Tag: John Fischer

This was John’s last album with Light though Light did release a Greatest hits album in the mid 80’s. Light threw a lot of money at this album including hiring an entire horn section. Though recorded in 1978 it wasn’t released until Mar of 1979. I suspect this was partly due to ongoing production as at times it’s over produced. To be clear let me say right away that I enjoyed this album but I have some criticism. First of all the horn section adds nothing to the album and really should have been left off and money saved. My other complaint is the varying styles. At time it’s disco, at time 70’s Jesus Music, and at times classic rock. Not a good flow. That said all the tracks are well done and I like each of them individually but I just don’t feel they should be stuffed onto the same album. I do love the title track and it will be going in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Johnny’s Cafe – 4:10
2 – One Lane Road – 4:02
3 – Nothin’ In This World – 3:32
4 – Circle Of Blessing – 3:50
5 – Talking Faces – 4:15
6 – Pawn In The Game – 3:36
7 – Right On Time – 3:05
8 – Hard Line – 3:55
9 – Blessed – 3:12
10 – Midnight On Main Street – 3:30

Credits
John Fischer – Songwriter, Vocals
Dan Collins – Producer, Background Vocals
Dan Ferguson – Guitars
Steve Forman – Percussion
Leon Gaer – Bass
Clark Gassman – Arrangements, Keyboards
David Kemper – Drums
Paul Leim – Drums
Tim May – Guitars
Don Menza – Saxophone
Jack Joseph Puig – Engineer
Tom Rotella – Guitars
Rick Vito – Guitars

John Fischer is known for the quantity of quality albums he released. This 1976 release relied strongly on scripture. On this album five tracks directly quote scripture which was very well received by his audience. Many considered this a Jesus Music album but it is just too Easy Listening for me to categorize it that way. Bottom line, it’s an excellent album if you like this style of music. John truly is an excellent singer/songwriter.

Tracklist
1 – Naphtali – 6:36
2 – We Are His Workmanship – 3:50
3 – Don’t Veil The Door – 3:36
4 – Work Out The Life – 2:48
5 – Naphtali Arise – 2:51
6 – Angel’s Song – 3:38
7 – Mary & Joseph – 4:25
8 – Song For The Good Times – 3:44
9 – Live In The Power – 4:53
10 – Arise My Beloved – 4:01

Credits
Arranged By – Clark Gassman
Artwork, Design – Jim Lamb
Backing Vocals – Dan Collins, Walt Harrah
Bass – Reinie Press
Drums – Hal Blaine, Ron Tutt
Engineer – Jerry Barnes
Guitar – Dean Parks, Jay Graydon
Guitar, Keyboards – John Fischer
Keyboards – Clark Gassman, Joe Sample
Percussion – Joe Piccaro
Producer – Dan Collins
Steel Guitar – Al Perkins

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – United Western Studios

Some say that John Fischer’s 1969 album “The Cold Cathedral ” was the first contemporary Christian album coming out a few months before Larry Norman’s “Upon This Rock”. I understand that not all agree but I think we can all agree that Fischer had a long a storied career in Christian music. Dark Horse was his 8th album and a good example to him adapting to the 80’s. The album is an easy listening/praise album and as Fischer really knew what he was doing at this point in his career it is very well done. Joining Fischer on background vocals were Bob Carlisle (Allies) , and Bryan Duncan (The Sweet Comfort Band).

Tracklist
1 – Dark Horse – 3:55
2 – Beggar – 2:49
3 – Only A Few – 4:63
4 – Fallin’ In Love – 3:21
5 – Christopher’s Toes – 2:51
6 – Nobody Wants To Die – 3:34
7 – Losin’ Is Winnin’ – 2:54
8 – Roses On Wednesday – 3:10
9 – Lookin’ Straight On – 2:49
10 – Leavin’ It All To You – 3:01

Credits
Arranged By [Strings] – David Diggs
Art Direction – Paradise Graphics, Paul Gross
Backing Vocals – Bob Carlyle, Brian Duncan
Bass – Leland Sklar
Composed By, Written-By – John Fischer
Concept By [Front Cover] – Craig McNair Wilson
Drums – Rich Schlosser
Engineer [Second] – David Schober, Steve Ford
Guitar – Billy Walker
Illustration – Kurt Triffet
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Organ – John Hobbs
Layout [Sleeve] – Ronald E. Garman
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Photography By [Liner] – Sam Emerson
Producer, Engineer – Jack Joseph Puig

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios
Recorded At – Martinsound
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co.