Welcome Back Amy
Posted March 24, 2010
By KevinMcNeese_NRT, Staff Reviewer
I've been a dedicated fan of Amy Grant for almost two decades. I had "Angels" on repeat and the intro to "Sing Your Praise To The Lord" captivated me to no end (and still does, although it's a little dated). The Collection remains one of the most solid "Best Of" albums I've heard. Without any embarrassment at all, I embraced her barrage on the pop music world with "Baby, Baby," "Heart In Motion" and "Lucky One," even going as far as to sing "Big Yellow Taxi" at the state fair (and yes, it bombed horribly, although Casting Crowns made the song even cooler a few years later). I was working in Christian retail when the divorce news broke and customers shied away from her emotional Behind The Eyes album only to embrace her all over again a few years later with her return to "Christian" music on Legacy: Hymns & Faith. I still bust out her last album, 2003's Simple Things when I need to refocus, slow down and enjoy the day.
For as long as I've been listening to Christian music, Amy Grant has been there. And as long as I've been working in Christian music, I've had the opportunity to meet her twice. Once was a GMA sponsored event at her and her husband's (country superstar, Vince Gill) home, and the other was at a label dinner where I sat right across from her and had some of the best artist conversations I've ever had. I say that not a public "look at me," but to be able to attest to you that Amy Grant is one of the last real artists with strong roots recording today. She's a wife, a mother, a songwriter and anyone who overlooks her raw talent is missing out.
I'm always anticipating a new Amy recording, and even more so today, when the majority of Christian music coming out is overproduced, ready for the big stage light show and from younger artists still finding their voice. Amy's music shines bright as simplified, polished, honest stories that you can embrace, and her first new album in seven (7!) years is no different.
Somewhere Down The Road combines piano, acoustic guitar and electric highlights with that touch of country home flavor and it's easy to get lost in this album as it trades glitz and glam for peace and tranquility. The album contains four new songs, previously unreleased songs, re-recordings of classics and is rounded out with 4 of her best loved story-songs, but this beyond a B-sides collection. The album flows and feels very fresh.
Highlights include the first single, "Better Than A Hallelujah" and her first duet with 17-year old daughter Sarah Chapman, "Overnight," channeling a very current Colbie Callait. Amy is at her best, in my opinion, in a raw vocal accompanied by an acoustic guitar or piano, like on the honest "Somewhere Down The Road," the negro spiritual tinged "Third World Woman" and the new version of "Arms Of Love." The timeless "Imagine - Sing The Wondrous Love Of Jesus" (which tweaks a few words of "I Can Only Imagine," a song she handed off to MercyMe, and closes the album with the classic hymn).
Amy continues to sing from a very comfortable place, encouraging us to enjoy everything life has to offer and to pull from life's experiences while always returning to Christ's arms. It's a place full of love, forgiveness, appreciation and reflection--not forgetting where you've been, but keeping your eye on where you're going. It's a message that some of her forgotten fans need to embrace, realizing that life and the choices we make along the way may not be perfect, but the God we serve is still the same today, as He was in our past, and will embrace each and every one of us as soon as we're ready. I for one, welcome Amy back to music. Let's hope this is the start of renewed passion in her illustrious career. View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinMcNeese_NRT | View KevinMcNeese_NRT's Profile
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