In 1993 Mike Lee put out this acoustic album. I want to straight up say that I think Mike is a fantastic vocalist unfortunately this album just doesn’t seem to work. The album was self produced so maybe this is the stumbling block. It doesn’t sound like Mike had the skill set to release an acoustic album all on his own. Acoustic albums are harder to put together than most artists think. That said Mike’s vocals are good but the guitar playing suffers a little bit. Strangely this album was initially released using the name Mike Lee on cassette. When a CD veriso0n was released later the same year he called himself Michael D.R.I.V.E. I’m not really too sure why this was done but Michael D.R.I.V.E. is a great stage name.
Tracklist 1 – True Love – 3:42 2 – Time For Love – 4:14 3 – Don’t Say Goodnight – 4:21 4 – Goodbye – 4:07 5 – Johnny Lost – 4:03 6 – Too Late For Never – 3:55
In the early 90’s Out Of Darkness was enjoying a resurgence of people listening to their album from 1970. Somehow Plankton records got together with the band and released a 4 track recording of the band live in 1972. It was recorded live at the Celebration Club in Gillingham, England. The quality is actually really good as long as you remember this is a live recording in 1972. This album was a godsend to fans of the band as it gave them 6 more tracks to enjoy.
Tracklist 1 – Walk On The Water – 4:56 2 – Love To Love – 8:12 3 – Worldpool – 10:40 4 – Cocaine – 5:28 5 – Valley (I’m Gonna Follow) – 5:32 6 – Child Of The Universe – 13:18
Credits Artwork – Keith Oliver Band [Out Of Darkness], Bass – Bruce Duncan (tracks: 2, 3, 6) Band [Out Of Darkness], Bass, Percussion, Piano – Carl Grant Band [Out Of Darkness], Drums, Percussion – Tim Anderson Band [Out Of Darkness], Guitar, Vocals, Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Wray Powell Design – Keith Dixon (2), Tim Anderson Engineer – Peter Cornelious Photography By [Cover] – Chris Nicol Post Production [Post Recording Production] – Nigel Palmer
This is the second album from Dig Hay Zoose. They were criticized for their first album with the complaint being that it was a Red Hot Chili Peppers clone. I haven’t heard it yet so I can’t comment on that allegation. This album was better received but quite frankly I find the whole thing a little hokey. Actually it’s a lot hokey. The album has a bunch of under 1 minute tracks that are done to try to sound hip and cool. The whole album just screams “Look at us, we’re just like a secular band” Quite frankly they just tried too hard and it just doesn’t come off as entertaining to me. The album has some very well written tracks that might have been interesting but weren’t done “In the style of”. The best music evolves it’s own sound and bands are the same. When you decide how you’re going to sound before the fact it just doesn’t work for me.
Geoff and the band had songwriting down to an art by the time they released this their 5th studio album. This is a great Pop Rock album and they really did nail this sound. The only downside to the album is that it’s a little ballad heavy but that’s what made it a very successful album. Six out of the ten tracks singled on the CCM charts with “Live To Tell”, “If You Could See What I See”, and “Heart To God, Hand To Man” making it into the top 10. The album was also nominated for the Best Rock Gospel Album Grammy but lost out to dc Talk, Free at Last which was a far poorer album but whatever. I think the album is best remembered for it’s opening evolution themed track which is a great little pop tune that actually made it to #20 on the CCM charts.
