Search - Steve Green :: Find Us Faithful

It Sounds So....Eighties....

Maestroh | Dallas Theological Cemetery | 12/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Green was a nominee for the Dove Award for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1988, an award he won in 1985. Called 'Ken' (like the husband of the Barbie doll) by Dove champion Sandi Patti, Green's first four albums show a constant progression of artist maturity. This one is a little more contemporary as far as the time of its release. But a simple listen reveals the CD to be locked in a time warp of mid-1980s Contemporary Christian music. One must do the review based on its impression in 1988, not the backward look from 2005 because this one is clearly dated.



"Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee" is the old familiar Beethoven Ninth Symphony. It begins with a symphonic sound and ends with a typical Steve Green ending, the high B-flat. Michael W. Smith's "What Are The Words" follows soothingly. In fact, I took this version and filmed a Grand Canyon sunrise. It then ventures into the simplistic with a worship chorus, "He Who Began A Good Work In You," written by Jon Mohr, who wrote many of Green's best known songs including "He Holds The Keys" and "Cherish The Treasure." Kelly Willard performs a capable back-up vocal. "Find Us Faithful" is the typical Green anthem but does not have the high-rise ending. Green, in fact, kept it this way to keep the focus on the message. The story of encouragement from those in the heavenlies should motivate all of us to godlier living. The weakest track, "The Word," has a good message but is weak and sounds 80's-ish.



"Come And See" kicks off side two as an imitation of side one. In fact, side two virtually mirrors side one on the cassette version. It ends on a high B-flat and is followed by my own personal favorite Steve Green song, "For The Glory of the Lord," which was written by Twila Paris. It tells us of our reason for living. "Cherish The Treasure" is the continuation of "Household of Faith" from his previous commercial release (not including "A Mighty Fortress" and the Christmas effort, "Joy To The World.") and is similar in content. "Praise You, I Will Praise You" mirrors "Find Us Faithful" as the peak of side two. Michael Smith's anthem will touch your heart as the song ends with the strong pounding of a string orchestra. The CD ends calmly with "As We Sail To Heaven's Shore," a song that emphasizes grace and the journey together to heaven.



This last song made a splash in 1994 when newcomer Kirk Lynn was killed in a plane crash of US Air in Pittsburgh in September. He had just made a rough cut of the song and returned to Pittsburgh and ultimately his eternal home. Green's song was a comfort to those who lost loved ones on the flight.



The one criticism is that the CD is clearly so dated. But get it and enjoy the songs of praise and worship.



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