This album has a but of a strange history. It was recorded at Greenbelt obviously but Larry Norman released it in 2005 on his label. I don’t think Larry actually had the rights to this recording. Yes it was recorded back when Larry and Randy were getting along but in 2005 they were not doing business together. I have no idea how Larry decided he had the rights to this album but who knows what was said back in 1979. That said after Larry passed suddenly Randy owned the rights and released it himself in 2021. Anyway the version you will listen to here is a hybrid I worked over offering the best versions in my opinion. !979 was a great year in CCM music and this album displays that.
Tracklist 1 – Intro-One True Love – 4:41 2 – Keep Me Running – 5:43 3 – Teen King -4:09 4 – Lung Cancer – 4:26 5 – Venezuela – 3:10 6 – Through The Glass Darkly – 5:53 7 – The Great American Cure – 4:26 8 – You Really Got Me – 3:06 9 – Trouble Coming – 4:44 10 – Good News – 4:47 11 – Let That Tape Keep Rolling – 6:09
This is kind of a mystery release form Randy. It was only released in the U.K. in 1985. I’m only guessing there may have been contractual problem for him in the United States with his record company Myrrh but I really don’t know why. Anyway this is a great EP that I wish I had heard in 1985 but as I was from Canada I never heard it. None of the tracks was ever released in the U.S. until 2006 which I find very odd. These are great tracks that America would have loved. Luckily though Christian Discs re-released in on CD in 2006 along with 2 bonus tracks that we have included. The first bonus track is “Edge Of The World”. It is an alternative and much better version than the one on his 2002 album of the same name. There is also a live version of “I Love You” from his “Born Twice” album.
Tracklist 1 – Everything But Love – 3:24 2 – Empty Eyes – 2:57 3 – She Walked Back Into My Life – 3:57 4 – Dangerous Heart – 4:04 5 – These Lonely Days – 4:29 2006 CD release bonus tracks 6 – Edge Of The World – 4:17 7 – I Love You (Live) – 2:56
Credits Design [Sleeve Design], Layout – Juxtaposition Ltd Engineer [2nd Engineer] – Dan Reed Engineer [2nd Engineers] – Rob Klein, Shantih Haast Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Britt Bacon, Mark Heard Illustration – Eleanor Burkett Layout [CD Re-issue Layout], Design – Jonathan Grassi Liner Notes – Randy Stonehill Musical Assistance [Production Assistant] – Barry “The Bear” Liss Photography By [Sleeve Photography] – Will White Producer [Bonus Tracks Produced By] – Bob Kilpatrick Producer [Produced By] – Barry Miller Kaye Remastered By [Digital Remastering And Touch Up] – Scott Dotta Remix [Remix Engineer] – Mark Heard Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Randy Stonehill
This is the second of a series of tapes that were published by Strait which was the Greenbelt Newspaper that came out Bi Monthly in the 80’s. This is the second in the series released in 1985. While there are a few less rare tracks this volume it makes up for it with quantity. 18 tracks is pretty darn good for a compilation cassette. I’ve listed below what album these tracks showed up on if they did. This compilation was also released in Australia but with some modifications. Missing were Sheila Walsh – Send Me, Phil and John – The Wasted Years, and Steve Scott – Sound of Waves. Added was a great track from Idea – Take Us. Strangely the cover for the Australian version actually showed that the Walsh and Phil and John track were on the cassette but they were not.
