If you do not own this album, you are truly missing out on not only one of the great Christmas albums of all time (Christian or secular) but on one of the great albums. This album was initially listed in the Top 100 before the decision to remove the seasonal albums. Years before “City of a Hill,” short lived Via Records released this brilliant acoustic collection of original and classical holiday favorites. Artists include Derri Daugherty (The Choir), Michael Pritzl (The Violet Burning), Jerry Chamberlain (DA), Kevin Smith (DC Talk), Jenny Gullen (Hoi Polloi), Brent Bourgeois, Riki Michelle (Adam Again), Julie Miller and more. Simply brilliant from first to last and years ahead of the time.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Derri Daugherty & Riki Michelle & Steve Hindalong – Babe In The Straw – 3:32 2 – Michael Pritzl & Jenny Gullen – Silent Night – 3:36 3 – Jerry Chamberlain & Sharon McCall & Riki Michelle & Derri Daugherty – I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day – 2:57 4 – Kevin Smith – In The Bleak Mid-Winter – 3:15 5 – Jenny Gullen & Derri Daugherty – Bring A Torch Jeannette, Isabella – 2:52 6 – Stephen & Jenny Gullen – O Holy Night – 4:26 7 – Brian Whitman – Carol Of The Birds – 3:00 8 – Brent Bourgeois & Carolyn Arends & Derri Daugherty – What Child Is This? – 4:30 9 – Riki Michelle & Jerry Chamberlain & Sharon McCall – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – 2:53 10 – Buddy & Julie Miller – Away In A Manger – 2:57 11 – Carolyn Arends & Stephen Murray & Jenny Gullen – Angels We Have Heard On High – 4:43
A few times I’ve been asked when it all went wrong for Christian music. I truly believe that this album was that moment. This was MWS’s 10th album and as far as commercial success goes it was his biggest. This album actually entered the Billboard 200 at #16 which is the highest-debuting Christian album in history. It also won the 1996 Grammy Award in the ‘Best Pop-Contemporary Gospel Album’. Unfortunately this caught the attention of record executives and that lead to where we are today. When Christian artists were small change their labels were lead by other Christians who knew what Christians wanted to hear. Now we are fed what the executives think we want which most people listen to reluctantly and some even actually think they like it. This album is literally every worship service I now hear on Sunday minus the congregation singing along. The songs are absolutely dull and has zero creativity. The album was recorded in 8 different studios with 22 engineers. I’m not kidding, 22 engineers and 40 musicians. As a result the album has absolutely no flow at all and no continuity in the sound or feel of the album. It’s just a collection of mediocre worship songs. This is what record executives thought we wanted to hear. No, it’s what our parents wanted to hear, we wanted to hear Rock & Roll whatever definition that had in 1995. So this was the beginning of the end. I have listened to this album 3 times in 2 days now and I can not remember one track. Not one. Absolutely nothing on this album stood out. Sorry Michael you put zero effort into the album and it shows but apparently that’s what our parents wanted and here we are today.
