The 77s - Ping Pong Over the Abyss (1995)

This is the first recording by the 77s and was originally released in 1983. The version here is from the re-issued CD version from 1995 which contains bonus tracks, mostly demos and live recordings. It was also re-issued as part of a 3-disc set of the 77s' first three albums in 1995. Looks like this is due for another re-issue as it is now out of print.

This has never been my favorite 77s album, but nevertheless it has a certain charm to it. The beginnings of what was to comne later are here. The songs range from more or less typical bluesy CCM to new wave Christian rock somewhat in the vein of Daniel Amos.

The title comes from Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl," section 3: "I'm with you in Rockland/where you scream in a straight jacket that you're losing the game of the actual ping pong of the abyss."

Credits:

Ping Pong Over the Abyss
Seventy Sevens
1982 - Exit
ER-0001

• Jan Eric: Bass, Guitars, Background Vocals
• Tom Goodeluinas: Vocals
• Larry Hirsch: Engineer, Mixed, Percussion
• Chris MacDonald: Vocals
• G. Mascoli: Songwriter
• Mary Neely: Executive Producer
• Washington Phillips: Songwriter
• Mark Proctor: Songwriter, Drums, Vocals
• Michael Roe: Songwriter, Guitars, Vocals
• Steven Soles: Producer, Songwriter, Vocals
• Mark Tootle: Songwriter, Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
• Daryl Zachman: Engineer

 Track List:

1. A Different Kind of Light'
2. How Can You Love
3. It's So Sad
4. Falling Down A Hole
5. Someone New written w/Gene Mascoli
6. Renaissance Man
7. Ping Pong Over The Abyss
8. Time Is Slipping Away written w/Gene Mascoli
9. Denomination Blues (That's All)
10. A Different Kind Of Light (Live)
11. How Can You Love (4 - Track Demo)
12. It's So Sad (Live)
13. Falling Down A Hole (Live)
14. Ping Pong Over The Abyss (4 - Track Demo)
15. Denomination Blues (Live)

 Sources: Christian Music Archive, Allmusic.com, Wikipedia.

Download Link: Link removed at request of owner. Now available at Ping Pong Over the Abyss

Other Recordings by The 77s: 

• Pray Naked
• A Golden Field Of Radioactive Crows
• Seventy Sevens
• Revolution Rock
• 123 - All Fall Down / Ping Pong Over the Abyss / Seventy Sevens
• Sticks and Stones
• All Fall Down
• Drowning With Land in Sight
• Eighty Eight
• EP
• Tom Tom Blues

Mark Huff and The Inflatables - Truth is Chaos (1992)

Mark Huff is a folk/rock/blues/country/singer/songwriter. He was born in Florida, spent most of his time in Las Vegas, and has been in Nashville since 2003. His musical style is broad, but he seems to never stray too far from a bit of a country sound. His first album, "Happy Judgement Day" was released in 1990. Truth is Chaos is Huff's second album, and the only one that mentions the "Inflatables."

Although this album is not overtly a "Christian" recording, many of the songs have clear spiritual messages and I find many of Huff's lyrics excellent.

Track List:

1. King of the End of the World
2. Don't Believe a Word
3. I Wanna Know Why
4. Death
5. Sold Down the River
6. Ride That Train
7. Dead Flowers

 Download link: Enjoy the Music!

Sources: Allmusic Guide, Mark Huff - Discography