Tag: Zion (OR)

I’ll start this review by letting you know that this is lesser known Oregon version of Zion. Today we have their first album/demo from 1983. This demo was recorded on a Tascam 4 track and this copy of the album is from a cassette copy. I have done my best to improve the quality but it is still pretty shaky. Given the rarity of this album however we’re proud to offer it anyway. I got this copy from the bands Bass player Cory Graper and I really appreciate it. I really really like this album. The song writing is excellent and quite frankly if they had a studio available to them this album was easily good enough to go on the shelves of your local book store. While it opens rather synth oriented it then slipped into more of a Rock & Roll sound. The highlight of the album for me was the live track “Comin’ Back” which is a fantastic fun Rock track. Another stand out for me is the last track which is a cover of Darrell Mansfield’s song “That’s Alright”. I’m pretty sure Darrell would have loved this cover and I hope he got a chance to hear it back in the day. Anyway this is a rare one you most likely haven’t heard and it deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Eternal Horizons – I Have Decided – 1:52
2 – Vanity – 4:48
3 – Prayer Away – 3:58
4 – No Wave – 4:07
5 – Over And Over – 5:28
6 – Arise – 8:35
7 – Comin’ Back – 4:47
8 – Forever With You – 2:48
9 – Turn Or Burn – 3:37
10 – Cold Heart – 7:28
11 – That’s Alright – 5:28

Credits
Jeff Bates – Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocal, Producer
Dave Day – Guitar,Lead Vocals
Cory Graper – Bass, Vocals
Don Blenkush – Drums
Ricky T. Terando – Live sound

Awhile ago we uploaded the second Zion album but today we’ve got our hands on the first one. Just a reminder that there are a few “Zions” out there and this is the one out of Oregon. This is their first self released album and it’s even better than their second album in my opinion. I do apologize for the quality but the album was only released on cassette and copies are rare. Now back to the album. This album easily should have been on a label. There are hints here of early Rez and or Barnabas and it is a great Rock & Roll album. Easily the best track is Dragon Slayer and the sampling of Puff The Magic Dragon is absolutely spot on.

Update – Dave Day (Vocals & Guitar) contacted us and let us know there is actually a previous album called “Eternal Horizons” that we were unaware of. We’re trying to get a copy to upload. Dave & Linda continue to make music and they upload it to their YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@blindguava

Tracklist
1 – New Creation – 1:35
2 – Joyful Noise – 4:00
3 – Dragon Slayer – 3:45
4 – Hold Tight – 5:15
5 – It Is Finished – 7:00
6 – Matter Of Time – 4:15
7 – Carry On – 4:10
8 – Joy Of The Lord – 6:25
9 – On That Day – 4:25

Credits
Bass, Vocals, Guitar – Cory Graper
Drums, Percussion – Don Blenkush
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dave Day
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Producer – Jeff Bates
Lead Vocals – Linda Holt

There are several “Zion”s in the CCM market. This is the one from Jacksonville, Oregon. They were an excellent Pop Rock band that released two self financed albums. This is the second one of those albums. I’m a little mystified how these guys didn’t get a record deal. They are really good in my opinion. The vocals are shared between Dave Day and Linda Holt Morrison. I’m a big fan of Dave’s vocals but I struggle with Linda’s. That said I think it could be fixed in post production but what do I know. I don’t like Sandie Brock from Servants vocals either so I think it comes down to personal preference. My other small criticism is that the tracks are a touch long but again that would be fixed in post production. But lets toss all that aside because this is a great album and it’s pretty well engineered. The credits say it was mastered by Steve Hall. I don’t know if it’s THE Steve Hall but if it is wow, he’s one of the best. Anyway this is a great Pop Rock album and there are a couple tracks here that are going on my playlist for sure.

Tracklist
1 – Cry Out – 5:10
2 – The Edge – 4:03
3 – Kidz – 5:31
4 – Take My Life – 5:46
5 – Heaven Help Us – 6:17
6 – Rad – 4:16
7 – Love You To Life – 4:43
8 – I’ll Be There – 5:57

Credits
Bass, Vocals, Guitar – Larry Wick
Drums, Percussion – John Scott Armas
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Dave Day
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Producer – Jeff Bates
Lead Vocals – Linda Holt Morrison
Mastered By – Steve Hall

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Starlight Recording, Applegate, Oregon
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Crosstalk Music
Published By – D-Day Music