Tag: 1991

Yr Alarm – Tân – 1991

This was the final studio album from the band though there would be tons more material released over the years since. This album was released in both English and Welsh but the two versions of the album were quite different other than the language. The mix between the two versions is different and there are tracks on both versions that are specific to that version. It’s no secret I’m a huge Alarm fan but this album never really grew on me but up until this week I had not heard the Welsh version. After hearing the Welsh version I wish that mix and song selection had been used for the English version. The Welsh version is just a much better version of this album. Alas this was all solved in 2000 when a new version of this album was released that included all the tracks from both albums in English and with mixes that leaned to the Welsh version. We will actually upload that rerelease version in the near future. The favourite and most disliked track is a cover of “Rockin’ In The Free World”. I really don’t like the song but I just loved the way they covered it. Mike Peters vocals are so powerful on this track it really should have been the single but for some reason the record label chose “Raw” which is one of the weakest tracks on the album in my opinion. The best track on the Welsh version is “Nadolig Llawen” (Happy Xmas (War Is Over)) which luckily was also released in English in the 2000 re-release. Apparently MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album “the result of the dreary business of fulfilling contractual obligations.” This is complete nonsense because they were under no contractual obligation to release a Welsh version and they actually recorded 15 tracks for these albums in two languages. There is no way a band does that for a “contractual obligation”. I can guarantee whoever wrote that wasn’t even aware the was a Welch version never mind listened to it.

Tracklist
1 – Y Ffordd (The Road) – 3:46
2 – Y Gwynt Sy’n Chwythu ‘Ngeiriau (The Wind Blows Away My Words) – 4:32
3 – Eiliadau Fel Hyn (Moments In Time) – 5:18
4 – Rocio Yn Ein Rhyddid (Rocking In The Free World) – 4:43
5 – Tân (Raw) – 4:33
6 – Dyfnach Na’r Dyfroedd (Hell Or High Water) – 3:48
7 – Tywys Fi Drwy’r Tywyllwch (Lead Me Through The Darkness) – 4:34
8 – Fel Mae’r Afon (Let The River Run Its Course) – 4:30
9 – Crynu Dan Fy Nhraed (Unsafe Building) – 4:38
10 – Nadolig Llawen (Happy Xmas (War Is Over)) – 3:40

Credits
Backing Vocals [Llais Cefndir] – Eddie MacDonald, Nigel Twist
Bass Guitar [Gitâr Fâs], Keyboards [Allweddellau] – Eddie MacDonald
Booking [U.D.A./ Byd – U.S.A./World] – Barbara Skydel, Frank Barsalona, Premier Talent
Booking [U.K./Ewrop – U.K./ Europe] – John Giddings, Solo-ITG
Drums [Drymiau], Percussion [Offerynnau Taro] – Nigel Twist
Engineer [Additional – Peiriannydd Ychwanegol] – Danny Griffith, Keith Andrew, Keith Hartley
Engineer [Assistant – Peiriannydd Cynorthwyol] – Ian McFarlane
Engineer [Peiriannydd] – Mark Phythian, Rob Storm
Engineer [The Welsh Version – Peiriannwyd Y Fersiwn Gymraeg] – Rob Storm
Harmonica – Dave Sharp, Mike Peters
Keyboards [Allweddellau Ychwanegol], Backing Vocals [Additional – Llais Cefndir Ychwanegol] – Rob Storm
Lead Guitar [Gitârau Blaen], Vocals [Llais] – Dave Sharp
Lead Vocals [Prif Llais], Acoustic Guitar [Gitâr Acwstig] – Mike Peters
Management [Administration – Gweinyddu] – Julie Peters
Photography By [Ffotograffiaeth] – Peter West
Producer [Cynhyrchydd] – Yr Alarm
Producer [The Welsh Version – Cynhyrchydd Y Fersiwn Gymraeg] – Mike Peters, Rob Storm, Tony Elliott

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sain (Recordiau) Cyf.
Copyright © – Sain (Recordiau) Cyf.
Engineered At – Storm Sound
Recorded At – Amazon Studios
Edited At – Stiwdio Sain
Printed By – Gwasg Dwyfor
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus

