Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits 1986-2004 (Bonus CD)

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Amy Grant has been releasing music since the mid-70's. Back when such things as records were still popular. In 1986, she released a greatest hits project that is a classic all by itself. "The Collection" is a staple in many Christian music collections. 1986 marked a change in Amy's career, and her second greatest hits collection showcases that second phase.

I'm never envious of the people responsible for putting a greatest hits collection together. There are always so many good songs and not enough room. Of course, there are the no-brainers. "The Next Time I Fall," a duet from a Peter Cetera album, and "Baby Baby" from Heart in Motion are clear examples.

But then there are songs that seem to be obviously missing. "Children of the World" from House of Love is noticeable absent, maybe because it's my favorite song from that project. And Heart in Motion seems to be a little over represented. While it was her biggest CD, one or two songs could have been cut to make room for a few others. Especially the "Baby Baby" remix at the end, which brings the total appearances of that song to two. I know it is her biggest song ever, but how many versions of that song do we need on one disc? And, while "Simple Things" represents her last project, her hymns CD is completely missing here.

As always, there are new songs. "Come Be With Me" is another love song that frankly hasn't caught my interest that much. "Lucky One," later in this disc, is much better. "The Water" is her best song in years, however. I love this look at repentance.

On the whole, this is a great retrospective that marginal fans of Amy's work will love and long term fans will gladly add to their collection. The only real drawback is that it could have been better balanced over all her releases from the period.

I'm a bit surprised by folks who complain about the absence of some of Amy's biggest inspirational hits from the '70s and early '80s. In case the name of the album itself wasn't clear enough, this album concerns itself only with Amy's pop hits from 1986 to today (the reason being that she released a Christian Greatest Hits compilation in 1986). The album was largely supported by her pop record label, so that's why it's a pop-oriented project (yes, Lead Me On and Saved By Love were released to pop stations too). A Christian GH project will likely appear in the future. In the meantime, Amy Grant is one of the most appealing and best-selling artists in the entire music industry. She's as much a musical powerhouse today as she was ten, fifteen, or even twenty-eight years ago when she started. She's produced a long, plentiful string of unforgettable hits, from the loud and bubbly to the soul-stirring and inspirational. A cross-section of her artistry is presented on this CD with wonderful quality.

A few radio edits and remixes are offered here on a studio album for the very first time! Why? For many people, these are the versions they know by heart. For avid fans who already have her other CDs, this gives a new addition to their collection.

The two new tracks have serious radio potential and are slowly beginning to capitalize on it, and rightfully so! They are awesome! Whether you are looking for a walk down memory lane with a restored listen to classic favorites or some brand new tunes for your collection, this album offers every single Amy Grant pop hit to date (with the exception of "Find A Way," which was featured on the last GH CD)... 18 years worth! It's an absolute must have!

And no, Amy hasn't had plastic surgery.

Amy Grant has never been a huge star up here in Canada. She has her own little following north of the U.S. border, though, and this collection is a great reminder of the fact that she has had many successful singles indeed. But most of all, it's a true testimony to her strong artistic evolution over the past two decades. This woman has gone from a Christian music icon to a pop celebrity, only to transform herself once again as a convincing and personal singer-songwriter whose lyrics come from the heart - and aim straight at yours.

Of course, most people remember her for the hits from her breakthrough pop album "Heart In Motion". They are all available on this compilation ("Baby baby", "That's what love is for", "Every heartbeat", "I will remember you" and "Good for me"), just like latter hits such as "Lucky one", "Takes a little time" and her cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big yellow taxi". There's even a remixed version of her Grammy-nominated # 1 smash "Baby, baby" that gives it a more contemporary edge; as well as two new songs, "Come be with me" and "The water", which feature Amy in a bluesy mood reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt (it is a musical path that she should definitely follow, since it suits her sultry vocals and minimalistic approach perfectly).

But most of all, this compilation generously features three songs from her underrated 1997 tour-de-force album "Behind the eyes", an intensely personal chronicle that was just so inspirational and healing at once. "Takes a little time", "Like I love you" and "I will be your friend" are not the most representative songs from this emotional masterpiece; I strongly recommand that anyone willing to explore Amy Grant's past recordings should take a listen to "Behind the eyes".

Of course, like every compilation, this one is just an overview of a much richer career. Let's hope it gives the casual fan enough curiosity to dig deeper into this wonderful artist's catalogue.

