Tag: 1994

Bliss Bliss – Bliss Bliss – 1994

Let’s call this album what it is, it’s Reneé Garcia’s third album. Her husband (Lang Bliss) played small roles on her previous 2 albums but suddenly they’re a band called Bliss Bliss. Yes he did play a bigger role on this album but without her there really was no album but without him the album could easily have gone ahead. Furthermore he is apparently a drummer but all of her albums have electronic drums. How can you be the drummer on an album with electronic drums? If anything you may be a programmer but you aren’t a drummer. There I’ve said my piece. Most people know that I quite like Reneé Garcia so I was pretty happy when I discovered she had more albums using this name. While the album was on a new label Chris Eaton returned to produce this album though the electronic drummer also took production credits. I don’t think the songwriting measures up to her first 2 albums but it’s okay and her vocal skills make up for it. So it’s another fun pop album here from Reneé and if you liked her first 2 you’ll probably like this one.

Tracklist
1 – Fight For Peace – 4:34
2 – Building Bridges – 4:51
3 – Field Of Daisies – 4:27
4 – A Little Love – 4:19
5 – Believe In You – 4:37
6 – When The World’s Asleep – 5:06
7 – House Of Cards – 3:46
8 – Modern World – 4:39
9 – Walking Through Paradise – 3:37
10 – Chain Of Fear – 4:46
11 – Love And Devotion – 5:04
12 – House On The Hill – 5:52

Credits
Lang Bliss – Producer, Songwriter, Keyboards, Drums, Background Vocals, Choir
Keith Brown – Songwriter
Dave Bunker – Executive Producer, Choir
Tina Clark – Background Vocals, Choir
Eric Darken – Percussion
Chris Eaton – Executive Producer, Songwriter, Background Vocals
Gene Ford – Guitars
Reneé Garcia – Songwriter, Choir, Background Vocals, Vocals
Joe Gautier – Songwriter
Bob Halligan, Jr. – Songwriter
Mike Haynes – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Renay Herrington – Background Vocals, Choir
Chris Kearney – Choir
Isabella Kearney – Choir
Jamie Kearney – Choir
Bryan Lenox – Additional Engineer
Russ Long – Co-Producer, Engineer, Mixed
John Mallory – Songwriter
Blair Masters – B-3, Keyboards
Heath McMillen – Choir
Michael Mellett – Background Vocals
Patsy Moore – Songwriter
John Mark Painter – Bass
Tim Pierce – Guitars
Kip Summers – Songwriter
Hank Williams – Mastered

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – R.E.X. Music
Copyright © – R.E.X. Music
Mastered At – Mastermix
Made By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 102125

Rhythm & News – Dream Love + Pray – 1994

This is the 3rd and final album from Canadian band Rhythm & News. They actually temporarily moved to Detroit so they could work with legendary Gospel producer Fred Hammond for this album. I am a huge fan of their first 2 albums but that all ends here. This album was on Word records in some odd convoluted licensing agreement that I don’t understand. Their first 2 albums were on Canadian label Image VII and distributed by Word but this one had a different licensing structure. I am guessing this is where this album went wrong. The talent is still there as these guys can sing but the songwriting is not as good as their previous work and the production is, well it’s different. I don’t want to bash Fred Hammond as the man is a legend but I don’t think he was a good mix for this band. Anyway the album isn’t horrible it’s just not great. This also ended the band as after the album original members Doug and Kevin left the group. They were replaced by Todd Wickens and Spencer Welch who transitioned the band into a instrument oriented band. Personally when half the members of the band are replaced and the sound is changed is it even the same band? They continued touring into 1998 but that was the end of it for them and they quietly faded away. My voyage of listening to Rhythm & News fell in line with the release order of their albums and I could hear the highs and lows in those albums. In a way I didn’t need to read a history of the band, I could hear it.

