This is a demo from a band that never did get signed but it appears most metal heads are very well aware of them. They were best known as a thrash metal band but this demo leans far more to just a straight up metal band and not commercial metal, real metal. The quality of the demo is not all that great but I think the mix was pretty good. The problem probably lays in the quality of cassette tape used. You can’t fault bands when this happened as they were paying out of pocket for these things. Anyway this is a strong metal demo and I can’s tell you why they never got record deal. Just another one of those mysteries of early 90’s CCM.
Tracklist 1 – Still I Wait – 4:01 2 – Rock Of Salvation – 4:05 3 – Without You – 4:37 4 – He Is The One – 3:45 5 – The Tempter – 3:28 6 – Right To Kill – 3:03 7 – King Of Broken Hearts – 4:25 8 – Night Of The Thief – 3:03
Credits Gena McClure – Vocals Steve Metzger – Guitars Shawn Cummings – Bass Ron McClure – Drums
This is Michael’s second album and at this point in his career he was still on secular label A&M. He actually was not that vocal about being a Christian until later but famed music critic (at the time record store employee) David Lowman figured it out. You need to read David’s story about Anderson either on our website or his “https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/” Anyway this is Michael’s second album and while I loved his first one I think I love this one even more. It just has that great commercial pop sound that we all heard on the radio. Often I get sick of that pop sound but when it’s done right I just love it and Michael does it right on this album. I think we can attribute part of that great sound to production by Michael Omartian. Point of trivia is that Rob Watson (Daniel Amos) contributed a guitar track to the song “True Love”
Tracklist 1 – True Love – 5:08 2 – Could You Ever Love Me Now – 4:51 3 – The Rose And The Fire – 4:46 4 – Heaven Help The Lonely – 5:35 5 – Heartbeat From Glory (Memorial Day) – 4:41 6 – Raymond Chandler Said – 5:20 7 – Slip Away – 3:55 8 – Flame In The Fire – 4:36 9 – In The Dark Tonight – 4:24 10 – Let It Rain – 6:53
Credits Art Direction – Chuck Beeson Backing Vocals – Jeff Rollings (tracks: 1 to 9), Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9), Toni Anderson (4) (tracks: 1 to 9) Band, Bass – Taras Prodaniuk (tracks: 1 to 9) Band, Blues Harp [Harp], Horns – Jimmy Z (tracks: 1 to 9) Band, Drums – Dave Raven* (tracks: 1 to 9) Band, Guitar – Don Kirkpatrick (tracks: 1 to 9), Randy Mitchell (tracks: 1 to 9) Band, Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Michael Anderson (5) (tracks: 1 to 9) Band, Keyboards, Percussion, Other [Lunch] – Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9) Choir [The Choir] – Alphinette Silas* (tracks: 1 to 9), Jeff Rollings (tracks: 1 to 9), Linda Tavani (tracks: 1 to 9), Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9), Steve Tavani* (tracks: 1 to 9), Toni Anderson (4) Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Janet Hinde (tracks: 1 to 9) Design – Rebecca Keeley Engineer [Assistant] – Kevin Becka (tracks: 1 to 9), Mick Higgins (tracks: 1 to 9) Mixed By [Remixed By] – Terry Christian (tracks: 10) Musician [Additional], Bass – “Memphis” Buck Silvertone* (tracks: 1 to 9) Musician [Additional], Guitar – Steve Lukather (tracks: 8,) Musician [Additional], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Dean Chamberlain Musician [Additional], Guitar, Other [Attitude (For Days)] – John Anderson (3) (tracks: 1 to 9) Musician [Additional], Keyboards – Rob Watson (tracks: 1) Musician [Additional], Soloist [Solo] – Michael Landau (tracks: 2) Musician [Players], Backing Vocals – Toni Anderson (4) (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Drums – Dave Raven* (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Guitar – Josh Sklair (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jeff Rollings (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Michael Anderson (5) (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Keyboards – Michael Omartian (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Percussion – Ian Wallace (tracks: 10) Musician [Players], Piano – Ian McLagan (tracks: 10) Photography By – Aaron Rapoport Producer – Michael Anderson (5) (tracks: 10), Michael Omartian (tracks: 1 to 9) Recorded By – Ernie Sheesley (tracks: 10) Recorded By, Mixed By – Terry Christian (tracks: 1 to 9)
I have to say that this is a bit of a confusing album. It has some country tracks, a rock tracks and some AOR tracks. Now normally this would doom an album as changing styles on an album is not good for sales normally. But in this case it just works. This is a great album and I just loved it. Even with the differing styles they are so well done that I don’t care. The album is well produced and the order of the tracks makes the transition from style to style enjoyable. The album had 4 CCM top 10 singles which must make it one of the best CCM albums historically. “Who Will Be Jesus” made it to #1, “The Great Exchange” #2, “Living In The Pages” #5, and “Elm Street” made it to #9. “Average Joe”, my favourite track, also sneaked into the top 40 at #38. Also “Who Will Be Jesus” won The Dove award for “Inspirational recorded song of the year”. Now that’s a successful album.
