Ultimate Music Makeover: Songs of Michael W Smith

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rocketown Records
• ASIN: B000A1ILA0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,174 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smitty Rocks, August 4, 2005

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ultimate Music Makeover: Songs of Michael W Smith (Audio CD)

It's definitely an unusual CD. 10 rock artists take on 10 hits by one of pop Christian music's best known artists and redo them in their own style. Looking at the list when it first came out, I couldn't believe some of these match-ups. I was curious enough I had to get it.

These songs are certainly different. I don't think anyone could argue otherwise. But they hold their basic melody, so it's easy for long time fans to recognize them and sing along from the start. I must also commend them for their song selection. There are a couple lesser known gems from his debut CD on here. If this compilation does nothing but highlight those songs, it'll be well worth it.

Tree 63 does the most faithful adaptation with "Missing Person." Other fairly faithful makeovers are "Go West Young Man" by All Star United and "Secret Ambition" by David Crowder Band.

Sarah Kelly jazzes up "You Need a Saviour" for a wonderful ride through a classic. Likewise, Shaun Groves speeds up "Rocketown." And can you think of a better match?

Michael's son Ryan makes the interesting choice of slowing down "The Race is on" which just seems wrong to me, however. On the other hand, he has an amazing voice. Someone needs to take note and sign that kid immediately. Taylor Sorensen's "Lamu" is also slower then the original, but it works much better.

The most interesting song on here is Stryper's version of "Friends." Not that this surprises me as it seemed the most unusual match. The first verse starts out fairly faithful, but it gets rockier as it goes along until it's a power ballad.

For a collection of artists that I normally choose not to listen to, this is a great CD; made so by a great group of songs I have loved for years. Because of the style, I know it will never replace the original Michael W. Smith versions, but it's nice for a change of pace.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cause Friends Are Friends Forever, December 5, 2005

By 

www.ryancordell.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Music Makeover: Songs of Michael W Smith (Audio CD)

As a former Christain radio DJ, I was forced to listen to many hours worth of Michael W. Smith's music. Hey, I'll even admit, I was a fan for a while, but mostly of his early work.

When I saw this new disc, I was skeptical, but thought I'd give it a shot. Can I tell you that these are great versions of some classic songs. I'm a firm believer if you are going to cover an artist, that you should make take the lyrics and make them your own. Put your own touch to the song that makes it different from the originial. I don't just want to hear someone sing the same song, I want to hear their interpretation or added inspiration to that tune. This album does that to the mighty works of M.W.S.

And hear me on this... "Friends" has never sounded better, and may never sound better than when Michael Sweet and the boys from Stryper work their magic on it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD for MWS fans, August 4, 2005

By 

blbooks "Becky" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Music Makeover: Songs of Michael W Smith (Audio CD)

Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith is a great CD for long-time fans of Michael W. Smith. The album features new covers of ten classic MWS songs: Go West Young Man, You Need A Savior, Rocketown, Secret Ambition, Pray For Me, The Race Is On, Lamu, The Other Side, Missing Person, and Friends.

Go West Young Man, from the album Go West Young Man, is covered by All Star United--and they do a great job! One of the definite highlights of the album. Individually, I would rank this song as five stars.

You Need A Savior, from the album Michael W. Smith Project, is covered by Sarah Kelly. Unfortunately, it is one of the low points on the album for me. I like her rendition of the verses of the song, but when she changes the melody of the chorus...she loses my support. I would rank this song as three stars.

Rocketown, from the album The Big Picture, is covered by Shaun Groves. This song is definitely in contention for being one of the best songs on the album. Definitely a five-star song.

Secret Ambition, from the album i 2 eye, is covered by the David Crowder Band. While it is hard for a cover to ever be "better" than the original, this song (along with Rocketown) comes close. Five Stars.

Pray For Me, also from the album i 2 eye, is covered by Plumb. I have not warmed up to this song...at least not yet. It takes a truly beautiful song and makes it musically odd and puzzling. Three stars.

The Race Is On, from the album Michael W. Smith Project, is covered by Michael W. Smith's son Ryan. It is a pleasant song highlighting one of those 'forgotten' songs in MWS's career. (Although I own the album MWS Project, I have never paid much attention to this particular song.) Four stars.

Missing Person, from the album Live the Life, is covered by Tree 63. It's another good song on the album. 5 stars.

Lamu, from the album The Big Picture, is covered by Taylor Sorensen. It is a pleasant song. For fans of the 'original' Lamu, they will find the cover a much calmer and more restrained song. (You can actually understand the lyrics.) This song just makes me want to listen to the original song :) 4 stars.

On The Other Side, from the album i 2 eye, is covered by Todd Agnew. It is a good song. I enjoy Agnew's vocals. 5 stars.

Friends, from the album Michael W. Smith Project, is covered by Stryper. I would say it's a good song. 4 stars.

Overall, I would say this is a great CD. The best songs on the album kept the 'heart' of each song alive despite their own musical changes to the songs.