Keith Green

Keith Green is a central figure in the history of CCM music. Prior to the plane crash that sadly brought his time on Earth to an end at age 28 in 1982, he released four proper studio albums that would lay the foundation for Christian Music as we know it. To this day they rest alongside classic releases by Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Bob Dylan, and a handful of others holding up the careers of artists like dcTalk, Degarmo & Key, Sanctus Real, Bloodgood, Steve Camp, Casting Crowns, Petra, and MercyMe over the last three decades.

This compilation contains many of the tracks that originally drew prodigal sons and daughters to Keith Green’s music, message, and lifestyle. As expected “You Put This Love in My Heart,” “There is a Redeemer,” “Jesus Commands Us to Go!,” and “So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt” are all here. The finger pointing call to arms “Asleep In the Light” (arguably the most important CCM song of all time) is, of course, here as well. As with other compilations this song stands head and shoulders above the others. No matter how many times you hear it or how much you agree or disagree with its message its pointed conviction of lifeless faith will stir your soul. Green’s more intimate worship material is represented by “Easter Song” as well as the prayerfully intimate “Create in Me a Clean Heart,” “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” and “Make My Life a Prayer to You.”

If there is an attraction here for longtime Keith Green fans it’s the two previously unreleased tracks “Your Love Came Over Me” and a live recording of “He’ll Take Care of the Rest.” The former is an uptempo, pop rocker similar in it’s straightforwardness to “You Put This Love in My Heart.” The latter has a Randy Newman style finding a niche for itself somewhere between storytelling and show tunes. Neither is particular striking as they are but die hard fans will be interested regardless.

The Greatest Hits is not really any different than any other Keith Green compilation. As matter of fact, I’m hard pressed to name more than a handful of artists who have had so many posthumous releases. All of the ones I can name are certainly more popular than Green ever was, although his influence on what would become the CCM industry is admittedly not only massive but also essential to its infrastructure. Those interested in Keith Green’s music are just as well off starting with any of the numerous compilation albums to be honest.

This one gets an 8/10 rating because no matter how many times you release these songs they stand the test of time. Although a bit dated sounding musically, they are so lyrically relevant that it would be easy to believe that they were written in the last decade. You can’t help but feel that Sparrow is cashing in yet again though, not to mention risking tainting a powerful legacy, as Keith Green albums and compilations are still fairly available.

↓ One comment

#1 Jadesabre on July 25th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Keith Green is, and always will be, the best of “contemporary” Christian music. His technical ability was impeccable, and his lyrics are so meaningful, visual and timeless, unlike so much of what is written today.

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