This is the second and unfortunately last album from Ransom. The album leans a little more Rock and a little less Metal than their first release but it should satisfy fans of both genres. I’m more Rock oriented and I love this album. Lisa Faxon’s vocals shine again and are even better than their first release. Producer Lanny Cordola stepped in for this album and though he didn’t have many productions under his belt at this point he knocked it out of the park with this one. It is a very very well produced album. The last track is rather odd in that it’s a blues tune that doesn’t fit with the rest of the album BUT it features Oz Fox (Stryper) so it is a must listen. I’d love to hear the story of how that arrangement occurred. Anyway this is a great Rock album and deserves to be listened to.
Tracklist 1 – Soul Hymn – 4:29 2 – Exit (Euthanasia) – 4:35 3 – Windows Of My Heart – 4:22 4 – The Lies – 3:20 5 – Prayer Asylum – 4:37 6 – Only The Just Let Go – 4:12 7 – Not That Kind Of Girl – 4:19 8 – Watching Over Me – 4:42 9 – Higher Ground – 4:13 10 – Sister Blue – 4:16
Credits Art Direction – Ed McTaggart Bass – Michael Preciado Co-producer, Engineer – Mike Mierau Drums [Additional Musicians], Percussion [Additional Musicians] – Joe Calletta Guitar – Tony Ortiz Illustration [Original Illustration] – Kevin Short (2) Keyboards [Additional Musicians] – Roger Mielke Layout – Brian Godawa Mastered By – John Matousek Other [Hair And Make-Up] – Dawn Gill Photography – Wayne Armstrong Producer – Lanny Cordola Vocals – Lisa Faxon
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Mixing Lab A Recorded At – Mixing Lab B Mixed At – Front Page Recording Mastered At – Soundworks West
XT was a project / partnership between Leviticus guitarist Bjorn Stigsson and Motherlode vocalist Sonny Larsson. I was just introduced to Motherlode last week so when I read about their XT project I couldn’t wait to hear it. Larsson had contributed vocals to Stiggson’s solo project “Together With Friends” in 1987 and they must have meshed as they came back together years later after their respective bands shut down. While they were known for their Metal leaning work in the past this album with a little more hard rock with some keyboard influences. I think I preferred their work with their original bands there is nothing wrong with this album and it is well worth a listen. Stigsson and Larsson went on to release 2 more albums in the 90’s and got back together in 2017 & 2019 for two new albums. I’m looking forward to giving them a listen soon.
Tracklist 1 – Toccata – 0:36 2 – Looking For Love – 2:35 3 – The Rock Is My Life – 3:36 4 – All Your Love – 3:57 5 – Open Your Heart – 4:08 6 – I’m In Heaven – 2:53 7 – Theme Of Händel – 0:59 8 – Everything Is Possible – 3:13 9 – Call Your Name – 2:53 10 – Down The Street – 3:08 11 – White Knight – 3:37 12 – Standing For Jesus Christ – 4:03 13 – Voices In Heaven – 1:45
Credits Bass – Håkan Andersson Cover – Anders Bühlund Drums – Michael Ulfsgard Guitar, Keyboards, Arranged By, Programmed By, Producer – Björn Stigsson Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Producer – Sonny Larsson Mixed By – Magnus “MBee” Berggren* Mixed By, Engineer – Niklas Windahl Mixed By, Engineer, Bass – P-O Larsson Photography By – Torleif Svensson
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Viva Records AB Copyright (c) – Viva Records AB Made By – Zero Corporation Recorded At – Eagle One Studios Recorded At – Pol Music Studios Recorded At – Studio Box-Room
Justice were a Hard Rock/Metal band out of Australia. They actually recorded this album in 1990 but struggled to find a label to take it. It was finally released in 1992 by the band themselves I believe as I can’t find any information on the record label. There is very little information out there about the band. What I do know is that Soundmass re-released the album in 2020 along with a ton of bonus material. The bonus material however was new stuff recorded by 3 of the 4 original members. Most of those songs appear to be aimed at the secular market. As for the album itself it is a great Hard Rock album and the band are tight and good. If you missed this one in the 90’s, and you probably did, give it a listen now, I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.
