STYLE: Roots/Acoustic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 1755-2188 LABEL: Reunion 602341005029 FORMAT: CD Album RRP: £4.99
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
They say that death is an excellent career move - Elvis Presley is worth millions now, when at the time of his death he was down to his last few hundred thousand. Suddenly, at his death, Rich Mullins was feted by a Christian music industry that had largely written him off as a maverick - despite a decade of writing excellent songs. It wasn't until after he died in a car crash in November 1997 that the American Christian industry chose to prise the "Best Songwriter" Dove award from the CCM industry favourite, Steven Curtis Chapman, and give it to Rich posthumously. It was serendipity that at the time of his death, his record company had just released 'Songs', a best of Rich Mullins compilation from his back catalogue. In the wake of his sad and early demise, and before his backing band could complete recording his final songs on the much feted and excellent The Jesus Record', it was 'Songs' that the Christian music public turned to in order to discover what Rich was about. Now we have 'Songs 2' and the album should be entitled 'CASH IN'! This kind of rehashing of his back catalogue may well lead to a Keith-Green style interminable re-release of his work, and it's sad, because it strongly goes against the spirit of Mullins the man. These are excellent songs from Rich, sort of The Second Best songs of Rich Mullins. If you've never checked out his music, buy the original 'Songs' album and if you're familiar with his stuff, buy his old albums one by one rather than this cynical cash in.
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.
Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 01:54 on Oct 3 2010
I have this collection of songs as well in my huge ccm
library! I just luv "I Will Sing" great song!!; he opened up
his last live tv concert with this song: what a great
performance by him and his band!! "Here in America" from
'93 is another fave;luv the lyrics & tune as well. "Home" &
"Brother's Keeper" are also cd favorites. Hats off to a
wonderful singer/songwriter/musician!! who is definitely
missed in the ccm genre. Rich's songs still carry on and
make impact!! GOD Bless! -Don
I have this collection of songs as well in my huge ccm library! I just luv "I Will Sing" great song!!; he opened up his last live tv concert with this song: what a great performance by him and his band!! "Here in America" from '93 is another fave;luv the lyrics & tune as well. "Home" & "Brother's Keeper" are also cd favorites. Hats off to a wonderful singer/songwriter/musician!! who is definitely missed in the ccm genre. Rich's songs still carry on and make impact!! GOD Bless! -Don