The Best of Andraé

Description

The Best of Andraé is a double album compilation by the American gospel group Andraé Crouch & The Disciples, released on Light Records in 1975. All songs written by Andraé Crouch except “Jesus Is The Answer” co-written with his twin sister Sandra.

What more can be said about Andrae Crouch? Without a doubt, he is one of the most talented musicians in the kingdom of God – his songs, ministry, and life all glorify the Lord in a beautiful way. Christian artists everywhere have done renditions of Andrae’s tunes, including one version of «Jesus Is The Answer» found on Paul Simon’s live album. Secular and Christian audiences alike pack auditoriums to see AC&D , including a sell-out performance at Carnegie Hall. And now we have an LP entitled ‘The Best Of Andrae’ – and it certainly lives up to its billing.

Rather than rereviewing each individual song, allow the following selections to speak for themselves: «Everything Changed», «I’m Gonna Keep On Singin’», «My Tribute», «Bless His Holy Name», «If Heaven Was Never Promsied To Me», «Jesus Is The Answer», «Through It All», «Satisfied», «I Come That You Might Have Life», «I Don’t Know Why», «I Didn’t Think It Could Be», «I’ve Got Confidence», «It Won’t Be Long» – and this is only a partial list! Twenty songs in all can be found on this double-record set – and each one is a masterpiece.

Noticeable by its absence was the upbeat «You Don’t Know What You’re Missing». However, every Andrae fan probably has a few favorites which had to be excluded for lack of space (a tribute to Andrae’s prolific song production). The liner notes mention that this is the first ‘Best of Andrae’ album; hopefully, it won’t be the last [Russ Proctor, Harmony, Vol. 1, No. 6, March/April 1976]

Light Records Classic Gold Series, CD Re-issue 1993

This was the definitive Andraé Crouch best-of. What he will be remembered for most is his ability to blend true, dyed in the wool black gospel with modern smooth soul and hit the charts with an undiluted Christian message. Crouch is a visionary in the same way Curtis Mayfield was; he used gospel as a way of attracting those outside the church in, and for those in the church to be able to relate to modern trends in African-American trends in popular music. What’s more, it wasn’t cynical. This collection offers virtually every major hit Crouch laid down in the 1970s, the period of his greatest impact, and the renditions of these tunes are the authoritative and critically recognized ones all in one handy, economical, 20-track disc where all is killer and there is no filler. [Thom Jurek, AMG]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/classic-gold-the-best-of-andra%C3%A9/303157956)

2LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Take A Little Time” – 3:24
A2. “Everything Changed” – 3:42
A3. “Tell Them” – 3:43
A4. “I’m Gonna Keep On Singin'” – 2:43
A5. “My Tribute” – 3:33

Side Two
B1. “Bless His Holy Name” – 3:00
B2. “I’m Coming Home” – 3:29
B3. “Just Like He Said He Would” – 4:34
B4. “If Heaven Never Was Promised To Me” – 2:56
B5. “Take Me Back” – 4:12

Side Three
C1. “Jesus Is The Answer” – 5:02
C2. “Through It All” – 3:23
C3. “Satisfied” – 2:59
C4. “Jesus (Every Hour He’ll Give Your Power)” – 3:11
C5. “I Come That You Might Have Life” – 4:20

Side Four
D1. “I Don’t Know Why” – 2:55
D2. “I Didn’t Think It Could Be” – 4:50
D3. “Oh I Need Him” – 3:55
D4. “I’ve Got Confidence” – 2:55
D5. “It Won’t Be Long” – 2:17

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl double LP (housed in a gatefold sleeve) by Light Records. Remastered by Glenn Meadows and re-issued on CD by Light Records in 1993 as a part of the label’s Classic Gold series.

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Gatefold Cover Artwork

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