Tag: 1994

Newsboys – Going Public – 1994

Going Public must be recognized for the important album that it is and the impact on the industry. But it must also be acknowledged for being a wonderful record with incredible music and stronger lyrical themes then many of its contemporaries. This is the second record produced by Steve Taylor and the influence in the “smartness” in the lyrics and depth shows more here than on the previous release. Most notably on the monster hit “Shine” that would assuredly be recognized as one of the great songs in Christian Rock history. The album also features the bands most consistently strong content. Newsboys tend to create three of four amazing songs per album and then a side full of filler. here every song is strong and there is more cohesion as to the order of the music. There is both a musical and lyrical force behind each song as they flow from one to another. Spirit Thing, Real Good Thing and the title track still rank among the best the band has ever recorded. One other note. the album does not contain many ballads and the ones that are there posses a more introspective content and atmospheric sound which made them great songs, but not radio friendly. I always respect a rock band that can create ballads without the focus being trying to break though on Christian AC radio.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Real Good Thing – 2:53
2 – Shine – 3:42
3 – Spirit Thing – 3:27
4 – Let It Rain – 4:18
5 – Going Public – 3:31
6 – Truth And Consequences – 2:58
7 – Lights Out – 3:09
8 – Be Still – 3:19
9 – When You Called My Name – 4:03
10 – Elle G. – 5:13

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Kevin Mills
Booking – Scott Huie
Coordinator [Project] – Laura E. Cobble
Cover [Cover Concept] – Peter Furler, Steve Taylor
Creative Director – Toni Fitzpenn
Crew [Touring], Keyboards, Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Jeff Frankenstein
Design – Franke Design Co.
Engineer [Additional] – Lisa Miller, Martin Woodlee, Wayne Mehl
Engineer, Mixed By – Russ Long
Executive-Producer – Darrell A. Harris, Wes Campbell
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jody Davis
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Duncan Phillips
Lead Vocals – John James
Lead Vocals, Drums, Programmed By – Peter Furler
Management – Wes Campbell
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Performer [Additional Musician] – Blair Masters, Danny Duncan, Darrell A. Harris, Dave Perkins, Eric Darken, John Mark Painter, Kenny Greenberg, Kim Keyes, Phil Madeira, Russ Long, Steve Taylor, Vicki Hampton, Wade Jaynes
Photography By [Cover] – Dave Perkins Family Archives
Photography By [Group] – Norman Jean Roy
Producer – Peter Furler, Steve Taylor

Companies, etc.
Record Company – BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. – D 125474
Licensed To – BMG Direct Marketing, Inc.
Recorded At – The Dugout, The Saltmine, The Tube, The Carport, Quad Studios
Mixed At – The Carport
Mastered At – Gateway Mastering
Published By – Ariose Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Star Song
Copyright © – Star Song

Randy Stonehill – The Lazarus Heart – 1994

Randy’s star studded 15th album is the one he has said is his proudest moment. It was also the start of his very short lived music label “Street Level Records”. Unfortunately the label didn’t work out and only had one other release from Julie Miller. Helping Randy with his album were Michael W. Smith, Phil Keaggy, Gary Chapman, Riki Michelle, Jerry Chamberlain, Rick Elias, Jerry McPherson, Phil Madeira, Cheri Keaggy, Charlie Peacock, and many others. What a great line up for a new label album. The album has excellent engineering and production and really is a memorable album and I think Randy’s writing and vocals on this albu might be his peak. The album is a little more mellow than I am used to by him but the writing is so good you should barely notice. Definitely a must listen. Editors note – We’ve removed the silence on the closing track so if it sounds different than you remember your memories are correct.

