Tag: 1992

Whitecross – High Gear – 1992

This is the 1992 offering from the band and was also the last album with Rex Carroll who left to form the band King James but would return in 2000 and the band stabilized. As for the band it continued it’s use of little known studio musicians. Remember at this point Whitecross was actually Scott Wenzel and Rex Carroll. I’m a little confused as to why this album was, well, ignored. The previous album won a Dove award as did the follow up album but this one got ignored. I find this odd because I think this is a better album than either their previous or follow up. That said this album was produced and mixed by Phil Bonanno who worked on my favourite 2 Rez band albums. Maybe it’s just me because I like his mix. One small mystery from Phil is why he combined track 4 & 5, the two tracks don’t fit together very well so I’m just left wondering, why Phil. But really who cares, that’s just me being “that guy”. The album is excellently mixed and produced and Phil deserves credit. To sum up this one should have attracted ears at Dove but for some reason didn’t.

Tracklist
1 – High Gear – 3:26
2 – Dancin’ in Heaven – 5:14
3 – In America – 3:45
4 – Overdrive – 2:01
5 – Without Your Love – 4:08
6 – Coming Home – 4:08
7 – My Love – 5:15
8 – I’m Askin’ You Today – 4:16
9 – Gonna Keep On – 4:02
10 – I Shout – 4:20
11 – Long Road to Walk – 6:23

Credits
Art Direction – Toni Thigpen
Backing Vocals – Amy Wolter, Dez Dickerson, Joe Petit, Michelle Thompson, Steve Watkins, Tony Velasquez
Bass – Bill Syniar
Cello – Kim Scholes
Design – Jeff Spencer
Drums – Mike Mead
Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson
Guitar, Vocals – Rex Carroll
Keyboards – Rick Wells
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Oboe, English Horn – Grover Schiltz
Photography – Paul Natkin
Producer, Mixed By – Phil Bonanno
Vocals – Scott Wenzel

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Jor-Dan Studios
Mixed At – Chicago Recording Company
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song
Mastered At – Mastermix

Refugee – Life Goes On – 1992

There is going to be a fair amount of educated guessing going on about this band because I can not find any information on this band. The band consisted of Shawn Shepherd Lead Vocals, Mike Albrecht Guitar, George Cline Bass, and Tom Albrecht Drums. This is the only album they ever released and I can’t see that it ever got some distribution so it’s little known. The album was recorded at Jess Redmon’s studio and produced by him. Jeff was the keyboard player for Alpha Centauri and contributed keyboards to this project. I’m sure there is more information on the CD booklet but unfortunately our scan of it is unreadable. The album is a great Hard Rock album and I loved it on my first listening. But the real star of this album is the cover. Now I know that’s really odd to say but here’s why. I have a stack of probably 1000 albums to go in this project so when I reach in it’s tough to find a great rock album. That said one look at this cover and I was pretty sure this was going to be a rock album and not worship music. So many rock albums end up with horrible covers that don’t attract my eye and they get missed. This album cover sold the band. So one of the stars of this album is actually Art Director RoseAnne Buerge. If this album had some proper distribution her artwork would have got it into many CD players in the day. Great work RoseAnne.

Tracklist
1 – Life Goes On – 4:23
2 – Open Your Heart – 4:24
3 – Slave To Emotion – 4:58
4 – Rescued – 5:08
5 – Ride The Wind – 4:02
6 – Big Bang – 5:20
7 – Calling – 3:48
8 – Surrender All – 5:03
9 – Johnny – 3:22
10 – Sometimes Love – 5:48
11 – Paradise – 4:03

Credits
Art Direction, Design – RoseAnne Buerge
Backing Vocals – Refugee
Bass – George Cline
Drums – Tom Albrecht
Guitar, Keyboards – Mike Albrecht
Photography – Peary Schroeder
Producer – Refugee
Producer, Engineer – Michael S. Wight
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By, Keyboards – Jess Redmon
Vocals – Shawn Shepherd

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Zephyr Records
Copyright © – Zephyr Records
Recorded At – Blue Zephyr Music
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-017481