Tracklist 1 – Evolution…Redefined – 4:27 2 – I Can See Clearly Now – 3:52 3 – Life Together – 4:25 4 – Live To Tell – 4:34 5 – If You Could See What I See – 4:18 6 – Godgottaholdonme – 4:24 7 – That’s When I’ll Know I’m Home – 4:24 8 – Heart To God, Hand To Man – 5:22 9 – Why Should The Devil (Have All The Good Music) – 4:26 10 – When All Is Said And Done – 2:56
Credits Backing Vocals – Chris Hogue, Joe Hogue, Lisa Glasgow, Mark Heimermann, Micah Wilshire, Michael Black, Pam Mark Hall, Raymond Weaver Bass – Gary Mullett Choir – Barry Blaze, Becky Naish, Cindy Morgan, Danny O’Lannerghty, Geof Barkley, Kim Chandler, Pam Mark Hall, Rebecca Smallbone, Renay Presley, Scot Kifer Coordinator [Producer’s Assistant] – Chris Hogue, Paul Salveson Coordinator [Production] – Bridgett Evans O’Lannerghty Design [Art Design] – Anderson Thomas Design, Inc. Drums, Programmed By – Greg Herrington Engineer – Paul Salveson Engineer [Additional] – Greg Parker, Keith Compton Engineer [Second] – Dave Dillbeck, Greg Parker, Patrick Kelly, Todd Robbins Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo Guitar – Roscoe Meek Keyboards, Vocals – Geof Barkley Lead Vocals – Geoff Moore Mastered By – Glenn Meadows Mixed By – John Jaszcz Musician – Dan Huff, George Cocchini, Jackie Street, Jerry McPherson, Jimmy A., Joe Hogue, Micah Wilshire, Phil Naish Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer – Joe Hogue, Phil Naish Recorded By, Mixed By – Ronnie Brookshire Voice [Teacher] – Mark Lowry
This was the second studio album from Code of Ethics. For this album the lineup was Barry Blaze, Rick Brainer, Scot Kifer. Strangely Barry takes credit for every instrument on the album. I get the vibe he was difficult to work with but I don’t know that for sure. Anyway this is a very techno pop oriented album and is more in the style of an 80’s New Order. I actually really like this album but I absolutely love 80’s New Wave. Of course the problem is that they put this album out in 1993. But apparently it did very very well on Christian Radio even reportedly having a #1 hit with “Something Real” which has a bit of a Depeche Mode feel to me. It also probably helped that Ed DeGarmo was one of the Executive Producers. Anyway there is some real talent here and they were quite successful so my criticisms should probable be ignored.
Tracklist 1 – Eden – 0:23 2 – Freedom – 4:20 3 – True Love – 4:38 4 – Something Real – 4:30 5 – Without Reason – 3:36 6 – World Machine – 3:37 7 – Waiting – 4:19 8 – Satellite Babies – 4:35 9 – Follow On – 4:24 10 – Pain – 4:07 11 – Chasing The Dragon – 4:23 12 – Sands Of Time – 5:48
Credits Artwork – The Riordon Design Group Inc. Booking – Vision Artist Engineer [Assistant] – Darrin Smith, David Hall Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Eddie DeGarmo Management, Booking – Artist Aid Management Mastered By – Ken Love Mixed By [Mix Engineer] – John Hiler, John Jaszcz Performer [Code Of Ethics] – Barry Blaze, Rick Brainer, Scot Kifer Photography By – Norma Jean Roy Producer – Barry Blaze Recorded By [Recording Engineer] – Ed Simmonton, Eugene Baker, Jeff Alford, Max Hsu, Steve Bisher Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drum Programming, Programmed By [Synth Programming], Percussion [Live] – Barry Blaze
In 1993 Andy got together with David Clifton and recorded a “worship album” and it is without a doubt my favourite worship album of all time. Now you may be wondering who David Clifton is as did I but I can bet you’ve probably heard him. He is a prolific studio guitarist who has appeared on a ton of album and done a ton of tours. He actually started out his recording career in a band called Sensible Jerseys who had a couple of really good singles you’ve probably never heard but you should. As for this album the songs are all very worship oriented BUT the arrangements are not. The arrangements are very contemporary and it really works. Now you know I love Andy’s music and this album may have my favourite track by him. “Precious In Your Eyes” has a fantastic sound and I can sense a touch of Elvis Costello but let’s give Andy and David all the credit. It is a fantastic track. This album was first released on Cassette in 1993 with a CD release in 1994. It has been re-released a few times since with a few tracks added here and there but this is the original.