Tracklist
1 – A Promise Made Is A Promise Kept – 5:46
2 – I Turn To You – 3:28
3 – In Jesus’ Name – 4:27
4 – Under The Rug – 3:39
5 – Remember My Name – 4:56
6 – That’s Why We Don’t Love God – 5:17
7 – When I’m Afraid – 3:38
8 – Shadow Man – 3:35
9 – Zurich In The Snow – 0:19
10 – Troubles – 3:22
11 – The Lazarus Heart – 4:26

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Jerry McPherson, Randy Stonehill
Acoustic Guitar [Chet Atkins Solid Body Acoustic Guitar/Nylon String] – Randy Stonehill
Art Direction [Cover Art Direction], Design – Dietsch & Associates
Backing Vocals [Additional Background Vocals] – David Robertson, Gordon Kennedy, Jerry Chamberlain, Phil Madeira, Randy Stonehill, Rick Elias, Riki Michele, Sharon Chamberlain
Bass Guitar, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Jimmie Lee Sloas
Bass [Fretless] – Mark Hill
Drums – Steve Brewster
Electric Guitar – Jerry McPherson, Phil Keaggy
Engineer [Engineered By] – Richie Biggs
Executive-Producer – Ray Ware
Layout [Insert Layout], Design – Michael Scanland Communications, Inc.
Mastered By – Ken Love
Mixed By – Craig Hansen, Richie Biggs
Musical Assistance [Production Assistance] – Chris Ross, Pam Kistler
Organ, Dobro, Accordion [Squeeze Box] – Phil Madeira
Percussion – Eric Darkin
Photography By [Cover Photography] – Thunder Image Group
Piano, Keyboards – Rick Elias
Producer [Produced By] – Jimmie Lee Sloas
Soprano Saxophone – Mark Douthit
Vocals – Randy Stonehill

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Street Level Records
Copyright © – Street Level Records
Distributed By – R.E.X. Music
Manufactured By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 101488
Recorded At – The Bennett House, The Green Room, The Boardroom, OmniSound Studios, Shakin Studio,The Dugout
Mixed At – The Dugout, Charlie Peacock Studios
Mastered At – Mastermix
Published By – Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc., Sparrow Song, Bases Loaded Music, Madeira Whine, Sky South Music Pub., Stonehillian Music

Split Level – Call Me White Call Me Black – 1994

I am guessing that Split Level was popular in Germany as Pila Music which is a German record company released four albums from the band. This EP was released to coincide with their ‘Artists Against Racism’ tour in Germany. Usually you plan a tour after releasing an album but oddly they planned the tour first but things do work different in the German music scene. Split Level were also named the ‘Best Christian Rock Band’ by the European Christian Booksellers Journal for 1985 on the strength of this EP. I’m amazed these guys were so big in Europe but I never heard of them until recently as they were never released in Canada and I don’t remember reading anything about them in Christian media at the time. As for the album it’s excellent as all their albums are. Colour Wheel was chosen as the first single but I lean more towards Twist In My Sobriety but it was a cover of a Tanita Tikaram song and covers as singles are always risky. Personally I think Colour Wheel is the weakest track on the EP but what do I know. Also of note is that the album was produced by Andy Piercy of After The Fire fame and he helped with the writing of the title track too.

Tracklist
1 – Call Me White Call Me Black – 5:03
2 – Pocket Of Change – 3:47
3 – Colour Wheel – 3:43
4 – Twist In My Sobriety (Mondo Mix) – 3:43
5 – Borderland (Non-Stop Mix) – 3:52
6 – Alone (Penny Whistle Mix) – 3:26

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Gary Preston
Design [Sleeve Design] – Dan Donovan
Drums, Vocals – Rob Craner
Engineer – Paul Burton
Engineer [Assistant] – Trevor Michael
Fiddle, Cymbal – Jean Pierre Rudolph
Photography By [Booklet] – Colin E. Mill
Photography By [Inlay] – Georg Karlstetter
Producer – Andy Piercy
Vocals, Guitar – Adrian Thompson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pila Music
Copyright © – Pila Music
Recorded At – ICC Studios
Mixed At – ICC Studios
Pressed By – BOD Berlin Optical Disc

Glenn Kaiser, Larry Howard, Trace Balin, Darrell Mansfield – The Blues Night – 1994

I’m a little unclear as to the origins of this concert. The album itself says “The Blues Night” has been recorded during the Blues – Tour in November ’93 in Gouda, Holland”. I have no idea who’s tour this was but it really doesn’t matter but the historian in me wanted to know. Anyway this album is a real treat because of the inclusion of Trace Balin. Before this album she was better known as a pop oriented artist but since this album she became known as a blues singer. Musically there is no stand out moment on the album but that’s not a criticism. In fact the album is solid from start to finish and there’s not a bad track on it. Each artist contributes a few tracks and it all comes together for the full album.

