Sardonyx was formed in 1988 with the coming together of two metal bands. The original members were Tom Denlinger on Vocals, Rod Feltman Lead Guitars, Michael Anthony Drums, Tim Swarthout Lead Guitar, and Chuck Turner on Bass. In 1990 the guys came together at the home studio of Dave Kurtz of Thresher and would record this simple 4 song Demo. Shortly after the demo was recorded Tim Swarthout left the band and isn’t credited on the demo. The demo was very popular and while it led to recording offers they went on to forge their own path and release future albums privately. This demo is presented in full on both sides of the cassette which I always thought was a nice touch. Given the destructive qualities of playing a cassette these two sided versions would let you enjoy the music twice as long.
I’ll say honestly I’m a little confused how the Edin Adahl gang decided what albums were solo projects and what were group albums. This project includes Lars Edin obviously but also Frank Ådahl and Simon Ådahl and was produced by Bertil Edin. Anyway Lars was the lead on this project and wrote the music for seven of the tracks while Svenerid Dahl wrote the lyrics for those seven tracks. Simon Adahl wrote one track and strangely but pretty cool are two tracks written by Jeff Lynn as performed by ELO. I don’t really know too much about the project other than that but it’s a pretty good album. It has a bit of an early Edin-Ådahl feel and sound though it is produced better than those early projects.
Tracklist 1 – Summer and Lightning – 3:52 2 – Without Love – 2:54 3 – Right on Time – 3:44 4 – Cause I Need You – 3:46 5 – Unbounded Land – 4:02 6 – Bleeding Heart – 3:33 7 – Stepping Out – 3:27 8 – Confusion – 3:19 9 – I’m the One – 3:55 10 – Waste of Time – 2:58
Credits Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar – Simon Ådahl Arranged By – Lasse Edin, Tommy Kaså Backing Vocals – Frank Ådahl, Lasse Edin, Simon Ådahl Bass – Tomas Axelsson, Urban Hedin Design – Carl Åkesson Drum Programming – Frank Ådahl Drums – Johan Franzon Engineer – Bertil Edin Guitar, Lead Guitar – Tommy Kaså Keyboards – Frank Ådahl, Jörgen Ingeström Photography By – Magnus Elgquist Producer – Bertil Edin, Lasse Edin Steel Guitar – Per-Olof Larsson
Through the 80’s Charlie spent a lot of time in the studio cutting tracks that wouldn’t get released In 1989 Sparrow decided to release these tracks on series of 3 albums. While lots of artists have songs on the cutting room floor they are not this quality. This is not a bunch of B side junk. These are great tracks and this volume actually includes my favourite track from Charlie, “My Mind Played A Trick On Me”. These tracks were recorded in 86/87 and have that mid eighties sound and feel. This is a must listen to set of albums so start out here with volume 1.
Tracklist 1 – This Is How The Work Gets Done – 3:49 2 – Come On, Come On – 3:15 3 – Hot Night Downtown – 3:23 4 – One Thing – 4:25 5 – Tears Falling Down – 3:01 6 – The Last Hurrah – 3:42 7 – The Way Of Love – 3:45 8 – I Will Listen – 3:02 9 – Hiring A Worker – 3:49 10 – Big Man’s Hat – 4:22 11 – My Mind Played A Trick On Me – 4:40 12 – Only Love Will Hold Fast – 4:56 13 – Whole Lot Different – 7:13
Credits Bass Guitar – Daryl Anders Drum Programming – Bruce Spencer, Charlie Peacock Drums – Bruce Spencer Engineer [Overdubs] – Steve Griffith Guitar – Jimmy Abegg Layout – Wendy McFadden Mixed By – Charlie Peacock, Daryl Zachman Painting, Art Direction – Jimmy Abegg Performer – John Weber Photography By – Mark Tucker, Patrick Johnson Producer – Charlie Peacock Programmed By [Keyboards, Bass] – Charlie Peacock Recorded By – Charlie Peacock, Daryl Zachman, Steve Griffith Saxophone – Jon Skinner Vocals – Annie Stocking, Jan Eric, Jimmy Abegg, Mark Tootle, Vince Ebo Written-By – Bongo Bob Smith, Bruce Spencer, Charlie Peacock, Jimmy Abegg, John Weber
While many feel this was Petra’s best album personally I just think it was their more successful album but there are several I prefer. That said this album had the exact right sound for the time it was released and I do admit it is a great album. To say it was successful is an understatement. Here’s a list of it’s awards;
Won Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1991. Won Dove Award for Long Form Music Video in 1990. Won Dove Award for Rock Album in 1991. Won Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song (“Beyond Belief”) in 1991. Won Dove Award for Recorded Music Packaging in 1991.