The first CD in this 2004 CD set contains some nineteen of Amy Grant's (b.1960) greatest hits, ranging from the sacred to the sublime. All of the great songs are here - Baby Baby, Every Heartbeat, Good For Me, and Lead Me On. But, that's not all! The second CD has *four* great remixes - Every Heartbeat, That's What Love Is For, I Will Remember You, and House Of Love.

Yep, this is a great CD set, which shows off Amy Grant's beautiful singing voice to its best. I like to listen to CDs on my computer when I work, which means that the speakers are right on top of me and I can spot quality (or a lack thereof) right off the bat. I found this to be a great album to listen to, and I highly recommend it to everyone! Buy it!

I always laugh when I hear people comment about Amy Grant being around 20 years? Folks, Amy's been recording since the 70's. This is a good representation of the second half of her career, but for a full view of her TRUE greatest hits, you should also buy her earlier Greatest Hits album titled "Collection."

Amy is as world wide known for her Christian music as her mainstream, and I find it a shame that people think her greatest song ever was Ever Heartbeat. Listen with your heart to Lead Me On, or to Saved By Love. And I urge you to pick up "Collection" or "Her Greatest Inspirational Songs" albums. I think you'll be surprised and touched by the range of her music over the years. Age by Age is her most standout recording in my opinion (1983). Buy it, love it, live it!

I love Amy Grant's music, and have since I was 4 years old. This album is a must for any Grant fan, but it should be on the shelf with a multitude of her other albums. (and I say albums because many of my copies are actual records! YES! RECORDS!)

Please don't pigeon-hole her to the early 90's releases. There's so much more to Amy Grant, and this recording is a good example, but not a complete one.

Here is the complete, correct track listings, followed by my review...

01 The Water [previously unreleased]
02 Come Be With Me [featuring Keb' Mo - previously unreleased]
03 The Next Time I Fall [duet with Peter Cetera]
04 Saved By Love
05 Lead Me On
06 Baby Baby [LP Version]
07 Every Heartbeat [Edited LP Version]
08 That's What Love Is For [LP Version]
09 Good For Me [LP Version]
10 I Will Remember You [LP Version]
11 Lucky One [Remix]
12 House of Love [duet with Vince Gill - LP Version]
13 Big Yellow Taxi [The Paradise Mix]
14 The Things We Do For Love
15 Takes a Little Time
16 Like I Love You
17 I Will Be Your Friend
18 Simple Things
19 Baby Baby [7" Heart In Motion Mix]

01 Every Heartbeat [7" Body and Soul Mix]
02 That's What Love Is For [7" Single Mix]
03 I Will Remember You [Rhythm Remix]
04 House of Love [duet with Vince Gill - The Classic Philly Soul Mix]

Amy Grant's latest Greatest Hits release is a must-have for any fan of Amy's and of 90's pop music. A&M didn't take the easy way out and simply throw together the album versions of all of her singles and put them on a disc. Instead, the radio and video versions that we became so accustomed to hearing at the height of these songs' popularity are featured. For those Amy-lovers who didn't purchase each of the singles and maxi-singles when they hit stores back-in-the-day, this is your second chance to own these great-sounding single versions.

Greatest Hits 1986-2004 even gives us special treats like "The Next Time I Fall" which had previously only been on Peter Cetera's Solitude/Solitaire album and "The Things We Do For Love" from the Mr Wrong soundtrack. It's not too often anymore that we see recording artists giving their fans so much of what they want in a "Best of" album.

The only changes I would've made would've been to feature the 7" No Getting Over You Mix of "Baby Baby" and the 7" Good For You Mix of "Good For Me" along with the remixes already included on the 4-track bonus disc. Have no fear, though... those versions and countless others are available on Amy Grant's Greatest Videos 1986-2004, released simultaneously to this disc. (Buy this album now, 'cause the bonus disc won't be part of this pressing forever!)

The 12-page CD booklet includes countless publicity photos of Amy from over the years and features information from the Billboard charts, giving us the details of how well each of the singles performed on both the Hot 100 (Pop) and Adult Contemporary (A/C) charts. Amy also pens a few messages of her own to the listener, adding a personal touch to this essential compilation.