Tracklist 1 – Cry For Love – 5:12 2 – Breakdown – 5:27 3 – As It Is In Heaven – 5:09 4 – Straight To The Heart – 2:48 5 – Someday – 3:52 6 – I’ll Be Around – 4:45 7 – I’ll Lead You Home – 5:23 8 – Trilogy: The Other Side Of Me – 4:24 9 – Trilogy: Breathe In Me – 3:55 10 – Trilogy: Angels Unaware – 4:37 11 – Calling Heaven – 4:54 12 – A Little Stronger Everyday – 4:43 13 – Crown Him With Many Crowns – 4:34 14 – I’m Waiting For You – 3:12
Credits A&R – Don Donahue Acoustic Guitar – Bruce Gaitsch Arranged By, Conductor – Jeremy Lubbock Art Direction – Rob Birkhead Backing Vocals – Brent Bourgeois, Chris Rodriguez, Gardner Cole, Lisa Cochran, Louis Johnson, Micah Wilshire, Molly Felder, Natalie Jackson, Renee Garcia Bliss, Richard Page, Tim Erwin Bass – Lee Sklar, Tommy Simms Choir – Angelo, Anointed, Bob Bailey, Chris Harris, Chris Rodriguez, Da Dra Crawford, Denise “Nee-C” Walls, Donna McElroy, Kim Fleming, Mary Tiller, Micah Wilshire, Michael Mellett, Nicole Coleman Mullen, Steve Crawford, Veronica Petrucci, Vicki Hampton Contractor – Jules Chaikin Coordinator [Vocal Coordinator] – Donna McElroy Design – Buddy Jackson, Karinne Caulkins Design [Creative Assistant] – Diana Lussenden Drum Programming – Marc Moreau, Patrick Leonard Drums – Brian MacLeod, Chris McHugh, Steve Brewster, Vinnie Colaiuta Engineer [Second] – Al Lay, Darren Smith, David Dilbeck, David Faulkner, Dennis Patton, Greg Parker, Jason Wilder, Jeff Wright, John “JT” Thomas, Krish Sharma, Mike Janas, Patrick Kelly, Paula Montondo, Rob Burrell, Scott Lenox Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton, Michael W. Smith Guitar – Dann Huff Keyboards – Patrick Leonard Keyboards, Piano – Michael W. Smith Mastered By – Doug Sax Mixed By – Bill Deaton, Craig Hansen, David Thoener, Jerry Jordan Organ – Patrick Leonard Percussion – Luis Conte Photography By – Ben Pearson, Russ Harrington Photography By [Cover] – Timothy White Producer – Michael W. Smith, Patrick Leonard Programmed By – Michael W. Smith Programmed By [Additional] – Brian MacLeod, Dennis Patton Programmed By [Synth] – Patrick Leonard Recorded By – Bryan Lenox, Craig Hansen, Jerry Jordan, Keith Compton, Marc Moreau Steel Guitar – Paul Franklin Vocals – Michael W. Smith
After three decades of crafting memorable, significant and compelling blues and rock, Resurrection band created a swan song of the highest order. Due in part to reaching out beyond their normal Jesus People USA community for creative support and enlisting Kings X’s Ty Tabor, the band created their one and only “concept” album and it was a striking artistic success. It would be their last. The Kings X influence can be found in the creative process, the vocal delivery and the fuller and more diverse guitar sounds. The album would also feature less of vocalist Wendi Kaiser than any other project. Glenn kaiser takes the reins nearly exclusively and delivers some of his most emotionally compelling performances. Wendi’s limited appearances end up being her best since Mommy Don’t Love Daddy. Lyrically focusing on one man’s realization of the hopelessness around him as he recognizes the decaying world’s fall into the abyss. This leads him on a journey of spiritual awakening and realization of the exclusive hope found only in Christ. Similar to the Old testament Laments, the listener is not spared the descriptions of the ugliness of life. This darker introduction makes the brighter hope even more stunning. One stand out track that cannot be ignored is the impressive acoustic driven Lands End. Limited to a simply acoustic guitar and percussive musical support, Kaiser’s vocals soar above the Celtic leaning melody. A soft recorder’s subtle inclusion is flawless and stirring in its simplicity. The conceptual nature of the album forced the band to perform the album live in its entirety while touring in support of the album. This left some “older” fans longing for some of the earlier “hits,” but worked masterfully live. This would be the last tour in support of an album and now the band plays very limited dates, primarily exclusively at the Jesus People USA directed Cornerstone Festival.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com
Tracklist 1 – Parting Glance – 1:10 2 – Across These Fields – 4:20 3 – On The Move – 2:09 4 – Summerthrow – 4:12 5 – At Land’s End – 4:08 6 – Song And Dance – 4:46 7 – In Change – 3:15 8 – The Road – 3:49 9 – Dark Carnival – 2:54 10 – Mirror – 3:57 11 – Another Look – 0:35 12 – Surprised – 5:23 13 – Richest One – 4:07 14 – Across These Fields Reprise – 3:39
Credits Artwork [Cover Art – Detail From Painting By] – Gaylen Stewart Bass, Backing Vocals – Roy Montroy Design – Cornerstone Graphics, Janet Cameron Drums – John Herrin Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards – Stu Heiss Engineer [Assistant] – Marty Phillips (2) Engineer [Engineered By] – Brian “Full Slab” Garcia*, Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss Executive-Producer – Tom Cameron Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Wendi Kaiser Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Dulcimer, Harmonica – Glenn Kaiser Musician [Additional], Panpipes – Eric Clayton Musician [Additional], Percussion [Various Percussion] – Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss Producer [Produced By] – Ty Tabor
We have a great live album from Steve here. While most live albums are a compilation of the best takes from several concerts this one was recorded in just one take in October 1994 in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Even the tracks are in the order played except for “Jim Morrison’s Grave” and “On The Fritz” which were switched around to allow for proper timing on the cassette. Steve even played a couple tracks from his Chagall Guevara band. The fire alarm incident that closes out the album actually occurred at Judson College and was dubbed in. As for the album there’s not much to say other than it’s another example of Steve’s live brilliance and is pretty well engineered for a live album.
