Tag: Rick Elias

Linda Elias – The Meaning of Love – 1991

I first met Linda Elias at the Frontline Records offices some time in 1989 when Brian Tong (VP) and Mike MacLane (Marketing and A&R) asked me to come over and hear a new artist they had just signed. His name was Rick Elias. I was working for the Benson Company (Frontline’s distributor) and had just moved back from a year in the Washington DC area. Over the years I had grown accustomed to going by the office regularly (when working for Maranatha Village) and listening to the newest music. This was different. This time they called me. There must have been something very special about this new signee, Rick Elias. Much will be discussed regarding Rick as time goes on! And there was! It was there I first met Linda. She was one of the kindest people I had met and I instantly enjoyed talking to her and discovered that she was part of the Confessions (Rick’s band) and had this great, melodic pop voice that was very much in tune with what was happening in music at the time. A little Belinda Carlisle and a little Susanna Hoffs with a sweetness to the voice. I was very excited to hear Linda’s solo project, “The Meaning of Love,” and it did not disappoint. Immediately the album kicks off with a Belinda Carlisle like title track. Like most of the album the song was written by Linda and Rick. Most of the album stays within this same lane, except a real standout with “Your’s and Mine,” a duet with her esteemed singer songwriter husband, Rick. This tune should have been a legitimate mainstream radio hit. The juxtaposition of Linda’s sweet, at times lilty voice and Rick’s strained and edgy style worked so well together. The blatant Gospel message, though, most likely would have doomed it. Special kudos to great sax solo by Li’l Stevie Crum. Solid throughout, it unfortunately was the only release for Linda.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – The Meaning Of Love – 3:38
2 – Don’t Ever Stop – 3:22
3 – Miracle – 3:25
4 – Make My Heart Like Yours – 4:12
5 – My Only One – 3:27
6 – Don’t Take Your Love Away – 4:20
7 – All I Can Do – 4:06
8 – Your’s And Mine – 3:30
9 – Where There’s Love – 3:49
10 – I Believe In You – 3:17

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Rick Elias
Backing Vocals – Dave Jahnsen, Julie Robbins, Linda Elias, Rick Elias
Bass Guitar – Kelly Burns
Design – Lark
Drums – Doug Mathews
Electric Guitar – Glenn Pearce
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Gavin Morkel
Keyboards – Linda Elias, Tim Elias
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen, Rick Elias
Photography By – Kevin Break
Piano – Michele Garcia
Producer – Rick Elias
Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Tim Elias
Soprano Saxophone – Lil Stevie Crum (tracks: 8)
Vocals – Linda Elias

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Wonderland
Copyright (c) – Wonderland
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – McCrummy Music Studio
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Mastered At – Future Disc
Manufactured By – JVC

Rick Elias – Ten Stories – 1991

With Ten Stories Rick Elias is “Confession-less” and he stands alone with 10 brilliantly conceived, performed and recorded songs that should have made Elias a major name in CCM. But alas, it would be a few years later as a member of Rich Mullins’ Ragamuffin Band that Rick would garner what celebrity he has. But it is his first two releases that will be noted on this list with the debut being presented MUCH later. Frontline Records held no expense in trying to break Rick Elias into the mainstream of CCM with a major marketing and promotional push. I remember selling the album to stores with a huge cardboard cutout display and securing end-caps for even more exposure. But Christian radio was not ready (ever ready?) for gritty, earthy, Americana rock and roll without the easy Christianeze answers to life’s bigger questions. Or maybe the fact that Elias would not limit his musical export to three minute ditties for CCM consumption also played a role. The fact the album was a brilliant was not lost, though, on fans and critics alike. Despite never achieving the retail success the album deserved the critical and fan base response was huge. And for good reason. the album is filled with brilliance from the first power chord of “I Wouldn’t Need You Like I Do” to the last fading strain of “Leave One Light On.” Elias continues many of the themes from the debut including some stunning and difficult stories of those struggling with their faith, lives and doubts. No easy believism allowed here. There are pictures of frustration, loss, anger and rejection painted here. John Doe discusses the struggles of a man beaten up by his father as a child and beaten up by life as an adult. “Don’t Rain On Me” explores the one who refuses the love and grace of God. Despite looking at the gift, the subject refuses the basic common graces of God and refuses outright, through a heart of selfishness and doubt, the unique grace that comes through faith. Elias makes his characters so believable that it is hard not to imagine you or someone you know as the subjects. “My Very Own Hero” would have been a mainstream radio success story if the name on the single was Springsteen, Petty or Mellencamp. Great groove, killer melody and impressively passionate performance. “When You Lose Someone You Love” has Elias accompanied by acoustic guitar and harmonica, possessing a melody from something akin to Springsteen’s “Nebraska.” Though beautiful and brilliant, the haunting lyrical content would never allow it to be heard on Christian radio. The list of brilliant description could go throughout the entire project. Maybe it should!

Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – I Wouldn’t Need You (Like I Do) – 5:18
2 – John Doe – 4:32
3 – Don’t Rain On Me – 5:19
4 – My Very Own Hero – 5:05
5 – When You Lose Someone You Love – 4:28
6 – Steps – 4:30
7 – Wondering Why – 4:10
8 – Pray For The Day – 5:15
9 – Only Your Love – 4:31
10 – Leave One Light On – 5:53

Credits
Acoustic Bass – Glen Holmen (tracks: 5)
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Dave Jahnsen (tracks: 2,6), Kenny Hicks (tracks: 7), Linda Elias, Pete Shambrook* (tracks: 7), Rick Elias
Bass – Kelly Burns
Design – Brian Godawa
Drums – Doug Mathews
Electric Guitar – Glenn Pearce (tracks: 8)
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Engineer [Additional] – Bill Baumgart, Rick Elias
Guitar – Rick Elias
Keyboards – Linda Elias, Rick Elias
Keyboards [Additional] – Jay York
Lead Vocals – Rick Elias
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen, Rick Elias
Percussion – Linda Elias
Photography By – Wayne Armstrong
Producer – Rick Elias
Producer [Additional Production] – Dave Jahnsen, Linda Elias
Written-By – Rick Elias

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Record Company – Frontline Music Group – FLD9246

Power Team Soundtrack – 1990

This is a rather odd sampler. The Power Team was a group of Christian body builders and marshal arts athletes headed by John Jacobs.

They toured schools and churches performing feats of strength and martial arts performances while delivering God’s word. In 1990 they released a VHS video and this album.

I can only assume this was the soundtrack for the video and their performances. This is one of the most diverse samplers I think I’ve heard. It’s all here, rap, rock, and easy listening. Kind of a wide sampling what was popular in the late 80’s

Tracklist
1 – Tim Miner – Power – 3:55
2 – Liaison – My God Is A Rock – 3:13
3 – Stephen Crumbächer – Tear Down The Walls – 3:41
4 – P.I.D. – Authority – 5:52
5 – Rick Elias – Run Or Hide – 3:27
6 – Cindy Cruse – Even Now – 3:56
7 – Steve Shannon – Break The Chains – 3:37
8 – Tim Miner – Amazing Grace – 4:20
9 – Angie Alan – It’s Not Worth It – 3:57
10 – D-Boy – God Gave Us The Power – 5:06
11 – Ken Tamplin – Take ‘Em Back – 3:32
12 – Rick Elias – I’ll Be There – 4:01
13 – Steve Shannon – Power To Win – 3:41
14 – Liaison – Who Can Heal The Pain – 4:00