Again, thank you, Amy Grant and A&M for delivering a CD that gives us so much of what we have been wanting on one disc for so long! Greatest Hits 1986-2004 has exceeded my expectations... and it's a perfect holiday gift.

I've always been fond of Amy Grant's music, since I was a young child up until now. She has a wonderful, captivating voice and her songs are so beautiful! I can't help it, but I've always been somewhat partial to Baby Baby(the Heart in Motion mix in particular). It's an excellent song and will put you in a romantic mood. I can remember well, the days when I was young, sitting in my room, listening to Amy's cds and singing along with her. She was my favorite! I haven't listened to her in a while but after all these years, I saw this album in the store and I fell in love with her all over again! Seeing it brought back such great memories! I do not own this album yet (I will soon, trust me!) but I have heard some of her previous work; some of which is in this collection. It's terribly good! I'm thrilled she released this! I know I can expect more great music from Amy Grant!! Amy Grant will not dissapoint...take it from a long time fan!

My favorite songs:

Baby Baby (Probably the first song I heard by her. Gets stuck in my head very easily and is my all time fave song she sings!), Lucky One (My second fave song! Very catchy!), I Will Remember You, Takes A Little Time, Every Heartbeat, and That's What Love is For.

I had almost forgot about Amy Grant with all the constant new music coming out. I heard over the radio she was coming out with a greatest hits cd, and all the memories started flooding back. I remembered liking alot of the songs she released in the 90's so I just had to snatch this cd up. I bought it for a couple songs but I ended up liking alot of the other tracks more. My favourite track is "Like I Love U". I don't know when this song came out originally, but it is now one of my faves for life. I also like "The Water". Amy is an awesome, soulful singer and I am so glad she released this cd. She outdid herself. I hope she gets more recognition. Thanks Amy, for all the awesome songs!!

It truly has been amazing how so many christian singers become in their ways to tread the lives of pop stars. This theory has been true for quite awhile in the 90's, with acts like Michael W. Smith, and even Jessica Simpson started singing those kinds of songs and recordings, before becoming a newlywed. Yet, with all those kinds of singers, no one has done it more successfully than Amy Grant. She had really triumphed in the ways of music only the Dove Awards could measure, and in the 90's she crossed over amazingly to the fields of Pop music. Her songs and her voice are just a real perfectional match in the industry. Still, it is just a shame many people don't seem to respect her now, instead of choosing manufactured acts like Britney Spears.

Amy Grant Greatest Hits 1986-2004 really falls extremely well into what it says. The 19 track collection contains a couple of new songs, and a lot of her songs fromrecords like Heart In Motion, House Of Love, Behind The Eyes, and her 2003 record, Simple Things. Her style on these songs are just exquisite as well as the songs that are on here. The album does include some great songs like Baby Baby, Takes A Little Time, Lucky One, Every Heartbeat, Good For Me, and I Will Remember You. The album also includes a few great duets Amy recorded, especially her smash collaboration with her now husband Vince Gill on the hit House Of Love, and the duet that vaulted Amy Grant into the spotlight, The Next Time I Fall with former Chicago member Peter Cetera. All in all, the collection only has one flaw, Every Heartbeat was edited down in place of a remixed version of Baby Baby. Amy also shines brightly on her classic covers of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi, and The Things We Do For Love from the romantic comedy Mr. Wrong.

All in all, The Amy Grant Greatest Hits collection is really one of only two hits collections to be released this year that hits the nail on the head, which it is nearly flawless. This is really one of my top picks for hits collections of the past few years. I strongly suggest you get the Amy Grant Greatest Hits 1986-2004. It is worth the money.

Overall album: A-

Yes, in the tradition of "Ultimate Kylie," this collection leaves no stone unturned! With the addition of new and remixed tracks, this collage should be entitled, "Past Reflections & Future Memories." This bundle is a strong mix of her most popular chart-toppers as well as time-honored CCM classics. Absoluletely beautiful in its arrangement and selection from the 18 years highlighted here, it shows Amy's dynamic voice and honest passion on everything she sings!

Although originally featured in "Mr. Wrong," the inclusion of Amy's cover of 10cc's trademark hit "The Things We Do For Love" is a welcome surprise!!
Another welcome surprise is her 1986 Billboard #1 duet with Peter Cetera--an absolute necessity for any Amy fan!

Highlights include "Lead Me On," "Simple Things" and "I Will Remember You"