Tracklist 1 – Jim Morrison’s Grave – 3:19 2 – The Lament Of Desmond R. G. Underwood-Frederick IV – 4:37 3 – I Want To Be A Clone – 2:05 4 – Escher’s World – 3:33 5 – On The Fritz – 6:31 6 – Bannerman – 3:19 7 – Hero – 5:14 8 – Jesus Is For Losers – 4:13 9 – The Finish Line – 5:41 10 – Violent Blue – 4:29
Credits Art Direction – Buddy Jackson Bass – Wade Jaynes Drums – Chris Kearney Guitar, Backing Vocals – Greg Wollan, Mark Townsend Booking – Jeff Roberts & Associates Crew [Driver] – Dave Fancey, Doug Rioux, Guy Johnson Crew [Merchandise] – Curtis Swartzentruber Design – Karinne Caulkins Engineer [Engineered By], Engineer [Sound], Mixed By – Russ Long Lighting [Design] – Scott Moore Lighting [Operator] – Anthony Kordyjaka Management – Proper Management Management [Proper Management] – Amy Kyker, Glenda McNalley, Jeff Quistad, Nancy Kronemann, Norman Miller Management [Road Manager] – Joe Nero Mastered By – Hank Williams Photography By – Ben Pearson Producer – Russ Long, Steve Taylor Production Manager – Mike Jones Recorded By [Recording Assistance], Engineer [Monitor] – Marc Chevalier Written-By – Steve Taylor
You may not know the name Dave Thrush but I guarantee you know the sound of Dave Thrush. He gained his most recognition for his Saxophone work on all of Steve Taylor’s albums as well as touring with him. He was actually a high school friend of Steve’s and was with Steve from his first demo until the band broke up. He also appeared on other albums but we mostly know him from Steve’s work. In 1995 Sparrow released this solo album from him. It was actually nominated for a Dove Award in the category of Instrumental Album but lost out to a far more inferior album. Quite frankly this is a tough category and it seems like it was/is always given to a piano player. Anyway this is not your average CCM album of the period as it is mainly a saxophone based instrumental album, though the track “Jesus Is The Answer” has vocals from Chris Willis and is as good if not better than anything out at the time. There is also a great Sax cover of “El Shaddai” which should resonate with Amy Grant fans. Quite frankly this is a pretty good album. It’s not really my style but I’ve left it playing in the background a few times while I worked and I grew to quite like it. Oh and a quick sidenote, this is probably one of the best album titles ever. Apparently Dave has a Christmas album and I’ll see if I can upload it for next Christmas.