Tracklist 1 – Living In The Pages – 4:34 2 – Lay It On Down – 2:47 3 – Elm Street – 4:08 4 – Who Will Be Jesus – 3:51 5 – Average Joe – 4:07 6 – The Great Exchange – 3:51 7 – Wake The Dead – 3:05 8 – I Can’t Love Without You – 2:55 9 – Moment Of Truth – 4:47 10 – You Never Know – 3:16
Credits Bruce Carroll – Vocals Eddie Bayers – Drums Michael Black – Background Vocals Sam Bush – Mandolin, Background Vocals John Cowan – Bass, Background Vocals Eric Darken – Percussion, Tambourine Bela Fleck – Banjo Pat Flynn – Acoustic Guitar Kenny Greenberg – Guitars Buddy Greene – Harmonica Chris Harris – Background Vocals David Hungate – Bass Phil Keaggy – Electric Guitar Solo Brent King – Mixed Wayne Kirkpatrick – Background Vocals Bruce Koblish – String Arranger Paul Leim – Drums, Percussion Dwight Liles – Songwriter Phil Madeira – B-3 Organ Kenny Malone – Drums John Mays – Executive Producer Jerry McPherson – Guitars Duncan Mullins – Bass Phil Naish – Keyboards Nashville String Machine – Strings Mark O’Connor – Fiddle Don Potter – Guitars Chris Rodriguez – Background Vocals Brent Rowan – Guitars Bubba Smith – Producer
Reformation is the excellent sophomore studio album by Sydney band Surprise (previously known as Surprise Surprise), released by American record label, Refuge Records. The band was locally managed by David Smallbone who is the father of renowned CCM artist, Rebecca St. James. Out of all the 80s Australian bands I have reviewed so far, this is one of my favourite music finds. In preparing for this review I’ve listened to this album several times, and I still love it. The band’s music style is best described as ‘eclectic’ – ranging from rockabilly (‘Into The Light’), pop, rock, shock rock (‘Jack The Ripper?’), alternative, and even some hard rock/metal. What keeps things interesting is that the band has a male (Alexander MacDonald) and female vocalist (Lisa Parsons). The band are not as direct or in your face when it comes to sharing their Christian faith & worldview as other bands, and yet they share it in creative and sometimes witty/humorous ways. For example, in one of my favourite songs, ‘The Sixty-Six’, when referring to the canon of the Bible, the lyrics are: I know 66 reasons for all these feelings inside my head. I’ve seen 39 old ones full of bold ones and what You said. Be still and know I am God… I know that 27 speak of heaven, and that You bled.
Another great lyric is: No condemnation in the Him of Hymns, when life ends is when it all begins.
Another highlight are the guest vocals provided by In The Silence’s John Dickson on the track ‘Destroy all Monsters/Carnival Freakout/Onward’ (the ‘Onward’ part of the song is the band’s great remake of the classic hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’).
