Here we have another live album from Darrell. It contains most of his favourites that we see pop up on most of his later live work. Half the album was recorded in Los Angeles and half in Holland with 2 different bands not that you can really tell. Anyway I don’t have much more to say as there are plenty of live Darrell recordings and they are all excellent.
Tracklist 1 – Let’s Work Together – 4:08 2 – There’s Gotta Be A Change – 5:39 3 – Tell The Truth – 5:21 4 – Walk With Me Jesus – 5:35 5 – The Mission – 4:45 6 – Nobody But You Lord – 4:53 7 – Boom Boom – 7:12 8 – Stand By Me – 9:05 9 – Time To Go – 9:18 10 – People Get Ready – 7:10 11 – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – 7:12
I am a huge Darrell Mansfield fan so I rarely say anything negative about him. But I have heard one criticism that I have to somewhat agree with and it’s that Darrell’s albums started to become very repetitive. Darrell has tendency to go to the same songs over and over again and I understand that if you’re not a huge fan like I am it gets repetitive. Put that aside for a moment though and remember this album came out in 1995. Several of the tracks on this album would become regular tracks for him but this was the first time he released them. As such if you had heard this album for the first time in 1995 it would have been pretty amazing. Now even if you’re tired of hearing the same songs over and over again there is one track here that is a must listen. Willie Dixon’s Spoonful is a real treat and one we don’t hear Darrell do it often so it is a must listen to.
Tracklist 1 – Crossroads – 4:16 2 – Let’s Work Together – 3:19 3 – Heavy Load (Song For Jessica) – 5:36 4 – Flyin’ Free – 5:31 5 – The Mission – 4:31 6 – Boom Boom – 2:38 7 – Spoonful – 7:48 8 – Everybody’s Business – 3:45 9 – Starry Sea – 4:09 10 – He Has Overcome – 7:51
Credits Backing Vocals – Jaymes Felix Bass – Greg Chaisson Engineer – Abe Senna, David Mansfield, Eric Smith, Jonathan Mansfield, Mark Uehlein Engineer, Mixed By [Mix Down Engineering By] – Tim Lauber Executive-Producer – Freddie Piro Graphics – Atom Smith Guitar – Craig Erickson, Eric Turner (tracks: 3, 5, 10) Keyboards [Hammond B3 Keyboards] – Steve Wood Percussion – Burleigh Drummond Photography – Tom Ferguson Piano – Rob Rinderer Producer – Darrell Mansfield
This album was also released an a DVD video release. It was recorded on February 7, 2009 at the Orange County Pavilion in California. The title track from this album is my favourite track from Darrell ever and I’ve watched the video (It’s on YouTube) at least 1000 times. Darrell and Eric (Turner) were on it this night in fact of all the live albums Darrell has released I think this is his best one. He covers some of his biggest hits dating all the way back to “Jerusalem” from his Gentle Faith days. He also performs several secular songs including his expanded version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”. This is a must listen if you’re a fan of Darrell and in my opinion is probably his best album ever.
Tracklist 1 – The Mission – 5:08 2 – Got To Be a Change – 4:43 3 – Walk with Me Jesus – 6:10 4 – Stand by Me – 10:59 5 – Tell the Truth – 5:28 6 – Jerusalem – 4:13 7 – Million Dollar Feeling – 6:32 8 – Born To Be Wild – 4:34 9 – Walkin’ Blues – 5:43 10 – Crossroads – 7:03 11 – People Get Ready – 5:27 12 – All Along the Watchtower – 12:54
Credits Lead Vocals. Harmoninca – Darrell Mansfield Guitars, Vocals – Eric Turner Drums – Mitch Ross Bass – Rick Baptista Keyboards – Raphael Degiorgio Bass – Jonny Ray Bartel Lead Guitar – Kenny Hale Harmonica – Larry David Cohen Percussion – Josh Schreiner Vocals – Dexter Espinoza Saxophone – Greg Vail
Darrell is joined in the studio by members of The Kentucky Headhunters and Taildragger for yet another great Blues album. I’m a little confused why Greg Martin get’s billing on the jacket and not anyone else but perhaps it’s because it highlights his guitar work. Darrell is on spot this day in the studio and his harmonica was howling. There’s not a bad track on the album but in my opinion “Hello Goodbye Boogie” is the best track. It has a great Booker T. & the M.G.’s sound and feel.