Paul Janz – Trust – 1992

This was Paul’s last album. I’m a little confused by this album as his previous 3 albums were on A&M and were pretty successful all things considered. But this album was on Attic Record who weren’t a mall label but weren’t of the level to have an album from Janz. Furthermore the album was financed by FACTOR which is a Canadian public/private fund for emerging Canadian artists. Janz certainly didn’t fit this profile. The whole thing is really confusing. As for the album it’s all there. Great songwriting, great song and great musicians BUT the album i just missing something. It just doesn’t have the pop of his previous album. Paul produced it himself so maybe he jut wasn’t quite ready to move into that roll. Anyway this marked Paul’ departure from the music business. He went into teaching eventually becoming a Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology and Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at King’s College London. He has since retired from that position and I’m unable to find what he is doing today. He had a son who was up and coming in the music industry but unfortunately he passed away in 2016.

Tracklist
1 – Workin’ For My Baby – 4:08
2 – Calling My Personal Angel – 5:08
3 – King Pin Fool – 4:27
4 – Wind Me Up – 4:23
5 – Prince Of Pain King Of Fools – 4:20
6 – You’re Never Alone – 4:46
7 – Take Me Back (On The Docks) – 4:35
8 – Amazon Rain – 4:46
9 – Always – 4:29
10 – Get Arrested – 4:26
11 – Light A Candle In Your Heart – 3:27
12 – Praying – 3:52

Credits
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement By] – Larry Nickel
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Colin Janz, Dee Daniels, Joanni Taylor, Kelsey Janz, Pat Wright
Bass – Miles Hill
Design – Ralph Alfonso
Drums – Michael Root
Engineer [Technical Engineer] – Ashley Clarke
Guitar – Tim McKenzie
Management – Michael Godin Management Inc.
Mastered By – George Graves
Performer [Performance] – MEI Vocal Jazz
Photography By – Lincoln Clarkes
Producer, Vocals, Piano, Synthesizer, Drum Machine [Machine Drums] – Paul Janz
Recorded By, Mixed By – Patrick Glover
Saxophone – Tom Colclough
Vocals [Inspired Singing] – Pat Wright, The Total Experience Gospel Choir
Written-By – Elizabeth Janz, Paul Janz

Companies, etc.
Glass Mastered At – Cinram
Funded By – FACTOR
Distributed By – Attic Records Limited
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Attic Productions Limited, Paul Janz
Copyright © – Attic Productions Limited, Paul Janz
Licensed From – Attic Productions Limited, Paul Janz
Published By – All That Janz, East Broadway Music, Pondwater Music, Zoological Music, Irving Music Of Canada Ltd.
Recorded At – Mission Control Studio
Mixed At – Mission Control Studio
Mastered At – The Lacquer Channel

David & The Giants – Long Time Coming – 1992

This is the 1992 offering from the Huff family. There wasn’t any news with the band since their last album so let’s just discuss the album at hand. The opening track is a good Rock tune but not entirely representative of the album which takes a yacht rock turn pretty quick. That said “Dream On” has a hint of Bon Jovi and is without a question the best track on the album. I mean it’s not even close. I am a big fan of David & The Giants but this particular album didn’t really do much for me with the exception of “Dream On” which I think might be one of their best tracks ever.

Tracklist
1 – Love Won’t Leave You Alone – 4:26
2 – Live And Learn – 3:55
3 – Long Time Coming – 4:35
4 – Listen To Your Heart – 4:00
5 – Dream On – 5:29
6 – I’m Still Rockin’ – 6:04
7 – Do You Love Your Neighbor – 4:53
8 – No Matter How Long – 4:30
9 – No Shortcuts – 4:39
10 – Stumbling Block To A Stepping Stone – 5:04
11 – In My Father’s House – 4:01

Credits
Backing Vocals – Clayborn Huff, David W. Huff, Rayborn Huff
Bass Guitar – Clayborn Huff
Drums, Percussion – Lance Huff
Engineer – David W. Huff, Jeff Mingle, Rayborn Huff, Scott Carter
Guest, Backing Vocals – Beverly Freeman, Felicia Turner, Jalea Wade, James Bolton, Lloyd Bustard, Mellody Freeman, Phillip Clark, Sheletha Street, Tammy Perine, Tanglyn Bolton
Guest, Programmed By – Tommy Sims
Guitar, Lead Vocals – David W. Huff
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Performer – David & The Giants
Photography By – Harold Head
Producer – David W. Huff
Programmed By, Keyboards – Rayborn Huff
Remix – David W. Huff