1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero (Alien Brain 1985) 2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age (Victims of the Age 1982) 3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent (Vox Humana 1984) 4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me (Don’t Hide Your Heart 1985) 5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason (Love Beyond Reason 1985) 6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones (from Visions 1985) 7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel (from Quiet Night 1984) 8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City (from The Fat Band 7-inch 1983) 9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves (12” mix) (Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us (previously unreleased) 10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone (Obsessions EP 2011) 11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass (Lie Down in the Grass 1985) 12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years (extended remixed version from Count Me Out 1983) 13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back (previously unreleased) 14 – Pieces – Robot System (Face 2 Face 1985) 15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got (Dancing with Danger 1984) 16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take (The Front 1985) 17 – Avalon – Flags (not The Aussie Avalon, released on 7″ in 1984) 18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills (Rock of Offense 1984)
Tracklist 1 – Garth Hewitt – Oscar Romero – 4:12 2 – Mark Heard – Victims of the Age – 3:13 3 – Daniel Amos – Home Permanent – 3:00 4 – Sheila Walsh – Send Me – 3:30 5 – Randy Stonehill – Love Beyond Reason – 5:33 6 – Paul Field – Valley of Dry Bones – 3:03 7 – Larry Norman – Iron and Steel – 4:07 8 – The Fat Band – Kansas City – 2:47 9 – Steve Scott – Sound of Waves – 4:26 (Australian version only) 9 – Idea – Take Us – 3:08 10 – Passion Polka – Fighting Alone – 4:18 11 – Charlie Peacock – Lie Down in the Grass – 3:26 12 – Phil and John – The Wasted Years – 2:58 13 – Xtras – Don’t Look Back – 3:50 14 – Pieces – Robot System – 3:44 15 – Leslie Phillips – Give’em All You Got – 3:51 16 – The Front – It’s Hard to Take – 3:22 17 – Avalon – Flags – 4:22 18 – First Strike – Loneliness Kills – 3:38
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
This is a rather odd release. Unfortunately that’s a pretty common phrase when working with Larry Norman releases. In 1991 Larry re-released Randy’s Born Twice album from 1971. As a bonus of sorts he included an album of very early Randy live cuts. Now the odd part, the new album got released as a b side on both vinyl cuts of the album meaning, The black vinyl has side one of “Judgment Day At The Speede Mart” and side two of “Born Twice”, the blue vinyl has side one of “Born Twice” and side two of “Judgment Day At The Speede Mart”. Also there was nothing printed on the labels of either album. Pretty rare error except when it came to stuff from Larry. Anyway we’ve gathered it here into one album. As I said this is a collection of early live Randy cuts and you can tell it’s early as at times the audience doesn’t kind of get Randy’s humour. Also Randy is not as confident with his humour. The album has a few Larry tracks which is kind of fun to listen to. This is a must have if you’re a fan of Randy’s and if you’re a fan of Larry’s I’d consider it a should have.
Tracklist 1 – Forget Your Hexagram – 2:53 2 – Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus? – 2:32 3 – Lonely By Myself – 3:49 4 – God’s Not Dead – 2:46 5 – I’m a Servant – 3:13 6 – Norman’s Kitchen – 6:26 7 – Pardon Me – 3:46 8 – Sunset Road to Nowhere – 4:04 9 – Hasty Heart – 3:47 10 – He’s A Friend Of Mine – 4:06
This is an interesting project from Randy but not for the music as much as for who was the band. Rob Watson and Tim Chandler from DA are here as well as Rick Elias and drums were handled by long time LA studio musician David Raven. That’s quite the band and you can hear all their influences through the album. This album has in my opinion some of Randy’s best writing though with so many albums that’s kind of a silly thing to say. Strangely the album didn’t have a CCM single but then again while Randy indeed did have CCM singles he had very few considering the volume of his work. The CCM charts never really supported Randy’s work.
Tracklist 1 – Wonderama – 6:20 2 – I Will Follow – 3:00 3 – Barbie Nation – 4:57 4 – Don’t Be Sad – 4:15 5 – Rachel Delevoryas – 3:19 6 – Intermission At The Wonderama – 1:05 7 – Great Big Stupid World – 5:47 8 – Sing In Portuguese – 4:05 9 – Mice & Men – 3:13 10 – The Lost Parade – 4:14 11 – Lantern In The Snow – 4:36 12 – Wonderama Postlude – 0:42
Credits Arranged By [Strings & Horn], Written-By [String & Horn Arrangements Written By], Conductor [String & Horn Arrangements Conducted By] – Rob Watson Art Direction [Art Director] – Roz Artwork, Design – Court Patton, Tom Gulotta Bass – Tim Chandler Drums – David Raven Guitar [Guitars] – Rick Elias Keyboards – Rob Watson Lead Vocals, Guitar [Guitars] – Randy Stonehill Concept By – Court Patton, Terry Taylor, Tom Gulotta Executive-Producer – Mark Maxwell, Ray Ware Mastered By – Steve Hall Photography By – Linda Krikorian, Nic Nacca Producer [Produced By], Directed By – Terry Taylor Recorded By – G. Eugene
Well we have kind of an interesting album from Randy here. The first 7 tracks are all original new tracks and the second 7 are live acoustic cuts from Randy’s concerts. The intro track “Didn’t It Rain” sounds like Randy’s interpretation of the famous song of the same name by Sister Rosetta Tharpe to me. The track “Old Clothes” was co-written by David Edwards and you can definitely hear the David influence. Oddly “Giovanni Audiori” is given co-writing credits on “Faithful”. This is a pseudonym for Mark Heard who is also credited on the rest of the album using his real name. To round out the Solid Rock people Tom Howard also helped out on the album. The live tracks are acoustic tracks that Randy of course kills it on. His sense of humour really is second to none in the industry. I never got a chance to see Randy in concert and that’s something I strongly regret. The whole album is worth owning just to hear the 11 plus minute live version of “Shut De Do” which is an example of Randy’s comedic brilliance.