Tracklist 1 – El Shaddai – 4:07 2 – His Strength Is Perfect / Hiding Place – 4:33 3 – Say The Name – 5:30 4 – Lamb Of God / How Beautiful / He Is Exalted – 5:03 5 – People Need The Lord – 4:56 6 – The Greatest Thing – 3:58 7 – There Is A Redeemer – 4:05 8 – I Will Be There – 4:24 9 – Friends / Great Is The Lord / Hosanna / How Majestic Is Your Name – 6:46 10 – Jesus Is The Answer – 4:57 11 – Tomorrow – 3:58 12 – We Will Stand – 4:43
Here’s the 6th album from Geoff Moore and The Distance and it’s another home run. The guys definitely had their sound perfected at this point and knew exactly what their fans wanted. There were a few baseball themed albums in the 80’s and it’s nice to see that these guys continued that theme into the 90’s. The album was pretty successful on the CCM charts with the title track making it to #24 which is pretty surprising because it’s a pretty upbeat song for those charts. “Tell Me Again” and “The Vow” also charted at #6 and #24 respectively. They also produced a music video for the title track which is fun to watch. Another great album from one of my favourite groups.
Tracklist 1 – Home Run – 4:10 2 – New Americans – 5:11 3 – Evidence Of God – 5:42 4 – Best Days – 4:30 5 – The Vow – 4:08 6 – Love Will Save The Day – 3:50 7 – Born To Be – 4:03 8 – Come Near To Me – 5:08 9 – Tell Me Again – 4:36 10 – Nothing To Hide – 4:54 11 – We Are Waiting – 4:38
Credits Geof Barkley – Songwriter, Keyboards, Choir Vocals Richie Biggs – Engineer Dan Brock – Executive Producer Ronnie Brookshire – Engineer, Mixed Steven Curtis Chapman – Songwriter Chuck Conner – Drums, Choir Vocals Eric Darken – Percussion Eddie DeGarmo – Executive Producer Dave Dillbeck – Engineer Michael Gleason – Keyboards John Hampton – Engineer Chris Harris – Bass, Announcer Dann Huff – Guitar Gordon Kennedy – Guitar Ken Love – Mastered Phil Madeira – Songwriter Blair Masters – Keyboards Shawn McLean – Second Engineer Roscoe Meek – Songwriter, Acoustic and Electric Guitars Michael Mellett – Background Vocals Geoff Moore – Songwriter, Vocals Gary Mullet – Bass Phil Naish – Producer, Keyboards, Umpire Jimmie Lee Sloas – Producer, Songwriter, Bass Bart Stevens – Second Engineer Randy Thomas – Guitar Rick Will – Mixed
This is the 15th album from Petra which is rather amazing when you think about it. Many popular secular bands didn’t even put out this many albums. The album is more pop oriented than their previous album and as such a broader appeal. Strangely the guitars on the album were played by founder Bob Hartman but as he had quit touring with the band so new guitarist David Lichens played the tour and appeared on the album cover and all promotional pictures. Now my criticism. Who thought this album cover was a good idea? The colour is horrible and the artwork is incredibly dull. Looks like the cover was just mailed in if you know what I mean. A part of me feels like the whole project was mailed in. I’m not really hearing anything that jumps out at me as a great track which is really surprising as the Elefante brothers produced and engineered the album. For those of you who say I don’t know anything about music well here’s your proof that you are correct. An album I found to be bland, not bad, was Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1995 and actually won the Dove Award for Rock Album in 1996. So I admit my taste does not jive with the industry.
Tracklist 1 – Enter In – 5:00 2 – Think Twice – 4:19 3 – Heart Of A Hero – 4:10 4 – More Than A Thousand Words – 4:58 5 – No Doubt – 4:54 6 – Right Place – 3:38 7 – Two Are Better Than One – 3:43 8 – Sincerely Yours – 4:16 9 – Think On These Things – 4:24 10 – For All You’re Worth – 4:14 11 – We Hold Our Hearts Out To You – 4:11
Credits A&R – Bubba Smith, Lynn Keesecker Backing Vocals – John Schlitt Bass – Ronny Cates Drums – Louie Weaver Executive Producer – Bob Hartman Keyboards – Jim Cooper Lead Guitar – David J. Lichens Lead Vocals – John Schlitt Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante Vocals – David J. Lichens, Jim Cooper, Ronny Cates
Apparently Jamie Rowe and some of the rest of the band were fluent in Spanish and decided to release a few albums in Spanish for the Mexican and South American market. One of the things I have learnt through this project is that CCM music was huge in South America. In fact Brazil has the 3rd most listeners on our YouTube channel followed by Mexico placing them above The U.K. and Australia. Most of these tracks are actually just Spanish covers of previous tracks but the went back into the studio to re-cut the music. I really like Spanish music and was delighted to discover these Spanish Guardian releases. The quality is fantastic and these tracks do not come off as just a new language cover.