Tracklist 1 – Disciple – 3:15 2 – Race For Victory – 4:47 3 – Way Back Home – 5:19 4 – Giving it All – 4:05 5 – Jesus Is the Rock – 3:09 6 – Counting Down – 3:43 7 – Blood of His Son – 3:18 8 – Betterway – 4:10 9 – Stand Up – 3:30 10 – Grace of God – 3:27
Credits Darren Grant – Guitars, Vocals (lead) Shayne Curtis – Bass Clem Sturgess – Guitars Marty Smith – Drums
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Alpha & Omega Distributors Distributed By – Brentwood Music, Inc. Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-012910
Brett Williams formed The Reach in 1984 and yo have to respect his dedication as the band didn’t get a record deal until 1992. In 1989 they had an independent release, “Under The Same Sky” using the band name The Reach. I haven’t had a chance to hear it yet but I’m looking forward to it. One of my compliments for the band is that even though they formed in the 80’s this is a purely 90’s album. It’s always great to see a band that even though they were unsigned they continued to evolve and move their music forward. David Zaffiro (Bloodgood) stepped in to produce the album and even played guitar on a few tracks. The album is very well produced and quite frankly is as good as anything that was being released in the secular market at the time. The album is a guitar oriented Pop album that is very easy to listen to and if you missed this one it’s worth a listen. The title track is good enough that it’s going in my personal regular rotation.
Tracklist 1 – Waterline – 4:33 2 – Faded Love – 3:58 3 – My Heart – 3:14 4 – The Other Fall Of Cambrai – 3:24 5 – God You Are – 4:00 6 – River – 4:08 7 – Giving Me Reasons – 3:33 8 – In The In Between – 3:32 9 – Manner Of Man – 3:05 10 – Not So Easy – 3:41
Credits Art Direction, Design – Dale Wéhlacz Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Marlene Cochran Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Scott Burell Creative Director – Tony Thigpen Drums – Vince Grant Engineer – David Dysart Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson Guitar – Charles Mesrole, David Zaffiro Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Brett Williams Keyboards – Mike Bell Mastered By – Denny Purcell Mixed By – Charles Mesrole, Chris Fuhrman, David Zaffiro Mixed By [Mix Assistent] – David Raneses, Eric Janko Photography – Karen Moskowitz Producer, Engineer – Charles Mesrole, David Zaffiro Sequenced By – Scott Weiss
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Copyright (c) – Star Song Recorded At – Triad Studios Overdubbed At – Extra Sensory Productions Mastered At – Georgetown Masters Mixed At – Klub Key’s
Ordained Fate is odd in that 3 or the 4 members are female. The three girls started out the band in the mid 80’s under the name Cryptic Axe in Zion, IL. They started out as a secular metal band and even recorded a demo. The band became Christians in the late 80’s and went into the studio in 1989 to record a demo as Ordained Fate. The demo did fairly well and they recorded a second one in 1990. They were subsequently signed to a one album contract with Wonderland which was a sub label of Word. The album was well received but not widely available unfortunately. Wonderland/Word didn’t bring the band back in for a second album. They did however do a self produced effort in 1995 but of course with no distribution it was not widely available. This album is refreshing as it’s nice to hear some fairly hard metal from a female band. While not my style I was really surprised at the high quality of this release and I’m a little surprised it didn’t do better. I am guessing that it may not have been well promoted as Word really shouldn’t have been meddling in the Metal market as they knew nothing about it.
Tracklist 1 – Let’s Make A Deal – 4:33 2 – Gethsemane – 6:13 3 – Holy Wars – 4:45 4 – Wonderful Love – 4:15 5 – Gold Cross – 4:33 6 – Tame The Tongue – 5:23 7 – The Election – 3:53 8 – One Of The Insane – 5:19 9 – No Death – 4:26
Credits Bass, Vocals – Marge Curtner Design [Sleeve Design], Photography By – Lark Drums, Vocals – Terry Cvengros Engineer [2nd Engineer], Keyboards – Christopher Mosher Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Peter Gavin Morkel Lead Guitar, Vocals – Anette Cvengros Lead Vocals, Guitar – Pam Scott Producer, Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski
