Tuesday, March 17, 2009

WHITEHEART - MILLENNIUM ARCHIVES / 2007 / DISCOGRAPHY,BIOGRAPHY AND REVIEWS

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-WHITEHEART
2-WHO IS THE ONE
3-YOU LOVE STILL THE SAME(Steve Green Demo)
4-LET YOUR FISRT THOUGHT(Dan Huff Original Demo)
5-GIVE YOURSELF(Mark Gersmehl Demo)
6-JUST ANOTHER PRISONER(Mark Gersmehl)
7-I NEED YOU(Demo)
8-IF ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT
9-RESTLESS NIGHTS
10-HUFFING & PUFFING(Dann Huff Guitar Solo)
WHITEHEART-HITS FROM THE HEART-1999















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(14-TRACKS)
1-JERUSALEM
2-HE'S RETURNING
3-HOLD ON
4-HOTLINE
5-IN HIS NAME
6-WE ARE HIS HANDS
7-LISTEN TO THE LONELY
8-SING UNTO THE LAMB
9-QUIET LOVE
10-CARRY ON
11-VITAL SIGNS
12-LET YOUR FIRST THOUGHT BE LOVE
13-CARRIED AWAY
14-HOSANNA
WHITEHEART-REDEMTION-1997















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-LOOKING GLASS
2-MAN OVERBOARD
3-HONESTLY
4-STEEL & STONE
5-THE VINE
6-FALL ON ME
7-GIVE ENOUGH
8-LOVE IS EVERYTHING
9-REMEMBER THIS
10-JESUS
CREDITS:
Billy Smiley - Acoustic And Elctric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards, Lead And Backing Vocals
Barry Graul - Acoustic Guitar And Electric Guitar
Steve Hindalong -Percussion
Mike Mead -Drums
Mark Hill -Bass
WHITEHEART-INSIDE-1995
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-INSIDE
2-YOU CAN'T TAKE WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE
3-IF COULD HAVE BEEN YOU
4-COME ONE COME ALL
5-RITUAL
6-LIVING SACRIFICE
7-DOMINATE
8-EVEN THE HEARTEST HEART
9-SPEAK SOFTLY
10-FIND A WAY
CREDITS:
Rick Florian - Lead & Background Vocals
Billy Smiley - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, BG Vocals
Mark Gersmehl - Organ, Piano, Synths, LeadAand BG Vocals
Brian Wooten - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Lead Guitars
John Thorn - Electric & Acoustic Bass, BG Vocals
Jon Knox - Drums, Percussion
WHITEHEART-HIGHLANDS-1993
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-YOU CAN SEE THE WORLD
2-NOTHING BUT THE BEST
3-HEAVEN OF MY HEART
4-ONCE AND FOR ALL
5-EXCUSE ME,FORGIVE ME
6-CHANGE THE WAY
7-HIGHLAND OF LOVE
8-THE CRY
9-LET MY PEOPLE GO
10-THE FLAME PASSES ON
CREDITS:
Rhic Florian - Lead Vocals, Background Vocals
Mark Gersmehl - Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion
Billy Smiley - Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars, BG Vocals
Brian Wooten - Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Jon Knox - Drums, Percussion
Anthony Sallee - Bass
WHITEHEART-TALES OF WONDER-1992

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-RAGING OF THE MOON
2-HIS HEART WAS ALWAYS IN IT
3-UNCHAIN
4-SAY THE WORD
5-WHO OWNS YOU
6-WHERE THE THUNDER ROARS
7-SILHOUETTE
8-VENDETTA
9-GABRIELA
10-LIGHT A CANDLE
11-MORNINGSTAR(Bonus Track)
CREDITS:
Ricke Florian - Lead Vocals, Background Vocals
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Vocals, Recorder
Billy Smiley - Acoustic String Guitars, Background Vocals
Brian Wooten - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Gut String Guitar
Chris McHugh - Drums (Except "Vendetta")
Anthony Sallee - Bass, Fretless Bass
Jon Knox - Drums On "Vendetta".
WHITEHEART-POWERHEART-1990