The Alarm – Raw – 1991

This was the final studio album from the band though there would be tons more material released over the years since. This album was released in both English and Welsh but the two versions of the album were quite different other than the language. The mix between the two versions is different and there are tracks on both versions that are specific to that version. It’s no secret I’m a huge Alarm fan but this album never really grew on me but up until this week I had not heard the Welsh version. After hearing the Welsh version I wish that mix and song selection had been used for the English version. The Welsh version is just a much better version of this album. Alas this was all solved in 2000 when a new version of this album was released that included all the tracks from both albums in English and with mixes that leaned to the Welsh version. We will actually upload that rerelease version in the near future. The favourite and most disliked track is a cover of “Rockin’ In The Free World”. I really don’t like the song but I just loved the way they covered it. Mike Peters vocals are so powerful on this track it really should have been the single but for some reason the record label chose “Raw” which is one of the weakest tracks on the album in my opinion. The best track on the Welsh version is “Nadolig Llawen” (Happy Xmas (War Is Over)) which luckily was also released in English in the 2000 re-release. Apparently MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album “the result of the dreary business of fulfilling contractual obligations.” This is complete nonsense because they were under no contractual obligation to release a Welsh version and they actually recorded 15 tracks for these albums in two languages. There is no way a band does that for a “contractual obligation”. I can guarantee whoever wrote that wasn’t even aware the was a Welch version never mind listened to it.

Tracklist
1 – Raw – 4:28
2 – Rockin’ In The Free World – 3:59
3 – God Save Somebody – 4:09
4 – Moments In Time – 5:42
5 – Hell Or High Water – 3:47
6 – Lead Me Through The Darkness – 4:34
7 – The Wind Blows Away My Words – 4:32
8 – Let The River Run Its Course – 3:53
9 – Save Your Crying – 4:38
10 – Wonderful World – 5:00

Credits
Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Producer – Eddie MacDonald
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Producer – Nigel Twist
Engineer – Mark Phythian
Engineer [Additional] – Danny Griffiths, Dave Buchanan, Keith Andrew, Keith Hartley
Engineer [Assistant] – Ian McFarlane
Engineer, Keyboards [Additional] – Rob Storm
Lead Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals, Producer – Dave Sharp
Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Producer – Mike Peters
Written-By – Dave Sharp, Eddie MacDonald, Mike Peters, Neil Young, Nigel Twist

Companies, etc.
Licensed From – I.R.S. Records

James Bolton And The Bolton Brothers – Under Control – 1991

This is one of just 2 albums from the Bolton family. Given the quality of this album I’m a little surprised at this. That said soul artists like this generally weren’t represented by mainstream Christian labels so I’m not overly surprised. David Huff had a relationship with the Bolton family obviously as he has recorded and produced albums for them. This album is everything that is right about Christian soul music and it’s too bad they never got a secular album deal on a soul label. Just a bit of trivia the Bolton family were from a family of 12 female and 8 male siblings. Now that’s a family. Their father was reverend Linwood Bolton Sr. and 5 of these sons actually entered the ministry themselves. Anyway if you like your music with some soul this is a must hear album.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPcTOx34g9XTKeBdx3fclpIP1s2y0yWfs

Tracklist
1 – He’s Coming Back – 4:39
2 – The World Can’t Do You No Harm – 4:58
3 – Just To Know Him Is To Love Him – 4:47
4 – The Well (Will Never Run Dry) – 3:50
5 – Love Has A Place – 5:08
6 – He’s Got It Under Control – 4:38
7 – He’ll Be There – 4:37
8 – Don’t Let The Devil – 4:40
9 – We Must Come Together – 5:46

Stephen Crumbächer – Take It In – 1991

This is the final album Stephen would release after a great string of fantastic albums. His career started out with a very strong pop sound and slowly whittled down to a much more mellow sound. Though the Crumbächer-Duke album went back to a pretty fun sound. I’ll be honest I didn’t really like Stephen’s direction as time came on but that’s a me thing. There was nothing wrong with his easy listening sounds in fact they were really well done. This album really reinforced that to me. I was quite surprised at how much I liked this album. Do you remember when you’d listen to an upbeat album and there would be a very well done slow track that kind of surprised you? This album is full of those well done slower tracks. I really really enjoyed this album even though it’s not my preferred style. Stephen nailed this one and retired with a winner.

