Keith Green: The Ministry Years 1977-1979 [Enhanced, Original recording reissued]

Keith Green | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B00000I7JO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,019 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A teen pop star whose fleeting fame was usurped by that of Donnie Osmond, Keith Green--former runaway and rock & roll bad boy--went from rabble-rouser to born-again Christian in the aftermath. By the mid-'70s he and his wife, songwriter Melody Green, dedicated their full lives and musical abilities to their faith, forming the still active Last Days Ministry, in which the music played a central focus. Tragically, Green died in a 1982 plane crash and his short but prolific career thus became of greater poignancy to the evangelical Christian community left in the wake of his passing. Green's musical message, piano pop with hard-line born-again themes and lyrics showcasing his theatrical vocals ("Most people don't find out till they're half dead / That they need another life"), is presented in total on this posthumously issued volume of The Ministry Years. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best contemporary Christian music recordings, December 14, 1999

By 

Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keith Green: The Ministry Years 1977-1979 (Audio CD)

You never heard of Keith Green? Well, then you've never experienced the most passionate musician for Christ that there ever was. His piano playing and heartfelt vocals were as fervent as anyone in rock and roll, let alone Christian music. His songs basically taught me how to be a Christian, much like learning to sing the ABC's taught me the alphabet. There are a number of decent Keith Green albums on the market. Some are albums that lump songs together by theme. Others have songs from "The Early Years." Unfortunately, many of the incredible original releases (For Him Who Has Ears to Hear, No Compromise, The Keith Green Collection, So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt, and Songs for the Shepherd) have fallen out of print. But you can get the best of his best stuff right here with The Ministry Years Vol 1, 1977-1979. And don't hesitate to get "The Ministry Years, Vol 2 (1980-1982)."

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keith was a prodigy and a genius., October 22, 2002

By 

Andy Williamson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keith Green: The Ministry Years 1977-1979 (Audio CD)

This humble man was an unqualified musical master. A teen idol who got lost in the drug culture of the 60's and 70's, Keith continued performing music and looking for sucess and fulfillment in the vacant culture of southern California. Keith seemed to have been tapped into something (we now know it was someone) greater than himself-he was a visionary and a romantic who was always searching for more truth, more meaning, more substance. By the mid-70's he found what he was looking for in the Christian faith. His new faith, coupled with his considerable musical talent set him on course to change the lives of millions of people. Before Amy Grant got big, before Michael W. Smith, while members of Stryper were still in grade school-before Christians knew what Christian rock was or would be-Keith was doing it.

This two disc set is a collection of his best early material; from 1977 to 1979. A second set covers 1980-1982 when he was tragically killed in a plane crash along with two of his children. The material here is (for the most part) nothing short of stunning. Sure there are some throw-aways in my opinion, but this collection will nonetheless reaffirm the beliefs of many that Keith was wholly unique in his musical writing and his delivery. Many of the classics are here from his famous 1977 debut album FOR HIM WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR, which was the first Christian album in history to be certified Gold and was the first respectable 'Christian rock' album. I remember my father playing this record when I was very young and it still has a powerful effect on me. The album remains one of the most famous Christian recordings of all time. Keith fits in nicely with many of the other famous singer/songwriters of our time such as Van Morrison & Simon & Garfunkel (in storytelling ability), Sarah McLachlan and Over The Rhine (in power and emotion), Jim Croce (in folksy/rock style) etc. Remember, he did most of his work in the 1970's.

Of particular note are a number of other songs that need to be heard to be believed: "The Prodigal Son Suite" is amazing in depth and scope, covering the dynamic range in a powerful way, from soft piano driven passages to near pleading vocals and full band instrumentation. The song is twelve minutes long-another thing you didn't see to often outside of prog-rock. Take note also that there are a number of songs here that have since become hymns in the church! Quite an accomplishment for a former doper and rock n roller. Finally, I want to point out "Asleep In The Light" which is probably the most on-point attacking of hypocrasy in the church. I have never heard lyrics that hit me as hard as these. Keith pulls no punches here. A convicting song to say the least.

There is so much more that could be said here, but you can always refer to his biography NO COMPROMISE written by his wife Melody Green. If you choose to look into his life you will find an amazing journey unfolding before your eyes. Keith Green was living proof of what God can do with a musician who is sold out to him...

Essential.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 20 years later, Keith's music and message live on, April 15, 2002

By 

Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Keith Green: The Ministry Years 1977-1979 (Audio CD)

Keith Green was one of the first people to do Jesus Music in the late 70's. He was friends with other pioneers of Christian music like 2nd Chapter of Acts (Matthew Ward, Annie Herring and their sister Nellie) and Randy Stonehill. Keith was killed tragically in a plane crash on his own property in 1982.

Like another artist who died too young, Rich Mullins, Keith was different. He didn't really belong here. He points the way to the only source of everlasting life - Jesus Christ. Though this music was recorded a long time ago, I don't think it sounds dated like some of the other early CCM - perhaps because Keith wasn't going to be around to write new stuff?? That's just something that I've thought about.

To get fully-acquainted with Keith and his ministry, you also need to read his biography, written by his wife Melody Green "No Compromise". Also, there is a video/DVD biography of his life that was just released.

This double CD set has SO many awesome songs on it. The popular worship song "There is a Redeemer" is on the first disc, along with "Love Broke Thru" and "You Put a Song In My Heart".

The second disc has "Easter Song", "Make My Life a Prayer to You", "He'll Take Care of the Rest", "I Don't Want to Fall Away from You", and one of my favorites, "Rushing Wind":

Rushing Wind

Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe you breath upon me,
I've been born again.

If you read the book, you will learn that Sparrow tried to record the vocals and the piano tracks separately, but the music just fell flat. The energy and the spirit of Keith's music wouldn't come out of his mouth unless he was playing the piano while he was singing! Once they started recording the whole thing together, it worked!

This album contains many live tracks and I know you will be blessed by this music!

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