Ccm Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read About Great Albums
Review: CCM first published a list of the 100 Greatest albums in their 20th anniversary issue back in 1998. For this book they went back and re-worked the original list, adding newer deserving albums and considering oversights from the original 100.

As with any list of greats there will be controversy. Newer Christian music fans will wonder why some of their favorites aren't included. Conservative fans will debate whether groups like U2 should appear (they place two albums). Mainstream fans will puzzle over the inclusion of some projects that had more critical significance than popular acceptance. And fans of specific artists will debate whether the selected albums really are the best that artist had to offer. Yet in spite of all of that, I can't argue with too many of the choices. Most of the true greats are here, and any criticisms I can offer are more minor than serious.

Some albums I would've liked to have seen included are Whiteheart's FREEDOM, Michael W Smith's i 2 (EYE), and Susan Ashton's WAKENED BY THE WIND.

With each selection comes a write up that summarizes the historical context and significance of the project more than reviews it. The contributors are all heavyweights, like John W. Styll and Brian Q. Newcomb, and their essays were interesting and nostalgic. My only real complaint is that they didn't write enough. I would've loved to have seen some hard core research and information presented, a la the work of Fred Bronson in his Billboard books. Sometimes they don't even fill the given page. But that aside, this is a fantastic resource for long time CCM fans as well as newer fans who desire to gain a better understanding of the history of the genre. Now if we could only get the record companies to re-release many of these projects that are out of print. Four and a half stars.

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have for CCM Fans!
Review: If you have listened to Christian music from the 70's through the 90's you will love this book. The authors have done a marvelous job of setting each album in its historical and musical context and explaining why each album is significant.

I begain listening to Christian music in the mid-80's and remember (and own) many of the albums on the "100 Greatest" list. The book provided a very enjoyable and much-appreciated trip down memory lane.

I do need to share one small drawback, however--those who compiled the list seem to have left off some of the more significant albums of the 80's and 90's in favor of those they judge to be more artistically and culturally important. For instance, how could they leave out Michael W. Smith's "i (2) Eye," the album which most of his long-time fans agree is his definitive work (and which never sounds dated)? And Steven Curtis Chapman, the most celebrated and awarded Christian artist ever, has only one album on the list! (I would have chosen "Signs of Life," "Speechless" or "For the Sake of the Call" as perhaps his best album.)

But rather than detracting from the book, these minor qualms actually point out its value--to get Christian music fans talking, reminiscing and debating about the music that has changed their lives. Even though everyone is likely to find some of their favorite albums missing from the list, this book is a great gift to fans of Christian music.

One final note: Their choice for the #1 Christian album of all time--Amy Grant's "Lead Me On"--is right on the money!

Rating:
Summary: The Good, the Bad, and the Forgettable
Review: Note: I am not giving 3 stars to the art of CCM, but to this book.

The good: it deservingly pinpoints some of the best that have been given the short-thrift... and is right on... for example: the no.4 for Mark Heard's harrowing, unforgettable, _Second Hand_, well worth the search. Also: MWS's The Big Picture, Phil Keaggy's _Crimson and Blue_, Ashley Cleveland's _Big Town_.

The bad: It lowers some of the significant achievements down the list, because they sound dated... "Age to Age" (from Amy Grant) nor "with Footnotes" (from 2nd Chapter of Acts) did NOT deserve to drop from Top 10 status (which is where they were in the original June '98 issue) to below 75.

Even worse, they seem to ignore Catholic artists entirely: such as John Michael Talbot's _The Lord's Supper_, _Come to the Quiet_, _The Painter_ (with brother Terry) or _Brother to Brother_ (with Michael Card). Those albums have not dated an iota, and are more significant by helping heal the chasm between Protestants and Catholics, but CCM magazine would not think that's good enough.

The ugly: CCM was at its purest in the 70s, and was at its best musically in the 90s. The 80s belonged to Amy Grant, and whomever she touched (MWS, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, Degarmo and Key, Kathy Troccolli). Other than that, the 80s should have the least number of albums, and the 70s and 90s should battle it out for both authenticity and good solid music.

Other than that, it's a throwaway read. You learn a little, but don't really remember those artists that you don't know. You're far more inclined to read who you do know, and what you own, and that's about it.

Rating:
Summary: The Good, the Bad, and the Forgettable
Review: Note: I am not giving 3 stars to the art of CCM, but to this book.

The good: it deservingly pinpoints some of the best that have been given the short-thrift... and is right on... for example: the no.4 for Mark Heard's harrowing, unforgettable, _Second Hand_, well worth the search. Also: MWS's The Big Picture, Phil Keaggy's _Crimson and Blue_, Ashley Cleveland's _Big Town_.

