Classic CCM Radio.

For those of you out there who would like to hear more classic ccm instead of today's variety (which I have no problem with, but I want to hear some Norman, Stonehill, Keaggy and the Greg X. Volz version of Petra,) check out these great web stations.  Be blessed.

Spirit In Truth Radio   http://www.sntradio.com/

Streets Of Gold  http://streetsofgoldradio.com/Site/Welcome%20to.html

Classic Christian 24/7  http://www.classicchristian247.com/

Healing Stream Media  http://healingstreammedia.com/

wtwt FM  http://www.wtwtfm.org/

Full Circle Jesus Music  http://www.fullcirclejesusmusic.com/

Jesus Music Revival  http://tunein.com/station/?stationId=141885

Stryken - First Strike

 Original release

 Reissue

Okay, we're not talking about a bona fide classic Christian Metal release here, and I don't think a sillier album cover than the original release (shown above) has ever been designed. I have to admit, however, in spite of myself,  that I love this disc.  Nostalgia maybe. Certainly an appreciation for the band's zeal and love for God.

I first heard these guys when I picked up K-Tel's "Righteous Metal" compilation, which, along with tracks by Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Philadelphia and Jerusalem, included a remixed version of "Rock On" from the "First Strike" album.  The band was originally called Stryker, and was formed by brothers Dale and Stephen Streiker (real surname Hopkins) in the early 80's.  They recorded their only album under this name, "Blitzkrieg" in 1983. (The Blitzkrieg tracks were included as bonus tracks on the 2009 reissue of First Strike.  Believe me, they don't add anything to the listening experience.  However, if you really enjoy band demo's, they're a decent listen now and then.)  With Stryper's popularity growing in the mid 80's, the band changed their name to Stryken to avoid  confusion.

Not that they would be confused for Stryper.  Their look was totally different, and their sound had more in common with Glam Rock bands like Kiss or The New York Dolls than Heavy Metal like Stryper, although the vocals (handled by both Dale and Stephen) could be rather "Sweetish" at times.  They released the album "First Strike" in 1987.  

The band was very Evangelical,  and the most well known story about them is when they stood outside a Motley Crue concert, holding a large cross, and witnessing to people.  They tried to do this a second night, and were "detained" by the police while the concert continued.  

Strangely enough, Stephen Streiker (Hopkins) quit the band and became a fundamentalist minister, denouncing the very music he used to perform.  His brother Dale travels and performs for youth focused ministries.

"Deviating From The Norm..."

This post has nothing to do with music, it's just something personal I wanted to do, and since it IS my blog...:-)
I've been wanting to put together a small book of my poems and some of my artwork for quite a while, but never seem to get it finished.  So, I thought I'd post some of those poems and drawings here, for those who might be interested.  I may post this for a few days, and then change my mind.  But, anyway, I hope you all enjoy.

Just A Thought

When the sun sets

and the sky fades

When the stars fall

and our lives burn away

When Hell expands

and Heaven moves

When the knowledge we crave

And the nothingness we love

turns to dust…

You're still here.

And the liars and deceivers

The hypocrites and believers

The scoffers and deniers

The sellers and the buyers

Will finally see the one

That's been so much on their minds.

(August, 2005)

(Pencil, 1998)

Rage of Angels

A "One Album Wonder," this band came and went before their disc was released.  Their break up is one of the sad stories that's all too common in CCM.  In an interview in Heaven's Metal (issue #21) vocalist Danny Mariano said "The band was really baby, brand new, fresh.  There was only a couple of us in the band that considered ourselves Christians.  The other guys were just comin' around.  We were having bible studies and so on...all attending church.  They were pretty much excited about the whole idea of a Christian album and a Christian band.  As time went on, they saw the bad side of the industry or the Christian market."  This seems to be the story of several CCM bands.  Some overcome and survive, some don't.

Except for a bootleg of demos, this is the only material available from ROA, and that's a shame.  This is classic 80's commercial metal.  "Do you still believe in love" is one of my favorite Metal songs.

Before this album was released, drummer John Fowler and guitarist Frank DiCostanzo joined the mainstream metal band Steelheart, who were popular for a short time in the early 90's before Grunge totally wiped metal off the air.  Fowler passed away in March, 2008 of a brain hemorrhage.

