Tag: Salvation Air Force

The Gossetts – We Are One – 1971

This is a great early 70’s recording of a group of Siblings from Canada and if you are a fan of this era of CCM you will recognize the two brothers, Donnie and Michael, as the main members of legendary Canadian band Salvation Air Force. They are joined on this album by their sisters Jeanne and Judy and their father Rev. Don E. Gossett produced the album rounding out the family affair. At this time of this recording the siblings were performing across western Canada and being welcomed into several churches and while I grew up in western Canada unfortunately they never visited my church. This album is pretty easy listening but does have a very good cover of Oh Happy Day made famous by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Donnie and Michael would go on to have a more Rock & Roll oriented career in the industry but unfortunately Michael passed away in 2019. Donnie continues to make and perform music to this day and has a pretty popular YouTube channel. If you like your 70’s CCM on the easy listening side this is one you need to listen to.

Tracklist
1 – The Man – 5:02
2 – My God Can Do Anything – 2:05
3 – Prepare My Heart – 2:21
4 – Had It Not Been – 2:23
5 – Oh Happy Day – 5:34
6 – I’ve Got Confidence – 3:45
7 – My Jesus Is All – 2:40
8 – Sheltered In The Arms Of God – 2:36
9 – Introduction To A Friend – 1:21
10 – Pass Me Not – 4:17
11 – Give Me Jesus – 1:46

Credits
Backing Vocals – Jeanne Gossett
Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Michael Gossett
Drums – Chuck Kenyon
Engineer – Mike Flicker, Si Garber, Terry Gottlieb
Executive Producer – Rev. Don E. Gossett
Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals – Donnie Gossett
Lead Vocals – Judy Gossett
Photography – Dick Reynolds
Piano – Cheryl Holmes
Rhythm Guitar – Leon Rogers

Salvation Air Force – Strangers In A Strange Land – 1977

Wikipedia described Salvation Air Force as “Canada’s first Christian rock band”. Well as a Canadian I had never heard of them so my research started. Looking at their history I guess they were a little before my time as I was only 11 years old when this album came out. The band consisted of Michael and Donnie Gossett along with some of the biggest names in Christian music of the time. Unfortunately Michael has now passed but I have spoken at length with Donnie and consider him a friend. He informed me that brothers Alex and Beau MacDougall were instrumental ib the band (see what I did there). Alex was also a member of CCM bands The Way, Daniel Amos, The Randy Stonehill Band, and The Larry Norman Band. Alex continues working on CCM music to this day producing and engineering albums. Beau was a member of Wing & A Prayer, Horizon, The Larry Norman Band, Cliff Richard’s band, Reba Rambo’s band and many other CCM bands. Donnie Gossett has also performed live with Danniebelle, The Imperials, Reba Rambo, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly and continues making music today, you can find his albums on the Interwebs, check them out. All in all reading the credits of this album is like a reading of CCM royalty if there ever was. As for the album it has an easy listening feel but I have been assured the band had a much harder rock sound in the day. Give this album a listen and you will be hearing a piece of CCM history and a very important piece if Canadian CCM history.

Tracklist
1 – I Can Feel His Presence – 2:33
2 – Complete And Alive – 2:45
3 – Don’t Make Me Choose – 5:27
4 – If God Is My Father – 6:25
5 – You’re All I Want – 4:39
6 – It’s Jesus In Me – 4:25
7 – Special Friend – 3:01
8 – You Have Blessed Me – 2:33
9 – Accident – 4:22

Credits
Dana Angle – Producer, Assistant Engineer, Guitars, Background Vocals
Dave Coy – Bass
Sandra Crouch – Background Vocals
Joy Strange Cull – Background Vocals
Mike Escalante – Keyboards
Christine Franklin – Background Vocals
Joe Gallo – Background Vocals
Donnie Gossett – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Guitars, Piano, Vocals
Judy Gossett – Arrangements, Percussion, Vocals
Michael Leon Gossett – Producer, Songwriter, Bass, Vocals
Bruce Herring – Background Vocals
Tom Howard – Keyboards
Peter Johnson – Drums
Buddy King – Engineer, Mixed
Alex MacDougall – Drums, Percussion
Larry Norman – Producer, Songwriter, Arrangements, Background Vocals
John Pantano – Guitar
Al Perkins – Pedal Steel Guitar
Nancye Short – Background Vocals
Jim Stipech – String Arrangements, Conductor
Randy Stonehill – Guitars