Various – Back To The Rock #2 – 1983

This is the second in a series of samplers form A&S Records. This is one is a treasure trove of unreleased and barely released material. The first album in this series had more mainstream tracks but this time they went with some real obscure stuff. Below I’ve listed the tracks and the album they came from;

1 – Bill Batstone – Silver And Gold – Unreleased
2 – Spurr And McNeil – Walkin’ Again – Unreleased
3 – Apocalypse – Call On Jesus – Unreleased
4 – Michael Gonzales – Mountaintop – Mountaintop – 1983
5 – The Lifters – Living Water – The Lifters – 1983
6 – Eden – Break Out Of The Night – released on a 45 – 1983
7 – The Altar Boys – Where’s It Gonna Lead Ya – Altar Boys – 1984
8 – Sheryl Olguin – Easy Rider – Unreleased
9 – James Ledlie – Strangers – released on a 45 – 1983
10 – Danny Daniels – Flyer – Sons Of Thunder – 1982

Tracklist
1 – Bill Batstone – Silver And Gold – 3:50
2 – Spurr And McNeil – Walkin’ Again – 3:44
3 – Apocalypse – Call On Jesus – 4:32
4 – Michael Gonzales – Mountaintop – 3:58
5 – The Lifters– Living Water – 1:48
6 – Eden – Break Out Of The Night – 4:09
7 – The Altar Boys – Where’s It Gonna Lead Ya – 2:21
8 – Sheryl Olguin – Easy Rider – 3:50
9 – James Ledlie – Strangers – 3:38
10 – Danny Daniels – Flyer – 3:40

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&S Records
Copyright © – A&S Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △26182

Tom Howard & Bill Batstone – One By One – 1985

Some of the old gang from Solid Rock got together for this one minus Larry of course. Bill Batstone had helped out as a studio musician on several early Solid Rock projects and someone had the vision of him and Tom Howard doing an album. Excellent vision. This album works just perfect. Tom and Bill take turns on lead vocals and it works. The album has an excellent flow and their vocals compliment each other. The album was mixed by Mark Heard at his studio and the mix is perfect, but we came to expect that of Mark. The album is a mix of easy listening and light rock but their is something here for everyone. It’s a great rounded album and it definitely deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – When The Curtain Falls – 3:42
2 – Storm Moving On – 3:23
3 – Night And Day – 4:04
4 – Think On These Things – 3:53
5 – Heart of a Fool (Psalm 4) – 3:40
6 – Your Constant Love – 3:27
7 – He Took The Form Of Man – 3:23
8 – The Best Thing – 3:33
9 – Show Me The Shepherd – 4:43
10 – And He Heard Them Sing – 4:47

Credits
Arranged By – Bill Batstone, Tom Howard
Art Direction – Tim Alderson
Drums [Drum Overdubs] – David Raven
Engineer – Mark Heard
Guitar, Bass, Drum Programming [DMX] – Bill Batstone
Keyboards – Tom Howard
Mixed By – Mark Heard
Percussion – Harry Stinson
Photography By – Stewart Ivester
Producer – Bill Batstone, Tom Howard
Vocals – Bill Batstone, Tom Howard

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – A&S Records
Copyright © – A&S Records
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.
Recorded At – Fingerprint Recorders
Mixed At – Fingerprint Recorders

Jacket Front
Jacket Back
Sleeve Front
Sleeve Back
Side 1
Side 2

John Mehler – Back In Love – 1987

This is John’s 2nd solo album but he had several compilation albums.

He really should have done more solo albums as he really does some great Rock & Roll.

I will admit that there are a few songs with a new wave vibe but generally it’s a good Rock & Roll album. The fact that John is a drummer actually comes through in his music.

I’ve never heard so many songs start with a drum intro on any album. It’s not a complaint however because it works great on this album. Bottom line is that this is a great album that should be in your 80’s collection.

Track Listing:
1 – Hey Landlord
2 – Child of Heaven
3 – Drive Away
4 – Point Of View
5 – Back In Love
6 – Channel 53
7 – Gate Into The Sky
8 – All Of Your Love
9 – Call For Surrender
10 – There Will Come A Time

Credits:
Co-producer – Bill Batstone
Producer – John Mehler