Tracklist 1 – Faithful – 3:24 2 – Didn’t It Rain – 6:11 3 – Born To Love – 4:27 4 – Breath Of God – 2:59 5 – The History In Your Eyes – 4:31 6 – Can Hell Burn Hot Enough 4:07 7 – Old Clothes – 4:03 8 – Keep Me Runnin’ – 5:49 9 – Turning Thirty – 4:39 10 – Ramada Inn – 4:00 11 – Shut De Do – 11:35 12 – Hymn – 4:33 13 – Good News – 8:00 14 – I’ll Remember You – 3:43
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Art Direction – Hipke, Inc. Art Direction [Associate Art Director] – Roz Roos Backing Vocals – Jerry Chamberlain, Pam Dwinell, Randy Stonehill, Sharon McCall Bass – Bill Batstone, Mark Heard Bass [Acoustic] – David Miner Bass [Fretless] – Bill Batstone Drums – David Raven Electric Guitar – Mark Heard Engineer [Second Engineer] – Brian Soucy Executive-Producer – Ray Ware, Tom Willett Keyboards – Mark Heard Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Mark Heard Percussion – Brad Dutz Photography – David Roth Piano – Ken Medema (tracks: 7) Producer – Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill Recorded By – Mark Heard Strings, Arranged By – Tom Howard (tracks: 7) Synthesizer – Tom Howard (tracks: 1,4) Vocals – Randy Stonehill Written-By – Randy Stonehill (tracks: except 1, 7)
The Compassion All Star Band was a collection of great CCM artists recorded live at 1989’s Creation Festival. The album was a fund raiser for the charity organization Compassion International and though recorded in June the album includes a few “Christmas” songs as the album was scheduled as a Christmas release. The band was Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Margaret Becker, Rick Cua, Joe English, Mike Mead and John Andrew Schriner. I had read about this album but honestly hadn’t listened to it when it was released. That’s too bad because I really enjoyed it. It’s not a musical wonder by any stretch as I’m guessing there wasn’t much rehearsal BUT that’s what makes projects like this so great. The unpolished sound gives the tracks more meaning and you can really get a feel for what was a fantastic performance. Strangely the crescendo track “Who Will Save The Children” had to actually be recorded in studio as the concert was rained out. These types of compilation albums are my favourites and it’s too bad CCM music didn’t have more of them.
Tracklist 1 – Randy Stonehill – Defender – 3:022 2 – Rick Cua – You Can’t Stand Too Tall – 4:07 3 – Margaret Becker – Sacred Fire – 7:06 4 – John Andrew Schreiner – Silent Night – 4:54 5 – Randy Stonehill – Christmas Must Be Tonight – 3:58 6 – Margaret Becker – Find Me – 3:31 7 – Joe English – Yield To The Spirit – 4:18 8 – Phil Keaggy & Randy Stonehill – Ain’t Got No – 3:35 9 – Randy Stonehill – Crossroads – 6:12 10 – Randy Stonehill – Rap – 5:11 11 – Randy Stonehill & Phil Keaggy – Who Will Save The Children – 5:04
Credits Bass, Vocals – Rick Cua Co-producer [Production Assistance] – John Andrew Schreiner Crew [Stage Assistance] – Bill Goings Design [Cover Design] – Kugizaki Design, Inc. Directed By [Musical Director] – Lynn Nichols Drums, Percussion – Mike Mead Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Joe English Engineer – Gary Heddon Engineer [Additional] – Jim Kaiser Engineer [Live Monitor Engineer] – Jody Nachtigal Engineer [Live Sound Engineer] – Mike Nachtigal Executive-Producer – Devlin Donaldson Guitar, Vocals – Margaret Becker, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill Keyboards, Vocals – John Andrew Schreiner Photography By [Cover Photos] – Russ Harrington Photography By [Inside Photos] – Keith Baum Producer – Gary Heddon