The 13th track which is a bonus song contains the lyric: I believe in the canon. I believe in three-in-one. I believe in the sixty-six, and the Virgin’s holy Son.
I’m looking forward to giving the band’s debut album, Fish!!!, on Refuge Records another listen.
Contributor – Frank Axel Rasenberger
Tracklist 1 – A-Z – 2:31 2 – Living Is Easy – 3:23 3 – Madder Than Me – 3:58 4 – Destroy All Monsters/Carnival Freakout/Onward – 3:35 5 – Into the Light – 2:32 6 – Jack the Ripper? – 2:29 7 – Slash’n’Burn – 2:41 8 – Voice Inside – 3:15 9 – Victim of Love – 1:50 10 – Look Inside Your Heart – 3:15 11 – The Sixty-Six – 2:15 12 – Come Back Today – 2:58 13 – I Believe (Bonus Track) – 3:03
Credits Backing Vocals – Allan Dowthwaite, David Welch, Malcolm Kiely Bass – Malcolm Kiely Drums – Allan Dowthwaite Engineer – Dave Simpfendorfer Guitar – Alexander MacDonald Keyboards – David Welch Mixed By – Jeff Todd Producer – Dave Simpfendorfer, Surprise Vocals – Alexander MacDonald, Lisa Parsons
Mark Heard started the 90’s by starting his own record company, Fingerprint Records, with Dan Russell and Chuck Long. This was the first album on the label and they started out with a bang. Mark invited several guests for this album and they included Jerry Chamberlain, Sam Phillips, and Michael Been. Many Heard fans believe this is his best album and personally I must concur. I can put this one on repeat. When Mark started recording for his own label he made sure people were getting their moneys worth with his album having 14 tracks. We would only get a few more albums from Mark before his untimely death and I’m glad we got this one.
Tracklist 1 – Rise From The Ruins – 3:02 2 – The Dry Bones Dance – 3:46 3 – House Of Broken Dreams – 4:11 4 – Our Restless Hearts – 3:42 5 – Nobody’s Looking – 3:26 6 – All She Wanted Was Love – 4:19 7 – Strong Hand Of Love – 3:03 8 – How Many Tears – 2:58 9 – Lonely Road – 4:12 10 – Waiting For A Reason – 3:30 11 – Everything Is Alright – 4:24 12 – Awake In The Nightime – 3:29 13 – Mercy Of The Flame – 4:58 14 – Fire – 7:13
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Accordion, Harmonica, Kalimba, Backing Vocals [Assorted] – Mark Heard Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain, Pam Dwinell, Sam Phillips, Sharon McCall Chapman Stick – Fergus Marsh Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Dan Russell Drums – David Birmingham Dulcimer [Hammered Dulcimer] – Doug Berch Engineer [Second Engineer] – Dan Reed, David Miner, Richard Tiegen Executive-Producer [Executive-At-Large] – Chuck Long Fiddle, Mandolin – Byron Berline Graphics [Graphic Art] – Tim Alderson, Tom Goosmann Mastered By – Dennis Bouch Other [Occasional Back-Seat Driving], Engineer [Second Engineer] – Tom Willett Other [Wagonmaster], Engineer [Second Engineer], Photography By – Joel Russell Producer – Mark Heard Soloist [Guitar Solo] – Michael Been Viola – Novi Novog
The Swoon started out as a group of four kids who played D&D together. Only one of them had any formal music training but this didn’t stop them from forming a band and playing in a church that was Pastored by one of their fathers. After a few demo’s, name changes, and new members the band played at Cornerstone in 1988. They actually cut a deal with Wonderland records but it never worked out. The band moved to California and recorded this album in Neverland studios. It was produced by Charlie Peacock though there seems to be some debate as to his level of involvement. After the record came out Refuge agreed to help with distribution. This however would be it for the band. It was already 1990 so I’m not surprised that this was their only album as it has a pretty strong 80s feel. Anyway it’s really really good and is one you should definitely give a listen to.
