Now, if you're a teenager and you're reading this, right about now you're thinking, "Say what?!?"

That is, unless you're a connoisseur of "classic" Christian music: You know, someone who owns the great recordings by Larry Norman, Andrae Crouch, Petra, Twila Paris, Dallas Holm, Leslie Phillips, DeGarmo & Key, Keith Green and the like.

Either way, the bottom line is this, some of the most incredible Christian music ever recorded has either never been released on compact disc (think records and cassettes only), or was available on CD for such a short time that those albums are now--at best--rare finds on eBAY.

Can you relate? If so, what's on your wish list?

Mine? I'm glad you asked. Below is an overview of recordings (albums and some singles) that leaves me left wanting. Some day... Maybe, I'll own most of these on CD.

The Choir: DIAMONDS AND RAIN (1986)

Crumbacher: INCANDESCENT (1985)

Undercover: GOD RULES (1983)

Prodigal: ELECTRIC EYE (1984)

Lost Dogs: SCENIC ROUTES (1992)

Shelia Walsh: FUTURE EYES (1982), WAR OF LOVE (1983), TRIUMPH IN THE AIR (1984), DON'T HIDE YOUR HEART (1985)

DeGarmo & Key: MISSION OF MERCY (1983), COMMUNICATION (1984), STREET LIGHT (1986)

Jimmy Hotz: BEYOND THE CRYSTAL SEA (1982)

Quickflight: DECENT BEAT (1983)

Joe English: PRESS ON (1983), WHAT YOU NEED (1985)

Barnabas: APPROACHING LIGHT SPEED (1983)

Resurrection Band: COLORS (1980)

Lifesavors: DREAM LIFE (1983)

Servant: LIGHT MANEUVERS (1984)

Charlie Peacock: LIE DOWN IN THE GRASS (A&M version featuring "Young In Heart" and "Love Doesn't Get Better"/1985), TOWN HALL (unreleased A&M album featuring "Waiting on a Perfect Moment" and various rare mixes/1986)

Steve Taylor: LIMELIGHT (1986), "Nero (Watching Video)" (track on Cam Floria compilation/1985)

Mad at the World: MAD AT THE WORLD (1987)

_ton Bundle: TAKING MY DONKEY TO TOWN (1992)

Kansas: VINYL CONFESSIONS (1983)

Michelle Tumes: "Introit," "Blessings Flow" and "Don't Walk Away" (outtakes from the LISTEN sessions/1997) [Versions of "Introit" and "Blessings Flow" were later recorded by Sheila Walsh and featured on her 2000 release, BLUE WATERS.]

The Ocean Blue: "Renaissance Man" (77s cover on promo vinyl/1990)

U2: "A Celebration" single (1982)

Sarah Masen: "Rain" (outtake from the CARRY US THROUGH sessions/1997)

The CAUSE (Christian Artists United to Save the Earth): "Do Something Now" single (1985)

Various (featuring The Choir): AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS (1991)

Okay, if you've read this far, then you must be a SERIOUS fan. Go ahead, rub it in my face. You know you want to. Here's my email address: jay@ccmcom.com ... Send me your note bragging about how you own like HALF of these on CD and how I'm like TOTALLY missing out. (And while you're at it, be sure to tell me which rare recordings YOU'D like to have on CD.)

With ears wide open,

Jay

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