Several months ago someone asked me if there were and “jam albums” in CCM. Off the top of my head I struggled to come up with any according to my friends definition. What was being sought after was a rock and roll album that wasn’t afraid to have the musicians take over a song for a while and letting each instrument have it’s share of the spotlight. Get Ready is such an album! The average song lasts longer then 5 minutes with a very simple blues verse chorus structure which leaves ample time for long instrumental jams featuring guitar and harmonica (Mansfield’s instrument of choice). Solos are loud and long and a heavy blues influence. The album was actually released on Polydor and had very limited Christian distribution when originally released. There was hope of Mansfield breaking into mainstream AOR radio but it never really happened despite relatively positive reviews. It may have had to do with the very evangelistic lyrics, something artists has never compromised on. The title track sounds like something from Dylan’s “Saved” album with a gospel choir accompanying the great guitar work. There are no ballads on the original 8 song release and only one song that could be categorized as “pop.” This would be the last album before Eric Turner would be added to the band n guitar. Turner’s heavier rock influence would be felt on future releases, but here it is original guitarists, Dennis Carothers, who handles the slide and electric lead perfectly. Fans of blues and southern rock like Molly Hatchet, 30 Special, Lynard Skynard and the Allman Brothers will find something here to like, In fact, this is the album I originally hoped Rick Cua would have made with the Outlaws influence. Mansfield’s importance to Jesus Music and later CCM should not be understated, even though he primarily remained a Southern California regional star. Along with Glen Kaiser Mansfield single-handedly kept the influence of blues music alive in CCM.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – Get Ready – 4:45
2 – Mr. Rock ‘N’ Roll – 4:08
3 – Above The Water – 5:17
4 – Billy Joe – 3:45
5 – Heaven Southwestern – 6:45
6 – Never Be The Same – 3:37
7 – Power Of Love – 4:18
8 – Life Saver – 4:57
CD Bonus Tracks
9 – Not Far Away – 4:18
10 – When The Curtain Falls – 3:47
11 – Flow Like A River – 4:56
Credits
Backing Vocals – Biff Vincent (tracks: 1 to 8), Bryan Duncan (tracks: 1 to 8), Christina Dent (tracks: 1 to 8), Kathy Hazzard (tracks: 1 to 8), Katy Mahoney (tracks: 1 to 8), Lisa Whitcomb (tracks: 1 to 8), Robin Glick (tracks: 1to 8), Rosemary Butler, Scott Galbraith (2) (tracks: 1 to 8), Susan Curley (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Charlie Sousa (tracks: 1 to 8)
Bass, Vocals – Jimmy Perez (tracks: 1 to 8)
Drums – Bill Maxwell (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Donny Vosburgh (tracks: 1 to 8), Paul Angers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Anthony Dean (2) (tracks: 1 to 8)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Corothers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Percussion – Alex Acuña (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Producer – Skip Konte (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Slide Guitar – Jerry Swallow (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 1 to 8), Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Polydor Incorporated
Manufactured By – Polydor Incorporated
Marketed By – Polydor Incorporated
Recorded At – International Automated Media
Mixed At – International Automated Media
Mastered At – International Automated Media
Pressed By – Bestway Products Inc.
Chris Lizotte was part of the Wild Blue Yonder/Crystal Lewis group of friends in the late 80’s. He did not play with Wild Blue Yonder but did several albums with Crystal Lewis who actually helped with this album cover. This is Chris’s second album and is probably the best Christian Blues album I have heard up to this point. The album has a couple tracks that distinctly remind me of Stevie Ray Vaughn and the closing track actually reminds me of a Guns N’ Roses ballad. Interesting point of trivia is that Chris Wimber (The Lifesavors) produced this album. All in all probably one of the best CCM albums I have ever heard and definitely in my top 50.
Tracklist 1 – You Keep On Givin’ To Me – 3:52 2 – When It Dawned On Me – 4:19 3 – Change My Heart Oh God – 5:26 4 – Brother It’s Alright – 3:58 5 – Don’t Let My Heart Turn Back To Stone – 4:38 6 – Shine Your Light – 4:15 7 – Come Unto Me – 5:43 8 – At The Cross Of Jesus – 4:58 9 – I Cried Like A Baby – 2:45 10 – Tell Me – 4:49
Credits Bass – Paul Martin Cover [Cover Writing] – Crystal Lewis-Ray Drums, Percussion – Brian Eichler Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Raymond McDonald Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Dykhouse Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Chris Lizotte Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Stephen Anderson (tracks: 1, 4) Organ [Hammond Organ], Piano, Resonator Guitar [Dobro], Accordion, Backing Vocals – Kevin Prosch Photography, Art Direction – Brian Ray (2) Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Chris Wimber Technician [Guitar Technician] – Shawn Tubbs
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Vineyard Music Group Copyright (c) – Vineyard Music Group Recorded At – Vineyard Studios (2) Mastered At – Future Disc
Russ Taff gives us his version of several traditional Christmas tracks both Christian and secular. Included is his version of “What A Wonderful World” which is not really a traditional Christmas song but works well on this album and others have used it on their Christmas albums.
