Customer Reviews

Lead Me on

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Amy Grant had always been considered a good songwriter and had written much of the material on her previous records. But on Lead Me On Amy absolutely bared her soul. Her songs reflected an honesty and transparency that she'd never shown before and some of the tracks were almost embarrassingly stark and real. Catchy hooks were replaced with real life human struggles, heartaches and joy. This was an Amy Grant the world had never seen before. She was still the princess of Christian music but all of a sudden she had all of the human rough edges and angles that her audience had. It was a striking unveiling.

Opening the record is "1974," a poetic and beautiful retelling of the story of one's salvation. "Lead Me On," which continues the poetic use of imagery, is another in a long line of Amy's songs which have reached classic status. "Shadows" speaks of the struggle between our humanity and the Christ-life inside of us; a theme that is continued in "Faithless Heart." "What About the Love" stands as a powerful reminder that it is our love by which we should be known, lest we discover what it really means "to be crucified and judged, without love."

One of the CD bonus songs was actually one of the album's best tracks: "Wait For the Healing." Containing a unique violin accompaniment, it reflects on the 60's generation that went through so much turbulence. The second bonus track, "If You Have To Go Away," is a sweet mid-tempo love song dealing with both the dreams and realities of a long distance relationship. If you own the Lead Me On cassette you are strongly urged to pick it up in CD format so you don't miss out on these two gems.

It would be easy to touch upon every song on this album. "Saved By Love" is a song that is especially appreciated by many wives and mothers. "Say Once More" is a simple yet gorgeous ballad of love and devotion. Suffice to say, there is not a weak moment on the entire project. In fact, every track truly excels in the best of ways. Popular music is at its most powerful when it is the vehicle for a message that is real, honest, and, at its core, human. Music can challenge, music can change, and music can inspire. And on Lead Me On, Amy's songs did all of that in a way that we had never seen before. Time may have changed the way that some of these songs are understood (though musically it still sounds great). But the core theme of Lead Me On remains: the Christian walk is a daily struggle that is best dealt with in an honest and open manner, as opposed to the unrealistic picture of Christian perfection that ccm too often portrays.

In the end, Lead Me On is pure and unadulterated Amy Grant; a snapshot from a moment in her life that music fans should be thankful to have been given a glimpse of. It embodies everything that Christian music can and should be and if I had to choose one album to represent contemporary Christian music for the historical record this would be it. Lead Me On is the greatest Christian music project of all time, and a must-own for any serious collection.

By the time 1988 rolled around, Amy Grant had more than a decade in the music industry. During this decade Amy would establish herself as the premier artist in the history of Christian Contemporary music. This is a career in which Amy would start as a young teenager and grow into as a young adult. Amy was now getting ready for the next phase of her career - which would move her into the mainstream arena. It was at this point that Amy would release her strongest effort to date - "Lead Me On". "Lead Me On" brings some outstanding songwriting, some outstanding supporting musicians and merges it with Amy's development as an artist. The result is a sensational collection.

I can look at Amy Grant's career as encompassing three main phases. The first phase covers 1977 through 1981 (her debut self-title album "Amy Grant" through the "In Concert Volume 2"). In this phase, Amy definitely showed her youthful side (her first album was released while she still was in high school). For the most part, Amy did some nice songs and was able to establish herself as a Contemporary Christian Artist. In Phase 2 (this would cover 1982-1988, starting with "Age to Age" and going to this album "Amy Grant - The Collection"), Amy ascended to legendary status in the Contemporary Christian music-world both commercially and criticially. This is where her husband to be Gary Chapman would begin to have an influence in her music. In this phase, Amy would show the most depth with her Christian music. When Phase 3 (1988 to present, starting with "Lead Me On" to present), Amy went into her full-fledged crossover into the mainstream (pop) music arena. On a side note, a staple throughout Amy's career is that she does some of the songwriting (either solo or collaborative) as well as uses songs by other songwriters. "Lead Me On" stays consistent with this as Amy collaborates with several songwriters (husband Gary Chapman, Michael W. Smith, and Wayne Kirkpatrick are the main ones) as well as uses third party songs.

Some will argue when Amy Grant officially "crossed over" into the mainstream music arena. Some will point to the duet with Peter Cetera. Others will say on her 1985 release "Unguarded" there were signs of this transformation. I personally look at her 1988 effort "Lead Me On" as the official start to Amy Grant becoming mainstream. This point can certainly be argued, as some will say Amy went back toward the Christian Contemporary route with this effort. There is no doubt that Amy does some very strong Christian music, but there other examples of a "cross over". There are other songs that don't have as strong a Christian Contemporary influence. However, even in some of the songs that do have a stronger Christian Contemporary influence from a lyrical standpoint, you could easily place these songs from an instrumentation standpoint in the mainstream arena. I think the best way to say this is that they album trascends many of the boundaries of a traditional Christian Contemporary album.

Another thing I found interesting is that around 1988, the mainstream music world was moving away from Synth-Pop to more guitar-laden natural sound. "Lead Me On" seems to bring the best of both worlds from this standpoint. I'd still say most of the influence is Synth-Pop, but there is some good examples of guitar work throughout the collection.