Tracklist 1 – Que El Mundo De Su Gloria Llene – 5:02 2 – Todos Vamos Ja – 4:52 3 – Te Veo en el Cielo – 4:39 4 – El Capitán – 4:21 5 – ¿Sabes Que Es El Amor? – 4:51 6 – Nunca Te Diré Adiós – 4:54 7 – Toma Tu Cruz – 4:49 8 – Uno Para el Otro – 4:03 9 – Como el Sol – 5:24 10 – Creo en Ti – 5:10
After the split of Barren Cross in 1994 Mike Lee got together with Kai Reiss. I can’t find any work by Kai before this project but I suspect he was involved in the technical side of the industry at the time. On the CD cover bass and drums were credited to fake names with images of a dog. The album has several dog references both in the artwork and in the music. It doesn’t really come off that good but I have always hated albums with gimmicks. The album sound has a hard rock 90’s feel without getting to close to grunge (thank god) and Mike’s vocals are on full display. He really is a great vocalist. Anyway this would be a one off project which is too bad because it’s pretty good and I would have liked to have heard more.
Tracklist 1 – Ugly – 4:21 2 – Wanna-maker – 3:04 3 – I Got My Head Stuck In The Cupboard – 3:37 4 – Row Your Boat – 4:03 5 – Fleas Of A Thousand Camels – 3:06 6 – To Die For – 3:42 7 – Turn Back Time – 4:23 8 – Home On The Rage – 3:28 9 – Slow Melt – 5:15 10 – Icebone – 4:40 11 – Andre’s Song – 5:20 12 – Wingless Plane – 2:47 13 – Untitled Bonus Track – 2:13
Credits Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Bass, Keyboards – Kai Reiss Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Mike Lee Bass [Additional] – Mark Williams Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Mike Lee Engineer [Assistant] – David Reiss, Jason S. Schusster*, Mike Lee Graphics, Design – T Vasabhuti Illustration – Carolyn Kunkel Mastered By – Doug Doyle Photography By – Darleen Dils Producer [Produced By], Engineer [Engineered By] – Kai Reiss
While Metal is not my preferred music style I have grown to like it a little more and I was looking forward to hearing some good anthem rock from Holy Soldier on this album. Holy cow was I in for a surprise. Eric Wayne is back on vocals and some how the band decided it was a good idea to completely change their style. They decided to turn their back on all their fans and do a grunge album. To be clear while I struggle with liking Metal sometimes I don’t struggle with grunge at all. I hate it, period. I just wonder how all the Holy Soldier diehards reacted to getting a completely different style album. I also believe this was the downfall of the band. Yes they had one more album after this but it was a self release because I kind of doubt any record company wanted anything to do with them. I am a little surprised that Eddie Degarmo was an Executive Producer for the album. I strongly respect Ed but he should have known that completely changing styles was not a good idea. Okay lets mover onto the album. As much as I dislike grunge this is a well done album. They actually nailed the sound and did a good job of it. The one exception is the cover of Larry’s “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus” which is just horrible. So were you a Holy Soldier fan? Did you like the new sound?
Tracklist 1 – Promise Man – 4:35 2 – Mumbo Jumbo – 4:33 3 – My World – 4:02 4 – Rust – 5:45 5 – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus – 4:05 6 – Break It Down – 3:55 7 – Cover Me – 4:33 8 – Grind – 3:14 9 – Love Conquers All – 5:13 10 – Sand – 4:29
Credits Bass – Andy Robbins Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Scott Soderstrom Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin – Michael Cutting Engineer – Doug Beiden Engineer [Assistent Engineer] – Sean McLean Executive-Producer – Dan R. Brock, Eddie Degarmo Mastered By – Ken Love Producer – David Zaffiro Vocals – Eric Wayne Written By – Andy Robbins, David Zaffiro, Eric Wayne, Michael Cutting, Scott Soderstrom