Tracklist
1 – I Promise You – 4:03
2 – They Will Know – 4:38
3 – Give You All – 5:10
4 – Honeymoon Hunny – 4:16
5 – Dream – 5:22
6 – Ain’t Gonna Play – 4:04
7 – Tell Me Why – 4:46
8 – To The Rhythm – 4:38
9 – He Is – 3:50
10 – Give You All (Remix) – 5:13

Credits
Design [Sleeve Design], Art Direction – Nancy Yeasting
Engineer [Assistant Mix Engineer] – Todd Fairall
Engineer [Assistant Recording Engineer] – Kevin Wilson
Engineer [Mix Engineer] – Randy Poole
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mastered By [Mastering Notes] – Dave Slagter
Photography By – Jane Weitzel
Producer, Arranged By – Fred Hammond
Production Manager [Production Administration] – Monica Coates
Recorded By – Raymond Hammond*
Stylist [Grooming] – Pippa (6)
Stylist [Styling] – Catherine Dunwoody

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – RAN Productions
Manufactured By – Nelson Word Canada
Distributed By – Nelson Word Canada
Pressed By – Disque Americ
Produced For – Face To Face Productions
Recorded At – Face To Face Studios
Mixed At – Studio A, Dearborn Heights, MI
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – R&N Boyz Publications

Steve Grace – Liberty Road – 1994

This is Steve’s third studio album and this one really started to set the Christian music market in Australia on fire. I am still entirely bewildered at why he wasn’t promoted more in the North America. This album did get a North American release but R.E.X. Music struggled with non heavy metal releases on their Storyville label. I am sure with proper promotion this guy would have been huge. The quality of songwriting is very very good and I feel his folksy sound would have been very well received though I do admit he has a strong Australian twang that hasn’t traditionally done well in the American market. To this day Australia has their own country music that does very well at home but not in America. Anyway onto the album. I feel his songwriting had really matured at this point. These songs aren’t just simple choruses and basic verses, instead these are real story telling songs. The score is much more basic but it should be for this style. So if you missed this one due to geography give it a listen now, it’s great.

Tracklist
1 – Liberty Road – 4:42
2 – Song For America – 4:52
3 – Droughtland Rain – 4:34
4 – Living For Love – 3:47
5 – Texas – 3:36
6 – Burning Town – 4:02
7 – Somebody – 4:05
8 – Things That Really Matter – 4:04
9 – Crazy Road Of Life – 3:32
10 – Waiting For You – 3:35
11 – Long Live Your Dreams – 4:16

Credits
Accordion – Jen Anderson
Acoustic Guitar – Phil Butson, Steve Grace
Arranged By [Vocals Arrangements] – Rose Bygrave
Backing Vocals – Andy Sorenson, Chris Butson, Dee Shannon, Jay McNeil, Kathy Johnston, Kerrie Simpson, Marcia Howard, Phil Butson, Rod Davies, Rose Bygrave, Shane Howard, Steve Grace
Bass – Steve Hadley
Drums – Peter Luscombe
Electric Guitar – Jeffrey Burstin, Phil Butson
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Kaj Dahlstrom
Fiddle – Jen Anderson
Guitar – Tommy Emmanuel
Guitar [Wah Wah Guitar] – Phil Butson
Harmonica – Steve Grace
Keyboards – Chong Lim
Mandolin – Jeffrey Burstin
Mastered By – Don Bartley
Mixed By – Doug Brady
Music By – Phil Butson, Steve Grace
Organ [Hammond] – James Black
Piano – James Black, Jen Anderson
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Phil Butson
Resonator Guitar [Dobro] – Tommy Emmanuel
Saxophone – Joe Camilleri, Rob Burke
Slide Guitar – Joe Camilleri
Violin – Jen Anderson
Words By – Steve Grace
Words By, Music By – Tim Hill

Companies, etc.
Mixed At – Metropolis Audio
Mixed At – Sing Sing Studios
Mastered At – EMI Studios 301

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