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Giant Records
Copyright © – Giant Records
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution
Published By – Huff, Huff And Huff Publishing
Recorded At – Huff Recording Studios
Mastered At – Mastermix

Fighter – Bang The Drum – 1992

This is the second and final album from Fighter. The lineup stayed the same and the talent grew quite a bit. This was a group of guys and girl that worked really well together and quite frankly they are one of the hidden wonders of the industry. This album is a fantastic arena rock album and the production is dead on. The opening 3 tracks suck you right in so that you’ll listen to the rest of the album. My one slim criticism is that I would have liked some more vocals from Amy Wolter, maybe just one more track. Anyway this is a great arena rock albums and probably the best in the genre for the period.

Tracklist
1 – Time Out – 3:20
2 – Alone With You – 4:14
3 – Bang The Drum – 3:29
4 – When Will We Learn – 4:30
5 – Faithfully – 3:52
6 – Avalanche – 4:40
7 – Try – 4:29
8 – So Much To Learn – 3:54
9 – Without You – 4:44
10 – Your Hand – 3:31
11 – Where Can Love Be Found – 4:59

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Sean Murphy
Backing Vocals – Amy Wolter, Sean Murphy
Bass – Billy Heller, Jim Wolter
Drum Programming – Mark Pence
Drums – Sean Murphy
Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski
Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, P. Gavin Morkel
Guitar – Billy Heller
Keyboards – Mark Pence
Lead Vocals – Amy Wolter, Sean Murphy
Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Fighter

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

Vengeance Rising – Released Upon The Earth – 1992

This is the final album from Vengeance Rising and the last one I will be reviewing. I have listened to all 4 albums and I am done with it. Again the entire band turned over except for Roger Martinez. The album itself sounds just like the other ones and again I struggled to hear any of the lyrics so again I can not judge the lyrical quality of the album. Musically I do hear talent but I simply can’t stand this style of music. After this album Roger decided he was actually a satanist and then a few years later decided he was a atheist. I think we can face that he was struggling with some sort of mental illness. Martinez obtained the name of the band was planning on releasing a satanist then atheist album. Apparently he even successfully recorded an album called “Realms of Blasphemy”. Luckily it never made it out into the public. Sometime in the late 90’s Martinez began making death threats to individuals he claimed “stabbed him in the back” including his friend Steve Rowe of Mortification. Martinez passed away in 2025 and hopefully that will bring this whole mess to an end. All that aside if this is one you really enjoyed in the day we respect that and that is why we offer.

Tracklist
1 – Help Me – 6:17
2 – The Damnation Of Judas And The Salvation Of The Thief – 3:14
3 – Released Upon The Earth – 2:02
4 – Human Dark Potential – 4:15
5 – Instruments Of Death – 3:46
6 – Lest You Be Judged – 3:46
7 – Out Of Bounds – 3:27
8 – Bishop Of Souls – 5:24
9 – Tion – 2:59
10 – You Will Be Hated – 4:37

Credits
Backing Vocals – David Fuentes, David Portillo, David Vasquez, Gordon Martinez, Jimmy Brown*, Michael Kramer, Steve Rowe, Victor Macias
Bass – “Manic” Joe Monsorb’nik
Drums – Johnny Vasquez
Engineer – George Ochoa, Pat Woehl
Engineer [2nd] – Roger Milke, Thom Roy
Engineer [Drum Tracking] – Gil Morales
Lead Guitar – Jamie Mitchell
Mastered By – John Matousek
Mixed By – George Ochoa, Roger Martinez
Rhythm Guitar – Simon Dawg
Vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – The Mixing Lab
Recorded At – Micro Note Recording Studio
Mastered At – Soundworks West
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus

Michael Sweet – Demo – 1992

This was an early teaser release from Michael of 4 tracks from his future self titled album. These have completely different mixes/production than the album and I’ll be blunt…… these versions are better. Not just a little better but substantially better. I have no idea why these initial versions were rejected but it has just solidified my opinion that music industry people that make such decisions aren’t any better qualified to make those decisions than you and I. On the opening track “I Think You Hear Me Knockin'” is a single on the EP but on the album it’s just a good filler track. Anyway I’m glad I was encouraged to grab this one out of the stack for a listen. While I love Michael’s solo album I far prefer the tracks as they were produced here. The lesson for record companies that they will not listen to? Leave stuff alone, sometimes the best route of action is to just stop.

