Customer Reviews

Jesus Record

5 star:		(87)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At the time I'm writing this, I've only owned this CD for 2 days, and I've already memorized half the songs on it. The demo tape, on which you hear the last music Rich ever recorded, is one of the most powerful praise and worship compilations I've ever heard. Knowing that Rich Mullins was taken from us just 9 short days later makes it that much more powerful. When listening to him sing, though, you get the sense that Rich was ready for what was to come. And the Ragamuffins did an excellent job on the actual Jesus Record. They definitely have a future in this business if they want it. Their love for the music and for the man who wrote it is very evident, and knowing that Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Ashley Cleveland, Phil Keaggy, and others helped out with the studio recording shows just how much Rich Mullins meant to the Christian music community. But even without the touching story behind it, "The Jesus Record" stands out by itself as an awesome collection of music. "My Deliverer" is probably the best song on this CD, so it was probably not a such a good idea to put it first because if anyone else is like me they'll just play it over and over without listening to any of the other songs. Fortunately I fought that urge and listened to it all the way through the first time, and I'm glad I did. Every song is worth singing in church groups and during worship services. I was especially moved by the last song, "That Where I Am, There You...". Rich's original score is combined with Michael W. Smith's rendition to give you a moving song which was the last thing Rich Mullins recorded on tape. If you have the WOW 2000 CD, then you've probably heard it. But please take the time to listen to every song. This is one of those compilations where everyone will have a different favorite song because each song will touch you in a different way. Thanks to the Ragamuffins for putting this album together. And we know you're up there, Rich. Thank you as well.

Very few albums have exhibited such a total and undivided thematic focus--from the opening "My Deliverer is Coming" to the closing "Where I am there you may be." It is indeed a Jesus Record, as one of Christian music's greatest songwriter and singer pens some soul stirring songs. The second CD which features the Raggamuffin band and Mullins' friends "adds flesh" to the late singer's demo. Rick Elias sings with the soul of Mullins; Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Ashley Cleveland, among others, all bring their singing resources to bear on the decidedly Mullian rhythms. Then there's the mildly eerie sensation in the last cut as we hear the band and singers join Mullins in singing the comforting words of Christ as He prepares for the cross. Maybe, it's not eerie; maybe it is indeed reasssuring to know that though Rich Mullins is gone, we can still have his music, and if we believe what he believes, then where he is now, with Christ the source of Mullins' songs, there we too who listen would be after this life.

Chiji Akoma

I will confess, when I first bought this CD, I wasn't that big a Rich Mullins fan. I got it mainly because of his death. But through it I discovered what I'd been missing out on for years.

Rich Mullins was a great poet who had a unique way of looking at the world. He had a faith is God that was unshakable. And he used his talents to challenge his listeners. He also had a unique way of expressing himself in song. I find I listen to the demo CD more then the polished studio track second disc because I enjoy Rich's versions more.

This CD has one of his best works on it. "Hard to get" is powerful. Then I first stopped and listened to it, I was blown away. Basically, Rich spends two verses blasting God for the pain in his life, then acknowledges that God still loves him. Finally, he accepts that God is still in control and has been there all along, even if Rich was too blind to see. I've gone through that cycle more times then I care to admit.

There are several other highlights as well. "My Deliverer," "Surely God is with us," "Nothing is Beyond You," and "That Where I Am, There You..." all get plenty of play time as well.

Any Rich Mullins fan that doesn't have this CD yet needs to get it immediately. And it's a great buy for Christian music fans as well. It's the final thoughts from a wise man who was taken from us too soon.

I love Rich Mullins' work and this is no exception. Even though the 1st CD (Rich) is only a demo and not great quality, it is probably the best part of the project. Rich's heart comes through so passionately with every word. I thank God that Rich was able to share this music before he died. The best songs on the 2nd CD are Nothing is Beyond You (Amy Grant), Jesus... (Ashley Cleveland) and Heaven in His Eyes (Michael W. Smith). I don't know if I like Rich's writing on these songs more than others or these artists' voices more than the Ragamuffins' or both. If "Jesus..." doesn't move you to tears then I don't know what will. I don't particularly care for Rick Elias' voice, but the arrangement of "My Deliverer" is coming is wonderful and the song really grows on me with time. The best part may be all of the others singing with Rich on "That Where I Am..." If you've ever been moved by Rich's singing or you have never heard him and want to experience faith through his eyes...please buy this CD.