Tracklist
1 – Almost Home – 4:01
2 – Take It In – 4:13
3 – Circle Of My Heart – 3:44
4 – Over Me – 3:05
5 – Autumn Life – 4:16
6 – It Takes Love – 4:16
7 – The Breaks – 3:01
8 – Dream Again – 3:42
9 – All The Time In The World – 3:38
10 – Jesus, You – 4:04

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Bob Somma
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Bill Baumgart, Tim Heintz
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bill Baumgart
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Bill Baumgart, Katy McCormick, Linda Elias, Rick Elias, Stephen Crumbächer
Bass – Glen Holmen
Coordinator [Production Assistant] – Beth Jahnsen
Design – Joe Potter
Drums – Doug Mathews
Electric Guitar, Lead Guitar – Glenn Pearce
Engineer – Bill Baumgart, Dave Jahnsen
Flute – Brandon Fields
Keyboards – Tim Heintz
Lead Guitar – Glenn Pearce
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen
Photography By – Wayne Armstrong
Producer – Bill Baumgart
Saxophone, Flute – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Stephen Crumbächer

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Produced For – Asylomar Productions
Recorded At – Mixing Lab A, Mixing Lab B
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A, Mixing Lab B
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Traxter – Rock ‘N Race – 1991

Traxter was formed in 1987 in Bakerfield CA. Now Bakersfield certainly wasn’t exactly known for the Metal scene but upon studying this band I found out that there was actually a pretty strong Christian metal scene in the community. Traxter played heavily in the area and saved up their money to record this album. It has a glam rock feel and is actually pretty good. It was mixed but not produced by Bill Baumgart and the mix is pretty good. I wish Bill had produced it because this is an album that needed to be heard. My only criticism of the album is that the guitars should have been brightened and the keyboards turned down a notch. The Christian market struggled with Metal bands that relied on keyboards unlike the secular market that loved it. Anyway that aside this is a great album that I quite enjoyed even if it’s not my preferred style. This was the only album the band put out in the day but they did get back together in 2024 to finish up an album that had been stalled back in the 90’s. That album was finally released in 2026 as well as a re-release of their original album. Both are available on Roxx records website so if you like what you hear support the band and their record company by picking it up https://roxxrecords.com/

Tracklist
1 – Holy Rockin’ – 3:54
2 – Mr. Love – 7:19
3 – Turn and Face – 3:44
4 – Come to Open Arms – 7:36
5 – The Flight – 1:44
6 – J.S.N. – 4:54
7 – Honest Report – 4:54
8 – Evil Day – 4:23
9 – The Day – 6:19
10 – Traxter – 6:53

Credits
Bass – Bobby Del Ray
Drums – Darrin Lee Kirkindoll
Engineer – Mark Davis (41)
Executive-Producer – Barry Hinesley
Guitar – Leonard Bennett
Keyboards – Birch Caffee
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Terrance Steven Fisher
Mixed By – Bill Baumgart
Mixed By, Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Producer – Traxter

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – American Helix – E30880

Mark Farner – Some Kind Of Wonderful – 1991

This was Farner’s 3rd and final album with Frontline Records. In fact this would be his last album on a major label though he did continue getting his music out there on smaller labels/self releases. Interestingly he chose to cover his Grand Funk Railroad’s cover of “Some Kind Of Wonderful” which he rewrote as an evangelical song and it is pretty darn good. The rest of the album is an excellent selection of Rock & Roll tracks in the spirit of Grand Funk. While Mark didn’t have a regular band he did stick to the same studio musicians for his band and usually toured with them. So we have another great Rock & Roll album that is a must listen if straight up rock is your thing. Mark is another unappreciated artist of the period who could have easily made a fortune in the secular industry but chose to make almost nothing in the Christian market.

