Tag: 1991

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.

Lanny Cordola – Electric Warrior Acoustic Saint – 1991

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 Daggs – Who Are You – 1991

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

Asight Unseen – Circus Of Shame – 1991

Here’s everything I know about this band. They were out of Garden Grove, California, and this is the first of 3 albums they released. That’s it, that’s all I got. So let’s talk about the album. This is a fantastic album. It was released on New Breed which was a sublabel of Frontline. It was produced by Chris Wimber (The Lifesavors) and mixed by Jeff Dykehouse. These two gentlemen nailed this album. The mix is perfect and final production dead on. This may actually be one of the best produced albums I have heard in the Christian genre. The tracks vary in sound from, well, everything. There’s hint of rockabilly, and grunge but mostly the album is straight up Rock & Roll. Guest appearing on the album is Chris Lizotte with some harmonica and background vocals. Also appearing is Rob Watson on keyboards. Strangely HM Magazine rates this album as #99 on their Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of all time. I agree this is a good album, even great, but #99 of all time? No sorry it’s simply not that good but it is very good. There are definitely a few tracks going into my regular rotation especially Jimi Jones Boogie which is actually a very well written song highlighting the difference between religion and following Christ.

Tracklist
1 – Road To Bonoa
2 – The Purging
3 – The Gimmick
4 – Feel Fire
5 – Psychic Babylon
6 – Back Door
7 – Circus Of Shame
8 – Jimi Jones Boogie
9 – Raucous
10 – Electric Angel Blues
11 – Screamin’ For Glory
12 – God’s Ways

Credits
Artwork By [Dove Logo] – Dan Newmire
Bass – John Oliveira
Bongos – Shawn Tubbs
Design – Bob Payne
Drums, Cymbal, Percussion [Gadgets] – Bert Sanchez
Guitar, Vocals – Mike Longridge
Guitar, Vocals [Yelling], Slide Guitar [Pick Slides], Words By – Derek Bell
Harmonica, Backing Vocals – Chris Lizotte
Keyboards – Rob Watson
Lead Vocals, Whistle, Words By – Jason Lohrke
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Jeff Dykehouse
Music By – ASight Unseen
Painting [Cover] – Trevor Lohrke
Producer, Engineer – Chris Wimber
Slide Guitar [Pick Slide] – Glen Schroder
Trombone [T-Bone] – Mike Johnson
Trumpet – Frank Lendejas
Vocals – Alexandria, GeeGee, Stacey Berardino

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Vineyard Ministries International
Copyright © – Vineyard Ministries International
Distributed By – Frontline Distribution
Recorded At – Vineyard Studios
Mixed At – Vineyard Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc

Ric Alba – Holes In The Floor Of Heaven – 1991

Ric Alba left the Altar Boys in late 1990 to go to school full-time and try to find some way to release this album. The story is a little strange here but here it is per Ric. He couldn’t find a label to release the album though he was under the impression that Frontline/Alarma would release it. I had my suspicions abut why this was until I looked into the timeline of the events of these couple years. He ended up self releasing it but Word records was happy to print and distribute it, I have no idea if he had approached them about releasing it. The whole affair seems rather strange and I guarantee we’re missing part of the story but I am not faulting anyone because I simply don’t have enough information. Anyway this album is full of fantastic people helping him out including Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty (The Choir), and Rob Watson (Daniel Amos). Even with these people the album has a feel exclusive to Ric. It has a new wave flair with very high quality lyrics and songwriting overall. I was actually quite surprised at the quality to be honest. My only complaint is that I think 1991 might have been a little bit late for this music style. One final comment about this album is that Ric claims he was excommunicated from the church in 1992 so he found himself unable to tour in support of the album. 1992 was a very different time for people in Ric’s circumstance so I certainly sympathize with him. Anyway this is a great album and of you ignored back in the day due to Ric’s personal choices you should really give it a listen now.

Tracklist
1 – Heaven (Prelude) – 1:18
2 – Edge Of A Hurricane – 4:10
3 – Hold My Hand – 3:40
4 – Laughter – 3:53
5 – Truly Helpless – 4:34
6 – Under Lock And Chain – 4:52
7 – Rain In Amsterdam – 3:00
8 – Pretty Blue Things – 3:48
9 – See You In Person – 4:04
10 – The Secret World – 3:32
11 – Holes In The Floor Of Heaven – 4:46
12 – In The Heart Of God – 3:32

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Derald Daugherty, Ric Alba, Steve Hindalong
Bass – Ric Alba
Co-producer – David Hackbarth
Drums – Steve Hindalong
Dulcimer – Derald Daugherty
Electric Guitar – Greg Flesch, Ric Alba
Engineer – Derald Daugherty
Executive Producer – Derald Daugherty
Keyboards – Ric Alba, Rob Watson
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – David Hackbarth
Percussion – Steve Hindalong
Photography – Everard Williams
Producer – Steve Hindalong
Recorded By – David Hackbarth
Twelve-String Guitar – Greg Flesch
Vocals – Ric Alba
Written-By – Ric Alba

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Neverland
Mixed At – Neverland
Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders
Mastered At – Future Disc
Copyright © – Never Say Never Songs

Rick Cua – Within Reach – 1991

We’ve noticed a bit of a resurgence in Ric Cua interest in our Facebook group so I thought it was time to listen to this one from 1991. I was surprised how much I liked this album. At this point Rick had been on the scene for 10 years but this album sounds like it has the effort of a first or second album. The album was produced by the Elefante brothers and as usual they nailed it on this album. Ric didn’t do that well on the CCM charts in his career but this album did quite well with 2 top 20’s. “Somewhere Tonight” made it to #12, and “Keeper Of My Soul” made it to #18. I have to say one thing I’ve always noticed about Ric’s albums. Even though Ric was a bass player he never influenced the mix to make the bass more of a lead instrument. I have often seen bands run by bass players and drummers try to influence the mix believing they are the lead instrument. No such silliness from Ric, he knew exactly where the Bass belonged. One last note but do you think “Diamond Girl” is begging for a Stryper cover?

Tracklist
1 – Message Of Love – 3:42
2 – Heaven Won’t Stop The Rain – 4:48
3 – Somewhere Tonight – 3:39
4 – Stand Your Ground – 4:18
5 – Fifteen – 4:07
6 – Power Of The Lord – 4:12
7 – Big Gun – 3:48
8 – Keeper Of My Soul – 3:23
9 – Do It – 4:37
10 – Diamond Girl – 3:57

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson
Backing Vocals – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Sara Tennison, Terry Stratton
Bass – Rick Cua
Design – B. Middleworth*
Drums – Mike Caputy
Engineer – John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons (2)
Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton, Richard Headen
Guitar – Dino Elefante, Glen Pierce*
Horns – Andy Martin, Scott Martin (6), Stan Martin, Wayne Bergeron
Keyboards – John Andrew Schreiner, John Elefante
Mixed By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Percussion – Alex Acuna*
Photography By – Mark Tucker (7)
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Saxophone – Greg Vail

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records, Inc.
Copyright © – Reunion Records, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Produced For – Pakaderm Productions
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Recorded At – Pakaderm West Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm West Studios
Designed At – Jackson Design
Pressed By – Denon Digital Industries