1994 – Page 2 – Real 80s CCM

Deliverance – River Disturbance – 1994

Deliverance returns with their 6th album and it continues their more commercial thrash sound. Actually there are several tracks that aren’t thrash at all and are better described as Grunge. Though Deliverance had been developing this sound for a couple of albums they perfected it on this one. This is probably due in part to the all-star team helping behind the mixing board. Gene Eugene mixed the album and also produced it along with Ojo Taylor and Terry Taylor . There was certainly no shortage of talent both in front of and behind the mixer. It was reissued in 2007 by Retroactive Records with 4 bonus tracks (included in our playlist) and a different cover. Track 10 “I Thought” was a previously unreleased track. Track 11 “On The Fritz” is their cover of a Steve Taylor song that was released on the Steve Taylor tribute album “I Predict A Clone”. Track 12 is a rather odd remix of “Belltown” which I’m betting people either love or hate, I doubt there’s much wiggle room on an opinion. Finally they added a track of founding member Jimmy P. Brown talking about the album. Interestingly the album name comes from a C.S. Lewis quote “how the believer is able to find peace within the river disturbance”. Deliverance was bringing something new to CCM music and though it’s not my preferred style it is well done and worth listening to.

Tracklist
1 – Belltown – 4:39
2 – After I Fell – 4:22
3 – River Disturbance – 6:36
4 – Now & Then – 4:33
5 – Speed Of Light – 4:54
6 – A Little Sleep – 3:44
7 – Map – 4:52
8 – You Still Smile – 7:06
9 – Breathing Still – 8:01
Bonus Tracks
10 – I Thought – 3:33
11 – On The Fritz – 3:35
12 – Belltown (Hyper Remix) – 5:04
13 – A Word From Jimmy P. Brown (Spoken) – 12:08

Credits
Arranged By [All Songs] – Jimmy P. Brown II, Terry Taylor
Bass [5-String & Fretless] – Manny Morales
Design, Layout – Court Patton, Tom Patton
Drums, Percussion – Jeff Mason, Jon Knox
Edited By – Dave Hackbarth
Engineer [2nd] – Mark Rodriguez
Executive-Producer – Gene Eugene, Ojo Taylor
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Guitar [Treatments], Guitar [Noise Guitar] – Jonathan Maddux
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar [Where Noted], Keyboards, Twelve-String Guitar – Jimmy P. Brown II
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Gene Eugene
Photography By – Lia Lavaggi
Piano – Gene Eugene
Producer [Produced By] – Jimmy P. Brown II, Terry Taylor
Recorded By – Gene Eugene, Terry Taylor

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright © – Brainstorm Artists International
Distributed By – Diamante Music Group
Produced For – Stunt Productions
Recorded At – The Green Room
Mixed At – The Mixing Lab
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Published By – River Disturbance Music
Published By – B-1 Music
Published By – Chenka, Chenka Music
Pressed By – Disctronics USA – 127988

20/20 Blind – Never Far – 1994

This was the one and only album we got from 20/20 Blind but what an album it is. It was released on Intersound records who were actually better known for mainstream country acts. I don’t know how good Intersound was at distribution but I’m guessing not very good as the band talked Benson into distributing the album. Other than the band was from Houston TX I can’t really find too much about them. Guitarist Doug Middleton was in the 80’s band Straightaway but the rest of the members don’t appear to have recorded before this project. After this project several members went on to form the band Atticus Finch the next year. As for the album it’s an excellent hard rock album with a strong guitar track and well worth a listen as their sound is more late 80’s than 1994.

Tracklist
1 – Wash – 3:23
2 – Soul Song – 3:20
3 – Love Keeps Reaching – 4:03
4 – I Am Blind – 3:50
5 – Do I – 3:39
6 – Easier Way – 3:28
7 – Never Far – 2:51
8 – Show Each Other Love – 3:34
9 – Only Hope – 3:33
10 – Sleepyland – 3:27

Credits
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Charles Powell, Phil Beck
Bass, Backing Vocals – Schon Alkire
Drums, Backing Vocals – Chris Laurents
Engineer [Second Engineer] – Joseph L. Mangiameli
Executive-Producer – Charles Gates
Graphic Design – Ken Wells
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Doug Middleton, Mike McNeely
Keyboards [Additional], Sequenced By [Sequencing By] – Phil Beck
Lead Vocals – Wallace B. Chase
Photography By – Arthur Garcia, David Smith
Producer [Produced By] – Brian Garcia (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 10)
Recorded By, Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Brian Garcia