Tracklist 1 – Respect Yourself – 5:30 2 – Ain’t No Room In This House For Hell – 3:13 3 – I’m Ready – 3:07 4 – Tell The Truth – 2:54 5 – Key To The Highway – 3:11 6 – That’s How Strong My Love Is – 3:28 7 – Hello Goodbye Boogie – 4:32
Credits Backing Vocals – Doug Phelps Bass – Mark Hendricks Drums, Backing Vocals – Jon McGee Guitar, Backing Vocals – Greg Martin Vocals, Backing Vocals – Richard Young Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Barrick Recording Studio
Larry Howard was joined on stage by several other performers at the Cornerstone Festival in 1992 for this fantastic blues session. The album is actually credited to Larry but really this is a various artists album. The last 6 tracks are credited as “Tribute To Mahalia Jackson”. If your a fan of the blues this is a must listen to. I had not heard this one before we recently received it and it was an excellent addition to our collection.
Tracklist 1 – Larry Howard – Good News Blues – 3:38 2 – Larry Howard – Love Will Make You Change Your Ways – 3:35 3 – Margaret Becker – Lean On Me – 4:19 4 – Larry Howard and Darrell Mansfield – Evangelistic Blues – 5:02 5 – Larry Howard & Glenn Kaiser & Darrell Mansfield – Presence Of The Lord – 4:36 6 – Guardian – Take Up Your Cross – 4:59 7 – Mark Farner – Judgement Day Blues – 4:55 8 – Larry Howard – Trouble No More – 3:49 9 – Eddie DeGarmo & Larry Howard – Here Am I – 3:49 10 – Mark Farner & Margaret Becker – Some Kind Of Wonderful – 4:42 11 – Jessy Dixon – Operator – 5:32 12 – Elsa Harris – If We Ever Needed The Lord Before, We Sure Do Need Him Now – 2:13 13 – Jessy Dixon & Elsa Harris – Keep Your Hand On The Plow – 2:39 14 – Margaret Becker – Walk Over God’s Heaven – 1:56 15 – Mark Farner – Search Me Lord – 3:13 16 – Elsa Harris & Vernessa Mitchell – Precious Lord – 4:22 17 – Larry Howard – Nobody But You – 4:19
Credits A&R [A&R Manager] – Lisa Stutts Backing Vocals – Clare Ford, Phyllis Duncan Bass Guitar – Slim Powell Design – Franke Design Co. Drums – Willie Smith Engineer – Malcolm Harper, Roger Heiss Engineer [Dyaxis Engineer] – Pat Scholes Engineer [Live Engineer], Technician [Technical Advisor] – Doug Jones Engineer [Monitor Engineer] – Chris Michaelessi Engineer [Sound Production] – Phil Zeo & Zeo Brothers Engineer [System Engineer] – Tom Wilson Guitar – Roscoe Meek Illustration [Cover Illustration] – Susan DeGarmo Keyboards – Lester Snell Mixed By – Greg Morrow Mixed By [Assistant] – Dave Perkins, Russ Weaver Other [Custom Tailoring] – Jane Cowan Other [Light Contractor] – Tone Zone Producer, Executive-Producer – Eddie DeGarmo Saxophone – Mark Townsend Stage Manager – Denny Keitzman Technician [Crew Chief & Stage Technician] – Tony Capacchione Technician [Larry’s Guitar Tech] – Tory Torstenson
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Copyright (c) – The ForeFront Communications Group, Inc. Distributed By – Star Song Communications Recorded At – Cornerstone Festival
Several months ago someone asked me if there were and “jam albums” in CCM. Off the top of my head I struggled to come up with any according to my friends definition. What was being sought after was a rock and roll album that wasn’t afraid to have the musicians take over a song for a while and letting each instrument have it’s share of the spotlight. Get Ready is such an album! The average song lasts longer then 5 minutes with a very simple blues verse chorus structure which leaves ample time for long instrumental jams featuring guitar and harmonica (Mansfield’s instrument of choice). Solos are loud and long and a heavy blues influence. The album was actually released on Polydor and had very limited Christian distribution when originally released. There was hope of Mansfield breaking into mainstream AOR radio but it never really happened despite relatively positive reviews. It may have had to do with the very evangelistic lyrics, something artists has never compromised on. The title track sounds like something from Dylan’s “Saved” album with a gospel choir accompanying the great guitar work. There are no ballads on the original 8 song release and only one song that could