Yes I realize people are going to jump all over me for giving this project less than five stars. What little disappointment I had was not due to the songs themselves. They demonstrate some of the finest work of Rich Mullins; thoughtful, profound, witty, and poetic all at once. I only wish (like everyone else) that Rich had been around to do a quality recording of them. Although the songwriting is undeniably Rich Mullins, the recording (on the disc with various artists) lacks the spark of musical genius we came to expect from Mullins. That shouldn't be a surprise of course, because there is no replacement for Rich and his talents. However, my impression was that the project didn't flow very well from start to finish; because there isn't really a dominant musical style, and because there is a different lead singer in almost every song. The common theme of Jesus Christ and Rich's lyrics hold it together somewhat, but the aura of Rich Mullins is noticeably absent. (It doesn't help that the hammer dulcimer is also absent, except for a few seconds at the end). I could speculate on how I think this record could have been produced better, but that wouldn't help anything. This is an incredibly moving project; I am only concentrating on the negative side because the other reviewers have covered the positive. Just don't be expecting to hear the final masterpiece of Rich Mullins. That's what I was expecting, and that's why I wasn't completely satisfied. But perhaps Rich would have liked it better this way anyhow, because the project wasn't supposed to be about Rich Mullins in the first place; it was supposed to be about Christ, and these are some of the best songs ever written about Him.

Hearing the raw and unedited Rich Mullins touched me deeply. I felt like I was right there praising God with him in the little abandoned church. The second CD, in which the group professionally recorded the demos, is both energetic and soulful, and does musical justice to the amazing lyrics that Rich composed. Buy this CD!

I just have two things to say here: First-With the exception of the wonderful song by Rick Elias, just listen to the first disc. Second-If you do not have it and can afford it, buy this Album. These songs reaffirm the greatness of the Savior that Rich sought to so fervently serve. These songs bring to light aspects of Jesus that are not always seen in the sometimes dark world we inhabit. I cannot wait to praise Jesus with Rich in heaven. Thanks to this CD, I can praise Jesus with Rich here on earth till I get there.

Being a big fan of Rich Mullins, and reading almost every article I can find on him, I went into this expecting big things. The last songs Rich every recorded, weeks before he died. After listening to the demo CD, this is the most powerful CD I have ever owned. Many songs sound like he knew his time was short on this earth. The stark compositions, either a single guitar or a piano, really bring to home the fact that Rich was pouring his heart into these songs. "Hard to Get" continues his unique way of relating to God. My heart cries everytime I listen to it. All of these songs seem to be praise songs, with "Jesus" being a particulary good one. I have not listened to the "cleaned up" version of this, but there's no need to. No other artist or way of recording could give this album more spiritual power.

Before I got this CD, I already owned both Songs 1 & 2, and the Liturgy, Legacy album. The Jesus Record brings to light some very heartfelt and heart-wrenching music written by a man with a big heart. There's no possible way for me to pick a favorite song on this CD, because every one of them has either brought me to tears, or filled me with joy. All I can do is review each song's individual merits. "My Deliverer" is a strong song of faith that the Lord will deliver his people. "Surely God is With Us" illustrates a non-believer coming to belief. "Nothing is Beyond You" is a beautiful song praising the Almighty. "You Did Not Have a Home" is a song that could best be compared with the man who wrote it. Rich's home was not on earth, and neither was Christ's. "Jesus" is a plea for the love of God made flesh. "All The Way To Kingdom Come" is a song that expresses the true meaning of love. "Man of No Reputation" is a beautiful song that expresses the love Jesus had for ragamuffins-- the poor in spirit. "Heaven in His Eyes" recalls how our Savior was rejected by the world until He showed His love on the cross. "Hard to Get" is best described as a weary, spiritually poor sinner talking with God. "That Where I Am, There You" is not only musically moving, but also one of the most joyful anthems of the Ascension of Christ. If you don't have this CD, GET IT!!

This is a two CD set. The first CD, called the Jesus Demo, is an incredibly intimate look into a man's heart and soul. Rich Mullins is sitting alone playing the guitar, the piano, and singing. This was recorded on a tape player, and after his death put on this CD.

The incredible part is that God is truly his audience. He never intended that this would be published, he was not putting on a show. He was simply singing to his Lord. "My Deliverer" is my favorite song on this CD. It tells of what Jesus might have heard when he lived in exile in Egypt as a young child. Wow!

The second CD is a very well done version of the same songs. It was recorded after Mullins' death by a host of well known recording artists. But I can't stop listening to Mullins' own version. It brings life into perspective.