Tracklist
1 – Some Kind Of Wonderful – 4:46
2 – Love From Above – 4:10
3 – Without You – 4:50
4 – Not Yet – 4:43
5 – Attitude Of Gratitude – 3:41
6 – All The Way – 4:19
7 – With Me Anywhere – 4:13
8 – Conflict – 3:55
9 – The Vision – 4:18
10 – Well Done – 4:23

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bill Baumgart, Jean McClain, Lawrence Buckner, Mark Farner, Mike Maple
Bass – Lawrence Buckner
Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Beth Jahnsen
Drums – Mike Maple
Engineer – Bill Baumgart, Dave Jahnsen
Keyboards – Tim Heintz
Lead Guitar – Arnaldo Vilches, Glenn Pearce
Lead Vocals [Additional] – Lawrence Buckner
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen
Photography By – Wayne Armstrong
Producer – Bill Baumgart
Saxophone [Sax], Flute – Brandon Fields

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Record Company – Frontline Music Group
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Produced For – Asylomar Productions
Published By – Righteous Rock
Published By – Dandelion Music

Lloyd Bustard – Private Soul – 1991

I don’t really know too much about Bustard, but it appears he had been writing for David & The Giants for a few years in the late 80s. As this album was put out on their label I’m assuming David Huff was behind the project. All the musicians on the album are Huffs, and David produced the album. Other than that I can’t tell you much about Bustard. This is his only album of the era, though he did self-produce a couple albums in the 2000s. As for the album, it’s a pretty good pop album that leans a little more to the mellow side, but I really liked it. This is one of those albums that everyone probably missed, but it’s pretty good and deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – God Came Near – 4:31
2 – I Know The Feeling – 4:03
3 – When The Son Comes Down – 4:21
4 – You’re My Only Hope – 4:17
5 – Lose The Battle Win The War – 3:31
6 – Praise Is The Answer – 4:02
7 – Man After God’s Own Heart – 3:40
8 – Everything To Me – 3:47
9 – Amen Hallelujah – 3:51
10 – Praise Him Face To Face – 4:25

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Nate Sabin
Art Direction, Design – Scott Elia
Backing Vocals – David Huff, James Bolton, Kellye Huff, Lloyd Bustard, Tim Pedigo, Vicky Yohe
Bass Guitar – Clayborn Huff
Drums – Lance Huff
Engineer – David Huff, Rayborn Huff, Scott Carter
Guitar – David Huff
Keyboards – Nate Sabin, Rayborn Huff
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Musical Assistance – Scott Carter
Photography By – Harold Head
Producer – David Huff
Remix – David Huff
Saxophone – David Huff

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Mastermix
Recorded At – Huff Recording Studios
Published By – Huff, Huff And Huff Publishing
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-010834

The Walter Eugenes – The Walter Eugenes – 1991

The Walter Eugenes was Rick Eugene May and Walter Paul Robinette. The two of them came out of relative obscurity to record one of my favourite albums of 1991. I can’t really find much about where these guys came from so let’s talk about the album. It has a great 80’s pop sound with a bit of an alternative vibe. They brought in Mark Lee Townsend from Bash ‘n The Code for the guitar work and he really shines on this one. I’ll save the “where are they now” for the review of their next album which came out in 1995. Stay tuned.

Tracklist
1 – He Came – 5:40
2 – Say You Will – 5:47
3 – Thousand Tears – 5:05
4 – Never Changing Heart – 4:49
5 – Back To The Basics – 3:22
6 – Deep Blue Sea – 4:08
7 – Changes – 4:18
8 – Simply You – 4:50
9 – What’s Going On – 4:42

Credits
Backing Vocals – Brian Strittenburger
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Allen Willoughby, Jeff Walker
Bass – Allen Willoughby
Guitar – Mark Townsend
Layout – Siebert Design
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Paul Robinette
Mixed By – Chris Morris, Rex Bledsoe
Photography By – Michael Wilson
Producer – Rick May, Paul Robinette
Programmed By [Keyboards Programming], Drums, Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Musical Arrangements] – Rick May
Rhythm Guitar [Additional] – Brian Strittenburger, Ric Hordinski
Tracking By – Brian Strittenburger

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Mixed At – Paxton Studios
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Rome Recording Studios