Tracklist
1 – I Think You Hear Me Knockin’ – 3:42
2 – All I Wanna Do Is Love You – 4:21
3 – Tomorrow, Tonight – 4:18
4 – Someday – 4:30

Credits
Written-By – Michael Sweet

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Sweet 2 C Music

Darrell Mansfield – Give Him Your Blues – 1992

This album from Darrell is actually a pretty important one. It usually gets lost in the shuffle of his many albums but this album would steer his direction for much of the rest of his career. The event was rather small but if you follow his next several albums the addition of Glenn Kaiser to this album is very important. It also helped shape Darrell sound on upcoming albums as he drifted away from traditional rock and concentrated on blues rock. He starts the album with “Never Been To The Seminary” at it sets the tone for the rest of the album both musically and lyrically. If you follow my writing you know I have a love for Darrell’s music and I have in the past counted him as a friend. One of the real standouts on this album for me was the drumming of Michael Fickling. This was his first album with Darrell and while he was a little known studio musician this album really displayed his skills. Unfortunately we lost Michael suddenly in March of 2018 at the age of 65. Listen for his work it really fits with Glenn’s guitar and Darrell’s harp. Oh and yes I know that track 7 is spelt wrong. Just as it was, so shall it be.

Tracklist
1 – Never Been To The Seminary – 4:22
2 – Beautiful City – 3:38
3 – Trimmed & Burnin’ – 2:28
4 – You Know It Ain’t Right – 3:39
5 – Ain’t No Need – 7:03
6 – God’s Radar – 3:45
7 – It Takes God To Built A Home – 3:18
8 – I Know Jesus Can – 4:15
9 – Swing Low – 4:17
10 – The Mission – 5:02
11 – Never Heard A Man – 4:16

Credits
Art Direction – Huurdeman, De Kemp
Backing Vocals – Darrell Mansfield
Bass – Matthew Chapman
Coordinator – Gerrit aan ‘t Goor
Design – Hotline
Drums – Michael Fickling
Guitar – Shawn Jones
Keyboards – Phil Kristianson
Lead Guitar [Additional] – Glenn Kaiser
Management [Booking Agent] – Crossbow Productions
Photography By – Florian Lem
Producer, Harmonica, Lead Vocals – Darrell Mansfield
Rhythm Guitar [Additional] – Glenn Kaiser
Technician – Heyke Noordhof

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – GMI Music Partners
Copyright © – GMI Music Partners
Recorded At – Studio Spitsbergen

Kurt Howell – Kurt Howell – 1992

I going to guess that no one recognizes the name Kurt Howell so come on and head down the rabbit hole with me. In the mid to late 80’s there was a collection of Christian artist working in the studios around Nashville. Kurt was often in that community and the studio musicians on this album are almost all from that community. So while this is a secular album it’s a great group of Christian artists. Kurt was better known to some as a member of Southern Pacific who were together from 1983 to 1991 and actually were pretty successful including an appearance with Emmylou Harris at Farm Aid 1985 though Kurt didn’t join the band until after that. Once that band split Kurt cut this one solo album. This however was not a country album, this is a pop rock album that had the magic hands of Michael Omartian in the production booth. Strangely the next chapter in Kurt’s career was another country band, Burnin’ Daylight. I have no idea how this album came about but I really like it. I don’t know what the official single was but I pick “Do The Rubber Neck”. It’s a great tune that I think would have done well on the radio. I’m willing to guess very few of you have heard this one but I think you should give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Let’s Run With It – 3:51
2 – We’ll Find The Way – 4:14
3 – Does Love Not Open Your Eyes – 4:41
4 – I’m Over You – 4:39
5 – Dedicating Everything To You – 4:44
6 – Do The Rubber Neck – 4:44
7 – Labor Of Love – 4:40
8 – Keep Telling My Heart – 4:32
9 – Cold As A Stone – 4:09
10 – Don’t Throw Love Away – 5:23