The first three tracks "1974", "Lead Me On", and "Shadows" seem to be songs that are more on the Synth Pop end. These are also great examples of songs that may Christian from a lyrical standpoint, but from an instrumentation standpoint they could easily go mainstream. "Lead Me On" is an incredible track. The instrumentation shines -especially Paul Leim's drums. Amy's voice is also powerful on the track. She gets an assist from Bill Champlin of Chicago (lead vocalist on the track "Look Away"). Champlin contributes lead vocals to "All Right". As for background vocals, "Shadows" has a great wrap up thanks to solid background vocals.

Amy does a great job at playing narrator in the song "Saved By Love". This song almost has a bit of a country-western influence. "If You Have to Go Away" is another country-western like song. Amy also does a self-narrative song with the powerful song "What About the Love". Although Amy didn't write this song, she delivers it boldy. In this song, Amy begins to question a lot of what is wrong with the world.

This collection features one of the greatest Amy Grant songs of all-time - "Waiting For the Healing". This song is a masterpiece. It is a very Christian song, but also has a near mantra like quality on the chorus (supported real well by background vocals). The song wraps up with some sensational guitar work (by Dan Huff and Jerry McPherson) at the end - in fact this guitar work can rock with the best of any mainstream work. This song will emotionally charge you as well as uplift you. It really should have been a "Song of the Year" nominee. On a side note, "All Right" also has some good guitar work and drum work (again by Paul Leim).

"If These Walls Can Speak" ,"Sure Enough", "If You Have to Go Away", and "Say Once More" are an example of how Amy has "crossed-over" from a lyrical standpoint and can do it real well. I love the beginning of "Sure Enough" which starts out "I'm laying it all out on the table".

The liner notes are solid. They include all of the lyrics as well as all of the musician credits. This is a solid collection. It is easily Amy's strongest release when it came out. This would be a sign of things to come as things would even get better with her follow-up "Heart in Motion". Whether you are a Christian Contemporary fan or just a music fan, this is a must have collection.

If you only buy one Amy Grant CD.....this is the one. I have been a fan of Amy's for over 20 years and I own every album she has ever put out. This is the one to own. If you don't like Amy...you still need this CD.

After tasting secular pop sucess with her album 'Unguarded', Amy then proceeded to produce her finest effort to date, and probably the best album she will ever record. The pop flash of 'Heart In Motion' is missing here. The narcissistic depression of 'Behind The Eyes' is missing also. This is the mature expression of a Christian woman immersed both in the world and in Christ. Honest lyrics, great music and Amys best vocals make this CD stand out from the masses. There is a reason that this CD is on many 'deserted island' CD lists, my own included.

Amy Grant made a big name for herself with the release of the single "Find a Way" from her dalmation-accented "Unguarded" LP in the mid 80s. Long a darling of Christian wedding planners and dewey-eyed young converts in evangelical churches, Amy decided to give 'em a little Heck with a cross-over album. "Unguarded" got her a some flack from the pastor, but a lot of listens from the rest of us. Who could not help but sing along to the refrain "Love will find a way (clap-clap)...?" Could this artist become musically and culturally relevant with a decent message (or at least unoffensive lyrics) for us church kids? Most of us agreed she had accomplished just that, and we ate it up.

What was not expected was the follow up album, released a couple of years later. With great anticipation I purchased the CD, drove home and slammed into the Panasonic. What greeted me was a dry, unhappy-sounding album... I was profoundly dissapointed and considered returning it to the store for credit (maybe for A-Ha's latest?). But before I did that, I gave it one more spin. Then another, and another.

Soon it was clear that I had come to "Lead Me On" with all of the wrong expectations. Amy had actually grown, and was showing us her darker, human side, as it were (her lyrics almost insinuated she was a sinner!). Soon the honesty of the album soaked in, and I was transfixed. The track that really hit me was "Lead Me On," and to this day I cannot play that song without a tear forming. But that is just one sublime moment from this amazing set... it just gets better and better, from the soaring, airy intro track to the sizzling electric fiddle solo to the ethereal ending vocal.

Amy has never reached the depth of personal revelation quite as effectively as she did with "Lead Me On." However, moments of the new "Simple Things" are every bit as phenomenal, like the track "Out in the Open." She definitely still has the skills, but "Lead Me On" was the first and best showcase of her deep and abiding talents in the context of a tested faith. I give it an A+.

I "discovered" Amy in 1982, at the tender age of 13, when her landmark album "Age to Age" hit the scene. Her 1984 "Straight Ahead" album was the first CD I owned... I have cherished her music and her influence in my life. I bought "Lead Me On" when it came out in I believe 1989 and was just blown away. The first song, "1974" immediately captivated me with its layered guitar work, and the title song is possibly one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard, speaking (at least to me) about slavery, the Holocaust, and our own paths in life. Amy's life bleeds through on this album, an effort I believe she didn't even approach again until her most recent effort, "Behind the Eyes". Now that news of her marriage of so many years ending has surfaced, one understands the melancholy flavor of this last album. Still, I think "Lead Me On" stands as a monumental work that could endure and flourish in contemporary Christian or secular music circles.

