vocals – Guy Ritter
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records Distributed By – Word (UK) Ltd. Published By – Broken Songs
This was the second solo album from Eddie DeGarmo. I remember listening to his first one which was OK but didn’t strike me as any special but this album is different. This is a great rock/pop album with some rhythm and blues overtones and it is much better than his first effort. As I dug through the credits I discovered some pretty big names. Larry Howard contributed on guitar, and Russ Taff and Mark Farner contributed some back up vocals. The title track is the standout track in my opinion and I think this may be the closest CCM track ever to a ZZ-Top sound and it isn’t just good because of the imitation, it’s because this is a great track. Definitely going into my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Fragile Heart – 4:15 2 – Can’t Stand Still – 4:09 3 – My Way Home – 3:58 4 – Phase II – 4:59 5 – There’s Something About That Name – 3:54 6 – Prayed For A Woman Like You – 4:45 7 – Make It Count – 4:17 8 – Profession Of Faith – 4:13 9 – Shoreline – 5:03 10 – Forgive Me For Doubting You – 4:06 11 – Beyond The Tears – 5:09
Credits Dan Brock – Executive Producer Commissioned – Background Vocals Eddie DeGarmo – Producer, Engineer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Vocals The Duncan Sisters – Background Vocals Michael English – Background Vocals Mark Farner – Vocals Gloria Gaither – Songwriter William Gaither – Songwriter, Piano Joy Gardner – Background Vocals Ron W. Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Mixed Chris Harris – Background Vocals Mark Heimermann – Background Vocals Larry Howard – Guitars Tom Laune – Additional Engineer, Mixed Dennis Lolorriere – Background Vocals Willy Lucius – Drums Carl Marsh – Orchestra Arrangements, Keyboards Rusty McFarland – Additional Engineer Jerry McPherson – Guitars Marty Paoletta – Saxophone Warren Pease – Bass Russ Taff – Vocals Michael Tait – Background Vocals Hank Williams – Mastered
This is the second album from Believer and in my opinion shows some real maturity in the band. Now normally I’m not too quick to praise a thrash album but this one is actually pretty good. I mean musically it’s very good and in fact I think I would really like it with normal vocals. BUT this is not what the band is so I will evaluate the album for what it is. I will say this is the first Thrash album I have ever listened to more than once, yea really, it’s that good. The band claims they recorded the whole album in 2 weeks which I find quite surprising as the production is very good. Oh well if your not a thrash kind of person hey try listening to “Like A Song”, it’s actually a pretty cool cover of U2.
Tracklist 1 – Sanity Obscure – 6:08 2 – Wisdom’s Call – 3:44 3 – Nonpoint – 5:14 4 – Idols Of Ignorance – 4:39 5 – Stop The Madness – 3:56 6 – Dies Irae (Day Of Wrath) – 5:41 7 – Dust To Dust – 5:02 8 – Like A Song – 3:27
Credits Art Direction – Jeff Spencer, Sudden Images Artwork [Cover Art By] – David DeVries Band – D. Baddorf, J. Daub, K. Bachman, W. Robertson Composed By [Dies Irae Band Section Composed By] – Kurt Bachman Composed By [Dies Irae Orchestration Composed By] – Scott Laird Concept By [Dies Irae Concept And General Chaotic Madness] – Doug Mann Crew [Crew Chief] – Eric “Cecil” Greenwalt Engineer [Engineered By] – Paul Krueger, Ted Hermanson Film Technician [Video Tech] – Robert Baddorf Management [Managed By] – PGM Management Management [Road Manager] – Deana Baddorf Photography [Photos By] – Tom Storm Producer [Produced By] – Doug Mann, Paul Krueger Soprano Vocals [Dies Irae Soprano] – Julianne Laird Hoge Written-By [All Songs Written By] – D. Baddorf, J. Daub, K. Bachman, W. Robertson
Formed in 1989 in San Diego, California Crystavox was quick into the studio to get this album out to us. Now keep in mind I’m not the biggest fan of Metal but this is an album I can listen to. Now it’s probably due to the commercial feel but this really is a good album and is probably one of my favourite metal albums. Of particular note is “It’s All Right (To Rock N’ Roll)”. There are so many bands that have done a song exactly along these lines but this is probably one of the best. It comes off as a real song and doesn’t have a cliché feel to it at all. It’s a great Rock & Roll track and made it right into my regular rotation. Given the quality of this album I can’t wait to hear their next one.
Tracklist 1 – Sacrifice – 3:49 2 – Power Games – 4:22 3 – Wear It Out – 2:41 4 – Turn It On – 4:15 5 – Home Again – 4:53 6 – All The Way – 4:07 7 – It’s All Right – 4:13 8 – All Around The World – 3:18 9 – Never Give In – 4:15 10 – Tough Boys – 4:27
Credits Bass Guitar – Leo Correla Drums – Fred Helm Keyboards – Loren Holmquist Lead Guitar – Tony Lopez Rhythm Guitar – Loren Holmquist Vocals – Adam Lee Kemp