be categorized as “pop.” This would be the last album before Eric Turner would be added to the band n guitar. Turner’s heavier rock influence would be felt on future releases, but here it is original guitarists, Dennis Carothers, who handles the slide and electric lead perfectly. Fans of blues and southern rock like Molly Hatchet, 30 Special, Lynard Skynard and the Allman Brothers will find something here to like, In fact, this is the album I originally hoped Rick Cua would have made with the Outlaws influence. Mansfield’s importance to Jesus Music and later CCM should not be understated, even though he primarily remained a Southern California regional star. Along with Glen Kaiser Mansfield single-handedly kept the influence of blues music alive in CCM.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – Get Ready – 4:45
2 – Mr. Rock ‘N’ Roll – 4:08
3 – Above The Water – 5:17
4 – Billy Joe – 3:45
5 – Heaven Southwestern – 6:45
6 – Never Be The Same – 3:37
7 – Power Of Love – 4:18
8 – Life Saver – 4:57
CD Bonus Tracks
9 – Not Far Away – 4:18
10 – When The Curtain Falls – 3:47
11 – Flow Like A River – 4:56
Credits
Backing Vocals – Biff Vincent (tracks: 1 to 8), Bryan Duncan (tracks: 1 to 8), Christina Dent (tracks: 1 to 8), Kathy Hazzard (tracks: 1 to 8), Katy Mahoney (tracks: 1 to 8), Lisa Whitcomb (tracks: 1 to 8), Robin Glick (tracks: 1to 8), Rosemary Butler, Scott Galbraith (2) (tracks: 1 to 8), Susan Curley (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Charlie Sousa (tracks: 1 to 8)
Bass, Vocals – Jimmy Perez (tracks: 1 to 8)
Drums – Bill Maxwell (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Donny Vosburgh (tracks: 1 to 8), Paul Angers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Anthony Dean (2) (tracks: 1 to 8)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Corothers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Percussion – Alex Acuña (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Producer – Skip Konte (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Slide Guitar – Jerry Swallow (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 1 to 8), Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Polydor Incorporated
Manufactured By – Polydor Incorporated
Marketed By – Polydor Incorporated
Recorded At – International Automated Media
Mixed At – International Automated Media
Mastered At – International Automated Media
Pressed By – Bestway Products Inc.
This Live Darrell Mansfield album was recorded live at the 1990 Flevo Totaal Music Festival. Darrell really should be listened to live to appreciate. I enjoy all his studio work don’t get me wrong but really his work is best live. Most these tracks will come up again and again on Darrell’s many live albums but these are earlier versions so some of them are done differently than he would do later.
Tracklist 1 – You Got To Move – 2:00 2 – No More Blues – 3:25 3 – Million Dollar Feelin’ – 7:40 4 – I Was Running – 2:43 5 – Thunder & Lightning – 4:57 6 – Jesus Coming Soon – 6:31 7 – Stand By Me – 5:30 8 – Biblestudy – 8:07
Credits Bass, Vocals – Eric Turner Design – Gransch Bakker Design Drums, Vocals – Greg Eckler Engineer – Roel Toering Guitar [Lead], Vocals – Bob Anglin Harmonica, Lead Vocals – Darrell Mansfield Mixed By – Charles Everaars, Gerrit aan ‘t Goor Photography By – Datafoto
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Asaph Records Copyright (c) – Asaph Records
Without a doubt this is the best Christian blues album of all time. We all knew Mansfield’s blues abilities but I for one was impressed with Kaiser’s abilities. Kaiser’s voice is absolutely perfect for blues. Most of the album is cover tunes from Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Willie Johnson, Rev. Gary Davis, and James B. Vaughan. Kaiser however did write 6 tracks for the album and they fit in perfectly. If one knew nothing about the blues you would have a difficult if not impossible pick out the Kaiser written tunes. The album is an acoustic effort only featuring Guitar, Dobro, Harp, and Standing Bass. This album should be required listening for any Christian rock fan.