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-INDEPENDENCE DAY
2-POWERHOUSE
3-DESERT ROSE
4-LOVERS & DREAMERS
5-NAILED DOWN
6-MESSIAH
7-A LOVE CALLING
8-ANSWER THE CALL
9-STORYLINE
10-LAY IT DOWN
CREDITS:
Riq Florian - Lead Vocals And BG Vocals
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards, Lead Vocals And BG Vocals
Billy Smiley - Acoustic & Rhythm Guitars And BG Vocals
Brian Wooten - Lead And Rhythm Guitars
Mark Nemer - Drums And Percussion
Anthony Sallee - Bass Guitar
WHITEHEART-FREEDOM-1989
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-BYE BYE BABYLON
2-SING YOUR FREEDOM
3-LET THE KINGDOM COME
4-OVER ME
5-EIGHTH WONDER
6-POWER TOOLS
7-INVITATION
8-THE RIVER WILL FLOW
9-SET THE BRIDGE ON FIRE
10-LET IT GO
11-I'LL MEET YOU THERE
CREDITS:
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards And Lead Vocals
Billy Smiley - Guitars And BG Vocals
Gordon Kennedy - Guitars And BG Vocals
Tommy Sims - Bass And BG Vocals
Rikk Florian - Lead Vocals
Chris McHugh - Drums
WHITEHEART-LIVE AT THE SIX FLAGS-1986

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-SING UNTO THE LAMB
2-CARRIED AWAY
3-NOTHING CAN TAKE THIS LOVE
4-WE ARE HIS HANDS
5-HOSANNA
6-UNDERCOVER
7-QUIET LOVE
8-VITALS SIGNS
9-CARRY ON
10-HE'S RETURNING
WHITEHEART-DON'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE-1986
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-READ THE BOOK(Don't Wait For The Movie)
2-HOLY GROUND
3-BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUM
4-FLY EAGLE FLY
5-CONVERTIBLES
6-LET THE CHILDREN PLAY(Instrumental)
7-KING GEORGE
8-NO APOLOGY
9-MAYBE TODAY
10-DR.JEKYLL & MR.CHRISTIAN
11-HOW MANY TIMES(SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN
CREDITS:
Ric Florian - Lead Vocals
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards, Vocals, Trombone
Gordon Kennedy - Guitars, Lead Guitar, Sitar, Vocals
Billy Smiley - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars, Trumpet
Gary Lunn - Bass, Linn Programming
Chris McHugh - Drums, Percussion
WHITEHEART-HOTLINE-1985
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-HOTLINE
2-GOTTA BE A BELIEVER
3-JERUSALEM
4-TURN THE PAGE
5-SHE IS A RUNAWAY
6-HEROES
7-IN HIS NAME
8-THE VICTORY
9-WALLS
10-KEPPS FIGHTING THE FIGHT
CREDITS:
Gary Lunn - Bass
Scott Douglas - Lead Vocals
Gordon Kennedy - Lead Guitars, Vocals
David Huff - Drums, Percussion
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards, Vocals
Billy Smiley - Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals
WHITEHEART-VITAL SIGNS-1984















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-SING UNTO THE LAMB
2-DRAW THE LINE
3-WALKING IN THE LIGHT
4-CARRIED AWAY
5-QUIET LOVE
6-FOLLOWING THE KING
7-LEY YOUR FIRST THOUGHT BE LOVE
8-UNDERCOVER
9-VITAL SIGNS
10-WE ARE HIS HANDS
CREDITS:
Scott Douglas - Lead Vocals
Billy Smiley - Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
David Huff - Drums, Percussion
Gary Lunn - Bass Guitars
Mark Gersmehl - Synthesizers, Piano, Vocals
Dann Huff - Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
WHITEHEART-WHITEHEART-1982

















