The sweet-natured half-smile, kind eyes and one-way finger nearly obscured by the head and face of hair on the cover does not serve as indication as to what laid within the grooves of this album. This is not sweet, syrupy, pabulum CCM with songs of encouragement for your “tough days.” Though the Jeremiah in rags pointing at God’s people with the Word as a sword would be the experience of the following album, “No Compromise,” there still is the ever-present call for repentance and holy living. But also noticeable are songs obviously written at a time just after conversion focusing on those beginning moments of love and joy. This debut album would not only showcase Green’s songwriting and vocal acumen, but would also be the most piano focused release. There are times that the listener feels like Green is sitting in his living room playing their piano and performing just for them. The central focus of the piano in the instrumentation and mic puts one of Green’s finest skills front and center. The reason for this is that the album was recorded almost completely live in the studio with very limited overdubbing, just limited to strings and backing vocals. This “live” feel was probably as much for budget as for the listener’s experience, but for this record it works. The focus throughout remains the voice, the piano, the songs. The album starts with “You Put This Love In My Heart,” a Elton John type piano driven pop song reflecting on God’s undying love and intrusive offer of love and grace.
Cause your love has released me
From all that’s in my past
And I know I can believe you
When you say I’ll never be forsaken
Your love is gonna last
There’s so much more I should say
If I could just find a way
You put this love in my heart
A continuing theme of God’s faithfulness amidst our sin is the focus of the ballad “I Can’t Believe It!” which introduces an endearing and lasting (though short lived due to his death) ballad form. The Elton John quality here is often where Green is at his finest. “Because of You” handles the same topic but in a decidedly more upbeat fashion. Where the former is more introspective the latter deals with how the change in one’s life impacts those around them.
Now people just can’t believe, that my life used to be
Something that no one had any use for
I’d stay at home each night, never shine the light
And i thank you, it will never be like before
It’s because of you
People point at me and say i like what that boys got
And because of you
I confess i don’t have a lot
But what i have is because of you
Now people smile at me and ask me what it is
That makes them want to be just like i am
So i just point to you and tell them, yes it’s true
I’m no special one, i’m just one man
It’s because of you
The more upbeat songs tend to showcase Green’s amazing piano work in a rock format and this song may be his finest work on the album using this style. His rollicking piano form owes much to the Jerry Lee Lewis revivalistic R&B. One song from the album that remained a radio standard for many years to follow is “When I Hear the Praises the Start.” This song of God’s undying love for His bride is sung from the point of view of Jesus calling out to His Church.
My child, My child, why are you weeping
You will not have to wait forever
That day and that hour is in My keeping
The day I’ll bring you into Heaven
For when I hear the praises start
My child, I want to rain upon you
Blessing that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are My child and you know me
To me you’re only holy
Nothing that you’ve done remains
Only what you do in Me
Honky-tonk piano highlights “He’ll Take Care of the Rest,” a song that continues the theme of God’s persevering work for His people. using Moses and Noah as Biblical examples of God’s faithfulness. This song shows Green’s more playful and humorous side that would be nearly completely absent on “No Compromise” and return on “Egypt.” The classic “Your Love Broke Through” follows. There is an interesting story regarding the song. Green had written the song a few years earlier with Randy Stonehill but graciously allowed Phil Keaggy to record the song and release it before himself. That is simply unheard of not only today, but ever. And with all due respect to Stonehill, Keaggy and others, this is the definitive version. The first of Green’s “trilogy” of songs about the Devil follows with “No One Believes In Me Anymore.” Again here Green displays his lighter and more humorous side. Honky-tonk piano again drives this song about the limited belief on the Devil, both in and out of the Church. The point is the deceptive nature of God’s enemy, his greatest deception being that of getting people to no longer believe in him. The song works as a musical version of CS Lewis’ classic book, “The Screwtape Letters.”
Oh, my job keeps getting easier
As day slips into day
The magazines, the newspapers
Print every word I say
This world is just my spinning top
It’s all like child’s play
You know, I dream that it would never stop
But I know it’s not that way
Still my work goes on and on
Always stronger than before
I’m gonna make it dark before the dawn
Since no one believes in me anymore!
Well, I used to have to sneak around
But now they just open their doors
Green’s most passionate performance is reserved for “Song to My Parents,” a plea to his family to find the love that God has for them. As one whose entire family are believers I can only imagine how heart breaking this experience must be for people. “Trials Turned to Gold” deals with the common struggle all Christians face when coming against difficult times and trying to understand God’s plan amidst the trials.
The view from here is nothing near
To what it is for You
I tried to see Your plan for me
But I only acted like I knew
Oh Lord forgive the times
I tried to read your mind
Cause you said if I’d be still
Then I would hear your voice
The album closes with Green’s version of the 2nd Chapter of Acts classic “Easter Song.” This song in unique on the album as it is the only song not written or co-written by Green and one of the few times he covered a song on any album in his career. It should be noted that Green does add a verse not in the original. Green’s voice, though, is brighter and stronger on this song than just about any other in his career. This remains one of the two or three greatest songs of the Jesus Music era and Green’s version is a worthy one and the perfect way to finish this amazing and timeless classic record. Green’s impact on Christian music and ministry cannot be understated. There have been three tribute albums made by various artist including one by rock and alternative label, Tooth and Nail nearly 20 years after his death. His impact was so great that a collection of artist there were in diapers when he dies were moved and motivate enough to lend themselves to covering his amazing music.
Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – You Put This Love In My Heart – 3:29
2 – I Can’t Believe It! – 3:37
3 – Because Of You – 3:32
4 – When I Hear The Praises Start – 4:23
5 – He’ll Take Care Of The Rest – 3:59
6 – Your Love Broke Through – 3:26
7 – No One Believes In Me Anymore (Satan’s Lament) – 3:20
8 – Song To My Parents (I Only Want To See You There) – 4:00
9 – Trails Turned To Gold – 3:25
10 – The Easter Song – 3:55
Credits
Accordion – Kenny Kotwitz
Arranged By [Strings] – Harlan Rogers
Backing Vocals – Danniebelle Hall, James “Arky” Felix, Keith Green
Bass – Todd Fishkind
Concertmaster – George Poole
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Al Perkins, Gordon Shryock, Larry Emerine, Wally Duguid
Engineer [Mixing] – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green, Tom Trefethen
Guitar – Dean Parks, Gary Denton, Mike Deasy
Organ – Harlan Rogers
Photography – Gary Heely
Piano, Acoustic Guitar – Keith Green
Producer – Bill Maxwell, Keith Green
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Sparrow Records, Inc.
Copyright © – April Music Inc.
Recorded At – Studio 55, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Location Recording Service
Recorded At – Western Recorders
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Published By – April Music Inc.
Published By – King Of Hearts
Published By – Latter Rain Music
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
