Various – The Strait Tapes – Volume I

This is a rather odd one. The Strait Tapes were a series of at least 3 cassettes published by Strait which was the Greenbelt Newspaper that came out Bi Monthly in the 80’s. How they got the rights to these songs is completely baffling but they did and they put out these great cassettes. This is the first one of this series. It is a mix of stuff we know and stuff we don’t. No one is too sure what year this cassette came out as the tracks themselves are from all over but the best guess is 1985. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did. There are some really rare unreleased tracks here a couple B sides so this is a real special compilation. I look forward to finding the next 2 cassettes in this series.

Larry Norman – If You Don’t Love the Lord (1986 Rehearsal 4 Reality/different version)
Robin Lane – Hard Cover (1984 Heart Connection EP)
Steve Turner – I Looked Down (1982 - City Without Love)
Philip Bailey – The Wonders of His Love (1984 The Wonders Of His Love)
Jump the Nile – Innocence Abroad (unreleased, band only had one 7")
Ring of Fire – Brave Men Cry (unreleased, no info on band)
Bruce Cockburn – In the Falling Dark (1976 In the Falling Dark)
Maria Muldaur – There's Going To Be The Devil To Pay (1983 Sweet and Slow)
Randy Stonehill – Everything But Love (1985 Stonehill EP)
Press Any Key – Whisper On The Wind (1987 - Whisper On The Wind, different mix)
Garth Hewitt – Red Hot and Cooking (1982 B-side of The Hungry Wind single)
Interface – Memories (1984 Released as an A side single)

Tracklist
1 – Larry Norman – If You Don’t Love the Lord
2 – Robin Lane – Hard Cover
3 – Steve Turner – I Looked Down
4 – Philip Bailey – The Wonders of His Love
5 – Jump the Nile – Innocence Abroad
6 – Ring of Fire – Brave Men Cry
7 – Bruce Cockburn – In the Falling Dark
8 – Maria Muldaur – There’s Going To Be The Devil To Pay
9 – Randy Stonehill – Everything But Love
10 – Press Any Key – Whisper On The Wind
11 – Garth Hewitt – Red Hot and Cooking
12 – Interface – Memories

Various – Country Praise (God Loves Country Music No.2) – 1982

This is kind of an odd sampler. It was actually recorded with a studio band and then the artists just doing the vocals. Mind you most of these artists were relatively unknown at the time and now for that matter. Several of them never even had a album. I am guessing the point of the sampler was to offer a Country album as that market was undeserved in the 80’s. The one treat on the album was the Bonnie Bramlett track. She was usually connected to the rock scene but she does a great country medley here.

Tracklist
1 – Maria Muldaur – Thank God – 3:45
2 – George Highfill – Make Me A Friend – 4:28
3 – Bruce Herring – What A Friend – 2:02
4 – Cindy Baxter & Dan McCorison – Clear My Mind – 2:48
5 – Von Rogers – Jesus What A Wonder You Are (Jesus How Lovely You Are) – 3:35
6 – Cindy Baxter – Seek Ye First – 2:48
7 – George Highfill – Cause Me To Come – 4:09
8 – Patty Schauer – I Thank You Jesus – 2:26
9 – Bruce Herring – I Will Serve You (Thee)2:03
10 – Bonnie Bramlett – I Keep Falling In Love With Him / His Name Is Jesus – 5:05

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Don Gerber
Backing Vocals – Becky Burns, Marty Goetz, Patty Schauer, Ricky Skaggs, Ron Tutt
Bass – Jerry Scheff
Drums – Ron Tutt
Engineer – Joe Bellamy
Executive Producer – Dave Swaney
Guitar – Randy Mitchell
Guitar, Banjo – Bernie Leadon
Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle – David Mansfield
Harmonica – George Highfill
Keyboards – Danny Timms
Mandolin – Evan Anderson
Producer – Al Perkins
Steel Guitar, Guitar [Dobro] – Al Perkins
Vocals – Bonnie Bramlett, Bruce Herring, Cindy Baxter, Dan McCorison, George Highfill, Maria Muldaur, Patty Schauer, Ricky Skaggs, Tommy Funderburk, Von Rogers

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Maranatha! Music
Copyright (c) – Maranatha! Music
Published By – Dawntreader Music
Published By – Dimension MusicPublished By – Doulos Publishing
Published By – Maranatha Music (2)
Published By – Milene Music
Published By – William J. Gaither

Various – Rock of the Ages – Rock & Roll From The Third Dimension – 1983

This sampler is relatively unremarkable in that all the songs on it were very well known. The only thing that stood out about the release was that the album cover was 3D and the album came with 3D glasses so you could enjoy it.

Tracklist
1 – Leslie Phillips – Put Your Heart In Me (Beyond Saturday Night) – 4:00
2 – Randy Stonehill – The Glory And The Flame (Between The Glory And The Flame ) – 3:10
3 – Imperials – How Can You Live (Stand By The Power) – 3:46
4 – Maria Muldaur – Keep My Eyes On You (There Is A Love) – 4:01
5 – Kenny Marks – He’ll Finish What He Started (Follow Him) – 3:11
6 – Amy Grant – Too Late (Never Alone) – 3:15
7 – White Heart – You’re The One (White Heart) – 3:56
8 – David Edwards – Anything But Love (Get The Picture) – 3:34
9 – Dion – I Put Away My Idols ( I Put Away My Idols) – 3:08