Description
The Early Years is a compilation album by the American singer and songwriter Michael Card, released on Sparrow Records in 1996, distributed in the US by Chordant Distribution Group. All songs produced by Norbert Putnam.
Forgive me Christian artists and dedicated fans for what I’m about to say because I know that support for different music ministries is an essential part of the CCM scene but this series of compilation albums is a real blessing for many of us who think, “I really like this music but the old bank account doesn’t stretch far enough!” Michael Card’s music is well known to me being a favourite of one of my friends but for me has fallen into the above category. If this is also your experience then rush out and buy this album because it contains many favourite tracks such as «To The Mystery», «The Nazarene» and «Immanuel». The album is exactly what it says it is, a compilation album from Michael Card’s albums from the 1980s. The tracks are musically varied with interesting, clear lyrics in a generally quiet, thoughtful style and the production quality is excellent but if you are a real Michael Card fan then you will doubtless have all these tracks on other albums already in your possession. Look out for this ‘Early Years’ series because there are other albums by a variety of Christian artists. [Phil Clewer, Cross Rhythms, June 1996]
Repackage
Michael Card’s pedigree is matched only by the sheer scale of his productivity – a quick glance at his discography on the Cross Rhythms website shows no fewer than 50 entries. So why should you buy this dip into his back catalogue above all the others – especially as it’s a repackage of a 1996 release? Well, the songs are an odd meld of artful crafty poems set to backings of expressive piano and swooping orchestral grandeur with the occasional picked acoustic and ’80s electro drum loop. Occasional tinges of country, Celtic and even Bruce Hornsby show through on some songs, though the subject matter stays firmly within the great themes of the story of Jesus – incarnation and salvation in particular. The songs also see Card poetically exploring the humanity behind biblical characters such as Joseph on «Joseph’s Song». There’s even a rare chance to hear a remastering of the title track from the 12 inch ‘Scandalon‘ released in 1985. If you haven’t come across this artist before this might be one to try out – but I can’t help feeling that if you know him already you’d have most of these tracks at your disposal. I usually say that compilations such as these are for the casual CCM nostalgists seeking a trip down memory lane. [Matt Crossman, Cross Rhythms, January 2006]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-early-years/716428267)
CD tracklist:
01. To The Mystery – 3:57
02. Celebrate The Child – 3:31
03. Joseph’s Song – 3:28
04. Immanuel – 4:04
05. The Nazarene – 2:42
06. Scandalon – 3:50
07. Forgiving Eyes – 4:01
08. God’s Own Fool – 3:12
09. The Final Word – 3:31
10. Joy In The Journey – 3:00
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Sparrow Records. Re-issued on CD in 2006 featuring new cover artwork.
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