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intersound Inc.
Copyright (c) – Intersound Inc.
Manufactured By – Intersound Inc.
Distributed By – Intersound Inc.
Recorded At – The 4th Creation Recording Studio
Mixed At – The 4th Creation Recording Studio
Published By – Intercede
Published By – Ariose Music
Made By – Disctronics USA – 122999

Jerusalem – Prophet – 1994

Jerusalem previous album was released in 1987 and they subsequently disappeared. Then suddenly in 1994 they reappeared with this astonishing album. I’ll be honest I was quite taken aback by this album. Put quite bluntly I believe this is their best album ever. Describing the musical style of this album is a bit difficult but if I had to I guess I would say Commercial Metal meets U2. Ulf’s vocals on this album are simply his best work yet. The influence of U2 is unmistakable but I don’t feel he was trying to be U2. It actually has a distinct sound all it’s own. It was released by Viva Records in Europe, R.E.X. Records in North America, X ZERO Corporation in Japan, and strangely DR Studio in Poland. Without a doubt my favourite track is “On The Road” which by the way does not have the U2 sound of other tracks. It probably has Ulf’s best vocal effort ever. Anyway I can go on and on about how much I love this album but I urge you to give it a listen yourself and let me know what you think.

Tracklist
1 – City On Fire – 5:43
2 – Risen – 5:07
3 – The Waiting Zone – 4:40
4 – Umbrella – 5:36
5 – Be There With You – 6:43
6 – On The Road – 3:20
7 – Likes Them – 4:11
8 – Truth – 4:52
9 – Face In The Crowd – 5:50
10 – Tomorrow – 4:19
11 – Berlin 38 (Next Year In Jerusalem) – 9:07
12 – Soldier – 5:39

Credits
Art Direction, Design – S. Durling
Bass, Bass [Pedals], Backing Vocals – Peter Carlsohn
Drums, Backing Vocals – Michael Ulvsgärd
Engineer – Magne “Manicken” Svensen
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Ulf Christiansson
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Reidar I Paulsen
Lyrics By – Christiansson
Mixed By – Bernt A. G. Austad
Music By – Ulvsgärd, Carlsohn, Paulsen, Christiansson
Photography By – Anders Kristensson
Producer, Arranged By – Jerusalem

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Copyright (c) – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Licensed From – Viva Records
Recorded At – Studio Kuling
Recorded At – Jerusalem Studio
Mixed At – Musikkloftet
Manufactured By – Disc Manufacturing, Inc., Huntsville – 101666

The Echoing Green – Defend Your Joy – 1994

Named after a poem by William Blake, The Echoing Green is a pop/synth/techno band that made great inroads into the world of Christian dance music and electronica with a decidedly more commercial and pop approach. That to say that band leader Joey Belville knew how to write a pop song and infuse it with modern technology without losing the song amongst the computers and synthesizers. The genre has also been noted for highly sexual and depressing themes. But Belville was one of the most positive songwriters in any genre, heavily influenced by his faith and the joy it creates. The purpose of this album was a call for christian to defend the gift of joy they are given and to walk by the Spirit. These same theme repeat over and over on this wonderful project. I was a sales rep for Frontline/Diamante in the 90’s and for a short while they needed someone to cover the New Mexico area for the company. It was a quick flight from LA to Albuquerque, so I added it to my territory. My first appointment was with some kid named Joey who knew everything about Christian music. I remember pitching him this album and he lit up and ordered a truck load. He saw the shock on my face and started to laugh – something he often would do. Laugh that is. I did not know that he was the same Joey that is the Joey of The Echoing Green. He remained one of my favorite accounts not because of his music knowledge or large orders, but because Bevlille has an infectious and joyful personality and it clearly permeates the music he creates. Even the melodies are upbeat with a clearly positive feel. 2nd Chance deals with God’s grace and forgiveness despite our failings and our penchant for being the prodigal.. Defend Your Joy, a Depeche Mode like tune, is a call to Christians to stand up for truth and not to let the world take their joy away. Riki Michele makes an uncredited appearance on the chorus. In every cutting edge genre someone will come along and claim the mantle of taking it to the masses by making it more palatable and accessible. The Echoing Green does just that with this release as melody remains front and center and the song remains the key.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Ocean Chorus – 1:21
2 – 2nd Chance – 4:10
3 – Son In My Eyes – 4:21
4 – Terra Firma (Stand) – 4:56
5 – Enter Love – 4:18
6 – Defend Your Joy – 4:24
7 – Pray – 5:08
8 – Brand New Day – 3:29
9 – Arrival – 3:53
10 – Stay Awake – 4:21
11 – Deep Inside Your Heart (Remyx) – 4:34
12 – Terra Firma (Stand) (Remyx) – 6:17

