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.
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
This is Lanny’s first solo album after a pretty extensive time as an axe for hire. This is rather an odd album for the Christian genre in that it’s more centered on Lanny’s Jazz guitar skills with a conceptual feel. I’m actually quite surprised that Frontline took a chance with this style of album as I just can’t see the market for this album at the time. There is one more traditional “Song” on the album, “Shadows Over My Heart”, and it is fantastic. Other than that track this album really isn’t for me but I still enjoyed listening to it due to Lanny’s excellent guitar skills. The fact that it’s not for me however should mean nothing because if you like a hint of Jazz in your Rock & Roll you will definitely like this one.
Tracklist 1 – Intro (A New Beginning) – 1:19 2 – Behold This Dreamer Cometh – 1:28 3 – Angry Candy – 6:50 4 – Looney Tunes – 1:08 5 – Ish Kabibill – 0:16 6 – When Shiloh Comes – 3:26 7 – Birenbau – 0:19 8 – Farbage Valves – 1:22 9 – Mariage Of Figaro (Sort Of) – 5:46 10 – Slappy White – 2:28 11 – Zulu Jam – 0:43 12 – Shadows Over My Heart – 4:34 13 – Neesh Taps – 0:44 14 – Jalapeno Man – 1:58 15 – Django – 0:45 16 – Hungry Hallow – 2:25 17 – Plymouth Rock – 5:54 18 – Sadako – 1:59 19 – Jabberwocky (The Shadow Gang) – 5:28 20 – Vindaloo – 4:09 21 – Fripp – 0:40 22 – Summertime – 3:18 23 – Echo Boy – 5:11 24 – Groom Lake – 0:40 25 – All The Things You Are – 6:47 26 – Amazing Grace – 1:33
Credits Acoustic Bass – Brian Bromberg Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass – Brian Bromberg, Jeff Berlin Design – Joe Potter Drum – Aldstadt Brothers, John Stamos Nigerian Drum Corps. Drums – Ken Mary, Mahatma Duffy Guitar – Joe Diorio Mastered By – Brian Gardner Percussion – Scott Breadman Photography – David Dobson, Robert Mattheu Producer, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Mandolin, Sitar, Drum Machine – Lanny Cordola Recorded By, Engineer – Roger Mielke Recorded By, Engineer, Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen Sampler – Dave Jahnsen Sarangi – Ken Jara Scratches – D.J. Kaos Shaker, Talking Drum – Scott Breadman Tabla – Leonice Shinneman Timbales – Scott Breadman Vocals – James Christian Voice – Roger Mieke
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mixing Lab B Engineered At – Mixing Lab B Recorded At – Micro Note Recording Studio Engineered At – Micro Note Recording Studio Mixed At – Mixing Lab A Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering Glass Mastered At – Nimbus
Lisa had started her music career in Nashville working the studio circuit but did not get any album credits. She then started working with the Lowell Lundstrom ministry. In 1991 she self released this, her first album. I don’t know if the Lundstroms financed it and I don’t even know who is on it or produced it. In fact I know very little about it so it’s one we just have to listen to see what it’s like and it’s pretty good. The production is pretty good but it’s a pretty easy listening album so if you are Rock oriented this one probably isn’t for you. Lisa would go on to have a lengthy music career with several albums and appearances. She is still releasing music and you can check it out on her website. https://www.lisadaggs.net/
Tracklist 1 – Who Are You 2 – Your Love Stays With Me 3 – We Exalt You 4 – He Really Cares About You 5 – You’ve Never Given Up On Me 6 – Nobody Loves Me Like You 7 – Pickin’ Up The Pieces 8 – Rest In Me 9 – Purify Us Lord 10 – Until Day Four
