Search - Various Artists :: No Compromise

A Tribute to a Powerful Voice

Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 04/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Keith Green only recorded for six years before his tragic death, but his legacy in Christian music still lives on. Ten years after he died, various artists came together to record this tribute CD. Each artist picked a song and recorded it in their own style. The result is mostly enjoyable.



I should probably admit at this point that I'm a marginal Keith Green fan at best. So that may help dampen my enthusiasm for this project slightly. Still, you can't question most of the songs selected. "Your Love Broke Through," "He'll Take Care of the Rest," "Grace by Which I Stand," "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful." This is classic stuff.



Naturally, the artists I enjoy make the best covers, in my opinion. For example, Steven Curtis Chapman's upbeat take on "He'll Take Care of the Rest" is lots of fun. Of course, he does leave out my favorite adlib from Keith, but I'll forgive it.



I have loved "Grace by Which I Stand" since the first time I heard it. Steve Green's version elevates it to a whole new level.



Glad gives us an a cappella version of "How Can They Live Without Jesus?" I've got to say it holds up much better then I thought I would.



Probably my favorite moment on here is Keith's widow Melody Green Sievright singing "Make My Life a Prayer to You," a song she wrote. She has a beautiful voice. And there's something about listening to her sing the song that makes it more powerful.



I've never been a fan of Charlie Peacock's brand of rock, so that partially explains why I don't care for his cover of "I Can't Believe It." Surprisingly (at least to me), Petra's take on "I Don't Want to Fall Away from You" works much better. And something about Rich's version of "You are the One" just doesn't work for me.



But for spot on, check out Michael Card's version of "Asleep in the Light." If I have this on and am not paying attention, I will do a double take. He sounds so much like Keith to me here.



Fans will also enjoy the booklet. The artists talk a little about how Keith's music has affected their lives.



This disc is no substitute for getting Keith's actual recordings. But fans of his music will enjoy having another take on his classic songs."