Credits
Art Direction – MSB, Thom Roy Backing Vocals [Uncredited] – Riki Michele Cover, Illustration – Chris Howland, Kristy Anderberg Design – Kristy Anderberg Engineer – Drew Aldridge Executive-Producer – Michael Sean Black Mastered By – Doug Doyle Mixed By – Drew Aldridge (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 10), MSB (tracks: 2, 6 to 9), Thom Roy (tracks: 2, 6 to 9)
Mixed By [Assistance] – Joey B* (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 10)
Photography – David Dobson
Producer – Joey Belville, Ronnie Martin
Written-By – Joey Belville (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 12)

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Digital Brothers
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Myx Records
Copyright (c) – Myx Records
Distributed By – Diamante Distribution
Pressed By – Disctronics USA – 128750

King James – King James – 1994

This was the introductory album, from Metal Super Group King James that was put together by Rex Carroll from Whitecross As Stryper was dissolved at this point in history Tim Gaines and Robert Sweet of Stryper jumped into the project and Jimi Bennett from Sacred Fire rounded out the group. I’m guessing that this is probably the first Christian super group though I don’t really care for the term. But historically this is the term that was being used at the time. The album is not quite as metal as you may think. It leans more Hard Rock than metal and there are actually lots of somewhat mellow tracks. It is said that the boys from Styper actually found several of the tracks to be too mellow for their liking. The idea for the group was not a multi album idea but instead a one off but as it was well received the boys came together for more albums but with an adjusted lineup.

Tracklist
1 – Hard Road To Go – 5:45
2 – Prisoner – 4:35
3 – Touch The Fire – 4:39
4 – Miracles – 4:36
5 – Desperate – 5:09
6 – Love Is Gonna Find You – 5:00
7 – Stand Up And Fight – 3:21
8 – Choices – 5:03
9 – Miracles [Acoustic Remix] – 4:34
10 – Rev Rider – 6:07
11 – Sunrise In Rio – 4:06
12 – Face To Face – 4:20
13 – Face To Face / Reprise – 3:55

Credits
Jimi Bennett – Lead Vocals
Rex Carroll – Guitars, producer
Tim Gaines – Bass
Robert Sweet – Drums
Glen West – Engineer
Denny Purcell – Master
Rick Wells – Keyboards

Randy Stonehill – The Sky Is Falling – CD – 1980/1994

This is the 1994 CD re-release of the Randy Stonehill album “The Sky Is Falling”. Larry seemed to take forever to re-release this album on CD but let’s remember that the album was originally recorded in 1977 but Larry didn’t get around to releasing it until 1980. This album marked the end of the relationship between Randy and Larry as they went their separate ways. It’s never been confirmed but I think we can pretty well assume the friendship ended because Larry was seeing Randy’s wife behind his back. Again I’m not saying that was the reason but I think it’s a safe assumption. The album has a couple stand out tracks, “The Great American Cure” is one of Larry’s great comedy tunes and my favourite track is “Trouble Coming”, a great Rock & Roll tune. Tom Howard is all over the album on keyboards and you can hear his great work very clear. The CD features bonus material none of which really stood out for me but perhaps the better mix of “Teen King”. The Greenbelt performance of “Good News” was also a pleasant surprise.