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-HOLD ON
2-YOU'RE THE ONE
3-LISTEN TO THE LONELY
4-HE'S RETURNING
5-CARRY ON
6-GUIDING LIGHT
7-EVERYDAY
8-NOTHING CAN TAKE THIS LOVE
9-BLACK IS WHITE
10-GO DOWN NINEVAH
CREDITS:
Gary Lunn - Bass
Steve Green - Vocals
David Huff - Drums, Percussion
Mark Gersmehl - Keyboards, Synthesizers, Vocals
Dann Huff - Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Billy Smiley - Keyboards, Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
REVIEWS FOR THE ALBUMS:FREEDOM
In 1989, White Heart released Freedom, the last of their three albums on their contract with Sparrow Records. Freedom is my overall favorite White Heart album, Featuring Vocalist Rick Florian, Guitarists Billy Smiley and Gordon Kennedy, keyboardist Mark Gersmehl, Bassist Tommy Simms and Drummer Chris McHugh--probably the best lineup in the band's history. This album has everything from kickin' rock tracks to pop to beautiful ballads. My overall favorite songs here include "Let the Kingdom Come" , "Over Me, Invitation", "Set the Bridge on Fire" and "I'll Meet You There". Other enjoyable songs include Bye Bye Babylon", "Power Tools," "Sing Your Freedom" and "The River Will Flow". This is not only my overall favorite White Heart album, not only one of my favorite Christian rock albums, but one of my favorite rock albums PERIOD.Their previous work with Sparrowe Records had been very hit n' miss with "Don't Wait for the Movie" often coming off as cliched with the odd hint of some real songwriting power. But it never occured to me that this same band (with a few changes to the lineup) would produce an album like "Freedom". I would consider this album and Michael W. Smith's "I 2 (Eye)" album the two pinnicles of Christian Rock in the 80's or even the present day era.As it relates to music, I define the word "classic" as that which doesn't get relegated to that time in which it was created. I consider it to be a classic if it sounds current years after its initial release (usually 10 years or more). White Heart's "Freedom" cd was released in 1989 and yet nothing about it sounds dated. Brown Bannister's production is as sparkling today as it was when it was originally released approximately 17 years ago as of this review. There are moments of great density ("Bye Bye Babylon") as well as moments of spacious separation (the first 2 minutes of "Let The Kingdom Come"). The musicianship is of the same quality as Yes (90125 era), Kansas and Toto. Take the best and most accessible aspects of those bands, combine them together and you'll get an idea of how "Freedom" sounds. The song writing is incredible. All out rock workouts ("Power Tools", "Bye Bye Babylon") are combined with more grooved based songs ("Invitation"), Ballads that aren't over wrought ("The River Will Flow") and a few unexpected styles ("Sing Your Freedom"'s Motown like chorus). The lyrics and singing are heart felt and never clique. Lead singer Ric Florian (if you're familiar with the band, you know he spelled his name differently on every album) has a voice quite unlike any I've heard and it fits perfectly with what the band does on this cd. Drummer Chris McHugh's style is aggressive and rock solid. http://christianrockzone.listen2myradio.com/ .This is a great album - a classic! This album has everything that makes a classic album - songs that work seperately and together. The Brown Bannister produced albums best tracks "Kingdom Come", "Power Tools" and "Invitation" are better than almost any secular album, let alone a CCM one. The only album that is better is Joshua Tree by U2.
REVIEW FOR THE ALBUM REDEMTION:
Many of us could feel it coming. It was just too quiet in the Whiteheart camp for too long. When "Redemption" finally came out and it was not supported with a concert tour, our fears were realized. Whiteheart disbanded in the months following the release of this CD. However, the introspective lyrics combined with the artistry of instrumentation make Whiteheart's "Redemption" one of the strongest Whiteheart albums ever. The years leading to the release of this project were not kind to Whiteheart. At the time of the recording of "Redemption", only co-founders Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl along with long-time lead vocalist Rick Florian remained. The remainder of the fellows in the studio were new to the band (not such a bad thing), and they were brought in soley for the making of the record. It worked because the sound coming off the finished product demonstrates an excellance in detail and quality. As you read the interviews following the release of "Redemption", you understand better where the band (Now Trio) was coming from at the time of recording. Each man had been battling with some type of struggle that rocked him and his faith pretty hard. What came from these personal battles are honest, heartfelt, and certainly painful lyrics that parallel our own lives as well. The songs flow together in a theme even though each track is individually sequenced. The listener travels from despair to revelation to repentance to redemption (hence the title) by the time he/she finishes the final track. Despite the dark and melancholy feel to this CD, it actually provides a great deal of hope. Listen attentively to each lyric. In fact, take out the CD insert, sit down comfortably, and read along while you play through "Redemption" nonstop. While not as edgy as "Inside", you can still feel the rock. The majority of the songs are slower (slow to mid-tempo), but the production quality is outstanding.This album is a great album. Just like each of the previous albums by WhiteHeart, it is different than the one before it. Other singers and bands release albums that sound exactly the same. Whiteheart has always change their sound just enough on the next album to keep you listening. Petra, for instance, sounds the same on each CD. The thing I've enjoyed the most about Whiteheart, is that their sound changes. As an avid listener, everytime I bought the new cd that just came out, it took a couple of weeks for it to wear on me. I'd buy it and not really know what to think. Then after a little time, I'd realize, it just took a while to get used to the new sound that they produced. This album fits right in with all of the others. Right at the top of my list.From the 1st song til the last, this is a great cd. Jesus is one of my favorite songs. I keep hitting repeat when this one plays. The opening track "Looking Glass" has an awesome end solo at the end! This shows that even after so long this band can still produce absolute solid rock! I love the message of this song too. But by far my favourite songs on hear are Mark's two brilliantly penned solo written songs, "Fall On Me" and "Love Is Everything"!! These songs are amazing with some awesome acoustic guitar. And the other song I love is the last rocker of Whiteheart ever! "Jesus" sees the band on the crescendo finish. I am really sad that they are not going anymore, as I love this album a lot. No one can argue that the lyrics to "The Vine", "Fall On Me", "Steel and Stone", and "Love is Everything" are "formulaic CCM" lyrics .