CD review:  http://www.angelicwarlord.com/reviews/r/rageofangels89.html

Wishing everyone a blessed and prosperous new year!

 (This song gets tagged as one of the worst of all time by some people.  I happen to love it.)

My Top Ten Favorite Christmas Albums

This post is not to tell you about the newest Christmas CD's available this year, but rather to tell you what my all time favorites are that I keep coming back to year after year.   Most of them are special to me because they have songs by some of my favorite artists that aren't available elsewhere. In no particular order, we have:

Noel

Produced and arranged by Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty, (The Choir,)  this is more or less the third disc in their "At The Foot Of the Cross" worship series, or so I've always viewed it.  Steve and Derri's original tune "Babe In The Straw" is a highlight, but my favorite is Michael Pritzl and Jenny Gullen's rendition of "Silent Night."

The Broken Christmas

When a CD contains otherwise unavailable tracks by the likes of Undercover, Riki Michele,Adam Again and 4-4-1, you know it's a must have for me.  I bought this one as a new release, along with Sparrow Record's "Christmas," back in 1988, and I don't think a Christmas season has gone by that I haven't played them.  Too many highlights to hit here, but "Born In A Stable" by Level Heads is not only the best song on the disc, it's one of the greatest songs ever written.  Period.

Bruce Cockburn-Christmas

As much as I would disagree with Mr. Cockburn politically and theologically, I have loved his music for years, and when I heard he was releasing a Christmas CD, I couldn't pass that up.  Includes a lot of standards and a lot of obscure seasonal tunes, all performed in Cockburn's usual flawless style.  Bonus points for taking on "I Saw Three Ships," a song not many artists are willing to record.  "Three Ships" has been my favorite Carol for many years, and I can't explain why.  I've never been able to figure out what it's about.  But I've never heard a better performance than this one.

Sparrow Christmas

Whiteheart's "Little Drummer boy."  Enough said.

Okay, the rest of the disc is great, too!  It just wouldn't seem like Christmas without Steve Camp's "O' Holy Night, Michael Card's "What Child is This," and Steve Taylor's wonderfully twisted Mariachi style "Winter Wonderland."  Classic!

Jon Anderson-Three Ships

No, not John Anderson of "Swingin'" fame, but Jon Anderson, lead singer for Prog Rock giants, Yes.  Progressive Rock this isn't, and I have to admit the production is stuck smack in the 80's, but I love this album.  "Where Were You," and "Day Of Days" are beautiful, and his rendition of "O' Holy Night," featuring Sandra Crouch is amazing.  And of course, he recorded my favorite Carol.

First call-An Evening In December

Absolutely beautiful and relaxing Acapella, this is the album that actually introduced First Call, being released a year or so before their "debut" album, "Undivided."

Our Christmas

Sort of a follow up to the popular "Our Hymns" disc, this featured exclusive songs by Michael W. Smith, Mylon Lefevre, Bryan Duncan, Russ Taff and many other then popular artists.  David Meece's first recording of his perennial "One Small Child" steals the show for me.

The Gift-A Colours Christmas

Beautiful instrumental versions of popular Carols,  three tunes by the late great Tom Howard make this one a necessity for me.

Mannheim Steamroller-Christmas

No offense to anyone, but the Steamroller are in a rut.  I'll always love this one, though.

Christmas With George Beverly Shea

Yes, I'm serious.  Bev's voice has a relaxing, worshipful tone that I need sometimes.  Probably also nostalgia from all the Billy Graham Crusades I watched on TV as a kid.  Whatever the reason, I love this album.

Probably won't post anymore until after Christmas, so:

May the love of Christ dwell in your hearts, now and always.

Sam

Captured In Time And Space

In 1986 Petra released this excellent live album recorded on the" Beat The System" tour.  Originally released as a double lp set or a double length cassette, it was edited quite a bit for a single cd release in the early 90's.  The cassette version is the best, most complete version if you can find one. I recorded my cassette to two cd-r's, and that's what I listen to.

The concert was also released on vhs, and much later was finally released on dvd, which is sold on Petra's web site, petraproductions.com.

The complete video is also on youtube.  Not the best quality, but watchable, if you can ignore the sub titles. ;-)

Band Website:  http://www.petraproductionsinc.com/store/