I am 19 years old, and I can still remember hearing this when I was 3 and 4 years old along with all other Amy Grant albums. There is just something about this one and 2 songs in particular that captured me when I was a little kid and I still love these songs today. I am one of the few young people who know that Amy Grant is almost solely responsible for Chrisian music being what it is today......artists now owe alot to Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, Rich mullin...etc.

Saved by Love is very well done vocally with Amy hitting the different harmonies.Many other songs are great also, but without a doubt the powerhouse song on this album is "Lead Me On".

Lets start with the intro to the song....if you have only seen the video or heard the shorter version you are cheating yourself. It starts off with just the base pedal and soft electric guitars in the backround. It slowly builds up to the chorus with a great lead guitar part. Then fades to the verse. There are many great musical performances on this song but the best is the Drumming....Fantastic. Now lets get to the lyrics. It discusses the slavery of the Jews in Eygpt before their deliverance. The second verse talks about the holocaust. It is very haunting but done very well. The chorus is infectious. Lead Me On, Lead Me On To a place where the river runs into YOUR keeping....Lead Me On Lead Me On the awaited deliverance comforts the seeking ....Lead On. The bridge does something not many christian artists did back then....it left you pondering WHY these things happen??

There is a reason why this album is rated the #1 by ccm as the greatest Christian album of all-time. This is a must have, by the greatest chrsitian artist there has ever been.

After listening to her earliest albums, full of contemporary pop tunes, this album was a complete shocker for me. It was a different sound. No longer were her songs Pollyanna-like and always optimistic, it dug deep inside the soul to expose some of the dark hurdles that we all struggle with. What an amotional impact!

A more different sound, it may take listeners some time to get used to this CD but after several listening sessions, this album shines as one of Amy's best albums for its mature lyrics and complicated arrangements.

Some of my favorites: "1974", "Lead Me On", "Saved By Love", "Faithless Heart" (one of the most beautiful songs ever written), "All Right" and "Say Once More".

Let's talk about "Say Once More." This is not the same song that is on "Never Alone", an earlier album. This is a completely different song. This has become one of my most favorite songs. What a beautiful song! I think this song is the one that is the clincher for all buyers! The overlaying vocals at the end of the song really bring me to a deeper spiritual place. I have to be careful when I drive when I listen to this song in the car.

Rather than pen the standard line of "this is the best album I've ever heard" that pops up regularly on half of the CDs reviewed on Amazon, I'd rather refer you to the fact that this album was voted recently by critics and fans alike as the best Christian album of all time. All the more interesting then that it is for a dark and introspective masterpiece rather than an upbeat praise album. "Lead Me On" articulates all the struggles of this young woman, who to the outside world was seen as perhaps an angel, but who had the same insecurities and personal dramas of any of us. The album also delves into some heavy social commentary areas, such as oppression on the title track, and lack of compassion on "What about the Love". But it is never preachy (notice how she turns the finger back on herself on "What about the Love"). The sound is panaromic, while progressive listens unveil new diamonds in the expertly layered mix. Unique moments like the chopping oriental keyboard of "Shadows" and the full-blown jam ending "Wait for the Helaing" pepper the CD, while the piano ballad "If these Walls" is a haunting sparse centrepiece. While Amy may have appeared a shallow popster to the general public through "Baby Baby", this album shows a different side to her, and because of the depth of these songs, "Lead Me On" will continue to be the album against which subsequent Christian music releases are measured.

If you want to only buy 1 Amy CD, this is the one to start with. Most people call Heart in Motion her crossover album, I would say it's this one. It's so full of emotion and it says an awful lot about what was going on in Amy's life at the time. It also shows her true Christianity and ability to forgive. Pay special attention to "If These Walls Could Speak", "Lead me On", "1974" and "Alright".

This is my second favorite Amy Grant album. (My top favorite is STRAIGHT AHEAD.) And I'm not a huge Amy Grant fan or anything like that, but 20 years ago she did help shape what we now call contemporary Christian music. Regardless of whatever controversy may befall her, or whatever controversy she herself may create, she is and will always be one of the original pioneers of CCM.

LEAD ME ON is almost her own personal testimony. Songs like "1974" give much away in terms of personal history. It may be hers or based on hers. Another very poignant song is "What About the Love" in which the singer accuses people from all walks of life of not loving with the love of the Lord. And last of all she accuses herself!

The best song on here is the title track, "Lead Me On". Although it boasts an upbeat tempo and edgy rock melody, the words are undeniably poetic and moving. Songs with these kinds of lyrics are usually more likely to be found on a Rich Mullins CD, or Michael Card. But Amy Grant still sings this song as if she was the only one ever meant to. And perhaps she was.

If you're one of the tiny minority of people who love the CCM of the 80s and early 90s (we're definitely a dying breed), then this CD is essential. If you're an Amy Grant fan, then this CD is essential. If you just like soft Christian rock with sharp, intelligent lyrics, then this CD is essential.