Tracklist
1 – Great Change Since I’ve Been Born – 3:12
2 – Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burnin’ – 2:53
3 – Shaky Ground – 4:22
4 – Nobody’s Fault But Mine – 3:08
5 – Go Tell Pharaoh – 1:53
6 – You Got To Move – 2:18
7 – In The Light Of The Morningstar – 2:45
8 – Celestial Shore – 4:50
9 – Jesus Is Comin’ Soon – 3:20
10 – God Don’t Never Change – 2:35
11 – What You Did – 5:11
12 – I Belong To The Band – 3:10
13 – You Got To Die – 4:41
14 – Cornerstone – 1:33
15 – We Shall See The King – 3:58
Credits
Design [Cover Design] – Cornerstone Graphics, Janet Cameron
Dobro, Guitar – Rob Glickman
Engineer – Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss, Roy Montroy
Mixed By – Roger Heiss
Photography By – Mike Tabor, Terry Wheeler
Vocals, Guitar, Dobro, Dulcimer, Blues Harp [Very Little Harp] – Glenn Kaiser
Vocals, Handclaps [Clapped, Stomped], Blues Harp [Blew Serious Harp] – Darrell Mansfield
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Grrr Records
Copyright (c) – Grrr Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Disctronics USA – 112929
Published By – Grrr Music
Published By – EMI Robbins Catalog Inc.
Published By – Chandos Music Inc.
Published By – Tradition Music
This EP came out in 1983 from another great group of guys from the MRC group over at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California. Their Rockabilly style was like nothing else in CCM at the time. In an era where the Stray Cats were popular this album filled a gap in Christian music. These 6 short fun tracks will leave you tapping your foot and even singing along. I have a love of the rockabilly style so I have to admit I was pretty excited when I saw this album. I knew from the cover it was something I was gonna like. The EP must have been popular as the Band came out with a full album (also great) in 1985. Point of trivia is that Darrell Mansfield supplied the harmonica track for “Bucket of Blues”. Also trivia worthy is Ojo Taylor also played some piano and assisted with song writing.
Tracklist
1 – Living Water – 1:51
2 – Baby Left Me – 2:20
3 – Bucket of Blues – 3:10
4 – Eternity Bop – 1:41
5 – I’m Yours – 2:52
6 – He’s My Lord – 2:07
Credits
Antwan Adams – Horns
Chris Brigandi – Songwriter, Guitars, Lead Vocals
Eddie Espinosa – Songwriter, Guitars
Dave Hackbarth – Horns
Kass – Bass Fiddle, Electric Bass, Background Vocals
Mark Kirschak – Songwriter
Michael Knott – Songwriter
Darrell Mansfield – Harmonica
Brian Ray – Songwriter, Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Ojo Taylor – Songwriter, Piano
Bill Walden – Horns
Dan Willard – Producer
At this point in Darrell’s career he can do what he wants when he wants. He has continued to pump out self published albums and this is one of those albums. At this point I guess we can call the Band the Darrell Mansfield House Band. They provide some of the best music background for Darrell’s Vocals and harmonica a person could ask for. This is another album of Darrell interpreted cover songs. All are excellent and stand alone hits. Of particular interest to me is the combo track “House Of The Rising Son/Amazing Grace”. It doesn’t sound like it would work but wow does it. The cover of Dylan’s “Knockin On Heaven’s Door” is another highlight. If your up for an excellent blues album this might be the one you’ve been waiting to listen to.
Tracklist
1 – Honey Hush – 4:36
2 – Jesus Left Chicago – 8:15
3 – Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven – 7:33
4 – I Am Not Alone – 3:43
5 – Crossroads – 3:53
6 – Going Down – 5:37
7 – Walkin Blues – 6:34
8 – All Along The Watchtower – 8:31
9 – House Of The Rising Son/Amazing Grace – 5:52
10 – Knockin On Heaven’s Door – 6:45
Credits
Darrell Mansfield – Lead Vocals, Harmonica
Jan-Peter Beijersbergen – Guitar
Mitch Ross – Drums and Percussion
Mark Dekkers – Bass
Bryan Edgell – Bass and Background Vocals
Brian Waterbury – Rhythm Guitar
Tina Paulson – Backbround Vocals, Artwork, Photography
Mitch Ross and Darrell Mansfield – Producer
Mitch Ross – Engineered and Mastered
Cary Pennington – Photography