Tracklist
1 – Darrell Mansfield – Boom Boom – 3:07
2 – Darrell Mansfield – You Know It Ain’t Right – 4:10
3 – Darrell Mansfield – The Mission – 5:14
4 – Trace Balin – Jesus Mentioned My Name – 4:46
5 – Trace Balin – A Better Way – 4:03
6 – Trace Balin – When I Get To Heaven – 3:51
7 – Glenn Kaiser – Great Change – 3:31
8 – Glenn Kaiser – Witness Cloud – 2:15
9 – Glenn Kaiser – Somebody On Your Bond – 2:53
10 – Glenn Kaiser – Shaky Ground – 5:09
11 – Larry Howard – Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven – 9:11
12 – Larry Howard – It’s Only You – 10:37
13 – Jam Session – Everyday Will Be Sunday – 5:55

Credits
Artwork – Hotline Maarssen
Bass Guitar – Leo Song
Design – Hotline Maarssen
Dobro – Rob Glickman
Drums – Michael Fickling
Edited By – Johnny Hulst
Engineer – Johan Van Loo
Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield
Lead Guitar – Glenn Kaiser, Larry Howard, Rob Glickman
Lead Vocals – Darrell Mansfield, Glenn Kaiser, Larry Howard, Trace Balin
Mixed By – Johan Van Loo, Larry Howard
Producer – Gerrit aan ‘t Goor
Rhythm Guitar – Glenn Kaiser, Rob Glickman

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Spark Music
Copyright © – Spark Music
Distributed By – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc.

Mortification – Break The Curse 1990 – 1994

This album is partially a rerelease of the 1990 Lightforce demo Break The Curse. It includes 4 other tracks from the period as well as a bonus track. I read a few reviews of this album and it appears to have been well received. One of the stranger things I read said “The album focuses on Mortification’s thrash metal style rather than their later death metal.” I have to be completely honest and say that I don’t even really know the difference. In fact I just have no knowledge of this genre at all. I can definitely hear some talent on this album especially the guitar work of Cameron Hall. I read the lyrics are pretty good too but unfortunately my ears are just not tuned to this style of music. Anyway the album is well liked by people who like this style so if you are a thrash kind of person this is one you should give a listen to.

Tracklist
1 – Blood Sacrifice – 3:35
2 – Brutal Warfare – 4:02
3 – Impulsation – 4:29
4 – Turn – 0:57
5 – New Beginning – 2:37
6 – Break The Curse – 2:38
7 – Illusion Of Life – 4:56
8 – Your Last Breath – 3:24
9 – Journey Of Reconciliation – 4:27
10 – The Majestic Infiltration Of Order – 1:08
11 – Butchered Mutilation (Bonus Track Recorded 1993) – 4:46

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Steve Rowe
Drums – Jayson Sherlock
Executive-Producer – Markus Staiger
Guitar – Cameron Hall
Producer, Engineer, Remastered By – Doug Saunders

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – SPV GmbH – CD 077-140832
Pressed By – Pilz Compact Disc – K 40303 A
Remastered At – Toybox Studios
Recorded At – Timbertop Studios

Sleepy Ray – Under The Mighty Blood – 1994

Sleepy Ray has an interesting back story. His parents were only 15 years old when he was born and as a result he grew up in a relatively impoverished home. But growing up Ray says he knew he wanted to be a preacher at the age of 6. He dedicated his life to the church at age 10. He did however struggle with the usual teenager musician stuff and was actually caught with drugs in high school. He actually met Chris Lizotte in music school in California in his early 20’s and performed with him in the LA area. This is his first album and what an album it is. While for the main part it’s a blues rock album the track “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout” is a fantastic Stevie Ray Vaughan style track and easily the best track on the album. I’m looking forward to his second album as this one is definitely in my top 50 albums.

