The WENC Night Beat

Monday, June 20, 2011

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.

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Friday, June 17, 2011

The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Six

We are on the downside of the list now

The Greatest Christian Albums Ever, 2001

50 - Chase The Kangaroo, The Choir, Myrrh, 1988
49 - So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt, Keith Green, Pretty Good Records, 1980
48 - Tomorrow, The Winans, Light, 1984
47 - Out of the Grey, Out of the Grey, Sparrow, 1991
46 - Immigrant's Daughter, Margaret Becker, Sparrow, 1989
45 - Change Your World, Michael W. Smith, Reunion, 1992
44 - Behind The Eyes, Amy Grant, A&M/Myrrh, 1997
43 - Life, Love and other Mysteries, Point of Grace, Word, 1996
42 - Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws, Bruce Cockburn, True North/Millennium, 1979
41 - October, U2, Island, 1981

There are some truisms in the Music world. There are Record Companies that seem to have the Midas Touch (Tooth and Nail, for ex), and there are also Producers. I am glad to see some people recognized for all of their talents, both in front of and behind the microphone.

Case in point Charlie Peacock. Both Immigrant's Daughter and Out of the Grey are Peacock produced, as well as some more recent faves of the Night Beat Does Barton Hollow by the Civil Wars ring a bell? or how about Contact, by The Benjamin Gate, or Fireflies and Songs by Sara Groves. I think you get my point. The man is a genius.

As to the two Peacock produced albums on this list, let's just say that as to Becker, I was more a fan of her music, when she had, according to CCM Magazine, "her stint in the late-'80's as a pioneering rock chick", then I was of her "multifaceted pop reincarnations in the '90's". Hey, I'm a rocker. I have gotten into the harder stuff as I have aged. I am all in favor of FFR, which is the more politically correct term these days. Servant, Fireflight, Iona, Sixpence NTR, Evolett, Evanescescence. You get the drift.

As to the second album, I didn't pick up Out Of The Grey at the Start. I picked up a cassette of Diamond Days back in the day at a local Christian Bookstore. It was a heavenly pop album, especially with Christine Dente's vocals. And you gotta love that cover. While this was a short lived band, the light burned bright and fast. Any of OOG's releases are worth your effort.

As to the rest of the list. Keith Green was a CCM Pioneer who had a sharp wit as well as great musical skills. So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt was on heavy rotation back at WENC. ("Eating Leeks and Garlic by the Nile, Ooh the Breath but Dining out in style"). I am sure that CCM's Clown Prince Steve Taylor grew up on Keith Green's Music. U2 Was the Crossover Band of the 80's. I had a friend by the name of Lenny Rideout who brought in a bunch of the bands music into the station. It was great spiritual music and sparked a debate as to what was "Christian" enough for Christian Music. Brings to mind some recent debates as to Creed, Evanescence, or The Civil Wars.

Dancing In The Dragon's Jaws (Deluxe Edition)

This brings up my final point, Bruce Cockburn (pronounced Co-Burn). He has two albums on the list even though as they say "Stark imagery, profanity, leftist political values and a more obscure expression of faith would challenge Christian fans". As they say, "When you open a door, don't complain if I decide to dive a Semi straight through it." For more than that, you'll have to stay tuned when I put out my own list, which will include some releases after 2001. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Five

We come to the half-way mark on our look back on the 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, as determined by CCM Magazine back in 2001. Once I pulled this book out of storage I thought it would be appropriate to revisit the list on The Night Beat and see how the list holds up to modern scrutiny.

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, 2001

60 - Pages of Life, Chapters I & II, Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ, Verity, 1998
59 - Soulfully, Andrae Crouch & The Disciples, Light, 1972
58 - Rick Elias and The Confessions, Rick Elias and The Confessions, Alarma/Frontline, 1988
57 - Kingdom Seekers, Twila Paris, Star Song, 1985
56 - Erace, The Gotee Brothers, Gotee, 1996
55 - Ten Songs By Adam Again, Adam Again, Broken, 1988
54 - Take 6, Take Six, Reprise, 1988
53 - Circle Slide, The Choir, Myrrh, 1990
52 - Faith Hope Love by Kings X, Kings X, Atlantic, 1990
51 - Everlasting Love, CeCe Winans, PMG, 1998

Fifty Songs Down, Fifty to go. So far this has been fun. I hope I am stoking some serious music discussions as Festival Season gets underway. Don't get into any fisticuffs, but a good exchange of ideas is good for all.

I wont say much this time around, but I will say that I don't think any Best Album List of any kind would have any kind of standing if it didn't have an album by Fred Hammond on it. Same with Kirk Franklin or at least one of the Winans. Gospel Music (not the Southern Variety) has been shaped by these artists, and if you are serious about the subject, you would acknowledge that. To CCM Magazines Credit, they do. Same with Andrae Crouch. I am every bit the typical white guy when it comes to music, except for my strong aversion to all things Country and Southern Gospel, and even I remember hearing Andrae Crouch and The Disciples growing up. Good Call there.

What the Winans or Andrae Crouch were to Gospel, The Choir are to the Christian Alternative scene. From their beginnings as Youth Choir with Voices in Shadows(1985) and Shades of Gray(1986) to their current release Burning Like the Midnight Sun (2010). The Choir has defined what alternative is. Current faves like Anberlin owe a lot to Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty. And not just alternative music but Christian Music in general owes a lot to these two. Where would the Modern Worship industry be today if it weren't for songs like God of Wonders. While the song had been redone by many artists over the years, the original writers were: Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong (sorry folks, the answer was not Paul Baloche. Thanks for Playing). Stay with me, and as alway, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

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