What beautiful voices to listen to!
12/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As I listened to Encores (my favorite) it brings back alot of memories of driving in my car to and from work and wearing that tape out! It lifted my spirit and soul to the Lord. I guess you could say it was part of my morning and evening devotion. I've always especially loved, "Morning Comes When You Call" and "The Son Comes Over the Hill". Both of those songs put such a beautiful picture in my mind. Truly their songs point to the One and Only Lord of heaven and earth! As I listen, I still to this day, find it hard to believe it's only three people singing! Their voices are amazing...what a gift! We have been blessed. They have truly touched my life."
Never been surpassed for their blend
David "still learning" | Eastern USA | 09/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was a fantastic Christian group, way ahead of its time ("CCM" was not yet mainstream). The sibling blend of these three voices has never been surpassed. Newer groups like First Call, POG, Avalon -- all very good, but not better. The lyrics are tremendously poetic and creative, and the musical style is eclectic yet original, from hard (for the time) solo rockers like "Yahweh" to beautiful angelic triads like "Prince Song." Annie Herring's voice on "He Loves Me" -- alternately pleading, desperate, joyful, rough, and beautiful -- is a treasure. The young Matthew Ward's voice was also virtuosic, like an instrument almost as he navigates difficult phrases. Nelly Ward, while not featured much, was the perfect blender between Annie and Matthew. The only knock on this album is that you might be better off getting their full albums, since this doesn't have that many tracks to qualify it as a "bargain." "Easter Song" is of course one of the enduring classics that makes you want to jump out of your seat and proclaim "He Is Risen indeed!" but many other songs are equally good.
Even 25 years after these were recorded, they still sound quite good (technically) and speak afresh to us today. Their band was very proficient and their recording engineers did a good job representing them with clarity and not drowning them in distracting effects. No need to, because the voices were so outstanding.
Get this, or get any other early 2nd Chapter of Acts CDs (I think their earlier three or four CDs are better than their later ones), or get the "20" set for a full career retrospective, but get something!"
Good Music, But Nothing More Than A Money Maker For The Reco
Indiana Jeff Reynolds | Indianapolis, IN USA | 03/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Have you noticed that when an artist leaves a label, then the deserted label releases a greatest hits compilation? Usually, it is after at least three albums. But 2nd Chapter of Acts left Myrrh records after recording two studio albums and two live albums. So, three years after the group left, Myrrh released this 11 song project made up of songs from their two studio projects (no live recordings). The way the CD is arranged, you have two songs from their first project, six from the second, and three more from the first.
The music is good, but I feel this project is really a waste of money for the 2nd Chapter of Acts collector. They should get the first two albums outright, and get a broader compilation. To me, it is nothing more than Myrrh trying to make more money off of one of their former acts."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1