Tracklist Neverland 1 – Whose Hands Are These? – 4:17 2 – Sweet Ally – 4:38 3 – Gypsy Street Legacy – 4:09 4 – One Day The Passion – 3:45 5 – Speak Soft – 5:57 Ben Son Ben Son Beatrice 6 – I Cried Out – 5:22 7 – Let’s Talk About Love – 3:59 8 – Ben Son, Ben Son Beatrice – 5:13 9 – Square Dance Candle Light – 6:52 10 – Via Dolorosa – 2:35
Credits Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar – Troy Baartman Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Jeana Gillispie Bass Guitar – Daniel Thomas Composed By [Compositions] – Austin Dacey Drums – Emmett Dacey Engineer – Derri Daugherty Executive Producer – Charles Clark Executive Producer, Producer – Charlie Peacock Lead Vocals – Daniel Thomas Lyrics By – Daniel Thomas Mixed By, Engineer – Dave Hackbarth, Greg Sotebeer Music By – The Swoon Other [Guy Who Does Stuff] – Mark Derby Photography By [Cover Photo] – David Dobson Producer, Mixed By, Backing Vocals [Additional] – James Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Austin Dacey
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Refuge Records Distributed By – Spectra Distribution Distributed By – Mainroads Music Group
I completely missed the Newsboys era in CCM music so every time I post one of their albums it is the first time I have heard it. I really enjoyed this album when I listened to it. It has a solid sound and my only criticism is that it kind of switches from Pop to New Wave to Rock so it’s a little inconsistent but that’s a weak criticism because the album is well done. Strangely this album didn’t do very good. In fact it would be a few more albums before the band would become the powerhouse they are known as. I subconsciously considered Newboys the New Kids On The Block of CCM but that’s entirely not true. These guys had some talent and I would have really liked them back in the late 80’s early 90’s.
Tracklist 1 – Stand Up For Jesus – 3:47 2 – In The End – 3:14 3 – Simple Man – 3:43 4 – All I Can See – 4:51 5 – Ten Thousand Miles – 3:54 6 – Somethin’s Missing – 2:45 7 – Get Up For Love – 3:15 8 – Sea Of Love – 3:13 9 – Love You Tomorrow – 3:33 10 – Victory – 4:16
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Sonny Lallerstedt Bass – Sean Taylor Drums, Vocals – Peter Furler Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson, Jeff Moseley Guitar – Jonathan Geange Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Michael Gleason Lead Vocals – John James Mastered By – Denny Purcell Other [L.D., A.D., Koala Caller] – Steve Campbell Producer – Michael Gleason Recorded By – Sonny Lallerstedt Technician [Drum Tech] – David Perdikis Written-By – Newsboys
This is actually Brian’s 4th album. However his previous 3 were not picked up by a label and are almost impossible to find. This was his first of 2 albums with label Benson. Apparently Brian has an audio engineering and computer degree and was a pioneer of using MIDI’s in the Christian genre. I can’t really hear it in the album but that doesn’t mean much. The album is excellent. It’s a fun pop rock album and might just have been a little late for 1990. That said Brian was just warming up for his second album which was very successful. I quite enjoyed this album and there’s a few tracks that will be going into my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Love Keeps Hanging On – 4:05 2 – Daring 2 – B Different – 3:51 3 – His Name Is Jesus – 3:36 4 – He Knows – 4:06 5 – Tender Touch – 5:00 6 – I Surrender All – 5:34 7 – Spirit Of Elijah – 5:33 8 – Written On My Heart – 3:41 9 – Still Quiet Voice – 5:19