Galactic Cowboys – Galactic Cowboys – 1991

Galactic Cowboys was a band of Christian a opposed to a Christian band. They were well liked in the Christian community but struggled initially to get mainstream recognition. Now let me give my opinion on why they weren’t successful despite some real talent. I just don’t think they got the leadership they needed. This album, their first, was produced by Sam Taylor who made a ton of mistakes. First of all he should have stopped the band from trying to release 10 minute songs. Not only did he not stop them he proceeded to have several tracks bleed together. This worked well in the LP era but this album came out in the early CD era in which this never worked very well. The songs become disjointed and just sound odd. Later on the band would realize Sam was not the producer they needed and parted ways at which point I think they started to have a little more success. Quite frankly the band was just taking themselves a little too seriously. If you wanted to be a conceptual niche band this works but they wanted mainstream success. They simply weren’t producing mainstream songs. That said with some proper production I think they really could have made it because the talent and song writing was there.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Not Amused – 6:21
2 – My School – 6:40
3 – Why Can’t You Believe In Me – 6:34
4 – Kaptain Krude – 6:08
5 – Someone For Everyone – 6:23
6 – Sea Of Tranquility – 7:38
7 – Kill Floor – 5:04
8 – Pump Up The Space Suit – 1:01
9 – Ranch On Mars Reprise – 2:16
10 – Speak To Me – 10:13

Credits
A&R [A&R Direction] – Gary Gersh
Art Direction – Robin Sloane
Bass, Vocals – Monty Colvin
Cello – Max Dyer
Design – Pat Dillon
Drums, Vocals, Clarinet [Attempted] – Alan Doss
Engineer, Recorded By – Steve Ames
Guitar, Vocals – Dane Sonnier
Illustration – James Mcdermott
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Photography By – Keith Carter
Producer – Sam ‘Houston’ Taylor
Typography [Lettering] – Awest
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica – Ben Huggins
Written-By – Doss, Huggins, Sonnier, Colvin

Companies, etc.
Record Company – The David Geffen Company
Manufactured By – Uni Distribution Corp.
Distributed By – Uni Distribution Corp.
Pressed By – Specialty Records Corporation
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The David Geffen Company
Copyright © – The David Geffen Company
Published By – Virgin Music, Inc.
Published By – Wilde Cowboy Music Co.
Recorded At – Rampart Studios
Mastered At – Masterdisk

Petra – Unseen Power – 1991

Petra was still going strong in 1991 with this their thirteenth studio album. They turned up the Rock and Roll sound on this one and this album has a far more Arena Rock sound than their previous work due in no small part to the production of the Elefante brothers. It is said that Bob Hartman was dragged to this sound by the Elefante brothers but apparently he was happy with the final sound. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1992 and the Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song “Destiny” in 1993. I would never have thought they could have won the Dove award but they did. While “Destiny” won the Dove award I actually prefer “Secret Weapon” which has a great arena rock sound which may have been a little late in 1991 but it’s a great rock anthem. Again Arena Rock is not my preferred genre but this is a great album and I still enjoy listening to it.

Tracklist
1 – Destiny – 4:31
2 – Who’s On The Lord’s Side – 3:53
3 – Ready, Willing And Able – 4:14
4 – Hand On My Heart – 4:26
5 – I Need To Hear From You – 4:04
6 – Dance – 3:45
7 – Secret Weapon – 4:01
8 – Sight Unseen – 3:57
9 – Hey World – 3:51
10 – In The Likeness Of You – 4:51

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Arranged By – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante, John Lawry
Art Direction – Ed Goble, Loren Balman, Patrick Pollei
Backing Vocals [Addtional Background Vocals] – Alfie Silas, Alfred McCrary, Doug Beiden, Howard McCrary, Jamie Rowe, Olivia McClurkin, Perry Morgan, Rob Rock, Ron Gollner, Rose Stone, Sara Tennison, Tony Palacios
Bass – Ronny Cates
Coordinator [Art Production Coordinator] – Amy Linde
Design – Michael Goldenberg, Patrick Pollei, Steve Fryer
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards – John Lawry
Management – Management-Moress-Nanas-Golden
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Niel Kernon
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely
Other [Hair] – Helena Occhipinti
Other [Make-Up] – Margaret Kimura
Other [Stylit] – Keiki Mingus
Photography By [Band And Individual Photography] – Jeff Katz
Photography By [Cover Concept Photography] – Neill Whitlock
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Vocals – John Schlitt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.