Tracklist
1 – Station To Station – 4:08
2 – Love That’s Really Real – 5:01
3 – Cloud Rollin’ In – 4:16
4 – Magi’s Lead – 4:33
5 – Greatest Of These – 4:05
6 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout It – 3:22
7 – Way Into The House – 4:00
8 – High Time – 3:12
9 – That You Are My Lord – 4:32
10 – Lord Rescue Me – 2:44
11 – Let It Flow – 3:13
12 – Dancin’ On A Heavenly Hill – II Samuel 6 – 5:33

Michael Been – On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakthrough – 1994

I have written extensively elsewhere regarding the sad and sudden death of Michael Been of The Call. He was a brilliant, amazing, passionate, powerful artist. His work with The Call will be discussed several times throughout this countdown and his impact on CCM and the music world at large cannot be overstated. The call was simply the most underrated band in history…period! Much hyperbole? Nope. He also created an amazing solo project here that unfortunately went overlooked both in mainstream and CCM circles. The lead track, Us, is so good, so very, very good, that if it was the good song on the whole album it would still make this list! But fortunately the entire album is filled with amazing and powerful tracks. I find the album to be “heavier” than the albums by The Call, but still just as passionate, melodic and poignant. It’s also just as spiritual, introspective and authentic. Been had this amazingly uncanny ability to make deep spiritual truths sound simple and not so “preachy” while stating very blatant and undeniable truths. To list the “highlights” I would simply just cut and paste the entire track list! This is most definitely an AYSO!

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Us – 3:48
2 – When You’re With Me – 4:48
3 – Nearly Fell – 3:55
4 – This World – 4:43
5 – In My Head – 5:02
6 – This Way – 6:59
7 – Luminous – 5:37
8 – She – 4:14
9 – Worried – 4:16
10 – For Your Love – 3:18
11 – Invitation – 3:57
12 – Now I Know High (Part 2) – 7:43
13 – To Feel This Way – 4:56
14 – To Feel This Way (2006 Remix) – 6:00

Credits
A&R – Hugo Burnham
Bass – Robert Been
Bass Guitar – Dave Allen
Drums – Hugo Burnham
Drums, Percussion – Scott Musick
Engineer – Joel Jaffe
Engineer [Additional] – Bruck Dawit
Engineer [Assistant] – Alfred Brand, Larry Brewer
Guitar – Tom Ferrier
Guitar, Drums [Additional], Vocals – Ralph Patlan
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards – Michael Been
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Michael H. Brauer
Producer – David Z, Michael Been
Producer [Associate] – Ralph Patlan
Vocals – Eli Braden

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Studio D, Sausalito, CA
Mixed At – Quad Recording Studios

Guardian – Swing Swang Swung – 1994

To say this album was not well received would be an understatement. Guardian had garnered a strong following of their Metal/Hard Rock sound. I really don’t understand what either the band or the Elefante brothers were thinking. I feel sorry for their fans thinking they were buying a hard rock album and they got this instead. Now it should be said the band were successful with this sound and had many more albums with what I assume were new fans of the band. Personally I don’t mind when a band evolves but in this case they changed not evolved. As for the album it’s actually pretty good as the band avoided the grunge sound that was becoming popular but instead went with a pop sound. As I was never a fan of either of the bands styles I can enjoy both sounds equally but wow, it really was a slap in the face to their hard rock roots.

Tracklist
1 – The Way Home Back – 4:31
2 – Endless Summer – 4:32
3 – C’mon Everyone – 4:48
4 – Like The Sun – 5:19
5 – Rich Man Over The Line – 4:03
6 – Your Love – 4:47
7 – Don’t Say That It’s Over – 4:47
8 – See You In Heaven – 4:39
9 – Let The Whole World – 5:02
10 – Preacher And The Bear – 3:15
11 – Still On My Mind – 3:45
12 – Why Don’t We – 1:28