Credits Arranged By [Backing Vocals], Directed By [Backing Vocals] – Geoff Thurman Arranged By [Horns] – Fred Middlekauff, Geoff Thurman, Jamie Page Arranged By [Rhythm Tracks], Sequenced By – Paul Mills Art Direction, Design – Phillip Spencer Backing Vocals – Brian Becker, Geoff Thurman, Jamie Page, Kemper Crabb, Toni Becker Choir – Andre Cormier, Benita Woods, Cheryln Cormier, Cynthia Brigham, Greater Emmanuel Church Of God In Christ Choir, Kerry Banks, Myra Cormier, Ophelia Banks, Tangerla White, Valerie Heard Coordinator [Post-Production] – Alan Kawakami Cymbal [Overdubs], Effects – Brian Becker Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin – Jerry McPherson Engineer – Chuck Sugar Engineer [Assistant] – Paul Mills, Steve Dady Mastered By – Chuck Sugar, Hank Williams Percussion [Overdubs] – Jamie Page Photography By – Jim DeVault Producer – Jamie Page Sampler [Drums], Drum Programming – Paul Mills Saxophone, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone – Fred Middlekauff Vocals [Duet] – Toni Becker
Helen actually had a very successful music career in the late 60’s and 70’s. She worked as a session musician for several big acts and was actually in the musical “Hair”. Unfortunately her career faltered in the 80’s due to drug addiction. In the late 80’s she turned her life around and after becoming a Christian and started to reignite her music career. This is her first album and it is pretty darn good. It has a solid pop sound and feel. It was produced by John Bokowski who didn’t usually work with Christian labels but I’m guessing Helen and him knew each other previously. The album was very successful. It had 2 CCM charting singles, “There’s No Greater Love” made it to #8 and “Victory” to #17.
Tracklist 1 – Highly Recommended – 5:09 2 – There’s No Greater Love – 5:02 3 – Victory – 4:23 4 – Thank You Jesus – 6:00 5 – Hunger For Holiness – 5:50 6 – Lifting Up The Name Of Jesus – 4:44 7 – Can You Reach My Friend – 4:09 8 – Temporary Pain – 4:18 9 – Wounded Soldier – 5:19 10 – Fear Not My Child – 4:58
Credits Backing Vocals – Gertrude Bradley, Helen Baylor, Jackie Simley, Jeanette Williams, Pam Hutchinson, Sara Henningburg, Suandra “Pan” Alexander Bass – Freddie Washington, Weldon Gate Bass, Guitar – Jerry Williams Co-producer – Helen Baylor Drums – Ron Bruner Guitar – Charles Fearing, Tony Maiden Keyboards – John Bokowski Lead Vocals – Helen Baylor Producer – John Bokowski
Angie started out her professional career singing with the Continental Singers. She also appeared with Roby Duke and Tim Miner and her first album here was actually produced by Tim. The album was pretty successful and she did get a CCM single though it only got to #35 (Forever Mine). Personally I think the album is great. There are some mellow tracks I didn’t like so much but the upbeat stuff is great. It’s easily as good as anything Paula Abdul did. I say that because the style is similar to Paula. I’m looking forward to listening to her second album soon.
Tracklist 1 – Need Somebody – 4:00 2 – Wake Up – 4:11 3 – Whatchu Need – 3:31 4 – The Game – 4:39 5 – Today – 4:38 6 – Sunny Side – 4:34 7 – Reminders – 4:11 8 – Living Proof – 5:08 9 – With You – 4:07 10 – Forever Mine – 3:54
Credits Angie Alan – Songwriter, Vocals Loren Bieg – Choir Vocals Paul Boone – Choir Vocals Nicole Bruce – Choir Vocals Sharon Burton – Choir Vocals Kim Dexter – Background Vocals David Ebensberger – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Choir Vocals Barry Hogan – Choir Vocals Dennis Holt – Drums Ron Jones – Saxophone Mike McIntyre – Choir Vocals Tim Miner – Producer, Engineer, Mixed, Songwriter, Guitars, Keyboards, Drum Programming, Background Vocals Cindy Cruse Ratcliff – Songwriter, Background Vocals Barbara Ross – Choir Vocals Tommy Sims – Bass Mark Stitts – Engineer, Guitars Mike Stitts – Engineer, Programming, Background and Choir Vocals Robert Till – Choir Vocals Mike Wilson – Background and Choir Vocals Bernard Wright – Producer, Keyboards, Programming, Background and Choir Vocals