The bad: It lowers some of the significant achievements down the list, because they sound dated... "Age to Age" (from Amy Grant) nor "with Footnotes" (from 2nd Chapter of Acts) did NOT deserve to drop from Top 10 status (which is where they were in the original June '98 issue) to below 75.

Even worse, they seem to ignore Catholic artists entirely: such as John Michael Talbot's _The Lord's Supper_, _Come to the Quiet_, _The Painter_ (with brother Terry) or _Brother to Brother_ (with Michael Card). Those albums have not dated an iota, and are more significant by helping heal the chasm between Protestants and Catholics, but CCM magazine would not think that's good enough.

The ugly: CCM was at its purest in the 70s, and was at its best musically in the 90s. The 80s belonged to Amy Grant, and whomever she touched (MWS, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, Degarmo and Key, Kathy Troccolli). Other than that, the 80s should have the least number of albums, and the 70s and 90s should battle it out for both authenticity and good solid music.

Other than that, it's a throwaway read. You learn a little, but don't really remember those artists that you don't know. You're far more inclined to read who you do know, and what you own, and that's about it.

Rating:
Summary: Essential for all CCM buffs
Review: OK, we have a problem here. No way that Amy Grant's "Lead Me On" is the #1 greatest Christian album of all time. In her wildest dreams she never put out anything as good as Leslie Phillips' "The Turning" (which is #8). In fact, Amy's best album IMHO, "Unguarded", didn't even make the list. My pick for the best CCM album of all time is Randy Stonehill's "Welcome to Paradise", which made #13. If you just hear it once, you'll agree with me. I'm sure of that!

Of course, my disagreements with the selections, and the order thereof, does not detract from the value of this book one iota. The very purpose of a book like this is to provoke discussion, awareness, and appreciation of the subject matter. And the editors of CCM Magazine know this subject backwards and forwards. The write-ups on these albums whet one's appetite to track down and purchase some of these fine recordings. Unfortunately, some are out of print (just try to find the album at #4, "Second Hand" by Mark Heard. I know some of you are saying "Mark who?"). The intro makes it clear that these aren't just critical favorites, but popular impact is also taken into consideration, therefore these are the "Greatest" as opposed to the "Best". That's how, for example, "The Champion" by Carman made the list (at #99), because if you've read CCM Magazine over the years, you know the critics don't exactly have a love affair going with Carman, which is made fairly clear in the book as well.

I believe one of the most interesting sections comes at the end where each contributor gets to list some of their favorites that didn't make the final cut. Maybe it would have been informative to make it a Top 200. Even then, some of the personal favorites of yours and mine would probably be left off. Oh, well, this book is still great for anyone wanting to build a definitive CCM collection or to fill in the gaps of their existing collection. Or to hope and pray that someday all of these musical offerings will be available once more.

Rating:
Summary: Essential for all CCM buffs
Review: OK, we have a problem here. No way that Amy Grant's "Lead Me On" is the #1 greatest Christian album of all time. In her wildest dreams she never put out anything as good as Leslie Phillips' "The Turning" (which is #8). In fact, Amy's best album IMHO, "Unguarded", didn't even make the list. My pick for the best CCM album of all time is Randy Stonehill's "Welcome to Paradise", which made #13. If you just hear it once, you'll agree with me. I'm sure of that!

Of course, my disagreements with the selections, and the order thereof, does not detract from the value of this book one iota. The very purpose of a book like this is to provoke discussion, awareness, and appreciation of the subject matter. And the editors of CCM Magazine know this subject backwards and forwards. The write-ups on these albums whet one's appetite to track down and purchase some of these fine recordings. Unfortunately, some are out of print (just try to find the album at #4, "Second Hand" by Mark Heard. I know some of you are saying "Mark who?"). The intro makes it clear that these aren't just critical favorites, but popular impact is also taken into consideration, therefore these are the "Greatest" as opposed to the "Best". That's how, for example, "The Champion" by Carman made the list (at #99), because if you've read CCM Magazine over the years, you know the critics don't exactly have a love affair going with Carman, which is made fairly clear in the book as well.

I believe one of the most interesting sections comes at the end where each contributor gets to list some of their favorites that didn't make the final cut. Maybe it would have been informative to make it a Top 200. Even then, some of the personal favorites of yours and mine would probably be left off. Oh, well, this book is still great for anyone wanting to build a definitive CCM collection or to fill in the gaps of their existing collection. Or to hope and pray that someday all of these musical offerings will be available once more.