Customer Reviews

The John Michael Talbot Collection: A Library Of 35 Favorite Songs

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Michael Talbot began is career in the sixties as a country-rock artist, playing and touring with industry giants. Because of a profound conversion experience, he set out on his own path of writing and singing songs expressing his journey of faith in the Franciscan tradition of the Catholic Church. Over the past twenty-five years, Talbot has recorded an unbelievably broad range of Christian music encompassing many styles, from solo voice and guitar, to orchestra and choir. He has put to music the classic prayers and liturgy of the church, as well as written original material in both acoustic and clasical styles, with a depth of theological and musical integrity. In contemporary Christian music, where glitz and glamor have become an unfortunate by-product, Talbot rises above the commercialization by singing songs, and living a life of humility and service. His songs have been a powerful influence on me and my spiritual journey. I have sung and played his songs in my United Methodist congregation, at church camps, and in my own spiritual retreats. More than anything else, his beautiful music and his life are a witness to the power and presence of Christ. These discs are a collection of his music from across the years. I strongly recommend them to everyone.

Unfortunately I disagree with the other reviewers. I found this compilation album to be a reasonably good introduction to the music of John Michael Talbot, but by taking snapshots from his long career and large repertoire it does not adequately represented his best music. Talbot himself says that his mid 80's album "Heart of the Shepherd" represents the beginning of his mature music, and that and his later music is what I prefer. I own that album and also "The Hiding Place", and "Meditations in the Spirit". Each of these albums presents a consistent spiritual message and I find that any one of them has more good music, and consistency, than this double CD which is weighted towards his earlier, maturing work. But it is John Michael Talbot, and does have much wonderful music. Three (or maybe four) stars for the music, but I only give it two in the end by comparison with his best work.

I have been a loyal JMT fan for 10 years now. A very small amount of time considering how long he has been in the Music Business. And I have collected all 30 or more studio albums he has conceived in his 30 plus years. From his Mason Proffit Years rubbing shoulders with the likes of Janis Joplin and many other great singers and bands from the late 60's and early 70's. JMT is far from his roots. You will find this collection a mere drop in a bucket compared to his complete library, but more than likely, not everyone reading this will find themselves owning his complete library. But this is a great start. This I think is a perfect start! It has most all of My personal Favorite songs like..."Lilies of the Field"......"Healer of my Soul"...."Hiding Place"....."The Pleiades and Oriion"...and "Sunrise". I am not Catholic, but I dont believe JMT is directing his efforts strickly toward one denomination. This music is a celebration of Jesus Christ.....it sooths the spririt and allows your life to slow down and realise there is so much more and different to music and the Spirit in which you take it all in. You will find his music has a touch of Brilliance to each song. His Guitar picking is something to be awed at. The String arrangements heard on many of these songs are full and breathtaking and sensative to your heart. His Voice is something I imagine God Himself enjoying from Heaven. Above all.....I cannot get enough of John Micheal Talbot and look foward to each new release.

Peaceful, Serene, Poignant and Beautiful. I have listened to this collection repeatedly and find it to be a worshipful experience. There is an intangible simplicity and humility that come through. For the busy mind, the troubled heart, the wounded soul, here is food and drink. Taste and see!

An excellent album of Christian songs that really touched my heart and encouraged me more to focus my object of worship, God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Lord and Master. I recommened this to all who love Christian music. Anyone who has the complete lyrics of the songs on these CD, please email me information where I can them too. Thanks a lot!

JMT is an exceptional artist and would be in any musical genre. His great singing voice coupled with his great songwriting and musicianship means that we Christians should count ourselves blessed that he has chosen to use his gifts for the glory of God. Many of the tracks on this 35-track double-disc album have been covered by other artistes and his obviously heartfelt renditions of his material totally inspires his listeners and reminds them of God's great love for them. The only thing that could be inproved upon is the sound quality which could do with some remastering using the modern-day sound technology that is out there. Otherwise, this is an excellent worship cd and comes very highly recommended. 35 tracks on 2 discs at less than 15 bucks? If that's not great value, I don't know what is.

I actually bought this cd by chance. I was surfing on Amazon when I accidentally clicked on this album. I decided to listen to a few of the clips and immediately I knew I had to pick up this gem. Praise the Lord for music like this! In these times of cheesy commercialized songs, Talbot's music stands out with strong Biblical lyrics and haunting peaceful melodys. I just recently had surgery and during my recovery this album has brought me much comfort. I definitely recommend these 35 songs for your collection. Thank you.

I have heard John Michael Talbot in concert a few times over the past several years and enjoyed a wonderful worship experience. Though his Catholicism has some clear distinctions from my own Protestant beliefs, I find that Talbot truly has the heart of a worshipper, which will connect with Christians of all stripes.

From those experiences, I bought this album, hoping to hear similar songs. Much to my surprise, most of the tracks on this double album are huge choral and orchestra pieces, rather than the accoustic solo work of his recent concert tours. At first, I was disheartened.

However, the album has really grown on me. Though not at all what I was expecting, this is great music nonetheless. The sound is somewhat dated, but the music is brilliantly written and wonderful performed. This isn't appropriate as simple background music like some of his more recent work, but it's a great album in its own right and presents a good collection of some of his earlier work. I highly recommend it.

John Michael does more than sing an excellent song, he prays his songs. The music has power. I recommed it most highly to anyone interested in good, solid, scriptural Christian music.

The music within this collection is some of JMT's finest.
Each song is a symphonic expression in miniature
guitar and voice form. The background instrumentation
is thoroughly unobstrusive -- you can hear John's
voice and guitar as his lyrics fly and enhance each arrangement.
You almost want to hear more verses and choruses--
but John remains disciplined to his forms.
His message above all remains the Gospel--and it
is from this standpoint that his beauty is manifested
in God's blessing to us through JMT.