Description
The Ministry Years, Volume 1 (1977-1979) is a double disc compilation album by the late American singer, songwriter, and pianist Keith Green, released by Sparrow Records in 1987.
The work of Keith Green is like a beautifully-orchestrated preaching tape. From his debut album in 1977, through four following albums and three posthumous releases, Green’s music has always been chock-full of meaty and melodious music.
Now Sparrow has released the first of two anthologies. The more than two hours of music here is taken from each of Green’s albums, and will serve as a well-balanced introduction to an artist that younger listeners may have missed and older listeners may have failed to adequately appreciate.
The addition of three songs never before heard on vinyl makes this collection even more appreciated, «Go to the Hungry Ones», «The Battle Is Already Won», and «Here Am I, Send Me» were produced by Bill Maxwell from tapes that featured only Green’s voice and piano.
What is amazing about the 36 previously-recorded songs is how well they have aged, even those now a decade old. This anthology is a collection of moods – from praise to doubt – all expressed without cliché or flippancy. It’s a collection of artistic styles, too. Green wasn’t much for following musical trends, and he created a style of his own that remains as novel and exciting as it was back then.
If you have a CD player, the double CD version of the album brings Green’s plaintive vocals and expressive piano playing to the forefront.
Green is no longer with us, but the spiritual force and beauty of his music continue undiminished. His musical message is needed today in an age of increasingly sophisticated but often decreasingly meaningful gospel ditties. [Steve Rabey, CCM, December 1987]
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2CD tracklist:
Disc One
1-01. Because Of You – 2:57
1-02. How Can They Live Without Jesus – 3:10
1-03. Walk And Talk – 2:37
1-04. Run To The End Of Highway – 3:11
1-05. Your Love Broke Through – 3:30
1-06. The Victor – 4:25
1-07. Thank You Jesus – 2:57
1-08. The Prodigal Son Suite – 12:21
1-09. Stained Glass – 2:50
1-10. Go To The Hungry Ones – 3:04
1-11. Love With Me (Melody’s Song) – 3:23
1-12. You Put This Love In My Heart – 3:32
1-13. There Is A Redeemer – 3:13
1-14. No One Believes In Me Anymore – 3:23
1-15. On The Road To Jerico – 3:25
1-16. You! – 3:38
1-17. When I Hear The Praises Start – 4:27
1-18. Asleep In The Light – 4:29
Disc Two
2-01. He’ll Take Care Of The Rest – 4:02
2-02. Make My Life A Prayer To You – 3:23
2-03. Easter Song – 3:59
2-04. When There’s Love – 2:56
2-05. The Battle Is Already Won – 3:32
2-06. Pledge My Head To Heaven – 3:55
2-07. My Eyes Are Dry – 2:06
2-08. Song To My Parents (I Only Want To See You There) – 4:04
2-09. Trials Turned To Gold – 3:28
2-10. Dust To Dust – 4:07
2-11. I Can’t Believe It – 3:40
2-12. To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice – 3:23
2-13. Soften Your Heart – 2:52
2-14. I Don’t Wanna Fall Away From You – 3:12
2-15. Here Am I, Send Me – 3:45
2-16. I Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven – 4:12
2-17. Dear John Letter (To The Devil) – 3:23
2-18. Rushing Wind – 3:44
2-19. Don’t You Wish You Had The Answers – 3:22
2-20. Altar Call (Live Version) – 4:09
Note: Simultaneously released as a double-cassette and as a double CD by Sparrow Records. Re-mastered and re-issued on a double CD by Sparrow Records in 1999, featuring new cover artwork. Disc 1 is an Enhanced CD, which includes “No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green” by Melody Green and David Hazard in Adobe PDF and Rich Text Format.
A full-page advertisement for the Keith Green compilation The Ministry Years, Volume 1 was featured in the November 1987 issue of CCM Magazine.
An advertisement for the Keith Green double disc compilation The Ministry Years was featured in the March 1999 issue of CCM Magazine.
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