1 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – 4:34 2 – Angels We Have Heard On High – 2:57 3 – The Christmas Song – 2:19 4 – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – 4:01 5 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas – 4:01 6 – Let It Snow, Let It Snow – 2:39 7 – White Christmas – 3:51 8 – What Child Is This? – 2:41 9 – It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – 4:07 10 – What A Wonderful World – 2:27
Credits Bass – Byron House Conductor [Strings Conducted By] – John Darnall Drums, Bells [Sleigh Bells] – John Hammond Executive-Producer – John Huie Mastered By – Hank Williams Piano, Vibraphone [Vibes] – Matt Rollings Producer, Arranged By, Guitar, Backing Vocals, Recorded By, Mixed By – James Hollihan, Jr. Recorded By [Strings Recorded By] – Lynn Fuston Saxophone – Mark Douthit Strings – The Nashville String Machine Trumpet – Mike Haynes
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation Produced For – Russ Taff Productions Recorded At – Interociter Studio, Nashville, TN Mixed At – Interociter Studio, Nashville, TN Mastered At – Mastermix Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
This was Holy Soldier’s second album and in my opinion was a step up from their first album. Turns out most fans at the time disagree with me. The album did not sell well. In fact it sold poorly enough that Word records dumped the band. After reading up on this I personally believe Word in fact dumped them as they wanted to take a turn at trying to attract a secular audience. If you were in the industry at the time Stryper was the only band allowed to do this for some reason. When anyone else tried it usually the label was not interested. It was a strange time in the industry. The cut that also probably caused them some problem is a cover of the Rolling Stones Vietnam era song “Gimme Shelter”. I actually think it’s a pretty good cover though they could have put a little more of their own signature on it. Anyway, that said this album leans to a more hard rock feel on several tracks and overall I think is well done.
Tracklist 1 – Virtue & Vice – 4:30 2 – Crazy – 4:44 3 – Hallow’s Eve – 4:18 4 – Gimme Shelter – 4:23 5 – Love Is On The Way – 4:54 6 – Dead End Drive – 3:53 7 – Tuesday Mourning – 4:23 8 – Fairweather Friend – 3:25 9 – Last Train – 4:34
Credits Bass – Andy Robbins Drums – Terry Russel Guitar – Jamie Cramer, Scott Soderstrom Producer [Produced By] – David Zaffiro Vocals – Steven Patrick
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word (Uk) Ltd. Copyright (c) – Word (Uk) Ltd. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word Communications Ltd. Copyright (c) – Word Communications Ltd. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Produced For – Zaffiro Productions
When I started researching this band I was really surprised at how little information I was able to find. I stumbled on the album and as it was a 90’s album I wasn’t very optimistic. Wow was I wrong, this is one great Rock & Roll album. I found several people refer to it as a Metal album which it is not!!! This is a straight up hard rock album. Anyway as I said I can’t really find out too much about these guys. This was their second album but I have read that their first album is even better. We have it too but I haven’t listened to it yet. I did find some comments from the guitarist “Derek Ferwerda” (who was a new guitarist for this album) and I quote him here “It was the true inspirational and creative song writing of Jonathan Pagano before a clueless record company agenda got in the way.” Normally I would pile on the record label but I think Derek’s words say it all. Anyway it’s a bit late from the 80’s but it’s a great Rock & Roll album. Give it a listen, I promise you won;’t be disappointed.
Tracklist 1 – Story – 3:22 2 – Bad Place – 4:18 3 – Don’t You Run – 5:28 4 – Fire In The House – 4:09 5 – Heaven’s On My Mind – 4:15 6 – Let’s Talk About Love – 4:48 7 – Right In The Middle – 4:43 8 – Colour Of Love – 4:35 9 – Missionary – 4:39 10 – Stranger – 4:47
Credits Art Direction – Tony Thigpen Art Direction, Layout – Jeff Spencer Bass Guitar – Jon Bass, Engineer [Assistant] – Steve Evetts Drums – Adam Edited By [Digital Editing] – Alan Douches Engineer [Assistant Mix Engineer] – Graig White Engineer [Pre-Production Engineer] – Shawn Tom Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson Guitar – Derek Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Plinky Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – Jonathan Mastered By – Denny Purcell Photography [Band Photography] – Russ Narrington Producer, Recorded By [Assistant], Mixed By [Assistant] – Jonathan Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Plinky
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Trax East Overdubbed At – Allies Studio Mixed At – Sound Stage Studios Mastered At – Georgetown Masters