Credits
A&R – Mark Maxwell
Arranged By, Directed By – Tom Howard
Art Direction, Design – Diana Barnes
Band [Guardian Is], Bass, Vocals – David Bach
Band [Guardian Is], Drums, Vocals – Karl Ney
Band [Guardian Is], Guitar, Vocals – Tony Palacios
Band [Guardian Is], Lead Vocals – Jamie Rowe
Bass [Additional], Guitar [Additional Nashville Guitar] – J.R. McNeely
Clarinet – Matt Davich
Design – David Bach
Drums [Additional] – Jon Knox
Drums [Additional], Mellotron, Keyboards [Assorted Digital Claviers] – John Elefante
Engineer, Mixed By – J.R. McNeely
Management – Marc Whitmore
Mastered By – Ken Love
Photography By – Michael Wilson
Piano – Michael W. Smith
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Strings – The Nashville String Machine
Trombone – Bill Huber
Trumpet – David Balph

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Myrrh
Copyright © – Myrrh
Engineered At – The Snack Bar
Mixed At – Sound Kitchen
Mastered At – Mastermix
Distributed By – Nelson/Word
Distributed By – Nelson/Word, UK
Manufactured By – JVC
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – Straggletoons Music

Kid Promise – My Generation – 1994

When the band Seraiah shut down Quinton Gibson and Bradley Beckey formed the band Kid Promise. Now if you are expecting a metal album like Seraiah you’ll be disappointed because this is a pop rock album. In fact it’s a very good pop rock album. Unfortunately this was a one album project and the band went separate way with Quinton working in the industry on several more projects but Bradley appears to have retired and moved on from the industry. This is actually a great pop rock album and probably should have done much better but history said otherwise.

Tracklist
1 – Groove – 4:45
2 – Two Hearts One Love – 4:16
3 – Neverending Love – 4:54
4 – First Time We Met – 4:50
5 – This Time – 4:21
6 – My Generation – 5:36
7 – Whatever It Takes – 5:12
8 – Come Home – 4:28
9 – What Do We Call Love – 3:59
10 – Your Love Is Real – 4:26
11 – Heal Me – 5:17

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Jimmy Abegg
Backing Vocals – Murray
Band, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Quinton Gibson
Band, Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Bradley Beckey
Creative Director – A. Dawn Allen
Executive Producer – Dez Dickerson
Layout, Design – Nosegrind Creative
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Mixed By, Backing Vocals, Sounds, Loops, Keyboards – Dave Frank
Photography – Jeff Frazier
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By, Programmed By – Steve Griffith

Companies, etc.
Produced At – Gaga Productions
Mastered At – Mastermix

Undercover – Forum – 1994

I was considering saying that this album was the real end to Undercover but I’m pretty sure their fans will eviscerate me. That said I actually like this album so my statement is more historical that commentary. For this album Rob Gallas took over lead vocals from Sim Wilson who left the band. Though I read several reviews that did not like his vocals I thought they were okay. Not as good as Wilson but still pretty good. Anyway I can see that I liked this album much more than the critics. I really like the style and feel of the album. I think Rob’s vocals were a great sound for them. But the album didn’t do well and their label was in trouble so this would mark the end of an era. Yes I know there were more albums but I think this is the one that marked the end.

Tracklist
1 – Spill – 4:41
2 – The Moon And The Blue Around – 5:19
3 – Forum (Lullaby) – 7:32
4 – Symbol – 4:36
5 – Carmenita – 3:44
6 – Whoa Nelly – 4:09
7 – Pocket Full Of Money – 4:34
8 – The Overlook (Hosanna) – 3:45
9 – (Tell Me) Everything About You – 4:00
10 – Union – 4:55

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Darin Beaman
Band [Undercover], Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Gym Nicholson
Band [Undercover], Bass, Organ, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Keyboards – Ojo Taylor
Band [With], Vocals – Rob Gallas
Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Photography By – Mark Takeuchi
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Ojo Taylor
Recorded By – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – WAL
Copyright © – WAL
Record Company – Word Records & Music
Recorded At – The Green Room
Mixed At – The Mixing Lab
Mixed At – Desert Moon
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Manufactured By – JVC
Published By – PU Music
Published By – My Devotion Music
Published By – Dayspring Music