Tracklist 1 – Praise God – 4:09 2 – God Is Our Refuge – 3:58 3 – Oh How I Love Your Law – 3:58 4 – Come Let Us Sing – 3:01 5 – I Need A New Heart – 2:04 6 – Thank You – 2:25 7 – Father In Heaven – 3:25 8 – Holy Holy – 4:34 9 – Precious In Your Eyes – 5:01 10 – Name High Over All – 3:00
Credits Andy Piercy: vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion David Clifton: vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin and mandola Dudley Phillips: bass guitar Terl Bryant: drums and percussion Martin Neal: drums and percussion Steve Creese: drums Pete Sainsbury: keyboards Holly Coward, Jess Rudolf, Ellen Holly & Laura Piercy, Benj, Barny, Kirsty & Josh Lee: backing vocals Produced by Andy Piercy & David Clifton
I’ll be honest that I had long lost interest in CCM by 1993 so I had never heard this album before processing it for upload to YouTube. I read some reviews and most of them sort of had a ho hum attitude towards the album. I on the other hand quite enjoyed the album. I hear a few tracks that have some of that old early 80’s feel but yes most of them were highly mixed tracks that they were doing in this era. Strangely the entire album music wise was apparently written by Bass player Roy Montroy. That definitely gives the album a different feel but there’s nothing wrong with this album. On their next album their would be quite a turn but this album is a solid piece of work.
Tracklist 1 – Heart’s Desire – 3:50 2 – If Your Love Grows Cold – 3:22 3 – Numbers – 2:31 4 – Sunrise – 4:02 5 – Dead To The World – 4:23 6 – Reach Of Love – 6:04 7 – Land Of Stolen Breath – 4:07 8 – Mannequin’s Dream – 1:30 9 – Empty Hearts – 3:17 10 – Thought I’d Never Love Again – 4:09 11 – White Lies – 3:58 12 – On My Dyin’ Bed – 4:55 13 – Heart’s Desire (Reprise) – 1:03
Credits Bass, Keyboards – Roy Montroy Drums – John Herrin Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Stu Heiss Engineer – Ed Bialach, Roy Montroy Engineer, Mixed By – Roger Heiss Mastered By – Steve hall Producer – REZ Producer, Mixed By – Tom Cameron Vocals, Backing Vocals – Wendi Kaiser Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Harmonica – Glenn Kaiser
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Tone Zone Recording Mixed At – Tone Zone Recording Mastered At – Future Disc
This is the follow up to Classic Blues Volume 1. Strangely it had a different name in that it was called “Gospel Blues Volume 2” vs “Classic Blues Volume 1”. I am guessing that these songs are more Gospel oriented. The album features the vocals of Crystal Lewis, Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell, and Lanny Cordola. The highlight of the album is a version of “John The Revelator” by Crystal Lewis and Darrell Mansfield. This is a must listen if you are a blues fan and it may be one of the best CCM blues albums ever released.
Tracklist 1 – Don’t Wanna Go Down There – 2:17 2 – Samson and Delilah – 2:29 3 – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot / Swing Down, Chariot – 3:30 4 – Ring Them Bells – 3:11 5 – I’m Going To That City – 3:47 6 – A Shack In Negev – 2:14 7 – Hymns Of The Meek – 3:34 8 – John The Revelator – 2:29 9 – One More River To Cross – 2:30 10 – There’ll Be No Grumbler There – 2:12 11 – Won’t Be Long ‘Til Paradise – 4:14
Credits Philip Bardowell – Vocals Michael Sean Black – Executive Producer Lanny Cordola – Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin, Jaw Harp, Vocals Chris Farmer – Vocals Gary Thomas Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Songwriter, Bass Harmonica, Melodica, Accordion, Hi Hat, Tambourine, Vocals D.D. Howard – Vocals Carol Huston – Vocals Taso Kotsos – Tambourine, Snare Drum, Shakers Crystal Lewis – Vocals Chris Lizotte – Vocals Darrell Mansfield – Harmonica, Vocals Fletcher Quigley – Vocals Brian Ray – Executive Producer
This is another project from Caesar Kalinowski & Mark Robertson of The Stand. I really enjoyed The Stand albums but this one not so much. I guess this would be best described as industrial thrash. I do like the Indus trail sound but not the thrash element. That said this album was well received and well timed. Most music was going the way of grunge and most metal heads did not like that transition. So a thrash album in 1993 was well timed and a good business decision. I have read some other reviews of this album and most reviewers agree that it is an excellent album and they love the addition of the industrial sound into the thrash sound. Personally it’s not my cup of tea but I admit that it’s probably a pretty good album.
