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
in 1989 A rep from Benson Records attended several Truth concerts. He approached the 4 male members about a new 4 member vocal group/project. This album is the first of many albums from that group. To say it worked is an understatement as the first single, “Where There Is Faith”, went to #1 for eight weeks. The second single “He Will Be There For You” made it to #4, and the third single “Couldn’t We Stand” made it to #3. I think they could have put out more singles but they really rushed out a second album. This was the start of a very successful run of 11 albums for 4Him. As for the album it has an Imperials feel but maybe with a little better production quality. Has a nice AOR pop sound and feel.
Tracklist 1 – Couldn’t We Stand – 4:01 2 – Stay Forever – 4:06 3 – When I Need You Most – 3:56 4 – Do Right – 3:57 5 – He Will Be There For You – 4:38 6 – Where There Is Faith – 4:56 7 – Living Water, Bread Of Life – 3:54 8 – Life Goes On – 3:38 9 – When I Am Gone – 4:18
Credits David Angell – Strings Mark Baldwin – Rhythm Guitar George Binkley III – Strings Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer Jonathan David Brown – Producer, Mixed Paula Carpenter – Songwriter Andy Chrisman – Vocals Dave Clark – Songwriter David Davidson – Strings Paul Davis – Songwriter Dennis Dearing – Guitar Solos Donna Douglas – Songwriter Connie Ellisor – Strings Lynn Fuston – Engineer Randy Garmon – Assistant Engineer Jim Grosjean – Strings Mark Hammond – Drums Brian Hardin – Engineer Chris Harris – Producer Mark Harris – Songwriter, Vocals Mark Heimermann – Producer, Keyboards, Bass David Huntsinger – Keyboards Andy Ivey – Executive Producer Don Koch – Producer, Songwriter, Rhythm Arrangements, Keyboards Anthony Lamarchina – Strings Ken Love – Mastered Gary Lunn – Bass, Drum Programming Ted Madsen – Strings Marty Magehee – Vocals Carl Marsh – Arrangements, Keyboards David Martin – Songwriter Russell Mauldin – String Arrangements Jerry McPherson – Guitars Dennis Molchan – Strings David Murphy – Engineer Steve Pinkston – Engineer Billy Simon – Songwriter Pam Sixfin – Strings Billy Smiley – Songwriter Marvin Steinberg – Drums Kirk Sullivan – Vocals Mark Tanner – Strings Chris Teal – Strings Kristen Wilkinson – Strings
Well we have kind of an interesting album from Randy here. The first 7 tracks are all original new tracks and the second 7 are live acoustic cuts from Randy’s concerts. The intro track “Didn’t It Rain” sounds like Randy’s interpretation of the famous song of the same name by Sister Rosetta Tharpe to me. The track “Old Clothes” was co-written by David Edwards and you can definitely hear the David influence. Oddly “Giovanni Audiori” is given co-writing credits on “Faithful”. This is a pseudonym for Mark Heard who is also credited on the rest of the album using his real name. To round out the Solid Rock people Tom Howard also helped out on the album. The live tracks are acoustic tracks that Randy of course kills it on. His sense of humour really is second to none in the industry. I never got a chance to see Randy in concert and that’s something I strongly regret. The whole album is worth owning just to hear the 11 plus minute live version of “Shut De Do” which is an example of Randy’s comedic brilliance.
Tracklist 1 – Faithful – 3:24 2 – Didn’t It Rain – 6:11 3 – Born To Love – 4:27 4 – Breath Of God – 2:59 5 – The History In Your Eyes – 4:31 6 – Can Hell Burn Hot Enough 4:07 7 – Old Clothes – 4:03 8 – Keep Me Runnin’ – 5:49 9 – Turning Thirty – 4:39 10 – Ramada Inn – 4:00 11 – Shut De Do – 11:35 12 – Hymn – 4:33 13 – Good News – 8:00 14 – I’ll Remember You – 3:43
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Art Direction – Hipke, Inc. Art Direction [Associate Art Director] – Roz Roos Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain, Pam Dwinell, Randy Stonehill, Sharon McCall Bass – Bill Batstone, Mark Heard Bass [Acoustic] – David Miner Bass [Fretless] – Bill Batstone Drums – David Raven Electric Guitar – Mark Heard Engineer [Second Engineer] – Brian Soucy Executive-Producer – Ray Ware, Tom Willett Keyboards – Mark Heard Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Mark Heard Percussion – Brad Dutz Photography – David Roth Piano – Ken Medema (tracks: 7) Producer – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Recorded By – Mark Heard Strings, Arranged By – Tom Howard (tracks: 7) Synthesizer – Tom Howard (tracks: 1,4) Vocals – Randy Stonehill Written-By – Randy Stonehill (tracks: except 1, 7)
Seventh Seal is a Norway Metal band that actually started out as Revelation in 1985. They recorded a couple demo’s which lead to a contract with CNR records. The band hit the studio and started recording this album. Along the way it was discovered that there was another band on the label using the name Revelation so a name change was in order and they went with Seventh Seal. Now this is where this get a little odd. Apparently CNR records would not release the album and judging from the production quality it doesn’t look like they put any money into the album. I’m not saying the production is bad but it’s not record company funded good. That said I think I actually prefer the raw feel of the production, it really suits the band. So in the end the band released the album themselves but unfortunately all the drama took a toll on the band and they split before they were able to tour in support of the album.
Tracklist 1 – Messengers Of Love – 5:00 2 – Fantasy – 2:13 3 – Revelation – God Has The Power – 4:46 4 – Your Love – 6:00 5 – Free – 3:22 6 – Sparkling Diamond – 4:21 7 – The Seventh Seal – 1:28 8 – Visions Of Tomorrow – 4:22 9 – Born Again – 4:40 10 – Break Out – 4:39 11 – Eternal Love – 3:58 12 – The Calling – 4:41
Credits Art Direction – Aud Vikor, Dynamo Krohg, Marianne Thulin Backing Vocals – Trygve Hanssen Concept By [Cover Concept] – Jan Rustad Drums, Percussion – Trygve Hanssen Engineer – Jan Egil Lovbak Keyboards – Sjur Lundstein Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass – Geir Knutsen Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass [Fretted & Fretless Bass], Backing Vocals – Geir T. Ugland Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Mark Bjorvand Photography By – Fin Serck-Hanssen Remastered By [Digitally] – Rob Colwell Voice – Roger Avenstrup
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Loud Level Studio Published By – Frost Music
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