Can’t Buy A Miracle is the follow up to Randy’s wildly popular album The Wild Frontier. Randy was joined for backup vocals from Phil Keaggy, Gary Chapman, Russ Taff, and REZ on individual tracks. This enhances some excellent songs with the exception of the Rez track “Cold Rock The Groove” which I just didn’t like and no guest appearance was gonna save it for me. The album isn’t quite as good as Wild Frontier but it’s not a bad album. Wild Frontier was probably Randy’s best album so saying it’s not as good is not necessarily a criticism. My favourite track is the title track which made me feel like I was listening to an old Stones tune. The album did actually sneak a single onto the CCM charts with “Coming Back Soon” making it to #5. All in all a pretty darn good album that definitely deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – It’s Now – 4:03 2 – Don’t Break Down – 3:04 3 – Coming Back Soon – 4:46 4 – O How The Mighty Have Fallen – 4:10 5 – Brighter Day – 4:05 6 – Awfully Loud World – 3:02 7 – Cold Rock The Groove – 4:05 8 – Beyond The Veil – 4:55 9 – Can’t Buy A Miracle – 3:49
Credits Artwork – Michael Hodgso Backing Vocals – Dave Perkins (tracks: 6, 9), Gary Chapman (tracks: 5), Phil Keaggy (tracks: 2), Rez (tracks: 7), Russ Taff (tracks: 6) Bass – Rick Cua Drums – Mike Mead Electric Guitar – Dave Perkins Engineer – Dave Perkins, Malcolm Harper Engineer [Additional] – Dave Shirley, Lynn Fuston Executive-Producer – Ray Ware, Tom Willett Guitar [Flat Top Guitars] – Randy Stonehill Keyboards – Greg Husted Mixed By – Dave Perkins, Malcolm Harper Percussion – Lisa Cates Photography By – Peter Nash Producer – Dave Perkins
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Randy’s Rock Bunker Recorded At – The Reelsound Truck Mixed At – The Reelsound Truck Manufactured By – Discovery Systems – 2W20100B Published By – Stonehillian Music Published By – Word Music Published By – Undone Tunes Published By – Blue Finch Music
In 1986 Randy woke up his recording sessions and brought us back to a sound he was always good at. Randy can create a rock concert just by showing up, and for the Wild Frontier, he showed up. Side 1 starts off with a slough of tracks that are almost Springsteen-esque but since we remember Randy’s roots from Welcome To Paradise in 1976, we know he was always capable of this. The Wild Frontier is in some ways a triumphant return. Side 2 is a little more of Randy’s personal style, but still much edgier than the two albums that he released before this one. DA’s Jerry Chamberlain provides guitar for this album, and a most of the other musicians are his familiar band-mates. Rick Cua plays bass on some tracks, as does Dave Perkins, who also produced the album. Tom Howard is on keys as usual, as well as Rob Watson.
Tracklist 1 – The Wild Frontier – 4:12 2 – Here Come The Big Guitars – 3:45 3 – The Dying Breed – 4:21 4 – Words On The Wind – 5:47 5 – What’s My Line – 3:13 6 – What Do You Want From Life – 3:54 7 – Get Together – 3:54 8 – Defender – 3:05 9 – Evangeline – 5:45 10 – Hope Of Glory – 4:55
Credits Acoustic Guitar – Dave Perkins, Randy Stonehill Arranged By [Brass Arrangement] – Tom Howard Art Direction [Cover Art Direction], Design – Roland Young Backing Vocals – Chris Harris (2), Dave Perkins, Gary Chapman, Jerry Chamberlain, Peter Case, Peter Noone, Tonio K. Bass Guitar – Dave Perkins, Rick Cua Contractor [Horn Contractor] – John Lunden Drums – Mike Mead Electric Guitar – Dave Perkins, Jerry Chamberlain, Jerry McPherson, Randy Stonehill Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Malcolm Harper Engineer [Engineered By] – Dave Perkins, Dave Schober Engineer [Second Engineers] – Bob Salcedo, Casey McMackin, Dan Garcia, Gene Ford, Jon Ingoldsby, Matt Freeman Executive-Producer – Ray Ware Keyboards – Reese “Mr. B-3” Wynans Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Mixed By – Dave Perkins, David Schober, Randy Stonehill Percussion – Alex MacDougall, Dave Perkins, Keith Edwards Photography By [Cover Photography] – Howard Rosenberg Producer [Produced By] – Dave Perkins Programmed By [Programmer] – Peter Robb Synthesizer – Dave Perkins, Rob Watson, Tom Howard Vocals – Randy Stonehill
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. Copyright (c) – Word, Inc. Manufactured By – Word, Inc. Recorded At – Music Grinder Studios Recorded At – The Reelsound Truck Recorded At – Bill Schnee Studios Recorded At – Whitefield Studios Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Pressed By – DADC – DIDX-010665 Published By – Stonehillian Music Published By – Word Music Published By – Undone Tunes Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