Tracklist
1 – One True Love – 4:17
2 – Bad Fruit – 5:08
3 – Jamey’s Got The Blues – 4:08
4 – Through The Glass Darkly – 5:53
5 – The Great American Cure – 3:59
6 – Venezuela – 7:01
7 – Emily – 5:41
8 – Trouble Coming – 4:48
9 – Counterfeit King [Alternate Mix] – 5:16
10 – Teen King [Alternate Mix] – 4:42
11 – Postcards From The Heart [Letter To My Family] – 5:19
12 – King Of Hearts [The Orchestral Version] – 3:14
13 – Good News [Live From Greenbelt] – 4:54

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Arranged By – Larry Norman
Artwork – Larry Norman
Autoharp – Larry Norman
Backing Vocals – Sarah Finch
Bass – Dave Coy
Bass – Billy Batstone
Design – Larry Norman
Drums – Alex MacDougall, Peter Johnson
Electric Bass – Larry Norman
Electric Guitar – Jon Linn, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Engineer – Andrew “Just Like That” Johns, Ken Suesov
Graphics – Heidi And Co. Graphics
Graphics [Graphic Printing] – Dan Meireis
Harmonica – Larry Norman
Harmony Vocals – Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill
Keyboards – Tom Howard
Koto – Larry Norman
Layout [CD Booklet] – Makasiyowin, Overmeyer
Lead Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Marimba – Larry Norman
Mixed By – Ken Suesov
Orchestra – Tom Howard
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Photography – Larry Norman
Piano – Larry Norman, Tom Howard
Producer – Larry Norman
Slide Guitar – Jon Linn
Songwriter – Randy Stonehill
Steel Drums – Larry Norman
Synth [Moog] – Tom Howard
Vocals – Steve Scott

Companies, etc.
Published By – King Of Hearts
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Solid Rock Records
Copyright (c) – Solid Rock Records
Copyright (c) – Street Level Records
Manufactured By – Creative Sound Corp.
Distributed By – Sonrise Music Co.
Printed By – L. Grafix
Glass Mastered At – Technicolor – 100944

Steve Archer – Through His Eyes – 1983/1994

There are a handful of families who could possibly lay claim to being the “First Family of CCM” including the Wards, Rambos, Winans, Cruze’s and the Archers. There was a time from the late 1970’s until the mid-80’s that the Archers were the biggest thing in CCM. Not too many CCM artists can claim to be invited to the Grammy Awards during that time, let along being asked to perform on the program…twice! The siblings of Steve, older brother Gary and little sister Janice recorded several albums, hit the top of the charts regularly, toured extensively and were the face of CCM for many years. One of their albums will also appear later on this last. In the early 80’s Steve was wanting to broach a solo career while maintaining a schedule with the family’s music plans. His first release “Solo” was warmly received and caused enough reaction to call for a follow-up. That follow-up was “Through His Eyes,” an album that, for the time, would be considered a “mega-hit” record with strong sales, topping the CCM sales chart and unbelievable radio support. It also featured what many people consider the first legitimate music video in CCM. Most albums start with an upbeat tune to grab the listener’s attention. Archer went against the norm and started with the title track, one of the few songs in CCM to deserve the “classic” title. The ballad was huge…I mean HUGE! Despite its sugary string arrangement (I want to blame Chris Christian) the song actually has an emotional center where concern for the lost and hurting around us is authentic. The song is call for those disenfranchised to see themselves as Christ sees them. This was not the normal “Jesus makes me happy” lyric that dominated (still?) Christian radio. Archer’s “blue-eyed soul (is that term overused enough?) is reminiscent to Hall and Oates (I’ll Do My Best) or a softer Bryan Duncan (Believe It). The album is filled primarily upbeat pop numbers and strong, radio friendly ballads. Archer bridge a generational gap and was a safe artists within Church circles, which allowed him to benefit from programs like “Hour of Power” and other national programs. This only increased his fan base. This fan base carried him for several more years both as a solo artist and with his family. I understand that music critic elitist simply do not understand the world of pop music and shutter when certain genres receive recognition. But within every genre are artists who are clearly superior in their craft. In the world of family and Church safe CCM no artists in his generation matched what Archer was able to accomplish.

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Through His Eyes Of Love – 4:20
2 – Safe – 4:08
3 – I’ll Do My Best – 3:48
4 – Holy, Holy – 4:11
5 – Believe It – 3:52
6 – Renew Me Lord – 3:30
7 – Teach Me To Be Like You – 4:19
8 – New Heart – 4:10
9 – Must Be You – 4:47
10 – Unless God Builds Your House – 3:21
11 – Eye Of The Storm – 4:01
12 – Blood Of Jesus – 3:26

Credits
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – John Robinson
Executive-Producer, Producer – Chris Christian
Guitar – Dann Huff, Michael Landau
Keyboards – Robbie Buchanan

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Home Sweet Home Records, Inc.
Manufactured By – LCS Music Group, Inc.
Distributed By – LCS Music Group, Inc.

