The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Seven

Now that the weekend is over, and a much needed break for your favorite blogger, we continue with our look back at The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. We begin this time with number 40, which happens to be a Christmas Album. I am not sure how I feel about this. Seasonal Albums and Greatest. Those things never really seem to mix for me. If you disagree on that, feel free to comment below. On to the list.

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, 2001

• 40 - A Christmas Album, Amy Grant, Myrrh, 1983
• 39 - The Nu Nation Project, Kirk Franklin, GospoCentric, 1998
• 38 - In Another Land, Larry Norman, Solid Rock, 1976
• 37 - Heaven, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Sparrow/Capitol, 1988
• 36 - Medals, Russ Taff, Myrrh, 1985
• 35 - My Utmost for His Highest, Various Artists, Word, 1995
• 34 - Michael W. Smith Project, Michael W. Smith, Reunion, 1983
• 33 - The Great Adventure, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sparrow, 1992
• 32 - Victims of the Age, Mark Heard, Home Sweet Home, 1982
• 31 - Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth, Rich Mullins, Reunion, 1988

I guess I should start at the top. I like Christmas Music, at Christmas Time. I'm not really one of those people who could listen to Christmas Music all year long...with a couple of major exceptions. Two actually. Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Of course, for the most part, they are also instrumental. Now this album was on the shelves to be pulled out during the appropriate time of year when I was a DJ, and it is an excellent "Holiday" album (That should provoke a few comments).

We'll move on down the list. Larry Norman. His position as the father of Christian Rock is enough to put him on the list multiple times. Without Larry, there would be no CCM, or at least none anyone would like to listen to. Randy Stonehill was discovered by Norman. I can only imagine how many people could be connected in a Six Degrees of Larry Norman Game. Anybody want to try? Then the album is referenced in the famed Jungle Music skit by Servant (you may have to highlight the text to read it. The Color Scheme played havoc with the monitor I am using.

I'll make one more album highlight. The Michael W. Smith Project,  which came out in 1983, was groundbreaking. Just like Larry Norman could best be called the father of Christian Rock (or Grandfather, if we want to give fatherhood to Petra). I think it is fairly safe to call Smitty the father of Christian Techno. The album was not simply synthesizer based pop, it was almost totally synthesized music. Later he did put together a band for touring, but like Leon Patillo, he could have done everything as a one man band. While gaining mainstream fame, I think he also lost his way with some of the albums. Though with Wonder, his latest release, I think he finally captured the magic that I recognized as a DJ with this release.

Just three more posts remain, and then it's your turn and mine. What CD's will we include in a new list. I think some of these CD's could be supplanted with a few that have come out in 2001 and beyond. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Related Posts:

• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Two
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Three
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Four
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Five
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Six
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Eight
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Nine
• The 10 Greatest Christian Albums Ever?