Credits
Backing Vocals – Joe Pizzulo, Robert White Johnson, Tommy Funderburk
Drums – Paul Leim
Electric Guitar – Chris Rodrigues, Michael Landau, Neal Schon, Steve Lukather
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Dean Parks
Horns – Daniel Higgins, David Boruff, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft
Keyboards – Phil Naish
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Michael Omartian
Producer – Michael Omartian
Vocals, Keyboards – Kurt Howell

One Bad Pig – Live: Blow The House Down – 1992

This album was recorded live at Cornerstone Festival, IL on July 6, 1991. This was in the ending day of OBP. They we’re out at this time supporting their “I Scream Sunday” album and this concert featured a few tracks from the album. Now I’m going to be honest here, I do not care for power punk. This style of music is just not for me. That said I had huge respect for the band because they took so much crap from the Christian community and even the industry for daring to do this style. They always took it with a smile and sent a message in their music. Even this concert they performed the protest the king song “Rock The Casbah.” A perfect choice for them. As for the album the tracks are well chosen and I think you’ll find most of your favourites. If I was to nitpick at the album is would again be the engineering. As I have said before a live mix and an album mix are two completely different things. At the time this was recorded it wasn’t so easy to produce one mix for the concert and a separate mix for the album. Yes it was possible but it wasn’t cheap from an equipment standpoint. The album definitely uses that live mix and you can tell because it falls a little flat on your home stereo. Anyway I still think it’s a great album and a must own for OBP fans.

Tracklist
1 – Prelude: Green Acres Theme – 1:30
2 – Take A Look At Yourself – 4:47
3 – Hey Punk – 1:39
4 – Smash The Guitar – 4:27
5 – I Scream Sunday – 3:25
6 – Red River – 5:10
7 – Judas Kiss – 2:57
8 – Cut Your Hair – 5:20
9 – Bowl Of Wrath – 2:53
10 – Isaiah 6 – 4:25
11 – Let’s Be Frank – 1:47
12 – Altar Ego – 2:22
13 – Swine Flew – 3:12
14 – Godarchy – 2:44
15 – Kosher – 3:50
16 – Ice Cream Sundae – 2:40
17 – Looney Tune – 1:40
18 – Rock The Casbah – 3:39
19 – Never Forget The Cross – 5:21

Credits
Art Direction – Roz
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Daniel Tucek
Crew [Stage Crew] – Aaron Baker, Chris Culver, Greg, Jamie Cervantes, Matt Williamson, Stephen Wagers
Design – John Flynn
Drums, Vocals – Phillip Owens
Engineer [Assistant] – Kathy Yore, Timothy R. Powell
Engineer [Audio Engineer] – Roger Heiss
Engineer [Live Sound Engineer] – Ed Bilach
Engineer [Monitor] – Greg Jaques
Executive-Producer – Mark Maxwell
Guitar, Vocals – Paul Q-Pek
Lead Vocals [Lead Screamer], Vocals – Carey “Kosher” Womack
Mastered By – Ken Love
Mixed By – Billy Smiley, Lee Groitzsch
Photography By – Mike Tabor
Producer – Billy Smiley
Recorded By – Metro Mobile Location Recording
Stage Manager – Dick Randall
Stage Manager [Stage Direction], Effects [Special Effects], Crew [Master Roadie] – Nelson West
Technician [Guitar] – Brian Wooten, Russell Smith, Sam Nunes, Steve Allen

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Record Company – Word (Uk) Ltd., Word Communications Ltd.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Cornerstone Festival
Recorded By – Metro Mobile Recording
Mixed At – Recording Arts
Mastered At – Mastermix
Designed At – f2design
Published By – Smiling Swine Music, Word Music, Place Of Refuge, Dawn Treader Music, Virgin Music, Inc., Nineden Ltd., Orion Music Publishing Inc., Next Decade Entertainment, Inc.
Glass Mastered At – Denon Digital Industries