Modest Attraction – Modest Christmas – 1994

Modest Attraction are Simeon Liljegren and Christian Liljegren from Borderline, Mick Nordström from Jerusalem, and Stephan Mohlin. They had a demo and an album before this “Christmas” EP. Normally we don’t post 90’s bands but we couldn’t resist this Christmas album. The first 2 tracks are Christmas songs. One of them an original and one a cover of a legendary Larry Norman song. The last 2 tracks I am assuming were a gift to their fans.

Tracklist
1 – Modest Christmas – 3:15
2 – Christmas Time – 5:02
3 – Feed Your Fire (Live) – 4:11
4 – Give You My Song (Live) – 8:03

Credits
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Simeon Liljegren
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Drums, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Mick Nordström
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Guitar [All Guitars], Backing Vocals – Stephan Mohlin
Band [Modest Attraction Is], Lead Vocals – Christian Liljegren
Co-producer – The Rest Of The Band
Engineer [Assisted By] – Olle Kristensson, Stephan Mohlin
Engineer [Engineered By] – Mick Nordström
Mastered By – Mick Nordström, Peter Dahl
Organ, Bass – Niklas Jonsson
Producer [Produced By] – Mick Nordström

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Viva Records AB
Copyright (c) – Viva Records AB
Recorded At – Stable Hill Studios
Mixed At – Stable Hill Studios
Mastered At – Cutting Room
Pressed By – CD-Linja OY
Published By – Cantio Music
Published By – Glenwood Music Corp.
Published By – Straw Bed Publ Co
Published By – New Generation

Larry Norman – A Moment In Time – 1994

A Moment In Time is was released on CD in 1994 and contains all new songs, which is something that Larry Norman fans had been waiting for for a while. Stop This Flight was ten years earlier in 1984, and there had been only two studio albums since then: Home At Last (1989) and Stranded In Babylon (1991).

Larry had been hospitalized for his heart condition a couple of months before recording this, but he felt some urgency to do the project because he needed to keep some income going to pay for another operation. Most of the vocal tracks were done once with no retakes due to Larry’s health at the time.

The musicians who apparently donated their time for this project were Herb Manuputy, Dave Mansfield, The Dave Nicar Band, Keith Turbet, and Steve League.

Overall the sound is a bit of well paced boogie-woogie blues with a bit of country twang.

The radio spot is a pitch for signatures for an anti-child porn amendment for the state of Oregon. I don’t know how that turned out in the end.

“Down the Line” is a studio rough cut with a country twang. Larry’s commentary for the studio musicians is left in the mix rather than edited out. It makes it a little more fun, although the song probably could have stood on its own.

“Long Hard Road” is a wordy country/blues tune. It has a lot of “some people…” lines in it, lamenting how he feels he has been treated and viewed over the years. “Some people don’t know truth from lies so they just make it up” is the gist of it. It’s a nice smooth blues tune with a good guitar sound.

“Elvis Has Left the Building” is a tribute, a lament and an ode to Elvis Presley. It is a phrase that even has its own Wikipedia page now. “…often used by public address announcers at the conclusion of Elvis Presley concerts in order to disperse audiences”

The expression took on a meaning of its own but Larry had a genuine place in his heart for Elvis. He frequently mentioned him when talking about the evolution of rock’n’roll, and how popular music took the style used in Black churches to record love songs for the radio. Stylistically I think that Larry admired Elvis, but he always held a tone of concern for him.

There has been plenty of theological debate for several centuries over whether one can “lose their salvation” or not, but this seems to be part of the concern of this song. When Elvis “left the building” is Larry thinking about him leaving this world, or leaving his faith? A little of both most likely. However, the last words reported to be called out when Elvis died are perhaps words of faith.

The three bonus tracks are included here probably because this would have been a very short album without them, but they were not all part of the same studio sessions as the rest of the tracks. Most of them, with the exception of Right Here In America had not been previously released.

Track Listing:
01 Radio Spot
02 Down the Line
03 Long Hard Road
04 When the Son Comes Back
05 Elvis Has Left the Building
06 Lay My Burden Down
07 Toxic Tea and Toast
08 You Shall Be Saved
(Bonus Tracks)
09 The Children of Nimrod
10 The Solid Rock
11 Leave It Up to God to Handle
12 Right Here in America