HIGHTLANDS ALBUM REVIEW:
"Highlands," all dressed up in Celtic garb, looks like one of those albums that has great cover artwork but little to offer in the music department. With this album though, Christian arena rockers White Heart prove that you can have a great album with cool artwork on the cover. The album opens with the wonderful "You Can See The World" and then steps into the solid rocker, "Nothing But The Best." From there we are given a healthy dose of wonderful ballads (especially "Once And For All") and heavy hitters like "Let My People Go." My personal favorites are arena-ready "The Flame Passes On" and the excellent "Highlands Of Love." If you've been a fan of Christian rock for awhile, you know that White Heart has been on "hiatus" for roughly a decade. Even though they haven't officially broken up, it doesn't seem likely that they'll ever get back together. Although "Highlands" wasn't their last album (I believe that was "Redemption"), it's definitely one of their best ones. If you enjoy arena rock or Christian rockers like Petra, give White Heart a look. If you can, get a hold of their two "Best Of" releases, aptly titled "Nothing But The Best." One of the discs includes their radio and A/C hits, the other contains their rockers.I have nearly all of Whiteheart's albums, and this is a favorite, with its beautiful melodies and Celtic influence." TALES OF WONDER".

TALES OF WONDER REVIEW:
There can't be too many bigger White Heart fans out there than I am. I will qualify that to mean that I'm a lover of all of their material in the Rick Florian era. Being very familiar with all of that era's material, I would rate 'Tales' as the best of White Heart's albums. Of my eleven favorite White Heart songs, four come from 'Tales'. Although I believe that their message isn't as strong as it was in 'Powerhouse', the quality of the music, each individual song as well as the whole album, is superior here. If you like power drums, then this is your CD!!! The four brightest stars on this album are: 1) Silhouette. This song has such a unique sound to it, really different from White Hearts usual rock songs and ballads. This is my 3rd favorite of all their songs. Spine tingling....I can't get enough of this song! 2) Who Owns You. White Heart has never rocked better than on this song. Very strong lyrics, guitars, drums. Rock lovers will find this as an instant favorite! 3) Unchain. One of White Heart's most beautiful songs. So wonderfully sung and very radio friendly. This song would appeal to any music lover. 4) His Heart Was Always In It. One of my very first favorites! Very powerful rock and roll with a fantastic message. You'll love the drumming here too! This song has to be included among the very top Christian rock songs ever. This album has no weak tracks. Other highlights not mentioned above: Vendetta, Raging of the Moon, Say the Word and Light a Candle. All of those would be the top song or two on any other album. If you buy any White Heart CD, or want to start with one, this is what you should get!When this cd came out over a decade ago, White Heart was just another struggling CCM band. They had their hits from previous cds ("Seventy Times Seven", "Fly Eagle Fly", "Bye Bye Babylon" and too many others to mention), but they had yet to have a "perfect" cd. Tales of Wonder fixed that forever. This was ground-breaking and record-setting. For the first time ever, every song on a cd was released as a single--and all charted in the top 10! This saw the first incarnation of the band with Jon Knox as the drummer (formerly of Adam Again) and these guys took it to a whole new level! "Raging of the Moon" started it off with a rocking bang and it never let up. "Gabriella" will haunt you with it's deep lyrics (and it must have worked, because Mark Gershmel met his "Gabriella" while touring for this cd with Rachel Rachel in their keyboardist Brynn Beltraine). One thing that always grabbed me about White Heart was the fact that they traded lead singing duties between Rick Florian and Mark. Both men had strong vocals, but both had weaknesses. Mark could sing a slower, more emotional song while Rick could rock the house with the harder ones. These guys made magic together, and it's a shame to see them gone. Thankfully, they were able to pull off this beauty before it was all over. They made 3 other cds after this one, but nothing could match the brilliance of this one. Highly recommended.I was already a fan when this album came out." Unchain " makes me cry every time I listen to it. Vendetta and Who Owns You are rocking(http://www.holymetalrob.com)