Tracklist 1 – Alive – 4:10 2 – Retro-Vision – 0:53 3 – Believe In Miracles – 3:38 4 – I Live In Flesh – 5:01 5 – Revolutionism – 3:34 6 – Nothing To Give – 4:06 7 – RM. 101 – 0:38 8 – Still You Died – 3:57 9 – Chemikill – 4:38 10 – Hunger – 4:52 11 – Psalm 69 – 4:23
Credits Artwork, Design – Nucleus Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By, Producer [Additional] – Mark Robertson Edited By – Ian Eskelin Engineer [2nd] – Max Hsu Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Peter Gavin Morkel Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By, Producer, Engineer – Caesar Kalinowski Lead Guitar – Bruce Franklin Mastered By – Tom Baker Vocals, Guitar – Randy Kerkman
Companies, etc. Mastered At – Future Disc Recorded At – The Sonic Temple Mixed At – The Sonic Temple
I’m not really sure of where this album came from but wow what an album. It was released on Crystal Lewis’s new label shortly after the label was formed. I’m just guessing here but maybe a few artists came together to help out the new label. Anyway what a great album to have n your new label. The album features the vocals of Crystal Lewis, Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell, and Lanny Cordola. That’s some pretty good vocalists. The album is a mix of old and new blues songs. How can you not be excited about Darrell and Crystal singing a track together. Also there is a volume 2 so we get even more.
Tracklist 1 – Gwine Dig A Hole To Put The Devil In – Featuring – Lanny Cordola – 2:26 2 – Gonna Sit On The Banks Of The River – Featuring – Philip Bardowell – 2:59 3 – I Shall Not Be Moved – Featuring – Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell – 2:31 4 – Stand By Me – Featuring – Crystal Lewis – 2:41 5 – Death Has No Mercy Seat – Featuring – Darrell Mansfield – 3:33 6 – Tears Of Faith – 3:36 7 – Nobody’s Fault But Mine – Featuring – Darrell Mansfield – 2:18 8 – Down On Me – 2:26 9 – Cincinnati Flow Rag – Featuring – Lanny Cordola – 2:29 10 – Denomination Blues – Featuring – Lanny Cordola, Philip Bardowell – 2:29 11 – Glory Glory Hallelujah – Featuring – Crystal Lewis – 3:04 12 – Tribute – Featuring – Crystal Lewis, Darrell Mansfield, Philip Bardowell – 4:16
Credits Philip Bardowell – Vocals Lanny Cordola – Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Guitars, Bass, Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin, Tambourine, Vocals Rev. Gary Davis – Songwriter Gary Thomas Griffin – Producer, Engineer, Bass Harmonica, Accordion, Vocals Taso Kotsos – Tambourine, Snare Drum, Shaker, Woodblock, Finger Cymbals, Shaker, Triangle Huddie Ledbetter – Songwriter Crystal Lewis – Vocals Darrell Mansfield – Harmonica, Vocals Paul McIntire – Fiddle Allegra Parks – Vocals Fletcher Quigley – Vocals Sandra Stevens – Vocals Chuck Wright – Bass