That’s pretty darn good. Interestingly they also received a mini movie using several videos of tracks from the album. We have a copy and will likely release it on our videos channel. Anyway the album is probably one of the best produced albums in the CCM genre ever thanks to the Elefante brothers. I doubt you missed this one back in the day but if you did, give it a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Armed And Dangerous – 4:06 2 – I Am On The Rock – 4:34 3 – Creed – 4:35 4 – Beyond Belief – 5:02 5 – Love – 4:11 6 – Underground – 4:29 7 – Seen And Not Heard – 3:54 8 – Last Daze – 5:01 9 – What’s In A Name – 3:32 10 – Prayer – 4:14
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, Buddy Jackson Bass Guitar – Ronny Cates Design – B. Middleworth Drums – Louie Weaver Engineer – Mike Mireau Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons Keyboards – John Lawry Keyboards [Additional] – John Andrew Schreiner Lead Guitar, Arranged By – Bob Hartman Lead Vocals – John Schlitt Mastered By – Bob Ludwig Photography – Mark Tucker Producer, Engineer, Arranged By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
After 3 albums Reunion Records decided the time was right to release a live album but unfortunately I can’t find any information on where and when it was required. It’s a great collection of Michael’s most popular tracks and while this is not a genre of music I like I have to admit that I quite enjoyed this album. It’s a lot of fun and Michael is a great performer. It should be noted that Michael was in the process of earning a B.S. degree in Mass Media/Speech Communications from State University of New York at Brockport at the time of this tour. It should also say that Micheal said that God told him “to minister by faith and not charge a fee.” Thus, he only made $1,000-2,500 per concert. Nice to see that.
Tracklist 1 – Ad Lib – 4:11 2 – Rrrock It Right (Let’s Get Busy) – 4:45 3 – J-E-S-U-S – 4:04 4 – Vigilante Of The Rhyme – 4:30 5 – I’ll See You There – 3:30 6 – Solid Rock – 5:22 7 – That’s Right – 4:09 8 – He’s The Baddest – 4:40 9 – Livin’ On The Edge – 7:21 10 – (The New) Solid Rock Crew – 6:27 11 – On The Throne – 2:25 12 – Rock Your World – 4:06
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson Cover [Cover Coordination], Production Manager [Production Assistant] – D.L. Rhodes Design – B. Middleworth Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings Mastered By – Glenn Meadows Mixed By – Chuck Zwicky Photography By – Mark Tucker Producer [Production Assistant] – Tedd Tjornhom Producer, Arranged By – Dez Dickerson Programmed By – Tedd Tjornhom Recorded By – Alan Dusel Technician [Assistant Live Technician] – Ross Wullenweber
I really can’t find too much information on The Stand. This is their introductory album and it was the first release on Wonderland Records which was a short-lived sub-label of Word records. In places the album almost has an British Invasion sound from the early 80’s and yet in other spots has a resemblance to The Rembrandts. The album includes one of the best covers of Amazing Grace in the genre. Even though Mark Robertson was in this band he also put an album in the industrial band Under Midnight. As for the album I loved it. It is easily one of the best albums form this time period and will definitely go into my regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Heartbreak Town – 4:50 2 – Everyday – 4:36 3 – Every Dream – 4:25 4 – Reign Of Truth – 3:57 5 – Amazing Grace – 3:22 6 – Eyes Of Love – 3:45 7 – I’m Calling You – 4:19 8 – J146 – 5:55 9 – Heart’s Cry – 3:54 10 – Don’t Look Back – 4:34
Credits Backing Vocals – Caesar Kalinowski, Christopher Mosher, Dave Palmer, Leah Thomas, Mark Robertson, Michelle Thompson, Tony Valenziano Bass, Vocals – Mark Robertson Drums, Vocals [Additional] – Dan Holter Engineer [Second] – Christopher Mosher Keyboards, MIDI Controller – Christopher Mosher Lead Guitar – Paz Vega Lead Vocals, Guitar [6 String & 9 String], Acoustic Guitar, Drum [Tambo] – Tony Valenziano Mastered By – Eddie Schryer Producer – Mark Robertson, Tony Valenziano Producer, Executive-Producer, Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski
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
