The Collection

Description

The Collection is a compilation album by the American singer and songwriter Jennifer Knapp, released on Gotee Records in November 2003, distributed by EMI CMG Distribution.

The Limited Edition Two Disc Set of The Collection is packaged in a digipak and contains a bonus disc entitled A Diamond in the Rough, which is a compilation of rarities and demos. Eleven of the tracks (the demos) from A Diamond in the Rough were later released as a digital EP.

For my money Jennifer Knapp is a Christian music treasure, able to convey the bite and edge of an Alanis Morrisette without the self-obsession and the ruthless honesty of a Tori Amos without the bitterness and carnality. This compilation shows what can be done when the artist being compiled has a limited number of albums (Jennifer’s Gotee releases up to now are ‘Kansas’, 1997; ‘Lay It Down’, 2000 and ‘The Way I Am’, 2001). The twist here on Disc 1 of this compilation is that they’ve got fans of Knapp to write about why such-and-such a song is a personal favourite. It certainly adds a fascinating new dimension to Jennifer’s bitter sweet music and most of the cuts are the ones I’d have chosen. Disc 2 here is very much a collector’s item and is not without interest. Pride of place is «Say Won’t You Say», a version of Jennifer’s aching love song recorded for a movie that never got made and featuring Michael Tait on lead vocals while there are tracks from the City On A Hill series, the Grits album and some demos. It’s a shame that we couldn’t have had the whole of Jennifer’s ‘Wishing Well’ independent release featured on a third disc. The «Nothing Is Impossible» from it here makes you hungry for more. All in all a fascinating and satisfying package. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, May 2004]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-collection/1533113479)

2CD tracklist:

Disc One – The Collection

1-01. A Little More – 3:27
1-02. Undo Me – 3:23
1-03. Breathe On Me – 3:30
1-04. Say You Won’t Say – 3:59
1-05. Into You – 3:04
1-06. The Way I Am – 4:06
1-07. Lay It Down – 3:49
1-08. Whole Again – 3:44
1-09. Hold Me Now – 4:09
1-10. Martyrs and Thieves – 5:56
1-11. Diamond In the Rough – 4:03
1-12. Refine Me – 3:29
1-13. When Nothing Satisfies – 3:41
1-14. By and By – 3:45
1-15. Romans – 3:10

Disc Two – A Diamond in the Rough

2-01. Say Won’t You Say (feat. Michael Tait) – 4:28
2-02. Sing Alleluia (with Mac Powell and Nicole Nordeman)
2-03. Hallowed
2-04. It Is Well With My Soul (performer with Audio Adrenaline)
2-05. Believe (performer with Grits)

Album One Demo Sessions
2-06. Undo Me (Demo) – 3:26
2-07. Martyrs and Thieves (Demo) – 5:58
2-08. Hold Me Now (Demo) – 4:07

Album Two Demo Sessions
2-09. Return to Me (Demo) – 4:52
2-10. Sing Out In Joy (Demo) – 3:22
2-11. Nothing Is Impossible (Demo) – 4:25
2-12. A Little More (Demo) – 3:28
2-13. Into You (Demo) – 3:31

Album Three Tony Mcanany Demos
2-14. Breathe On Me (Demo) – 3:31
2-15. The Way I Am (Demo) – 4:01

Note: Track 2-01 and 2-06 to 2-015 were previously unreleased. The Limited Edition Two Disc Set was originally released as a digipak.

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